I r ! ' I i t i LOS/ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE DATE DUE PRINTEDINU.S.A. Cornell University Library BX8495.W51 A2 1903 Heart of John Wese olin s Journal: with an III 3 1924 029 472 309 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029472309 JOHN WESLEY'S JOURNAL JOHN WESLEY, AGED SIXTY-THREE From a scarce print by Bland, published in year 1765 and approved by Mr. The Heart of John Wesley's Journal With an Introduction by HUGH PRICE Hughes, M.A., and an appreciation of the Journal by AUGUSTINE BiRRELL, K.C., Edited by PERCY LIVINGSTONE PARKER New York Chicago , Toronto FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY LONDOK AND EDINBURGH l\Jj%^^X.'^ %^ LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Facing Page John Wesley, Aged Sixtv-thrke . . . Title Rev. Samuel Wesley (Father of John Wesley) XVI. Rev. John Wesley (Granbfather of John Wesley) XVI. Death of John Wesley XXX. First Methodist "Class Meeting" Called by That Name i Peter BShler 34 Wesley's Interview with Whitefield . . 74 Epworth Church 86 Wesley Preaching on His Father's Tomb . 86 Susannah Wesley (Mother of John Wesley) 90 Riot in Wednesbury 114 John Wesley in an Irish Cabin . . . 188 John Wesley (Painting by Nathaniel Hone, R. A 322 Lady Huntingdon 348 Wesley's Chapel, City Road . . . 420 John Wesley Visits Lord George Gordon IN THE Tower 450 John Wesley and Dr. Johnston . . . 450 Rev. John Wesley, A.M 478 Wesley's Memorial in Westminster Abbey . 484 EDITOR'S NOTE Whkw John fVesley prepartd his Journal Jbr publication hi prefaced it with the following account of its origin : "It was in pursuance of an advice given by Bishop Taylor, in his • Rules for Holy Living and Dying* that, about fifteen years ago, I began to take a more exact ac- count than I had done before, of the manner wherein 1 spent my time, writing down how I had employed evety hour. " This I continued to do, wherever I was, till the time of my leaving England for Georgia. The variety of scenes which J then passed through induced me to transcribe, from time to time, the more material parts of my diary, adding here and there such little reflections as occurred to my mind. *^ Of this foumal thus occasionally compiled, the follow- ing is a short extract : it not being my design to relate all those particulars which I wrote for my own use only, and which would answer no valuable end to others, however important they were to me." Rev. John Telford, one of IVesl^s biographers, says that " the earlier parts of the Journal were published in the interest of Methodism, that the calumny and slander then rife might be silenced by a plain narrative of the facts as to its founding, and its purpose. The complete Journals, still preserved in twenty-six bound volumes, have never been printed. Copious extracts were made by IVesley himself, and issued in twenty-one parts, the successive instalments being eagerly expected by a host of readers." Tin EDITOR^S NOTE Tht published Journal makes four volumes, each about Ou shu of the present book. But though I have had to curtail it by three-quarters I have tried to retain the atmo- sphere of tremendous activity which is one of its most rmttarkable features. Mr. Birrell, in his " Appreciation," has focused in a very striking way the interest, actuality, and charm of Westers Journal, and all I have had to do was to select those por- tions which best illustrate them. The wonder is that it has not been done before. Edward FitzGerald once wrote to Professor Norton, " Had I any interest with publishers I would get them to reprint parts of it" for he was a great lover of the Journal. Writing to another friend about Wesley's "Journal," FitzGerald said, " If you don't know it, do know it. It is curious to think of this diary running coevally with WalpoHs Utters — diary — the two men bom and dying too within a few miles of one another, and with such different lives to record. And it is remarkable to read pure, un- mffectid, undying English, while Addison and Johnson are tainted with a style which all the world imitated." Macaula^s estimate of Wesley may also be recalled. Wesley, he said, was " a man whose eloquence and logical acuteness might have made him eminent in literature, whose genius for government was not inferior to that of Richelieu, and who, whatever his errors may have been, devoted all his powers in defiance of obloquy and derision, to what he sincerely considered as the highest good of his species." Wesley is one of the most strenuous ethical figures in history, and literature has no other such record of personal endeavour as that contained in these pages. To make that record accessible to every one is the object of this tditiim. INTRODUCTION BY THE REV. HUGH PRICE HUGHES, MJL He who desires to understand the real history of the English people during the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries should read most carefully three books : George Fox's " Journal," John Wesley's " Jour- nal," and John Henry Newman's "Apologia pro Vit4 Sui." As Lord Hugh Cecil has recently said in a memorable speech, the Religious Question cannot be ignored. It is the Question; in the deepest sense it is the only Question. It has always determined the course of history everywhere. In all ages the sceptical literary class has tried to ignore it, as the Roman historians, poets, and philosophers ignored Christianity until the time when Christianity became triumphant and dominant throughout the Roman Empire. But, however much ignored or boycotted by literary men, the growth or decline of religion ultimately settles everything. Has not Carlyle said that George Fox making his own clothes is the most remarkable event in our history ? George Fox was the very incarnation of that Individualism which has played, and will yet play, so great a part in the making of modem England. If you want to understand " the dissidence of Dissent ang| ' j0fk'--' .^^^H J 1( i^^5^«ij^^- ' '/J^ r '^^ NlH ^^"■^s^ 1 4^ ^ /M c MM ^ APPRECIATION xvii During the eighteenth century our two universities, &mous despite their faults, were always open to the poor scholar who was ready to subscribe, not to boat clubs or cricket clubs, but to the Thirty-nine Articles. Three archbishops of Canterbury during the eighteenth century were the sons of small tradesmen. There was, in fact, much less snobbery and money-worship during the century when the British empire was being won than during the century when it is being talked about. Samuel Wesley was allowed to remain at Oxford, where he supported himself by devices known to his tribe, and when he left the university to be ordained he had clear in his pouch, after discharging his few debts, j£io 15s. He had thus made ^S 95. out of his university, and had his education, as it were, thrown in for nothing. He soon obtained a curacy in London and married a daughter of the well-known ejected clergyman. Dr. Annesley, about whom you may read in another eighteenth-century book " The life and Errors of John Dunton." WesIeT^a Mother The mother of the Wesleys was a remarkable woman, though cast in a mould not much to our minds nowadays. She had nineteen children, and greatly prided herself on having taught them, one after another, by frequent chastisements to, what do you think? to ciy softly. She had theories of education and strength of will, and of arm too, to carry them out. She knew Latin and Greek, and though a stem, forbidding, almost an unfeeling, parent, she was suc- cessful in winning and retaining not only the respect but the affection of such of her huge family as lived to xviii APPRECIATION grow up. But out of the nineteen, thirteen early succumbed. Infant mortality was one of the great fects of the eighteenth century whose Rachels had to learn to cry softly over their dead babes. The mother of the Wesleys thought more of her children's souls than of their bodies. A Domestic Squall The revolution of 1688 threatened to disturb the early married life of Samuel Wesley and his spouse. The husband wrote a pamphlet in which he defended revolution principles, but the wife secretly adhered to the old cause; nor was it until a year before Dutch William's death that the rector made the discovery that the wife of his bosom, who had sworn to obey him and regard him as her over-lord, was not in the habit oi saying Amen to bis fervent prayers on behalf of his suffering sovereign. An explanation was demanded and the truth extracted, namely, that in the opinion of the rector's wife her true king lived over the water. The rector at once refused to live with Mrs. Wesley any longer antil she recanted. This she refused to do, and for a twelvemonth the couple dwelt apart, when William III. having the good sense to die, a reconcilia- tion became possible. If John Wesley was occasionally a little pig-headed, need one wonder ? The story of the fire at Epworth Rectory and the miraculous escape of the infant John was once a tale as well known as Alfred in the neat-herd's hut, and pictures of it still hang up in many a collier's home. John Wesley received a sound classical education at Charterhouse and Christ Church, and remained all his life very much the scholar and the gentlemaa No APPRECIATION xix company was too good for John Wesley, and nobody knew better than he did that had he cared to carry his powerful intelligence, his flawless constitution, and his infinite capacity for taking pains into any of the markets of the world, he must have earned for himself place, fame, and fortune. Coming, however, as he did of a theological stock, having a saint for a father and a notable devout woman for a mother, Wesley from his early days learned to regard religion as the business of his life, just as the younger Pitt came to regard the House of Commoni as the future theatre of his actions. "My Jack is Fellow of Lincoln** After a good deal of heart-searching and theological talk with his mother, Wesley was ordained a deacon by the excellent Potter, afterward Primate, but then (1725) Bishop of Oxford. In the following year Wesley was elected a Fellow of Lincoln, to the great delight of his father. "Whatever I am," said the good old man, " my Jack is Fellow of Lincoln." • » • • • Wesley's motive never eludes us. In his early man- hood, after being greatly affected by Jeremy Taylor's " Holy Living and Dying " and the " Imitatio Christi," and by Law's " Serious Call " and " Christian Perfection," he met "a serious man" who said to him, "Sir, you wish to serve God and go to heaven. Remember you cannot serve Him alone. You must therefore find com- panions or make them. The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion." He was very confident, this serious man, and Wesley nerer forgot his message. " You must find companioni t« APPRECIATION or make them. The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion." These words for ever sounded in Wesley's ears, determining his theology, which rejected the stern individualism of Calvin, and fashioning his whole polity, his famous class meetings and generally gregarious methods. Therefore to him it was given Many to save with himself. We may continue the quotation and apply to Wesley the words of Mr. Arnold's memorial to his father : Languor was not in his heart, Weakness not in his word, Wearineis not on his brow. If you ask what is the impression left upon the readei of the Journal as to the condition of England question, the answer will vary very much with the tenderness of the reader's conscience and with the extent of his acquaintance with the general behaviour of mankind at all times and in all places. No Sentimentalist Wesley himself is no alarmist, no sentimentalist, he never gushes, seldom exaggerates, and always writes on an easy level. Naturally enough he clings to the super- natural and is always disposed to believe in the bona fides of ghosts and the diabolical origin of strange noises, but outside this realm of speculation, Wesley describes things as he saw them. In the first published words of his friend, Dr. Johnson, " he meets with no basilisks that destroy with their eyes, his crocodUes devour their prey without tears, and his cataracts fall from the rocks without deafening the neighbouring inhabitants." APPRECIATION iii Wesley's humour is of the species donnish, and his modes and methods quietly persistent. Wesley's Humouf ••On Thursday, May 20 (1742), I set out. The next afternoon I stopped a little at Newport-Pagnell and then rode on till I overtook a serious man with whom I immediately fell into conversation. He presently gave me to know what his opinions were, therefore I said nothing to contradict them. But that did not content him. He was quite uneasy to know ' whether I held the doctrines of the decrees as he did ' ; but I told him over and over ' We had better keep to practical things lest we should be angry at one another.' And so we did for two miles till he caught me unawares and dragged me into the dispute before I knew where I was. He then grew warmer and warmer ; told me I was rotten at heart and supposed I was one of John Wesley's followers. I told him ' No. I am John Wesley himself.' Upon which tmprovtsum aspris Viluti qui sentiiui anguem Presset—— he would gladly have run away outright. But being the better mounted of the two I kept close to his side and endeavoured to show him his heart till we came into the street of Northampton." What a picture have we here of a fine May morning in 1 742, the unhappy Calvinist trying to shake off the Arminian Wesley I But he cannot do it I John Wesley is the better mounted of the two, and so they scamper together into Northampton. The England described in the Journal is an England still full of theology ; all kinds of queer folk abound ; xxii APPRECIATION strange subjects are discussed in odd places. There was drunkenness and cock-fighting, no doubt, but there u ere also Deists, Mystics, Swedenborgians, Antinomians, Necessitarians, Anabaptists, Quakers, nascent heresies, and slow-dying delusions. Villages were divided into rival groups, which fiercely argued the nicest points in the aptest language. Nowadays in one's rambles a man is as likely to encounter a grey badger as a black Calvinist England in Wesley's Day The clergy of the Established Church were Jealous of Wesley's interference in their parishes, nor was this unnatiiral — he was not a Nonconformist but a brother churchman. What right had he to be so peripatetic? But Wesley seldom records any instance of gross clerical misconduct. Of one drunken parson he does indeed tell us, and he speaks disapprovingly of another whom he found one very hot day consuming a pot of beer in a lone ale-house. I am bound to confess I have never had any but kindly feelings toward that thirsty eccle- siastic. What, I wonder, was he thinking of as Wesley rode by — Litres Meditations (Pun Solitaire Inconnu — unpublished I When Wesley, with that dauntless courage of his, a courage which never forsook him, which he wore on every occasion with the delightful ease of a soldier, pushed his way into fierce districts, amid rough miners dwelling in their own village communities almost outside the law, what most strikes one with admiration, not less in Wesley's Journal than in George Fox's (a kindred though earlier volume), is the essential fitness for freedom of our rudest populations. They were coarse and brutal APPRECIATION uiii and savage, but rarely did they fail to recognise the high character and lofty motives of the dignified mortal who had travelled so far to speak to them. The Mobs He Met Wesley was occasionally hustled, and once or twice pelted with mud and stones, but at no time were his sufferings at the hands of the mob to be compared with the indignities it was long the fashion to heap upon the heads of parliamentary candidates. The mob knew and appreciated the difference between a Bubb Dodington and a John Wesley. I do not think any ordinary Englishman will be much horrified at the demeanour of the populace. If there was disturbance it was usually quelled. At Norwich two soldiers who disturbed a congregation were seized and carried before their commanding officer, who ordered them to be soundly whipped. In Wesley's opinion they richly deserved all they gob He was no sentimentalist, although an enthusiast. Where the reader of the Journal will be shocked is when his attention is called to the public side of the country — to the state of the gaols — to Newgate, to Bethlehem, to the criminal code — to the brutality of so many of the judges, and the harshness of the magistrates, to the supineness of the bishops, to the extinction in high places of the missionary spirit — in short, to the heavy slumber of humanity. Wesley was full of compassion, of a compassion wholly free from hysterics and like exaltative. In public affairs his was the composed zeal of a Howard. His efforts to penetrate the dark places were long in vain. He says in |)is dry way : " They won't let me go to Bedlam because xxiv APPRECIATION they say I make the inmates mad, or into Newgate because I make them wicked." The reader of the Journal will be at no loss to see what these sapient magistrates meant. Wesley was a terribly exciting preacher, quiet though his manner was. He pushed matters home without flinching. He made people cry out and fall down, nor did it surprise him, that they should. • • • • • Ever a Preacher If you want to get into the last century, to feel its pulses throb beneath your finger, be content sometimes to leave the letters of Horace Walpole unttirned, resist the drowsy temptation to waste your time over the learned triflers who sleep in the seventeen volumes of Nichols, nay even deny yourself your annual reading of Boswell or your biennial retreat with Sterne, and ride up and down the country with the greatest force of the eighteenth century in England. No man lived nearer the centre than John Wesley Neither Clive nor Pitt, neither Mansfield nor Johnson. You cannot cut him out of our national life. No single figure influenced so many minds, no single voice touched so many hearts. No other man did such a life's work for England. As a writer he has not achieved distinction, he was no Athanasius, no Augustine, he was ever a preacher and an organiser, a labourer in the service of humanity ; but happily for us his Journals remain, and from them we can learn better than from anywhere else what manner of man he was, and the character of the times during which he lived and moved and had his being. AUGUSTINE BIRRELU WESLEY'S LAST HOURS BY ONE WHO WAS PRESENT* On Thursday [February 24th, 1791] Mr. Wesley paid his last visit to that lovely place and family, Mr. WolfPs, at Balaam, which I have often heard him speak of with pleasure and much affection. Here Mr. Rogers said he was cheerful, and seemed nearly as well as usjial, till Friday, about breakfast time, when he seemed very heavy. About eleven o'clock Mrs. Wolff brought him home : I was struck with his manner of getting out of the coach, and going into the house, but more so as he went upstairs, and when he sat down in the chair. I ran for some refreshment, but before I could get anything for him he had sent Mr. R out of the room, and desired not to be interrupted for half-an-hour by any one, adding, not even if Joseph Bradford come. Mr. Bradford came a few minutes after, and as soon as the limited time was expired, went into the room; immediately after he came out and desired me to mull some wine with spices and carry it to Mr. Wesley : he * This account (condensed) was written by Betsy Ritchie, one of the ■aints of early Methodism. At the time she was about thirty-nine, and for the last two months of Wesley's life was his constant companion. xxn WESLEY'S LAST HOURS drank a little and seemed sleepy. In a few minutes he was seized with sickness, threw it up, and said, " I must lie down." We immediately sent for Dr. Whitehead : on his coming in Mr. Wesley smiled and said, " Doctor, they are more afraid than hurt." He lay most of the day, with a quick pulse, burning fever and extremely sleepy. Saturday the 26th, he continued much the same; spoke but little, and if roused to answer a question, or take a little refreshment (which was seldom more than a spoonful at a time) soon dozed again. On Sunday morning, with a little of Mr. Bradford's help, Mr. Wesley got up, took a cup of tea, and seemed much better. Many of our friends were all hopes : yet Dr. Whitehead said, he was not out of danger from his present complaints. Monday the 28th, hi* weakness increased apace and his friends in general being greatly alarmed, Dr. White- head was desirous they should call in another physician. Mr. Bradford mentioned his desire to our Honoured Father, which he absolutely refused, saying, " Dr. White- head knows my condition better than any one; I am perfectly satisfied and will not have any one else." He slept most of the day, spoke but little; yet that little testified how much his whole heart was taken up in the case of the Churches, the glory of God, and the things pertaining to that kingdom to which he was hastening. Once in a low, I ut very distinct manner, he said, " There is no way into the holiest but by the blood of Jesus." Had he had strength at the time, it seemed as if he would have said more. Tuesday, March ist, after a very restless night (though, when asked whether he was in pain, he generally answered '• No," apd never complained through bis whole illness, WESLEY'S LAST HOURS «xvii except once, when he said that he felt a pain in his leil bieast, when he drew his breath), he began singing : " All glory to God In the sky, And peace upon earth be reitor'd." [Having sung two verses] his strength failed, but after lying still awhile he called on Mr. Bradford to give him a pen and ink ; he brought them, but the right hand had well-nigh forgot its cunning, and those active fingers which had been the blessed instruments of spiritual con- solation and pleasing instruction to thousands, could no longer perform their office. Some time after, he said to me, " I want to write " : I brought him a pen and ink, and on putting the pen into his hand, and holding the paper before him, he said, " I cannot." I replied, "Let me write for you, sir; tell me what you would say." "Nothing," returned he, "but that God is with us." In the forenoon he said, " I will get up." While his things were getting ready, he broke out in a manner which, considering his eiitreme weakness, astonished us all, in these blessed words : " I'll pr^se my Maker while I've breath. And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my nobler pow'rsj My days of praise shall ne'er be past, While life, and thought, and being laat, Or immortality endmres." Which were also the last words our Reverend and dear Father ever gave out in the City Road Chapel, vi«., on Tuesday evening before preaching from, " We through the Spirit wait," &c. When he got into his chair, we saw him change for death :' but he, regardless of his dying frame, said, with MviU WESLEY'S LAST HOURS a, weak voice, " Lord, Thou givest strength to those that can speak, and to those that cannot : Speak, Lord, to all our hearts, and let them know that Thou loosest tongues." He then sang : •■ To Father, Son, and Holy Ghort, Who sweetly all agree. " Here his Toice failed him, and after gasping for breath, he said, " Now we have done — Let us all go." We were obliged to lay him down on the bed from which he rose no more : but after lying still, and sleeping a little, he called me to him and said, " Betsy, you Mr. Bradford, &c., pray and praise." We knelt down, and truly our hearts were filled with the divine presence ; the room seemed to be filled with God. A little after he spoke to Mr. Bradford about the key and contents oi his bureau ; while he attended to the directions given him, Mr. Wesley called me and said, "I would have all things ready for my Executors, Mr. Wolft, Mr. Horton, and Mr. Marriott " — here his voice again failed ; but taking breath he added, " Let me be buried in nothing but what is woollen, and let my corpse be carried in my coffin into the Chapel." Then, as if done with all below, he again begged we would pray and praise. The next pleasing awful scene was the great exertion he made in order to make Mr. B. (who had not left the room) understand that he fervently desired a sermon he had written on the Love of God should be scattered abroad, and given away to everybody. Something else he wished to say, but, alas ! his speech failed ; and those lips which used to feed many were no longer able (except when particular strength was given) to convey their accus- tomed sounds. WESLEY'S LAST HOURS xxix A little after, Mr. Horton coming in, we hoped that if he had anything of moment on his mind, which he wished to communicate, he would again try to tell us what it was, and that either Mr. Horton, or some of those who were most used to hear our dear Father's dying voice would be able to interpret his meaning ; but though he strove to speak, we were still unsuccessful : finding we could not understand what he said, he paused a little, and then with all the remaining strength he had, cried out, " The best of all is, God is with us " ; — and then, as if to assert the faithfulness of our promise-keeping Jehovah, and comfort the hearts of his weeping friends, lifting up his dying arm in token of victory, and raising his feeble voice with a holy triumph not to be expressed, again repeated the heart-reviving words, "The best of all is, God is with us 1 " Some time after, giving him something to wet his parched lips, he said, " It will not do, we must take the consequence; never mind the poor carcase." Pausing a little, he cried, " The clouds drop fatness I " and soon after, " The Lord is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge ! " He then called us to prayer. Mr. Broadbent was again the mouth of our full hearts, and though Mr Wesley was greatly exhausted by these exertions, he appeared still more fervent in spirit. Most of the night following, though he was often heard attempting to repeat the psalm before-mentioned, he could only get out, "Illpraiie I'U praiie I" On Wednesday morning we found the closing scene drew near. Mr. Bradford, his faithful friend, and most affectionate son, prayed with him, and the last word he was heaid to articulate was, " Farewell I " A few minutei ixx WESLEY'S LAST HOURS before ten, while Miss Wesley, Mr. Horton, Mr. Bracken- bury, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, Dr. Whitehead, Mr. Broad- bent, Mr, Whitfield, Mr, Bradford, and E. R. were kneeling around his bed ; according to his often expressed desire, without a lingering groan, this man of God gathered up hit feet in the presence of hia brethreal M W o 1-5 <1 3 IMPORTANT WESLEY DATES Wesl^ Bom ..•••* /mm 171 1703 Epwortk Parsonage Burned •••■•• 1709 Goes to Charterhouse School .••••• X714 Enters Christ Church, Oxford . • . . . 1720 Ordained Deacon > • • 1725 Weshy's First Sermon, Preached at S, Leigh • • 1725 Elected Fellow of Lincoln College . , . . • 1726 Left Oxford to Assist his Father « . • • • 1727 Holy Chtb Started •....#. 1727 Ordained Priest 1728 Returned to Oxford as Tutor ...... 1729 Went to Georgia 173S Published " Journal" Begins . < • > 0«/. 14, 1735 Returned to England ..•••.. 1738 Met Peter Bohler Feb. 7, 1738 Famous Meeting in Aldersgate Street when Wesley's " heart was strangely warmed " , . May 24, 1738 Wesley Begins Open Air Preaching . . • . 1739 Foundery {the Cradle of Methodism) Taken . , , 1739 First Methodist Preaching-place Built at Bristol , , 1739 Lay Preachers Employed .,..,, 1741 Methodist Classes Established at Bristol • 1 < 1742 First Conference (London) ...••. 1744 Wesley Married .■•«•«• f 1751 City Road Chapel Built ...... 1778 njdi IMPORTANT WESLEY DATES Wesley's Wife Died Wesley's Last Field Preaching {at Winchekea) Last Entry in his Journal • Last Sermon in City Road . • His Last Sermon {Leatherhead) , His Last Letter {to Wilberforce) , Returned to City Road House to Die Wesley Died in his Eighty-eighth Year . 1781 Orf. 6, 1790 Oct. 24, 1790 Ftb. 22, 1791 Feh. 23, 1791 Feb. 24, 1 791 Fe6. 25, 1 791 Ucank a, 1791 PROGRESS OF METHODISM When Wesley died in 1791, there were in England about 79,000 Methodists, Members of Society Classa, and 312 Ministers in Circuits. In America and Canada there were about 40,000 or 50,000 Methodistt, Total 119,000. At the (Ecumenical Methodist Conftrenc* held ia London in 1901, the marvellous growth of Methodism^ the result of Wesley's work — was shown in the following figures ; they indicate the extent of Methodism through- out the world : Ministers, 48,334 ; Local Preachertt 104,786; Churches, 89,087; Members, 7,659,385; Sunday Schools, 81,228 : Teachers and Officers, 861,392; Sckolan Jfijjfij^i and Adhtrtnta, WESLEY'S JOURNAL The first entry in Wesley's Journal is that of October 14, 1735. But the following letter, which Wesley published with the first edition of his Journal, precedes it, as it describes the incidents which led to the formation of the Holy Club and to the social activities from which, as the Journal shows, Methodism has evolved. The letter was written from Oxford in 1732 to Mr. Morgan, whose son is mentioned. It runs thus : Wesley Begins his Work In November 1729, at which time I came to reside at Oxford, your son [Mr. Morgan], my brother, myself, and one more, agreed to spend three or four evenings in a week together. Our design was to read over the classics, which we had before read in private, on common nights, and on Sunday some book in divinity. In the summer following, Mr. M. told me he had called at the gaol, to see a man who was condemned for killing his wife; and that, from the talk he had with one of the debtors, he verily believed it would do much good, if any one would be at the pains of now and then speaking with them. This he so frequently repeated, that on August 24, 1730, my brother and I walked with him to the castle. We were so well satisfied with our conversation there, A S WESLEY'S JOURNAL Auc. 1730 that we agreed to go thither once or twice a week; which we had not done long, before he desired me to go with him to see a poor woman in the town, who was sick. In this employment too, when we came to reflect upon it, we believed it would be worth while to spend an hour or two in a week ; provided the minister of the parish, in which any such person was, were not against it. But that we might not depend wholly on our own judgments, I wrote an account to my father of our whole design ; withal begging that he, who had lived seventy years in the world, and seen as much of it as most private men have ever done, would advise us whether we had yet gone too far, and whether we should now stand still, or go forward. Origin of the Holy Club In pursuance of [his] directions, I immediately went to Mr. Gerard, the Bishop of Oxford's chaplain, who was likewise the person that took care of the prisoners when any were condemned to die (at other times they were left to their own care) : I proposed to him our design of serving them as far as we could, and my own intention to preach there once a month, if the bishop approved of it. He much commended our design, and said he would answer for the bishop's approbation, to whom he would take the first opportunity of mentioning it. It was not long before he informed me he had done so, and that his lordship not only gave his permission, but was greatiy pleased with the undertaking, and hoped it would have the desired success. Soon after, a gentleman of Merton College, who was one of our little company, which now consisted of five persons, acquainted us that he had been much rallied the day before for being a member of the Holy Qub; Oct. 1735 WESLEY SAILS FOR AMERICA S and that it was become a common topic of mirth at his college, where they had found out several of oui customs, to which we were ourselves utter strangers. Upon this I consulted my father again. Upon [his] encouragement we still contii^ued to meet together as usual ; and to confirm one another, as well as we could, in our resolutions, to communicate as often as we had opportunity (which is here once a week); and do what service we could to our acquaintance, the prisoners, and two or three poor families in the town. Wesley Sails for America 1735. Tuesday, October 14. — Mr. Benjamin Ingham, of Queen's College, Oxford ; Mr. Charles Delamotte, son of a merchant, in London, who had offered himself some days before; my brother, Charles Wesley, and myself, took boat for Gravesend, in order to embark for Georgia. Our end in leaving our native country was not to avoid want (God having given us plenty of temporal blessings), nor to gain the dung or dross of riches or honour; but singly this — to save our souls; to Uve wholly to the glory of God. In the afternoon we found the " Simmonds " off Gravesend and immediately went on board. Fri. 17. I began to learn German, in order to con- verse with the Germans, six-and-twenty of whom we had on board. On Sunday, the weather being- fair and calm, we had the morning service on quarter-Jeck. I now first preached extempore, and then administered the Lord's supper to six or seven communicants Mon. 20. — Believing the denying ourselves, even in the smallest instances, might, by the blessing of God, 4 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1735 be helpful to us, we wholly left oflf the use of flesh and wine, and confined ourselves to vegetable food — chiefly rice and biscuit. Tues. 21. — We sailed from Gravesend. When we were past about half the Goodwin Sands, the wind suddenly failed. Had the calm continued till ebb, the ship had probably been lost. But the gale sprung up again in an hour, and carried us into the Downs. We now began to be a little regular. Our common way of living was this : From four in the morning till five each of us used private prayer. From five to seven we read the Bible together, carefully comparing it (that we might not lean to our own understandings) with the writings of the earliest ages. At seven we break- fasted. At eight were the public prayers. From nine to twelve I usually learned German, and Mr. Delamotte, Greek. My brother writ sermons, and Mr. Ingham instructed the children. At twelve we met to give an account to one another what we had done since our last meeting, and what we designed to do before our next. About one we dined. Life on Boanl The time from dinner to four we spent in reading to those whom each of us had taken in charge, or in speaking to them severally, as need required. At four were the evening prayers ; when either the second lesson was explained (as it always was in the morning), or the children were catechised and instructed before the congregation. From five to six we again used private prayer. From six to seven I read in our cabin to two or three of the passengers (of whom there were about eighty English on board), and each of my brethren to a few more in theirs. Jam, 1736 WESLEY SAILS FOR AMERICA 5 At seven I joined with the Germans in their public •crvice, while Mr. Ingham was reading between the decks to as many as desired to hear. At eight we met again to exhort and instruct one another. Between nine and ten we went to bed, where neither the roaring of the sea nor the motion of the ship could take away the refreshing sleep which God gave us. Fri. 31. — We sailed out of the Downs. At eleven at night I was waked by a great noise. I soon found there was no danger. But the bare apprehension of it gave me a lively conviction what manner of men those ought to be who are every moment on the brink of eternity. Sat. Nov. I. — We came to St. Helen's harbour, and the next day into Cowes road. The wind was fair, but we waited for the man-of-war which was to sail with us. This was a happy opportunity of instructing our fellow travellers. Sun. 23. — At night I was awaked by the tossing of the ship and roaring of the wind, and plainly showed I was unfit, for I was unwilling, to die. Wed. Dec. 10. — We sailed from Cowes, and in the afternoon passed the Needles. Here the ragged rocks, with the waves dashing and foaming at the foot of them, and the white side of the island rising to such a height, perpendicular from the beach, gave a strong idea ot " Him that spanneth the heavens, and holdeth the waters in the hollow of His hand ! " 1736. Thur. Jan. r5. — Complaint being made to Mr. Oglethorpe, of the unequal distribution of the water among the passengers, he appointed new officers to take charge of it. At this the old ones and their friends were highly exasperated against us, to whom they imputed the change. 