die while there? If these questions can be answered satisfactorily, then
give your consent; but beware, even under those circumstances, how you
choose for your companions those who know not God!

It was at the end of March, 18--, that James left his native country. On
his arrival in London, he was at once provided with employment at a large
establishment. Here he had much to contend with, being surrounded by, and
brought into immediate contact with, a great number of men, many of whom
were not only devoid of religion themselves, but ridiculed and sneered at
those who made the least profession of respect for the commandments of
God. Being known as a "Methodist," and refusing to work on the Sabbath,
when ordered to do so, or leave his situation, he came in for a
considerable portion of their obloquy and contempt.

There are few persons more social in their character than the subject of
our narrative. To such, how beneficial and salutary is the influence
arising from that friendship and communion so well provided for among
the Wesleyans, and of which he soon availed himself. For want of this,
many suffer; and, surrounded by the temptations and seductive influences
of the giddy and polluted votaries of pleasure, they look back to the
empty enjoyments of the world--they eat, drink, and are merry, while
to-morrow they die. Providentially for James, there was one person in the
establishment in which he labored who feared God, and to whom the gospel
had come with life and power; he was a class-leader at a neighboring
Wesleyan chapel. He took him to his class, where he constantly met,
until his leader was translated from the Church militant below to the
Church triumphant above. It was the privilege of James to witness, in his
dying hours, his firm and unshaken confidence in the Redeemer. He was
"ready to depart, and to be with Christ."