congregation, I was desired to preach abroad, which I accordingly did, to about a thousand serious hearers. While I was speaking, a constable came with orders from a neighbouring justice to apprehend me. I desired him to stay till I had done my discourse, and I would go with him. He agreed so to do; but the justice, impatient of delay, came himself, and seized me by the collar. I said, CC Sir, here is no riot; all is peaceable; and I am a licensed preacher." Notwithstanding, he dragged me on till he saw the constable, and then charged him to carry me to Bridewell. As we were walking, I told the constable, "I will not go unless you have a written order." He went to the justice, and returned with the following order, which I have by me :

"This is to order the constables of Wrexham, and Thomas Price in particular, safely to convey the body of Oliver, a vagrant preacher, who hath unlawfully assembled a concourse of people in the School-yard, against the peace of our sovereign lord the king, to the house of correction in the town of Wrexham. And likewise to order the keeper of the said house to receive and safely keep the body of him, the said Oliver, for farther examination, and that he may be dealt with according to law.

"Given under my hand and seal, this tenth day of June, 1774. THOS. BOYCOTT."

As I was walking with the constable toward Bridewell, there was such a concourse of people, that it was with difficulty we got through them. The house was soon filled with people of all ranks, who expressed all possible kindness. One gentleman said, "Sir, I will be bound with you for £500." Another said, "You shall preach at my door, and let them disturb you that dare." I had now an opportunity of explaining to them the religion which we wished to propagate in every place. I then went to prayer, wherein I was greatly refreshed, and most of the people were deeply affected. Many would fain have stayed with me all night, but I would not suffer it. At nine in the morning I was ordered to appear before the justice, with whom I found the high sheriff and an attorney. He asked for my license, which I gave him he

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read it, and said it was good for nothing. I said, "Sir, it was never questioned before, and the questioning the validity of it now is a reflection upon the whole bench of justices, who gave it me in open court." The attorney then beginning to interrogate me, I said, "Sir, I am under no obligation to answer impertinent questions." He got up, went out, and I saw him no more. The justice then told me, unless I would promise to preach there no more, he would order me to be whipped out of the town. I answered, "Sir, I will make no such promise. I am an Englishman. I have violated none of the laws of my country, and therefore am liable to no punishment." After using a few more contemptuous words, he told me I might go about my business. So I took my leave of Mr. Boycott, rejoicing that I was counted worthy to suffer shame for my Master's sake.

The next year I laboured in Sheffield circuit, where was a great outpouring of the Spirit of God. And throughout the year there appeared to be a general moving among the people. In the succeeding years I was in Manchester, Liverpool, Macclesfield, and Birstal circuits. And I bless God, I never was in any circuit yet where I had not some seals of my mission. God has wrought wonderfully of late in Birstal circuit. He is blessing us on every side. Some hundreds have within this year been added to the societies. On the national fast day, the little society at Thong appointed a prayer meeting in the evening. The Spirit of grace and supplication was so poured out upon them, that they continued until morning. Several were in the greatest agony, lying upon the ground in cold sweats, one crying out, "Lord, help me ;" another, "Save, or I perish." Before they parted eight were justified, and several renewed in love.

I would beg leave to observe, upon the whole, that having been near thirty years in the service of a good Master, I have great reason to be humble for having done so little for God, for my neighbour, and for myself. I might have exerted myself more in the cause of God, and have made greater improvement, both as a preacher and as a Christian. God be merciful to me a sinner.

I am, Rev. sir, your affectionate son in the Gospel,

JOHN OLIVER.

MR. ALEXANDER MATHER.

TO THE REV. JOHN WESLEY.

REV. SIR, I was born at Brechin, in North Britain, in February, 1733, of reputable parents, who made it their business to bring me up in the fear of God. They instructed me early in the principles of religion and took particular care to keep me from evil company; so that when I grew up, I was an utter stranger to the vices common among men. And I took pleasure in reading good books, and learning our catechism by heart. When I was at the Latin school, it was the custom of our master, every Lord's day after the evening service, to hear what we could remember of the sermons, and pray with us. Under one of his prayers (when I was about ten years old) I was struck with strong convictions. And these never quite left me, but I always retained a desire to be a Christian.