6 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jak. 1736: Sat. 17. — Many people were very impatient at the' Contrary wind. At seven in the evening they were quieted ' by a storm. It rose higher and higher till nine. About nine the sea broke over us from stem to stern; burst through the windows of the state cabin, where three or four of us were, and covered us all over, though a bureau sheltered me from the main shock. About eleven I lay down in the great cabin, and in a short time fell asleep, though very uncertain whether I should wake alive, and much ashamed of my unwillingness to die. O how pure in heart must he be, who would rejoice to appear before God at a. moment's warning 1 Toward morning, " He rebuked the wind* and the sea, and there was a great calm." Memorable Atlantic Storms Fri. 23. — In the evening another storm began. In the morning it increased, so that they were forced to let the ship drive. I could not but say to myself, " How is it that thou hast no faith ? " being still unwilling to die. About one in the afternoon, almost as soon as I had stepped out of the great cabin-door, the sea did not break as usual, but came with a full, smooth tide over the side of the ship. I was vaulted over with water in a moment, and so stunned that I scarce expected to lift up my head again, till the sea should give up her dead. But thanks be to God, I received no hurt at all. About midnight the storm ceased. Sun. 25. — At noon our third storm began. At four it was more violent than before. At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behaviour. Of their humility they had given a continual proof, by performing those servile offices for the other passengers, which none of the Fkb. 1736 MEMORABLE ATLANTIC STORMS 7 English would undertake ; for which they desired, and would receive no pay, saying, " it was good for their proud hearts," and " their loving Saviour had done more for them." And every day had given them an occasion of showing a meekness, which no injury could move. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. There was now an opportunity of trying whether they were delivered from the spirit of fear, as well as from that of pride, anger and revenge. In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterwards, " Was you not afraid ? " He answered, " I thank God, no." I asked, " But were not your women . and children afraid?" He replied, mildly, "No; our women and children are not afraid to die." Fri. 30. — We had another storm, which did ns no other harm than splitting the fore-sail. Our bed being wet, I laid me down on the floor, and slept sound till morning. And, I believe, I shall not find it needful to go to bed (as it is called) any more. Sun. Feb. i . — We spoke with a ship of Carolina ; and Wednesday, 4, came within soundings. About noon, the trees were visible from the masts, and in the after- noon from the main deck. In the evening lesson were these words : " A great door, and effectual, is opened." O let no one shut it ! Thur. 5. — Between two and three in the afternoon, God brought us all safe into the Savannah river. We cast anchor near Tybee Island, where the groves of pines, • WESLEY'S JOURNAL Feb. 1736 running along the shore, made an agreeable prospect, showing, as it were, the bloom of spring in the depth of winter. Wesley Amves in Georgia Fri. 6. — About eight in the morning, we first set foot on American ground. It was a small uninhabited island, over against Tybee. Mr. Oglethorpe led us to a rising ground, where we all kneeled down to give thanks. He then took boat for Savannah. When the rest of the people were come on shore, we called our little flock together to prayers. Sat. 7. — Mr. Oglethorpe returned from Savannah with Mr. Spangenberg, one of the pastors of the Germans. I soon found what spirit he was of ; and asked his advice with regard to my own conduct. He said, " My brother, I must first ask you one or two questions. Have you the witness within yourself? Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit, that you are a child of God ? " I was surprised, and knew not what to answer. He observed it, and asked, " Do you know Jesus Christ?" I paused, and said, " I know he is the Saviour of the world." " True," replied he ; " but do you know he has saved you ? " I answered, " I hope he has died to save me." He only added, " Do you know yourself? " I said, " I do." But I fear they were vain words. Sat. 14. — About one, Tomo Chachi, his nephew Thlecanouhee, his wife Sinauky, with two more women, and two or three Indian children, came on board. As soon as we came in, they all rose and shook us by the hand ; and Tomo Chachi (one Mr. Musgrove interpreted) spoke as follows : " I am glad you are come. When I was in England, I desired that some would speak the great word to me Mar. 1736 MINISTRY AT SAVANNAH 9 and my nation then desired to hear it ; but now we are all in confusion. Yet I am glad you are come. I will go up and speak to the wise men of our nation ; and I hope they will hear. But we would not be made Christians as the Spaniards make Christians : we would be taught, before we are baptized." I answered, "There is but One, He that sitteth in heaven, who is able to teach man wisdom. Though we are come so far, we know not whether He will please to teach you by us or no. If He teaches you, you will learn wisdom, but we can do nothing." We then withdrew. Thur. 19. — My brother and I took boat, and, passing by Savannah, went to pay our first visit in America to the poor heathens. Begins his Ministfy at Savannali Sun. March 7. — I entered upon my ministry at Savannah, by preaching on the epistle for the day, being the thirteenth of the first of Corinthians. In the second lesson (Luke xviii.) was our Lord's prediction of the treatment which he himself (and, consequently, his followers) was to meet with from the world. " Verily I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or friends, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life ever- lasting." Yet, notwithstanding these declarations of our Lord — notwithstanding my own repeated experience — notwith- standing the experience of all the sincere followers of Christ whom I have ever talked with, read or heard of ; nay, and the reason of the thing evincing to a demon- stration that all who love not the light must hate Him who is continually labouring to pour it in upon them ; 10 WESLEY'S JOURNAL An. 1736 I do here bear witness against myself, that when I saw the number of people crowding into the church, the deep attention with which they received the word, and the seriousness that afterwards sat on all their faces j I could scarce refrain from giving the lie to experience and reason and Scripture all together. I could hardly believe that the greater, the far greater part of this attentive, serious people would hereafter trample under foot that word, and say all manner of evil falsely of him that spake it Mon. 15. — Mr. Quincy going for Carolina, I removed into the minister's house. It is large enough for a larger family than ours, and has many conveniences, besides a good garden. Tues. 30. — Mr. Ingham, coming from Frederica, brought me letters, pressing me to go thither. The next day Mr. Delamotte and I began to try, whether life might not as well be sustained by one sort as by variety of food. We chose to make the experiment with bread ; and were never more vigorous and healthy than while we tasted nothing else. "I Waked under Water" Sun. April 4. — About four in the afternoon I set out for Frederica, in a pettiawga — a sort of flat-bottomed barge. The next evening we anchored near Skidoway Island, where the water, at flood, was twelve or fourteen foot deep. I wrapped myself up from head to foot, in a large cloak, to keep off the sand flies, and lay down on the quarter-deck. Between one and two I waked under water, being so fast asleep that I did not find where I was till my mouth was full of it. Having left my cloak, I know not how, upon deck, I swam round to the other side of the pettiawga, where a boat was tied, JuNi 1736 "I WAKEt) UNUER WATER" il and climbed up by the rope without any hurt, more than wetting my clothes. Sat. 17. — Not finding, as yet, any door open for the pursuing our main design, we considered in what manner we might be most useful to the little flock at Savannah. And we agreed: i. To advise the more serious among them to form themselves into a sort of little society, and to meet once or twice a week, in order to reprove, instruct, and exhort one another. 2. To select out of these a smaller number for a more intimate union with each other, which might be forwarded, partly by our conversing singly with each, and partly by inviting them all together to our house; and this, accordingly, we determined to do every Sunday in the afternoon. Mon. May 10. — I began visiting my parishioners in order, from house to house j for which I set apart (the time when they cannot work, because of the heat, viz.) from twelve till three in the afternoon. Thur. June 17. — An officer of a man-of-war, walking just behind us, with two or three of his acquaintance, cursed and swore exceedingly ; but upon my reproving him, seemed much moved, and gave me many thanks. Tues. 22. — Observing much coldness in M. 's behaviour, I asked him the reason of it. He answered, " I like nothing you do. All your sermons are satires upon particular persons, therefore I will never hear you more ; and all the people are of my mind, for we won't hear ourselves abused. " Beside, they say, they are Protestants. But as for you, they cannot tell what religion you are of. They never heard of such a religion before. They do not know what to make of it. And then your private behaviour: all the quarrels that have been here since you came, have been 'long of you. Indeed there ii 19 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jviy 1736 neither man nor woman in the town, who minds a word you say. And so you may preach long enough; but nobody will come to hear you." He was too warm for hearing an answer. So I had nothing to do but to thank him for his openness, and walk away. Talks to the Indians Wed. 30. — I hoped a door was opened for going up immediately to the Choctaws, the least polished, that is, the least corrupted, of all the Indian nations. But upon my informing Mr. Oglethorpe of our design, he objected, not only the danger of being intercepted or killed by the French there; but much more, the inexpediency of leaving Savannah destitute of a minister. These objections I related to our brethren in the evening, who were all of opinion, " We ought not to go yet." Thur. July i. — The Indians had an audience; and another on Saturday, when Chicali, their head-man, dined with Mr. Oglethorpe. After dinner, I asked the grey-headed old man, what he thought he was made for. He said, " He that is above knows what he made us for. We know nothing. We are in the dark. But white men know much. And yet white men build great houses, as if they were to live for ever. But white men cannot live for ever. In a little time, white men will be dust as well as I." I told him, " If red men will learn the good book, they may know as much as white men. But neither we nor you can understand that book, unless we are taught by Him that is above : and He will not teach, unless you avoid what you already know is not good." He answered, "I believe that. He will not teach us while our hearts are not white. And our men do what they know is not good : they kill Aug. 1736 FEARLESS OF RAINS IS ' their own children. And our women do what they know is not good : they kill the child before it is born. Therefore He that is above does not send us the good book." Men. 26. — My brother and I set out for Charlestown, in order to his embarking for England ; but the wind being contrary, we did not reach Port- Royal, forty miles from Savannah, till Wednesday evening. The next morning we left it. But the wind was so high in the afternoon, as we were crossing the neck of St. Helena's sound, that our oldest sailor cried out, " Now every one must take care for himself." I told him, " God would take care for us all." Almost as soon as the words were spoken, the mast fell. I kept on the edge of the boat, to be clear of her when she sunk (which we expected every moment), though with little prospect of swimming ashore, against such a wind and sea. But " how is it that thou hadst no faith ? " The moment the mast fell, two men caught it, and pulled it into the boat ; the other three rowed with all their might, and " God gave command to the wind and seas " ; so that in an hour we were safe on land. Fearless of Rains and Dews Mon. Aug. 2. — I set out for the Lieutenant-Governor's seat, about thirty miles from Charlestown, to deliver Mr. Oglethorpe's letters. It stands very pleasantly, on a little hill, with a vale on either side, in one of which is a thick wood ; the other (•> .planted with rice and Indian corn. I designed to have gone back by Mr. Skeen's, who has about fifty Christian negroes. But my horse tiring, I was obliged to return the straight way to Charles- town. I had sent the boat we came in back to Savannah, 14 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nor. 1736 expecting a passage thither myself in Colonel Bull's. His not going so soon, I went to Ashley-Ferry on Thursday, intending to walk to Port-Royal. But Mr. Belinger not only provided me a horse, but rode with me himself ten miles, and sent his son with me to Cumbee-Ferry, twenty miles farther ; whence, having hired horses and a guide, I came to Beaufort (or Port Royal) the next evening. We took boat in the morning ; but, the wind being contrary, and very high, did not reach Savannah till Sunday, in the afternoon. Finding Mr. Oglethorpe was gone, I stayed only a day at Savannah ; and leaving Mr. Ingham and Dela- motte there, set out on Tuesday morning for Frederica. In walking to Thunderbolt I was in so heavy a shower, that all my clothes were as wet as if I had gone through the river. On which occasion I cannot but observe that vulgar error, concerning the hurtfulness of the rains and dews of America. I have been thoroughly wet with these rains more than once ; yet without any harm at all. And I have lain many nights in the open air, and received all the dews that fell; and so, I be- lieve, might any one, if his constitution was not im- paired by the softness of a genteel education. Desires to Go Among the Indians Tues. Nov. 23. — Mr. Oglethorpe sailed for England, leaving Mr. Ingham, Mr. Delamotte, and me, at Savan- nah ; but with less prospect of preaching to the Indians than we had the first day we set foot in America. Whenever I mentioned it, it was immediately replied, " You cannot leave Savannah without a minister." To this indeed my plain answer was, " I know not that I am under any obligation to the contrary. I never promised to stay here one month. I openly declared Dec. 1736 IN A SWAMP 15 both before, at, and ever since my coming hither, that 1 neither would nor could take charge of the English any longer than till I could go among the Indians." If it was said, " But did not the trustees of Georgia appoint you to be minister of Savannah ? " I replied, " They did; but it was not done by my solicitation: it was done without either my desire or knowledge. Therefore I cannot conceive that appointment to lay me under any obligation of continuing there any longer than till a door is opened to the heathens ; and this I expressly de- clared at the time I consented to accept of that appoint ment." But though I had no other obligation not to leave Savannah now, yet that of love I could not break through : I could not resist the importunate request of the more serious parishioners, " to watch over their aouls yet a little longer, till some one came who might supply my place." And this I the more willingly did. because the time was not come to preach the Gospei of peace to the heathens ; all their nations being in a ferment; and Paustoobee and Mingo Mattaw having told me, in terms, in my own house, "Now oui enemies are all about us, and we can do nothing but fight ; but if the beloved ones should ever give us to be at peace, then we would hear the great word." Wed. Dec. 23. — Mr. Delamotte and I, with a guide, set out to walk to the Cowpen. When we had walked two or three hours, our guide told us plainly, he did not know where we were. However, believing it could not be far oflf, we thought it best to go on. In an hour or two we came to a cypress-swamp, which lay directly across our way : there was not time to walk back to Savannah before night; so we walked through it, tho water being about breast high. 16 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Julv 1737 By the time we had gone a mile beyond it, we were out of all path ; and it being now past sunset, we sat down, intending to make a fire, and to stay there till morning; but finding our tinder wet, we were at a stand. I advised to walk on still ; but my companions, being faint and weary, were for lying down, which we accord- ingly did about six o'clock ; the ground was as wet as our clothes, which, it being a sharp frost, were soon froze together ; however, I slept tUl six in the morning. There fell a heavy dew in the night, which covered us over as white as snow. Within an hour after sunrise, we came to a plantation ; and in the evening, ?rithoot any hurt, to Savannah. Begins to Learn Spanish 1737. Fri. March 4. — I writ the trustees for Georgia an account of our year's expense, from March i, 1736, to March i, 1737; which, deducting extraordinary expenses, such as repairing the parsonage house, and journeys to Frederica, amounted, for Mr. Delamotte and me, to ;f 44 4s. Ad. \ Mon. April 4. — I began learning Spanish, in order to converse with my Jewish parishioners ; some of whom ,seem nearer the mind that was in Christ than many of (those who call him Lord. Tues. 12. — Being determined, if possible, to put a stop to the proceedings of one in Carolina, who had married several of my parishioners without either banns or licence, and declared he would do so still, I set out in a sloop for Charlestown. I landed there on Thursday, and related the case to Mr. Garden, the Bishop of London's Commissary, who assured me, he would take care no such irregularity should be committed for the future. Sun. July 3. — Immediately after the holy communion, JVLYI737 WESLEY REPROVES 17 I mentioned to Mrs. Williamson (Mr. Causton's niece) some things which I thought reprovable in her behaviour. At this she appeared extremely angry j said she did not expect such usage from me; and at the turn of the street, through which we were walking home, went abruptly away. The next day Mrs. Causton endeavoured to excuse her ; told me she was exceedingly grieved for what had passed the day before, and desired me to tell her in writing what I disliked ; which I accordingly did the day following. But first I sent Mr. Causton the following note : " Sir, " To this hour you have shown yourself my friend ; I ever have and ever shall acknowledge it. And it is my earnest desire that He who hath hitherto given me this blessing, would continue it still. " But this cannot be, unless you will allow me one request, which is not so easy an one as it appears : do not condemn me for doing, in the execution of my of5ce, what I think it my duty to do. " If you can prevail upon yourself to allow me this, even when I act without respect of persons, I am persuaded there will never be, at least not long, any misunderstanding between us. For even those who seek it shall, I trust, find no occasion against me, ' except it be concerning the law of my God.' " I am, &c "Julys. »737" Wed. 6. — Mr. Causton came to my house with Mr. Bailiff Parker and Mr. Recorder, and warmly asked, " How could you possibly think I should condemn you for executing any part of your office?" I said short, " Sir, what if I should think it the duty of my office to B 18 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1737 repel one of your family from the holy communion ? " He replied, " If you repel me or my wife, I shall require a legal reason. But I shall trouble myself about none else. Let them look to themselves." Warrant for Wesley's Arrest Sun. Aug. 7. — I repelled Mrs. Williamson from the holy communion. And Monday, 8, Mr. Recorder, of Savannah, issued out the warrant following : "Georgia. Savannah ss. " T» all Constables, Tithingmen, and others, whom theat may concern : " You, and each of you, are hereby required to take the body of John Wesley, Clerk : " And bring him before one of the Bailiffs of the said town to answer the complaint of William Williamson and Sophia, his wife, for defaming the said Sophia, and re- fusing to administer to her the sacrament of the Lord's supper in a public congregation without cause; by which the said William Williamson is damaged one thousand pound sterling ; and for so doing, this is your warrant, certifying what you are to do in the premises. Gaea under my hand and seal the 8th day of August, Anno. Dom. 1737. Tho. Christie." Tues. 9. — Mr. Jones, the constable, served the warrant, and canried me before Mr. Bailiff Parker and Mr. Recorder. My answer to them was, that the giving or refusing the Lord's supper being a maiiet purely ecclesiastical, I could not acknowledge their power to interrogate me upon it. Mr. Parker told me : " How- ever, you must appear at the next Court, holden for Savannah." Mr. Williamson, who stood by, said: " Gentlemen, I desire Mr. Wesley may give bail for his Aug. 1737 WARRANT FOR ARREST 19 appearance." But Mr. Parker immediately replied ; " Sir, Mr. Wesley's word is sufBcient." Thur. II — Mr. Causton came to my house, and, among many other sharp words, said : " Make an end of this matter; thou hadst best. My niece to be used thus ! I have drawn the sword, and I will never sheath it till I have satisfaction." Soon after, he added : " Give the reasons of your repelling her before the whole congregation." I answered: "Sir, if you insist upon it, I will; and so you may be pleased to tell her." He said, " Write to her, and tell her so yourself." I said, " I will " ; and after he went I wrote as follows : •• To Mrs. Sophia WiHiatttson. " At Mr. Causton's request, I write once more. The rules whereby I proceed are these : " ' So many as intend to be partakers of the holy communion, shall signify their names to the curate, at least some time the day before.' This you did not do. " ' And if any of these have done any wrong to his neighbours, by word or deed, so that the congregation be thereby offended, the curate shall advertise him that in any wise he presume not to come to the Lord's table until he hath openly declared himself to have truly repented.' " If you offer yourself at the Lord's table on Sunday, I will advertise you (as I have done more than once) wherein you have done wrong. And when you have openly declared yourself to have truly repented, I will administer to you the mysteries of God. "John Wesley. •' August II, 1737." Mr, Delamotte carrying this, Mr. Causton said, among many other warm sayings : " I am the person that am JO WESLEY'S JOURNAL A03. 1737 injured. The affront is offered to me; and I will espouse the cause of my niece. I am ill-used, and I will have satisfaction, if it be to be had in the world." Which way this satisfaction was to be had, I did not yet conceive ; but on Friday and Saturday it began to appear: Mr. Causton declared to many persons that " Mr. Wesley had repelled Sophy from the holy com- munion purely out of revenge, because he bad made proposals of marriage to her which she rejected, and married Mr. Williamson." The Jury's Charge against Wesley Tues. 16. — Mrs. Williamson swore to and signed an affidavit insinuating much more than it asserted; but asserting that Mr. Wesley had many times proposed marriage to her, all which proposals she had rejected Of this I desired a copy. Mr. Causton replied : " Sir, you may have one from any of the newspapers in America." On Thursday and Friday was delivered out a list of twenty-six men, who were to meet as a grand jury on Monday, the 22 nd. But this list was called in the next day, and twenty-four names added to it. Of this grand jury (forty-four of whom only met), one was a Frenchman, who did not understand English; one a Papist, one a professed infidel, three Baptists, sixteen or seventeen others Dissenters, and several others who had personal quarrels against me, and had openly vowed revenge. To this grand jury, on Monday, the 22 nd, Mr. Causton gave a long and earnest charge, " to beware of spiritual tyranny, and to oppose the new, illegal authority which was usurped over their consciences." Then Mrs. Williamson's affidavit was read; after which, A«G. 1737 THE JURY'S CHARGE 21 Mr. Causton delivered to the grand jury a paper, entitled : " A list of grievances, presented by the grand jury for Savannah, this day of August, 1737." This the majority of the grand jury altered in some particulars, and on Thursday, September i, delivered it again to the court, under the form of two present- ments, containing ten bills, which were then read to the people. Herein they asserted, upon oath, " That John Wesley, clerk, had broken the laws of the realm, contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his crown and dignity. "I. By speaking and writing to Mrs. Williamson, against her husband's consent. "2. By repelling her from the holy communion. "3. By not declaring his adherence to the Church England. " 4. By dividing the morning service on Sundays. "5. By refusing to baptize Mr. Parker's child, other- wise than by dipping, except the parents would certify it was weak, and not able to bear it. "6. By repelling William Gough from the holy communion. "7. By refusing to read the burial service over the body of Nathaniel Polhill. " 8. By calling himself Ordinary of Savannah. " 9. By refusing to receive William Aglionby as a godfather, only because he was not a communicant. " 10. By refusing Jacob Matthews for the same reason ; and baptizing an Indian trader's child with only two sponsors." (This, I own, was 'vrong ; for I ought, at all hazards, to have refused baptizing it till he had procured a third.) a WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1737 Fri. Sep. 2. — Was the third court at which I appeared since my being carried before Mr. P. and the Recorder. I now moved for an immediate hearing on the first bill, bemg the only one of a civil nature ; but it was refused. I made the same motion in the afternoon, but was put off till the next court-day. On the next court-day I appeared again, as also at the two courts following, but could not be heard, because (the Judge said) Mr. Williamson was gone out of town. The sense of the minority of the grand jurors them- selves (for they were by no means unanimous) concerning these presentments may appear from the following paper, which they transmitted to the trustees : To the Honourable the Trustees for Georgia. " Whereas two presentments have been made : the one of August 23, the other of August 31, by the grand jury for the town and county of Savannah, in Georgia, against John Wesley, Clerk. " We, whose names are underwritten, being members of the said grand jury, do humbly beg leave to signify our dislike of the said presentments; being, by many and divers circumstances, thoroughly persuaded in our- selves that the whole charge against Mr. Wesley is an artifice of Mr. Causton's, designed rather to blacken the character of Mr. Wesley, than to free the colony from religious tyranny, as he was pleased, in his charge to us, to term it. But as these circumstances will be toe tedious to trouble your Honours with, we shall only beg leave to give the reasons of our dissent from the particular bills Fri. Oct. 7 I consulteci my friends, whether God did not call me to return to England. The reason for which I left it had now no force; there being no possibility, ai Nov. 1737 WHY HE LEFT GEORGIA «S yet, of instructing the Indians ; neither had I, as yet, \ found or heard of any Indians on the continent of| America, who had the least desire of being instructed. \ And as to Savannah, having never engaged myself, either by word or letter, to stay there a day longer than I should judge convenient, nor ever taken charge of the people any otherwise than as in my passage to the heathens, I looked upon myself to be fully discharged therefrom, by the vacating of that design. Besides, there was a probability of doing more service to that unhappy people in England, than I could do in Georgia, by repre- senting, without fear or favour, to the trustees the real state the colony was in. After deeply considering these things, they were unanimous, " that I ought to go ; but not yet." So I laid the thoughts of it aside for the present J being persuaded, that when the time was come, God would " make the way plain before my face." Why Wesley Left Georsia Thur. Nov. 3. — I appeared again at the court, holden on that day; and again, at the court held Tuesday, November 22. On which day Mr. Causton desired to speak with me. He then read me some affidavits which had been made September 15, last past; in one of which it was affirmed, that I then abused Mr. Causton in his own house, calling him liar, villain, and so on. It wa? now likewise repeated before several persons, which indeed I had forgot, that I had been reprimanded at the last court, for an enemy to, and hinderer of, the public peace. I again consulted my friends, who agreed with me, that the time we looked for was now come. And the next morning, calling on Mr. Causton, I told him, I designed to set out for England immediately. I set uf «4 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Die. 1737 an advertisement in the Great Square to the same effect and quietly prepared for my journey. Fri Dec. 2. — I proposed to set out for Carolina about noon, the tide then serving. But about ten, the magistrates sent for me, and told me, I must not go out of the province ; for I had not answered the allegations laid against me. I replied, " I have appeared at six or seven courts successively, in order to answer them. But I was not suffered so to do, when I desired it time after time." Then they said, however, I must not go, unless I would give security to answer those allegations at their court. I asked, " What security ? " After consulting together about two hours, the Recorder showed me a kin J of bond, engaging me, under a penalty of fifty pounds, to appear at their court when I should be required. He added, "But Mr. Williamson too has desired of us that you should give bail to answer his action." I then told him plainly, " Sir, you use me very ill, and so you do the trustees. I will give neither any bond, nor any bail at all. You know your business, and I know mine." In the afternoon, the magistrates published an order, requiring all the officers and sentinels to prevent my going out of the province ; and forbidding any person to assist me so to do. Being now only a prisoner at large, in a place where I know by experience, every day would give fresh opportunity to procure evidence of words I never said, and actions I never did; I saw clearly the hour was come for leaving this place : and as soon as evening prayers were over, about eight o'clock, the tide then serving, I shook off the dust of my feet, and left Georgia, after having preached the Gospel there (not as I ought, but as I was able) one year and nearly nine months. 