228 EARLY METHODIST PREACHERS
door, an officer who had served with me in Portugal. I was ashamed to say that I had turned Methodist ; and yet I durst not let him go without telling him of the danger his soul was in. The ship was 1ying off Purfleet, in which he was going out to Peniscola. I took him to dine. Our conversation soon made him ready to exclaim, "What must I do to be saved?" We prayed together and sung hymns. He told me he had a strong conflict, as the ship was to sail that evening, whether he should venture ashore to take leave of me; but something unaccountably said within him, " I must see him." I gave him all Mr Wesley's Sermons and Notes, and other books that I had; accompanied him about a mile; and was fully persuaded that God, Who had begun a good work in his soul, would finish it. From this time, I felt an unaccountable desire for the salvation of souls, and resolved to speak to individuals whenever I had the opportunity. A little fruit encourages the husbandman. My father and my brother paid me a visit, and my mind was much hurt by their conversation. My father enquired whether I did not sing "\Vhitefield's hymns; assuring me, at the same time, that if I followed the Methodists, I might never more expect preferment. My brother is altogether averse to religion, especially Methodism.