Prophets, the Bible is a false Bible, the Church of England a false Church, and her doctrines false doctrines; for," said he, "they take their text from the Bible, and maintain their doctrines from the Bible, and from the Articles, Homilies, and Prayer-Book of the Church of England."

The next week came the Rev. Parson Greenwood, from the Birstal Circuit. His text was John iii. 16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him. should not perish, but have everlasting life." And the week after again came the Rev. John Murlin, and preached from John iii. 14, 15: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." The following week the Preacher was the Rev. John Pawson, then a young man, who discoursed from John i. 12: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." There is a remarkable coincidence in these texts; and the sermons preached from them conveyed to Abraham's mind the scriptural way of salvation by Christ Jesus. He was convinced of the utter insufficiency of his former self-righteousness, and that the law was a schoolmaster to bring him to Christ: he felt his real condition as a sinner, and his need of the mercy of God.

After this James Sidney, of Wakefield, visited Almondbury once a month: but, in consequence of the preaching being in the evening of the day, it afforded evil-disposed persons an opportunity of greatly annoying the hearers; and these annoyances grew into savage barbarity. The preaching was therefore removed to the noon of the weekday; and many who became enlightened flocked to the preaching of Mr. Venn, of Huddersfield, and great good was done.

From this time Abraham availed himself of every opportunity of hearing the Methodist Preachers; but his brother William violently opposed his attending their ministry, on account of the manner in which he was upbraided by his sinful companions, because of Abraham's following the false Prophets: he said he would rather follow him to his grave than he should become a Methodist; and his mother, in consequence of William's opposition, endeavoured to dissuade Abraham from the attendance he had commenced; but he answered her by saying, that he had endeavoured to assist her, as far as lay in his power, in things temporal, and that he was willing to submit to her in all things lawful; but that the salvation of his soul was of the utmost importance, and on that point he must submit to none but God. His mother was affected with this appeal, and wept. These sentiments evince his attachment to the Methodists, especially when we consider that he was then labouring under the burden and guilt of his sin; nor was he yet united in church-fellowship to the people of God, though he regularly read the Bible, and attended all the means

to which he had access. He earnestly sought the blessing of salvation; and on Saturday, March 6th, O. S., 1769, he received a sense of God's pardoning love, whilst at his work. He was prayerfully musing on his state, when suddenly he felt a comfortable persuasion that his sins were forgiven, such as made him unspeakably happy. When this was made known, everybody was astonished, and most people thought it would be advisable to consign the poor man to an asylum. His tender mother advised him to tell no one, for both Priest and people thought it perfect madness. Some time after this circumstance, he united himself to those whom he believed to be the people of God. The sole reason he assigned for not taking this important step sooner was, the persecution and opposition with which they had to contend. His brother, who up to this time had been his violent opposer, was seized with an affliction which terminated his mortal career; but, previously to his departure, he saw his error, repented of it, and it is believed that he found peace with God, and thus entered into rest when he died. Shortly after this his mother joined herself to the Methodist society; so that his hinderances, at least in the family, were removed out of the way.

At what time a Wesleyan society was formed at Almondbury it is difficult to ascertain; but in 1770 the Rev. William Darney was accustomed to pay a weekly visit to Almondbury. At first he found seven members in society; (and it may fairly be conjectured that Abraham was one of the seven ;) they increased, however, in one month, to thirty-two; and this rapid increase seems to have infuriated the enemies of Methodism in the place, and raised more violent persecution than before. To this the rabble were incited by their Clergyman, Mr. Amstead, who had often told them from the pulpit, that he was quite sufficient for the ministerial work in the place, and that they should have no other teacher. A person named John Kaye was then both Clerk and Deputy-Constable: he, together with the Minister, was greatly enraged against the Methodist Preachers. One evening, when Mr. Darney had been preaching, the Clerk came into the house where he lodged, and said that he wished to speak to him. When Mr. Darney came out of his room, the Clerk seized him, in order to drag him out to the mob that was collected outside the door; but two members of the society, perceiving Mr. Darney's danger from the madness of the people, if he went outside, got hold of him; and thus, in a violent struggle between friends and foes, Mr. Darney's coat was rent; but his friends succeeded in rescuing him from the mob for that time. The week following Mr. Darney visited Almondbury again, and the people peaceably assembled to worship God, in the house of 'Squire Studdarth, licensed for that purpose; but very soon after the service had commenced, a mob gathered about the house. He had taken his text from 2 Thess. i. 7-10: "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with

his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day" and while he was exhorting the persecuted followers of Christ to take courage, the Clerk came in, followed by the enraged people, and, holding his Constable's staff in his hand, said, "I charge thee, in the name of King George, to come down." Mr. Darney immediately answered, “I charge thee, in the name of the King of kings, that thou let me go on with my sermon." To this the Clerk made no other reply than, "Pull him down." The mob forthwith seized Mr. Darney, tore his venerable white locks, and he fell heavily to the ground, much injured; for he was a very corpulent man. His friends rallied round him, and, with great difficulty, led him to his chamber, where they hoped he would be safe from further violence; but, notwithstanding all their efforts, the mob followed him there, and dragged him into the street; there they threw him down, fell upon him, and kicked him most unmercifully with their iron-shod clogs. They then forced him down the street, as far as the vicarage, and there again threw him down, and used him in the most barbarous manner, until it was feared that his life would be sacrificed to their rage. He, however, at length escaped to his lodgings, though much injured.