1J«>- 1737 LOST IN THE WOODS tS Sat. 3— We came to Purrysburg early in the morn- ing, and endeavoured to procure a guide to Port- Royal. But Kont being to be had, we set out without one, an hour befoi" sunrise. After walking two or three hours, we met with a^ old man, who led us into a small path, near which was s line cf blazed trees (that is, marked by cutting off part of the bark), by following which, he said, we might easily come to Port-Royal in five or six. hours. Lost in the Woods We were four in all ; one of whom intended to go to England with me ; the other two to settle in Carolina. About eleven we came into a large swamp, where we wandered about till near two. We then found another blaze, and pursued it, till it divided into two : one of these we followed through an almost impassable thicket, a mile beyond which it ended. We made through the thicket again, and traced the other blaze till that ended too. It now grew toward sunset ; so we sat down, faint and weary, having had no food all day, except a ginger- bread cake, which I had taken in my pocket. A third of this we had divided among us at noon ; another third we took now ; the rest we reserved for the morning ; but we had met with no water all the day. Thrusting a stick into the ground, and finding the end of it moist, two of our company fell a digging with their hands, and, at about three feet depth, found water. We thanked God, drank, and were refreshed. The night was sharp : how- ever, there was no complaining among us; but after having commended ourselves to God, we lay down close together, and (I at least) slept till near six in the morning. Sun. 4. — God renewing our strength, we arose neither 96 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dm. 1737 faint nor weary, and resolved to make one trial more, to find out a path to Port- Royal. We steered due east ; but finding neither path nor blaze, and the woods grow- ing thicker and thicker, we judged it would be our best course to return, if we could, by the way we came. The day before, in the thickest part of the woods, I had broke many young trees, I knew not why, as we walked along : these we found a great help in several places, where no path was to be seen j and between one and two God brought us safe to Benjamin Arieu's house, the old man we left the day before. In the evening I read French prayers to a numerous family, a mile from Arieu's ; one of whom undertook to guide us to Port-Royal. In the morning we set out. About sunset, we asked our guide, if he knew where he was; who frankly answered, "No." However, we pushed on till, about seven, we came to a plantation ; and the next evening, after many difficulties and delays, we landed on Port-Royal island. Wed. 7 We walked to Beaufort ; where Mr. Jones, the minister of Beaufort, with whom I lodged during my short stay here, gave me a lively idea of the old English hospitality. On Thursday Mr. Delamotte came; with whom, on Friday, the 9th, I took boat for Charles- Town. After a slow passage, by reason of contrary winds, and some conflict (our provisions falling short) with hunger as well as cold, we came thither early in the morning, on Tuesday, the 13th. Farewell to America Thut. 22. — I took my leave of America (though, if it please God, not for ever), going on board the ' Samuel," Xr,aptain Percy, with a young gentle- aun who had been a few months in Carolina, one of Jan. 1738 FAREWELL TO AMERICA 87 my parishioners of Savannah, and a Frenchman, late of Purrysburg, who was escaped thence with the skin of his teeth. Sat 24. — We sailed over Charles-Town bar, and about noon lost sight of land. The next day the wind was fair, but high, as it was on Sunday, 25, when the sea affected me more than it had done in the sixteen weeks of our passage to America. I was obliged to lie down the greatest part of the day, being easy only in that posture. Mon. 26. — I began instructing a Negro lad in the principles of Christianity. The next day I resolved to break off living delicately, and return to my old simplicity of diet ; and after I did so, neither my stomach nor my head much complained of the motion of the ship. '''"' 1 738. Sun. Jan. i . — All in the ship, except the captain and steersman, were present both at the morning and evening service, and appeared as deeply attentive as even the poor people of Frederica did, while the word of God was new to their ears. And it may be, one or two among these likewise may " bring forth fruit with patience.'' Mon. 2. — Being sorrowful and very heavy (though I could give no particular reason for it), and utterly unwilling to speak close to any of my little flock (about twenty persons), I was in doubt whether my neglect of them was not one cause of my own heaviness. In the evening, therefore, I began instructing the cabin-boy j after which I was much easier. I went several times the following days, with a design to speak to the saUors, but could not. I mean, I was quite averse from speaking; I could not see how to make an occasion, and it seemed quite absurd to speak is WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. 1738 without. Is not this what men commonly mean by, " I could not speak?" And is this a sufficient cause of silence, or no? Is it a prohibition from the good spirit ? or a temptation from nature, or the evil one ? Sat. 7. — I began to read and explain some passages ot the Bible to the young Negro. The next morning, another Negro who was on board desired to be a hearer too. From them I went to the poor Frenchman, who, understanding no English, had none else in the ship with whom he could converse. And from this time, I read and explained to him a chapter in the Testament every morning. The Voyage to England Fri. 13. — We had a thorough storm, which obliged us to shut all close; the sea breaking over the ship con- tinually. I was at first afraid; but cried to God, afid was strengthened. Before ten, I lay down : I bless God, without fear. About midnight we were awaked by a confused noise of seas and wind and men's voices, the like to which I had never heard before. The sound of the sea breaking over and against the sides of the ship, I could compare to nothing but large cannon, or American thunder. The rebounding, starting, quivering motion of the ship much resembled what is said of earthquakes. The captain was upon deck in an instant. But his men could not hear what he said. It blew a proper hurricane; which beginning at south-west, then went west, north-west, north, and, in a quarter an hour, round by the east to the south-west point again. At the same time the sea running, as they term it, mountain-high, and that from many different points at once, the ship would not obey the helm ; nor indeed could the steers- Jan. 1738 THE VOYAGE TO ENGLAND 89 man, through the violent rain, see the compass. So he was forced to let her run before the wind, and in half an hour the stress of the storm was over. Tues. 24. — We spoke with two ships, outward-bound, from whom we had the welcome news of our wanting but one hundred and sixty leagues ot the Land's-end. My mind was now full of thought ; part of which I writ down as follows : " I went to America, to convert the Indians ; but O ! who shall convert me ? who, what is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of mischief? I have a fair summer religion. I can talk well; nay, and believe myself, while no danger is near; but let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled. Nor can I say, •To die is gain!' \^ \\ ,^ , ' I have a sin of fear, that whemKM spun My last thread, I shall perish on the shore I * " I think, verily, if the Gospel be true, I am safe : for I not only have given, and do give, all my goods to feed the poor; I not only give my body to be burned, drowned, or whatever God shall appoint for me; but I follow after charity (though not as I ought, yet as I can), if haply I may attain it. I now believe the Gospel is true. ' I show my faith by my works,' by staking my all upon it. I would do so again and again a thousand times, if the choice were still to make. "Whoever sees me, sees I would be a Christiani Therefore 'are my ways not like other men's ways.' Therefore I have been, I am, I am content to be, 'a by-word, a proverb of reproach.' But in a storm I think, 'What, if the Gospel be not true? Then thou art of all men most foolish. For what hast thou given thy goods, thy ease, thy friends, thy reputation, thy country, thy life ? For what art thou wandering over so WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. 1738 the face of the earth ?— A dream I a cunningly-devised fable ! ' "O! who will deliver me from this fear of death? What shall I do ? Where shall I fly from it ? Should I fight against it by thinking, or by not thinking of it ? A wise man advised me some time since, ' Be still and go on.' Perhaps this is best, to look upon it as my cross ; when it comes, to let it humble me, and quicken all my good resolutions, especially that of praying with- out ceasing; and at other times, to take no thought about it, but quietly to go on the . head's, ,and, ;th«, fulness . tbsrep^" ajCkd. inLbit; name]5et oul),> nothing idoiubting. -wSuB. .13.— My. orciinacyt employment, in public, was, now as gfol1i0^ws,:c>.£very cmor^ing.I: r£adi> poia)sers»aaiU preached at Newgate. Every evening I expounded a portion of ScHJpfeii'^ afr'bnddr' mere'lof^lbfe societies On t^nday, in,,the.aft^i;nopn,iI preache4.-,a^rfla0,„pqai Eiistci.; on.TjUesdajs. a^ BaJib; arjd Tv.Q ^iJs,HiJl,a|li?>3,j natelyi ; on , ,W(^ , ^t , ; Baptist 1 Mills ; ^y^f , , oih«t» Thwrsday, nearPensfordSi eyeay ojtheri FjiiSsy, JpaOPther, part.of KingswQod;, on.S^tusdayjflip.ithe iaff)Ern.oojn,,,»n^( Suoday;^^, morning,, injthe, jiPqwiiijgr^c^p. (yfhipb.BfS. near, the ,midd}e)0fithe!icity;).ji on Sbp^j ^t (d^yep, np^, Hanparofmountj at.twft,. at Clifton; andnat jfivei, fln.. Base-green. >. And. hii)herto„ m nty.idajys, so mj. «|i«i>g);kl hath been. Wesley's , tf ving Arguments v )Sun.. ap.4— Saeing many of .the lich at> Qifton chwch, myiibeart was much painedi for. them, and>Inas>earnestlyi desirous, that spme even of them 1 might. ^<< enter. jintoithei kingdom > of heaven/.' .i.Butilull.as.I was,.il Imew-^not. where to ibegin in warningthem to 1 flee from. the iwrajtlk t(t.<:on^e till .myiTestametnt.openednoiv .Ihesei words :..'<^Ii came not to. oalli thefrighteousyibut .anners. to repent^i anoe" ;' in. applying which, my .soul was so enlargedi.that. methopgbtiiL. could have. cried;. out (in. iianother^ sense than I poor ivain rArchimedes), '/ Give me .where to standi arid I will shake .thg earth.". Godls 1 sending! > forth* lighttiing with the rain did. not vbinder. about fifteeS{ MaVi734 living arguments fil btmKfrea 'from, staying at Rose-gr6eH.' Our. Scripture WkSf "It is' the glorious God that maketh the ' thund'erj 5fhtevoMe,dfUhe Lord is mighty in ' operation ; the v^ietttf the Lord is' a glorious vbic&'" Ih thefeveni&g he spoke to three whose^ souls '*ea?e'i£tlKi'St6fiii aed teEli>pS6t,na^a 'fntimediatdy' thetie was a gwat^'dalni.'' ' " "' During ttii&l whole time I *as altndst bontiftiially IStedHeithfer^jr) those who purposely caftite to Briks©! to te^i'fie 66tee&:flJiig'('this>'strahgfe 5«W)i:l!g ot'-by itty old with-imyieyeS; i fiav'g'Ss®! (as fir as athiftgi'of'ihis kind;can b©seen)vri-y ^any pKSeh^ changed -fc a* =momeBit.#om the spirit :of feair,sfiSrt!(i)l:V«aeSftaii;j to'the'Spifit'bf'lo^e, }by, andipeate] ktiS. l^^.gifltui'dtesire.'tiUithen ireignwg over th^m, to a |ift"e €fe^fOf doing the wil of Giod.' 'These'are-mattgirs df-ia(3t-','^«s^erebf I have been; and almost daily am, aa eye 6i^ffeii!*#iftiess^'' ' ' " ■■siRi^'ii jiqinmi • ' indvt What I ha^e'^ to' say 'toothing ivirfibhs or dreams,' is teiS^'I knbtffs^ei'*i)^rSbh's('ifi'*heJn this' great .chahge %as "wiidliglit' iii 'a drekm; or 'diiriwg a strong' tefpfeSeHi tsitibtf to'Jfhei eyie of their teitod;' of Christ eithel' on the eroJte' bf fti the glory. This is* the fact j! let any jddgB* bf it -it 'they please: And that such a ' cbangie was theti 5« WESLEY'S JOURNAL Ju^B 1739 wrought appears (not from their shedding tears only, or falling into fit, or crying out ; these are not the fruits, as you seem to suppose, whereby I judge, but) from the whole tenor of their life, till then many ways wicked; from that time holy, just, and good. " I will show you him that was a lion till then, and is now a lamb ; him that was a drunkard, and is now exemplarily sober ; the whoremonger that was, who now abhors the very ' garment spotted by the flesh.' These are my living arguments for what I assert, viz., ' that God does now, as aforetime, give remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost even to us and to our children j yea, and that always suddenly as far as I have known, and often in dreams or in the visions of God.' If it be not so, I am found a false witness before God. For these things I do, and by his grace, will testify." Beau Nash Argues with Wesley Tues. June 5. — There was great expectation at Bath of what a noted man was to do to me there ; and I was much entreated not to preach, because no one knew what might happen. By this report I also gained a much larger audience, among whom were many of the rich and great. I told them plainly, the Scripture had concluded them all under sin — high and low, rich and poor, one with another. Many of them seemed to be a little surprised, and were sinking apace into seriousness, when their champion appeared, and coming close to me, asked by what authority I did these things. I replied, " By the authority of Jesus Christ, conveyed to me by the (now) Archbishop of Canterbury, when he laid hands upon me, and said, ' Take thou authority to preach the Gospel.'" He said, "This is contrary to Act of Parliament : this is a conventicle." I answered. Jons 1739 BEAU NASH AND WESLEY 33 "Sir, the conventicles mentioned in that Act (as the preamble shows) are seditious meetings ; but this is not such ; here is no shadow of sedition ; therefore it is not contrary to that Act." He replied, " I say it is : and, beside, your preaching frightens people out of their wits." " Sir, did you ever hear me preach ? " " No." " How, then, can you judge of what you never heard ? " " Sir, by common report." " Common report is not enough. Give me leave, Sir, to ask. Is not your name Nash ? " " My name is Nash." " Sir, I dare not judge of you by common report : I think it not enough to judge by." Here he paused awhile, and, having recovered himself, said, " I desire to know what this people comes here for " : on which one replied, " Sir, leave him to me : let an old woman answer him. You, Mr. Nash, take care of your body ; we take care of our souls ; and for the food of our souls we come here." He replied not a word, but walked away. As I returned, the street was full of people, hurrying to and fro, and speaking great words. But when apy of them asked, " Which is he ? " and I replied, " I am he," they were immediately silent. Several ladies following me into Mr. Merchant's house, the servant told me there were some wanted to speak to me. I went to them, and said, " I believe, ladies, the maid mistook : you only wanted to look at me." I added, " I do not expect that the rich and great should want either to speak with me, or to hear me ; for I speak the plain truth — a thing you hear little of, and do not desire to hear." A few more words passed between us, and I retired. Mon. II. — I received a pressing letter from London (as I had several others before), to come thithei as soon 64 WESLEVS JOURNAL fiM ffi^ as' possible; bur brethren in Fetter Lane being in g^&t Confusion for want of my presence and adviteV-Tl therefore preachdd in the 'afternoon on these words: '•«# take you to record this day, that lam jSiire'froEtf'the blo6d of all meftj for I have 'not shunned' to dfefekjd unto you all the counsel of God." After sermoii''! comrhended them to the' grace of God, in whoffl-'^ey had beheved. Surely God hath yet a work to doi in t^ place. I have nbt found such love, nc^, not in England'^ nor so childlike, artlessi'teaehable, a temper, as He hatb gi^en to this J)e0plei Yet, during this whole time; I' had many thott^rtst concerning the unusual manner of my miiiJkeJiri^ among them. ' iBut aftfer frequently' l^^ing it 'b^fbre^the Lbrd.'and'caltnly weighing whatever bbjedtiofas XheiaSfl against' it, t' could hot' but adhere to what I had' soniis time since wrote to afiriehd, who had fredy spbkenfhlaf senlimehts concdriiing it. ' Ari extract 'of that- fetter"! here subjoin that the matter may be placed in' m dear light •• AU the Wprid my pMissh" , "You sayy yoU' cannot reconcile' some m parts of i.mys behaviour with the i character 1 1 bave longi < supportedu No, nor 6ver will. Therjefore I have disclaimed Stalo character on eve*y possible 'OecaSibn. I toldxajlcitt pur ship^ all ati Savannah^ all at Frederica, a|ld!;< I only follow after^ if haply. »'"ii " "t loot upon an the world is mypirisK; thdsfer'I ■new, that, in whatever part of it I «in^ I jOdge it qkeeit, 56 WESLEY'S JOURNAL June 1739 right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to ; and sure I am that his blessing attends it. Great encouragement have I, therefore, to be faithful in fulfilling the work he hath given me to do. His servant I am, and, as such, am employed according to the plain direction of his word, 'As I have opportunity, doing good unto all men ' ; and his providence clearly concurs with his word; which has disengaged me from all things else, that I might singly attend on this very thing, 'and go about doing good.' " Susanna Wesley and her Son Wed. 13 After receiving the holy communion at Islington, I had once more an opportunity of seeing my mother, whom I had not seen since my return from Germany. I cannot but mention an odd circumstance here. I had read her a paper m June last year, containing a short account of what had passed in my own soul, till within a few days of that time. She greatly approved it, and said she heartily blessed God, who had brought me to so just a way of thinking. While I was in Germany a copy of that paper was sent (without my knowledge) to one of my relations. He sent an account of it to my mother, whom I now found under strange fears concerning me, being convinced " by an account taken from one of my own papers, that I had greatly erred from the faith." I could not conceive what paper that should be ; but, on inquiry, found it was the same I had read her myself. How hard is it to form a true judgment of any person or thing from the account of i| June 1739 SUSANNA WESLEY 67 prejudiced relater ! yea, though he be ever so honest a man : for he who gave this relation was one of unquestion- able veracity. And yet by his sincere account of a writing which lay before his eyes, was the truth so totally disguised, that my mother knew not the paper she had heard from end to end, nor I that I had myself wrote. Thur. 14. — I went with Mr. Whitefield to Blackheath, where were, I believe, twelve or fourteen thousand people. He a little surprised me, by desiring me to preach in his stead; which I did (though nature recoiled) on my favourite subject, " Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and re- demption." I was greatly moved with compassion for the rich that were there, to whom I made a particular application. Some of them seemed to attend, while others drove away their coaches from so uncouth a preacher. Sun. 17. — I preached, at seven, in Upper-Moor- fields, to (I believe) six or seven thousand people, on, " Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." At five I preached on Kennington Common, to about fifteen thousand people, on those words, " Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth." Mon. 18 I left London early in the morning, and the next evening reached Bristol, and preached (as I had appointed, if God should permit) to a numerous congregation. My text now also was, " Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth." Howell Harris called upon me an hour or two after. He said, he had been much dissuaded from either hearing or seeing me, by many who said all manner of evil of me. " But," said he, " as soon as I heard you preach, I quickly found what spirit you was of. And before yoy 6s WESLEY'S JOURNAL JwiT 173^ had donfe, I was so-bvei^ciwered with joy'atid lorei tbof I had much ado to walk hotae. -' ' Sunl- 24. — As r was • lidihgi to ' Rose - green, in! 'a sHiCloth, -pliin' part of the ro^d, my horse ' suddehly Jjitch^dupfon (his' 'head, and' rolled over arid 'ov6r,! 'I received Wo ottodrhuttthkn'alittlebruisfeon one 'side 5 which 'for the 'jjreteetit Ifefti niot, but-pteaclied without piih to six or sfefven thousand people oh th&t importaint difectidn, "Whether ye' edt dc -driftkiiorwhateVto- yOti &a, do all t6 the glory of God."' Talka with Wliitefield Fri. July 6. — In the afternoon I was with Mr.Whitfe- field, jiist iiotiife from London', if^ith whdtal went? to Baptist Mills; where he prdathed condernihg " the Holy Ghost, wlilch all who believe 'are to ■Tedeivte"yn usual toipreachon, the week days; bpt< if I.fCoul4 come thither[ o^i.a )SuJi)ilay,(bfi;sbpuJd be^d of myassistaptiCift . Thence I,!went>to a.sefjtl(&) man in the4own,iwiioi had been preseat when,! preached nt.Bathiiand, wife -the! strongest marks. of stocerityiand ^^S^tidn/'wi^hedme good luck in the nameiof!thel.Qr4< But'it was: psistl I . found > him: < now. quite ipold.! i,Jie beg^ri' disputing on. several iheadsi; and at .l^sti to)d!n)(! plai;|l.yV'One of ourrOffered>iChrlst to about, a thousand peopldi-^fbr f :t^isdoin^ Tighteoiisraessyisjfnotificationj asd Eedemptjkxii? Thenc'e'Ilretarned'tO'Bathi ^nd^prieacl^ed en^f KWhatimust I do tobe Saved?" toalaig^iawUence thanj'^ver before..! .'i him JIi. 1, ,...;.....:( mMi.n-j. -oji I.. I was wondering*thfei^'godof'tJiiswbrld''!was!SO still,} when, at liiy' return from i the place of preaohing^poor R— — -d MercfatotHtoldmej he could /not letim^ ipieach seymore' itl'Ms groubd.;i< I^sked .'him. Why;;, he said/ ihd'peoi^e >burt<«hi^:;^treek) and < stole. things lOVit^if his gnouiid. "(And' besides,'?! added he, '•f«I have ^r«ad^,b]|l letting thee be there, merited the displeasure of my neigHboiuPSf''i^ 'O>fear«ofimanl » Who isJaboveithfee, but the:^ who' jndeed !<^f^ors&ip- Godiki >{»nt, ahduntruth Jf^ 60 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1739 Not even those who have one foot in the grave ! Not even those who dwell in rooms of cedar ; and who have heaped up gold as the dust, and silver as the sand of the sea. PresS'gang Disturbs the Sermon Sat. 21. — I began expounding, a second time, onr Lord's sermon on the mount. In the morning, Sunday, 22, as I was explaining, " Blessed are the poor in spirit," to about three thousand people, we had a fair oppor- tunity of showing all men, what manner of spirit we were of: for in the middle of the sermon the press-gang came, and seized on one of the hearers (ye learned in the law, what becomes of Magna Charta, and of English liberty and property? Are not these mere sounds, while, on any pretence, there is such a thing as a press-gang suffered in the land ?), all the rest standing still and none opening his mouth or lifting up his hand to resist them. Mon. Sept. 3 (London). — I talked largely with my mother, who told me that, till a short time since, she had scarce heard such a thing mentioned, as the having forgiveness of sins now, or God's Spirit bearing witness with our spirit : much less did she imagine that this was the common privilege of all true believers. "There- fore," said she, " I never durst ask for it myself. But two or three weeks ago, while my son Hall was pro- nouncing those words, in delivering the cup to me, • The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee,' the words struck through my heart, and I knew God for Christ's sake had forgiven me all my sins." I asked whether her father (Dr. Annesley) had not the same faith; and, whether she had not heard him Sept. 1739 METHODISM NAMED 61 preach it to others. She answered, he had it himself ; and declared, a little before his death, that for more than forty years he had no darkness, no fear, no doubt at all of his being "accepted in the Beloved." But that, nevertheless, she did not remember to have heard him preach, no, not once, explicitly upon it : whence she supposed he also looked upon it as the peculiar blessing of a few ; not as promised to all the people of God. The New Name of Methodism Sun. 9. — I declared to about ten thousand, in Moor- fields, what they must do to be saved. My mother went with us, about five, to Kenningtdn, where were supposed to be twenty thousand people. I again insisted on that foundation of all our hope, " Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved." From Kennington I went to a society at Lambeth. The house being filled, the rest stood in the garden. The deep attention they showed gave me a good hope that they will not all be forgetful hearers. Sun. 16. — I preached at Moorfields to about ten thousand, and at Kennington Common to, I believe, near twenty thousand, on those words of the calmer Jews to St. Paul, " We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest ; for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against." At both places I described the real difference between what is generally called Christianity and the true old Christianity, which, under the new name of Methodism, is now also every- where spoken against. Sun. 23. — I declared to about ten thousand, in Moor- fields, with great enlargement of spirit, " The kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." At Kennington I 6* WESLEY'S JOURNAIil Oct. 173^ eWfereed to about twenty thcmiand that great truth} « tOhe thing is rieedftil." Thence I ' wdnt to^ i Laniberir, knd showed (to thekmazemeirf/ib seenhied, t)f -riKiny >(Wfad *e^ preknt) ' ho* «*'he'(that ' is! born of God dotiiri nbt COtAnritf sih." Mon. 24. — r preached once- irtOTe> at'"Plais«owi '«nd tiObk Wiy li^ve';of"the J)eopIei bf thkt ^la.G4. • ■ la imf return;' a' person gallopirig swifflytrode fulloagai«fsS inte) and overthrew both man and horse : but without any hurt to eitSferi^^lferfc&f ^ t^lriSi #I#Isa'friJboth man andl^ast|!> ,Aa , Accident: and, » Long .3pi;mot|. ■ •'Thtlt'.'27.^-i-I Wfent tn theaftei-noon to ■•El"S>c(d^ af Dfeptfoi-d; ind ' thShde, at ' feix, came ■' to ■ Tiimer'^ ' Hall)) whi6h' holds (by 'Computation) twd thdufettrid 'pBfi6tI8» iFHe pt'^s^ both witliin knd *i^hout ' *i^s very ' gre^tP' In thef"b%ihhihg"6f the fekfyoXiSfdiHg, -there.beinfgi'a'lSi^ vslblfobetieath;'the ttiiiil' heath which sa^^bMSdR the floOE broke. The floor immediately sunk, which occa'Si'0H@d fliticH rioise ahd= cortfasioA anlorig the people. Buti^o dr'tJiree [ja^*' before, a man had ' fifledf- ^ei vault with hogshfead^ Of tbb'atcb.' So thit the floor, 'aftef'sinliiingja ftidt^or tWb, 'fested u^on them; arid I'wdnt' Oti-'witbooe iriterru'ptibh. ' Surt.' Oct:' y.— About eleven I preached at 'Runwick^ ^Ven'rtiiles fi-o'ni GlOAitfester; ' 'Th6 church' 'wias''Miucli' ci'dU'dedj 'though a ' thtejitid' Of' upwards ' stayed Ift th® churthj'df d. '« Ifl file ' aftefftbbw ' I ' explained'' futthetoftha same words, "What must I do 'tO 'be saVed'?" "'f believe some thoiifeands' We're theii presertt,- ittdrer^ithan had' bfe'en irt' the rriOrning. Between five and six I dalled on'iallwho w«re ' fJresfetit (aKtel^thi'fee' thousand) at Stanley; 6fe!'a'Uttlelgteeh, neae OfiT.i739 WESLfiY SIN WALES 6* thie toW'ti, tb a(i:cBpft bf Christ, as their only "'i^risdoni,. right ebd^nesk, saribtification; and' T6iienlptiort-." I was strengthened to speak as I never did''btfoTfe;"irid con" tinueid bpeakiH^ nfeEti* two Houts : tiie dartness- of the night, kiid a little" lightniirt^, n'Ot lesseaifag' the nUirib6r, but increasing the seHousriesS, oiF the 'hearers. - I'con^ cTuaSd' the 6&y tiy 'exiiduftding part' of otir Lord's sd'm6h ott ' th6 tndtint, to a'swall, serious 'company at E^ly. Wesley - ia, . Wales Mon. 15. — Upon a pressing invitatibn, sdtne time since receivedj'l set'out for'Wales.' About fbiit' itt the ^ernooivi' preached oh 'a little green, it? tte focit of thfe Devauden'(a high' hill, two or three ihilesbeyoiid' Chep- stoW), to three or four hundired plain people, oil "Clttist diir wisdorn, ' righfeousriess, 'sSnctificatiori, and irfedetn p^ tioh." After' ser'mdh, one who I trust is aA' Old dis'cijjlfe of Chnsi, wlllingly received us into ' his hdu'^^ : ' whithd? maiiy ifollo'wihg, 1' showed thern their" heed bf d Saviou*; frdni tliese words,' "Blessed' are tte'^boriii spirit/ " In tte morning 1 described more fully the' 'vra.f tb' SilVatidh — " Believe'in the Lorcl Jesus, and thou shaltbe§aVeiti"i and fcen,' taking leave of rhy friendly '"lidSt', 'b'dfbre'twd came to Abergavenny., .i I felt in myself a strong aversion to preaching here. iioWever; irVent fb' 1l^f;1V.:-^-^"(t;he' persdh iii whose gfouiiaMk WhitSfi'elii' pre^dh^dj, tb desire the use of it He said, witti'' ' a*!!' Wi'-h^ai'i— if tfee ' mittistei- was -^^libt willing to let me have.the„iuse of the church : after whose refusal (for I wrote a line to him immediately), he invited me to his house. About a thousand people -sfoda patiently (though the frost was sharp, it being dfter suh- Bet), while,- from Acts xxvul. 