THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 165
Subsequently, he became a land measurer at Beading. And in 1737 we find him reading " Hugo s Emblems " with profit, und beginning to fall into the hands of God. In the following year he found great pleasure in reading Whitefield s journal, and his Christian light increased. At the time when he was con scious of needing sympathy and help, he heard of one Kinchin, who was despised at Oxford because he was a Metho dist, and justly concluded he was such a friend as he needed. Forthwith he set out for Oxford, and was welcomed and helped by his new friend. The new friendship was fruitful in important results to Cennick. It brought him into the circle of John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, and other kindred spirits.
In the following year, 1739, Cennick went to be a teacher in the school for colliers children, which Mr. John Wesley had established at Kiugswood. Circumstances soon called him out as a preacher. On his arrival, a large assembly in the open air was disappointed of a preacher. Cennick was persuaded to address them, and did so with success. Subsequently he assisted Mr. Wesley in his preaching labours. But in 1740, in consequence of divergence of doctrine, he separated from the Wesleys, and went on preaching journeys without having any connection with their societies. Charles Wesley, in his diary (October 31, 1740), says, " while I was testifying Christ died for all, in the hearing of many, Mr. Cennick gave me the lie."
In 1741, on the return of Whitefield from America, he invited Mr. Cennick to assist him in his various labours. To this he consented, and often went on preaching tours, meeting with the persecution to which ministers of the Gospel were exposed in those times. In 1745, Mr. Cennick went over to the Moravian Brethren, and thus caused a division in Whitefield s congregation at the Tabernacle, London. Being connected with the Moravians, the poet on two occasions visited Germany, their principal seat. We also find him preaching in the North of Ireland. In the year 1755, having come to London, he was taken ill of a fever,
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