and when Mr. Buckley went in the morning, he promised to call on his return, and preach in the granary. He did so, had a good congregation, and much liberty in preaching. Mr. Buckley recommended that application should be made to the Superintendent of the Sheffield Circuit, for a regular supply of Preachers. Three years afterwards, at the Manchester Conference, Mr. Buckley received a letter, signed "Ralph Penistone," requesting him to come to Blastow, for the purpose of opening the chapel which had just been erected. He complied with the request, and found Ralph and the whole family walking in the fear of the Lord. A Methodist society had likewise been formed, and there were the most pleasing prospects of spiritual prosperity. Mr. Buckley received, likewise, an account of the circumstances which had made Ralph "a bit of a Methodist." He was strongly attached to a young female, who lived at some little distance, and had reason to believe that his attentions were not unacceptable; but, on one occasion, being in her company, something occurred which irritated him, and he swore. She immediately said, "If you take the name of God in vain, I will never marry you." She was at that time herself under the influence of serious impressions, and an oath sounded very fearfully in her ears. He was much offended at the rebuke; but she continued faithful, and he left her, determined to discontinue the acquaintance, especially as he regarded his own worldly circumstances as superior to hers. Still he was uncomfortable; the reproof pressed heavily on his mind, led to much serious thought, and he had begun to pray earnestly to God for mercy and grace. He was in this state at the time of Mr. Buckley's seemingly accidental visit. His conversation and subsequent sermon deepened the impressions on the young man's mind. He talked to several of his companions, who were led to unite with him; and, according to Mr. Buckley's directions, they applied to Sheffield for preaching. The word of God was blessed to the hearers. Ralph found peace with God, and so did his mother, and sister, and others. And then he thought he would seek a renewal of the acquaintance which had been broken off. He was favourably received; and she, whose fidelity had been attended with such happy results, was now his wife. He had himself become a Local Preacher. "And here we are," said he to Mr. Buckley, on concluding his narrative, "a happy, united family, and a prosperous society." He continued for some years a laborious, useful, and acceptable Local Preacher, much beloved by all who knew him, and finally finished his course with holy triumph.

town.

Mr. Buckley was appointed by the Conference of 1794 to the Glamorganshire Circuit, of which, at that time, Swansea was the CircuitThe field of labour which he was now called to occupy was very extensive, reaching from Chepstow, towards the north, to Llanelly, in Carmarthenshire; but he entered upon it resolving, by the help of God, to "do the work of an Evangelist." His appointment to this

Circuit proved to be one of the most important circumstances of his life. At Llanelly he met with the young lady who subsequently became his wife.

His first visit to Llanelly was attended with a remarkable preservation. Near the end of his journey he had to cross a small arm of the sea, which was fordable at low water. A person whom he saw there told him he might cross with safety, and directed him to keep a certain object steadily in view. Mr. Buckley had not proceeded many yards, when the water became so deep, and the current so strong, that he was carried downwards above a quarter of a mile, before he reached the other side; and then he only found a soft mud, insufficient to bear his weight. Happily, a person who was perfectly acquainted with the place saw him, called to him to stand still, and then hastened to him, and guided him out of his difficult and most perilous position. Completely wet, and covered with sand and mud, he got over the remaining four miles of his journey as quickly as possible, and rejoiced to find himself under the hospitable roof of Mr. Child.

While in this Circuit he became acquainted with the late Rev. Thomas Roberts, then residing in Pembrokeshire. Mr. Buckley found the acquaintance of such a man no small privilege; and an intimacy was formed, soon ripening into a friendship which continued till death. During the labours of the year he had an increasing enjoyment of spiritual blessings; and though the extent of his journeyings greatly abridged his time and opportunities for study, yet, by judicious arrangements, he was enabled to persevere in the path of mental improvement, and, by diligent effort, accomplished more than with less care could have been attained under much happier circumstances.

The next year he spent in the Haverfordwest Circuit, and found it, in many respects, as he himself terms it, "a happy year."