22, I simply dfescriHM th« 64 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1739 plain, old religion of the Qiurch of England, which is now almost everywhere spoken against, under the new name of Methodism. Fri. 19. — I preached in the morning at Newport on " What must I do to be saved ? " to the most insensible, ill-behaved people I have ever seen in Wales. One ancient man, during a great part of the sermon, cursed and swore almost incessantly ; and, towards the conclu- sion, took up a great stone, which he many times at- tempted to throw. But that he could not do. — Such the champions, such the arms against field-preaching ! At four I preached at the Shire Hall of Cardiff again, where many gentry, I found, were present. Such free- dom of speech I have seldom had, as was given me in explaining those words, " The kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." At six almost the whole town (I was informed) came together ; to whom I explained the six last beatitudes : but my heart was so enlarged, I knew not how to give over, so that we continued three hours. Sat. 20. — I returned to Bristol. I have seen no part of England so pleasant for sixty or seventy miles to- gether as those parts of Wales I have been in. And most of the inhabitants are indeed ripe for the GospeL "A Terrible Sight - Tues. a 3. — In riding to Bradford I read over Mt. Law's book on the new birth. Philosophical, specula tive, precarious : Behmenish, void, and vain I "O what a fall is there I" At eleven I preached at Bearfield to about three thousand, on the spirit of nature, of bondage, and of adoption. Returning in the evening, I was exceedingly pressed Oct. 1739 "A TERRIBLE SIGHT" 65 to go back to a young woman in Kingswood. (The fact I nakedly relate, and leave every man to his own judgment of it.) I went. She was nineteen or twenty years old ; but, it seems, could not write or read. I found her on the bed, two or three persons holding her. It was a terrible sight. Anguish, horror, and despair, above all description, appeared in her pale face. The thousand distortions of her whole body showed how the dogs of hell were gnawing her heart. The shrieks intermixed were scarce to be endured. But her stony eyes could not weep. She screamed out, as soon as words could find their way, " I am damned, damned ; lost for ever ! Six days ago you might have helped me. But it is past. I am the devil's now. I have given myself to him. His I am. Him I must serve. With him I must go to hell. I will be his. I will serve him. I will go with him to hell. I cannot be saved. I will not be saved. I must, I will, I will be damned 1 " She then began praying to the devil. We began : " Ann of the Lord, awake, awake I " She immediately sunk down as asleep; but, as soon as we left off, broke out again, with inexpressible vehemence : " Stony hearts, break ! I am a warning to you. Break, break, poor stony hearts I Will you not break? What can be done more for stony hearts? I am damned that you may be saved. Now break, now break, poor stony hearts ! You need not be damned, though I must." She then fixed her eyes on the corner of the ceiling, and said : " There he is : ay, there he is ! Come, good devil, come ! Take me away. You said you would dash my brains out : come, do it quickly. I am yours. I will be yours. Come just now. Take me away." 66 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1739 We interrupted her by calling again upon God : on which she sunk down as before: and another young woman began to roar out as loud as she had done. My brother now came in, it being about nine o'clock. We continued in prayer till past eleven ; when God in a moment spoke peace into the soul, first of the first tormented, and then of the other. And they both joined in singing praise to Him who had " stilled the enemy and the avenger." "Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping" Sat. ay. — I was sent for to Kingswood again, to one of those who had been so ill before. A violent rain began just as I set out, so that I was thoroughly wet in a few minutes. Just at that time the woman (then three miles off) cried out, " Yonder comes Wesley, galloping as fast as he can." When I was come, I was quite cold and dead, and fitter for sleep than prayer. She burst out into a horrid laughter, and said, "No power, no power; no faith, no faith. She is mine; her soul is mine. I have her, and will not let her go." We begged of God to increase our faith. Meanwhile her pangs increased more and more ; so that one would have imagined, by the violence of the throes, her body must have been shattered to pieces. One who was clearly convinced this was no natural disorder, said, " I think Satan is let loose. I fear he will not stop here." And added, " I command thee, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to tell if thou hast commission to torment any other soul." It was immediately answered, " I have. L ^y C ^r and S h J s." (Two who lived at some distance, and were then in perfect health.) We betook ourselves to prayer agsun ; and ceased not Oct. 1739 "YONDER COMES WESLEY" 67 till she began, about six o'clock, with a clear voice and composed, cheerful look : " Praise God, from whom aU blessings flow." Sun. a8. — I preached once more at Bradford, at one Id the afternoon. The violent rains did not hinder more, I believe, than ten thousand from earnestly attending to what I spoke on those solemn words : " I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Returning in the evening, I called at Mrs. J 's, in Kingswood. S ^h J s and L y C r were there. ' It was scarce a quarter of an hour before L y C r fell into a strange agony j and presently after, S ^h J s. The violent convulsions all over their bodies were such as words cannot describe. Their cries and groans were too horrid to be borne, till one of them, in a tone not to be expressed, said : " Where is your faith now? Come, go to prayers. I will pray with you. • Our Father, which art in heaven.' " We took the advice, from whomsoever it came, and poured out our souls before God, till L y C r's agonies so increased, that it seemed she was in the pangs of death. But in a moment God spoke : she knew his voice ; and both her body and soul were healed. We continued in prayer till near one, when S ^h J 's voice was also changed, and she began strongly to call upon God. This she did for the greatest part of the night In the morning we renewed our prayers, while she was crying continually, " I burn I I burn I O what shall I do ? I have a fire within me. I cannot bear it. Lord Jesus ! Help ! " — Amen, Lord Jesus ! when thy time is come. 68 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1739 Tues. Nov. 27 I writ Mr. D. (according to his request) a short account of what had been done in Kingswood, and of our present undertaking there. The account was as follows : " Few persons have lived long in the west of England who have not heard of the colliers of Kingswood; a people famous, from the beginning hitherto, for neither fearing God nor regarding man : so ignorant of the things of God, that they seemed but one remove from the beasts that perish; and therefore utterly without desire of instruction, as well as without the means of it. The Colliers of Kingswood "Many last winter used tauntingly to say of Mr. Whitefield, ' If he will convert heathens, why does not he go to the colliers of Kingswood ? ' In spring he did so. And as there were thousands who resorted to no place of public worship, he went after them into their own wilderness, < to seek and save that which was lost.' When he was called away others went into ' the high- ways and hedges, to compel them to come in.' And, by the grace of God, their labour was not in vain. The scene is already changed. Kingswood does not now, as a year ago, resound with cursing and blasphemy. It is no more fiUed with drunkenness and uncleanness, and the idle diversions that naturally lead thereto. It is no longer full of wars and fightings, of clamour and bitter- ness, of wrath and envyings. Peace and love are there. Great numbers of the people are mild, gentle, and easy to be entreated. They 'do not cry, neither strive'; and hardly is their • voice heard in the streets '; or, indeed, in their own wood; unless when they are at their usual evening diversion — singing praise unto God their Saviour. Jam. I740 WESLEY'S CORRESPONDENTS 69 "That their children too might know the things which make for their peace, it was some time since proposed to build a house in Kingswood; and after many foreseen and unforeseen difficulties, in June last the foundation was laid. The ground made choice of was in the middle of the wood, between the London and Bath roads, not far from that called Two Mile Hill, about three measured miles from Bristol. " Here a large room was begun for the school, having four small rooms at either end for the schoolmasters (and, perhaps, if it should please God, some poor children) to lodge in. Two persons are ready to teach, so soon as the house is fit to receive them, the shell of which is nearly finished ; so that it is hoped the whole will be completed in spring or early in the summer. " It is true, although the masters require no pay, yet this undertaking is attended with great expense." Wesley's Correspondents 1740. Thur. Jan. 3. — I left London, and the next evening came to Oxford, where I spent the two following days in looking over the letters which I had received for the sixteen or eighteen years last past. How few traces of inward religion are here! I found but one among all my correspondents who declared (what I well re- member, at that time I knew not how to understand), that God had " shed abroad his love in his heart," and given him the " peace that passeth all understanding." But who believed his report ? Should I conceal a sad truth, or declare it for the profit of others ? He was expelled out of his society, as a madman ; and, being disowned by his friends, and dgspised and forsaken of all men, lived obscure and unknown for a few months, and then went to Him whom his soul loved. 70 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 174.0 Mon. 21. — I preached at Hannam, four miles from Bristol. In the evening I made a collection in our con- gregation for the relief of the poor, without Lawford's gate; who, having no work (because of the severe frost), and no assistance from the parish wherein they lived, were reduced to the last extremity. I made another col- lection on Thursday ; and a third on Sunday ; by which we were enabled to feed a hundred, sometimes a hundred and fifty, a day, of those whom we found to need it most. A Sermon and a Riot Tues. April i (Bristol). — ^While I was expounding the former part of the twenty-third chapter of the Acts (how wonderfully suited to the occasion ! though not by my choice), the floods began to lift up their voice. Some or other of the children of Belial had laboured to disturb us several nights before : but now it seemed as if all the host of the aliens were come together with one consent. Not only the court and the alleys, but all the street, upwards and downwards, was filled with people, shouting, cursing and swearing, and ready to swallow the ground with fierceness and rage. The mayor sent order that they should disperse. But they set him at nought. The chief constable came next in person, who was, till then, sufBciently prejudiced against us. But they in- sulted him also in so gross a manner, as I believe fully opened his eyes. At length the mayor sent several of his officers, who took the ringleaders into custody, and did not go till all the rest were dispersed. Surely he hath been to us " the minister of God for good." Wed. 3. — The rioters were brought up to the court, the quarter sessions being held that day. They began to excuse themselves by saying many things of me. But Sept. I740 PREACHING INCIDENTS 71 the mayor cut them all short, saying, " What Mr. Wesley is, is nothing to you. I will keep the peace; I will have no rioting in this city." Calling at Newgate in the afternoon, I was informed that the poor wretches under sentence of death were earnestly desirous to speak with me ; but that it could not be ; Alderman Beecher having just then sent an express order that they should not. I cite Alderman Beecher to answer for these souls at the judgment-seat of Christ. Sun. Sept. 14 (London). — As I returned home in the evening, I had no sooner stepped out of the coach than the mob, who were gathered in great numbers about my door, quite closed me in. I rejoiced and blessed God, knowing this was the time I had long been looking for ; and immediately spake to those that were next me of " righteousness, and judgment to come." At first not many heard, the noise round about us being exceeding great. But the silence spread farther and farther, till I had a quiet, attentive congregation ; and when I left them, they all showed much love, and dis- missed me with many blessings. Preacbiag Incidents Son. 28. — I began expounding the sermon on the mount, at London. In the afternoon I described to a numerous congregation at Kennington, the life of God in the soul. One person who stood on the mount made a little noise at first ; but a gentleman, whom I knew not, walked up to him, and, without saying one word, mildly took him by the hand and led him down. From that time he was quiet till he went away. When I came home I found an innumerable mob found the door, who opened all their throats the 7« WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nor. 1740 moment they saw me. I desired my friends to go into the house; and then walking into the midst of the people, proclaimed, " the name of the Lord, gracious and merciful, and repenting him of the evil." They stood staring one at another. I told them they could not flee from the face of this great God : and therefore besought them, that we might all join together in crying to Him for mercy. To this they readily agreed : I then commended them to his grace, and went undisturbed to the little company within. Tues. 30. — As I was expounding the twelfth of the Acts, a young man, with some others, rushed in, cursing and swearing vehemently; and so disturbed all near him, that, after a time, they put him out. I observed it, and called to let him come in, that our Lord might bid his chains fall off. As soon as the sermon was over, he came and declared before us all that he was a smuggler, then going on that work ; as his disguise, and the great bag he had with him, showed. But he said, he must never do this more ; for he was now resolved to have the Lord for his God. Wesley's Labour Colony Tues. Nov. 25 (London). — After several methods pro- posed for employing those who were out of business, we determined to make a trial of one which several of our brethren recommended to us. Our aim was, with as little expense as possible, to keep them at once from want and from idleness, in order to which, we took twelve of the poorest, and a teacher, into the society- room, where they were employed for four months, till spring came on, in carding and spinning of cotton. And the design answered : they were employed and maintained with very little more than the produce of their own labour. March 1 74 1 DISPUTE WITH WHITEFIELD 73 Fri. a8. — A gentleman came to me full of good-will, to exhort me not to leave the Church ; or (which was the same thing in his account) to use extemporary prayer; which, said he, " I will prove to a demonstration to be no prayer at all. For you cannot do two things at once. But thinking how to pray, and praying, are two things. Ergo, you cannot both think and pray at once." Now, may it not be proved by the self-same demonstration, that praying by a form is no prayer at all ? e.g. " You cannot do two things at once. But reading and praying are two things. Ergo, you cannot both read and pray at once." Q.E.D. Dispute with Whitefield 1741. Sun. Feb. i — A private letter, wrote to me by Mr. Whitefield, having been printed without either his leave or mine, great numbers of copies were given to our people, both at the door and in the Foundery itself. Having procured one of them, I related (after preaching) the naked fact to the congregation, and told them, " I will do just what I believe Mr. Whitefield would, were he here himself." Upon which I tore it in pieces before them all. Every one who had received it, did the same. So that in two minutes there was not a whole copy left. Sat. March a8. — Having heard much of Mr. White- field's unkind behaviour, since his return from Georgia, I went to him to hear him speak for himself, that I might know how to judge. I much approved of his plainness of speech. He told me, he and I preached two different gospels ; and therefore he not ohly would not join with, or give me the right hand of fellowship, but was resolved publicly to preach against me and my brother, wheresoever he preached fit all. Mr Hall (who 74 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1741 went with me) put him in mind of the promise he had made but a few days before, that, whatever his private opinion was, he would never publiclj preach against us. He said, that promise was only an effect of human weakness, and he was now of another mind. Mon. April 6. — I had a long conversation with Peter BShler. I marvel how I refrain from joining these men. I scarce ever see any of them but my heart burns within me. I long to be with them ; and yet I am kept from them. Thur. May 7. — 1 reminded the United Society that many of our brethren and sisters had not needful food ; many were destitute of convenient clothing; many were out of business, and that without their own fault ; and many sick and ready to perish : that I had done what in me lay to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to employ the poor, and to visit the sick ; but was not, alone, sufficient for these things j and therefore desired all whose hearts were as my heart : 1. To bring what clothes each could spare to be distributed among those that wanted most. 2. To give weekly a penny, or what they could afford, for the relief of the poor and sick. My design, I told them, is to employ for the present all the women who are out of business, and desire it, in knitting. To these we will first ^ve the common price for what work they do ; and then add, according as they need. Twelve persons are appointed to inspect these, and to visit and provide things needful for the sick. Each of these is to visit all the sick within their district every other day; and to meet on Tuesday evening, to give an account of what they have done, and consult what can be don« farther. J«NEi74i WESLEY EXPERIMENTS 7« Fri. 8. — I found myself much out of order. However, I made shift to preach in the evening : but on Saturday my bodily strength quite failed, so that for several hours I could scarce lift up my head. Sunday, lo. I was obliged to lie down most part of the day, being easy only in that posture. Yet in the evening my weakness was suspended, while I was calling sinners to repentance. But at oxii love-feast which followed, beside the pain in my back and head, and the fever which still continued upon me, just as I began to pray, I was seized with such a cough, that I could hardly speak. At the same time came strongly into my mind, " These signs shall follow them that believe." I called on Jesus aloud, to " increase my faith," and to " confirm the word of his grace." While I was speaking my pain vanished away ; the fever left me j my bodily strength returned ; and for many weeks I felt neither weakness nor pain. " Unto thee, O Lord, do I give thanks." Wesley at Northampton and Nottingham Mon. June 8. — I set out from Enfield Chace for Leicestershire. In the evening we came to Northampton : and the next afternoon to Mr. Ellis's at Markfield, five or six miles beyond Leicester. For these two days I had made an experiment which I had been so often and earnestly iressed to do — speaking to none concerning the things of God, unless my heart was free to it. And what was the event? Why, i. That I spoke to none at all for fourscore miles together ; no, not even to him that travelled with me in the chaise, unless a few words at first setting out. 2. That I had no cross either to bear or to take up, and commonly, in an hour or two, fell fast asleep. 3. That I had much respect shown me wherever I came; every one behaving 76 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 174I to me, as to a civil, good-natured gentleman. O how pleasing is all this to flesh and blood! Need ye "compass sea and land" to make "proselytes" to this? Sun. 14. — I rode to Nottingham, and at eight preached at the market-place, to an immense multitude of people, on, "The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God ; and they that hear shall live." I saw only one or two who behaved lightly, whom I immediately spoke to ; and they stood reproved. Yet, soon after, a man behind me began aloud to contradict and blaspheme; but upon my turning to him, he stepped behind a pillar, and in a few minutes disappeared. In the afternoon we returned to Markfield. The church was so excessive hot (being crowded in every corner), that I could not, without difficulty, read the evening service. Being afterwards informed that abundance of people were still without, who could not possibly get into the church, I went out to them, and explained that great promise of our Lord, " I will heal their backslidings : I will love them freely." In the evening I expounded in the church, on her who " loved much, because she had much forgiven." Mon. 15. — I set out for London, and read over in the way that celebrated book, Martin Luther's " Com- ment on the Epistle to the Galatians." I was utterly ashamed. How have I esteemed this book, only because I heard it so commended by others ; or, at best, because I had read some excellent sentences occasionally quoted from it ! But what shall I say, now I judge for myself? now I see with my own eyes ? Why, not only that the author makes nothing out, clears up not one consider- able difficulty ; that he is quite shallow in his remarks on many passages, and muddy and confused almost 00 Awe. 1 741 AN OX IN THE CONGREGATION 77 all; but that he is deeply tinctured with mysticism throughout, and hence often dangerously wrong. Aa Ox in the Congregation Fri. July 10. — I rode to London, and preached at Short's Gardens, on, "the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth." Sunday 12. While I was showing, at Charles' Square, what it is " to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God," a great shout began. Many of the rabble had brought an ox, which they were vehemently labouring to drive in among the people. But their labour was in vain ; for in spite of them all, he ran round and round, one way and the other, and at length broke through the midst of them clear away, leaving us calmly rejoicing and praising God. Sat. 25 (Oxford). — It being my turn (which comes about once in three years), I preached at St. Mary's, before the University, The harvest truly is plenteous. So numerous a congregation (from whatever motives they came) I have seldom seen at Oxford. My text was the confession of poor Agrippa, " Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." I have "cast my bread upon the waters." Let me " find it again after many days 1 " Wed. Aug. 26 (London). — I was informed of a re- markable conversation, at which one of our sisters was present a day or two before ; wherein a gentleman was assuring his friends, that he himself was in Charles Square, when a person told Mr. Wesley to his face, that he, Mr. Wesley, had paid twenty pounds already, on being convicted for selling Geneva; and that he now kept two Popish priests in his house. This gave occasion to another to mention what he had himself heard, at an eminent Dissenting teacher's, viz., that it was beyond 7t WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1741 dispute, Mr. Wesley had large remittances from Spain, in order to make a party among the poor ; and that as soon as the Spaniards landed, he was to join them vith twenty thousand men. Wesley at Cardiff Thur. Oct. 1 ^We set out for Wales; but missing our passage over the Severn in the morning, it was sun- set before we could get to Newport We inquired there if we could hire a guide to CardiflFj but theie was none to be had. A lad coming in quickly after, who was going (he said) to Lanissan, a little village two miles to the right of Cardiff, we resolved to go thither. At seven we set out : it rained pretty fast, and there being neither moon nor stars, we could neither see any road, nor one another, nor our own horses' heads ; but the promise of God did not fail; he gave his angels charge over us; and soon after ten we came safe to Mr. Williams's house at Lanissan. Fri. 2 We rode to Fonmon castla. We found Mr. Jones's daughter ill of the small-pox; but he could cheerfully leave her and all the rest in the hands of Him in whom he now believed. In the evening I preached at Cardiff, in the shire-hall, a large and convenient place, on, " God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." There having been a feast in the town that day, I believed it needful to add a few words upcn imtemperance : and while I was saying, " As for you, drunkards, you have no part in this life ; you abide in death ; you choose death and hell " ; a man cried out vehemently, " I am one ; and thither I am going." But I trust God at that hour began to show him and otheri "a more excellent way," Dec. 1 741 A CURIOUS INTERRUPTION 79 Sun. Not. 23 (Bristol). — Being not suffered to go to cburch as yet [after a serious fever], I communicated at home. I was advised to stay at home some time longer ; but I could not apprehend it necessary : and therefore, on Monday, 33, went to the new room, where we praised God for all his mercies. And I expounded, for about an hour (without any faintness or weariness), on, " What reward shall I give upon the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me ? I will receive the cup of salva- tion, and call upon the name of the Lord." I preached once every day this week, and found no inconvenience by it Sunday, 39. I thought I might go a little farther. So I preached both at Kingswooo and at Bristol; and afterwards spent near an hour with the society, and about two hours at the love-feast. But my body could not yet keep pace with my mind. I had another fit of my fever the next day; but it lasted not long, and I continued slowly to regain my strength. A Curious Interruption Mon. Dec. 7. — I preached on, "Trust ye in the Lord Jehovah; for in the Lord is everlasting strength." I was showing, what cause we had to trust in the Captain of our salvation, when one in the midst of the room cried out, ■' Who was your captain the other day, when you hanged yourself ? I know the man who saw you when you was cut down." This wise story, it seems, had been diligently spread abroad, and cordially believed by many in Bristol. I desired they would make room for the man to come nearer. But the moment he saw the way open, he ran away with all possible speed, not so much as once looking behind him. Sat. 12 In the evening one desired to speak with me. I perceived him to be in the utmost confusion, so 80 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. I74« that for awhile he could not speak. At length, he said, " I am he that interrupted you at the new room, on Monday. I have had no rest since, day or night, nor could have till I had spoken to you. I hope you will forgive me, and that it will be a warning to me all the days of my life." Wesley's Congregation Stoned 1742, Mon. Jan. 25 (London) While I was ex- plaining at Long Lane, " He that committeth sin is of the devil " ; his servants were above measure enraged : they not only made all possible noise (although, as I had desired before, no man stirred from his place, or an- swered them a word) ; but violently thrust many persons to and fro, struck others, and break down part of the house. At length they began throwing large stones upon the house, which, forcing their way wherever they came, fell down, together with the tiles, among the people, so that they were in danger of their lives. I then told them, " You must not go on thus ; I am ordered by the magistrate, who is, in this respect, to us the minister of God, to inform him of those who break the laws of God and the King : and I must do it if you persist herein ; otherwise I am a partaker of your sin." When I ceased speaking they were more outrageous than before. Upon this I said, " Let three or four calm men take hold of the foremost, and charge a con- stable with him, that the law may take its course." They did so, and brought him into the house, cursing and blaspheming in a dreadful manner. I desired five or six to go with him to Justice Copeland, to whom they nakedly related the fact. The justice immediately bound him over to the next sessions at Guildford. I observed when the man was brought into the house, Feb. 1742 CONGREGATION STONED 81 that many of his companions were loudly crying out, "Richard Smith, Richard Smith!" who, as it after- wards appeared, was one of their stoutest champions. But Richard Smith answered not ; he was fallen into the hands of One higher than they. God had struck him to the heart ; as also a woman, who was speaking words not fit to be repeated, and throwing whatever came to hand, whom He overtook in the very act. She came into the house with Richard Smith, fell upon her knees before us all, and strongly exhorted him, never to turn back, never to forget the mercy which God had shown to his soul. From this time we had never any considerable interruption or disturbance at Long Lane ; although we withdrew our persecution, upon the ofifender'i submission and promise of better behaviour. Tues. 26 I explained at Chelsea the faith which worketh by love. I was very weak when I went into the room ; but the more " the beasts of the people " in- creased in madness and rage, the more was I strengthened, both in body and soul ; so that I believe few in the house, which was exceeding full, lost one sentence of what I spoke. Indeed they could not see me, nor one another at a few yards distance, by reason of the exceeding thick smoke, which was occasioned by the wild-fire, and things of that kind, continually thrown into the room. But they who could praise God in the midst of the fires were not to be affrighted by a little smoke. Mon. Feb. 15. — Many met together to consult on a proper method for discharging the public debt ; and it was at length agreed, i. That every member of the sodety, who was able, should contribute a penny a week. a. That the whole society should be divided into little companies or classes — about twelve in each class. And 3. That one person in each class should receive the 89 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Mar, 1748 contribution of the rest, and bring it in to the Stewards, weekly. Fri. March 10. — I rode once more to Pensford at the earnest request of several serious people. The place where they desired me to preach was a little green spot, near the town. But I had no sooner begun than a great company of rabble, hired (as we afterwards found) for that purpose, came furiously upon us, bringing a bull, which they had been baiting, and now strove to drive in among the people. But the beast was wiser than his drivers ; and continually ran either on one side of us or the other, while we quietly sang praise to God, and prayed for about an hour. The poor wretches, finding themselves disappointed, at length seized upon the bull, now weak and tired, after having been so long torn and beaten both by dogs and men ; and, by main strength, partly dragged, and partly thrust, him in among the people. A Bull in the Congregation When they had forced their way to the little table on which I stood, they strove several times to throw it down, by thrusting the helpless beast against it, who, of him- self, stirred no more than a log of wood. I once or twice put aside his head with my hand, that the blood might not drop upon my clothes ; intending to go on as soon as the hurry should be a little over. But the table tailing down, some of our friends caught me in their arms, and carried me right away on their shoulders j while the rabble wreaked their vengeance on the table, which they tore bit from bit. We went a little way off, where I finished my discourse, without any noise or interruption. Sun. 21. — In the evening I rode to Marshfield, and on Tuesday, in the afternoon, came to London. Wed- May i74» first WATCH NIGHT 8S nesday, 24. 1 preached for the last time in the French chapel at Wapping, on "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." Thur. 25. — I appointed several earnest and sensible men to meet me, to whom I showed the great difBculty I had long found of knowing the people who desired to be under my care. After much discourse, they aU agreed, there could be no better way to come to a sure, thorough knowledge of each person, than to divide them into classes, like those at Bristol, under the inspection of those in whom I could most confide. This was the origin of our classes at London, for which I can never sufficiently praise God; the unspeakable usefulness of the institu- tion having ever since been more and more manifest. Fri. April 9. — We had the first watch-night in London. We commonly choose for this solemn service the Friday night nearest the full moon, either before or after, that those of the congregation who live at a distance, may have light to their several homes. The service begins at half an hour past eight, and continues till a little after midnight. We have often found a peculiar blessing at these seasons. There is generally a deep awe upon the congregation, perhaps in some measure owing to the silence of the night, particularly in singin" t'"" hymn with which we commonly conclude : " Hearken to the solemn voice, The awful midnight cry 1 Waiting souls, rejoice, rejoice. And feel the Bridegroom nigh." Sun. May 9. — I preached in Charles Square to the largest congregation I have ever seen there. Many of the baser people would fain have interrupted, but they found, after a time, it was lost labour. One, who was more serious, was (as she afterwards confessed) exceed- 84 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Mat 17+t ingly angry at them. But she was quickly rebuked, by a stone which light upon her forehead, and struck her down to the ground. In that moment her anger was at an end, and love only filled her heart. Wed. 12. — I waited on the Archbishop of Canterbury with Mr. Whitefield, and again on Friday ; as also on the Eishop of London. I trust if we should be called to appear before princes, we should not be ashamed. Wesley Was "the Bcttef Mounted" Mon. 17. — I had designed this morning to set out for Bristol ; but was unexpectedly prevented. In the afternoon I received a letter from Leicestershire, pressing me to come without delay, and pay the last office o( friendship to one whose soul was on the wing for eter- nity. On Thursday, 20, 1 set out. The next afternoon I stopped a little at Newport-Pagnell, and then rode on till I overtook a serious man, with whom I immediately fell into conversation. He presently gave me to know what his opinioni were : therefore I said nothing to contradict them. But that did not content him : he was quite uneasy to know whether I held the doctrine of the decrees as he did; but I told him over and over, " We had better keep to practical things, lest we should be angry at one another." And so we did for two miles, till he caught me unawares, and dragged me into the dispute before I knew where I was. He then grew warmer and warmer ; told me I was rotten at heart, and supposed I was one of John Wesley's followers. I told him, " No, I am John Wesley him- self." Upon which he would gladly have run away out- right. But being the better mounted of the two, I kept close to his side, and endeavoured to show him his heart, till we came into the street of Northampton. M*yi74« At NEWCASTLE ft Thur. 37 — We came to Newcastle about six; and, after a short refreshment, walked into the town. I was surprised : so much drunkenness, cursing, and swearing (even from the mouths of little children), do I never remember to have seen and heard before, in so small a compass of time. Surely this place is ripe for Him who " came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repent- ance." Sun. 30 — At seven I walked down to Sandgate, the poorest and most contemptible part of the town ; and, standing at the end of the street with John Taylor, began to sing the hundredth Psalm, Three or four people came out to see what was the matter ; who soon in- creased to four or five hundred. I suppose there might be twelve or fifteen hundred, before I had done preach- ing J to whom I applied those solemn words, " He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him ; and by His stripes we are healed." A Big Crowd at Newcastle Observing the people, when I had done, to stand gaping and staring upon me, with the most profound astonishment, I told them, " If you desire to know who I am, my name is John Wesley. At five in the evening, with God's help, I design to preach here again." At five, the hill on which I designed to preach was covered, from the top to the bottom. I never saw so large a number of people together, either at Moorfields, or at Kennington Common. I knew it was not possible for the one half to hear, although my voice was then strong and clear ; and I stood so as to have them all in view, as they were ranged on the side of the hill. The word of God which I set before them was, " I will heal 86 WESLEY'S JOURNAL June 1 74.1 their backsliding, I will love them freely." After preaching, the poor people were ready to tread me under foot, out of pure love and kindness. It was some time before I could possibly get out of the press. I then went back another way than I come; but several were got to our inn before me; by whom I was vehemently importuned to stay with them, at least, a few days ; or, however, one day more. But I could not consent ; having given my word to be at Birstal, with God's leave, on Tuesday night. Wesley on his Father's Tombstone Sat. June 5. — It being many years since I had been in Epworth before, I went to an inn, in the middle of the town, not knowing whether there were any left in it now who would not be ashamed of my acquaintance. But an old servant of my father's, with two or three poor women, presently found me out. I asked her, " Do you know any in Epworth who are in earnest to be saved?" She answered, "I am, by the grace of God ; and I know I am saved through faith." I asked, " Have you then the peace of God ? Do you know that He has forgiven your sins ? " She replied, " I thank God, I know it well. And many here can say the same thing." Sun. 6. — A little before the service began, I went to Mr. Romley, the curate, and offered to assist him either by preaching or reading prayers. But he did not care to accept of my assistance. The church was exceeding