His unpolished youth; his roughness both of address and dialect, owing partly to natural temper, partly to having been brought up much in the country, and partly to his having been formerly of the church of _Rome_¹; but more than all, his being a native of that neighbourhood, gave some persons occasion for being deeply offended at him, who expressed it by their unkind, and uncivil treatment towards him. This I had from some of the persons themselves, a considerable time after, who mentioned it to their own reproach, that he, whom then they so loved and honoured was nevertheless, once the object of their scorn. ¹ There is in some parts of _Ireland_ a very remarkable difference between the _dialect_ of the _Protestants_, and _Romanists_, even of the same county or parish. What is called the _brogue_, in its excess is a sort of _Shibboleth_ for the latter; and among the younger sort of Protestants especially, a term of reproach. I remember it was a very common objection to him, when he preached first in the town of my nativity. But as he sought not his own things, neither strove to please man, having in view only the glory of God, and the good of souls, this did not in the least damp his fervour, or retard his progress. As he saw daily the fruit of his labours, so he was not to be hindered, or discouraged by any treatment of himself; rather he rejoiced in _contempt_ for his master’s sake. He had _put his hand to the plough_ (_Luke ix. 62._) and having counted the cost, settled it in his heart not to look back. He waxed still stronger, and grew every day more mighty in the scriptures, and in conformity to our Lord, as well as more instrumental in bringing others acquainted with _the only true_ God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. There are many instances of the good effects of these his first labours. It plainly appeared that the word of God in his mouth was attended with the power of the Holy Ghost. It was not an uncommon case, for persons to be so penetrated by his fervent discourses, as to resolve not to leave the place, till they should find rest in their souls, and the instances were not a few, to whom the God of love condescended even in this particular by sending then _the Spirit of adoption into their hearts_, testifying _Thy sins are forgiven_; and enabling them _to cry Abba Father_. His time was now wholly taken up in searching, expounding, and enforcing the scriptures, which he did both in public and in private; and prayer, visiting the sick, and whatsoever other particular employments occasional, or stated, had any relation to his one purpose of spending, and being spent in the service of his master. And having been thus employed at _Limerick_ for some time, it was judged expedient, that he should go and preach the gospel in other places also. CHAPTER II.