Wesley Corpus

xxxi particularly attached to the Brunswick family. All their adherents in America during the War were firmly loyal : and so large a body ofpeople as the Wesleyan Methodists are now become, still maintaining the same principles, are no inconsiderable support to government. The Rev. Charles Wesley departed this life in the full vigour of his mental faculties by a gentle decay of nature in his eightieth year : his brother survived him three years. Bright hope and pious resignation distin guished their last moments. The character of the brothers was distinctly different; John was born with a temper which scarcely any injuries could provoke, ingrati tude ruffle, or contradiction weary. This dis position peculiarly qualified him to govern ; but he was so far from arrogating authority, or demanding submission, and his gentleness and forbearance rendered him so much the object of love amongst the people who placed them selves under his care, that they considered " Their sovereign pastor as a sovereign good." xxxii It has been remarked that public men do not often shine in private life. Though he re garded " all the world as his parish," and every man as his brother, he was amiable in his domestic circle, and kind to his relations, especially to those who were dependant upon him, or whom he thought neglected and op pressed. Charles was full of sensibility and fire ; his patience and meekness were neither the effect of temperament or reason, but of divine principles. John affectionately dis charged the social duties, but Charles seemed formed by nature to repose in the bosom ofhis family. Tender, indulgent, kind, as a brother, a husband, a father, and a master ; warmly and unalienably devoted to his friend ; he was a striking instance that general bene volence did not weaken particular attach ments, discerning in the character of men, incapable ofdisguise, and eminently grateful. The peculiar virtue of John was forgiveness of enemies. He has been frequently known to receive even into his confidence those