concluded to place him on the List of Reserve, that he might be ready, if need should arise, to assist with his services in the newly-formed Circuit.

Almost immediately after the Conference, Dr. Coke pressed him to engage, with some other brethren, in the West-India Mission. He had nearly consented to go, when Messrs. Bradburn and Rodda, who knew him, and watched over him with paternal attention and kindness, deemed it their duty to interfere, to prevent his going abroad. The other Preachers, therefore, sailed without him. But his interest in the cause of Missions generally, and of the West-Indian Missions in particular, he never lost, as, at a subsequent period of his life, he had the opportunity of manifesting.

In the mean time, his way, though unknown to himself, was rapidly opening. Several new places had been added to the Colne Circuit, and amongst them Ulverstone. A gentleman from that place, residing in London, having recently experienced the power of religion himself, felt a strong desire that his fellow-townsmen should enjoy the blessings which he had himself found, and engaged to meet the expense of an additional Preacher in the Circuit. The Rev. T. Longley, with the concurrence of the Preachers at Manchester and Oldham, applied to Mr. Buckley, who consented to refer the matter to Messrs. Hanby and Costerdine, then stationed at Oldham, together with some of his own friends. They met; and, after prayer, and serious deliberation, unanimously agreed that he ought to accept the invitation. He received. their decision as the outward call of Providence. He felt that a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to him; and now, a number of concurrent circumstances, independent of himself, appeared plainly to mark the time when he should fully engage in the great work of calling sinners to repentance, and the portion of the field in which he should first be occupied. He made, therefore, the necessary arrangements; and in November, 1791, left his paternal home, to enter on the duties of the Wesleyan itinerancy.

At Colne he was kindly received by Mr. Longley, and soon afterwards proceeded to fulfil the appointments of the plan which had been drawn up for the direction of his labours. The Circuit was extensive, and he had to undergo both toils and privations; so that he has acknowledged, that he sometimes found it difficult to bring his mind to his circumstances. When he had gone through all the places in the Circuit, he was enabled both to form a slight judgment of the state of the societies and congregations, and of the probable prospects of usefulness which were presented, and to adopt such measures for his own mental improvement as his ministerial duties, and other circumstances, would allow. He found that he must pursue these measures through many inconveniences; but he resolved to make the best of his situation, and, as soon as he was able, drew up a set of rules for his own guidance, to which, as far as practicable, as well as to his numerous duties as a Methodist Preacher, he endeavoured conscientiously,

to attend. It was often, indeed, with fear and trembling that he addressed congregations, in many of which were persons who were considered as ranking among the most experienced and intelligent in the Connexion; and he frequently expressed his gratitude to God for his gracious assistance, and to the people, for what he regarded as their kind forbearance, and their consideration for his youth and inexperience.

He was sometimes, however, subjected to powerful temptations, and led into a train of unfavourable reasonings; so that everything wore a gloomy appearance; and at one time his health was seriously affected. His mind was dejected, and he suffered much from physical debility. His very prayers, both in public and private, appeared to have no access to God. At one time he was so much cast down, that he meditated a plan for quitting the Circuit, but was prevented by the kind interference of his host at Heptonstall, where he was at the time. On his arrival at Southfield, the residence of Mr. Sagar, who was Circuit-Steward, he opened his mind to him, and received the kindest sympathy. Mr. Sagar saw that much even of his mental sufferings proceeded from physical causes. He was not yet thoroughly seasoned. He had to pass through circumstances, and to undergo privations, to which he had not been accustomed; and Mr. Sagar saw that, unless he could have a brief season of repose, there was a danger of consumption. He therefore bade him be of good cheer; told him, that he would procure a Local Preacher, to go into the northern part of the Circuit for a month; and that, for that time, he should be nursed at Southfield. Mr. Sagar likewise sent him to Leeds, to consult Dr. Hamilton, who at that time resided there. The Doctor received him with great tenderness; and seeing him so broken down, both in body and mind, endeavoured to encourage him, and gave him the most judicious advice.

