left to the unrestrained play of natural depravity or local habits.

From its sequestered situation, one might naturally conclude that St. Just would, if possible, be even more savage than districts in the heart of the county: and this conjecture is confirmed by a remark of Mr. Wesley cited hereafter. The facilities for concealment supplied by a range of mines along the coast, of course, gave every encouragement to smuggling, and with it came a train of other evils,-drunkenness especially, in its most debasing forms. Nor was wrecking uncommon, though there is no evidence that it was ordinarily accompanied by the atrocities for which other places were infamous. Tradition, however, still preserves the name and memory of a wretch who, during the latter years of his life, continually fancied himself accompanied by the spectre, as it was supposed, of some shipwrecked mariner who had been the victim of his avarice and cruelty. It was indeed known that he had been accessory to the death of more than one individual who had been cast away on this inhospitable shore.

Such was the moral condition in which our county, and this part of it especially, was found by that diffusive form of Christianity to which, beyond every other, it is most indebted,-WESLEYAN METHODISM. The result is before the eyes of the world; and, were not scepticism the offspring of a corrupt heart rather than a misguided judgment, would be sufficient to dissipate all doubt on the divine energy of the Gospel of Christ. Rescued from a state of moral degradation, which at present it is not easy to conceive, we have now a peasantry rarely equalled, and probably nowhere surpassed, in frugality, order, intelligence, and general conscientiousness. In this respect, St. Just assumes a leading position among the mining districts of this county; and it contains, besides, an unusual number of persons truly religious,-individuals who eminently adorn their Christian profession.

Singularly enough, the nucleus of Methodism in the west of Cornwall was a society formed without any reference to Mr. Wesley, and some time before he or any of his coadjutors visited the county. This was at St. Ives, a small port situate on the west

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ern head of the bay, bearing the same name. They admitted me into society," says Mr. Wesley, "and not I them."

Hence it was that the word of God sounded forth to the regions beyond. It appears to have travelled along the coast; and having visited the intermediate parishes of Zennor and Morva,* it eventually reached St. Just.

The introduction of Methodism into Morva was the result of one of those circumstances vulgarly called accidents, which, however, the devout are taught more correctly to describe as arrangements of Providence. A welldisposed woman, Alice Daniel by name, was employed one fine afternoon in securing her year's stock of honey, when a stranger, having the appearance of a Clergyman, rode up, and begged a cup of water. The good woman, "on hospitable cares intent," insisted upon his alighting, and tasting her bread and honey. The stranger complied, and, having partaken of the rustic fare set before him, he began to speak of truths which, to the spiritual taste, are "sweeter than honey or the honey-comb." Alice listened with strange interest to discourse so novel, and, at the close of the conversation, begged her guest to come again, and to give her neighbours the opportunity of hearing the same great truths. Such an application, so urged, John Wesley, for he it was, was not likely to reject. From that time Rosemurgy, the residence of the Daniels, was regularly visited by the Preachers of St. Ives. The worthy couple built a separate apartment for their accommodation, furnished much like the Prophet's chamber in the house of the Shunamite; for beyond this their

B

A St. Ives sailor, of the name of Williams, who is said to have commanded a small trading vessel between that port and Bristol, was the first Methodist Preacher who visited this parish. He preached on the green, and without a book,-a thing which, in their sagacity, the inhabitants of St. Just were persuaded no sane person would have attempted; and hence, as perhaps also on other accounts, he acquired the appellation of "the mad Priest." Of the result of his labours, though not registered on earth, the record is on high.

Mr. Wesley's first visit to St. Just was on Saturday, Sept. 10th, 1743. "I preached at the cross," he says, "to, I believe, a thousand people, who all behaved in a quiet and serious manner." "On the following morning," he subsequently states, "between eight and nine, I preached at St. Just, on the

means would not extend. Here lodged Mr. Wesley, and here for some years, as often as they visited Morva, lodged his helpers and successors; and so successful were their labours, that in a short time this remote parish had a society of one hundred members. The Preacher's room at Rosemurgy, I believe, still remains, the memorial of the early days of Methodism, and of early Methodist hospitality.

green plain near the town, to the largest congregation (I was informed) that ever had been seen in these parts. I cried out with all the authority of love, 'Why will ye die, O house of Israel?' The people trembled, and were still. I had not known such an hour before in Cornwall." On the following Sunday, "The congregation at St. Just," he says, "was greatly increased, while I proclaimed to every convicted sinner, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

Whether it was before or after this visit that the society was formed, there are no means for ascertaining; though, on several accounts, the latter seems the more probable opinion. Little doubt, however, can be entertained, that it was in existence before the spring of the following year, when Mr. Wesley again travelled through the county. At all events, the effects of the ministry of the word were then obvious and extensive. Under the date of April 7th, 1744, he says, "It is remarkable, that those of St. Just were the chief of the whole county for hurling, fighting, drinking, and all manner of wickedness; but many of the