At the Conference of 1827, by the appointment of Mr. Casson to Gateshead, he was removed to a sphere of action widely different from any preceding station which he had occupied. Leaving the inhabitants of the dales in their scattered dwellings, where they were comparatively shut out from much of that contaminating influence, which, like a moral pestilence, stalks along in places more densely populated, poisoning the life-blood of society, he had now, in the order of Providence, to plant his battering rams in a place “where Satan’s seat” was; where bold unblushing infidelity was not ashamed to show herself unmasked; and where vice in all its disgusting and hideous deformity, reigned on every hand. In the midst of a population of 14,000 souls in the town, and the swarming hives that abound in an extended colliery district, he had a wide range for spiritual employment, and entered upon it with an earnestness and vigour which no opposition could intimidate, and no supine indifference could cool. His soul seemed to rise with the greatness of his work,—he was stimulated to yet mightier efforts,— and in no place had he to sing of more abundant success. The field of sanctified labour became the honoured scene of holy triumph, and the trembling gates of hell shook under those powerful assaults which he successfully made on Satan’s Kingdom.

In accepting the invitation to this Circuit, he was satisfied that he had followed the moving of the “pillar of cloud and fire,” and that he was in the place where God would have him to be. His colleague was the Rev. Joseph Mann, to whom he became greatly attached. In his usual happy way of innocently playing upon the names of his associates, he describes him as “a man of God, an excellent yoke-fellow.” Their united labours were very soon signally owned by the Great Head of the Church. In a letter to Mr. Atkinson, October 13th, 1827, he says:— “The first Sabbath I spent here, we had brother Joseph Mortimer with us, on his way to Shetland: he gave us a famous lift, and we had not less than twenty souls converted to God. This was a blessed beginning, and still the work is going on in town and country. At our Quarter-day, all was love and harmony, not a single string out of tune. We had given seventy-three notes on trial. The blessed work is still going on. We seldom have a meeting but part of our work is to pray over penitents, and often they get truly set at liberty. My colleague has charity enough to bear with all my infirmities, and puts the best construction on my proceedings. I hope the Lord will make us like Caleb and Joshua this year, in leading a few hundreds of souls from the county of Durham into the kingdom of God. Mr Mann and I have had meetings every night in the month but two since we came. I have found the labour hard, and sometimes my strength nearly exhausted; but when revived again have found my soul as warm as ever in fishing men out of the devil’s pond. May we all have strength according to our day in this delightful work, till the Lord says, ‘It is enough: well done, good and faithful servant!’ Amen and amen!”

To the same import he writes to a Christian lady in Dumfries, October 17th:—“Since we came we have had a blessed work; we have seldom a prayer-meeting but penitents are crying aloud for mercy, and a goodly number have got converted to God. I have, this week, seen nearly a dozen souls saved. I never felt more given up to God, nor more passive in his hands, willing either to do or suffer all his righteous will. I cannot choose, and He cannot err. My soul daily cries, ‘Lord, thy will be done!’ Praise the Lord, the religion I recommend to others, I daily feel myself, namely, perfect love filling and ruling my heart.”

When in the Gateshead Circuit, Mr. Casson may be regarded as having been in the zenith of his popularity and usefulness. By many he was considered as one of the most popular preachers in the north of England; and that his ministry was highly appreciated, not because of his eccentricities, but for the rich and holy unction which attended it, appeared by the crowds that flocked over the water from Newcastle, to hear him, many of whom ranked high for intelligence and sound discrimination. A little incident, inconsiderable in itself, will illustrate the high estimation in which he was held in this neighbourhood. Two gentlemen were travelling in the same public conveyance; when one of them, having learned in the course of conversation that his fellow-traveller came from Cumberland, very laconically inquired. “Can you send us another Hodgson Casson from your county? for the one you have sent us is worth his weight in gold.” Mr. Casson felt the responsibility of his position, and gave himself to study, meditation, and prayer. Conscious that the same style of preaching that was adapted to win the hearts and cheer the spirits of the plain unsophisticated dwellers in the dales, would not be calculated to tell upon his Gateshead congregation, he laboured hard to improve his mental qualifications, that he might show himself a “workman needing not to be ashamed.” A remarkable change also took place in his physical system. His new friends were soon aware of those sufferings, through the frequent attacks of the fits of epilepsy already alluded to, which had so often impeded him in the discharge of his ministerial duties in his last Circuit; and they sought to obtain a remedy, by means which would no doubt be congenial to his own views. They relied on the power and goodness of Him who has the kingdom of nature under his control. His case was made a subject of prayer throughout the Circuit; petitions upon petitions, sincere and fervent, ascended before the throne of Him who heareth and answereth prayer; and it is a well-authenticated fact, that for the latter two years and three quarters of his residence in that Circuit, he had not one repetition of his malady, and left it with a strong healthy body, and a happy soul. Let the sceptic or the subtle philosopher account for this on natural principles; the Christian can go a nearer way to work, when he attributes it to the “wondrous power of faithful prayer.” With renewed vigour he consecrated all the powers of body and soul to the great work for which he lived,—the salvation of his fellow-men.

