was very severe in reproving and punishing sin; and although all the forms of godliness were invariably maintained throughout the establishment, it does not appear that there was one boy in the school at that time decidedly religious. The removal of one, who died after a short illness, produced a beneficial influence for a short time, but like "the morning cloud" and the "early dew" it soon passed away. In the beginning of the year 1803, a son of the Rev. Simon Day came to Kingswood, in a consumption, and died there. This event excited among the boys generally a concern for their spiritual welfare; and Mrs. Stevens, a very pious and zealous woman, wife of the Rev. William Stevens, a Supernumerary, observing their serious demeanour, invited several of them to meet in her class. This invitation was accepted, among some others, by young Burgess, who for the first time attended a classmeeting on Monday, 20th of June, 1803. While Mrs. Stevens was engaged in prayer, in which exercise she was uncommonly fervent, some of these lads became much affected, began to mourn under a sense of their sinful and dangerous state, and to cry earnestly for mercy from God. This soon became known to the rest of the scholars, amongst whom the flame spread, until nearly all professed to be seekers of salvation. Many meetings for prayer and for Christian conversation were held, and several of those who had been in deep distress of mind expressed their conviction that they had found peace with God, and knew their sins forgiven through the merits of the Saviour. By the home-circle this period was regarded as the time of his conversion; but in after life Mr. Burgess expressed some doubt whether his then extremely imperfect views of the Scriptural plan of salvation were compatible with a state of justification. Certain it is, however, that he enjoyed religious exercises and associations; was more cautious and circumspect in his conduct; and felt increasingly the value of all the appointed means of grace. About this time also his mental powers appeared more rapidly to develop themselves, and he evinced both a disposition and a capacity to pursue learning with avidity and success. To the study of the Greek and Latin classics, mathematics, and some of the living languages, he now added that of music, for which he had manifested an early genius, and in which he subsequently became a considerable proficient. In July, 1805, he left Kingswood school, with the reputation for scholarship far above his years, and with the respect and esteem of all who knew him. The writer, whose personal experiences of Old Kingswood extend from July, 1807, to July, 1813, feels much pleasure in stating that New Kingswood presents, in every aspect, a happy contrast. Whether we regard the system of teaching, of moral and religious training, and of discipline; or the food, clothing, and domestic arrangements; we now find all to be so judiciously conducted, as to leave no reasonable requirement on the part of parents and friends unfulfilled. The Rev. Joseph Burgess was now stationed at Redruth, in Cornwall, and as travelling by coach was in those days very expensive, his son embarked at Bristol, in a sailing vessel, bound for Portreath, a small sea-port, four miles distant from Redruth. Adverse winds drove the vessel into Swansea Bay, and on landing at the Mumbles, the youth walked to Swansea, where he met with a kind reception from the Rev. James Radcliffe, a personal friend of his father's. The captain of the vessel appears to have been dilatory in his movements, and neglectful of his charge. At the end of three weeks he summoned the lad, one morning early, to follow him immediately, as the wind was favourable. This call was obeyed with alacrity; but before the youth reached the Mumbles, a distance of four miles, the unfeeling captain had put to sea, and his vessel was nearly out of sight. After hope had already been so long deferred, this disappointment was felt bitterly, and must have proved no mean test of the lad's fortitude. He, however, had been taught that, "The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy." That "mercy" he sought, and, while seeking, obtained. Another captain, of a widely different character, met him as he was walking about the quay, and, hearing his case, said, "If I had a son left in a strange place as you are, I should like for some one to take care of him, and bring him home; and I will act towards others as I should wish others to act towards me. I am bound for Hayle, which is within eight miles of Redruth; I expect to sail to-morrow, and will take you with me, free of all expense." This captain's name was Leigh, and his vessel was called "The Pellew." His generous conduct affords a beautiful illustration of the application of "the golden rule," and was always gratefully remembered by his young protégé; who, landing at Hayle on the 18th of August, rose early on the following morning, and walked to Redruth, where he joined the family-circle twenty-seven days after he had left Bristol. He now commenced a diligent course of private study, including Hebrew, which he had not previously cultivated. At this time also he began to acquire some farther experience of the power of Divine grace he heard the Word preached, with more attention and profit; his judgment was better informed, and his heart more affected. A sermon preached by his honoured father from Eccles. i. 14, made a deep impression on his mind, and led to a more marked establishment of religious character. Before he had remained three months with his parents, he received a proposal from Mr. Pocock, principal of a flourishing classical and mathematical school in Bristol, to engage as classical teacher in his academy, which offer, after some negotiation, he accepted. This office had been ably filled, for some time previously, by Mr. Benson, son of the Rev. Joseph Benson: in consequence, however, of that gentleman's leaving Mr. Pocock's establishment sooner than was expected, having to keep terms at Oxford, the whole weight of the department was laid on young Mr. Burgess, who had not then completed his fifteenth year. The writer, at this point, ventures to suggest that this responsibility thrown on one so young, and who was constitutionally shy and reserved, had a tendency to induce a somewhat magisterial bearing, and dogmatic style, which never wholly forsook him; and which led casual observers, sometimes, to misapprehend his real disposition and character. On becoming a resident in Bristol, he and his young friend, Mr. Woolf, joined the class of Mr. Henry Roberts, and regularly attended our ministry at Portland Street chapel. These means of grace were much blessed to his soul; he listened to sermons with greater