Biographical narrative of Matthew Lanktree .. . comprising numerous characteristic sketches of contemporaries, and historical notices of the rise, progress and influence of Methodism in various parts of Ireland

Preface

The Author of the following unadorned detail of ministerial recollections, is not unconscious of the difficulties of the undertaking. He is aware that many estimable characters, who were well qualified for the task, have shrunk from the attempt ; and rather than become their own biographers, have consigned to the silence of the tomb, not only what would have been their most authentic attestation to the truth and pqwer of the Gospel, but names and events connected with their personal history, worthy of being transmitted to the latest posterity. He is convinced that such an excess of delicacy has no countenance from the inspired writers, who uniformly encourage the people of God to record his goodness, and proclaim his praise " from one generation to another."

In accordance with these views, when the writer was compelled, by increasing infirmities, to retire from his more public and responsible duties, he endeavoured to redeem his time in private, by reviewing those manifestations of mercy which came under his own observation, or were transmitted to him by respectable witnesses. While thus engaged, he was induced to hope that, through the medium of the press, several descriptions of persons who were deeply impressed on his heart, as well as his own children, might, through the divine blessing, derive advantage from his labours. To many of these, he is persuaded, that several facts here stated will recall past

XU PREFACE.

seasons and enjoyments of the happiest description, connected with the name and spirit of the Lord Jesus, the exercise of faith, the ardour of love, and the glorious hope of immortality.

When the Author entered on the regular course of his labours in the ministry, the second race of Methodist preachers were rapidly finishing their course. Of the devoted body of young men by whom they were succeeded, and with whom he had the honour to associate, how few are now survivors ! He has attempted, with affection and fidelity, to sketch some of their characters and delineate their virtues ; bat in this attempt he felt his great inadequacy ; for much of what he admired in them was too personal and affecting to be inserted. In his numerous references to cotemporaries, or past events, he has studied " to speak the truth in love," and availed himself of occurring opportunities, to acknowledge the prety and usefulness of ministers and people of various denominations, as well as of his own community, which he trusts will not be found unedifying to those " who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," and hold " the unity of the Spirit" with his members, " in the bond of peace." On several occasions he has used their names and correspondence with respectful freedom.

For nearly half a century he has been most intimately identified with Wesleyan Methodism — " through honour and dishonour," weal and wo ; and has given ample and correct information respecting its operations through various parts of Ireland. He has witnessed many revivals of religion, and referred to the instruments and means which it pleased the God of all grace to sanction in the extension of his work, on regular circuits, and Mission stations. The early movements, successes, and persecutions of the indefatigable Irish Missionaries, he has been careful to rescue from oblivion ; and hopes, for the sake

PREFACE.

of our common Christianity — for the sake of truth — that in future, when certain men are describing the degenerate state of our country, and making speeches, or writing reports, respecting their efforts to ameliorate her moral condition, they will not forget the labours of their brethren of the Wesleyan denomination to effect the same purpose, nor designedly cast them into the shade ; — for they were first in their day to engage in the Christian enterprise; nor will they be found least, or last, amidst the evangelical agencies of the present more enlightened period. But " He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Many of the proceedings of the Irish Conference are interwoven with these pages ; those respecting the great sacramental question, in which the Author was most vitally concerned, are given more at large. To this subject he calls the attention of every candid inquirer.

The last few years of his life, have been singularly diversified with light and shade, to which he has only so far adverted, as to form a connecting link in the series of providential occurrences which have hitherto distinguished his probationary state, or prove useful to others, if called to encounter similar difficulties. " Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Unto Him be glory in the Church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end i Amen.

Chapter I. 1770

Author's birth-place, relatives, &c, deliverances — First gracious impressions — Degeneracy of public morals, &c. — 1-8.

Chapter II. 1789

Circumstances leading to Author's acquaintance with the Methodists — Gracious results — Experience of mercy and consolation — Concern for relatives — Introduction of Methodism into Oldcastle — Witnesses for Christ raised up — Increase of the work of God — Author commences local preacher, — Reasons for his union with the Methodists. —9-16.

CHAPTER III, 1792, Author's conflicts and comforts — Death of the Rev, John Wesley— Of William Lanktree — Testimony of a female Quaker preacher- Author's visit to Dublin — Conversion of Mrs, Shepherd — His marriage— Illness and death of wife and infant— Improvement, — 17-24.