The description of the lamentable state of public morals, which has just been given, as existing in the town, is equally applicable to the surrounding villages. About four miles from Gateshead, is the large and populous village of Swalwell, where the principal part of Crawley and Co.’s extensive iron works are situated, employing a considerable number of workmen in the manufacture of anchors, anvils, chain cables, and, in short, almost every kind of work in which iron and steel are used. The moral condition of the men was proverbially bad. To this place, soon after his arrival, Mr. Casson bent his course one fine autumnal Sabbath, after having preached at Burnop Field in the morning. Entering Swalwell, at Miller’s Bridge, he came up to a group of idlers, who were lounging about, manifesting no disposition to hallow the sacred day. He drew up his horse, and inquired if they knew that the time they were thus wasting was holy, and ought to be employed in acts of piety; and then faithfully remonstrated with them on their shameless misconduct, as a reckless act of self-destruction, and an insult to God the Creator. To a man, they treated his admonitions with an indifference, which none could have displayed but men grown bold in sin, scarcely deigning to afford him a glance of recognition, or a moment’s attention. In the evening, whilst dealing out the thunders of the law in his own peculiarly pointed manner, he referred distinctly to the sad evidence of relaxed morality which had met his eye in their own village. Reports of this public reprehension soon reached the ears of those men who had been deaf to the voice of kindness, and led them to entertain purposes of revenge—equally mean, ignorant, and inhuman—against the bold reprover; resolving that the next time he came that way they would unite in stoning him This diabolical purpose was frustrated, in a manner to them unexpected. One of the party who had entered into this combination was suddenly arrested on the following day by an alarming stroke of disease, which extracted from him a disclosure of their wicked intentions. The strength of the man wasted daily, whilst his conscience inflicted upon him terrible retribution, and memory recalled a life of crimes. Altered circumstances had rendered a blind and worthless scepticism utterly unavailing. New light seemed to fall from the Eternal. The past was overcast with guilty gloom; the future suggested apprehensions the most fearful. To employ the language of a French writer, “it was not a trifling declaimer, or a religious book, but the last enemy himself who had become the preacher.” In this sad hour, trembling and amazed, the dying unbeliever realised the meaning of the lines—

The alarmed sufferer was glad to avail himself of the kind solicitude of some of his neighbours, who knew the Lord Jesus Christ, he earnestly entreated them to supplicate the throne of mercy on his behalf, at the same time disclosing to a pious Class-Leader, Mr. John Spence, his guilty purpose in reference to God’s messenger. He deeply repented of his wickedness, and prayed that the thoughts of his heart might be forgiven him. It is believed that Mr. Casson was a visitor at this death-bed scene. The contrition of the heart-stricken penitent was a sad discomfiture to his former associates, and gave rise to much malignant feeling. Some of them approached his bed-side, and, in a spirit worthy of the murderer of souls, clinched their hands, and stigmatized him as a coward, who had irreparably disgraced himself by submitting to the degradation (as they regarded it) of prayer. A Class-Leader who watched with him, endeavoured to calm his agitated spirit, by proclaiming the mercy offered to repentant sinners; and there was sufficient reason to hope, that before he left the world he obtained salvation through the blood of the Cross. This solemn event disconcerted the association of unbelievers, and, for a time, Sunday-gaming appeared to be abandoned. But the pointed and faithful rebukes of the preacher were neither soon forgotten nor forgiven, by some of the more desperate of these wicked sinners. On a subsequent Sabbath, a company of these scorners began to hoot and hiss at him; and one man took up a stone, with an evident determination to throw it at the preacher. He drew up his horse, and solemnly said, “Now, my lads, remember the last hours of W. T.:” and with tender earnestness entreated them not to face death, with a load of unpardoned guilt upon their souls. It is pleasing to add, that several of these very men began to attend Mr. Casson’s ministry, and were made the subjects of a work of saving grace: from these stones were raised up “children unto Abraham;” from having been furious persecutors, they became his warmest admirers, and most attached friends; and his affection towards them was abundant and permanent: in his own happy phraseology, when adverting to them in correspondence with his friends, he calls them his “Swalwell darlings !”