Having now completed his period of probation, in 1796 he attended the Manchester Conference, for the purpose of being admitted into full connexion. This he considered as a new era in his life. He renewed his covenant engagements with God, and resolved, through divine grace, to enter more deeply into the spirit of holiness, that he might be the better prepared for labouring efficiently in the Lord's vineyard. His next appointment was Brecon. He entered upon his work under an impression that the vows of God were upon him, and that he was bound to seek, by all the means in his power, to promote the salvation of souls, and the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom. He soon had the pleasure of seeing the chapels filled with attentive hearers, and the congregations powerfully affected under the ministry of the word. But as he thought the sphere of labour was too limited, he proposed to his brethren that, as by a sort of Missionary effort, they should seek to extend it. For this purpose he passed through Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire, and part of Shropshire and Herefordshire, preaching wherever he had an opportunity, sometimes two or

three times in the course of the day. Labours such as these were not likely to be in vain. During the first year the work of God was so much enlarged, that though an additional Preacher had been appointed at the beginning of it, at its close another was added, and ample employment was found for all.

66

As a specimen of his proceedings, his first visit to Knighton may be taken. On his mentioning his intention of preaching there to some friends in a neighbouring village, they endeavoured to dissuade him, telling him, that the last Preacher who had made the attempt was "mobbed out" of the town. Accompanied by a few of his friends, he rode to one of the principal inns in the place; and, after a while, having explained his object to the landlady, requested her to procure the use of the town-hall for preaching. As soon as she brought the keys, the bellman was sent round the town, to announce preaching in half an hour. When he had entered the hall, a few poor persons, appearing as though they had come from the workhouse, followed him. He recollected the saying of our Lord, The poor have the Gospel preached unto them," and gave out a hymn, which he began to sing in the "Old Hundredth" psalm tune. Some gentlemen soon came in, though they stood covered. When he began to preach, about two hundred persons were present. The gentlemen appeared deeply attentive, took off their hats, and at the conclusion of the service came forwards to thank him, and requested him to pay them another visit. This was a season to be remembered, as the commencement of a very gracious revival of religion. He had noticed one man leaning against a pillar, much affected, and unable to restrain his tears. Some years afterwards he was accosted by a respectable female in Liverpool, who asked him if he recollected preaching at Knighton, and observing a man strongly affected in the congregation. On his replying in the affirmative, she said, "Sir, he was my father." It seems his impressions had continued, and, before long, the whole family had been brought to the true enjoyment of religion.

The two years he spent in the Brecon Circuit he reckoned among the most useful and happy of his life, though likewise among the most laborious.

In 1798 he was appointed to Diss, in Norfolk. Before leaving Wales, however, he was married to the eldest daughter of his kind host and valued friend, at Llanelly, H. Child, Esq. Some of Mr. Child's neighbours expressed their surprise that he should give his daughter to a Methodist Preacher; but he feared God, and mildly replied, "I am only surrendering to the Lord what I received from him; and I see nothing dishonourable, but the opposite, in giving her to a Minister of the Gospel of Christ." Mr. Buckley has remarked, emphatically, in his diary, "This was indeed a day of rejoicing, and of special thanksgiving to God."

Mr. Buckley had been reluctant to be appointed to Diss, as he

understood there had been some very painful contentions in the society there. On arriving at his post of labour, he found that matters were even worse than had been represented to him. Disputes had lessened the numbers in society, and so affected the Circuit income, that a smaller and extremely inconvenient house had been taken for the Preacher. He felt this far more on Mrs. Buckley's account than his own; but, great as was the contrast, she never complained. At first he had great difficulty in dealing with some persons who, though connected with the society, openly attacked its disciplinary rules; but he proceeded to his work, uniting mildness with firmness; so that, at length, one of his opponents said to him, "Sir, I believe you are an honest man; and if we cannot think with you, we will act with you." "This was as the day-spring from on high," Mr. Buckley records; "and the way was soon prepared for extensive usefulness." His colleague was Mr. William Vipond, a young man of talent, and fervent zeal and piety, who entered fully into his views. They laboured in harmony, God gave his blessing, the congregations and societies were increased, and many persons were truly converted to God. On his removal from the Circuit, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had been enabled to restore discipline and order, and that a good work had commenced, affording promise of future prosperity.