Chapter IV. 1794-5

Called out to travel the Cavan Circuit — Instructive letters — Unhappy state of the country — Defenders — Extraordinary deliverance of two families from them — Horrid death of a drunkard — Adjutant Malone's conversion — Happy deaths — Gracious providences — First interview with Dr. Coke — His preaching— 25-40.

IV CONTENTS.

Chapter V. 1795-6

Journey to Coleraine and reception — Sudden death of R. Douthett —State of the Circuit — An unfaithful preacher — Affecting death of a young lady — Her character— Sermon of a Quaker friend — Disaffected state of the country — State of religion— Happy deaths — Miss M'Lean — Conclusion of a year's labours — Reference to the Giant's Causeway. — 41-48.

CHAPTER VI. 1796—7, Agreeable journey to Sligo — A revival commences — Extent of the Circuit — Bright prospects — Opposition — Alarms of war — Mrs. Slacke — Her letters, and account of Mrs, Fleming's death— Her own sudden dissolution — Sligo Society — Sarah M'Kim — Work of God round the Circuit— First acquaintance with Gideon Ousley — Curious dream respecting him — Persecution in Boyle — Miraculous influence of Christian charity on an afflicted widow — Singular Convert from Popery — Elphin— A pious family — General character of the work — Grateful close of the year, — 48-62.

CHAPTER VII. 1797-8-9, Interesting journey to Youghall — State of things — Feeling for the miseries of the poor — Encouraged by a dream — Benevolent Society formed— Author stimulated by precept and example — Mr. Averell's account of a Methodist garrison in the Rebellion — Horrid execution in Youghall — Account of the Rebellion in the County Antrim— Preservation of Coleraine— Appointment to Cork— Importance of Author's charge — Visit of missionaries, Messrs. Murdoch and Sturgeon Account of shipwrecked ditto — They are generously entertained by Romanists in Kinsale — Comforted and refitted— Dr. Coke's letter to ditto — Author's marriage.— 62-80.

Appointed to Wicklow circuit — Deplorable state of the country after the Rebellion — Field of labour— Reception — Success— First attendance on Conference— Re-appointment— Dearth of food — Progress of religion — Rev, Thomas ]Kelly-r-His preaching in Arklow— Lorenzo

CONTENTS. V

Dow's visit— His success — Letters — Eliza Steacy's account of the Rebellion— Mrs. Carley's ditto— Mr. Morgan's ditto— Mr. G. Taylor's ditto— Of the massacre at Wexford— His deliverance — Extraordinary deliverance of a young man — Method of extending religion — Rev. A. Moss a subject of grace — General revival of religion in the South, the East, and the North of Ireland — Ditto in America.— 80-110.

CHAPTER IX.

1801-2-3.

Inte resting appointment to the Waterford Circuit with Mr. William Smith — Their early anticipation of future blessings — Low state of the Circuit — Union among the preachers — Great revival — Spirit of liberality— Dr. Coke calls a District meeting extraordinary — Glorious celebration of the Nativity — The Lord's Supper by Mr. Averell — Mr. Smith's account of the extension of the revival, and the consequent blessedness — Opening of Wexford chapel — Mr. M'Cormick, of Ross — Persecution of missionaries — Account from Conference — Letters from colleague — Introduction of the Independents into Waterford — Letter from Rev. T. Kelly — Ditto from Mr. Smith on the subject — Christian conduct of Preachers — A letter from Mr. Smith exemplifying " The thorn in the flesh" — Author's affliction and restoration— Archdeacon Fleury — Dr. Stoke's farewell sermon against the Methodists — Rev. Mr. Stevenson preaches against them — Anecdote of the effects of music in the church — Letter from the Rev. H.

C Appointment to the Carlow Circuit — Removal thither—

110-128.

CHAPTER X.

1803-4-5.

State of religion — Gloomy and afflictive circumstances, public and private — Mode of management— Token for Good — Visit to Cork — Happy deaths — Reflections — Ministerial help — Reviving prospects — Opposition from the Rev. Mr. Grady — New Societies— Anecdote — Distressing accident over- ruled for good — Conference affairs — Re-appointment with Mr. Rogers— Delicate relation of Methodism to the Established Church — Rev. Messrs. Caulfield and Row friendly — Visit to Oldcastle — Graham and Ousley — Rapid spread of the Gospel, and triumph over persecution, in Kilkenny— A day of public thanksgiving— Interesting incidents— Close of Circuit affairs— Deplorable state of a contentious woman. — 128-140.

VI CONTENTS.

, CHAPTER XI. 1805-6.