An interesting account of a subsequent visit to the place is furnished by one of his friends, who accompanied him, and stands in fine contrast with the picture above presented:—“I can never forget,” says Mr. Atkinson, “the Sabbath evening when I was with him at Swalwell No doubt his former ministry had been preparing the way for such a pentecostal visitation. The great day alone can fully demonstrate its effects, when ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, will be singing, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.’ No doubt, there will be many from Swalwell in that glorious throng. The high-sounding, sweet, and melodious notes of Mr. Casson’s hallelujahs, with all his ‘Swalwell darlings’ who have departed in the faith, or may yet leave the world in triumph, will add to the swell of the celestial host, in singing the ‘song of Moses and the Lamb.’ We had many triumphant notes on that evening to which I refer. He appointed me to retain my position in the singers’ pew, amongst the penitents, selecting them out of a dense congregation, and handing them over to me. There was then no gallery, and the chapel was crowded to excess. In less than an hour’s devotional exercises, about thirty penitents found peace with God. He was transported with joy, and with a loud voice, in the ecstasy of an overjoyed heart, shouted to me, ‘Now, are you satisfied?’ I could only reply by inquiring if there were any more penitents. I have been present with him at many a refreshing and reviving season, but never met with anything equal to this.”

The recollection of those “days of grace,” with which Gateshead was visited during the ministry of Messrs. Mann and Casson, is still precious in the hearts of those few surviving friends who were eye-witnesses of them. It will be no less pleasing than satisfactory, to have a condensed view of his labours and success from his own pen, in a letter addressed to his friend, the late Mr. William Dalton, of Middleton:—

“Gateshead, April 9th, 1828

Dear Brother,
“* * * I have no doubt but the pillar and cloud have been my guide, in moving me to the north. At my first entrance into this black quarry, it was so hard that the hammer bounced, and little was heard but its hollow sound; yet I was not discouraged, but continued stroke after stroke, till the hammer-shaft was nearly broken; nature was almost exhausted; then, Jacob-like,

‘When my all of strength did fail,
I did with the God-man prevail.’

“Both in the pulpit, and in prayer-meetings, in agonies of faith and prayer, I was frequently thrown into violent fits. These extremities proved the season for God’s opportunity, to show to all, that sinners are not awakened and converted by strength of arm, but by the Spirit of God. Sinners have been led to weep, and cry for mercy, and this has become nearly general in every part of the Circuit. At the Christmas quarter, we found an increase of 95 members, and 138 notes given upon trial. In the course of the last quarter the numbers are tolerably well kept up; out of 138 notes given, we gave tickets of admission into the Society unto 120, and also gave notes on trial unto 195,—so that on the whole, we have added above 400 souls since Conference; and, praise the Lord, the blessed work is going on more rapidly than ever! My plan is—preaching short, and a prayer-meeting after sermon. In some of these seasons we continue to pray, sing, and encourage penitents, for three, four, and sometimes five hours; whilst ‘Glory to God’ is shouted from boiling-hot full hearts, hundreds of times. And what is more extraordinary, we have met with so little opposition. Even those professors that stood aloof, and perhaps did not know what to make of it, did not curse us at all, nor bless us at all, but waited to see how it would turn;—even upon these, it has turned the right way; and stubborn facts have led them not only to approve, but many of them have stepped forward to the help of the Lord: and, as many hands make light work, we are at present getting on more rapidly than ever.

“Last Sunday we had a lovefeast in Gateshead. It commenced after one o’clock, and the chapel was more than filled. No time was lost; often two or three were speaking together. I attempted to close the meeting about four o’clock with prayer; this increased the flame, and numbers cried aloud for mercy; and the chapel was not cleared till ten o’clock at night. About twenty souls got liberty, but it is impossible to ascertain the exact number. On Monday I preached twice in Durham Circuit, and not less than twelve got converted to God. Last Friday I was in Hexham Circuit, preaching twice for schools; we got both souls and money. But the most extraordinary season I have had in this country was about five weeks since, at Easington Lane, in the Sunderland Circuit. After the morning sermon, seven were converted at the prayer-meeting, before dinner. In the afternoon, we had three times as many people as the chapel would hold. I preached at the door, and published for a prayer-meeting in the chapel. In a few minutes the chapel was quite full; the blessed work of praying with penitents began, and we were not able to conclude the meeting till nearly three o’clock in the morning. Even then, some began a prayer-meeting in the street. Many were aroused from their beds by sinners crying for mercy, and by this means were led to seek the Lord for themselves. Through the day and night, not less than three-score souls were brought to God. I left them the following morning. Every night that week they held meetings till near midnight, and even through the day. Women in different neighbourhoods meet for prayer. We had some of them at our lovefeast on Sunday, who say that the work is still going on. May the blessed fire of love consume everything contrary to itself here, yonder, and everywhere. Amen!

