reserving to themselves the right of recalling him, as soon as they thought proper, in consequence of the promise which he had previously made to them. In the year 1808, when the American preachers were about to recall him to the Continent, a renewed Address from the English Conference was written, to request them to relinquish their claims; and it was only in compliance with this earnest solicitation, that the Conference in America were induced to suspend their demands. In their reply they say, "In compliance with your request a vote has passed, that he may continue with you, until he may be called to us by all the annual Conferences respectively, or the General Conference. We are, however, not insensible of his value, not ungrateful for his past labours of love." This reply is inserted at large in the Minutes of the English Conference for the year 1809. Neither do his friends appear to have been weary of him in Ireland; nor does their primitive attachment to him seem to have abated. In the year 1807, the language of the Irish Conference, respecting his return, runs as follows:-" From the fulness of our hearts, dear Fathers and Brethren, we again repeat our request for the return of our greatly beloved and esteemed friend Dr. COKE, to be President for the ensuing year. We are deeply conscious what a blessing he is to us, though we cannot fully tell how much we are indebted to him." And in the year 1809, they again say, "We thank you for sending, with such readiness, our old much-beloved friend, the Rev. Dr. COKE, as our President, year after year; and with one accord we earnestly request, that you will send him to preside among us the ensuing year." Nor was the tone of their language less affectionate in the year 1813, only a few months before he bade adieu to Europe. Addressing the English Conference, they say, "We need hardly assure you, that we received the appointment of our dearly beloved brother and president, Dr. Coke, with the best affections of our hearts; and that his visit has been profitable and comfortable to our souls.". The English Conference, in reply to this address, express themselves in language which breathes the same spirit of affection: "We have," say they, a prospect of sending the Word of Life to the East. Our beloved brother Dr. Coke, burning with zeal for God, is about to visit that country, accompanied by seven missionaries, so that we hope pure Christianity, as taught by us from the beginning, will soon extend its influence through those populous and extensive regions." Such is the language of the American, the Irish, and the English Conferences, respecting this highly favoured servant of God. To record in this preface the obligations, which those, who were intimately acquainted with Dr. COKE, would have laid on the author, by communicating such incidents in his life, as might tend to illustrate his character, would afford him much pleasure. But for these favours his acknowledgments must be confined within a narrow compass. To the friendly communications of Mr. John de Queteville, of Guernsey, he is indebted for the particulars of Dr. Coke's visit to Paris in the year 1791; and also to another gentleman for the account he has inserted respecting the Norman isles. To these favours he is not conscious of having received any addition. Benevolence has therefore fixed the boundaries of gratitude, and here both must terminate. From the papers to which he has had access, through the kindness of Dr. COKE's executors, the author might easily have augmented the number of pages now presented to the Public; but as these papers could only be interesting to the writers, being chiefly confined to local events, they contain nothing that could justify their insertion. From his own private papers, and from the letters, amounting to nearly two hundred, which he has, in the handwriting of Dr. CoкE, now in his possession, he might also have made numerous extracts. These would have furnished pleasing specimens of his easy, familiar, and perspicuous manner of expressing his thoughts in his epistolary correspondence: but to this collection he has omitted, except in two or three instances, to have any recourse, from a full conviction that the history of his life by no means requires a minute developement of his private con cerns. In his public actions, in his writings, and in the happy effects which have resulted from his missionary zeal, he still continues to speak, and to instruct his survivors, both by his example and his precepts. And the fruits of his active exertions, which continue to acquire magnitude and importance from the accumulation of years, promise to perpetuate his name, and to adorn it with unfading laurels when those periods shall have passed away, in which men of no common renown shall be consigned to oblivion. But these considerations, though of the first importance to the man who only aims at reputation in a region of "mortal immortality," are of a remote and secondary nature with the ministers of Jesus Christ. To them, the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the salvation of immortal souls, are their glory, and the crown of their rejoicing. Their characters are recorded in heaven, and their recompense will be at the resurrection of the just. By this principle, the writer of this volume sincerely believes that Dr. COKE was primarily actuated; and as they that are thus wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that "turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever," he must conclude, that Dr. COKE will appear as an orb of superior magnitude and brilliancy in the regions of eternity. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Design of Biography-Birth, family, and early education of Dr. Coke -Divine Providence, both General and Particular, asserted-Re- moves to Oxford-Profligacy of the Collegians-Becomes an In- fidel-Reflections on the influence of Infidelity in Colleges-Ge- neral Behaviour-Influence of Conscience-Base conduct of a Clergyman-Effects of reading Sherlock's Discourses, and Wither- spoon on Regeneration-Chosen Common Councilman, and Chief Magistrate of Brecon-Deluded with promises of Church Prefer- Obtains a Curacy at South Petherton-Builds a Gallery-Becomes acquainted with Mr. Maxfield-Seriously affected by Alarm"-Reads his Sermons-Becomes evangelical in his preach- ing-Church frequented by Dissenters-Interview with Mr. Hull -Becomes acquainted with an old Methodist-Preaches in some dwelling-houses in his parish-Finds the pardoning love of God- Begins to preach extempore-Effects of this preaching-Persecu tion-Excluded from the pulpit-Chimed out of the Church-En- couraged by Mr. Maxfield-Preaches twice near the Church door cieties--Contends with difficulties-Bears an active part in pro- curing the Deed of Declaration-Testimony of Mr. Wesley and Dr. Coke respecting the Deed of Declaration-Presides in the first Irish Conference-Testimonies of approbation in favour of Dr. Mr. Wesley's early visit to America-Origin of Methodism in Ame- rica-Mr. Embury, Mr. Strawbridge, and Captain Webb, visit the Continent-First preaching-house built in 1768-Mr. Boardman and Mr. Pilmoor repair to America-Mr. Asbury goes thither in 1771-Mr. Wright, Mr. Shadford, and Mr. Rankin, in 1773- Effects of the war on the Methodist Societies in America-Review of the causes which led to the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church-Preparatory steps taken in order to Dr. Coke's ordination-Copy of letters of ordination-Letter of Mr. Wesley to Dr. Coke and Mr. Asbury stating the ground on which he acted -Principles on which Mr. Wesley acted stated and vindicated— Apostolical Succession not to be proved either from the Church Dr. Coke sails to America-Prominent particulars of the voyage— Manner in which he employed his time-Favourable reception on his arrival-First Interview with Mr. Asbury-Vicissitudes in traversing the States-Transactions at the first Conference at Baltimore-Sermon at the Conference noticed-Observations on some Strictures made on it-Conduct of Dr. Coke vindicated re- specting his sermon-Occasion of an Address to General Wash- ington-This Address closely connected with the welfare of Me- thodism in the United States-Necessity of the measure-General |