THE SERVANT OF GOD. David Taylor, a pious servant in her household, whom she sent into the hamlets and villages around; and his labours effected an infinite amount of good. She also established several schools in the neigh- bourhood of Donnington Park, for the religious instruction of the poor, and gave her personal attendance, with what money she could command, in the prosecution of the cause nearest and dearest to her heart. On the 25th of June, 1744, the first Methodist Conference was held in London, which was attended by the brothers Wesley, and four clergymen and four travelling preachers. Lady Huntingdon, then in the metropolis, received them with much hospi- tality; for she now openly joined the Methodists. A very severe affliction was laid upon her at this time, two of her sons, George and Ferdinando, dying just as they had attained the peculiarly in- teresting ages of fourteen and eleven. Bitter was the trial ; but her reliance was now on God, not on herself, and she could understand the signification of the great test-Suffering. In the following year, the Rebellion was raging in Scotland ; and innumerable rumours were afloat, creating a fever of excitement in the sister countries. Suspicions were rife. The disseminators of the "new doctrine" were viewed with especial distrust ; Charles Wesley was said to be " a Papist and a Jesuit," and to harbour Popish Priests in his house ; he corresponded, it was averred, with the young 15
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