His temporary residence at Southfield was rendered very useful to him. He had access to a good library, and had time to make use of it. He was introduced, likewise, to several persons, both of reading and piety, whose conversation proved greatly serviceable; and, at length, he was enabled to resume his usual labours.

He has recorded several interesting anecdotes of circumstances which occurred to him. On one occasion, crossing a mountain, and fearing that he was out of the way, he rode to a house which he saw at a little distance, to make inquiry. On his approach, he found a venerable looking old man under a wall, in the attitude of prayer. He had some Christian conversation with him. The old man told him, that by that wall was his closet, and that he had had many very happy seasons there. Formerly, it seems, he had been a great swearer; but one day, as he was driving his horses, and swearing at them, he was heard by Mr. Sagar, who was passing by, and who kindly, but seriously, reproved him. The reproof was effectual, and led him, not only to break off from that one sin, but to seek unto God for pardon and spiritual deliverance.

He was sometimes exposed to great peril. Once he left Lancaster for a place called Slateburn, about twenty miles distant, the road passing over a high mountainous range. The weather was comparatively pleasant when he commenced his journey; but, as he advanced, he found that much snow had been falling among the hills. After proceeding about twelve miles, he came to a narrow, boggy valley, between two almost perpendicular mountains. The road itself was not above ten or twelve feet wide, all the rest being a complete bog. In some places the snow was up to the skirts of the saddle; and, though evening was drawing on, he found it almost impracticable to proceed. He feared, too, that when daylight had left him, he might wander from the right path, especially as, when leaving the valley, he only saw one vast plain of snow, even the fences being, for the most part, covered. His horse at last gave way, and lay down under him. Previously he had kept himself warm by his exertions; but, after standing a few minutes by the horse, and thinking what he must do, he began to experience the chilling effects of the evening wind. It was at this period of danger that he saw, at a little distance, a party of men approaching. They were some of his friends from Slateburn. Suspecting that there might not have been so much snow at Lancaster, and knowing the difficulties of the latter part of the journey, they had determined to go to meet him. Thankful they were that they had done so, as thus they were indeed the means, under God, of his preservation. One of them significantly said, "I am afraid, Sir, if we had not met you, you would never have got to Slateburn." He finished his journey in safety, about seven o'clock, having been nine hours on the road. Exhausted as he was, as he found the congregation waiting, he only took a cup of tea, and soon forgot his weariness in the delightful service of God.

In 1792 he was appointed to the Leicester Circuit, or rather to Coventry, which was that year connected with Leicester, that a regular interchange might take place, Mr. Longley being again the Superintendent. He spent a few days at his father's house, and with his friends at Oldham, and then directed his course to the field of his future labours, being commended to God by the prayers of those whom he had left, and himself earnestly imploring the divine direction and blessing.

He arrived at Leicester on the Saturday evening, and found that it was his turn to conduct the worship on the following day. A new chapel had recently been built, at which a large and respectable congregation attended. As it was soon reported that the " new Preacher" was quite a youth, a number of persons, even greater than usual, were collected. But he cast his care upon God. He had prayed earnestly, and, with some degree of confidence, looked for some more than ordinary manifestation of divine grace to assist him in preaching, and to render the preaching effectual; and his prayers were answered. There

is reason to believe, that several persons were, in the services of the day, awakened to a sense of their sin and danger, who became consistent professors of religion.

On the following day he received encouragement from a singular interview. A lady called to see him, who stated that her husband was an officer, and that he had been accustomed to lead what was called " a gay life;" that, a few weeks previously, he had dreamed of being in some strange place of worship, where there was a crowded congregation, and that he was affected even to tears by what he seemed to hear; that when he awoke, he could not shake off the impression, which had continued unchanged; that, the preceding morning, hearing it reported that a stranger, quite a youth, was going to preach in the new chapel, he proposed to her to go to hear him; and that the moment he entered the chapel, and saw the Preacher, he saw the same that he had beheld in his dream. She added, that, his attention being thus fixed, the word had been accompanied with such power, that he was resolved, by the help of God, to dedicate himself to his service ; and that, as he was now under orders to go abroad, he had earnestly requested that she would accompany him, that he might have the advantages of domestic life in the struggles and temptations that he anticipated. After some further conversation, the lady withdrew. Mr. Buckley committed the whole case to God, and left it in his hands.

