life, he one day, in a festive party, obtained possession of a handsome snuff-box, on the singular condition of paying two guineas upon the birth of his first child; and a formal instrument to that effect being drawn up and executed, was witnessed by all the company. Ten years after this transaction, his wife dying in a state of pregnancy, a report was industriously circulated, by some of his former companions, that he had poisoned her to avoid paying the money. So willing, too, were the public, at that period, to believe any thing to the discredit of a Methodist, that this most groundless and injurious allegation was very extensively credited, and years elapsed before the prejudice excited against its blameless subject was entirely removed.

That the religion of this worthy man was genuine, and the result of the deepest conviction, is sufficiently evident, from the firmness with which he maintained its profession. In one part of a diary which he kept, he uses these words: "O! how gladly would I fly into the arms of death, or to the fiery stake, to go home to Jesus!" Yet, though undaunted in the cause of that faith which he had espoused, his mental powers were not above the ordinary standard. He was naturally timid and diffident; and, without referring to the grace of God, we should find it difficult to account for the decision of character which he exhibited in his religious course. For his situation in life, he, like his brother and sisters, had been well educated; and, at a time when the art of writing was of rarer attainment than in the present day, he was said to

Among

be the best scribe in his neighbourhood. the religious society with which he was connected, this superior education gave him a degree of influence which his personal piety confirmed and sustained. He was early employed as a religious teacher, both in the capacity of Class Leader and Local Preacher;* and his instructions were rendered a blessing to many souls.

To those readers who are unacquainted with the peculiarities of Methodism, it may be necessary to state, that private meetings for religious instruction form one of its distinguishing features. Usually from ten to twenty individuals of the society associate in what is called a Class,' under the direction of a senior member, who is nominated to the office by the superintending minister. This person is the Class-Leader.' The individuals under his charge are expected to meet together once a week, at a fixed time and place; and it becomes his duty, after a short introductory prayer, to ask each such questions, and give such advice, as he thinks will promote personal piety. These class meetings' are generally limited to an hour, and are concluded, as they are begun, with singing and prayer. According to methodistic discipline, every member of the Methodists' society must belong to a class; and every class must be visited once a quarter by the 'Travelling Preacher,' who, after satisfying himself of the fitness of each individual, by personal inquiry, gives him or her a note or ticket, as a token of membership. The class-leaders are themselves subject to the preachers' frequent supervision, with reference to their personal conduct, and that of the individuals committed to their charge.

Among the Methodists, a local preacher is not especially set apart for the ministerial office, so as to devote to it his whole time and attention; but is employed as an occasional teacher, on the sabbath. His labours are generally confined to the circuit, or near neighbourhood of the place where he resides; and as he is supposed to follow his secular occupa

Thomasin, his second wife, the mother of Samuel Drew, he married in 1762. Her maiden name was Osborne. Her father was a gardener in the neighbourhood of Mevagissey, where her paternal grandfather had settled in early life in the same business, having come from Somersetshire, his native county. She, also, was a Methodist; and though she died of consumption before her son Samuel was ten years of age, he describes her, from his recollections, as a woman of strong, masculine understanding; of courage and zeal in the cause of God, which nothing could damp; and ready to brave every hardship that the discharge of duty might render necessary." She was, indeed, a reBorn of parents who were unable to do more than procure for their children and themselves the necessaries of life, her education had been greatly, if not totally, neglected. When, in early womanhood, her heart was first affected by the truths of religion, through the preaching of Mr. Wesley, it is uncertain whether she could read, and it is known that she could not write. She applied all the energies of her mind to overcome these obstructions to knowledge; and it is said, that in both reading and writing she was entirely self-taught. Nor was it the mere ability to read and write that she acquired. The specimen of her penmanship

markable woman.

tion, he receives no remuneration for his ministerial services. In some circuits the local preachers pay their own unavoidable travelling expenses. No class of ministers can be more

disinterested than this.

which the writer of this memoir has seen, is apparently the firm, bold character of a practised hand; and the following extract from a manuscript of her's proves that she must have made some proficiency in the art of composition.

"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' Here is a privilege I would not barter for a world!—to be a daughter of the Lord Almighty, the King of kings, the Omnipotent God, the Sovereign of the universe! If I am his child, adopted into his family, by faith in his Son Jesus Christ, all his attributes are at work for my good. His grace is mine, his wisdom is mine, his power is mine; for he is. made unto me, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption.' He hath promised that all things shall work together for good, to them that love him.' His cross is mine, his crown is mine, his peace is mine, his patience is mine, his heaven is mine.'

"Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.'-Of thee, O eternal Benefactor! I had this hand with which I am now writing; thou gavest me my eyes, to look on all thy wondrous works; all my senses are thine : assist me, O Lord, and I will employ them to thy glory. As I have heretofore yielded my members instruments of unrighteousness unto sin,' so, for the time to come, I will (through thy grace) yield my members servants to righteousness unto holiness,' that my end may be everlasting life.' What small degree of knowledge I have is thine, and shall be employed for thee. What learning thou hast bestowed on me, shall not henceforth be prostituted to Satan, as it has in times past. If I have any wisdom, it is thine, and shall be used for thee. My memory, O Lord, do thou sanctify; that it may retain nothing

but what shall be profitable for me, and help me onward in the way to thy kingdom. Thou hast given me a voice; and to sing thy praises it shall be devoted. All that I have and am is thine. Take me, O Lord, body, soul, and spirit; mould me into thine own glorious likeness; make me a vessel to honour, meet for the Master's use;' and then appoint me labour, or toil, or suffering, or death, if it seem good in thy sight. Only give me strength to bear it, and I will gladly take up my cross and follow thee.'

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To you that believe he is precious.'-Oh! my eternal Friend and Lover, thou art precious to my soul! more precious than the gold of Ophir! the pearls of Ethiopia cannot equal thee in my esteem. Thou art that wisdom that stood by God, at his right hand, when he made the world, and all that is therein. O! make me a possessor of thyself, the only true wisdom, the life divine, the pearl of great price!

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They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.'Grant me this portion, O my God! and deny me what else thou pleasest. I appeal to thee, that I bow not my knees for any temporal good; I desire not a portion with the great; I only ask thy grace to keep me unspotted from the world, and to fit and prepare me for thy kingdom. Amen."

Such were the parents of Samuel Drew. His mother's abilities he appears to have especially inherited :—in the other children, the qualities of both father and mother were blended. Their piety, not being a natural property, could not be transmitted; but, by the grace of God, the children were made partakers of that salvation which their parents so fully experienced.