Appointed to Longford — Journey thither — Providential deliverance of family— Extent and state of the Circuit— Method of Procedure- Visits from sundry preachers and friends — Letters from ministers — Conversion of an Infidel — Anecdotes of Serjeant Johnston and Mr. Ousley — Prosperity and liberality evinced — Personal affliction — Journey to Dublin — Irish hospitality — Anecdote of Mr. R. Armstrong 140-153.

CHAPTER XII. 1806-7.

District meeting and Conference — Appointment to Dublin — Colleagues— Reflections on the duties and hinderances of this station — Character of the Society — Encouragement — Trials on account of Lorenzo Dow — Testimonies and facts respecting him — Close of 1806 — Sermon for the Almshouse, and collection — Interference on behalf of an aged and afflicted brother — Singular case of Jane Driver — A widow's debt remitted. — 154-164.

CHAPTER XIII.

1806-7-8.

Reviving accounts from Mr. Ousley — A Pentecostal camp-meeting in America— Farther accounts from Mr. Ousley — A vision — Prosperity of the Irish missionaries — Conflicts with the Priests — Eagerness of the Romanists for the Word of God — Letters respecting the British Conference, 1807 — Death of Mr. Darragh — John Joyce necessitated to desist from the work — Institution for catechising the young — Commencement of a good work in Cork-street — New-year's breakfast meeting, 1808— Origin of the Old" Men's Asylum — Feast for the poor — Still farther accounts from Mr. Ousley — Remarkable Conversions— Female Orphan School — Account of its Founder — Conference — Author's proposal when leaving Dublin — Appointment to Armagh, and journey thither. — 164-195.

CHAPTER XIV.

1808-9-10.

Charlemont Circuit contrasted with Dublin — Mr. Kidd — View of the

Circuit — Manner of proceeding — Special encouragement — Gracious

CONTENTS. VII

results from field-meetings — A happy death, and subsequent revival — The work of God in Dublin — Death of Mrs. Keene — Persecution of the Missionaries — Letter from the Rev. P. Row — Triumphant death of the Rev. Mr. Madden — Institution for the indigent poor commenced — Prosperous close of the year — Social plan of travelling ou horseback Hospitality — Conference — Subsequent transactions and correspondence— Conference, 1810 — Armagh Circuit formed — Mr. Harpur — Dr. Clarke's visit — Review of three year's labour. — 195-217.

Interesting Conference — Pecuinary difficulties and expedients — Joseph Butterworth, Esq., and Lord Sidmouth's bill — Debate respecting stationing the Preachers — Appointment to Londonderry Circuit — First round of ditto — Mr. Averell and the Lord's Supper in Strabane — Visit of Mr. Ferguson from America, and its good effects — Rapid spread of religion — Difficulties respecting a local preacher — Visit to Coleraine — Seized with fever — Jane Craig — Conference 1812 — Return to Derry — Trials and reflections — Conference 1813 greatly blessed — Dr. Coke and the Ceylon Mission — His departure, and last words to Author — 217-230.

Coleraine Circuit — Kind reception — Entrance on its labours with Mr. James Johnston — Its state — The salmon fishery — Humanity of Priest M'Glaim — A young woman drowned — Prospect of good — Effects of thunder and lightning — Personal and family afflictions — Mr. Averell's final visit — Commencement of sacramental discussion — Rev. James Huey's hostile sermon — The addresses to Conference for the Lord's Supper — Which agrees to the request — Then postpones it — Proceedings of the Circuit — Circular letters — Apology for lay preaching.— 230-242.

CHAPTER XVII. 1815-16.

Proceedings at Conference respecting the ordinances — The subject negatived — Distressing results — Author's painful feelings and resolution— Extraordinary deliverance from sudden death — His critical situation when leaving Coleraine— Administers the Lord's Supper —

Vlll CONTENTS.

Removes to Beljjist — Letter to Messrs. Sturgeon and Cobain — Mr. Averell's attempt to have him expelled the Connexion — Mr. Stephenson's conduct on the occasion — Great meeting in Armagh in favour of the Ordinances — Requisition to administer it in Newtownards — Others follow the example — Results — Letters of encouragement — Hostility Discovered — Favourable proceedings in Belfast — Cotton-court chapel, and the Lord's Supper there — Circular letter — Progress of the Gospel — Exclusion from New- Road school house, and its downfall — Dr. Clarke's visit to Belfast — The Conference invited there 242-260.

CHAPTER XVIII. 1816-17-18.

