obtain, and then transmitted to us their children. If the fence of a farm be down for a season, my neighbor interdicts my repairing it because he claims the privilege for his hogs, &c., by the same mode of reasoning.

The darkness of the feudal system seems to threaten our borders-an "embargo" being in the land.

Thus the one who is privileged to have the ascendancy over his neighbor, is like a "lord," and should he sell his possession he would sell the privileges with it; and the other is only as a vassal or a kind of "tenant at will," without any way for redress, the statute law being lame on the subject.

Here then I would suggest the propriety of getting a petition from a considerate public, to present to the general assembly, for a redress of grievance, to obtain some special acts of legislation, to protect us in the peaceable possession and enjoyment of our freehold estates in fee simplewith all the privileges thereto belonging-that we may be protected from the imposition and tyrannical hand of oppressors; and thereby prevent the introduction of darkness-the darkness of the feudal system--a favored few being suffered to monopolize two elements, in this land!-by ex post facto-ism.

April 25, 1829.

LORENZO Dow.

APPENDIX.

GREAT BRITAIN.

To HE CHURCH OF GOD IN EVERY PLACE:

Warrington, April 16th, 1807.

This cometh in behalf of Lorenzo Dow, itinerant preacher of the gos pel of God our Saviour. We, the undersigned, ministers and members of the people called Methodist Quakers, late in connection with the old body of Methodists, do testify, that although his appearance among us was in much weakness, many suspicions, good and evil report, his word was with power and the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. From the time we have been favored with his labors, he hath conducted himself on all occasions, in prosperity and adversity, as one whose sole aim is the glory of God and the welfare of mankind, far beyond his strength, in labors more abundant, travelling night and day for the accomplishment of his vast desire to preach the gospel of the kingdom to many perishing for lack of knowledge; and we are witnesses his labor hath not been in vain in the Lord. Many of the stones of the street have been raised to be sons and daughters of Abraham-backsliders reclaimed, and many of infidel principles shaken. From the impressive manner of his life, many, sunk into Laodicean ease, have been stirred up to glorify God with their body, soul, and substance, whom we trust and pray will remain stars in the church militant, and afterwards form one part of his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord.

Amen.

Being about to depart from this to his native land, we pray that the guidance of the same holy hand, which through a train of divine providences cast his lot among us, may conduct and protect him over the great deep to the American shores in peace and safety. Amen.

R. HARRISON,
RICHARD MILLS,
W. M'GINNIS,
PETER PHILIPS,
G. BRIMELOW,

Preachers.*

MY DEAR BROTHER DOW:

Dublin, October 18th, 1806.

As you are about to leave this city, I send you this small testimonial of my esteem and love, as it may on some occasions open your way among strangers.

* Also signed by upwards of one hundred persons more

I had but few opportunities of attending your meetings; when I did, I had no doubt of the divine blessing attending your ministry. On other occasions I have had the fullest proof, that although you were confined in your place of preaching, the word of the Lord was not bound, but became the power of God to the salvation of many precious souls. I suppose not less than thirty of these have, on your recommendation, joined the society; several of whom are rejoicing in God, and living to his glory in newness of life.

When you formerly visited Ireland, I witnessed the power of God attending your ministry in several instances, and I rejoice in the continuation of his grace to you. From all I have seen and heard respecting you, I acknowledge the hand of God, who is now, as formerly, abasing the pride of man in the instruments by whom he works.-See 1 Cor. i. 26-29.

I have no doubt of your candid attachment to the Methodists, in affection and interest, as well as doctrine. I believe your aim is to spend and be spent in bringing sinners to the Lord Jesus, and do therefore cordially bid you God-speed. May you have many souls given you in every place, to form your crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord! May the eternal God be your refuge, and protect you, and your dear wife and little one, is the prayer of

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

Rev. LORENZO Dow.

MATTHEW Lanktree."

Dublin, April 21st, 1807.

MY DEAR BROTHER DOW:

I was in expectation of hearing from you ever since your departure. At present I must be brief. Whatever be the ultimate result of the emigrating spirit which is at present moving so many of our dear friends to leave us, I cannot tell; this I know, we already feel in a distressing way its painful effects our hands hang down, and our enemies rejoice. May the Lord interpose, and order it for our good!

I cannot unravel the providence which prevented brother Joyce from proceeding along with you. I fear he was not in the will of God.

With respect to the fruit of your labors, the general testimony of all I have conversed with has been, that the Lord has owned your ministry in various parts of Ireland. My desire and prayer for you is, that you may feel the Lord's presence, and the power of God with you more fully than I would thank you for a few lines before you leave England. My love in the Lord Jesus to sister Dow, and all our friends who accompany you.

ever.

I am your affectionate brother in Christ,

MR. Dow, Liverpool.

MATTHEW LAnktree.

My dear wife sends her love to sister Dow and you. The class under her care is going on well in general.

* Superintendent preacher of the Methodist society in Dublin.

