130 MINISTRY AT WARRINGTON, [Chap. IV. 



are not the Jansenists Catholics ? ' I replied. 6 Was it not 

 a very wicked thing to persecute pious Catholics ? 9 ' Oh, but 

 they were heretics ! ' said he, with the greatest nonchalance. 

 'But cannot heretics be saved, if they lead holy lives?' I 

 continued. ' Impossible ! ' said he, as he turned away in 

 great disgust." 



In October, during the quarterly teachers'-meeting, on 

 Sunday evening, his house was robbed, as he writes to his 

 sister Mary : — 



"The tea-party went off very well. We had mountains 

 of flowers. . . . But while we were singing and talking there, 

 some folk made themselves busy here. I fancy they were 

 travelling thieves, who, seeing them carrying flowers, crockery, 

 etc., from my house through the chapel, doubtless thought 

 they could go in where others went out, and watched their 

 opportunity. They put up the kitchen shutters, raked out the 

 fire, ransacked the plate-basket, took the silver and left the 

 rest; went to the spare room, drew the curtains, wrenched 

 open one drawer and tried another, but took nothing; went 

 to the study, wrenched open two desks, also the drawer, which 

 I had locked during my absence — took nothing ; went to Mrs. 

 B.'s room, shut the window, ransacked and took ten shillings 

 and a coin of hers ; then to my room, where they ransacked 

 .several drawers, broke open the bureau, and took my money 

 (which I had kept, W. Robson being in London) and ring, 

 but left the cheque. They left also hosts of things which 

 I wonder they did not take. The house keys were lying on 

 the desk, ticketed, but they made no use of them, not even the 

 plate-box. The enclosed bill is exciting great attention. The 

 police have sent it round to neighbouring towns, but I have 

 no expectation of getting anything back." 



The handbill was as follows : — 



" ROBBERY. 



"Whereas, certain Person or Persons did feloniously enter 

 my Dwelling-House last evening, between the hours of 5 and 



