I am far from supposing that this Corinthian spirit is universal in our societies; but I think it is too general; I want to have it entirely destroyed. I think it is our daty, as hearers of the gospel, to esteem all our preachers for their work's sake, and to receive them as messengers of God; and though there may be a diversity of talents amongst them, to recollect that it is one Spirit that worketh in all. It is our duty, whilst they preach, to hold up and strengthen their hands by prayer; to make their labours easier by our bearing a part of their burden; whilst they invite sinners to be reconciled to God, it is our duty to use every exertion to bring those sinners to hear the word of reconciliation. It is our duty, like the children of Israel, to build up the desolated walls of our common Zion, every man over against his own house; whilst the servants of God, like so many Nehemiahs, stand by to direct and to encourage us in the work; and if any of our fellow-men should, through our carelessness, be forced over the wall, their blood will not be required at their hands; it rests upon us! Of thee will I require it, saith the Lord.

I have far exceeded my intended limits; pardon me, Sir. The subject has long rested upon my mind; and I have long wished to see it taken up by some more able hand, like that of the METHODIST, in your last November Number. Perhaps you, or some of your correspondents, on your suggestion, will notice it. Or should you think any of my loose remarks worthy a place in your pages, they are heartily at your service. Indeed, however you may dispose of them, if the matter be considered, and this growing evil can be any way remedied, it will be a high gratification to your's, respectfully, ANOTHER METHODIST.

To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine.

The following Letters, written by the late venerable John Wesley, to a pious young woman of the name of Pywell, who resided at Mickleover, near Derby, I have carefully copied from the originals. And, as they respect the deep things of God, and have never yet met the eye of the Publick, if you will, as soon as convenient, give them a place in your extensively circulated Miscellany, you will, I have no doubt, please and edify many of your pious readers.-I am, very dear Sir, your's, affectionately, W. LEACH.

Derby, Feb. 9th, 1819.

FIRST LETTER.

MY DEAR SISTER, Kilkenny, April 23, 1771. I hardly knew whether you were dead or alive, having not heard from you for so long a season. Yesterday I received your's of March 28th, and am glad to hear you are not moved from your steadfastness. Certainly it is not the will of our Lord that you should; his gifts are without repentance. Do you find no decay in faith? Do you as clearly as ever see him who is invisible? Is your hope as lively as at first? Do you still taste of the powers of the world to come? and can you say in as strong a sense as ever,

"I nothing want beneath, above,
Happy in a Saviour's love ?"

Do you feel no anger at any time? no pride? no will but what is sub ordinate to the will of God? and have you the witness in yourself that all your ways please him? Then expect to see greater things than these, for there is no end of his goodness; and do not forget, my dear sister, your affectionate brother, J. WESLEY.

SECOND LETTER.

MY DEAR SISTER, London, Jan. 22, 1772. You have given me clear and satisfactory answers to the questions which I proposed, and I rejoice over you for the grace of God which is in you. May he increase it more and more! How should I rejoice to see you, and to talk with you more particularly on these subjects. I hope that may be in the spring; but before then you can tell me whether you are always sensible of the presence of God? Is that sense never interrupted by company, or by hurry of business? Is your heart lifted up to God, whatever your hands are employed in? Do you rejoice evermore? Are you always happy? Always more or less enjoying God? Do you never fret, never so grieve at any thing as to interrupt your happiness? Do you never find lowness of spirits? Are you enabled in every thing to give thanks? I am, my dear sister, your affectionate brother, J. WESLEY.

THIRD LETTER.

MY DEAR SISTER, London, Dec. 19, 1773. It is plain the wisdom and power of God order all things well; he has brought you to the right place, and you have no need to be careful for any thing, but only in every thing to make your requests known unto him with thanksgiving. I am glad to hear that my dear Mrs. Ky's love does not grow cold. One part of your work is to stir up all, who have believed, to go on to perfection, and every moment to expect the full salvation which is received by simple faith. I am persuaded your being where you are will be for good. Speak to all about you, and spare not. God will bear witness to his own truth. -I am, my dear sister, your affectionate brother, J. WESLEY.

FOURTH LETTER.

MY DEAR SISTER, London, Dec. 29, 1774. I am glad you parted from our honest friend C- -ne upon so good terms. All the trials you suffered, while you were there, are now passed away like a dream. So are all the afflictions we endured yes terday; but they are noted in God's book, and the happy fruit of them may remain when heaven and earth are passed away. Trials you are likewise to expect where you are now; for you are still in the body, and wrestle, if not with flesh and blood, yet with "Principalities, and powers, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with wicked spirits in high places," and it is good for you that every grain of your faith should be tried; afterwards you shall come forth as gold. See that you never be weary or faint in your mind; account all these things for your profit, that you may be a full partaker of his holiness, and "Brighter in all kis image shine."—I am, my dear sister, your affectionate brother, J. WESLEY.

OBITUARY.