MY UNKNOWN FRIEND:

New York, November 16th, 1805.

Having received information from Mr. Kirk, respecting your situation, and supposing you to be a proper person, from your influence in the Irish connection, I take this opportunity, the earliest that offers, to write to you, by the way of Liverpool, on a subject in which our brethren are deeply interested. Mr. Lorenzo Dow has embarked again for Europe, better furnished perhaps for success than when he was with you last. His confidence of success must at least be very considerably increased, having succeeded so well in deceiving or duping so many of the preachers in the American connection. I hope that our brethren in Europe will unanimously resolve to have nothing at all to do with him. There is the greater necessity of this, as it appears to me, that if you should suffer him to have any access to our people, it would not only do us an injury, but him also for such is the nature of his plan, or system, that he estimates truth and right, not so much by principle as by success. If he should not make immediately for Ireland, please to use your ability to put the English on their guard. I expect he embarked for Liverpool. If he did not take such grounds as to lead our people into an acquiescence, and even approbation of his measures; if he did not affect to act as a Methodist, I should say nothing about him. But as an itinerant plan may indirectly lead to imposture, it stands us in hand to be very cautious to distinguish between the true and the false itinerant: the lines of distinction should always be kept very clear between the Methodist preacher and his ape. I am sorry, my dear friend, that we can give you no better specimen of the fruits of Methodism in this country. Alas! alas! shame! shame! It shall be published in the streets of London and Dublin, that Methodist preachers in America, have so far departed from Wesley and their own discipline, as to countenance and bid God-speed to such a man as Mr. Dow; the last person in the world who should have been suffered to trample Methodism under foot with impunity or countenance. His manners have been clownish in the extreme; his habit and appearance more filthy than a savage Indian; his public discourses a mere rhapsody, the substance often an insult upon the gospel: but all the insults he has offered to decency, cleanliness, and good breeding; all his impious trifling in the holy ministry; all the contempt he has poured upon the sacred scriptures, by often refusing to open them, and frequently choosing the most vulgar sayings as a motto to his discourses, in preference to the word of God-all this is as nothing in comparison. He has affected a recognizance of the secrets of men's hearts and lives, and even assumed the awful prerogative of prescience, and this not occasionally, but as it were habitually, pretending to foretell, in a great number of instances, the deaths or calamities of persons, &c.

If he makes converts as an apostle, he will not meet with your interference; but I have this confidence in my elder brethren, that as the disci

ples of the great Wesley, whom they have known in the flesh, they will make a public stand against this shameless intruder, this most daring impostor.*

Grace and peace,

NICHOLAS SNEthen.

To the Rev. MATTHIAS JOYCE,
Dublin, Ireland.

A true copy: The original is in Mr. Joyce's possession.

JOHN JONES.

P. JOHNSON.

DEAR LORENZO:

CONTINENT OF AMERICA.

State of Virginia, Richmond District, 4th Feb. 1806.

I expect you will be surprised and disappointed on the arrival of this letter, without complying with your request" send on your manuscript." I do assure you it is not for want of inclination, but the want of time to collect the materials of such a work-the vacancy wherein I flattered myself (when with you) I could occupy in the business you required. On my arrival at Lynchburg and New London, from the state of things I was continually on the push. I went so far as to take with me the scattered accounts, in order to select therefrom, but could not take nor make time, so as to be composed for such a work; but, as I cannot comply with your request in that, I will enclose to you "Dr. Jenning's Vindication of CampMeetings," and "A short account of a Camp Meeting in North America."

I received yours from New York a little before you embarked for Europe, together with your companion's inclusive, and doubt not but that you have had the prayers and well-wishes of numbers of your American brethren and friends, as well as myself, for your health and preservation at sea, and safe landing in Europe, and also for your friendly reception and usefulness among our European brethren.

We are informed in Scripture, that we should "render to all their dues ;" and if you have yours, it cannot be denied that your ministerial labor, amidst your indefatigable exertions has been, and still remains a blessing to hundreds and thousands; and as I have been much in your company for the term of about four years, I have tracked your way in Georgia as Presiding Elder of the District there, as also in Virginia; and have had an opportunity of forming a considerable judgment, and am conscious that many stubborn infidels will praise God in time and eternity, that they ever heard the sound of your voice. Yet sensible I am that you

An "intruder" is a bad character-but a "shameless" one must be callous to all delicate and important feelings. An "impostor" is a bad character-a" daring" one is worse; -but the "most daring" is in the superlative degree-which charge is unfounded-as Cos mopolite has given an honest account of himself at all times, to all persons, and in all coun tries wherever he hath been-whether in Europe or America, from Quebec to New Orleans; and the foregoing history is a simple relation in miniature for the correction of error, the wel fare of Zion, and those whom it may concern. This, with Dr. C *** threatening me with Lord Castlereagh, &c. gave rise to my pursuers, and afterward to advertise me in the minutes of the conferences, both in England and Ireland!