Da. Clarke presides at the Conference — Unaccountable silence of his biographer on the subject — Opening of the Session — Saurin's intimidating letter — Trial of the Preachers for breach of order — Their Defence — Sentence, and Penalties — Fin«d debate respecting the Ordinances — Plan of pacification — President's speech — Author re-appointed to Belfast — Mr. Hill, Missionary — Gracious prospects — Public and private distress — Institution for sick poor — Strong opposition to the concessions of late Conference — Letter from Dr. Clarke —Fidelity of the Preachers — Author becomes supernumerary — Appointment of Messrs. William Smith and T. Johnson to Belfast — Typhus fever — Solemn admonitory preaching — Death of Mr. Johnson— Mr. Averell's unavailing circular letter to the Preachers — Joseph M'Cracken's prophecy — Mr. A. Mackay — Conversion of Captain K Great field-meeting for the Lord's Supper.— 260-288.

CHAPTER XIX. , 1818-19.

State of affairs, before and at the Conference, distressing — Accounted ior — Character of Mr. T. Johnson — Author appointed with Mr. Hill to the Ards Mission — Missionary instructions — Letter to the Committee Happy death of Robert Emberson — Interesting particulars and

progress of the work of God — Family afflictions and mercies — Hans Potter's — James Morrison's — Quintinbay — Belfast— Newtownards — R. Morrison's conversion and results — Close of the year at the Sacramental table — District meeting — Pleasant journey to Dublin — Great increase of members— Fresh taxation of the Preachers — 288-300.

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER XX.

1819-20-21.

Abds Mission— Visit to Scotland with Mr. Thomas Kerr — passage

in the steamer, and reception in Glasgow — First sermons— Janet

Simon, &c. — Glasgow wearers — Their distress and new employment

Museum— Magdalen Asylum — Paisley — Farewell to Glasgow —

Return to Ireland— Colleague, Mr. R. Wilson — Improved state of the Mission — Comber chapel commenced — Greyabbey— Happy state of eldest son — Conference 1820 — State of mind under public embarrassment— Newtownards and Comber Mission — Prospects — Bangor chapel begun— Oppressive consequences— Plan of management— Attempt to unite the Methodists of the New Connexion with the Old — Failure — Matthew Lank tree, jun. , recommended to the Conference and accepted — Increased embarrassments — Seasonable consolation — Dr. Johnson's liberality— Favourable state of the Ards Mission — Remove to Mount Alexander. — 318-328.

Author removes to Mount Alexander — Enters on the labours of the Down Mission — Difficulties and helps — Anecdotes — Conference 1822 — Its favourable influence on Author's mind— Deplorable state of the Western counties — Opening of Comber chapel — Dr. Clarke's visit to Belfast — Conference 1823 — James Patterson — Visit from the Rev. Valentine Ward — Circumstantial letter to the Missionary Committee—Letter from Mr. Ousley — Death of Charles Graham — Conference 1824 — Appointment and remove to Ballymena. — 329-349.

General view of the Mission — Indication of a revival in Ballymena — Happy death of Thomas Moore — Accumulated labouiff— Need of ministerial help— How procured — A gracious work in Castledawson, Magherafelt, Bellaghey, &c. — Interesting journey to the Cork Conference— Visit to his son in Bandon — Happy Conference — Mr, George Howe's experience at the love-feast — Another visit to Bandon — Afflictive dispensation there — Journey home — The priest — Eldest son's bereavement and visit, &c. — Letters to the Missionary Committee— Negociation with ditto, respecting his son becoming a Missionary to Palestine — Remarks — Another letter to the Committee —

X CONTENTS.

Sir R. Batesonls grant of ground in Magherafelt — District meeting in Coleraine — Opening of Billy chapel — Conference 1826 — Favourable circumstances, public and private — Return to Ballymena with Messrs. M'Elwain and Saul— Mode of proceeding, particularly with young persons and public characters — Opening of Bellaghey chapel — Hostility of the Romanists — Curious discussion in Desertmartin — The famous one in Ballymena — Singular impression on th.e Authors mind — Concluding Observations.— 329-349.

CHAPTER XXIII. 1827-8-9.

First Conference held in Belfast — Author's appointment to the Liaburn Circuit— Sketch of early Methodism there — Its candid treatment of Mr. Wesley and his preachers — William Black's account — Mr. Wesley's ditto — Chapel built — Character of the Society — Dromore — The Circuit — Interesting domestic scene — Address of Author's twelve children — Deaths on the Circuit — Increase — Conference scrutiny— Proposalfor discharging the debt of the Connexion — Re-appointment to Lisburn, with Mr. Lupton — Plan of raising supplies — Happy district meeting — Personal and family affliction. — 349-365.

