Within these last few years there has sprung up another sect of Methodists professing to be more strict in discipline, styling themselves Primitive Methodists ; with what claim to this appellation it would be difficult to establish, but it is not worth the while to enquire.

They have a number of adherents at Wearhead and Westgate, and they take goodly care to plant their meeting-houses contiguous to those whom they deem their laxer bretheren. In prayer they work themselves into a complete phrenzy ; sing at the stretch of their voices their hymns to some of the most popular tunes of the day ; such as "Scots whae hae wi’ Wallace bled," "Auld Lang Syne," "The Tyrolese song of Liberty," "Weel may the Keel Row," "Rule Britannia," &c., and it does not mater whether he or she in the pulpit be preaching or praying, loud "Amens," "Praise God," "I do believe," resound and ring throughout the building.

Their conversions are effected, to their mode of thinking, principally during their public services, by the individual evincing signs of severe mental distress. They are immediately surrounded, and intercession is offered till their guilt and sin be removed. Sometimes supplication is offered by a single person ; but if the case be desperate, it becomes one of noise and confusion of tongues, for comfort, joy, and peace to be communicated. So long as their probationers remain among them, they appear well in the eyes of the world : for if they have been drunkards, they turn sober ; if dishonest, they become honest ; if swearers, they cease from this abominable practice ; and if they have been profane, they reverence the Sabbath day. They are considered better men and women.

But so frequently does it happen that they fall away, that it is to be feared the imagination is more affected than the heart ; and, lamentable is the fact, their state is often worse than when they commenced to be what is termed among them "steady".

Their camp-meetings have been aptly compared to the holy fair described by the immortal Northern Bard. It is a serious question for these serious people, if night meetings, particularly in the winter season, be for good or be for ill to the morals of young men and women, if unaccompanied by their parents or friends.

The ministers are remarkable for paying pastoral visits to their hearers, especially in sickness ; faithfully dispensing unto them, according to their own views, the consolations of religion. My heart has been filled with admiration in listening to the mild and heavenly discourse and invocation of Mr. Turner (the senior preacher here ), upon such solemn occasions. With what affectionate earnestness, gentleness, yet fervency of spirit did he beseech GOD ALMIGHTY, through the merits of the Redeemer, to grant pardon and forgiveness. No boisterous singing, no profane tunes, no din and disturbance, as if the ears of our Heavenly Father were all but closed, and so deaf as HE could not hear. Away with such rudeness of wordly imitation from the chambers of the sick and the dying, as is pursued by some of their class-leaders and exhorters, without reference to prudence, or the situation of the invalids, even though they be actuated with the best intentions.