full in the afternoon, a rumour being spread that I was to preach. But the sermon on, "Quench not the Spirit," was not suitable to the expectation of many of the hearers. Mr. Romley told them, one of the most dangerous ways of quenching the Spirit was by enthusiasm; and en- EPWORTH CHURCH WESLEY PREACHING ON HIS FATHER'S TOMB JuNii7+a "CONVERT THE SCOLDS" 87 larged on the character of an enthusiast, in a very florid and oratorical manner. After sermon John Taylor stood in the churchyard, and gave notice, as the people were coming out, " Mr. Wesley, not being per- mitted to preach in the church, designs to preach here at six o'clock." Accordingly at six 1 came, and found such a congre- gation as I believe Epworth never saw before. I stood near the east end of the church, upon my father's tomb- stone, and cried, " The kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink ; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." "Let them Convej't tte Scolds'* Wed. 9. — I rode over to a neighbouring town, to wait upon a justice of peace, a man of candour and understanding J before whom (I was informed) their angry neighbours had carried a whole waggon-load of these new heretics. But when he asked what they had done, there was a deep silence; for that was a point their conductors had forgot. At length one said, " Why, they pretended to be better than other people; and besides, they prayed from morning to night." Mr. S. asked, " But have they done nothing besides ? " " Yes, sir," said an old man : " an't please your worship, they have convarted my wife. Till she went among them, she had such a tongue ! And now she is as quiet as a lamb." "Carry them back, carry them back," replied the justice, "and let them convert all the scolds in the town." Sat. 12. — I preached on the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith. While I was speaking, several dropped down as dead; and among the rest, such a cry was heard, of sinners groaning for the 8> WESLEY'S JOURNAL Joui 1741 righteousness of faith, as almost drowned my voice. But many of these soon lifted up their heads with joy, and broke out into thanksgiving; being assured they now had the desire of their soul — the forgiveness of their sins. I observed a gentleman there, who was remarkable for not pretending to be of any religion at all. I was informed he had not been at public worship of any kind for upwards of thirty years. Seeing him stand as motionless as a statue, I asked him abruptly, " Sir, are you a sinner ? " He replied, with a deep and broken voice, " Sinner enough " ; and continued staring upwards till his wife and a servant or two, who were all in tears, put him into his chaise and carried him home. Sun. 13. — ^At seven I preached at Haxey, on, "What must I do to be saved ? " Thence I went to Wroote, ol which (as well as Epworth) my father was rector for several years. Mr. Whitelamb offering me the church, I preached in the morning on, " Ask, and it shall be given you " : in the afternoon, on the difference between the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith. But the church could not contain the people, many of whom came from far, and, I trust, not in vain. At six I preached for the last time in Epworth church- yard (being to leave the town the next morning), to a vast multitude gathered together from all parts, on the beginning of our Lord's Sermon on the Mount. I con- tinued among them for near three hours, and yet we scarce knew how to part. O let none think his labour of love is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear 1 Near forty years did my father labour here ; but he saw little fruit of all his labour. I took some pains among this people too; and my strength also seamed spent in vain ; but now the fruit appeared- Auo. i74« DEATH OF HIS MOTHER 89 There were scarce any in the town on whom either my father or I had taken any pains formerly but the seed, sown so long since, now sprung up, bringing forth re- pentance and remission of sins. Death of WesIey^s Mother I left Bristol in the evening of Sunday, July 18, and on Tuesday came to London. I found my mother on the borders of eternity. But she had no doubt or fear ; nor any desire but (as soon as God should call) " to depart and be with Christ." Fri. 23. — About three in the afternoon I went to my mother, and found her change was near. I sat down on the bed-side. She was in her last conflict ; unable to speak, but I believe quite sensible. Her look was calm and serene, and her eyes fixed upward, while we com- mended her soul to God. From three to four the silver cord was loosing, and the wheel breaking at the cistern ; and then without any struggle, or sigh, or groan, the soul was set at liberty. We stood round the bed, and fulfilled her last request, uttered a little before she lost her speech : " Children, as soon as I am released, sing a psalm of praise to God." Sun. August I. — ^Almost an innumerable company of people being gathered together, about five in the after- noon, I committed to the earth the body of my mother, to sleep with her fathers. The portion of Scripture from which I afterwards spoke was, "I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened : and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their 90 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Auo. 174a works." It was one of the most solemn assemblies I ever saw, or expect to see on this side eternity. We set up a plain stone at the head of her grave, inscribed with the following words : Kne IU% ttje ISolrs or MRS. SUSANNAH WESLEY, ntB TOVNOBST AND LAST SUSTIVINQ DAUGHTKK ttt DB. SAMUEL ANNESLBT. In tore and stead£>st bops to rbe^ And claim her mansion in the skies, A Christian here her flesh laid Aown, The cross exchanging for a crown. lYne daughter of affliction, she, Inured to pain and misery, Moum'd a long night of griefs and feanh A legal night of seventy years. The Father then reveal'd his Son, Him in the broken bread made known. She knew and felt her sins forgiven. And found the earnest of her heaven. Meet for the fellowship above, She heard the call, " Arise, my love I * " I oome," her dying looks replied. And Iamb-like, as her Lord, she died. Mrs. Wesley as Preactei' I cannot but further observe, that even she (as well as her father, and grandfather, her husband, and her three sons) had been, in her measure and degree, a preacher of righteousness. This I learned from a letter, wrote long since to my father; part of which I have here subjoined t February 6, 1711-ia. " As I am a woman, so I am also mistress of a large family. And though the superior charge of the SUSANNAH WESLEY From " The Heart of John Wesley's Journal." Auo. 174^ MRS. WESLEY AS PREACHER 91 souls contained in it lies upon you ; yet, in your absence, I cannot but look upon every soul you leave under my care, as a talent committed to me under a trust, by the great Lord of all the families both of heaven and earth. And if I am unfaithful to him or you in neglecting to improve these talents, how shall I answer unto him, when he shall command me to render an account of my stewardship ? " As these, and other such like thoughts, made me at first take a more than ordinary care of the souls of my children and servants, so — knowing our religion requires a strict observation of the Lord's day, and not thinking that we fully answered the end of the institution by going to church, unless we filled up the intermediate spaces of time by other acts of piety and devotion — I thought it my duty to spend some part of the day, in reading to and instructing my family : and such time I esteemed spent in a way more acceptable to God, than if I had retired to my own private devotions. "This was the beginning of my present practice. Other people's coming and joining with us was merely accidental. Our lad told his parents : they first desired to be admitted; then others that heard of it begged leave also : so our company increased to about thirty ; and it seldom exceeded forty last winter. " But soon after you went to London last, I light on the account of the Danish Missionaries. I was, I think, never more affected with anything; I could not forbear spending good part of that evening in praising and adoring the divine goodness for inspiring them with such ardent zeal for His glory. For several days I could think or speak of little else. At last it came into my mind. Though I am not a man nor a minister, yet if my heart were sincerely devoted to God, and I was 02 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Auo. 1741 inspired with a true zeal for his glory, I might do somewhat more than I do. I thought I might pray more for them, and might speak to those with whom I converse with more warmth of aflFection. I resolved to begin with my own children ; in which I observe the following method : I take such a proportion of time as I can spare every night to discourse with each child apart. On Monday, I talk with Molly ; on Tuesday, with Hetty; Wednesday, with Nancy ; Thursday, with Jacky ; Friday, with Patty ; Saturday, with Charles ; and with Emily and Suky together on Sunday. She Speaks to Two Hundred " With those few neighbours that then came to me, 1 discoursed more freely and affectionately. I chose the best and most awakening sermons we have. And I spent somewhat more time with them in such exercises, without being careful about the success of my under- taking. Since this, our company increased every night ; for I dare deny none that ask admittance." " Last Sunday I believe we had above two hundred. And yet many went away, for want of room to stand. " We banish all temporal concerns from our society. None is suffered to mingle any discourse about them with our reading or singing. We keep close to the business of the day ; and when it is over, all go home. " I cannot conceive, why any should reflect upon you, because your wife endeavours to draw people to church, and to restrain them from profaning the Lord's day, by reading to them, and other persuasions. For my partj I value no censure upon this account. I have long since shook hands with the world. And I heartily wish, I had never given them more reason to speak against me. Aug. 1742 THE WESLEYS' UPBRINGING 93 " As to its looking particular, I grant it does. And so does almost anything that is serious, or that may any way advance the glory of God, or the salvation of souls. " As for your proposal, of letting some other person read : alas ! you do not consider what a people these are. I do not think one man among them could read a sermon, without spelling a good part of it. Nor has any of our family a voice strong enough to be heard by such a number of people. "But there is one thing about which I am much dissatisfied ; that is, their being present at family prayers. I do not speak of any concern I am under, barely because so many are present j for those who have the honour of speaking to the Great and Holy God, need not be ashamed to speak before the whole world ; but because of my sex. I doubt if it is proper for me to ' present the prayers of the people to God. Last Sunday I would fain have dismissed them before prayers ; but they begged so earnestly to stay, I durst not deny them. "To THE Rev. Mr. Wesley, " Ih Si. Margarets Churchyard, Westminster!' How the Wesleys were Brought up For the benefit of those who are entrusted, as she was, with the care of a numerous family, I cannot but add one letter more, which I received many years ago : July 24, 173a. "Dear Son, — ^According to your desire, I have collected the principal rules I observed in educating my family ; which I now send you as they occurred to my mind, and you may (if you think they can be of use to any) dispose of them in what order you please. 94 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1742 " The children were always put into a regukrjnethod of^lmngi^in such things as they were capable of, from their birth j as in dressing, undressing, changing their linen, &c. The first quarter commonly passes in sleep. After that, they were, if possible, laid into their cradles awake, and rocked to sleep; and so they were kept rocking, till it was time for them to awake. This was done to bring them to a regular course of sleeping; which at first was three hours in the morning, and three in the afternoon : afterward two hours, till they needed none at all. " When turned a year old (and some before), they were taught to fear the rod, and to cry softly ; by which means they escaped abundance of correction they might otherwise have had ; and that most odious noise of the crying of children was rarely heard in the house ; but the family usually lived in as much quietness as if there had not been a child among them. " As soon as they were grown pretty strong, they were confined to three meals a day. At dinner their little table and chairs were set by ours, where they could be overlooked; and they were suflFered to eat and drink (small beer) as much as they would; but not to call for anything. If they wanted aught, they used to whisper to the maid which attended them, who came and spake to me ; and as soon as they could handle a knife and fork, they were set to our table. They were never suffered to choose their meat, but always laade to eat such things as were provided for the family. " Mornings they had always spoon-meat ; sometimes at nights. But whatever they had, they were never permitted to eat, at those meals, of more than one thing ; and of that sparingly enough. Drinking or eating between meals was never allowed, unless in case of Aug. i7+» "CONQUER THE WILL" 95 sickness; which seldom happened. Nor were they suffered to go into the kitchen to ask anything of the servants, when they were at meat : if it was known they did, they were certainly beat, and the servants severely reprimanded. " At six, as SQon as family prayers were over, they had their supper ; at seven, the maid washed them ; and, beginning at the youngest, she undressed and got them all to bed by eight ; at which time she left them in their several rooms awake ; for there was no such thing allowed of in our house, as sitting by a. child till it fell asleep. " They were so constantly used to eat and drink what was given them, that when any of them was ill, there was no difficulty in making them take the most un- pleasant medicine : for they durst not refuse it, though some of them would presently throw it up. This I mention to show that a person may be taught to take anything, though it be never so much against his stomach. -Conquer the Child's WHl" " In order to form the minds of children, the first thing to be done is to conquer their will, and bring them to an obedient temper. To inform the understanding is a work of time, and must with children proceed by slow degrees as they are able to bear it : but the subject- ing the will is a thing which must be done at once; and the sooner the better. For by neglecting timely correc- tion, they will contract a stubbornness and obstinacy which is hardly ever after conquered ; and never, without using such severity as would be as painful to me as to the child. In the esteem of the world they pass for kind and indulgent, whom I call cruel, parents, who 96 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 17+1 permit their children to get habits which they know must be afterwards broken. Nay, some are so stupidly fond, as in sport to teach their children to do things which, in a while after, they have severely beaten them for doing, " Whenever a child is corrected, it must be conquered; and this will be no hard matter to do, if it be not grown headstrong by too much indulgence. And when the will of a child is totally subdued, and it is brought to revere and stand in awe of the parents, then a great many childish follies and inadvertences may be passed by. Some should be overlooked and taken no notice of, and others mildly reproved; but no wilful trans- gression ought ever to be forgiven children, without chastisement, less or more, as the nature and circum- stances of the offence require. " I insist upon conq uering the will of children betimes, because this is the only strong and rational foundation of a religious education; without which both precept and example will be ineffectual. But when this is thoroughly done, then a child is capable of being governed by the reason and piety of its parents, till its own understanding comes to maturity, and the principles of religion have taken root in the mind. " I cannot yet dismiss this subject. As self-will is the root of all sin and misery, so whatever cherishes this in children insures their after-wretchedness and irreligion; whatever checks and mortifies it promotes their future happiness and piety. This is still more evident, if we farther consider, that religion is nothing else than the doing the will of God, and not our own : that the one grand impediment to our temporal and eternal happiness being this self-will, no indulgences of it can be trivial, no denial unprofitable. Heaven or hell depends Aug. 1742 HAD NOTHING THEY CRIED FOR 97 on this alone. So that the parent who studies to subdue it in his child, works together with God in the renewing and saving a soul. The parent who indulges it does the devil's work, makes religion impracticable, salvation unattainable ; and does all that in him lies to damn his child, soul and body for ever. They had Nothing they Cried Fof " The children of this family were taught, as soon as they could speak, the Lord's prayer, which they were made to say at rising and bed-time constantly ; to which, as they grew bigger, were added a short prayer for their parents, and some collects j a short catechism, and some portion of Scripture, as their memories could bear. " They were very early made to distinguish the Sabbath from other days ; before they could well speak or go. They were as soon taught to be still at family prayers, and to ask a blessing immediately after, which they used to do by signs, before they could kneel or speak. " They were quickly made to understand they might have nothing they cried for, and instructed to speak handsomely for what they wanted, They were not suf- fered to ask even the lowest servant for aught without saying, ' Pray give me such a thing ' ; and the servant was chid, if she ever let them omit that word. Taking God's name in vain, cursing and swearing, profaneness, obscenity, rude, ill-bred names, were never heard among them. Nor were they ever permitted to call each other by their proper names without the addition of brother or sister. " None of them were taught to read till five years old, except Kezzy, in whose case I was overruled ; and she was more years learning than any of the rest had been months. The way of teaching was this : The day a 98 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Am. 1741 before a child began to learn, the house was set in order, every one's work appointed them, and a charge given that none should come into the room from nine till twelve, or from two till five; which, you know, were our school hours. One day was allowed the child wherein to learn its letters ; and each of them did in that time know all its letters, great and small, except Molly and Nancy, who were a day and a half before they knew them perfectly ; for which I then thought them very dull ; but since I have observed how long many children are learning the horn-book, I have changed my opinion. "But the reason why I thought them so then was, because the rest learned so readily j and your brother Samuel, who was the first child I ever taught, learned the alphabet in a few hours. He was five years old on February 10 ; the next day he began to learn, and as soon as he knew the letters, began at the first chapter of Genesis. He was taught to spell the first verse, then to read it over and over, till he could read it offhand with- out any hesitation, so on to the second, &c., till he took ten verses for a lesson, which he quickly did. Easter fell low that year, and by Whitsuntide he could read a chapter very well ; for he read continually, and had such a prodigious memory, that I cannot remember ever to have told him the same word twice. Keeping the "Wesley Children in Order " What was yet stranger, any word he had learned In his lesson, he knew, wherever he saw it, either in his Bible, or any other book ; by which means he learned very soon to read an English author well. " The same method was observed with them all. As soon as they knew the letters, they were put first to spell, and read one line, then a verse; never leaving till Aug. i74» KEEPING THEM IN ORDER 99 perfect in their lesson, were it shorter or longer. So one or other continued reading at school-time, without any intermission ; and before we left school, each child read what he had learned that morning; and ere we parted in the afternoon, what they had learned that day. " There was no such thing as loud talking or playing allowed of; but every one was kept close to their busi- ness, for the six hours of school : and it is almost incredible, what a child may be taught in a quarter of a year, by a vigorous application, if it have but a tolerable capacity, and good health. Every one of these, Kezzy excepted, could read better in that time, than the most of women can do as long as they live. " Rising out of their places, or going out of the room, was not permitted, unless for good cause; andjunning into the yard, garden, or street, without leave, was always esteemed a capital ofTence. " For some years we went on very well. Never were children in better order. Never were children better disposed to piety, or in more subjection to their parents ; till that fatal dispersion of them, after the fire, into several families. In those they were left at full liberty to converse with servants, which before they had always been restrained from; and to run abroad, and play with any children, good or bad. They soon learned to neglect a strict observation of the Sabbath, and got knowledge of several songs and bad things, which before they had no notion of. The civU behaviour which made them admired, when at home, by all which saw them, was, in great measure, lost ; and a clownish accent, and many rude ways, were learned, which were not reformed without some difficulty. " When the house was rebuilt, and the children all brought home, we entered upon a strict reform; and 100 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Auo. 1741 then was begun the custom of singing psalms at begin- ning and leaving school, morning and evening. Then also that of a general retirement at five o'clock was entered upon ; when the oldest took the youngest that could speak, and the second the next, to whom they read the Psalms for the day, and a chapter in the New Testament j as, in the morning, they were directed to read the Psalms and a chapter in the Old : after which they went to their private prayers, before they got their breakfast, or came into the family. And, I thank God, the custom is still preserved among us. Susanna Wesley's "By-laws" " There were several by-laws observed among us, which slipped my memory, or else they had been inserted in their proper place ; but I mention them here, because I think them useful. " I. It had been observed, that cowardice and fear of punishment often lead children into lying, till they get a custom of it, which they cannot leave. To prevent this, a law was made. That whoever was charged with a fault, of which they were guilty, if they would ingenuously confess it, and promise to amend, should not be beaten. This rule prevented a great deal of lying, and would have done more, if one in the family would have observed it. But he could not be prevailed on, and therefore was often imposed on by false colours and equivoca- tions ; which none would have used (except one), had they been kindly dealt with. And some, in spite of all, would always speak truth plainly. " 2. That no sinful action, as lying, pilfering, playing at church, or on the Lord's day, disobedience, quar- reUing, &c., should ever pass unpunished. " 3. That no child should ever be chid, or beat twice, Aug. 174* WESLEY'S "BY-LAWS" 101 for the same fault ; and that if they amended, they should never be upbraided with it afterwards. " 4. That every signal act of obedience, especially when it crossed upon their own inclinations, should be always commended, and frequently rewarded, according to the merits of the cause. " 5. That if ever any child performed an act of obedience, or did anything with an intention to please, though the performance was not well, yet the obedience and intention should be kindly accepted ; and the child with sweetness directed how to do better for the future. " 6. That propriety be inviolably preserved, and none suffered to invade the property of another in the smallest matter, though it were but of the value of a farthing, or a pin; which they might not take from the owner without, much less against, his consent. This rule can never be too much inculcated on the minds of children ; and from the want of parents or governors doing it as they ought, proceeds that shameful neglect of justice which we may observe in the world. " 7. That promises be strictly observed ; and a gift once bestowed, and so the right passed away from the donor, be not resumed, but left to the disposal of him to whom it was given ; unless it were conditional, and the condition of the obligation not performed. " 8. That no girl be taught to work till she can read very well ; and then that she be kept to her work with the same application, and for the same time, that she was held to in reading. This rule also is much to be observed ; for the putting children to learn sewing before they can read perfectly, is the very reason why so few women can read fit to be heard, and never to be well understood." Wed. December i (Newcastle). — We had several places 102 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dec. 174* offered, on which to build a room for the society ; but none was such as we wanted. And perhaps there was a providence in our not finding any as yet ; for, by tliis means, I was kept at Newcastle, whether I would or no. Sat. 4. — I was both surprised and grieved at a genuine instance of enthusiasm. J B , of Tunfield Leigh, who had received a sense of the love of God a few days before, came riding through the town, hallooing and shouting, and driving all the people before him ; telling them, God had told him he should be a king, and should tread all his enemies under his feet. I sent him home immediately to his work, and advised him to cry day and night to God, that he might be lowly in heart; lest Satan should again get an advantage over him. Mr. Stepbensoa and Wesley To-day a gentleman called and offered me a piece of ground. On Monday an article was drawn, wherein he agreed to put me into possession on Thursday, upon payment of thirty pounds. Tues, 7 — I was so ill in the morning, that I wa« obliged to send Mr. Williams to the room. He after- wards went to Mr. Stephenson, a merchant in the town, who had a passage through the ground we intended to buy. I was willing to purchase it. Mr. Stephenson told him, " Sir, I do not want money ; but if Mr. Wesley wants groiind, he may have a piece of my garden, ad- joining to the place you mention. I am at a word. For forty pounds he shall have sixteen yards in breadth, and thirty in length." Wed. 8. — Mr. Stephenson and I signed an article, and I took possession of the ground. But I could not fairly go back from my agreement with Mr. Riddel : so I entered on his ground at the same time. The whole ii Jak. 1743 REFUSED THE SACRAMENT 108 about forty yards in length; in the middle of which we determined to build the house, leaving room for a small courtyard before, and a little garden behind, the building. Mon. 13 — I removed into a lodging, adjoining to the ground where we were preparing to build; but the violent frost obliged us to delay the work. I never felt 80 intense cold before. In a room where a constant fire was kept, though my desk was fixed within a yard of the chimney, I could not write for a quarter of an hour together, without my hands being quite benumbed. Newcastle's First Methodist Room Mon. 20. — We laid the first stone of the house. Many were gathered, from all parts, to see it ; but none scoffed or interrupted while we praised God, and prayed that He would prosper th& work of our hands upon us. Three or four times in the evening, I was forced to break off preaching, that we might pray and give thanks to God. Thur. 23. — It being computed that such a house as was proposed could not be finished under £700, many were positive it would never be finished at all; others, that I should not live to see it covered. I was of another mind; nothing doubting but, as it was begun for God's sake. He would provide what was needful for the finishing it 1743. Sat. January i. — Between Doncaster and Epworth I overtook one who immediately accosted me with so many and so impertinent questions, that I was quite amazed. In the midst of some of them, concerning my travels and my journey, I interrupted him, and asked, '• Are you aware that we are on a longer journey ; that we are travelling toward eternity ? " He replied instantly. 104 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. 1743 " O, I find you ! I find you ! I know where you are I Is not your name Wesley ? 