♦ deleted word “said” per Errata Every _Wednesday_ morning, to meet with, and exhort their parents, to train them up at home in the ways of God. 5. An happy change was soon observed in the children, both with regard to their tempers and behaviour. They learnt reading, writing, and arithmetic swiftly; and at the same time they were diligently instructed, in the sound principles of religion, and earnestly exhorted to fear God, and work out their own salvation. XV. 1. A year or two ago, I observed among many a distress of another kind. They frequently wanted, perhaps in order to carry on their business, a present supply of money. They scrupled to make use of a _pawn-broker_: but where to borrow it they knew not. I resolved to try if we could not find a remedy for this also. I went (in a few days) from one end of the town to the other; and exhorted those who had this world’s goods, to assist their needy brethren. _Fifty_ pounds were contributed. This was immediately lodged in the hands of _two_ stewards: who attended every _Tuesday_ morning, in order to lend to those who wanted, any small sum, not exceeding _twenty shillings_, to be repaid within _three_ months. 2. It is almost incredible, but it manifestly appears from their accounts, that with this inconsiderable sum _two hundred_ and _fifty_ have been assisted, within the space of _one year_. Will not God put it into the heart of some lover of mankind, to increase this little stock? If this is not _lending unto the_ Lord, what is? O confer not with flesh and blood, but immediately, “Join hands with God, to make a poor man live.”¹ ¹ We now lend any sum, not exceeding five pounds. 3. I think, Sir, now you know all, that I know of this people. You see the nature, occasion and design, of whatever is practised among them. And I trust, you may be pretty well able to answer any questions, which may be asked concerning them: particularly by those, who enquire concerning _my revenue_, and what I do with it all? 4. Some have supposed, this was no greater than that of the bishop of _London_. But others computed, that I received _eight hundred_ a year from _Yorkshire_ only. Now if so, it cannot be so little as _ten thousand pounds_ a year, which I receive out of all _England_! 5. Accordingly a gentleman in _Cornwall_ (the rector of _R――――_) extends the calculation pretty considerably. “Let me see, said he: _two millions_ of _Methodists_: and each of these paying _two-pence_ a week.” If so I must have _eight hundred_ and _sixty thousand pounds_ (with some odd _shillings_ and _pence_) a year.