preachers incline to Baxterianism.

The fol

lowers of Mr. Whitfield are Calvinists, and were patronized by the late Countess Dowager of Huntingdon, to whom Mr. Whitfield was chaplain, and who was a lady of great benevolence and piety. Lady Erskine (a near relation of the late lord chancellor) took her situation, and was said to be equally attentive to the concerns of this part of the religious community. She is lately deceased. With respect to the splitting of the Methodists into Calvinists and Arminians, it happened so far back as the year 1741; the former being for particular, and the latter for universal redemption. Of the number of the Methodists, various statements have been given; but no account has ever yet reached me which bore the marks of accuracy.

Both Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitfield were indefatigable in promoting their own views of the Christian religion, notwithstanding all the reproaches with which they were stigmatized. It is well known, that for this purpose Mr. Whitfield went over several times to America. Mr. Whitfield, indeed, established an orphan-house in Georgia, for which he made collections in this country, and which was since converted into a college for the education of young men, designed chiefly for the ministry. To this paragraph,

the American editor of the Sketch has added:"It has been lately burnt, and the whole of the benefice added to it is in possession of the state, a just judgment for purchasing slaves to support a charitable institution!"

The distinguishing principles of Methodism are, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ: perceptible, and in some cases instantaneous conversion; and an assurance of reconciliation to God, with which, they say, the new birth, or being born again, is inseparably attended. On these doctrines they lay the utmost stress; and much curious information respecting these topics will be found in Dr. Haweis's History of the Church of Christ*. Several persons have written the Life of Mr. Wesley; there is one by Mr. Hampson, another by Dr. Whitehead, and a third by Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore. Mr. Whitfield's Life was drawn up by the late Dr. Gillies, of Glasgow. Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitfield both published an account of their itinerant labours in this kingdom and in America. These. sketches are entitled Journals, and though containing many strange things, serve to illustrate the principles and progress of Methodism. To conclude this article of the Methodists, in the

*This work, it is to be regretted, is deficient in references to authorities, the soul and substance of history.

words of Mr. Hampson, in his Memoirs of Mr. Wesley-"If they possess not much knowledge, which however we do not know to be the case, it is at least certain they are not deficient in zeal, and without any passionate desire to imitate their example, we may at least commend their endeavours for the general good. Every good man will contemplate with pleasure the operation of the spirit of reformation, whether foreign or domestic, and will rejoice in every attempt to propagate Christianity in the barbarous parts of the world; an attempt, which, if in any tolerable degree successful, will do infinitely more for their civilization and happiness, than all the united energies of the philosophical infidels, those boasted benefactors of mankind." See A Portraiture of Methodism, by the Rev. Joseph Nightingale, a work of considerable ability, and replete with information respecting the internal government and discipline of the Methodists.

Dr. Priestley published a volume of Mr. Wesley's Letters, just after his decease, prefaced with an Address to the Methodists; where, after having expostulated with them respecting their peculiarities, he gives them credit for their zeal and activity. The Methodists have found an advocate in William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P.

who pleads their cause at some length in his Treatise on Vital Christianity*.

Before this article relative to the Methodists is closed, it may be proper just to add, that a communication has been made me, respecting the

* The author of the Sketch thinks it proper here to notice the unchristian conduct of Mr. Benson, editor of the Methodist Magazine, in refusing the insertion of his reply to a most virulent attack upon him which appeared in that publication. Some scraps of it, indeed, after various expostulations, were introduced accompanied with Mr. B's. remarks, with the view of doing away the impression on the minds of the readers: yet he concluded with saying, that he had now done the author of the Sketch justice! Wretched zealot! preposterous partizan! when shall the obliquities of party be sacrificed upon the altar of scriptural Christianity? The charge brought against the author of the Sketch was, that from the perusal of the work it could not be found out to which of the denominations there described, he belonged; in other words, acknowledging that he had done his duty to the public in not extolling his own sect at the expence of every other! Indeed Mr. B. had the assurance is conversation to tell him, that he wanted to prevent the Sketch being so mach read by the Methodists, as it might lead them astray! Poor souls, they must not, it seems, read and judge for themselves! It is, however, some consolation to the author of the Sketch, that several sensible and worthy individuals among the Methodists have been greatly disgusted at this conduct of Mr. B. and have reprobated it in appropriate terms. But, alas! the precept of the blessed Saviour-As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise, seems to have been excluded from the systems of some professors of Christianity. Bishop Horne remarks, that a man may soon by great humility become the head of a sect, and then damn all the rest of the world in the very spirit of charity!

Revival Meetings among the Wesleyan Methodists, where certain persons, under the influence of a religious phrenzy, occasion, by their groanIngs and vociferations, an uncommon degree of tumult and confusion. The more sensible, however, of the Methodists reprobate these disgraceful scenes. At Nottingham I witnessed them with astonishment; and there is a considerable number of them at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, where they have lately erected a neat chapel. It is fervently to be wished that such fanaticism may not continue long, and that some persons of respectability among them would interfere, so as to put an end to practices, which cannot fail to strengthen the hands of infidelity, and afford matter of grief to all the friends of real and substantial piety.

NEW METHODISTS.

THE New Methodist Connexion, among the followers of Mr. Wesley, separated from the original Methodists in 1797. The grounds of this separation they declare to be church government, and not doctrines, as affirmed by some of their opponents. They object to the old Methodists, for having formed a hierarchy or priestly corporation; and say, that in so doing, they have