In 1800 he was appointed to Stourport, and remained there two years, labouring as usual. The same remark may be applied to his stations for the next ten years. His life was uniform, his labours regular. During these years he "travelled" at Bristol, Bath, Plymouth-Dock, Birmingham, and Liverpool.

His appointment to Wakefield, in the year 1812, was every way a memorable one, and connected with very important results. His colleague was the late Rev. Richard Watson. Mr. Buckley has observed, in his reference to this period of his life, "We entered on our labours with cordiality, mutual counsel, and unity of effort. We met together every Saturday, to review the occurrences of the past week, to devise measures in relation to the future, and to unite in prayer for the divine blessing."

In the year 1813 he united with those Ministers and others in his own neighbourhood, who were convinced that the time was come to take into consideration the state of the Wesleyan Missions, and to devise means for their future support and extension. The result was the establishment of Missionary Meetings. In the first Meeting, held at Leeds, he took part, and both himself and Mr. Watson preached on the occasion.

He was removed to London in 1814, where he had full scope for the exercise of the Missionary spirit which had now been revived in him. In the Minutes for that year his name is thus mentioned: "Mr. Buckley is Secretary to the Home Missions." It is added, "Mr. Edmondson is appointed Secretary to the Foreign Missions."

Mr. Buckley cheerfully undertook the new duties which thus devolved on him, in addition to his regular employment as a Wesleyan Minister, and discharged them with fidelity and acceptance.

The remaining sixteen years of Mr. Buckley's life, from his second appointment to Bath, in 1816, to his retirement from the full work of the ministry, in 1832, furnish no particular materials for biographical notice. During these years he laboured with his usual regularity and assiduity at Bath, Plymouth, Deptford, Carmarthen, and Swansea. His feelings on resigning his situation as an efficient Travelling Preacher were very acute; and they who were present at the Conference will remember the affecting address which he delivered on the occasion.

His name was inserted in the annual Minutes of the Conference, as Supernumerary in the Swansea Circuit. But his retirement was not one of weariness or inaction. His strength had so far failed, as to unfit him for the full performance of the duties in which he had now been engaged for more than forty years; but his spirit was as active as ever; and as Llanelly, where he resided, was at a considerable distance from the Circuit-town, he entered into the work of the general superintendence of the society and congregation, with great pleasure to himself, and benefit to those who experienced his pastoral care. For a few years he was able to preach frequently, and, as far as his health permitted, attended the Missionary and Bible Society Anniversaries which were held in his own neighbourhood.

One or two extracts of letters, addressed to the late Rev. Joseph Entwisle, will serve to illustrate the general state of his mind during this latter period of his life. In June, 1831, having recently lost his wife, he thus writes to Mr. Entwisle :

"Your kind and sympathizing letter would have received an earlier answer, had I not been rendered almost incapable of correspondence through the very, very great affliction which our heavenly Father has permitted to come upon me,-the only affliction of my life which I have feared and deprecated, and on which I cannot now dwell without opening the deep wound afresh. The sources of earthly enjoyment. and pleasure appear to be dried up. I am endeavouring to bow with adoring reverence and submission to the will of Him who says, 'What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.' My sorrows appear sometimes greater than I can bear. My dear children and friends anxiously administer all the consolation they can; but He alone who hath smitten, can heal. She who was my kindred spirit, the joy of my youth, and endeared partner of my pilgrimage, is fled, and I am left to bear my burden of age and infirmity alone. She is continually before me. My heart is with her in heavenly places, and sometimes I get a glimpse of the glory which I know she inherits. From our old and long friendship, which has known no diminution through the lapse of years, I know you will bear both me and mine before the throne of grace. What wonders in the work of God have