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only; but remarked, as these individuals were going out, that he had no objection for any seriously disposed person to remain. Upon this, a female present said aloud, Sammy Drew wishes to stop;' and Mr. John Rosevear, the good man who persuaded me to join the society, instantly ran out of the chapel, and overtaking him, prevailed on him to return. have heard Mr. Drew, when referring to this circumstance, more than once say, I felt so much, on being indirectly ordered to leave the chapel, that but for the personal and pressing invitation of the old man, I believe I should never have connected myself with the Methodists.' The Midsummer quarterly meeting was not then held in St. Austell, but at Medras, about four miles from the town. Samuel and I attended, and both remained at the lovefeast,* as members. It was a clear, starlight night; and on returning, with several other young people, I recollect how much we were all struck by the manner in which he repeated that beautiful hymn of Addison's,

"The spacious firmament on high," &c.

Between the Sunday evening to which I have referred, and this evening, he must, therefore, have joined the society; and it was not long after this, that he stated in a love-feast, at St. Austell, his having first felt that

• Love-feasts, so termed from the Agape of the antient Christians, are, among the Methodists, meetings of the societies, in which the members individually, if so disposed, relate to the others their past religious conflicts and deliverances, and their present feelings and prospects. Considerable misapprehension relative to these meetings probably exists.

peace of mind which arises from the remission of sins that are past,' while he was secretly engaged in prayer under a tree."

Mr. Drew's sister says, that at a quarterly love-feast soon after her brother's conversion, (she thinks the Michaelmas quarter,) she and her brother attended. Their father had spoken in the meeting very feelingly; and, going homeward, Samuel said to her, "Oh ! how I felt the words of that hymn which father repeated, and what he said about his readiness to die! They penetrated my very soul! I believe father is a good man." Though either at this, or some other early period of his religious course, he observed: "I remember how vexed I used formerly to be, that father did not conduct himself like many irreligious parents."

We have been thus minute in this part of our narrative, because it recounts what we think must be regarded as the most interesting and important epoch of Mr. Drew's life. We do not thus designate it because of his connexion at this time with a particular religious body, or the adoption of any peculiar creed; but because a period had now arrived, from which, in his apprehension of religious truth, he could say, "Once was I darkness, but now am I light in the Lord," and, with reference to his views, and habits, and desires, "Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

This period especially demands attention, because we thence perceive a direction given to that mental energy, and trace the full developement and bene

ficial application of those intellectual powers, which afterwards raised their possessor into distinction. Nor is the connexion here exhibited between a religious life and great mental application a matter of trivial importance; for every such instance tends to establish the position, that vital religion is not opposed to the exercise of intellect, but becomes its powerful auxiliary.

There is another point of view, in which this period of Mr. Drew's life is of more than usual importance. Comparing his deportment and habits previously and subsequently, we cannot but infer, that the religion which he espoused was not a mere theory, not a matter of opinion, but something experimental, influential, and practical, something capable of changing the whole current of the thoughts and purposes, something to be known, and felt, and enjoyed. This change which he experienced, and which, in its effects, was seen in the whole tenor of his after life, is properly termed conversion. It is such a change as this, reaching to the very thoughts and intents of the heart, which, according to our apprehensions of Scripture, every fallen child of Adam must experience, or he can in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.'

SECTION VIII.

Mr. Drew begins to work in St. Austell as a journeyman shoemaker - His master's character His first literary bias— He commences business for himself— His difficulties and perseverance.

THAT those circumstances in Mr. Drew's life, which are closely allied to each other, and which gave direction to his future pursuits, might be noticed in their natural connexion, the order of time has been a little anticipated in the preceding section. So intimate is the relationship between his religious and his literary life, that to present them separately to the reader would be impossible. They mutually affected and influenced each other. Operating upon a mind naturally bold and independent, religious conviction did not supersede rational inquiry, nor was assertion mistaken for evidence. Fully sensible, from what he had himself experienced, of the supreme importance and general truth of personal religion, he was led to investigate closely the various particulars of his creed, and to cultivate his mind, that he might be competent to the investigation. Those events which may be regarded as introductory to his mental cultivation, and the formation of his character, have been thrown into one view, without scrupulous regard to chronological arrangement. We now resume the thread of our narrative, quoting occasionally Mr.

Drew's own words from two short auto-biographical sketches which have already appeared in print.

Referring to the time immediately preceding his coming to St. Austell, he says, "I was scarcely able to read, and almost totally unable to write. Literature was a term to which I could annex no idea. Grammar I knew not the meaning of. I was expert at follies, acute in trifles, and ingenious about nonsense.' This description accords very nearly with what we have already seen of him. Some ability to write he must, however, have possessed at this time; because his sister had received more than one letter from him. Yet, that his performance could not have been otherwise than indifferent, may be inferred from a friend's comparing his writing, after several years' practice, to the 'traces of a spider dipped in ink, and set to crawl on paper.'

It was, as we have already noticed, in or about January, 1785, that Mr. Drew entered St. Austell as a journeyman shoemaker; not having then completed his twentieth year. This, though less than he states his age to be in his auto-biography, accords with the recollections of Dr. Clarke, who, in his notice of Mr. Drew, as having been converted under his ministry, represents him as then finishing his apprenticeship.'

The history of his juvenile years proves that he possessed great decision of character. This mark of a vigorous mind was frequently shewn in after life. When brought under the chastening influence of religion, his conduct was no longer chargeable with folly or extravagance; yet it generally indicated

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