NESTLETON MAGNA. [Illustration: NATHAN AT WORK.--_Page 294._] NESTLETON MAGNA. A STORY OF _YORKSHIRE METHODISM._ BY J. JACKSON WRAY. Thirtieth Thousand. LONDON: JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO _At the Ballantyne Press_ TO THE METHODIST CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, NUMBERING SOME FIFTEEN MILLIONS OF ADHERENTS, This Book is respectfully Dedicated, IN HEARTY ADMIRATION OF THEIR NOBLE LABOURS IN THE HIGHEST INTERESTS OF HUMANITY, AND IN THE EXTENSION OF THE REDEEMER’S KINGDOM; WITH THE EARNEST HOPE THAT, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE, THEY WILL SPEEDILY BE ABLE TO ADOPT SOME PRINCIPLE OF CONFEDERACY, BY MEANS OF WHICH THEY MAY PRESENT A UNITED AND RESISTLESS FRONT AGAINST EVERY FORM OF ANTI-CHRIST, AND IN LOVING CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, MAY SOON “WIN THE WORLD FOR CHRIST.” PREFACE. In this book I have sought to present a faithful picture of village Methodism--a picture which I do not hesitate to say is being reproduced to-day, as far as Church work and beneficent piety is concerned, in many a village in this country. I have had, for more years than I care to count, an intimate knowledge of Methodist rural life. Nathan Blyth, Old Adam Olliver and his wife Judith, and some other characters in the book, not excepting Balaam, have, unconsciously, stood for their portraits; and I dare to say that those parts of the story which have to do with Methodist operations and influences, will not be considered as overdrawn by those who are most conversant with the inner life of the Methodist people. If it be asked why I have presented my pictures in fictitious frames, my answer is, that I was bound to follow my natural bent, and to allow my pen to pursue the lines most congenial to the hand that wielded it; that, of all kinds of literature, fiction is the most attractive, and as it is utterly useless to try to prevent its perusal, wisdom and religion, too, suggest that it should be provided of so pure a quality, and with so definitely a moral and religious bias, that it may not only do no harm but some good to the reader, who would otherwise go further and fare worse. I have honestly endeavoured so to write as to be able to quote dear Old Bunyan, and say,-- “This book is writ in such a dialect As may the minds of listless men affect; It seems a novelty, and yet contains Nothing but sound and honest Gospel strains.”