gifts on various occasions, and had already acquired the expertness of an old practitioner, in levying supplies for the sake of distressed brethren, and of these contributions he gave such an account as is usual among the itinerant fraternity. But though he had no intention of repairing to Etterick, he gave a most solemn promise to Hamilton to be there in six weeks at farthest. Hamilton wishing for farther acquaintance with the manner of Methodism, expressed a desire to be let into some of the secrets of the cases of conscience, and endeavoured to learn if it was possible to be an unobserved witness. By the ministry of a waiter, who, being son of the sexton, abominated all that might tend to lessen the payments to the parish church, he was concealed in a closet adjoining the apartment of the counsellor of conscience. The first person that applied was, by his own account, a shop-keeper. The parson of the parish, it seems, had, by some means, discovered that this dealer had two kinds of weights and measures; one for those that he supposed to be very sharp, and another for them that he supposed to be very flat. The clergyman had represented this distinction as very iniquitous, and assured the tradesman, that if he persisted in fraud, that punishment would sooner or later overtake him, if not in this, at least in the next world. The man was unwilling to relinquish a practice so very gainful; and having frequently heard, that the circulating preachers were much more indulgent to deviations from morality, he had repaired to the sermon of Mr. O’Rourke, and was very much satisfied with the short cut that he described; but wishing to be more particularly informed, applied personally to the learned O’Rourke, having stated his case and expressed his hopes, that his practice was not inconsistent with the true faith. The preacher replied, “I must first ask you some questions; you have made a good round sum, I suppose, by this kind of traffic?” “I have not been unsuccessful.” “Have you applied any part of the proceeds to the relief of the brethren?” “Oh yes, I pay the poor’s rates.” “Be after understanding me, I mane to us, the believing boys.” “No, I cannot say I have, except half-a-crown I gave to-day at the collection.” “Oh, that will not do gra, you will not get off so asy; charity, as I demonstrated to you, covereth a multitude of sins, therefore your best way is to give me a small part of your profits, three or four guineas, or five, as a _nater_ kind of a sound, which I shall employ according to the best of my judgment.” “Five guineas is a great sum, please your reverence, and I do not see how it can lessen the sin.” “You do’nt! then I will shew you, my boy, how it will lessen the punishment. What would you say if I was to go and inform against you now; you could be very easily convicted, and I would refer it to the discovery of your parson, so do not speak against charity to me, you see your reputation is in my