His present sphere of action was very different from that which he had recently left. He had not so much travelling, and he had more frequently to address the same congregation. He had more time for study, and saw greater occasion for it: he therefore applied himself diligently to the task of mental improvement, that he might be as a wise householder, bringing forth from his treasury things both new and old.

But all this was in subordination to his great work. He remembered, that "he that winneth souls is wise;" and therefore all his preparations, and all his labours, were directed to the winning of souls. And he was not unsuccessful. He had the satisfaction of knowing, in most places that he visited, that the word of God was not spoken in vain; and, in some of them, he had the joy of witnessing blessed revivals of religion. At Coventry, where he chiefly resided, he became acquainted with the truly venerable Pastor of the Baptist congregation there, the Rev. John Butterworth.* This acquaintance he highly valued, and derived much advantage from it. Mr. Butterworth combined a sound experience in the great matters of personal piety, with extensive and varied knowledge, and a sound judgment. The counsels of such a man could not but be serviceable to a young Minister like Mr. Buckley, teaching him, as they did, to seek to grow simultaneously both in knowledge and in grace. At the close of the

• Father of the late Joseph Butterworth, Esq., M. P., Treasurer of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

year, on reviewing its proceedings, he expressed his thankfulness both for the advantages he had enjoyed, and for the fruit of his labours with which he had been visibly favoured. His only cause for regret was, that he had not made greater progress, and that his usefulness had not been more extensive. He felt humbled before God, but rejoiced that he had been strengthened both in mind and body; so that, in the course of the year, he had preached more than three hundred sermons, besides performing other ministerial duties, and travelled above a thousand miles; and his chief joy was, that while he had been endeavouring to plant and water, the Lord had even exceeded his expectation in giving the increase.

Thus far we have followed Mr. Buckley's progress somewhat particularly, tracing, as it were, his footsteps, till we find him regularly established in the great work of the Christian ministry, the work to which his life was henceforth to be devoted. His future movements may be described with more brevity, except where circumstances of peculiar interest call for enlargement.

At the Conference in 1793 he was appointed to the Nottingham Circuit. He entered on his work with fear and trembling, but with much prayer. Some trials he met with; but he had resolved to know nothing among the people but Christ crucified, and to preach him. with simplicity and earnestness. He found the friends among whom he had to labour kind and affectionate, enjoyed much liberty in ministering the word of life, and passed through the year pleasantly and usefully.

A circumstance which occurred during a journey which he took to visit his father, deserves to be recorded. The events are all natural and straightforward; and yet they evidently show the directing hand of God, ordering all things for the good of souls, and the advancement of his own glory.

As Mr. Buckley was on his journey, coming near the Derbyshire mountains, and seeing the clouds gathering, and the evening threatening to be very tempestuous; approaching the village of Blastow, he inquired at the toll-gate, whether there were a good inn in the place, as he wished to put up for the night. As the reply was in the negative, he pushed forward, intending to go on to the next village. Seeing, however, a respectable looking female standing in the doorway of a house, he rode up, and made the same inquiry; and, again receiving an answer in the negative, he asked if there were any Methodists in the neighbourhood. She told him there were not; but added, "If you are a Methodist Preacher, my son Ralph will be glad to see you; for I think he is a bit of a Methodist himself." Mr. Buckley alighted; and, by the time he had taken a cup of tea, Ralph, a stout young man, arrived from the fields, as he cultivated the family farm. Mr. Buckley found him to be an intelligent young man, much concerned about the salvation of his soul. The evening was spent pleasantly and profitably;