'Tis pity 1 'Tis great pity I Why could not your father's religion serve you ? Why must you have a new religion ? " I was going to reply ; but he cut me short by crying out in triumph, " I am a Christian ! I am a Christian ! I am a Churchman I I am a Churchman I I am none of your Culamites " ; as plain as he could speak j for he was so drunk, he could but just keep his seat. Having then clearly won the day, or, as his phrase was, " put them all down," he began kicking his horse on both sides and rode off as fast as he could. Wesley Refused the Sacrament at Epworth In the evening I reached Epworth. Sunday, 2. At five I preached on, " So is every one that is born of the Spirit." About eight I preached from my father's tomb on Heb. viii. 11. Many from the neighbouring towns asked, if it would not be well, as it was sacrament Sunday, for them to receive it. I told them, " By all means ; but it would be more-respectful first to ask Mr. Romley, the curate's leave." One did so, in the name of the rest; to whom he said, "Pray tell Mr. Wesley, I shall not give him the sacrament ; for he is not fit." How wise a God is our God 1 There could not have been so fit a place under heaven, where this should befall me first as my father's house, the place ol my nativity, and the very place where, "according to the straitest sect of our religion," I had so long " Uved a Pharisee I " It was also fit, in the highest degree, that he who repelled me from that very table, where I had myself so often distributed the bread of life, should be one who owed his all in this world to the tender love which my father had shown to his, as well as personally to himself. April 1743 THE COCK-FIGHTER 105 Tues. 22. — I went to South-Biddick, a Tillage of colliers seven miles south-east of Newcastle. The spot where I stood was just at the bottom of a semi-circular hill, on the rising sides of which many hundreds stood ; but far more on the plain beneath. I cried to them, in the words of the prophet, " O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord ! " Deep attention sat on every face ; so that here also I believed it would be well to preach weekly. Wesley aad the Cock'fightei* Wed. 23. — I met a gentleman in the streets cursing and swearing in so dreadful a manner, that I could not but stop him. He soon grew calmer ; told me he must treat me with a glass of wine ; and that he would come and hear me, only he was afraid I should say something against fighting of cocks. April I. (Being Good Friday.) — I had a great desire to visit a little village called Placey, about ten measured miles north of Newcastle. It is inhabited by colliers only, and such as had been always in the first rank for savage ignorance and wickedness of every kind. Their grand assembly used to be on the Lord's day ; on which men, women, and children met together to dance, fight, curse and swear, and play at chuck ball, span- farthing, or whatever came next to hand. I felt great compassion for these poor creatures, from the time I heard of them first; and the more, because all men •eemed to despair of them. Between seven and eight I set out with John Heally, my guide. The north wind, being unusually high, drove the sleet in our face, which froze as it fell, and cased us over presently. When we came to Placey, we could very hardly stand. As soon as we were a little 108 WESLEY'S JOURNAL JWIT174J recorered I went into the square, and declared Him who "was wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities." The poor sinners were quickly gathered together and gave earnest heed to the things which were spoken. And so they did in the afternoon again, in spite of the wind and snow, when I besought them to receive Him for their King; to "repent and believe the Gospel." Wesley in Seven Dials Sun. May 29. — I began officiating at the chapd in West Street, near the Seven Dials, of which (by a strange chain of providences) we have a lease for several years. I preached on the Gospel for the day, part of the third chapter of St. John ; and afterwards adminis* tered the Lord's Supper to some hundreds of communi- cants. I was a little afraid at first, that my strength would not suffice for the business of the day, when a service of five hours (for it lasted from ten to three) was added to my usual employment But God looked to that: so I must think; and they that will call it enthusiasm may. I preached at the Great-gardens at five to an immense congregation, on, " Ye must be born again." Then the leaders met (who filled all the time that I was not speaking in public) ; and after them, the bands. At ten at night I was less weary than at six in the morning. Sun. July 10 (Newcastle). — I preached at eight on Chowden Fell, on, " Why will ye die, O house of Israel ? " Ever since I came to Newcastle the first time, my spirit had been moved within me, at the crowds of poor wretches, who were every Sunday, in the afternoon sauntering to and fro on the Sandhill. I resolved, if possible, to find them a better employ ; and as soon as Ave. 1743 HIS HORSES GIVE TROUBLE 107 the service at All Saints was over, walked straight from the church to the Sandhill, and gave out a verse of a psalm. In a few minutes I had company enough; thousands upon thousands crowding together. But the prince of this world fought with all his might lest his kingdom should be overthrown. Indeed, the very mob of Newcastle, in the height of their rudeness, have commonly some humanity left. I scarce observed that they threw any thing at all ; neither did I receive the least personal hurt : but they continued thrusting one another to and fro, and making such a noise, that my voice could not be heard : so that, after spending near an hour in singing and prayer, I thought it best to adjoiirn to our own bouse. Wesley's Hofses give Trouble Mon. 18. — I set out from Newcastle with John Downes, of Horsley. We were four hours riding to Ferry Hill, about twenty measured miles. After resting there an hour we rode softly on ; and, at two o'clock, came to Darlington. I thought my horse was not well ; he thought the same of his; though they were both young, and very well the day before. We ordered the hostler to fetch a farrier, which he did without delay; but, before the men could determine what was the matter, both the horses lay down and died. I hired a horse to Sandhutton, and rode on, desiring John Downes to follow me. Thence I rode to Borough- bridge on Tuesday morning, and then walked on to Leeds. Mon. August 22 (London). — After a few of us had joined in prayer, about four I set out and rode softly to Snow Hill; where, the saddle slipping quite upon my mare's neck, I fell over her head, and she ran back into 108 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 174 j Smithfield. Some boys caught her and brought her to me again, cursing and swearing all the way. I spoke plainly to them, and they promised to amend. I was setting forward, when a man cried, " Sir, you have lost your saddle-cloth." Two or three more would needs help me to put it on ; but these, too, swore at almost every word. I turned to one and another, and spoke in love. They all took it well, and thanked me much. I gave them two or three little books, which they promised to read over carefully. Before I reached Kensington, I found mj mare had lost a shoe. This gave me an opportunity of talking closely, for near half an hour, both to the smith and his servant. I mention these little circumstances to show how easy it is to redeem every fragment of time (if I may so speak), when we feel any love to those souls for which Christ died. Wesley Goes to Cornwall Fri. 26. — I set out for Cornwall. In the evemng I preached at the cross in Taunton, on, <* The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." A poor man had posted himself behind, in order to make some disturb- ance : but the time was not come ; the zealous wretches who "deny the Lord liiat bought them" had not yet stirred up the people. Many cried out, " Throw down that rascal there; knock him down; beat out his brains " : so that I was obliged to entreat for him more than once, or he would have been but roughly handled. Sat. 27. — I reached Exeter in the afternoon; but as no one knew of my coming, I did not preach that night, only to one poor sinner at the inn ; who, after listening to our conversation for a while, looked earnestly at us, Aug. I74J WESLEY GOES TO CORNWALL 109 and asked, whether it was possible for one, who had in some measure known " the power of the world to come," and was " fallen away " (which she said was her case), to be " renewed again to repentance." We besought God in her behalf, and left her sorrowing; and yet not without hope. Sun. 28. — I preached at seven to a handful of people. The sermon we heard at church was quite innocent of meaning : what that in the afternoon was, I know not ; for I could not hear a single sentence. From church I went to the castle; where were gathered together (as some imagined) half the grown persons in the city. It was an awful sight. So vast a congregation in that solemn amphitheatre ! And all silent and still, while I explained at large, and enforced, that glorious truth, " Happy are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Mon. 29. — ^We rode forward. About sunset we were in the middle of the first great pathless moor beyond Launceston. About eight we were got quite out of the way ; but we had not got far before we heard Bodmin bell. Directed by this we turned to the left and came to the town before nine. Tues. 30. — In the evening we reached St. Ives. At seven I invited all guilty, helpless sinners, who were conscious they " had nothing to pay," to accept of free forgiveness. The room was crowded both within and without ; but all were quiet and attentive. Wed. 31. — I spoke severally with those of the society, who were about one hundred and twenty. Near an hundred of these had found peace with God : such is the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness' sake I As we were going to church at eleven, a large company at the market-place welcomed us with a loud huzza : no WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1743 wit as harmless as the ditty sung under my window (composed, one assured me, by a gentlewomaa of their own town), " Charles Wesley is come to town. To try if be can pull the churches down.* In the evening I explained "the promise of the Father." After preaching, many began to be turbulent ; but John Nelson went into the midst of them, spoke a little to the loudest, who answered not again, but went quietly away. The Cofnish Tinners Sat. September 3. — I rode to the Three-cornered Down (so called), nine or ten miles east of St. Ives, where we found two or three hundred tinners, who had been some time waiting for us. They all appeared quite pleased and unconcerned ; and many of them ran after us to Gwennap (two miles east), where their number was quickly increased to four or five hundred. I had much comfort here, in applying these words, "He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor." One who lived near invited us to lodge at his house, and conducted us back to the Green in the morning. We came thither just as the day dawned. I strongly applied those gracious words, " I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely," to five or six hundred serious people. At Trezuthan Downs, five miles nearer St. Ives, we found seven or eight hundred people, to whom I cried aloud, " Cast away all your transgressions j for why will ye die, O house of Israel ? " After dinner I preached again to about a thousand people, on Him whom " God hath exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour." It was here first I observed a little impression made on SiPT. 1743 THE CORNISH TINNERS 111 two or three of the hearers ; the rest, as usual, ihowing huge approbation, and absolute unconcern. Fri. 9. — I rode in quest of St. Hilary Downs, ten or twelve miles south-east of St. Ives. And the Downs I found, but no congregation — neither man, woman, nor child. But by that I had put on my gown and cassock, about an hundred gathered themselves together, whom I earnestly called "to repent and believe the Gospel." And if but one heard, it was worth all the labour. Sat. 10. — There were prayers at St. Just in the afternoon, which did not end till four. I then preached at the Cross, to, I believe, a thousand people, who all behaved in a quiet and serious manner. At six I preached at Sennan, near the Land's End ; and appointed the little congregation (consisting chiefly of old, grey-headed men) to meet me again at five in the morning. But on Sunday, 11, great part of them were got together between three and four o'clock : so between four and five we began praising God; and I largely explained and applied, "I will heal their backslidings ; I will love them freely." We went afterwards down, as far as we could go safely, toward the point of the rocks at the Land's End. It was an. awful sight ! But how will these melt away, when God shall arise to judgment I The sea between does indeed " boil hke a pot." " One would think the deep to be hoary." But "though they swell, yet can they not prevaiL He hath set their bounds, which they cannot pass." Between eight and nine I preached at St. Just, on the green plain near the town, to the largest congregation (I was informed) that ever had been seen in these parts. I cried out, with all the authority of love, " Why will ye die, O house of Israel?" The people trembled, and 112 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sipt. 1743 were still. I had not known such an houi before in CornwalL In the Scilly Isle* Mon. 12. — I had had for some time a great desire to go and publish the love of God our Saviour, if it were but for one day, in the Isles of Scilly ; and I had occa- sionally mentioned it to several. This evening three of our brethren came and offered to carry me thither, if I could procure the mayor's boat, which, they said, was the best sailer of any in the town. I sent, and he lent it me immediately. So the next morning, Tuesday, 13, John Nelson, Mr. Shepherd, and I, with three men and a pilot, sailed from St. Ives. It seemed strange to me to attempt going in a fisher-boat, fifteen leagues upon the main ocean ; especially when the waves began to swell, and hang over our heads. But I called to my com- panions, and we all joined together in singing lustily and with a good courage : "When passing through the watery deep^ I ask in faith his promised aid ; The waves an awful distance keep. And shrink from my devoted bead; Fearless their violence I dare : They cannot harm — for God is there." About half an hour after one, we landed on St. Mary's, the chief of the inhabited islands. We immediately waited upon the Governor, with the usual present, viz., a newspaper. I desired him, likewise, to accept of an " Earnest Appeal." The minister not being willing I should preach in the church, I preached, at six, in the streets, to almost all the town, and many soldiers, sailors, and workmen, on, " Why will ye die, O house of Israel?" It was a blessed time, so that I scarce knew how to conclude. After sermon I gave Sept. 1743 IN THE SCILLY ISLES 113 them some little books and hymns, which they were so eager to receive, that they were ready to tear both them and me to pieces. For what political reason such a number of workmen were gathered together, and employed at so large an expense, to fortify a few barren rocks, which whosoever would take, deserves to have them for his pains, I could not possibly devise : but a providential reason was easy to be discovered. God might call them together to hear the Gospel, which perhaps otherwise they might never have thought of. At five in the morning I preached again, on, " I will heal their backslidings j I will love them freely." And between nine and ten, having talked with many in private, and distributed both to them and others between two and three hundred hymns and little books, we left this barren, dreary place, and set sail for St. Ives, though the wind was strong, and blew directly in our teeth. Our pilot said we should have good luck if we reached the land ; but he knew not Him whom the winds and seas obey. Soon after three we were even with the Land's End, and about nine we reached St. Ives. Remarkable Semce at Gwennap Tues. 20. — At Trezu than Downs I preached to two or three thousand people, on the " highway " of the Lord, the way of holiness. We reached Gwennap a little before six, and found the plain covered from end to end. It was supposed there were ten thousand people; to whom I preached Christ our "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." I could not conclude till it was so dark we could scarce see one another. And there was on all sides the deepest attention ; none speak- ing, stirring, or scarce looking aside. Surely here, though K 114 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1745 in » temple not made with hands, was God worshipped in " the beauty of holiness." Wed. 31. — I was waked between three and four, by a large company of tinners, who, fearing they should be too late, had gathered round the house, and were sing- ing and praising God. At five I preached once more, on, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." They all devoured the word. O may it be health to their soul, and marrow unto their bones ! We rode to Launceston that day. Thursday, 22. As we were riding through a village called Sticklepath, one stopped me in the street, and asked abruptly, " Is not thy name John Wesley?" Immediately two or three more came up, and told me I must stop there. I did so; and before we had spoke many words, our souls took acquaintance with each other. I found they were called Quakers : but that hurt not me ; seeing the love of God was in their hearts. A Mob at Wednesbury Thur. Oct. 20. — After preaching to a small, attentive congregation (at Birmingham), I rode to Wednesbury. At twelve I preached in a ground near the middle of the town, to a far larger congregation than was expected, on, " Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." I believe every one present felt the power ot God : and no creature offered to molest us, either going or coming ; but the Lord fought for us, and we held our peace. I was writing at Francis Ward's, in the afternoon, when the cry arose, that the mob had beset the house. We prayed that God would disperse them ; and it was so : one went this way, and another that ; so that, in half an hour, not a man was left. I told our brethren, " Now K CP "A H O s Oct. 1743 WESLEY AND THE MOB 115 is the time for us to go " j but they pressed me exceedingly to stay. So, that I might not offend them, I sat down, though I foresaw what would follow. Before five the mob surrounded the house again, in greater numbers than ever. The cry of one and all was, "Bring out the minister j we will have the minister." I desired one to take their captain by the hand, and bring him into the house. After a few sentences inter- changed between us, the lion was become a lamb. I desired him to go and bring one or two more of the most angry of his companions. He brought in two, who were ready to swallow the ground with rage; but in two minutes they were as calm as he. I then bade them make way, that I might go out among the people. As soon as I was in the midst of them, I called for a chair ; and standing up, asked, " What do any of you want with me ? " Some said, " We want you to go with us to the justice." I replied, " That I will, with all my heart." I then spoke a few words, which God applied ; so that they cried out, with might and main, " The gentleman is an honest gentleman, and we will spill our blood in his defence." I asked, " Shall we go to the justice to-night, or in the morning?" Most of them cried, " To-night, to-night " ; on which I went before, and two or three hundred followed; the rest returning whence they came. The night came on before we had walked a mile, together with heavy rain. However, on we went to Bentley Hall, two miles from Wednesbury. One or two ran before, to tell Mr. Lane they had brought Mr. Wesley before his worship. Mr. Lane replied, " What have I to do with Mr. Wesley ? Go and carry him back again." By this time the main body came up, and began knocking at the door. A servant told them Mr. Lane 116 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1743 was in bed. His son followed, and asked what was the matter. One replied, " Why, an't please you, they sing psalms all day ; nay, and make folks rise at five in the morning. And what would your worship advise us to do ? " " To go home," said Mr. Lane, " and be quiet," Wesley in Danger Here they were all at a full stop, till one advised, to go to Justice Persehouse, at Walsal. All agreed to this , so we hastened on, and about seven came to his house. But Mr. P likewise sent word, that he was in bed. Now they were at a stand again; but at last they all thought it the wisest course to make the best of their way home. About fifty of them undertook to convoy me. But we had not gone a hundred yards, when the mob of Walsal came, pouring in like a flood, and bore down all before them. The Darlaston mob made what defence they could j but they were weary, as well as out- numbered : so that in a short time, many being knocked down, the rest ran away, and left me in their hands. To attempt speaking was vain ; for the noise on every side was like the roaring of the sea. So they dragged me along till we came to the town j where seeing the door of a large house open, I attempted to go in; but a man, catching me by the hair, pulled me back into the middle of the mob. They made no more stop till they had carried me through the main street, from one end of the town to the other. I continued speaking all the time to those within hearing, feeling no pain or weariness. At the west end of the town, seeing a door half open, I made toward it, and would have gone in ; but a gentle- man in the shop would not suffer me, saying, they would pull the house down to the ground. However, I stood at the door, and asked, "Are you willing to hear me Oct. 1743 WESLEY IN DANGER lit «peak ? " Many cried out, " No, no ! knock his brains out ; down with him ; kill him at once." Others said, "Nay, but we will hear him first." I began asking, "What evil have I done? Which of you all have I wronged in word or deed ? " And continued speaking for above a quarter of an hour, till my voice suddenly tailed: then the floods began to lift up their voice again ; many crying out, " Bring him away I bring him away 1 " In the mean time my strength and my voice returned, .ind I broke out aloud in prayer. And now the man who just before headed the mob, turned, and said, " Sir, I will spend my life for you : follow me, and not one loul here shall touch a hair of your head." Two or three of his fellows confirmed his words, and got close to me immediately. At the same time, the gentleman in the shop cried out, " For shame, for shame I Let him go." An honest butcher, who was a little farther off, said it was a shame they should do thus ; and pulled back four or five, one after another, who were running on the most fiercely. The people then, as if it had been by common consent, fell back to the right and left ; while those three or four men took me between them, and carried me through them all. But on the bridge the mob rallied again : we therefore went on one side, over the mill-dam, and thence through the meadows; till, a little before ten, God brought me safe to Wednesbury ; having lost only one flap of my waistcoat, and a little skin from one of my hands. His Presence of Mind I never saw such a chain of providences before j so many corvincing proofs, that the hand of God is on 118 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1743 every person and thing, and overruling all as it seemeth Him good. The poor woman of Darlaston, vho had headed that mob, and sworn, that no one should touch me, when she saw her followers give way, ran into the thickest of the throng, and knocked down three or four men, one after another. But many assaulting her at once, she was soon overpowered, and had probably been killed in a few minutes (three men keeping her down and beating hei with all their might), had not a man called to one of them, " Hold, Tom, hold ! " " Who is there ? " said Tom : " what, honest Munchin ? Nay, then, let her go." So they held their hand, and let her get up and crawl home as well as she could. From the beginning to the end I found the same presence of mind, as if I had been sitting in my own study. But I took no thought for one moment before another ; only once it came into my mind, that if they should throw me into the river, it would spoil the papers that were in my pocket. For myself, I did not doubt but I should swim across, having but a thin coat, and a light pair of boots. The circumstances that follow, I thought, were particu larly remarkable: i. That many endeavoured to throw me down while we were going down-hill on a slippery path to the town ; as well judging, that if I was once on the ground, I should hardly rise any more. But I made no stumble at all, nor the least slip till I was entirely out of their hands. 2. That although many strove to lay hold on my collar or clothes, to pull me down, they could not fasten at all : only one got fast hold of the flap of my waistcoat, which was soon left in his hand; the other flap, in the pocket of which was a bank note^ was torn but half off. 3. That a lusty man just behind Oct. 1743 REMARKABLE ESCAPES II9 struck at me several times, with a large oaken stick j with which if he had struck me once on the back part of my head, it would have saved him all farther trouble. But every time the blow was turned aside, I know not how ; for I could not move to the right hand or left. "What Soft Hair He Has'* 4. That another came rushing through the press, and raising his arm to strike, on a sudden let it drop, and only stroked my head, saying, " What soft hair he has ! " 5. That I stopped exactly at the mayor's door, as if I had known it (which the mob doubtless thought I did), and found him standing in the shop, which gave the first check to the madness of the people. 6. That the very first men whose hearts were turned were the heroes of the town, the captains of the rabble on all occasions, one of them having been a prize-fighter at the bear- garden. 7. That from first to last, I heard none give a revil- ing word, or call me by any opprobrious name what- ever ; but the cry of one and all was : " The Preacher I The Preacher 1 The Parson ! The Minister ! " 8. That no creature, at least within my hearing, laid anything to my charge, either true or false ; having in the hurry quite forgot to provide themselves with an accusation of any kind. And, lastly, that they were as utterly at a loss, what they should do with me ; none proposing any determinate thing ; only, " Away with him 1 KiU him at once ! " By how gentle degrees does God prepare us for his will ! Two years ago a piece of brick grazed my shoulders. It was a year after that the stone struck me between the eyes. Last month I received one blow, •nd this evening two; one before we came into the 120 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1743 town, and one after we were gone out ; but both were as nothing : for though one man struck me on the breast with all his might, and the other on the mouth with such a force that the blood gushed out immediately, I felt no more pain from either of the blows, than if they had touched me with a straw. It ought not to be forgotten, that when the rest of the society made all haste to escape for their lives, four only would not stir, William Sitch, Edward Slater, John Griffiths, and Joan Parks : these kept with me, resolving to live or die together j and none of them received one blow, but William Sitch, who held me by the arm, from one end of the town to the other. He was then dragged away and knocked down ; but he soon rose and got to me again. I afterwards asked him, what he expected when the mob came upon us ? He said, " To die for Him who had died for us " : and he felt no hurry or fear ; but calmly waited till God should require his ioul of him. "Wesley's Defenders I asked J. Parks, if she was not afraid when they tore her from me ? She said, " No ; no more than I am now. I could trust God for you, as well as for myself. From the beginning I had a full persuasion that God would deliver you. I knew not how ; but I left that to Him, and was as sure as if it were already done." I asked, if the report was true that she had fought for me. She said, " No ; I knew God would fight for His children." And shall these souls perish at the last 7 When I came back to Francis Ward's I found many of our brethren waiting upon God. Many also whom I (lever had seen before came to rejoice with us. An4 Oct. 1743 *A GREAT CURIOSITY" 121 the next morning, as I rode through the town in my way to Nottingham, every one I met expressed such a cordial aifection, that I could scarce believe what I saw and heard. The Sleepy Magistrates* Proclamation I cannot close this head without inserting as great a curiosity in its kind as, I believe, was ever yet seen in England j which had its birth within a very few days of this remarkable occurrence at WalsaL " Staffordshire. " To all High-Constables, Petty-Constables, and other of his Majesty's Peace Officers, within the said County, and particularly to the Constable of Tipton " (near Walsal ) : " Whereas, we, his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said County of Stafford, have received informa- tion that several disorderly persons, styling themselves Methodist Preachers, go about raising routs and riots, to the great damage of his Majesty's liege people, and against the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King : " These are, in his Majesty's name, to command you and every one of you, within your respective districts, to make diligent search after the said Methodist Preachers, and to bring him or them before some of us his said Majesty's Justices of the Peace, to be examined concern- ing their unlawful doings. •* Given under our hands and seals, this day of October, 1743. "J. Lane. " W. Persehouse." N.B. — ^The very justices to whose houses I was carried, and who severally refused to see me I 1«2 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 174} Sat. at. — I rode from Nottingham to Epworth, and on Monday set out for Grimsby : but at Ferry we were at a full stop, the boatmen telling us we could not pass the Trent j it was as much as our lives were worth to put from shore before the storm abated. We waited an hour; but, being afraid it would do much hurt, if I should disappoint the congregation at Grimsby, I asked the men if they did not think it possible to get to the other shore: they said, they could not tell; but if we would venture our lives, they would venture theirs. So we put off, having six men, two women, and three horses, in the boat. Wesley Nearly Drowned Many stood looking after us on the river-side, in the middle of which we were, when, in an instant, the side of the boat was under water, and the horses and men rolling one over another. We expected the boat to sink every moment ; but I did not doubt of being able to swim ashore. The boatmen were amazed as well as the rest ; but they quickly recovered and rowed for life. And soon after, our horses leaping overboard, lightened the boat, and we all came unhurt to land. They wondered what was the matter I did not rise (for I lay along in the bottom of the boat), and I wondered too, till, upon examination, I found that a large iron crow, which the boatmen sometimes used, was (none knew how) run through the string of my boot, which pinned me down that I could not stir ; so that if the boat had sunk, I should have been safe enough from swimming any further. The same day, and, as near at we could judge, the same hour, the boat in which my brother was crossing the Severn, at the New Passage, was carried away by Not. 1743 METHODISM ON THE STAGE isa the wind, and in the utmost danger of splitting upon the rocks. But the same God, when all human bopo was past, delivered them as well as us. Methodism on the Stage Mon. 31. — ^We set out early in the morning, and in the evening came to Newcastle. Wed. November 2 — ^The following advertisement was published : FOB THE BENIFIT OF MR. BSTE. Sf tlw Edinburgh Company of Comedians, on Friday, NoTember 4, will be acted a Comedy, called, THE CONSCIOUS LOVERS; To which will be added a Farce, called, TRICK UPON TRICK, oa METHODISM DISPLAYED On Friday, a vast multitude of spectators were assem- bled in the Moot Hall to see this. It was believed there could not be less than fifteen hundred people, some hundreds of whom sat on rows of seats built upon the stage. Soon after the comedians had begun the first act of the play, on a sudden all those seats fell down at once, the supporters of them breaking like a rotten stick. The people were thrown one upon another, about five foot forward, but not one of them hurt After a short time the rest of the spectators were quiet, and the actors went on. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats gave a crack, and sunk several inches down. A great noise and shrieking followed; and as many as could readily get to the door, went out, and returned no more. Notwithstanding this, when the noise was over, the actors went on with the play. In the beginning of the third act the entire stage suddenly sunk about six inches: the players retired 124 WESLEY'S lOURNAL Junb 1744 with great precipitation; yet in a while they began again. At the latter end of the third act, all the sixpenny seats, without any kind of notice, fell to the ground. There was now a cry on every side; it being supposed that many were crushed in pieces : but upon inquiry, not a single person (such was the mercy of God I) was either killed or dangerously hurt. Two or three hundred remaining still in the hall, Mr. Este (who was to act the Methodist) came upon the stage and told them, for all this he was resolved the farce should be acted. While he was speaking, the stage sunk six inches more; on which he ran back in the utmost confusion, and the people as fast as they could out of the door, none staying to look behind him. Which is most surprising — that those players acted this farce the next week — or that some hundreds of people came again to see it ? The First Conference 1744. Mon. June 18. — I left Epworth; and on Wednesday, 30, in the afternoon, met my brother in London. Monday, 95, and the five following days, we spent in conference with many of our brethren (come from several parts), who desire nothing but to save their own souls, and those who hear them. And surely, as long as they continue thus minded, their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. The next day we endeavoured to purge the sodety of all that did not walk according to the Gospel. By this means we reduced the number of members to less than nineteen hundred. But number is an inconsiderable circumstance. May God increase them in faith and lovel Jan. 1745 AT ST. MARY'S, OXFORD 125 Fri. Aug. 24. — (St. Bartholomew's day.) I preached, I suppose the last time, at St. Mary's [Oxford]. Be it so. I am now clear of the blood of these men. I have fully delivered my own soul. The Beadle came to me afterwards, and told me the Vice-Chancellor had sent him for my notes. I sent them without delay, not without admiring the wise providence of God. Perhaps few men of note would have given a sermon ef mine the reading, if I had put t into their hands; but by this means it came to be read, probably more than once, by every man of eminence in the University. Wesley's Chancery Bill Thur. Dec. 27. — I called on the solicitor whom I had employed in the suit lately commenced in Chancery; and here I first saw that foul monster, a Chancery bill ! A scroll it was of forty-two pages, in large folio, to tell a story which needed not to have taken up forty lines ! and stuffed with such stupid senseless, improbable lies (many of them, too, quite foreign to the question) as, I believe, would have cost the compiler his life in any heathen court of either Greece or Rome. And this is equity in a Christian country ! This is the English method of redressing other grievances ! 