street chapel, in Sheffield, he met a young man engaged in the distribution of religious tracts, and, after congratulating him on the highly important and interesting work in which he was employed, he earnestly exhorted him to converse freely with the people in reference to their spiritual interests, and invite them to attend some place of worship. The young man, in the course of his visits, met with a family consisting of eight or ten individuals, apparently in a state of poverty and destitution, and living without God in the world. He invited them to the Carver-street chapel that evening, and, after some hesitancy, the father of this miserable family consented to attend. According to promise he went. Mr. Hollingworth was the preacher, and while discoursing on the Apostle's reasoning before Felix of "righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come," the poor man was deeply affected; the power of truth reached his heart, and, for the first time in his life, he saw himself lost, and wretched, and undone, and exposed to everlasting ruin. When the service was concluded, he attended the

prayer meeting in the vestry. There his distress increased. He wanted help, yet knew not where to find it. He was directed, however, to "behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," and soon obtained "redemption through the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of his sins." Upon his return home, his wife and children were panic struck when he related to them what the Lord had done for his soul. The next sabbath morning they accompanied him to the house of prayer, and not long afterwards became decidedly religious characters. "A word spoken in due season how good is it."

CHAPTER V.

Leeds-Secession from the Society-Extract of a Letter on the subject-Death of his Daughter, Ann Sharrocks-Bradford Letter on Preaching

Field

Testimony of the Rev. H.

In the years 1827 and 1828, Mr. Hollingworth was appointed to the Leeds West Circuit. Soon after his arrival many painful circumstances occurred, which convinced him that a storm was gathering over the societies, which, till then, had been peaceful and prosperous. Naturally disposed to order and tranquillity, he was deeply concerned by this unexpected interruption in the performance of his ministerial and pastoral

duties. To save souls from death was his great object, and whatever occurred to prevent his efforts from being successful, was to him bitter and vexatious.

The trustees of the Brunswick chapel, at the urgent request of the seat-holders, determined to erect an organ in that large place of worship. This measure was strongly opposed; but as the opposition to it arose principally from persons who worshipped at another chapel, the Conference, respecting the just rights of the people, interposed its authority on the appeal of the trustees, and granted them and the congregation their reasonable request.

Several of the local preachers, who were known to be disaffected towards Methodism, and opposed to its existing rules and usages, embraced this opportunity to propagate their sentiments, and to fix upon the Conference the charge of severity, tyranny, and despotism. They immediately began to hold irregular meetings without the consent of the superintendant. On these occasions the most violent expressions were used, and though the parties were repeatedly reminded

that such meetings were altogether at variance with the long-established rules of the connexion, and, therefore, improper and illegal, they contumaciously persevered in attending them. At some of these meetings the preachers were slandered as mercenary men, destitute of honour and integrity; and the system of church government adoptedby Mr. Wesley, and the Conference was censured and condemned. In one instance three opposition services were held on the sabbath day, in the immediate neighbourhood of a large chapel, supplied in the regular way by a minister who was preaching in behalf of a public charity; thus giving the most unequivocal proof of a factious combination against the discipline and government of Methodism, as recognised by its established rules.

In the excited state of the Leeds Societies at this time, it became necessary that some decisive step should be taken, and hence a charge against the individual who, by invitation, summoned these irregular meetings, was preferred. Due notice was given to him, and the charge was brought forward