“My health is much improved. I have not had a fit during the last five months; so that through it all I have had strength to my day. Our financials are flowing. Last Quarter-day we had near thirty pounds we did not know what to do with! My soul is alive: I am going in full sail to glory; willing to work, and, if suffering should be my lot, hope I should have grace to my day.

“I am, in haste, thine as ever,

“HODGSON CASSON.”

“P. S.—I expect Midford Atkinson here next Sunday, and trust he will blow the bellows and increase the flame.”

In this determined attack on the citadel of the prince of darkness, Mr. Casson was cheered by the hearty co-operation of his kind Superintendent. Often whilst ministering the word of life he was interrupted by the penitential cries of those who were in distress, so as to be occasionally compelled to desist from preaching, and to come down amongst the people to pray with the mourners. So numerous were the conversions that took place, that he at one time inconsiderately gave expression to the joyous feelings of his heart, by abruptly exclaiming,—“The devil is going to become bankrupt, and will have to be sold up!” This hasty expression, drawn from him at the impulse of the moment, was soon put into circulation, and prompted some of the would-be wits of the place to come out in defence of the interests of their master, by the publication of some doggerel poetical effusions, entitled “The Great Fight at Gateshead, between Cumberland Hodge and BrimstoneHarry;” with a caricature on the title-page of the pamphlet, representing the combatants in pugilistic attitude, with Mr. Mann as the bottle-holder. But this futile exhibition of folly fell harmless at his feet, and neither disturbed the equanimity of his mind nor interrupted him in his course of useful labours. It was abundant satisfaction to himself and his colleague to find at the close of their first year’s ministry, a net increase of 260 souls, “gathered from the county of Durham, into the kingdom of God.”

In the same peaceful frame of mind he entered upon his second year with his Gateshead friends. In a letter to Mr. Atkinson, August 9th, 1828, he says,

“Praise the Lord, I have still to say, ‘the best of all is, God is with its.’ My soul is happy,—my health is good,—my wife’s health but middling,—her soul growing in grace; children all well, and hope they will be witnesses for Jesus in time and eternity. Our good work is still going on. We expect friend Rawson in Gateshead, to preach the chapel anniversary sermons on the 17th of August, and Mr. Lessey on the 19th. We are anticipating a glorious festival: it would increase the feast if we could have you with us. ‘Swalwell darlings’ are all alive! I am all in a hurry—post haste to glory—have just time to say, I am

“Thy glowing love-hot brother,

“HODGSON CASSON.”

From the extracts of correspondence already made, it will be seen that Mr. Casson’s fame in the north led to his services being frequently called into requisition at Sunday-school, Chapel, or Missionary anniversaries. He was easily induced to accede to the warmly-expressed wishes of his friends, but was ever careful to render those visits subservient to the great leading business of his life. He was at no loss for a word in season; the fertility of his mind showed itself, at such times, in the beauty and simplicity of the imagery introduced. Nor was he often without success in diffusing cheerfulness on the countenances of his hearers, and in reaching the best affections of their hearts. As a specimen of his pulpit effusions on these occasions, we will take the concluding sketch of a Missionary sermon, founded on Matthew ix. 37, 38:—“The harvest truly is plenteous,” &c. The plan of the sermon was, I. The harvest plenteous; II. The Lord of the harvest must send more labourers; III. We must pray for it, and he will answer. On his third head he urged the duty of prayer,—“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers. Let them be of Thy sending; those Thou hast sent, stand by them, and help them; and fully equip others with grace and gifts to fill the place of those who will not work, or those that have finished their day, or to go to that part of the field where none have yet gone. Let us pray that God would cure the loiterers, the money-loving gentlemen that eat the fat, and clothe themselves with the finest of the wool; that he would either end them or mend them,—make them work or set them aside. Many are ready to go to any part of the field. Pray that hafts, handles, and shanks, may be put upon their sickles; hooks, scythes, forks, and rakes, may be furnished by them who have hitherto kept money back. You know in the harvest all are employed; some with scythes cutting down,—others with hooks clipping the corners where it is laid,—others gathering and binding the sheaf,—some putting up the stooks,—aged men looking on, giving directions,—the old dame at home, preparing something to eat and drink for the people in the field, setting the little lassie off with bottles and basket,—the rest of the youngsters are gleaning, picking up the stragglers,— others are helping home that which is ready for the barn. You must not expect the Preachers, with scythes and hooks, to do all. We want prayer-leaders and class-leaders to gather and bind; exhorters, Sunday-school teachers, and tract distributors to clip up the furrows and corners; the gleaners to invite stragglers to Jesus; the lassie with basket and bottles represents collectors; such as are forking, raking, and leading home, are the visitors of the sick and dying, with tears of joy shouting ‘Harvest home!’”