To these barbarities the Almondbury Methodists would have tamely submitted, had not their friends from Tong come over, and insisted on the propriety of seeking protection from the law. The poor persecuted Wesleyans, with their all-but-martyred Preacher, applied to the Rev. Mr. Zouch, who was at that time Vicar of Sandal, and Justice of the Peace. Before they arrived at Sandal, they were informed, that letters had been sent by the Clergyman of Almondbury against them, evidently intended to prejudice the Magistrates.

On the day appointed by the Magistrate, the Clerk with his accomplices arrived, bringing, as a vindication of his own conduct, and that of the lawless mob, the notorious Five-Mile Act, passed in the reign of King Charles II. The Justice, to his eternal honour, asked Kaye why he had brought that Act to him: "That Act," said he, sternly, "is for thee and thy mob; and, as Mr. Darney is a licensed Preacher, and was preaching in a licensed house, you might as well have pulled me down when preaching in my own church: and if you do not settle this business before the Quarter Sessions, both you and all concerned in this brutal affair will be transported." It appears, they had gone to Sandal in high spirits, assuring themselves of victory, and had given orders that the bells should commence ringing on their return. They were, however, painfully disappointed, and had to slink into the town

in disgrace. The matter was soon afterwards settled between the two parties.

But though the violence of persecution was somewhat abated by these legal proceedings, they had still to meet with considerable opposition; for, in the year 1770, the class-meeting was held at five o'clock on the Sunday mornings, in order that persecution might be eluded; but there was a very regular attendance even at that early hour. One more instance of persecution shall be related, in which Abraham was immediately concerned. The Rev. Robert Roberts, having visited the place, was entertained at Abraham's house: the mob surrounded it, and did considerable damage, by pelting the door, &c., with stones and dirt. Abraham went out, and endeavoured to appease the people; but they used him most shamefully, beating him with the bough of a tree, besmeared with offensive dirt, and spoiling his new clothes. Meanwhile, the Minister escaped by the back-door, and was invited into the house of a publican, who protected him until he could escape to Huddersfield.

When it is considered that Abraham Moss was not merely a witness of the sufferings of these holy men, but a participator in them, a high opinion of the strength of his principle, the ardour of his love to God, and of the moral courage with which he was so happily blessed (at a time when it was no small matter to identify himself with a sect that was everywhere spoken against) must be formed. To these days of trial Abraham frequently adverted, in his later years. "How," said he, "did we then love each other! how glad we were to see each other! and how happy we were when met together!" Some few years after these circumstances, he had a very remarkable dream, which made a deep impression on his mind. In this dream, he thought he was conducted to the very mouth of hell, he saw the sulphureous flames ascend, and heard the howlings of the damned. In this lake of fire he recognised several with whom he had been acquainted; and, while he gazed with horror, he saw the fiends drag to this awful abyss a person whom he knew well, and plunge him into the yawning gulf. With this he awoke, when immediately the bell which tells "the departure of a soul" was tolled; and on inquiring whose departure was thus announced, he found it was that of the very person he had seen in his dream: this man had been one of his most violent persecutors.

It appears that for some time there was no regular preaching at Almondbury; consequently, Abraham had to travel to Halifax, Birstal, and Leeds, that he might have an opportunity of hearing the Methodist Preachers. The nearest places were Tong, Southroyd, and Huddersfield. In the year 1766 a chapel, commonly called the BankChapel, was opened for divine service in Huddersfield; and here he regularly attended the five-o'clock preaching, even on cold, frosty, winter mornings. In 1779 he was married to Ann Leck, a woman

like-minded with himself, his mother having died two years previously; for, as he was her sole supporter, he had determined not to marry while she lived. He lived with his wife very comfortably for twelve years, when she died likewise. During that period they had five children, three of whom died in infancy.

The history of Methodism in Almondbury, as connected with Abraham's life, exhibits considerable fluctuations: the society gradually fell away; some died, others removed, and some embraced Calvinistic principles. At one time he was the only Methodist in the place. This state of things greatly affected his mind. He deeply lamented the wickedness and depravity that prevailed, and felt it his duty to call sinners to repentance, and admonish them to flee from the wrath to come. Thus was he led to direct his attention to preaching; and on December 2d, 1792, he entered on this new sphere of labour. In this work (the number of labourers being at that time few) he found full employment; and in the first year he preached one hundred and three sermons,-very frequently preaching four times on a Sunday, and once five times. Immediately on his commencing this work, he began to preach in his own house on the Sabbath evenings, hoping in this way to promote the benefit of his fellow-townsmen. When his journeys were so extensive that he could not return home in time for preaching, he appointed persons to hold a prayer-meeting. This service, after a series of years, was discontinued, partly in consequence of the opposition he met with, (for even at this time persecution was very hot against him,) and partly in consequence of those discouragements under which he then laboured. He did not see all that success he desired, and therefore concluded that his toils were fruitless, and resolved to preach no more. He took for his text, as a farewell sermon, "Fill ye up the measure of your fathers," &c.

The work of a Local Preacher at that time was most laborious, as the Circuit included the whole of what now constitutes the Huddersfield, Holmfirth, and Denby-Dale Circuits. But Abraham, being possessed of a hardy and robust constitution, was enabled to bear those labours, which others, less favoured in this respect, could not endure; and he was never known to neglect his appointments, whatever might be the distance, or the state of the weather. Besides extensive journeys in his own Circuit, he frequently visited other Circuits. Several times he travelled to Delph, in Saddleworth, preached twice, and returned the same evening; and on one occasion he travelled to Keighley, and after preaching twice returned home; thus performing on foot a journey of about forty miles in one day. On some of his preaching excursions he was exposed to imminent dangers, from which he experienced merciful deliverances. One or two instances may be mentioned.

One Sunday, having preached at Clayton in the morning, Hoyland in the afternoon, and Skelmanthorp in the evening, he, together with