CHAPTER XXIV- 1829 to 1834.

Appointment to Carrickfergus and Lame — Great difficulties — Sabbath labours — Mr. Bell and family— Seasonable consolation — Trying district meeting — Mr. Shepherd — Journey to Dublin — Service in Abbey-street chapel — Conference— Peculiar crisis— Bangor Mission — Author's reasons for joining the Temperance Society — Conference 1831 — Mrs. Keowen, Summerhill — Jane Toner — Mr. John Waugh— Dr. Clarke — Conference 1832 — The Cholera — Donaghadee Circuit — Labour and encouragement — Death of youngest and eldest sons*- Consolatory letter — Author's experience — Arrives at his grand cljmacterical year — Retrospect gnd conclusion.— 365-390.

BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE.

Chapter I

My native place is Oldcastle, County of Meath. My father was the youngest son of Thomas Lanktree* and Martha Lindsay, whose offspring were George, Thomas, Mary, Ann, and James. The name of my maternal grandfather was Cottenham, and my grandmother's maiden name Bennet. They had a son, Robert, who when young emigrated to America; and two daughters, Sarah and Jane — the former was wife to my uncle, George Lanktree, and the latter to my father, James, his youngest brother.

My grandfather Cottenham dying young, his widow was subsequently married to Merrick King, a professed member of the Society of Friends, to which she also became conscientiously united.

My father died in his twenty-fifth year, when I was yet an infant, being the youngest of three children. I was dedicated to the blessed God, by baptism, on Lord's day,

* Few sirnames are spelled more arbitrarily than mine. In the North it is written Langtry : in the East some drop both the k and g. The English, from whom it is derived, write it Langtree— a spelling which some of my sons have adopted, agreeing better, as they think, with its sense and origin.

the 14th of October, 1770 ; and, in consequence of arrangements made at my father's1 decease, was placed under the care of my grandmother King ; a circumstance which I gratefully acknowledge as a first link in the visible chain of providential occurrences by which I have been led on and sustained through every period of my life.

This excellent woman exemplified the power of religion in a spiritual and heavenly mind, attachment to public worship, and devotedness to private prayer ; in meekness, patience, and universal benevolence.

My heavenly Father inspired her heart with singular tenderness towards me ; and, notwithstanding that I frequently grieved her by a volatile, thoughtless disposition, I loved her above all the world. When I was committed to her management, the children of her late husband were all provided for, and she appeared to receive me as a special charge from the Lord. I cannot recollect a single act of severity in her mode of treatment. When my conduct demanded correction, she would call me to her, and solemnly, but mildly, reason with me, and engage me by promise never to do so again until the next time. As I grew up, and began to reflect on the obligation of duty, nothing could more deeply aifect my mind than the consciousness of having wounded her feelings. Her dignified reserve would melt me into repentant tears, and make me wretched until I obtained explicit assuranees of her forgiveness.

From her I first learned to pray, in expectation that the Lord would graciously answer ; though my views were confused and imperfect. When I was very young, she became sick, ajmost to death ; the thoughts of her removal for ever from me overwhelmed my mind. I was frequently about her bed and saw her affliction. In my distress, I retired and implored Almighty God to relieve

BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE. d

and restore her to her former health, which to my great comfort was speedily the case. Shortly after, when I was myself very ill of a lingering worm fever, I endeavoured to try the same expedient, and very soon recovered.

At a tender age, my life was nearly sacrificed by the intemperance of my step-grandfather. Drunkenness was his besetment. So long as he abstained from strong drink he was industrious and inoffensive ; but when he once commenced, he generally proceeded to the most ruinous extent. On this occasion, he took advantage of the absence of his faithful monitor, and, to treat a visitor, whiskey was introduced. They drank to shameful excess, and the stranger forced on me so much of the fiery poison, that on my grandmother's return she found me apparently lifeless. It pleased God to bless her exertions for my recovery, and animation was restored.