One of these excursions, was to Bishop Auckland, where the Bishop of Durham has his palace, and generally resides. It was his first visit to the town, and though the friends had heard of his popularity, there were some misgivings amongst the members of the Missionary Committee, lest the collection should fall short of the amount raised the preceding year, when they had been favoured with the services of talented men of another stamp. No doubt was entertained but that crowds of persons would be attracted by the fame of him “whose praise was in the churches;” but a fear was expressed, that they would be from a class who, however willing, might not be equally able to swell the funds,—Mr. Casson being the principal stranger to whom they had to look for sustaining the interest of the day. At length Mr. Buxton, who had urged the invitation, agreed to guarantee, that should the collection fall short of the last, which was £12, he would make up the deficiency. This settled the knotty question. Mr. Casson came; and to the astonishment of the Committee, the collections amounted to £33, of which sum £11 was taken at the close of Mr. Casson’s sermon in the evening of the day,—satisfactory proof that his sermons and addresses were effective, not with the poorer classes alone, but that those whom Providence had favoured with more of’ this world’s goods, were unable to resist his forcible appeals.

The following morning, his host proposed that they should take a walk round the Bishop’s park and palace. The late Rev. James Shoar, Mrs. Shoar and a group of Christian friends, accompanied them. It warn a fine summer’s morning; the face of creation shone in all its loveliness: the picturesque scenery,— the venerable oaks suspending their branches over the bank of the river Gaunless,—the verdant slopes,—the spreading lawns,—the browsing deer,—all combined to present an assemblage of delightful objects calculated to enchant the soul, and awaken the most pleasing sensations. Mr. Casson relished the treat as much as his friends; and, ascending a little eminence close to the castle-wall, called upon the party to halt, declaring in the joyousness of his spirit, that he had not seen so sweet a place for praising God in, for a long time. He gave out, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” and struck up the Old Hundredth tune, which was sung heartily by not less than twenty voices, in true Methodist style. His host was ready to tremble; he was then but a young tradesman, not long resident in the place, and dreaded the possible consequences to himself. But his fears were still more awakened when he saw Mr. Casson drop down upon his knees, along with the rest of the party, and heard him pour out his fervent supplications for the Bishop, his family, his servants, and all the world besides. To increase Mr. B.’s alarm, on rising from their knees, he beheld the chief-butler in the distance, issuing from the back-door of the palace; and, lest offence should arise, he considered it prudent to suggest, that any personal intercourse should be avoided. Probably Mr. Casson entertained no such fear: in the simplicity of his heart, he only intended to “do good unto all men.” He accosted the butler, and introduced his favourite topics;—relating his personal experience, the history of his conversion, and present happy state of mind; concluding by laying his hand on the shoulder of his auditor, and emphatically adding, “Now, Sir, I want you to come to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation; for he can save both Bishops and butlers too!” And so this singular interview terminated, without any future unpleasant consequences.

Thus did Mr. Casson go on his way, bearing precious seed; and at the close of his second year’s toils was cheered with the report of 130 immortal souls gathered into the garner of the church. The financial state of the Circuit kept pace with the improvement of its spiritual condition: when Messrs. Mann and Casson came to Gateshead, the quarterly income was £86 16s. 4d.; when they left it, it amounted to £123 98. 3d. But whatever embarrassments the stewards might have been in at first, in not knowing, as he says, “what to do with the money,” they soon found a way out of their difficulty, by calling out an additional Preacher into the Circuit.. A large field presented itself for cultivation with the most cheering prospect of success; so that at the Conference of 1829, Messrs. Mann and Casson commenced a third year’s appointment at Gateshead, with the Rev. S. P. Waddy as their coadjutor. They laboured together in love and harmony, and were honoured by the great Head of the Church with signal proofs of his gracious presence with them.

