Year: 1863

]


not overturn the Established Church in


England. Both were young men Of


great piety, great zeal and enthusiasm.


Soon after the PRONUNCIATION Of Meth


odism, it spread with great rapidity over


the counties of Devon and Cornwall


and especially among the miners and


lower orders. Although very few per-


sons win now dispute its beneficial ten


dency among those classes; yet, for a


long period after the introduction Of


Methodism, the clergy and higher orders


of society in the west of England mani


tested degree Of dislike TO the new


doctrines, which can scarcely be imagin-


ed in these days of modern toleration.-


II was thought by many young gentlemen


good sport to break the windows and


nail up the doors Of Methodist chapel.


The robbery of Wesleyan preacher as
a spree, by two young gentlemen, be-
came the subject of Judicial investiga-
ton, and the frolicsome young men had
to pay very dearly for their practical
Joke.


There were able and even eloquent
preachers among the Melhodists. The


works Of Wesley, and of Doctors Clarke
and Coke, are even now popular with
large religious class. There were also
found among them some very wild, en-
thusiastic local preachers, who might vie
with Praise God Barebones," and other
/ fanatics of the time of Cromwell. Many
of these could not read at all, and very
few were acquainted with any books be-
sides the Bible, and the works of Bunyan,
Baxter, and John Wesley. But the
writings of these authors contained
many Of the most enthusiastic and en-
ergetc discourses, in the English Ian
guage, especially adapted to strike the
imagination and captivate the attention
Of the lower orders. The phraseology
Of these works was derived from the Sax
on, and was, therefore, better understood
by the humble classes to whom they
were addressed, than the language Of
polished preachers who had finished
their education at Oxford and Cam
bridge. Indeed some of the better in
formed classes of society were fully
aware of the value Of preachers who,
from their own feelings and experiences,
so we'll understood the vices and follies
of their auditors.


Among the uninstructed preachers
was one known by the name Of "The
old Gardener" This old man was no
common character-indeed, he was quite
an original, and by far the most popular
preacher among the lowest and least in
ielligent the disciples of John Wesley.
He kept small nursery garden about
two miles from the town Of ST. A,
then and now the center of mining |
district rich in its products of tin and
copper. When a mere boy as a servant
to a Cornish gentleman, he went to Lon
don. He was there kidnapped, and sent
to the West Indies, where he worked
some years as a slave. He then entered |
the army, aud served in the West, and |
afterwards in the east Indies, where he
fought under the great Lord Give. In |
one of the battles he was wounded, and |
lay two days and nights on the field Of
battle amidst the dead. As he lay there
he heard during the night the roars Of
lion and tiger, and the bowls of the hye-
ma, and saw them prowling round him,
but they were so gorged that they attack
ed nothing living.


His sufferings were great from excess
i've pain, aggravated by burning thirst
He expected TO be mangled and eaten by
wild beasts, and in the extremity of des-
pair endeavored to pierce himself in some
vital part with a bayonet, but was too
weak to effect his purpose. He was
at last found alive, ultimately recovered
his health, and returned to England
Being found, on his arrival, unfit for SER
vice, be was discharged, and finally set
tied near St. A, as before mention
ed.


Soon after his return, the "Old Gar
dener" became convert to Methodism.
and afterwards a local preacher, work
ing hard at his occupation as gardener
by day and praying and preaching to
his fellow-sinners, as be termed them,
in the evening. He lived in the poor
est manner, giving away all the surplus
Of his earnings in charity, distributing
Bibles, the promoting to the utmost of
his ability, and extension of Methodism.
His exterior was rough, and his face as
strongly marked as the granite o! bis
native country. His complexion was a u