Soon after this, out of a childish frolic, I went away with a party of the rebels. But I knew not what I did. I hereby exposed myself to many hardships and dangers. But the Lord delivered me out of all. Many mighty ones fell on Culloden heath, and in the way to Inverness, and indeed on every side: yet I was mercifully preserved. But when I came near my father's house, there was no entrance for me. And I knew not where to go, till my mother resolved to take me to a relations of her's near Perth.

We had a large river to cross, which was much swelled by the late rains. We were just got into the boat, when a gentleman on horseback came and begged us to stay and take him in, which we accordingly did. He seemed much fatigued. My mother desired me to hold his horse, which I did, twisting the bridle around my hand. When we were about the middle of the river, the horse took fright and leaped out of the boat, taking me and the oars, and both the boatmen with him: so that none were left in the boat, but my mother and the gentleman, without any means of helping themselves. The horse swam to

the opposite shore, dragging me with him: then turned back, and swam to the shore we had left. He then jumped out, pulling me just above the water; but I there lost my hold and fell back into the river. It carried me down, rolling me over and over, till it brought me to the side of the boat, which was strangely got to the same shore. They caught hold of me and pulled me in.

Here I cannot but remark several providential incidents: 1. That both of the boatmen should get safe to that side of the water. 2. That when they were there, they should be able to get the boat, with my mother and the gentleman safe in it. 3. That the horse did not leave me on the opposite side, where, to all appearance, I must have perished. 4. That, notwithstanding the impetuosity of the stream, the horse should reach the land above the boat. Had it been below, I had probably been lost. I admire, above all, the exact time of every circumstance! Had I been brought to the same side first, I could have had ho help: had the boatmen reached the opposite side, they in the boat could have had none. And had any of us been carried but a little lower, we must inevitably have been swallowed up in a whirlpool. After having thrown up much water, I was so far recovered as to be able to take boat again. And having got safe over, we travelled twelve Scotch miles (eighteen English) before night. But we could not travel without much danger, as the country was full of parties, both horse and foot, who abused all the strangers they met with, and often took them prisoners. When we came near a town, we inquired of one we met, where we could have a quiet lodging? She said "she could recommend us to no inn; for they would inform the soldiers of us, who were very rude to all strangers, especially to women: but if we would put up with the house of a poor man, she knew one that she thought would receive us. ." So she conducted us to a little cottage, where we found the man engaged in family worship. When it was ended, he looked upon my mother and said, "Good wife, I have no place fit to entertain you, who appear to have a good home somewhere. Neither can I protect you, if the soldiers hear you are in my house. But if you please to sit by the fire, with a little straw for the lad to lie on, you are welcome. They then gave us

something to eat and drink, which we received with thankfulness to God. The good woman then laid me down on the straw, and sat by my mother till the morning; when, having been commended to God in prayer by our host, we went on our journey.

My mother's brother was a considerable farmer, in the Carse of Gowry, near Perth. Thither we got before sunset, and were kindly received, till my mother told him her design of leaving me there. But his wife opposed it much, fearing lest, if it was discovered, they should be ruined for harbouring me. However, my uncle seeing the distress my mother was in, overruled her, and said, I should stay." And the next morning he sent a servant with my mother, who saw her safe home. I stayed the Sunday at my uncle's. But on Monday morning before sunrise he called me (his wife having prevailed) and told me, "You must go hence." So I set off with one to guide me across the monntains. He then left me to find my way as I could, to a place and a person I had never heard of before: but I had a line to the man: Providence brought me to the place; but the man was not at home. However, he came the next day, and received me kindly. Here I stayed till about midsummer, and then removed to a distant relation's, where I stayed till November. It was then judged that I might go home safely: but when I came, my father would not let me come into his house. Nay, he went and made information against me to the commanding officer: and I should have been sent to prison, had not a gentleman of the town interfered for me, and procured leave for me to lodge at my father's house. In the morning a file of musqueteers came to take me into custody, and brought me to the officer. After asking many questions, he told me, "You may go home." But when I came to the door, the soldiers not knowing his order, were going to carry me to prison: till he looked out of the window, and bade them let me go. However, my father would not put me to school any more, but kept me to his business, that of baking. I continued with my father till the beginning of May, 1751 when, being well acquainted with my business, I determined to go abroad. I set out with another young man, who was engaged in Perth. Here a place was