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THE

EDINBURGH MAGAZINE,

AND

LITERARY MISCELLANY,

BEING A NEW SERIES OF

The Scots Magazine.

OCTOBER 1820.

CONTENTS.

Abstract of Southey's Life of Wesley..291 | A Key to the Last Epistle of Horace

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A Correspondent has brought a charge of Plagiarism against the writer of “ LIVING AUTHORS, A DREAM," which appeared in one of our late Numbers. We have too high an opinion of that writer's originality to suppose that any other person ever dreamed his dream; but, like people who are fond of repeating their dreams, he may, for any thing we know to the contrary, have related it before. We wish, to put the matter out of doubt, that he would send us his third dream, without delay, and, if it is akin to the former, and has never been seen elsewhere, the accusation will be laid to rest.

The Correspondents of the EDINBURGH MAGAZINE AND LITERARY MISCELLANY are respectfully requested to transmit their Communications for the Editor to ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE and COMPANY, Edinburgh, or LONGMAN and COMPANY, London; to whom also orders for the Work should be particularly addressed.

Printed by George Ramsay & Co.

THE

EDINBURGH MAGAZINE,

AND

LITERARY MISCELLANY.

OCTOBER 1820.

ABSTRACT OF SOUTHEY'S LIFE OF

WESLEY.

We have already made our readers acquainted with the peculiar circumstances in which the childhood of Wesley was passed; and suggested the probability of their having so in fluenced his temper, judgments, and pursuits, as to give a colouring to his character in manhood. At Oxford, while an undergraduate, his manners were free and cheerful; and he was distinguished by his attention to his studies, his knowledge of Hebrew, and dexterity in wielding the wea pons of logic. He wrote to his father concerning some scruples which he felt as to the motives which ought to influence those who take orders, and was answered by the good old man, that he did not like "a callow clergyman" but his mother advised him to become a deacon as soon as he could, that he might have the greater inducement to apply himself to the study of practical divinity. As the view which is taken of Christian duties in the noted work De Imitatione Christi, revolted him at first, he applied to his parents for advice on the subject, and was thus judiciously answered by his mother: "Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure," said she, " take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things,-in short, whatever in

creases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself." The perusal of" Jere my Taylor's Rules of Holy Living and Dying," made a deeper impres sion on his imagination, and led him to resolve to dedicate all his life to God. The doctrine of predestination next engaged his attention; and his mother advised him to employ his time and his powers in making his own calling and election sure.

In 1725, Wesley was ordained by Dr Potter, Bishop of Oxford, and in the ensuing spring he was elected a fellow of Lincoln College. From this time he began to keep a diary, a prac tice formerly very general, to which both history and biography have been greatly indebted. Eight months after his election to a fellowship he was ap pointed Greek lecturer and moderator of the classes. At this period he devoted "Mondays and Tuesdays to the classics; Wednesdays to logic and ethics; Thursdays to Hebrew and Arabic; Fridays to metaphysics and natural philosophy; Saturdays to oratory and poetry, but chiefly to composition in these arts; and the Sabbath to divinity. It appears by his diary also, that he gave great attention to mathematics." But though he had resolved to adhere to this scheme for several years at least, he was soon convinced, "that there are of many truths it is not worth while to know." Yet he continued full of business, and found time for writing by rising an hour earlier in the morning, and going into company an hour late

See Numbers for May and July 1820.

at

in the evening. As his religious feel- nected with the rise and progress of ings grew upon him, he began to long Methodism. He was born at the for seclusion from the world, and to Bell Inn in the city of Gloucester at gratify this desire a school with a good the close of the year 1714. He says salary was proposed to him in the of himself, that he hated instruction, dales of Yorkshire. What effect re- stole from his mother's pocket, often tirement and picturesque scenery appropriated to his own use the momight have had upon his mind, it is ney that he took in the house, and impossible to say, as the school was from his cradle to manhood could see otherwise disposed of. He now went nothing in himself "but a fitness to to officiate as curate of Wroote, one of be damned." About his tenth year, his father's livings, but was recalled his mother made a second, and an unto his college two years afterwards. happy marriage; and during the afHaving again taken up his abode at fliction to which this led, his brother Lincoln College, he became a tutor read aloud Bishop Ken's Manual for there, and presided over the disputa- Winchester scholars, a book which at tions, which were held six times a that time affected him greatly, which week in the hall. Sometime before he afterwards purchased, and found it his return to the university, he was of much" benefit to his soul." While told by a serious man," whom he at school he had a theatrical turn, and went many miles to see, that "the the remembrance of having enacted a Bible knows nothing of solitary reli- part in girl's clothes covered him with gion,"-words which Wesley never confusion of face in future life. Beforgot; and it happened that such so- fore he was fifteen he began to assist ciety was prepared for him at Oxford his mother in the public house; as he and his adviser would have length he put on his blue apron and wished. While he officiated at Wroote, his snuffers, washed mops, cleanhis brother Charles, a student of ed rooms, and became a professed and Christ's Church, had associated with common drawer." In the little leitwo or three undergraduates, who met sure which such employment affords, for religious improvement. As they he read Thomas à Kempis, and comlived by rule, and received the Sacra- posed sermons. The prospect of a ment weekly, they attracted notice, servitor's place at Oxford induced and became objects of ridicule. "They him soon after to return to the gramwere called in derision the Sacramen- mar school, and at the age of eigh tarians, Bible-bigots, Bible-moths, the teen he was removed to the Univer Holy, or the Godly Club. One persity; he was drawn to the Methodists son, with less irreverence and more learning, observed, in reference to their methodical manner of life, that a new sect of Methodists was sprung up, alluding to the ancient school of physicians known by that name," The appellation was not inapt, and though it was first given to Charles Wesley and his companions, it was afterwards adopted by his brother John, and became the appropriate designation of the sect of which he was the founder. Among the members of the Methodist Society was Mr Morgan, a man morbidly constituted both in body and mind. He instructed little children, visited the sick, and prayed with the prisoners. He died young after a long illness, and the Wesleys have commemorated his virtues as they deserve. Two others of them afterwards acquired celebrity, namely, Hervey, the author of Meditations, a book which has become singularly popular; and Whitefield, a man eminently con