The same spirit of opposition to demoralising sports and amusements which had distinguished Mr. Casson in other places, was not unfrequently manifested during the period of his labours if the north. One evening as he was passing along a low street adjoining the river Tyne, in company with a friend, his ears were saluted by sounds of music and dancing proceeding from an upper room. He instantly proposed to his companion that they should go up and join them; and whilst he hesitated, Mr. Casson sprang up the stairs, and took his seat close by the fiddler, inquiring of him if he could play “the bleeding Lamb.” The man requested Mr. Casson to give him an idea of the air, which he did, and, finding it to be one with which he was acquainted, struck in with his fiddle: Mr. Casson announcing to the company that, if agreeable, they would have a song. Another hymn, if not more, was introduced, and he then proposed, that as they had had dancing enough already, they should spend the rest of the evening in prayer. He got the company down on their knees: for some length of time he and his friend continued earnest supplication for the salvation of those around him, whilst the countenances of some, and the sighs of distress arising from the breasts of others, betokened the deep interest that had been awakened. It is said, that he ceased not to pour out his intercessions in behalf of his strange companions until some of them obtained mercy.

That his conduct in this instance was in accordance with his proceedings in other places, is corroborated by the testimony of those who had witnessed them. Once, when passing along the streets of South-Shields, he heard a similar noise of revelry to that above described, and proposed to an accompanying friend, that they should enter the room,—which step, from prudential reasons, was declined. This led him to relate the following incident. Having made an engagement to preach at Shineyrow, or some other village in the Sunderland Circuit, he proceeded to fulfil it. At that time there was a steam-packet running between Sunderland and Fatfield, conveying passengers between the two places; and, desirous of having a sail up the river, the rather as it would take him near the place where he had to preach, he stepped into the boat. As soon as the packet started, an old man began to tune his fiddle, intending to amuse the passengers, and benefit himself as they proceeded to their destination. Mr. Casson’s active eye easily penetrated the old man’s intentions, and, sitting down beside him, he inquired if he could play a certain tune which he named: the man replied, “No; I do not know it.” Mr. Casson then referred to several others, asking the man if he could play them; to which he still answered in the negative. By and by, the attention of the fiddler and of several of the passengers being arrested, Mr. Casson began to sing to them several of the tunes he had mentioned, and thus continued singing hymn after hymn, until the packet reached its destination; and not a solitary tune could the poor fiddler play during the trip. “Now,” said Mr. Casson to his friend, when relating this incident, “there is nothing like acting upon first impressions: if I had not taken my seat beside the fiddler when I did, we should have had fiddling and dancing all the way.”

His faithfulness in reproving sin has been already adverted to, and another instance of his ingenious and successful mode of doing it, may be recorded as having taken place when he was in the north. Going one evening to his appointment, he overheard a man uttering some awful imprecations he boldly went up and accosted him thus:—“Then you are praying, are you? Now, let me make a bargain with you,—never to pray more as long as you live, and I will give you five shillings” (meaning that the man should never swear more). The swearer accepted the offer: Mr. Casson gave him the money, saying in a very solemn tone, “Now, remember it is a bargain; and I will meet you again before the bar of God.” Mr. Casson left him to ruminate on this strange adventure. The more the man thought about it, the more deeply he became alarmed, until the conviction fastened upon his mind, that the strange personage who had appeared to him so unexpectedly, was no other than the devil, to whom, for the paltry sum of five shillings, he had now sold himself. Under these alarming apprehensions he hurried home to disburden his distress to his wife, to whom he related all the particulars of the appearance of the tall stranger clothed in black, and this desperate bargain. She listened with amazement, and fully coincided with him in the conviction that he was a lost man. She would have nothing to do with the money, “the price for which he had sold himself, body and soul.” In deep distress he found his way to the Methodist chapel, and heard Mr. Casson preach: the arrow of conviction pierced his soul, and he rested not till he was made the happy partaker of the sovereign efficacy of that blood which makes the wounded whole.

Mr. Casson’s appointment to Gateshead may, upon the whole, be regarded as the most important one that he fulfilled during the course of his ministry, and as having been accompanied with the greatest amount of success. He found 910 members returned as the number at the time of his arrival in the Circuit, and he left 1,380. And yet this forms no certain criterion of the full amount of his usefulness, as one of the principal friends resident there does not hesitate to say that scores, if not hundreds, from Newcastle and other places, were savingly converted to God through his instrumentality.