On Friday the 3d of Sept. 1819, died, Mr. WILLIAM ROBINSON, of Bridlington Key, Yorkshire, in the 91st year of his age. We are not at present accurately informed, but we believe that he had been a member of the Methodist society, for upwards of sixty years; and in the multitude of excellent persons who have adorned that body of Christians, it would, perhaps, be difficult to select one in the walks of private life who has done greater honour to the Christian profession by uniform piety and devotedness to God, and unceasing acts of kindness and good will to men. In him the society has lost a bright example of sincerity, humility, and love to God, and the poor, in the general circle of his neighbourhood, a warm friend, to their present and eternal interests. Mr. William Robinson, and his brother, Mr. Thomas Robinson, (who died at an advanced age about four years ago, happy in the enjoyment of that vital religion which he had so long professed,) were the first introducers of Methodism into that part of the country in which they resided, and continued, for more than half a century, two of its zealous supporters. Believing it to be Consistent with and supported by the Scriptures, and calculated to make men happy and useful in this life, as well as to prepare them for a state of eternal felicity in the next, they spared neither expense nor personal exertion in promoting so good a work; and for many years, indeed till the numbers and ability of the society enabled them to provide for their preachers, their houses were the homes of those who laboured in the word and doctrine in their part of the vineyard. As we believe that an account of the characters, views, and habits of the earlier members of our societies, should be transmitted to those who come after, we trust we shall be able, upon some future occasion, to give a more defailed Memoir of these two excellent brothers; but in the mean time it will be pleasing to our readers to advert to the last moments, and some of the last expressions of Mr. Wtn. Robinson, who has recently departed.

He had for a few weeks been declining

*We are sorry that we were not favoured, for our Obituary, with an account of the death of Mr. Thomas Robinson, whose last end bore ample testimony to the great realities of religion; and whose expressions of hope and triumph, during his last illness, were similar to those of his excellent brother.

in health, and he seems to have thought been, we believe, his habitual, as it bethat his death was approaching. It had came now his more particular prayer, righteous," and it pleased God to indulge that he might "die the death of the him with the full possession of his mental faculties to the last, and to answer his pious desires. During the progress of his disorder, his soul seemed to acquire additional spirituality and fervency, to that which was its general experience. But he altered much, and could scarcely sit on the Thursday preceding his departure bed made, and being put in again, he up all the day. After having had his broke out into such a strain of prayer and praise, for his relations, the church, and ministers, as truly astonished those about him. saying frequently, “ Praise the Lord, O my soul," "Why my cold heart praise?" "Take the dear purchase of thy art thou not lost in wonder, love, and blood," &c. thy great compassion," "Why this insensibility of

"Take my poor heart and let it be,

For ever closed to all but thee," &c. vation, but above all for my redemption "I praise thee for my creation, preserthrough Christ Jesus; I commit all into thy hands, my soul, and body, and and all that is within me bless his holy friends, and concerns; O bless the Lord, name." It would extend to an inconvenient length to repeat all his heavenly conversation; he sometimes dozed, and then praised God. On Friday he slept a weaker, and could not speak much. He little in the morning, but appeared much was however, quite sensible, and seemed the afternoon he said, "Bless the Lord, to have his sight almost to the last. In O my soul, and all that is within me praise is holy name,

which, with "Bruise satan under my "O for an heart to praise my God," feet," were the last words he was heard and servant of God, adding another to to speak. Thus died this eminent saint the immense multitude of those who have exemplified and confirmed the truth of the Psalmist's Divine words, "Mark the for the end of that man is peace." Indeed perfect man, and behold the upright; clouds and darkness are called upon by those who are yet left in this land of the experience of such a Christian as he grateful for that additional encouragewas of whom we are now speaking, to be ment which such an end holds out for a

holy and consistently religious life, and for adhering in steady faith to the great truths of the gospel, upon which the Christian character is founded. The brilliancy of such an evening of life at once cheers us, and enlarges our views and hopes of a glorious immortality.

pitieth his children." And about a fort-
night before her death, she was enabled
to give up all things below the skies, even
her husband, whom she tenderly loved.
During the last eight days of her life she
often expressed a "desire to depart and
be with Christ." And a few hours before
her departure she said to her husband,
"Wilt thou not give me up?" On his
assuring her that he had done that, she
said, Then why am I kept here? let
me die and see Jesus." About nine
o'clock the same evening she fell asleep in
him, and is now favoured with a sight of
that Saviour, whom she loved and desired
to see.
JOHN SIMPSON.

ON Tuesday evening, June 29, 1819, died, at Otley, Yorkshire, of a dropsy, ROSAMOND, the wife of JOHN SIMPSON, jun. preacher, aged 51. She was born at Holbeck, near Leeds, of parents who were respectable in their moral character; and her behaviour, even while she was unconverted, was proper and orderly. She began to seek regenerating grace, when she was about 19 years of age; but On Sunday night, July 25, 1819, died, did not believe on Christ with her heart at Evesham, Mrs. ELIZABETH RANSOM, anto righteousness, till three years after; wife of Mr. H. RANSOM. She had been, when she received a clear and satisfactory soon after five o'clock in the morning, deevidence of the favour of God, at a class-livered of a daughter, and there was every meeting in Holbeck. Her conduct, especially from that time, was such as became the gospel of God our Saviour. She entered the married state on the 16th of October, 1797, and was a blessing to her husband ever after, encouraging him in the work of the Lord, and readily submitting to, and cheerfully complying with what appeared to him to be the will of God. She was a steady upright follower of Christ, a peaceable neighbour, and a faithful, industrious, frugal, and affectionate wife.