1 745. Sat. Jan. 5. — I had often wondered at myself (and sometimes mentioned it to others), that ten thou- sand cares, of various kinds, were no more weight and burden to my mind, than ten thousand hairs were to my head. Perhaps I began to ascribe something of this to my own strength. And thence it might be, that on Sunday, 13, that strength was withheld, and I fell what it was to be troubled about many things. One, and another, hurrying me continually, it seized upon my spiri/ 126 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1745 more and more, till I found it absolutely necessary to fly for my life ; and that without delay. So the next day, Monday, 14, I took horse, and rode away for Bristol. Between Bath and Bristol I was earnestly desired to turn aside, and call at the house of a poor man, William Shalwood. I found him and his wife sick in one bed, and with small hopes of the recovery of either. Yet (after prayer) I believed they would " not die, but live, and declare the loving-kindness of the Lord." The next time I called he was sitting below stairs, and his wife able to go abroad. As soon as we came into the house at Bristol, my soul was lightened of her load, of that insufferable weight which had Iain upon my mind, more or less, for several days. On Sunday, several of our friends from Wales, and other parts, joined with us in the great sacrifice of thanksgiving. And every day we found more and more cause to praise God, and to give him thanks for His still increasing benefits. Mon. Feb. 18. — I set out with Richard Moss from London for Newcastle. Wesley's Effective Letter Sun. March 3. — As I was walking up Pilgrim-street, hearing a man call after me, I stood still. He came up, and used much abusive language, intermixed with many oaths and curses. Several people came out to see what was the matter ; on which he pushed me twice or thrice^ and went away. Upon inquiry, I found this man had signalized him- self a long season, by abusing and throwing stones at any ot our family who went that way. Therefore I would not lose the opportunity, but on Monday, 4, sent him the following note : JuNH 1745 THE PRESS GANG 127 " Robert Young, — I expect to see you, between this and Friday, and to hear from you, that you are sensible of your fault; otherwise, in pity to your soul, I shall be obliged to inform the magistrates of your as- saulting me yesterday in the street, "lam, " Your real friend, " John Wesley." Within two or three hours, Robert Young came and promised a quite different behaviour. So did this gentle reproof, if not save a soul from death, yet prevent a multitude of sins. Sat. April 6. — Mr. Stephenson, of whom I bought the ground on which our house is built, came at length, after delaying it more than two years, and executed the writings. So I am freed from one more care. May I in every thing make known my request to God I Press Gang and Methodists Wed. June 19 (Redruth). — Being informed here eacli}ng Our landlord, as he was guiding us over the Frith, very innocently asked, how much a year we got by preaching thus. This gave me an opportunity of ex- plaining to him that kind of gain which he seemed utterly a stranger to. He appeared to be quite amazed, and spake not one word, good or bad, till he took his leave. Presently after he went, my mare stuck fast in a quagmire, which was in the midst of the high road. But we could well excuse this ; for the road all along, for near fifty miles after, was such as I never saw any natural road, either in England or Ireland; nay, far better, notwithstanding the continued rain, than the turnpike road between London and Canterbury. We dined at Dumfries, a dean, well-built town, having two of the most elegant churches (one at each end of the town) that I have seen. We reached Thorny Hill in the evening. What miserable accounts pass current in England of the inns in Scotland 1 Yet here, as well as wherever we called in our whole journey, we had not only everything we wanted, but every- thing readily and in good order, and as clean as I ever desite. Tues. 17. — ^We set out about four, and rode over several high, but extremely pleasant, mountains, to 208 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1753 Lead Hill ; a village of miners, resembling Placey, near Newcastle. We dined at a village called Lesmahaggy, and about eight in the evening reached Glasgow. A gentleman who had overtaken us on the road sent one with us to Mr. Gillies's house. Wesley in Glasgow Wed. 18. — I walked over the city, which I take to be as large as Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The University (like that of Dublin) is only one College, consisting of two small squares ; I think not larger, nor at all handsomer, than those of Lincoln College, in Oxford. The habit of the students gave me surprise. They wear scarlet gowns, reaching only to their knees. Most I saw were very dirty, some very ragged, and all of very coarse cloth. The high church is a fine building. The outside is equal to that of most cathedrals in England ; but it is miserably defaced within; having no form, beauty, or symmetry left. At seven in the evening Mr. G. began the service, at his own (the College) church. It was so full before I came, that I could not get in without a good deal of difficulty. Thur. ig.^At seven I preached about a quarter of a mile from the town ; but it was an extremely rough and blustering morning j and few people came either at the time or place of my preaching : the natural conse- quence of which was, that I had but a small congrega- tion. About four in the afternoon, a tent, as they term it, was prepared ; a kind of moving pulpit, covered with canvass at the top, behind, and on the sides. In this I preached near the place where I was in the morning, to near six times as many people as before ; and I am persuaded what was spoken came to some of theit hearts, " not in word only, but in powei;" May 1753 AT ROBINHOOD'S BAY 209 Fri. ao. — I had designed to preach at the same place ; but the rain made it impracticable. So Mr. G. desired me to preach in his church ; so I began between seven and eight. Surely with God nothing is impos- sible 1 Who would have believed, five-and-twenty years ago, either that the minister would have desired it, or that I should have consented to preach in a Scotch kirk? Apprenticeship Customa Wed. 25. — We came to Alnwick on the day whereon those who have gone through their apprenticeship are made free of the corporation. Sixteen or seventeen, we were informed, were to receive their freedom this day, and, in order thereto (such is the unparalleled wisdom of the present corporation, as well as of their forefathers), to walk through a great bog (purposely preserved for the occasion ; otherwise it might have been drained long ago), which takes up some of them to the neck, and many of them to the breast. Tues. May 8, — I rode [(rom Stockton] to Robinhood's Bay, near Whitby. The town is very remarkably situated : it stands close to the sea, and is in great part built on craggy and steep rocks, some of which rise perpendicular from the water. And yet the land, both on the north, south, and west, is fruitful and well culti- vated. I stood on a little rising near the quay, in a warm, still evening, and exhorted a multitude of people, from all parts, to " seek the Lord, while he may be found." They were all attention ; and most of them met me again at half an hour after four in the morning. I could gladly have spent some days here; but my stages were fixed : so, on Wednesday, g, I rode on to York. e glO WESLEY'S JOURNAL July 1753 Sun. July 8 (London). — After preaching at the chapel, morning and afternoon, I took horse with Mr. P . We had designed to ride only two or three hours, in order to shorten the next day's journey. But a young man, who overtook us near Kingston, induced us to change our purpose. So we only rested about half an hour at Cobham ; and leaving it between nine and ten, rode on softly in a calm, moonshiny night, and about twelve came to Godalming. We took horse again at half an hoiu: past four, and reached Portsmouth about one. After a little rest, we took a walk round the town, which is regularly fortified ; and is, I suppose, the only regular fortification in Great Britain or Ireland. Gos- port, Portsmouth, and the Common (which is now all turned into streets), may probably contain half as many people as Bristol: and so civil a people I never saw before in any sea-port town in England. I preached at half an hour after six, in an open part of the Common, adjoining to the new church. The congregation was large and well-behaved; not one scoffer did I see, nor one trifler. In the morning, Tuesday, 10, I went on board an hoy ; and in three hours landed at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight; as far exceeding the Isle of Anglesey, both in pleasantness and fruitfulness, as that exceeds the rocks of Scilly. We rode straight to Newport, the chief town in the isle, and found a little society in tolerable order. Several of them had found peace with God. At half an hour after six I preached in the market- place, to a numerous congregation : but they were not so serious as those at Portsmouth. Many children made much noise, and many grown persons were talk- ing aloud, almost all the time I was preaching. It was Nov. 1753 VISITS CARISBROOK CASTLE 211 quite otherwise at five in the morning. There was a large congregation again; and every person therein seemed to know this was the word whereby God would judge them in the last day. In the afternoon, I walked to Carisbrook castle ; or rather, the poor remains of it. It stands upon a solid rock on the top of an hill, and commands a beautiful prospect. There is a well in it, cut quite through the rock, said to be seventy-two yards deep; and another in the citadel, near an hundred. They drew up the water by an ass, which they assured us was sixty years old. But all the stately apartments lie in ruins. Only just enough of them is left, to show the chamber where poor King Charles was confined, and the window through which he attempted to escape. Cornish Smugglers On Wednesday, 25, the Stewards met at St. Ives, from the western part of Cornwall. The next day I began examining the society ; but I was soon obliged to stop short. I found an accursed thing among them ; well-nigh one and all bought or sold uncustomed goods. I therefore delayed speaking to any more till I had met them all together. This I did in the evening, and told them plain, either they must put this abomination away, or they would see my face no more. Friday, 27. They severally promised so to do. So I trust this plague is stayed. Mon. Nov. 12. — I set out in a chaise for Leigh, having delayed my journey as long as I could. I preached at seven, but was extremely cold all the time, the wind coming strong from a door behind, and another on one side ; so that my feet felt just as if I bad stood in cold water. 2ia WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1753 Tues. 13. — The chamber wherein I sat, though with a large fire, was much colder than the garden j so that I could not keep myself tolerably warm, even when I was close to the chimney. As we rode home on Wed* nesday, 14, the wind was high and piercing cold, and blew just in our face, so that the open chaise was no defence, but my feet were quite chilled. When I came home, I had a settled pain in my left breast, a violent cough, and a slow fever j but in a day or two, by follow- ing Dr. Fothergill's prescriptions, I found much altera- tion for the better; and on Sunday, 18, I preached at Spitalfields, and administered the sacrament to a large congregation. Wesley Writes his Epitaph Mon. 19. — I retired to Shoreham, and gained strength continually; till about eleven at night, on Wednes- day, 21, I was obliged by the cramp to leap out of bed, and continue, for some time, walking up and down the room, though it was a sharp frost. My cough now returned with greater violence, and that by day as well as by night. Sat. 24. — I rode home, and was pretty well till night; but my cough was then worse than ever. My fever returned at the same time, together with the pain in my left breast; so that I should probably have stayed at home on Sunday, 25, had it not been advertised in the public papers, that I would pr«ch a charity sermon at the chapel, both morning and afternoon. My cough did not interrupt me while I preached in the morning ; but it was extremely troublesome while I administered the sacrament. In the afternoon I consulted my friends, whether I should attempt to preach again or no. They thought I should, as it had been advertised. I Nov. 1753 WESLEY'S OWN EPITAPH «13 did so ; but very few could hear. My fever increased much while I was preaching : however, I ventured to meet the society ; and for near an hour my voice and strength were restored, so that I felt neither pain nor weakness. Mon. 26. — Dr, F. told me plain, I must not stay in town a day longer j adding, " If anything does thee good, it must be the country air; with rest, asses' milk, and riding daily." So (not being able to sit an horse) about noon I took coach for Lewisham. In the evening (not knowing how it might please God to dispose of me), to prevent vile panegyric, I wrote as follows : flere littfi tfit ISolrg OF JOHN WESLEY, A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE BURKING: WBO DIBD OF A CONSUMPTION IN THE FIFTY-FIRST TEAI OF HIS AGE, MOT tfATING, AFTER HIS DEBTS ARE PAID, TEN FOUNDS BEHIND HIM : PRATING, OOD BB MERCIFUL TO ME, AN UNPROFITABLB SERVANT I Ha ordered that this, if any, inscription should be placed on his tombstone. Wesley his own Doctof Wed. aS. — I found no change for the better, the medicines which had helped me before, now taking no effect. About noon (the time that some of our brethren in London had set apart for joining in prayer) a thought came into my mind to make an experiment. So I ordered some stone brimstone to be powdered, mixed with the white of an egg, and spread on brown paper, which I applied to my side. The pain ceased in five S14 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jaw. 1754 minutes, the fever in half an hour; and from this hour I began to recover strength. The next day I was able to ride, which I continued to do every day till January i. Nor did the weather hinder me once; it being always tolerably fair (however it was before) between twelve and one o'clock. Fri. Dec. 14. — Having finished all the books which I designed to insert in the " Christian Library," I broke through the doctor's order, not to write, and began transcribing a journal for the press ; and in the evening I went to prayers with the family, without find- ing any inconvenience. Thur. 20. — I felt a gradual increase of strength, till I took a decoction of the bark, which I do not find (such is the pecularity of my constitution) will agree with me in any form whatever. This immediately threw me into a purging, which brought me down again a few days, and quite disappointed me in my design of going out on Christmas Day. 1754. Tues. Jan. i. — I returned once more to London. On Wednesday, a, I set out in the machine and the next afternoon came to Chippenham. Here I took a post-chaise, in which I reached Bristol about eight in the evening. Fri. 4. — I began drinking the water at the Hot Well, having a lodging at a small distance from it; and on Sunday, 6, I began writing Notes on the New Testa- ment ; a work which I should scarce ever have attempted, had I not been so ill as not to be able to travel or preach, and yet so well as to be able to read and write. Mon. 7. — i went on now in a regular method, rising at my hour, and writing fiom five to nine at night ; - April 1754 PREACHES AT SADLER'S WELLS 815 except the time of riding, half an hour for each meal, and the hour between five and six in the evening. Thur. 31. — My wife desiring to pay the last office to her poor dying child, set out for London, and came a few days before he went home, rejoicing and praising God. Tues. March 19 (Bristol). — Having finished the rough draught, I began transcribing the Notes on the Gospels. Tues. a 6. — I preached for the first time, after an intermission of four months. What reason have I to praise God, that he does not take the word of his truth utterly out of my mouth 1 Wesley Retires to Paddington Mon. April 1. — ^We set out in the machine, and the next evening reached the Foundery. Wed. 3. — I settled all the business I could, and the next morning retired to Paddington. Here I spent some weeks in writing j only going to town on Saturday evenings, and leaving it again on Monday morning. In my hours of walking I read Dr. Calamy's "Abridg- ment of Mr. Baxter's Life." What a scene is opened here I In spite of all the prejudice of education, I could not but see that the poor Nonconformists had been used without either justice or mercy ; and that many of the Protestant Bishops of King Charles had neither more religion, nor humanity, than the Popish Bishops of Queen Mary. Mon. 29. — I preached at Sadler's Wells, in what was formerly a play-house. I am glad when it pleases God to take possession of what Satan esteemed his own ground. The place, though large, was extremelj crowded ; and deep attention sat on every face. «16 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1754 Wed. May a 2. — Our Conference began; and the spirit of peace and love was in the midst of us. Before we parted, we all willingly signed an agreement, not to act independently on each other : so that the breach lately made has only united us more closely together than ever. June 2, — (Being Whit Sunday.) I preached at the Foundery ; which I had not done before in the evening j still I have not recovered my whole voice or strength ; perhaps I never may : but let me use what I have. Persecutingr the Methodists Mon. Sept. 9. — I preached at Charlton, a village six miles from Taunton, to a large congregation gathered from the towns and country for many miles round. All the farmers here had some time before entered into a joint engagement to turn all out of their service, and give no work to any, who went to hear a Methodist preacher. But there is no counsel against the Lord. One of the chief of them, Mr. G , was not long after convinced of the truth, and desired those very men to preach at his house. Many of the other confederates came to hear, whom their servants and labourers gladly followed. So the whole device of Satan fell to the ground ; and the word of God grew and prevailed. , Wed. October 2 I walked to Old Sarum, which, in spite of common sense, without house or inhabitants, still sends two Members to the Parliament It is a large, round hill, encompassed with a broad ditch, which, it seems, has been of a considerable depth. At the top of it is a cornfield ; in the midst of which is another round hill, about two hundred yards in diameter, encompassed with a wall, and a deep ditch. Probably before the in- vention of cannon, this city was impregnable. Troy April 1755 WESLEY PRESCRIBES NETTLES 817 was ; but now it is vanished away, and nothing left but " the stones of emptiness." Thur. 3. — I rode to Reading, and preached in the evening. Observing a warm man near the door (which was once of the society), I purposely bowed to him ; but he made no return. During the first prayer he stood, but sat while we sung. In the sermon his countenance changed, and in a little while he turned his face to the wall. He stood at the second hymn, and then kneeled down. As I came out he catched me by the hand, and dismissed me with a hearty blessing. Fri. 4. — I came to London. On Monday, 7, 1 re- tired to a little place near Hackney, formerly a seat of Bishop Bonner's (bow are the times changed ?), and still bearing his name. Here I was as in a College. Twice a day we joined in prayer. The rest of the day (allowing about an hour for meals, and another for walking before dinner and supper) I spent quietly in my study. Wesley's Prescriptions 1755. Mon. April 7 (Wednesbury) I was advised to take the Derbyshire road to Manchester. We baited at an house six miles beyond Lichfield. Observing a woman sitting in the kitchen, I asked, " Are you not well ? " and found she had just been taken ill (being on her journey), with all the symptoms of an approaching pleurisy. She was glad to hear of an easy, cheap, and (almost) infallible remedy — ^an handful of nettles, boiled a few minutes, and applied warm to the side. While I was speaking to her, an elderly man, pretty well dressed, came in. Upon inquiry, he told us he was travelling, as he could, towards his home near Hounslow, in hopes of agreeing with his creditors, to whom he had surren- 218 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1755 dered his all. But how to get on he knew not, as he had no money, and had caught a tertian ague. I hope a wise Providence directed this wanderer also, that he might have a remedy for both his maladies. Mon. 14. — I rode by Manchester (where I preached about twelve) to Warrington. At six in the monung, Tuesday, 15, I preached to a large and serious congre- gation; and then went on to Liverpool, one of the neatest, best-built towns I have seen in England : I think it is full twice as large as Chester ; most of the streets are quite straight Two thirds of the town, we were informed, have been added within these forty years. If it continue to increase in the same proportion, in forty years more it will nearly equal Bristol. The people in general are the most mild and courteous I ever saw in a seaport town ; as indeed appears by their friendly be- haviour, not only to the Jews and Papists who live among them, but even to the Methodists (so called). The preaching-house is a little larger than that at New- castle. It was thoroughly filled at seven in the evening ; and the hearts of the whole congregation seemed to be moved before the Lord, and before the presence of his powec Wesley and tlie Sunshine Thur. 94. — ^We rode in less than four hours the dght miles (so called) to Newell Hay [from Bolton], Just as I began to preach the sun broke out, and shone exceed- ing hot on the side of my head. I found, if it continued, I should not be able to speak long, and lifted up my heart to God. In a minute or two it was covered with clouds, which continued till the service was over. Let any who please, call this chance : I call it an answer to prayer. Mat I7S5 AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE 219 Fri. 25. — About ten I preached near Todmorden. The people stood, row above row, on the side of the mountain. They were rough enough in outward appear- ance ; but their hearts were as melting wax. One can hardly conceive anything more delightful than the vale through which we rode from hence. The river ran through the green meadows on the right. The fruitful hills and woods rose on either hand. At three in the afternoon I preached at Heptonstall, on the brow of the mountain. The rain began almost as soon as I began to speak. I prayed that, if God saw best, it might be stayed, till I had delivered his word. It was so, and then began again. But we had only a short stage to Ewood. Tues. May 6. — Our Conference began at Leeds. The point on which we desired all the preachers to speak their minds at large was, " Whether we ought to separate from the Church ? " Whatever was advanced on one side or the other was seriously and calmly con- sidered ; and on the third day we were all fully agreed in that general conclusion — that (whether it was lawful or not) it was no ways expedient. Mon. 12. — We rode (my wife and I) to Northaller- ton. Wed. 21. — I preached at NafTerton, near Horsley, about thirteen miles from Newcastle. We rode chiefly on the new western road, which lies on the old Roman walL Some part of this is still to be seen, as are the remains of most of the towers, which were built a mile distant from each other, quite from sea to sea. But where are the men of renown who built them, and who once made all the land tremble ? Crumbled into dust I Gone hence, to be no more seen, till the earth shall give up her deadl 220 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Junb 1755 June 2. — We rode to Thirsk, where I met the little society ; and then went on to York. The people had been waiting for some time. So I began preaching without delay, and felt no want of strength, though the room was like an oven through the multitude of people. Sat. 7. — One of the residentiaries sent for Mr Williamson, who had invited me to preach in his church, and told him, " Sir, I abhor persecution ; but if you let Mr. Wesley preach, it will be the worse for you." He desired it nevertheless ; but I declined. Perhaps there is a providence in this also. God wiU not suffer my little remaining strength to be spent on those who will not hear me but in an honourable way. The Room Was Like an Oven Sun. 8 — ^We were at the minster in the morning, and at our parish-church in the afternoon. The same gentleman preached at both ; but though I saw him at the church, I did not know I had ever seen him before. In the morning he was all life and motion ; in the after- noon he was as quiet as a post. At five in the evening, the rain constrained me to preach in the oven again. The patience of the congregation surprised me. They seemed not to feel the extreme heat, nor to be offended at the close application of those words, " Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." Mon. 16. — I preached in the evening at Nottingham, and on Thursday afternoon reached London. From a deep sense of the amazing work which God has of late years wrought in England, I preached in the evening on those words (Psalm cxlvii. 20), " He hath not dealt so with any nation " j no, not even with Scotland or New- England. In both these God has indeed made bare his arm ; yet not in so astonishing a manner as among us. Sept. 1755 EFFECTS OF METHODISM 221 This must appear to all who impartially consider, i. The numbers of persons on whom God has wrought: 2. The swiftness of his work in many, both convinced and truly converted in a few days : 3. The depth of it in most of these, changing the heart, as well as the whole conversation: 4. The clearness of it, enabling them boldly to say, " Thou hast loved me j thou hast given thyself for me " : 5. The continuance of it. Tues. 24 (London). — Observing in that valuable book, Mr. Gillies's " Historical Collections," the custom of Christian congregations in all ages to set apart seasons of solemn thanksgivings, I was amazed and ashamed that we had never done this, after all the blessings we had received : and many to whom I mentioned it gladly agreed to set apart a day for that purpose. ••This is no Mazed Man** Sun. Aug. 31 At five I preached in Gwennap, to several thousands j but not one of them light or inatten- tive. After I had done, the storm arose, and the rain poured down, till about four in the morning : then the sky cleared, and many of them that feared God gladly assembled before him. Hon. Sept. i. — I preached at Penryn, to abundantly more than the house could contain. Tues. 2. — We went to Falmouth. The town is not now what it was ten years since : all is quiet from one end to the other. I had thoughts of preaching on the hill near the church ; but the violent wind made it impractic- able : so I was obliged to stay in our own room. The people could hear in the yard likewise, and the adjoining houses ; and all were deeply attentive. Wed. Sep. 3. — After preaching again, to a congrega- tion who now appeared ready to devour every word, I 222 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1755 walked up to Pendennis castle ; finely situated on the high point of land which runs out between the bay and the harbour, and commanding both. It might easily be made exceeding strong; but our wooden castles are sufficient. In the afternoon we rode to Helstone, once turbulent enough, but now quiet as Penryn. I preached at six, on a rising ground, about a musket-shot from the town. Two drunken men strove to interrupt ; but one soon walked away : the other leaned on his horse's neck, and fell fast asleep. About noon, Friday, 5, I called on W. Row, in Breage, in my way to Newlyn. " Twelve years ago," he said, " I was going over Gulval Downs, and I saw many people together ; and I asked what was the matter ; and they told me a man was going to preach : and I said, • To be sure it is some mazed man ' : but when I saw you, I said, ' Nay, this is no mazed man ' : and you preached on God's raising the dry bones ; and from that time I could never rest till God was pleased to breathe on me, and raise my dead soul." Slandering Wesley in the Pulpit I had given no notice of preaching here ; but seeing the poor people flock from every side, I could not send them empty away. So I preached at a small distance from the house ; and besought them to consider our " great High Priest, who is passed through into the heavens " : and none opened his mouth ; for the lions of Breage too are now changed into lambs. That they were so fierce ten years ago is no wonder ; since their wretched minister told them, from the pulpit (seven years before I resigned my fellowship), that "John Wesley was expelled the College for a base child, and Sept. 1755 A STRANGE APPARITION «2S had been quite mazed ever since : that all the Methodists, at their private societies, put out the lights," &c. ; with abundance more of the same kind. But a year or two since, it was observed, he grew thoughtful and melan- choly ; and, about nine months ago, he went into his own necessary house, and hanged himself. Sat. 6. — In the evening I preached at St. Just. Except at Gwennap, I have seen no such congregation in Cornwall. The sun (nor could we contrive it other- wise) shone full in my face, when I began the hymn : but just as I ended it, a cloud arose, which covered it till I had done preaching. Is anything too small for the providence of him by whom our very hairs are numbered ? Sun. 7. — Last year, a strange letter, written at Pen- zance, was inserted in the public papers. To-day I spoke to the two persons who occasioned that letter. They are of St. Just parish, sensible men, and no Methodists. The name of one is James Tregeer, of the other, Thomas Sackerly. I received the account from James, two or three hours before Thomas came : but there was no material difference. In July was twelve- month, they both said, as they were walking from St. Just church town toward Sancreet, Thomas, happen- ing to look up, cried out, " James, look, look ! What is that in the sky ? " The first appearance, as James expressed it, was, three large columns of horsemen, swiftly pressing on, as in a fight, from south-west to north-east j a broad streak of sky being between each column. Sometimes they seemed to run thick together ; then to thin their ranks. Afterward they saw a large fleet of three-mast ships, in full sail toward the Lizard Point. This continued above a quarter of an hour : then, all disappearing, they went oo their way. The 224 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1755 meaning of this, if it was real (which I do not affirm)^ time only can show. Extraoi'dinafy Coincidence Sat. 13. — I preached once more at St. Just, on the first stone of their new society-house. In the evening, as we rode to Camborne, John Pearce, of Redruth, was mentioning a remarkable incident : AVhUe he lired at Helstone, as thair class was meeting one evening, one of them cried, with an uncommon tone, " We will not stay here : we will go to " such an house, which was in a quite different part of the town. They all rose immedi- ately, and went ; though neither they nor she knew why. Presently after they were gone, a sp^k fell into a barrel of gunpowder, which was in the next room, and blew up the house. So did God preserve those who trusted in him, and prevent the blasphemy of the multitude. Mon. 15. — We walked an hour near the sea-shore [at Cubert], among those amazing caverns, which are full as surprising as Pool's Hole, or any other in the Peak of Derbyshire. Some part of the rock in these natural vaults glitters as bright and ruddy as gold : part is a fine sky-blue ; part green ; part enamelled, exactly like mother-of-pearl; and a great part, especially near the Holy Well (which bubbles up on the top of a rock, and is famous for curing either scorbutic or scrofulous dis- orders), is crusted over, wherever the water runs, with an hard, white coat like alabaster. Tues. «3. — ^We walked up to Glastonbury Tower, which a gentleman is now repairing. It is the steeple of a church, the foundation of which is still discernible. On the west side of the tower there are niches for images j one of which, as big as the life, is still entire. The hill on which it stands is extremely steep, and of an Nov. I7SS AN EXTRAORDINARY STORM S25 uncommon height j so that it commands the country on all sides, as well as the Bristol Channel. I was weary enough when we came to Bristol ; but I preached till all my complaints were gone ; and I had now a little leisure to sit still, and finish the " Notes on the New Testament." Wed. Nov. 5. — Mr. Whitefield called upon me; — disputings are now no more ; we love one another, and join hand in hand to promote the cause of our common Master. "Macbeth" and Thunder at Drury Lane Mon. 17. — As we were walking towards Wapping, the rain poured down with such violence, that we were obliged to take shelter till it abated. We then held on to Gravel Lane ; in many parts of which the waters were like a river. However, we got on pretty well, till the rain put out the candle in our lantern. We then were obliged to wade through all, till we came to the chapel- yard. Just as we entered it, a little streak of lightning appeared in the south-west. There was likewise a small clap of thunder, and a vehement burst of rain, which rushed so plentifully through our shattered tiles, that the vestry was all in a float. Soon after I began read- ing prayers, the lightning flamed all round it, and the thunder rolled just over our heads. When it grew louder and louder, perceiving many of the strangers to be much affrighted, I broke off the prayers after the collect, " Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord " J and began applying, " The Lord sitteth above the water-flood; the Lord remaineth a king for ever." Presently the lightning, thunder, and rain ceased, and we had a remarkably calm evening. It was observed, that exactly at this hour, they were p tad WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. 1756 acting " Macbeth " in Drury-lane ; and just as the mock- thunder began, the Lord began to thunder out of heaven. For a while it put them to a stand ; but they soon took courage, and went on. Otherwise it might have been suspected that the fear of God had crept into the very theatre I Fri. Dec. 12. — As I was returning from Zoar, I came as well as usual to Moorfields ; but there my strength entirely failed, and such a faintness and weariness seized me, that it was with diiSculty I got home. I could not but think, how happy it would be (suppose we were ready for the Bridegroom) to sink down and steal away at once, without any of the hurry and pomp of dying I Yet it is happier still to glorify God in our death, ai well as our life. Tues. 33. — I was in the robe-chamber, adjoining to the House of Lords, when the King put on his robes. His brow was much furrowed with age, and quite clouded with care. And is this all the world can give even to a king? all the grandeur it can afford? A blanket of ermine round his shoulders, so heavy and cumbersome he can scarce move under it I An huge heap of borrowed hair, with a few plates of gold and glittering stones upon his head 1 Alas, what a bauble is human greatness 1 And even this will not endure. At Dover Castle 1756. Mon. Jan. 26. — I rode to Canterbury, and preached in the evening to such a congregation as I never saw there before ; in which were abundance of the soldiers, and not a few of their officers. Wed. 28 — I preached about noon at Dover, to a Tery serious but small congregation. We afterwards walked up to the castle, on the top of a mountain. It March 1756 CHRISTIAN FIGHTING MEN 22T b an amazing fine situation ; and from hence we had a clear view of that vast piece of the cliff, which a few days ago divided from the rest, and fell down upon the bmch. Fri. 30 — In returning to London, I read the life of the late Czar, Peter the Great. Undoubtedly he was a loldier, a general, and a statesman, scarce inferior to any. But why was he called a Christian ? What has Christianity to do either with deep dissimulation or savage cruelty ? Fri. Feb. 6. — ^The fast>day was a glorious day : such as London has scarce seen since the Restoration. Every church in the city was more than full, and a solemn seriousness sat on every face. Surely God heareth the prayer ; and there will yet be a lengthening of our tran- quillity. Preacliiner to a PresS'gangr Mon. a 3. — I paid another visit to Canterbury, but came in too late to preach. Tues. 24. — Abundance of soldiers and many officers came to the preaching. And surely the fear and the love of God will prepare them either for death or victory. Wed. 25 I dined with Colonel , who said, " No men fight like those who fear God : I had rather command five hundred such, than any regiment in his Majesty's army." Thur. March 1 1. — I rode to Pill, and preached to a large and attentive congregation. A great part of them were seafaring men. In the middle of my discourse, a press-gang landed from a man-of-war, and came up to the place: but after they had listened a while, th^ went quietly by, and molested nobody. 