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but unable to render them the least assistance ;—onė crying amain, "My brother is lost," another exclaiming, "My father is there;" the vessel at length striking, -flying in pieces, the survivors clinging to the wreck, --and the whole on the point of disappearing. At the moment, when all seemed crashing, reeling, roaring, separating into still smaller fragments, and sinking, he shouted, "What is to be done now?—all is going— going for ever!" "What is to be done!" bawled out a tar in the midst of the congregation, "why launch the life-boat." This, with the vivid, bold imagery of the preacher, produced an extraordinary sensation in the congregation; and on the feeling partially subsiding, Mr. Dawson being in all the majesty of his freedom and power, turned his eye of terror upon the sinner, and rolling forth a volume of voice in some of its boldest, wildest, loudest, and-when suited to the sentiment and action-tenderest tones, rushed down upon the previously prepared and awakened feelings, representing man as lost in the general shipwreck of human nature, -plunging, on rejecting the only means of salvation and safety, into the gulf of hell, where every thing was aggravated by circumstances; the sufferers, in the one case, being friendly to each other,—every man meeting a friend in the vessel, with the additional hope of again meeting and hailing each other in a future state; while in the other case, every lost spirit in perdition would meet an enemy,-pious friends, father, mother, brother, and sister seen no more, the lost soul tost on a liquid sea of fire-scudding on, and on, and on-the breath of the Almighty, like an everlasting hurricane, sweeping across the sea, and blowing up the flames! After employing this imagery, he took the Bible in his

hand, and in reference to the exclamation of the sailor, said, "Blessed be God! though there is no life-boat in hell, we have one here!" He then adverted to the Word of Life, which pointed out CHRIST, the author and the way of life. This was denominated by the sailors, "The Life-Boat Sermon," and was talked of years afterwards.

In 1823, the society at Barwick sustained the loss of two excellent members by death,-the mother of the Rev. David Stoner, and Mrs. Newby; the former Aug. 10th, and the latter Sep. 9th. Brief memoirs of both were forwarded by Mr. Dawson to the Editor of the Wesleyan Magazine, where they appeared in 1824, pp. 140, 209. He wrote also an account of Mrs. Broadbelt of Killinghall, for his friend Mr. Thompson. There were only eleven members in his class at Barnbow at this time, including himself. The Barwick class met a long time in the house of Mrs. Batty.

There were four out of five children, left by Mrs. Stoner, who were found in the way of righteousness. David was the oldest, who was much esteemed by Mr. Dawson, and the more so, as he was brought to God under his ministry. There was another young man of promising talents, who began to preach about the same time with David. Mr. Dawson speaking of them one day, observed, “J—cooks a good dinner, and sets it in order before his guests: but they may either take it or not if they do not, they may let it alone; but in such a case, the infant, as well as others, may starve. David, on the other hand, says, 'I'll make you take it' he takes the spoon in one hand, and the child by the nose with the other, and pours the contents down the throat. J-exhibits, David preaches."

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eloquence of David Stoner was that which may be compared to a stream that is fed by an abundant spring, and not that, as a writer observes, "which spouts forth a little frothy water on some gaudy day, and remains dry the rest of the year." And yet, though few men equalled him for the uninterrupted tide of eloquence he poured forth in the pulpit, he was exceedingly reserved in social life. Indulging one day his taciturn mood, Mr. Dawson-full of spirit, rallied him on the subject. David, a little tried with it, took up the old proverb,-"Empty casks sound most;' and threw it at Mr. Dawson. "What are full ones good for," returned the latter, "till they are tapt?"

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The slender number of members in Mr. Dawson's class, as just adverted to, was a source of grief. Mr. Russom, of Tarperly, Cheshire, referring to this period, observes in a letter to the biographer,-"Sixteen years have passed away since myself and two others went to his class at Barwick. I had last night,' said Mr. Dawson, An impression upon my mind, that God was about doing something for us, and now,'-pointing to us, see, here it is-three souls-three souls.-Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord! After enquiring into the state of my mind, and directing me to the Lamb of God,' he solemnly put his hands upon my head, and prayed, while raising his eyes to heaven,- Lord, bless this lad, and make him a blessing!' Subsequently, I was often impressed with his deep humility at class, and once observed to a member, Mr. Dawseems wholly unconscious of his worth to the

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A person meeting with a few religious friends, while Mr. Dawson was present, began to sport his wit, and

to state, that when he became serious, he advertised a sale of his effects-referring to sin, and resolved upon selling all off. Mr. Dawson, to put a stop to what might lead to a trifling mode of conversation, on a subject so awfully serious as sin, returned,-" A buyer would be wanting for the stuff; the devil would not give a price, for it was his already ;-God would have nothing to do with it, for he hates it ;—and man needed it not, for he would find he had enough of his own without it." He could relish wit; but not when "reason put in her claim for the one half of it, and extravagance for the other."

Being down at Hull, preaching occasional sermons, the friends of the Bible Society availed themselves of his aid, at one of their meetings. His speech excited great interest, especially when he turned to Mr. Dikes, and acknowledged him as his spiritual father. This revelation to the meeting was the more grateful, because of the esteem in which Mr. Dikes was held, and the members of the Established Church began to look with more respect upon the son in the gospel, for the venerable pastor's sake; and it drew many to a Methodist chapel, who had not been in the habit of entering one before.

His excellent mother died July 9th, 1824, in the 76th year of her age, and was sincerely lamented by the family; but by no one was the stroke so severely felt as by himself, having been at home with her from childhood, and now, comparatively alone in the house!

CHAPTER XII.

Increasing labour.-Conversion of a Sceptic.-Opening of Brunswick Chapel, Leeds.—Contrast between the Pulpit and the Farm. -Silver taken at the foot of the gallery stairs.-Difference between popularity and usefulness.—Revivals.—Industry.—The grave and the ludicrous.--Daniel in the Lions' den.-John Richardson.-Biography.-Death of the Rev. David Stoner.— His character. The fallen trumpet.—Difference between Nature and Art.-Mr. Samuel Entwistle.--Mr. Hugh Gill.-Dr. Mc. Allum's character and death.-Leeds Organ Question.—Mr. Baines and the Leeds Mercury. - Disputes.-Journies.—A mishap.-Platform Readings.—Prayer-Meetings, and their good effects.-Divine Influence.-Restitution.-Contentment.-Independance. Solicitation of Subscriptions.—Melancholy effects of false alarm at Heckmondwike.-The Rev. Gideon Ouseley.-Popish Controvertists.-Death of "The Village Blacksmith." -Farm unsuccessful.—Curiosity in Check.-Visits.-Obitu

aries.

THE anxiety to obtain the services of Mr. Dawson, in places which had not been favoured with them, became more and more intense from 1825 to 1830, which embraces that portion of his history to which the reader is now directed and yet the spirit which he kindled in the societies that had been so favoured, rendered it extremely difficult for him to extend his acquaintance, owing to the friends pressing him to repeat his visits. This induced many to apply to

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