: she fell upon Mr. Wesley in the street with the greatest scurrility said he was the cause of her husband's confinement, but she would be revenged, &c. &c. He replied, that he pitied her, but defied all that she or the devil could do; and he hoped she would soon be of a better mind. "In my evening hour of retirement, (says he) I resigned myself to God, in prayer for conformity to a suffering Saviour." Before prayers this evening he took a walk with Mr. Ingham, who seemed surprized that he should not think innocence a sufficient protection: but Mr. Wesley had not acquainted him with the information he had received of the designs formed against him. At night he tells us, "I was forced to exchange my usual bed, the ground, for a chest, being almost speechless with a violent cold." Mr. Oglethorpe was now expected to return from his excursion with the Indians, and such was the violence of the party formed against Mr. Wesley, that the Doctor sent his wife to arm herself from the case of instruments, and forcibly to make her escape to speak to him first on his landing, and even to stab any person who should oppose her. "I was encouraged, (says Mr. Wesley) from the lesson, God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power-Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord," &c. March 24th, "I was enabled to pray earnestly for my enemies, particularly for Mr. Oglethorpe, whom I now looked upon as the chief of them-Then gave myself up entirely to God's disposal, desiring that I might not now want power to pray, when I most of all needed it— Mr. Ingham then came and read the 37th psalm, a glorious exhortation to patience, and confidence in God.-When notice was given us of Mr. Oglethorpe's anding, Mr. H. Mr. Ingham and I were sent for. We We found him in his tent with the people round it, and Mr. and Mrs. H. within. After a short hearing, the officers were reprimanded, and the prisoners dismissed. At going out Mrs. H. modestly told me, she had something more to say against me, but she would take another opportunity-I only answered, you know, Madam, it is impossible for me to fear you. When they were gone, Mr. Oglethorpe said, he was convinced and glad that I had no hand in all this— I told him that I had something to impart of the last importance, when he was at leisure. He took no notice, but read his letters, and I walked away with Mr. Ingham, who was utterly astonished. The issue is just what I expected-I was struck with these words in the evening lesson: "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus: remember that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, according to my gospel, wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound, therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake. It is a faithful saying; for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him if we suffer, we shall also reign with him.-After reading these words, I could not forbear adding, I need say nothing; God will shortly apply this-Glory be to God for my confidence hitherto O! what am I, if left to myself; but I can do and suffer all things through Christ strengthening mé." He goes on; " Thursday, March 25th, I heard the second drum beat for prayers, which I had desired Mr. Ingham to read, being much weakened by my fever; but considering that I ought to appear at this time especially, I rose, and heard those animating words, "If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am there shall my servant be. If any man serve me, me, him will my father honour," &c. At half past seven, Mr. Oglethorpe called me out of my hut: I looked up to God and went. He charged me with mutiny and sedition; with stirring up the people to leave the colony. Accordingly he said, they had a meeting last night, and sent to him this morning, desiring leave to go-That their speaker had informed against them, and me the spring of all-That he should not scruple shooting half a dozen of them at once, but he had, out of kindness, first spoken to me. My answer was, “I desire, Sir, that you would have no regard to my friends, or the love you had for me, if any thing of this charge be made out against me-I know nothing of their meetings or designs. Of those you have mentioned, not one comes to prayers or sacrament-I never invited any one to leave the colony -I desire to answer accusers face to face." He said my accuser was Mr. Lawley, whom he would bring, if I would wait here—I added, “ Mr. Lawley is a man who has declared, that he knows no reason for keeping fair with any one, but a design to get all he can by him; but there was nothing to be got by the poor Parson." I asked whether he was not assured that there were men enough in Frederica, who would say or swear any thing against any man, if he were in disgraceWhether if he himself were removed or succeeded ill, the whole stream of the people would not be turned against him; and even this Lawley, who was of all others the most violent in condemning the prisoners, and justifying the officers? I observed, this was the old cry, away with the christians to the lions-I mentioned R. and his wife scandalizing my brother and me, and vowing revenge against us both, threatening me yesterday even in his presence. I asked what satisfaction or redress was due to my character-What good could I do in my parish, if cut off by calumnies from ever seeing one half of it. I ended with assuring him, that I had, and should make it my business to promote peace among all. "When Mr. Oglethorpe returned with Lawley, he observed the place was too public-1 offered to take him to my usual walk in the woods-In the way, it came into my mind to say to Mr. Oglethorpe, shew only the least disinclination to find me guilty, and you shall see what a turn it will give to the accusation. He took the hint, and insisted on Lawley to make good his charge. He began with the quarrel in general, but did not shew himself angry with me, or desirous to find me to blame. Lawley, who appeared full of guilt and fear, upon this 'dropt his accusa→ tion, or rather shrunk it into my forcing the people to prayers. I replied, the people themselves would acquit me of that; and as to the quarrel of the officers, I appealed to the officers themselves for the truth of my assertion, that I had no hand at all in it. I professed my desire and resolution of promoting peace and obedience-Here Mr. Oglethorpe spoke of reconciling matters: bid Lawley tell the people, that he would not so much as ask who they were, if they were but quiet for the future. I hope, added he, they will be so; and Mr. Wesley here hopes so too. Yes, says Lawley, I really believe it of Mr. Wesley: I had always a great respect for him. I turned and said to Mr. Oglethorpe, Did I not tell you it would be so? He replied to Lawley, Yes, you had always a great respect for Mr. Wesley; you told me he was a stirrer up of sedition, and at the bottom of all this disturbance. With this gentle reproof he dismissed him; and I thanked Mr. Oglethorpe for having first spoken to me of the things of which I was accused, begging he would would always do so, which he promised. I walked with him to Mrs. H.'s door; she came out aghast to see me with him. He there left me, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. "I went to my hut, where I found Mr. Ingham : he said this was but the begining of sorrows" Not as I will but as thou wilt." About noon, in the midst of a storm of thunder and lightning, I read the 28th psalm, and found it gloriously suited to my circumstances. I never felt the scriptures as now-] I now find them all written for my instruction or comfort—At the same time I felt great joy in the expectation of our Saviour's thus coming to judgment; when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, and God shall make my innocency as clear as the light, and my just dealing as the noon day. "At three in the afternoon I walked with Mr. Ingham, and read him the history of this amazing day. We rejoiced together in the protection of God, and through comfort of the scriptures. The evening lesson was full of encouragement. "This know, that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded; but they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be made manifest to all men, &c.—All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, &c. Blessed be God that I begin to find them so-Meeting with Mr. IIird, I persuaded him to use all his interest with the people, to lay aside their thoughts of leaving the colony. He told me, that he had assured Mr. Oglethorpe that this was always my language to him and the rest; and that I had no hand in the late disturbance but was answered short, "You must not tell me that; I know better."-After spend ing |