About this time, my mother married a second time, and I was removed to live with her and my step-father ; but the change was most distressing. I felt as if translated from my proper element, and resolved to leave them the first opportunity. That I might go where they would not easily find me out, I eloped early on a winter's morning, determined, if possible, to go to Dublin, where 1 had a kind-hearted uncle, John King. After proceeding about eight miles, I began to feel faint and weary. My appearance attracted the attention of a young woman, who kindly inquired where I was going ? what provision I had for my journey ? &c. My artless replies discovered my real situation. She then warned me of my danger if I proceeded, and charged me to return home as fast us possible. I endeavoured to comply with her advice, but having to cross a mountain, I was soon benighted, and nearly lost with cold and hunger, until the distant glimmering light from a small cabin directed me to an asylum for the night. This simple adventure was the occasion of exquisite grief to my dear friends. Conceiving I had been lost in a large bog, a party of them spent the night searching for my body with torches and drags. In the morning, however, having received some intelligence of the road I had taken, they found me in my little retreat, and carried me home on their shoulders rejoicing. How gracious are the designs of Providence ! Both these events were mercifully overruled for my good ; the former gave me an early disgust at ardent spirits, and the latter restored me to the guide of my youth for a longer season.

My friends were desirous to afford me a good education, but the schools I attended were not favoured with religious advantages. In them I received no good impressions. In general the tutor was immoral, and the scholars did what was right in their own eyes. When the master was a Romanist, which sometimes occurred, the majority of the pupils being of his party, would revile and persecute the Protestant children ; and .when returning from school, pursue us home, throwing stones, shouting, " Luther's breed, and Calvin's seed !"

The Scriptures were early put into my hands, and the holy law of God made deep impressions on my heart. Fox's Martyrology was one of my first books. I sympathised witli the suffering Protestants, and considered their persecutors must have been the enemies of Christ and his people. My conviction, therefore, and my judgment were unfeignedly Protestant ; but I knew not that faith which strengthened those sufferers for Christ to overcome the world : I felt not that love which in them was more ardent than the flames of martyrdom. One consequence of this spiritual destitution was, that neither curiosity, nor any kind of entreaty, could induce me to attend the celebration of a Popish mass. I thought that if I went to such worship, I must necessarily bear my testimony, and cry out against it, like the martyrs, or God would punish my disobedience ; and if I did, then the Romanists would put me to death, for which I was not prepared, and, consequently, though I should die a martyr for religion, I must be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. For the same reason I would not learn the Irish language, which I have since very much regretted. But I had then too much reason for associating in my ideas the spirit of Popery and persecution with the vernacular tongue.

The state of public morals was, in those days, most deplorable and corrupting. Blasphemy, Sabbath-breaking and drunkenness, with their attendant works of darkness, were awfully predominant. Party spirit also, with its pitched battles and sanguinary conflicts in fairs and markets — its nocturnal devastations and private murders, leaves a deep stain on the recollections of that period. Sometimes one clan or party, of Romanists, strove for the mastery over another; the fair-day was the time of decision, when they fought like furies, with cudgels and stones, until the victory was obtained, and abundance of bloodshed and battery marked the conquest. Which ever party gained the day, the Protestant inhabitants were frequently sufferers, by having their doors and windows dashed in by a shower of stones.

When the Protestants were publicly attacked, it was generally with fearful odds, and often with loss of life oh both sides, when recourse was had to fire-arms by the weaker party.

The amusements of the neighbourhood gave additional proof of the corruption and depravity of the people. It was a common practice in winter for young and old to meet by agreement in some neighbour's house, where they could have a large fire ; here they remained to a late hour, singing songs, relating fairy tales, or old legends, playing a2 cards, dancing, &c. In summer, the Sabbaths were awfully desecrated, particularly in the celebration of what they called paterns, or patron days. These were celebrated by numerous assemblies, with drinking, dancing, and every evil work.

The manner in which they conducted their wakes was horrible. When the death of a neighbour was announced, on the approach of night, crowds of people, principally the young of both sexes, assembled to the house of mourning ! — not to comfort the bereaved survivors, or profit by the solemn appearance of death ; but to banish reflection, and every serious thought, by drinking whiskey, smoking tobacco, singing songs, &c. — by acting the most ludicrous, obscene, and profane characters, frequently interrupted, indeed, by the wailing of a newly arrived female relative or friend, or by the entrance of a man who had learned to repeat, for the repose of the soul departed, the " de profundis," or hundred and thirtieth Psalm in Latin.

Gladly do I turn from these faint sketches of evil times, to describe the state of my mind at that period.

From my fourteenth to my twentieth year, was the most unhappy, because the most unholy portion of my existence. The snares with which I was beset, the susceptibility of my nature to evil, and the active part which I often took in the foolish and sinful courses pursued by other young persons, humble my soul at this moment before the Lord, whilst I adore that mysterious agency by which I was withheld from many evils to which my deceitful heart was most inclined, and even " where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."