by kindred feelings, obtained an introduction into their society," began to live by rule, and to pick up the very fragments of his time, that not a moment might be lost."

Wesley's party was now about fifteen in number: at first they met on week nights to study the classics, and on Sunday evenings for divinity; but religion soon became the sole business of their meetings; they visited the prisoners and the sick, communicated once a week, and fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, after the example of the primitive church. They now rather affected than shunned singularity, and much ridicule and disapprobation were thereby provoked and expressed.Wesley wrote to his father for advice, and was directed to obtain the Bishop's approbation to his proceedings, which,

Supposed to mean scoggers, as sleeves are still called in some parts of England.

he said, "I cannot do less than valde probo." Thus encouraged, he consulted the bishop, who sanctioned the visiting of the prisons. About this time Wesley became personally acquainted with Law, the author of Christian Perfection," &c. who, in the frequent interviews which he had with him, did what he could to check the ambitious spirit by which even then he was actuated. "Sir," said he, "I perceive you would fain convert the world! but you must wait God's time. Nay, if after all he is pleased to use you only as hewer of wood or a drawer of water, you should submit,-nay, you should be thankful to him who has honoured you so far." The visits to Law were performed on foot to save money to give to the poor; nay, so anxious was he to provide for the poor, that he would not be at the expence of having his hair dressed, but wore it long, and flowing loose upon his shoulders.

parent and pastor, "if you are not indifferent whether the labours of an aged father, for above forty years in God's vineyard, be lost, and the fences trodden down and destroyed; if you consider that Mr M. must in all probability succeed me if you do not; and that the prospect of that mighty Nimrod's coming hither shocks my soul, and is in a fair way of bringing down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave; if you have any care for our family, which must be dismally shattered as soon as I am dropt; if you reflect on the dear love and longing which this poor people have for you, whereby you will be enabled to do God the more service, and the plenteousness of the harvest consisting of near two thousand souls, whereas you have not many haps alter your mind, and bend your will more souls in the University, you may perto His, who has promised, if in all our ways we acknowledge Him, He will direct our steps." p. 67.

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His brother Samuel pressed upon John the duty of obedience to parental authority. "I left Oxford," said he, "with all its opportunity of good, on a worldly account, at my father's desire. I left my settlement by the same determination, and should have thought I sinned both times if I had not followed it." He reminded him also, that having taken orders, he was solemnly engaged to undertake the cure of souls before God, and his High Priest, and his Church." But Wesley replied to both in a manner characteristic of his peculiar mode of thinking. His own salvation would be rendered impossible by a residence at Epworth-he should be involved in intemperance in sleeping, eating, and drinking, before he had been there a month-at Epworth he would be an object of respect, but at Oxford he endured the contempt of the Cross: the schools, too, of the prophets were there, and was it not a more extensive benefit to sweeten the fountain, than to purify a particular stream?" The charge of two thousand souls! I see not how any man living can take charge of a hundred. As to the love of the people of Epworth-how long will it last? Only till I come, and tell them their deeds are evil." He seems to have taken no notice of the advantage which his succeeding to his father would have been to his mother and the younger branches of the family. Samuel, though aware of the folly of reasoning with a man pos'If," says the earnest and affectionate sessed of such notions as he had ex

The report of the singularity, and the austerity of the Wesleys' conduct, determined their brother Samuel, a man of great worth and discretion, to go to Oxford, and judge of their demeanour on the spot; and though he approved of the principles by which they were actuated, he saw clearly that they were carried to a great and dangerous excess. And after a severe illness, and the falling off of some of his associates, John was led to the reflection, that the " consequences of his singularity were diminution of fortune, loss of friends and reputation. His family, and especially his father, were anxious that he should obtain the living of Epworth-where he had been born where his father had so long officiated -and where his mother and sisters were settled; but under the pretence of attending" to his own well-being in spiritual things," he chose to continue at Oxford. As inducements to him to comply with his desire, his father endeavoured to convince him, that acts of austerity, or a solitary life, were nothing in themselves; that academical studies were merely preparatory to the active duties of life; and that it became us not to fix on one single point of duty, but to take in the complicated view of all the circumstances in every state of life that offers.

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