Wesley Corpus

people, and those whom General Oglethorpe carried over with him added to the number of malcontents ; particularly some women, who proved to be of loose morals : their influence over the mena and jealousies of each other, were continually promoting animosities and divisions. The serious deportment of Mr. Wesley, his frequent reproofs, and above all, his acute penetration into their character, rendered him an object of their hatred during the voyage, which they soon manifested on shore. Plans were deeply laid to ruin him in the opinion of the General, or take him off by assassination : when he walked in the woods, he often narrowly escaped being shot by guns flred as by accident, but which afterwards ap peared to have been aimed at him. The shafts of calumny were more successful : when mutinies arose, General Oglethorpe was made to believe that Mr. Wesley was the instigator, and had persuaded the people to leave the colony. In consequence of these insinuations his conduct towards him, without for some time assigning any cause, became totally changed ; and when Mr. Wesley found out to his utter astonishment, that he was accused of exciting discontent amongst the people, he could only deny the charges and request to confront his accusers. The hard ships and ill treatment to which the loss of the Governor'sfavour exposed him in a foreign land, and surrounded with enemies, could only have been patiently endured by a practical Christian. He continued to discharge his ministerial labours and official employments with unremitted diligence ; but though his mind was supported, his frame sunk under the weight : he was thrown into a violent fever, and being deprived of the consolations of kindness or medical aid, his life must have fallen a sacrifice, ifhis only friend in the place (the Reverend Mr. Ingham) had not brought his brother from Savannah to rescue him from his oppressors. An explanation with the General then took place ; the whole iniquitous plot was discovered, and his enemies were