376 APPENDIX II. 



already, perhaps from Croly's Salathiel ; but of the destruction 

 of the Papacy, the end of GentiHsm, the kingdom of God, the 

 resurrection and rapture of the Church at the personal descent of 

 the Lord, and the imminency of this,— all came on me that even- 

 ing like a flash of lightning. My heart drank it in with joy ; I 

 found no shrinking from the nearness of Jesus. It was indeed a 

 revelation to a spirit prepared to accept it. I immediately began 

 a practice, which I have pursued uninterruptedly for forty-six 

 years, of constantly praying that I may be one of the favoured 

 saints who shall never taste of death, but be alive and remain 

 until the coming of the Lord, to be "clothed upon with my house 

 which is from heaven." 



Subsequently, Mr. Habershon gave me his Historical Exposi- 

 tion of the Apocalypse^ two volumes. This also is a work of 

 great value, though, as increasing study made me more critical, 

 I found numerous matters of detail to which exception might be 

 taken; and though his confidently anticipated dates were not 

 realized, as, indeed, those of none others are yet, the grand out- 

 line of interpretation of Divine prophecy given is beyond dispute. 

 But to me, who had known nothing higher than the narrow and 

 bald lines of Wesleyanism, it was, as I have said, a glorious un- 

 veiling. Its immediate effect was to deliver me from Arminianism, 

 on behalf of which I had hotly disputed with my father, only a few 

 months before. 



The enlargement of mind and heart thus eff'ected was, doubtless 

 operative in the preparation for another important spiritual 

 change, — the perception, and then the reception, of what are 

 known as " Brethren's principles." And this though there was no 

 definite or sensible connection between the two movements in my 

 mind. There was living in Hackney a young gentleman, a class- 

 leader in the Methodist society, with whom I was on visiting 

 terms. His wife was preparing a little brochure for publication, 

 and they requested me to give her, professionally, some literary 

 assistance in the work. Thus I was thrown much into their 

 society; and as they were both earnest believers and both of 

 engaging manners and of amiable disposition, the acquaintance 

 became unrestrained and very agreeable. One day, Mr. Berger 

 observed, " I wish you could know my brother Will; you would be 

 much interested in each other!" And soon after he managed 



