when one morning my Uncle took me out with him in the chariot, as he faid, to fee a friend: but instead of this, he brought me to Bedlam, where I have been confined ever fince.

Your flory is plaufible, faid Mr. C. but how fhall I know it is the truth? Very easily, faid fhe. The Gentleman that was to marry me, lives within a day's journey of London. Write to him and tell him you have fomething to fay concerning me, and would be glad to meet him at fuch a place in town. If he does not come, let all this pass for a mad woman's dream. Mr. C. wrote, and asked the Gentleman who came to the place appointed, Whether he knew fuch a perfon? He answered, Perfectly well. We were to have been married before now; but her Uncle sent me word, fhe was taken ill. Mr. C. then told him the whole ftory. He immediately sent to her Uncle: who was very ready to take her out and pay her fortune, to avoid farther trouble.

So the curiofity of one to fee a ftrange place, and of another, to hear a strange tale, was a means of detecting a notorious scene of villany, and of fetting an innocent sufferer at liberty!

J. W.

An Account of Michael Vivian: fent to Dr. Fuller, from Alderman Atkins.

A

Friend of yours, certified me of your defire of being fatisfied of the truth of that relation I made concerning the old Minifter in the North. In my journey to Scotland, I ftopt at Alnwick, in Northumberland, on the Sabbath day. Understanding that the Minister lived within three miles of the place, I rode thither to hear him preach. When I came there, I found him in the desk, where he read part of the common prayer, fome of holy David's psalms, and two chapters, one out of the Old, and the other out of the New Teftament, without the use of spectacles. The Bible out of which he read,

was

was a very fmall print. He went afterwards into the pulpit, where he prayed and preached to us about an hour and a half. His text was, "Seek ye the kingdom of God, and allthese things fhall be added unto you." He made an excellent fermon, without the help of any notes.

After fermon, I went with him to his houfe, where I asked whether he had a new set of teeth come? Whether his eyefight ever failed him? And whether, in any measure, he found his ftrength renewed? He told me, he understood the newsbook reported, his hair to become a dark brown; but that was falfe he took his cap off, and fhewed it me. It is come again' like a child's, but rather flaxen, than brown. As for his teeth, he had three come within these two years: while he bred them he was very ill. Forty years fince he could not read the biggest print without spectacles, and now there is no print fo fmall, but he can read it without them. As for his ftrength, he thinks himself as ftrong now as he hath been these twenty years. Not long fince he walked to Alnwick to dinner, and back again; fix north country miles. He is now one hundred and ten years of age: hearty, and very cheerful! He had five children after he was eighty years of age, four of them !ufty lafles, now living with him, the other died lately; his wife is only about fifty years He was born near Aberdeen.

of

age.

**

LETTER S.

LETTER CCCLXXXVIII.

[From Mr. S. Wells, to the Rev. J. Wefley.]

Rev. and dear Sir,

M

High Wycombe, Feb. 4, 1773

Y father tells me in his laft letter, "My journey from Witney was a very pleafant one. I do not know that I had so much as a fingle thought which was not fixt on God.

VOL. IX.

P

A moft

A most serious and folemn devotion of heart led me to think, I must throw aside my notes at Stow, and preach experimentally to the people.

I admitted several perfons into the Society; moft of whom appeared to be deeply convinced. I have preached ever fince without notes. I am afraid to do otherwife. I have enjoyed a continued peace ever fince I left you, and am following on to know more of God."

If he writes to you, dear Sir, believe he will discover too high an opinion of me. I hope you will impute what he may say in my favour, to the prejudice of fatherly affection.

Sunday, January 10, we held a Love-Feaft at Chefham, at which, one received the gift of pure love. Friday 15. This morning I read a letter to Mrs. S. and H. when the power of God defcended on Mrs. S. as though fhe would then be fet at liberty from the carnal mind. After prayer, B. H. informed me, fhe now knew that God for Chrift's fake had forgiven her.

January 17. God was in the midst of us at Witney: and among the feveral fresh inftances of his goodness, M. P. of Oxford, declared that the blood of Chrift had cleanfed him from all fin. Thursday, January 20. T. B. of Freeland, expes rienced a fenfe of God's forgiving favour; and R. M. expes rienced the fame bleffing that night.

Friday 21, I preached at Newnham, a little regular built town between Wallingford and Oxford. Mr. Smith, whom I admitted into Society, received remiffion of fins; soon after I alfo joined twenty others. God grant they may all be zealous of good works!

Monday 25. At Shalborne, I was informed that two more received remiffion of fin, and another at Eaftbury. Thursday 28, at Slade-End, S. S. told me that the received remiffion of fins when fhe heard me about a month ago. S. W. and her mother experienced the forgiving love of God, and H. W.

has

has for fome months experienced the pure love of God. Thanks be to God for all his mercies!

I remain, Rev. and dear Sir,

Your dutiful Son,

SAMUEL WELLS.

AS

LETTER

CCCLXXXIX.

[From Mifs M. A-, to the Rev. J. Wesley.]

Rev. Sir,

S the end of your labour in the vineyard is the converfion of fouls, it will give you much pleasure to be informed that my fifter Nancy is truly converted,

She fays, fhe often envied the happiness of the people called Methodists; and that not finding it in herself, concluded it was for want of knowing God.

Mr. Eden's converfation was much bleffed to her, as many things he faid greatly affected her. But under your fermon on, "Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of falvation," her heart faid, this belongs to me. When you faid to me at fupper, "Prefs forward, left your fifter should get before you," the word came home to her heart.

prayed earnestly that it might be fa.

When fhe retired, fhe

In the morning, a little after you took leave of her, the could praise God, as her God: foon after, fhe communicated it to her brother; and the next day joined the Society. The day following, coming over to see me, I was quite astonished; as the feemed fully to poffefs the faith which worketh by love, She now prayed, and fang the praifes of God continually; and was fo full of the love of God, that he could hardly contain herself. She feemed alfo to forget her food, while her fleep quite forfook her. She moft carneftly defired to receive the Lord's

P 2

Lord's Supper, and had no fear of death; but feared it was wrong to be so happy, as fhe had felt fo little forrow for fin.

Two things fhe formerly thought would be her greatest cross to part with, if ever she became ferious, fhe was tried with the next day; when behold! the mountain became a plain: for her right hand was cut off without much difficulty!

She faid fhe would go to her worldly acquaintance, and tell them what God had done for her foul: and alfo tell them how she must live and act; and that if they would do so to, she would continue their acquaintance; but if not, fhe muft break it off. I know, Sir, you will blefs God with me, because he has given you a child, and me a fifter in the Lord.

I now begin to hope that all our family will be brought to the knowledge of the truth. How delightful is the thought! I blefs God that I can rejoice in Chrift Jefus! and have no confidence in the flesh. Pray for me, Reverend Sir, and believe me to be your most affectionate and obliged Servant,

A Juggler long through all the town,

Has raifed his fortune and renown;

You'd think (fo far his art tranfcends)
The d-v-l at his finger-ends.

Vice heard his fame, fhe read his bill:
Convinced of his inferior skill,

She fought his booth, and from the crowd
Defyed the man of art aloud.

Is this then he fo famed for flight?

Can this flow bungler cheat your fight?

Dare