pleasure and profit than ever; his understanding became more and more enlightened, and the mysteries of Redemption more fully unfolded to him. It was not long before Mr. Pocock, the ministers of the Circuit, and other leading friends, urged him to engage in public labours, and devote himself to the work of the ministry, but to this he strongly objected; for, notwithstanding some "faint desires to be an ambassador for Christ," he felt so conscious of an utter want of qualifications for the work, that he did not see the smallest probability of his entering upon the sacred office. During the summer vacation of 1806, Mr Pocock paid a visit to his native town, Hungerford, in Berkshire. This place was notorious for ignorance, wickedness, and bigotry; Sabbath-breaking and other crimes were universally prevalent; and there were scarcely any in the town that retained even a form of godliness. After considerable exertions Mr. Pocock succeeded in introducing the Gospel, as preached by the Methodists, into Hungerford. On this occasion, Mr. Burgess accompanied him, and, as he himself expressed it, "had the pleasure of witnessing the first sowing of the good seed in that benighted land." Principally through the zeal and benevolence of Mr. Pocock, a Society was raised, a chapel erected, and Hungerford subsequently became the head of a Circuit. Mr. Burgess was, about this time, deeply affected by the death of Mr. Samuel Griffith, an esteemed friend and fellow-assistant. This excellent young man had been truly converted in early life, was exemplary in his conduct, eminently devoted to God, and likely to become "a burning and a shining light." He had begun to exercise his talents as an exhorter, and a local preacher; and great hopes were entertained of his future usefulness. But, alas! like a flower of the field, he was-to our finite apprehensionsprematurely cut down, just as the blossom was about to ripen into fruitfulness. Mr. Burgess visited his dying friend, and found him rejoicing in the full assurance of faith, and leaving the most satisfactory evidence that he was about to be received into the mansions of eternal bliss. During the Midsummer vacation of 1808, Mr. Pocock paid his annual visit to Hungerford, again taking Mr. Burgess and some of their pupils with him. On this occasion he visited several of the adjacent villages; among others, Burbage, a populous place in Wiltshire, where a scene occurred to which he was witness. After a sermon preached by Mr. Pocock, on Thursday evening, notice was given that there would be preaching again on the green on the next Sunday evening. The rumour being circulated, a vestrymeeting was held in the church on Sunday morning, when the minister, churchwardens, and others, consulted what should be done to oppose the Methodists, who were about to intrude into the parish. A proposal was at length made, which, although objected to by a few present, was approved by the majority: this was, to hire a number of the labourers at the canal, termed "navigators," who were to be furnished with strong liquor, and then instigated to raise an uproar, and prevent Divine worship. According to appointment, Mr. Pocock and his party-of which Mr. Burgess felt it an honour to be one-came to the place, and commenced the service by singing and prayer. The reverend curate, with the churchwardens and his other colleagues, were also there, in due time, with the poor dupes whom they had hired for their base purposes. Strong beer being supplied in abundance, the "navigators' were soon intoxicated, and in this state began to be very vociferous in expressing their displeasure against the "Methodists," and their determination to support "Church and King." As the noise grew, multitudes of people were attracted to the spot, and in a short time the assembly increased to some hundreds. Mr. Pocock announced his text, and spoke for a few minutes, but such a scene of confusion ensued, that he was obliged to desist. There was a general tumult. While many were exclaiming against the preacher and his party, some of the more sober and sensible began to take their part, and endeavoured to restrain the rioters. Mr. Pocock's eldest son, a boy not quite ten years of age, by his father's direction, mounted their travelling car, and in clear and touching tones gave out the hymn in our Collection, "Woe to the men on earth who dwell, And shower His judgments down!" etc. This produced a powerful effect; many were dissolved in tears. The curate and his associates, however, so far gained the day that the Methodists left the field of action, while the "Church and King" supporters remained victorious. But in the course of the next week matters took a remarkable turn. The Company under whom the "navigators" were employed expressed their strong disapprobation of these proceedings, and dismissed those who had been foremost in promoting the riot. The curate, also, and his party were covered with shame; the minister's conduct being so strongly censured by his ecclesiastical superiors, that he was in danger of losing his gown. On the next Sunday evening the Methodists again occupied the contested ground, but now, indeed, the scene was quite altered; not a hand was raised, nor a mouth opened against them. A large company assembled, and heard the service with deep attention: regular preaching was established in the village, the violent opposition at first manifested was overruled, and eventually conduced to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. A part of the Christmas vacation of 1809 was spent by Mr. Burgess very pleasantly with his kind friend Mr. Edwards, at Wilton. While here he so far conquered his constitutional shyness as to take the lead in the usual public service held in Mr. Edwards's house, and read a sermon to the congregation one Sunday evening. This, it is believed, was the first occasion on which an attempt of this kind was made by him. The term of five years, which he had agreed to spend with Mr. Pocock, having now expired, the latter made liberal proposals in reference to a re-engagement. Mr. Burgess, however, found the confinement so excessive, and his occupations so numerous, that he not only had not sufficient leisure to pursue his private studies, but his health was in danger of being seriously injured. With the full approbation of his parents, he declined Mr. Pocock's overtures, and finally left Bristol in June, 1811. About a fortnight after his return home to Truro, where his father was then stationed, his path was unexpectedly opened into the family of the late William Tweedy, Esq., banker, who engaged him as private tutor to his children. The purchase of the Woodhouse-Grove estate having been recently made, with the view of establishing an addi |