About six years ago, her disorder commenced and increased on her continually; large collections of water being soon formed in her body, which, however, for three years repeatedly passed away, but during the three following years did not, so that after bearing her burden for about 14 months, she submitted with great firmness of mind to the operation of tapping. She was tapped, in the space of 23 months and one day, 20 times, and her body broke thrice. It is supposed that not less than 100 gallons were taken from her by these means. The last month of her life was a time of the most acute suffering, for her pain and sickness were incessant night and day. But she bore all with Christian fortitude and patience, and never murmured, or charged God foolishly.

Previous to her last confinement, she would sometimes weep, and say, that she feared, when the last trial should come she should not be prepared to meet it with resignation. When questioned as to the state of her mind, she used to say, "Comfortable, but doubting." But the Lord had compassion on her, "as a father

appearance of her doing well throughout
the day, till between seven and eight
o'clock in the evening; when an unfavour-
able change took place, which terminated
fatally at half past twelve o'clock, to the
unspeakable loss of her disconsolate hus-
band, and three lovely children. Her death
is supposed to have been occasioned by
an apoplexy, brought on by water in the
chest, an affliction under which she had
laboured for some weeks previous to her
confinement. During the afternoon,
among other precious observations which
dropped from her lips, she said,
"My Jesus to know, and feel his blood
flow,

'Tis life everlasting, 'tis heaven below,”
and

"O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise," &c. But had she uttered nothing expressive of her views and feelings then, her general character and experience would have afforded the strongest ground for assurance to her surviving friends, that to her sudden death was sudden glory.

She was a person of more than ordinary endowments, both of nature and grace, but extremely modest and humble. In every circuit where she resided, she was greatly respected; and those who enjoyed her particular acquaintance and friendship, will not soon forget the good sense, piety, and meekness which she always manifested. Such was the esteem in which she was held in Evesham, even by those who only heard of her by report, that her death excited a general feeling of sympathy and regret through the town.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

CEYLON.

VARIOUS letters and statements have been recently received from this island, all of which are of a very encouraging kind, and will be given in order. Among the pleasing accounts is one contained in a letter from Mr. Newstead, who has been the first of our missionaries to carry the tidings of the Gospel into the Kandian territory. His letter is dated Relligalla, July 20, 1818. He preached to about 20 of the natives, through an interpreter, and left a schoolmaster to reside among them, to attempt the establishment of a school. He was received with great kindness by the people, and entertained at the house of the principal man of the village. May this prove the opening of "a great and effectual door" to this benighted and wretched region.

Another pleasing circumstance is the establishment of a Juvenile Missionary Society at Colpetty, in December, 1818. Mr. Harvard stated to the meeting, which was held in the School House at Colpetty, and composed chiefly of the children of that school, and their parents, the benighted and wretched condition of heathens in different parts of the world, as well as in their own country, and the success which had attended the labours of missionaries, with anecdotes of the conversion of heathen children and others in different places. Cornelius, (now an Assistant Missionary,) Don Adrian de Sylva, (a converted Budhu Priest,) and Mr. Coopman, (a local preacher,) then prayed. Mr. Harvard became the Treasurer, and Mr. Coopman the Secretary. From 40 to 50 subscribers put down their names, and are regularly paying their subscriptions. The subscriptions are of course very small; but it is pleasing to notice the excitement of the new and noble principle of Christian zeal and benevolence amongst the natives of Ceylon, connecting the affections of the soul with every child of man, and with the glory of Christ.

By Mr. Harvard the Committee have received a letter addressed to them by George Nadoris de Sylva, the converted priest, an account of whom has been inserted in the Magazine. The translation from the Cingalese was made by one of the native schoolmasters, whose English is not perfect, but it preserves much of the peculiarity of the original, and will be interesting to our readers.

GEORGE NADORIS'S LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE.

shipping, and go to the kingdom of Ava, and did obtain every necessary book of the Budhist religion from the king of the said country; and I returned to Ceylon, bringing with me, at the same time, a distinguished warrant of authority for my said office of Maha Nayaka from the Budhist college or Society of that celebrated country.

This Letler is written and sent to the most distinguished and excellent MISSION SOCIETY. HAVING been appointed high priest, or Maha Nayaka, over the Budhist priests of my cast in the island of Ceylon, or Lack. diewa, I caused a number of about sixty Budhist temples, or Whihares, to be built and erected; and also, I caused a number of about 350 priests, called Teronanses, and a number of about 100 or upwards of Sammenaires, or inferior priests, to be appointed, for the propagation of the Budhist religion; and thus did I convert even many Christians to that religion.

And I further, for the purpose of bringing such books which were not then to be found in the island of Ceylon, did take VOL. XLII. OCTOBER, 1819.

Thus I began both myself to teach the people of Lackdiewa, or Ceylon, in the principles of the Budhist religion, and likewise, by means of several hundreds of books which I brought with me, as aforesaid, to labour for the spreading of the