228 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1756 Mon. 15. — I rode to the Old Passage : but finding we could not pass, we went on to Purton; which we reached about four in the afternoon. But we were no nearer still; for the boatmen lived on the other side, and the wind was so high, we could not possibly make them hear. However, we determined to wait a while ; and in a quarter of an hour they came of their own accord. We reached Coleford before seven ; and found a plain, loving people, who received the word of God with all gladness. Fri. 19. — I rode over to Howell Harris at Trevecka, though not knowing how to get any further. But he helped us out of our difficulties ; offering to send one with us who would show us the way, and bring our horses back : so I then determined to go on to Holy- head, after spending a day or two at Brecknock. Sat. ao. — It being the day appointed for the Justices and Commissioners to meet, the town was extremely full ; and curiosity (if no better motive) brought most of the gentlemen to the preaching. Such another oppor- tunity could not have been of speaking to all the rich and great of the county : and they all appeared to be serious and attentive. Perhaps one or two may lay it to heart. Mon. 32. — It continued fair till we came to Builth; where I preached to the usual congregation. Mr. Phillips then guided us to Royader, about fourteen English miles. It snowed hard behind us .and on both sides, but not at all where we were. Tues. 23. — When we took horse, there was nothing to be seen but a waste of white : the snow covered both hills and vales. As we could see no path, it was not without much difficulty, as well as danger, that we went on. But between seven and eight the sun broke out, and the snow began to melt : so we thought all our March 1756 ROARING SEA CAPTAINS S29 difBculty was over ; till, about nine, the snow fell faster than ever. In an hour it changed into hail ; which, as we rode over the mountains, drove violently in our face. About twelve this turned into hard rain, followed by an impetuous wind. However, we pushed on through all, and before sunset came to Dolgelly. Waiting for the Fei-fy Here we found everything we wanted except sleep, 01 which we were deprived by a company of drunken, roaring sea captains, who kept possession of the room beneath us, till between two and three in the morning : so that we did not take horse till after six ; and then we could make no great speed, the frost being exceeding sharp, and much ice in the road. Hence we were not able to reach TannabuU till between eleven and twelve. An honest Welshman here gave us to know (though he spoke no English) that he was just going over the sands. So we hastened on with him, and by that means came in good time to Carnarvon. Here we passed a quiet and comfortable night, and took horse about six in the morning. Supposing, after we had rode near an hour, that a little house on the other side was the ferry-house, we went down to the water, and called amain : but we could not procure any answer. In the mean time it began to rain hard, though the wind was extremely high. Finding none would come over, we went to a little church which stood near, for shelter. We had waited about an hour, when a woman and girl came into the church-yard, whom I did not mind, supposing they could speak no English. They were following a sheep, which ran close to us. I then asked, " Is not this Baldon Ferry ? " The girl answered, 230 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1756 " Baldon Ferry t No. The ferry it two miles further." So we might hare called long enough. When we came to Baldon the wind fell, the sky cleared up, the boat came over without delay, and soon landed us in Anglesey. On our way to Holyhead, one met and informed us, the packet sailed the night before. I said, " Perhaps it may carry me for all that." So we pushed on, and came thither in the afternoon. The packet did sail the night before, and got more than half sea over. But the wind turning against them and blowing hard, they were glad to get back this afternoon. I scarce ever remember so violent a storm as blew all the night long. The wind continued contrary the next day. Irisb Honesty Mon. ag. — We left the harbour about twelve, having six or seven ofhcers and abundance of passengers on board. The wind was full west, and there was great probabihty of a stormy night. So it was judged best to put back ; but one gentleman making a motion, to try a little longer, in a short time brought all over to his opinion. So they agreed to go out, and " look for a wind." The wind continued westerly all the night. Neverthe- less, in the morning we were within two leagues of Ireland 1 Between nine and ten I landed at Howth, and walked on for Dublin. The congregation in the evening was such as I never saw here before. I hope this also is a token for good. Wed. 31. — In conversing with many, I was surprised to find that all Ireland is in perfect safety. None here has any more apprehension of an invasion, than of being swallowed ud in the sea; every one being absolutely April 1756 STRANGE OCCURRENCE «3I assured, that the French dare not attempt any such thing. Thur. Apr. i. — I bought one or two books at Mr. Smith's, on the Blind Quay. I wanted change for a guinea, but he could not give it ; so I borrowed some silver of my companion. The next evening a young gentleman came from Mr. Smith's to tell me I had left a guinea on his counter. Such an instance of honesty I have rarely met with, either in Bristol or London. A 'Remarkable Pi«monition Fulfilled Wed. 28. — I rode to Tullamore; where one of the society, Edward Willis, gave me a very surprising account of himself, he said : "When I was about twenty years old, I went to Waterford for business. After a few weeks I resolved to leave it ; and packed up my things, in order to set out the next morning. This was Sunday; but my landlord pressed me much not to go till the next day. In the afternoon we walked out together, and went into the river. After a while, leaving him near the shore, I struck out, into the deep. I soon heard a cry, and, turning, saw him rising and sinking in the channel of the river. I swam back with all speed, and, seeing him sink again, dived down after him. When I was near the bottom, he clasped his arm round my neck, and held me so fast that I could not rise. " Seeing death before me, all my sins came into my mind, and I faintly called for mercy. In a while my senses went away, and I thought I was in a place full of light and glory, with abundance of people. While I was thus, he who held me died, and I floated up to the top of the water. I then immediately came to myself, and ■wam to the shore, where several stood who had seen us 832 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1756 sink, and said, they never knew such a deliverance before ; for I had been under water full twenty minutes. It made me more serious for two or three months. Then I returned to all my sins. " But in the midst of all, I had a voice following me everywhere, 'When an able minister of the Gospel comes, it will be well with thee ! ' Some years after I entered into the army: our troop lay at Phillipstown, when Mr. W. came. I was much affected by his preaching ; but not so as to leave my sins. The voice followed me still, and when Mr. J. W. came, before I saw him I had an unspeakable conviction that he was the man I looked for : and soon after I found peace with God, and it was well with me indeed." Preaching in a Loft Mon. May 10 I went forward to Clonmell, the pleasantest town, beyond all comparison, which I have yet seen in Ireland. It has four broad, straight streets of well-built houses, which cross each other in the centre of the town. Close to the walls, on the south side, runs a broad, clear river. Beyond this rises a green and fruitful mountain, and hangs over the town. The vale runs many miles both east and west, and is well culti- vated throughout. I preached at five in a large loft, capable of containing five or six hundred people: but it was not full; many being afraid of its falling, as another did some years before ; by which several of the hearers were much hurt, and one so bruised, that she died in a few days. Tues. II. — I was at a loss where to preach, the person who owned the loft refusing to let me preach there, or even in the yard below. And the Commanding Officer being asked for the use of the barrack-yard, June 1756 A TRAGIC DREAM 23S answered, it was not a proper place. " Not," said he, " that I have any objection to Mr. Wesley. I will hear him, if he preaches under the gallows." It remained to preach in the street : and by this means the congregation was more than doubled. Both the officers and soldiers gave great attention, till a poor man, special drunk, came marching down the street, attended by a Popish mob, with a club in one hand, and a large cleaver in the other, grievously cursing and blaspheming, and swearing he would cut off the preacher's head. It was with difficulty that I restrained the troopers ; especially them that were not of the society. When he came nearer, the mayor stepped out of the congregation, and strove, by good words, to make him quiet ; but he could not prevail : on which he went into his house, and returned with his white wand. At the same time he sent for two constables, who presently came with their staves. He charged them not to strike the man, unless he struck first ; but this he did immedi- ately, as soon as they came within his reach, and wounded one of them in the wrist. On this, the other knocked him down, which he did three times before he would submit. The mayor then walked before, the constables on either hand, and conducted him to the gaoL A Terrible Dream Thur. June 3. — I received a remarkable letter from a clergyman, with whom I had been a day or two before. Part of it ran thus : " I had the following account from the gentlewoman herself, a person of piety and veracity. She is now the wife of Mr. J B , silversmith, in Cork. " ' About thirty years ago, I was addressed by way of marriage, by Mr. Richard Mercier, then a volunteer in 234 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1756 the army. The young gentleman was quartered at that time in Charleville, where my father lived, who approved of his addresses, and directed me to look upon him as my future husband. When the regiment left the town, he promised to return in two months, and marry me. From Charleville he went to Dublin; thence to hia father's, and from thence to England ; where, his father having bought him a Cornetcy of horse, he purchased many ornaments for the wedding; and, returning to Ireland, let us know that he would be at our house in Charleville in a few days. " ' On this the family was busied to prepare for his reception, and the ensuing marriage ; when one night, my sister Molly and I being asleep in our bed, I was awakened by the sudden opening of the side-curtain, and, starting up, saw Mr. Mercier standing by the bed-side. He was wrapped up in a loose sheet, and had a napkin folded like a night-cap, on his head. He looked at me very earnestly, and, lifting up the napkin, which much shaded his face, showed me the left side of his head, all bloody and covered with his brains. The room mean- time was quite light. My terror was excessive, which was still increased by his stooping over the bed, and embracing me in his arms. My cries alarmed the whole family, who came crowding into the room. " ' Upon their entrance, he gently withdrew his arms, and ascended, as it were, through the ceiling. I con- tinued for some time in strong fits. When I could speak, I told them what I had seen. One of them, a day or two after, going to the post-master for letters, four him reading the newspapers, in which was an account, that Cornet Mercier, going into Christ Church belfry, in Dublin, just after the bells had been ringing, and standing under the bells, one of them, which was Auo. 1756 AT KILCONNEL CHURCH 835 turned bottom upwards, suddenly turning again, struck one side of his head, and killed him on the spot. On further inquiry, we found he was struck on the left side of his head.' " Sun, July 4. — In the morning we rode through Tuam, a neat little town, scarce half so large as Islington ; nor is the cathedral half so large as Islington church. The old church at Kilconnel, two miles from Aghrim, is abun- dantly larger. If one may judge by the vast ruins that remain (over all which we walked in the afternoon), it was a far more stately pile of building than any that is now standing in Ireland. Adjoining to it are the ruins of a large monastery ; many of the cells and apartments are pretty entire. At the west end of the church lie abundance of skulls, piled one upon another, with innumerable bones round about, scattered as dung upon the earth. O sin, what hast thou done I The Delights of North "Wales Fri. Aug. 6 On this and the next day I finished my business in Ireland, so as to be ready to sail at an hour's warning. Sun. 8. — We were to sail, the wind being fair ; but as we were going aboard, it turned full east. I find it of great use to be in suspense : it is an excellent means of breaking our will. May we be ready either to stay longer on this shore, or to lanch into eternity ! On Tuesday evening I preached my farewell sermon. Mr. Walsh did the same in the morning. We then walked to the quay : but it was still a doubt, whether we were to sail or no ; Sir T. P. having sent word to the captain of the packet that if the wind was fair, he would go over ; and it being his custom to keep the whole ship to himself. But the wind coming to the 236 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1756 east, he would not go; so about noon we went on board. In two or three hours we reached the mouth of the harbour. It then fell calm. We had five cabin- passengers, beside Mr. Walsh, Haughton, Morgan, and me. They were all civil, and tolerably serious; the sailors likewise behaved uncommonly well. Thur. 12. — About eight we began singing on the quarterdeck ; which soon drew all our fellow passengers, as well as the captain, with the greatest part of his men. I afterwards gave an exhortation. We then spent some time in prayer. They all kneeled down with us ; nor did their seriousness wear off all the day. About nine we landed at Holyhead, after a pleasant passage of twenty-three hours. Fri. 1 3. — Having hired horses for Chester, we set out about seven. Before one we reached Bangor, the situation of which is delightful beyond expression. Here we saw a large and handsome cathedral, but no trace of the good old monks of Bangor ; so many hundreds of whom fell a sacrifice at once to cruelty and revenge. The country from hence to Penmaen-Mawr is far pleasantet than any garden. Mountains of every shape and size, vales clothed with grass or corn, woods and smaller tufts ot trees, were continually varying on the one hand, as was the sea prospect on the other. Penmaen-Mawr itself rises almost perpendicular to an enormous height from the sea. The road runs along the side of it, so far above the beach, that one could not venture to look down, but that there is a wall built all along, about four foot high. Meantime, the ragged cliff hangs over one's head, as if it would fall every mo- ment. An hour after we had left this awful place, we came to the ancient town of Conway. It is walled round ; and the walls are in tolerably good repair. The Sept. 1 756 PRINTING AND PREACHING DEBT 237 castle is the noblest ruin I ever saw. It is four-square, and has four large round towers, one at each corner, the inside of which have been stately apartments. One side of the castle is a large church, the windows and arches of which have been curiously wrought. An arm of the sea runs round two sides of the hill on which the castle stands ; — once the delight of kings, now overgrown with thorns, and inhabited by doleful birds only. "Wesle/s Debt of £1236 Wed. 25. — We rode on to Bristol. Thur. 26. — About fifty of us being met, the Rules of the Society were read over, and carefully considered one by one ; but we did not find any that could be spared. So we all agreed to abide by them all, and to recommend them with our might We then largely considered the necessity of keeping in the Church and using the clergy with tenderness ; and there was no dissenting voice. God gave us all to be of one mind and of one judgment. Fri. 2 7. — The Rules of the Bands were read over and considered, one by one ; which, after some verbal altera- tions, we all agreed to observe and enforce. Sat. 28. — My brother and I closed the Conference by a solemn declaration of our purpose never to separate from the Church ; and all our brethren concurred therein. Mon. Sep. 6. — I set out in the machine, and on Tuesday evening came to London. Wednesday and Thursday, I settled my temporal business. It is now about eighteen years since I began writing and printing books ; and how much in that time have I gained by printing ? Why, on summing up my accounts, I found that on March i, 1756 (the day I left London last), I had gained by printing and preaching 238 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1757 together, a debt of twelve hundred and thirty -six pounds. Sun. Oct, 10 I preached to an huge multitude in Moorfields, on, " Why will ye die, O house of Israel ? " It is field-preaching which does the execution still : foi usefulness there is none comparable to it Wesley on Electricity as a Cure Tues. Nov. 9. — Having procured an apparatus on purpose, I ordered several persons to be electrified, who were ill of various disorders ; some of whom found an immediate, some a gradual, cure. From this time I appointed, first some hours in every week, and afterward an hour in every day, wherein any that desired it, might try the virtue of this surprising medicine. Two or three years after, our patients were so numerous that we were obliged to divide them : so part were electrified in Southwark, part at the Foundery, others near St. Paul's, and the rest near the Seven Dials : the same method we have taken ever since ; and to this day, while hundreds, perhaps thousands, have received unspeakable good, I have not known one man, woman, or child, who has received any hurt thereby : so that when I hear any talk of the danger of being electrified (especially if they are medical men who talk so), I cannot but impute it to great want either of sense or honesty. 1757. Tues. May 31. — I breakfasted at Dumfries, and spent an hour with a poor backslider of London, who had been for some years settled there. We then rode through an uncommonly pleasant country (so widely distant is common report from truth) to Thorny Hill, two or three miles from the Duke of Queens- borough's seat; an ancient and noble pile of building, delightfully situated on the side of a pleasant and fruitful JuNB 1 757 WESLEY IN GLASGOW SS9 hill. But it gives no pleasure to its owner ; for he does not even behold it with his eyes. Surely this is a sore evil under the sun; a man has all things, and enjoys nothing. We rode afterward partly over and partly between some of the finest mountains, I believe, in Europe; higher than most, if not than any, in England, and clothed with grass to the very top. Soon after four we came to Lead Hill, a little town at the foot of the mountains, wholly inhabited by miners. In Glasgow Cathedral Wed. June i. — ^We rode on to Glasgow; a mile short of which we met Mr. Gillies, riding out to meet us. In the evening the tent (so they call a covered pulpit) was placed in the yard of the poor-house, a very large and commodious place. Fronting the pulpit was the infirmary, with most of the patients at or near the windows. Adjoining to this was the hospital for lunatics : several of them gave deep attention. And cannot God give them also the spirit of a sound mind ? After sermon, they brought four children to baptize. I was at the kirk in the morning while the minister baptized several immediately after sermon. So I was not at a loss as to their manner of baptizing. I believe this removed much prejudice. Fri. 3. — At seven the congregation was increased, and earnest attention sat on every face. In the after- noon we walked to the college, and saw the new library, with the collection of pictures. Many of them are by Raphael, Rubens, Vandyke, and other eminent hands ; but they have not room to place them to advantage, their whole building being very small. UO WESLEY'S JOURNAL June 1757 Sat. 4. — I walked through all parts of the old cathedral, a very large and once beautiful structure; I think, more lofty than that at Canterbury, and nearly the same length and breadth. We then went up the main steeple, which gave us a fine prospect, both of the city and the adjacent country. A more fruitful and better cultivated plain is scarce to be seen in England. Indeed nothing is wanting but more trade (which would naturally bring more people), to make a great part of Scotland no way inferior to the best counties in England. I was much pleased with the seriousness of the people in the evening ; but still I prefer the English congrega- tion. I cannot be reconciled to men sitting at prayer, or covering their heads while they are singing praise to God. Wesley Sings a Scotch Psalm Thur. 9. — To-day "Douglas," the play which has made so much noise, was put into my hands. I was astonished to find it is one of the finest tragedies I ever read. What pity, that a few lines were not left out j and that it was ever acted at Edinburgh ! Fri 10. — I found myself much out of order, till the flux stopped at once, without any medicine. But being still weak, and the sun shining extremely hot, I was afraid I should not be able to go round by Kelso. Vain fear 1 God took care for this also. The wind, which had been full east for several days, turned this morning full west ; and blew just in our face : and about ten the clouds rose, and kept us cool till we came to Kelso. At six William Coward and I went to the market-house. We stayed some time, and neither man, woman, nor child came near us. At length I began singing a Scotch June 1757 CUTTING EXPRESSIONS 241 psalm, and fifteen or twenty people came within hearing ; but with great circumspection, keeping their distance, as though they knew not what might follow. But while I prayed, their number increased ; so that in a few minutes there was a pretty large congregation. I suppose the chief men of the town were there ; and I spared neither rich nor poor. I almost wondered at myself, it not being usual with me to use so keen and cutting expressions : and I believe many felt that, for all their form, they were but heathens still. Mon. 13 I proclaimed the love of Christ to sinners, in the market-place at Morpeth. Thence we rode to Placey. The society of colliers here may be a pattern to all the societies in England. No person ever misses his band or class : they have no jar of any kind among them ; but with one heart and one mind " provoke one another to love and to good works." After preaching I met the society in a room as warm as any in Georgia : this, with the scorching heat of the sun, when we rode on, quite exhausted my strength. But after we came to Newcastle I soon recovered, and preached with as much ease as in the morning. Thur. 16. — In the evening I preached at Sunderland. I then met the society, and told them plain, none could stay with us, unless he would part with all sin ; parti- cularly, robbing the King, selling or buying run goods ; which I could no more suffer than robbing on the high- way. This I enforced on every member the next day, A few would not promise to refrain : so these I was forced to cut off. About two hundred and fifty were of a better mind. Wed. 2a. — In the evening and the following morning I preached at Chester-on-the-Strate. Observing some very fine, but not very modest pictures, in the parlour Q S49 WESLEY'S JOURNAL July 1757 where we supped, I desired my companion, when the company was gone, to put them where they could do no hurt. He piled them on an heap in a corner of the room, and they have not appeared since. "I Do Indeed Live by Preaching I ** Thur. July 28 (Sheffield). — I received a strange account from Edward Bennet's eldest daughter : "On Tuesday, the 12th of this month, I told my husband in the morning, ' I desire you will not go into the water to-day, at least, not into the deep water, on the far side of the town ; for I dreamed I saw you there out of your depth, and only your head came up just above the water.' He promised me he would not, and went to work. Soon after four in the afternoon, being at John Hanson's, his partner's house, she was on a sudden extremely sick, so that for some minutes she seemed just ready to expire. Then she was well in a moment. Just at that time, John Hanson, who was an excellent swimmer, persuaded her husband to go into the water on the far side of the town. He objected — the water was deep, and he could not swim ; and being much importuned to go in, stood some time after he was undressed, and then kneeling down, prayed with an earnest and loud voice. When he rose from his knees, John, who was swimming, called him again, and tread- ing the water, said, ' See, it is only breast-high.' He stepped in, and sunk. A man who was near, cutting fern, and had observed him for some time, ran to the bank, and saw his head come up just above the water. The second or third time he rose, he clasped his hands, and cried aloud, ' Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Im- mediately he sunk, and rose no more." One might naturally inquire, What became of John Ace. I7S7 STRANGE DEATHS 843 Hanson? As soon as he saw his partner sink, he swam from him to the other side, put on his clothes, and went straight home. About noon I preached at Woodseats ; in the evening at Sheffield. I do indeed live by preaching ! How quiet is this country now, since the chief persecutors are no more seen ! How many of them have been snatched away in an hour when they looked not for it ! Some time since, a woman of Thorpe often swore she would wash her hands in the heart's blood of the next preacher that came. But before the next preacher came she was carried to her long home. A little before John Johnson settled at Wentworth, a stout, healthy man, who lived there, told his neighbours, " After May-day we shall have nothing but praying and preaching : but I will make noise enough to stop it." But before May-day he was silent in his grave. A servant of Lord R was as bitter as him, and told many lies purposely to make mischief; but before this was done, his mouth was stopped. He was drowned in one of the fish-ponds. Wesley at Chartertiouse Mon. Aug. 8 (London). — I took a walk in the Charter- house. I wondered that all the squares and buildings, and especially the school-boys, looked so little. But this is easily accounted for. I was little myself when I was at school, and measured all about me by myself Accordingly, the upper boys being then bigger than myself, seemed to me very big and tall ; quite contrary to what they appear now when I am taller and bigger than them. I question if this is not the real ground of the common imagination, that our forefathers, and in general men in past ages, were much larger than now : 244 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1757 an imagination current in the world eighteen hundred years ago. Whereas, in reality, men have been, at least ever since the deluge, very nearly the same as we find them now, both for stature and understanding. Fri. Sept. 2. — I rode to St. Agnes. Sun. 4 I. T. preached at five. I could scarce have believed if I had not heard it, that few men of learning write so correctly as an unlearned tinner speaks extem- pore. Mr. V. preached two such thundering sermons at church as I have scarce heard these twenty years. Mon. 5. — I rode on to Illogan; but not to the house where I used to preach: indeed his wife promised Mr. P., before he died, that she would always receive the preachers ; but she soon changed her mind. God has just taken her only son, suddenly killed by a pit falling upon him; and on Tuesday last, a young, strong man, riding to his burial, dropped off his horse stone dead. The concurrence of these awful providences added considerably to our congregation. Sat. 10. — We rode to the Land's End. I know no natural curiosity like this. The vast ragged stones rise on every side, when you are near the point of land, with green turf between as level and smooth as if it were the effect of art. And the rocks which terminate the land are so torn by the sea, that they appear like great heaps of ruins. Sun. II. — I preached at St. Just at nine. Atone, the congregation in Morva stood on a sloping ground, rank above rank, as in a theatre. Many of them bewailed their want of Godj and many tasted how gracious he is. At five I preached in Newlyn, to an huge multitude ; and one only seemed to be offended — a very good sort of woman, who took great pains to get away, crying Sbpt. 1757 WESLEY AND MR. MAYOR stool, and leaning against the wall, with her eyes open and fixed upward. I made a motion as if going to strike, but they continued immovable. Her face showed an unspeakable mixture of reverence and love, while silent tears stole down her cheeks. Her lips were a little open, and sometimes moved ; but not enough to cause any sound. I do not know whether I ever saw an human biet Aug. I7S9 REMARKABLE TRANCES *59 look so beautiful; sometimes it was covered with a smile, as from joy, mixing with love and reverence ; but the tears fell still though not so fast Her pulse was quite regular. In about half an hour I observed her countenance change into the form of fear, pity, and distress ; then she burst into a flood of tears, and cried out, " Dear Lord ; they will be damned ! They will all be damned!" But in about five minutes her smiles returned, and only love and joy appeared in her face. About half an hour after six, I observed distress take place again ; and soon after she wept bitterly and cried out, " Dear Lord, they will go to hell ! The world will go to hell 1 " Soon after, she said, " Cry aloud ! Spare not ! " And in a few moments her look was composed again, and spoke a mixture of reverence, joy, and love. Then she said aloud, "Give God the glory." About seven her senses re- turned. I asked, " Where have you been ? " — " I have been with my Saviour." " In heaven, or on earth ?" — " I cannot tell ; but I was in glory." " Why then did you cry ?" — " Not for myself, but for the world ; for I saw they were on the brink of hell." " Whom did you desire to give the glory to God ? " — " Ministers that cry aloud to the world : else they will be proud ; and then God will leave them, and they will lose their own souls." Wesley Rides 2400 Miles in Seven Months Tues. 7. — After preaching at four (because of the harvest) I took horse, and rode easily to London. Indeed I wanted a little rest; having rode, in seven months, about four-and-twenty hundred miles. Mon. 13. — I took a little ride to Croydon, one of the seats of the Archbishops of Canterbury. Was it 260 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1759 one of these who ordered, many years ago (for the characters are of old standing), that dreadful inscrip- tion to be olaced just over the communion-table? " And now, ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord, I will even send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings : yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your feces, even the dung of your solemn feasts, and one shall take you away with it." The Archbishop's palace is an ancient, venerable pile, and the gardens are extremely pleasant. The late Archbishop had improved them at a large expense; but continual illness prevented his enjoying them ; till, after four years' constant pain, he was called away — one may hope to the garden of God. I dined at Mr. B.'s, in Epsom, whose house and gardens lie in what was once a chalk-pit. It is the most elegant spot I ever saw with my eyesj every thing within doors and without, being finished in the most exquisite taste. Surely nothing on earth can be more delightful. O what will the possessor feel, when he cries out, Must I then leave thee, paradise ? then leave These happy shades, and mansions fit for gods? Thur. 30. — I preached at the Tabernacle in Nor- wich, to a large, rude, noisy congregation. I took knowledge what manner of teachers they had been accustomed to, and determined to mend them or end them. Accordingly, the next evening, after sermon, 1 reminded them of two things : the one, that it was not decent to begin talking aloud as soon as service was Sept. 1759 WESLEY'S SEVERITY 26l ended ; and hurrying to and fro, as in a bear-garden. The other, that it was a bad custom to gather into knots just after sermon, and turn a place of worship into a coffee-house. I therefore desired, that none would talk under that roof, but go quietly and silently away. And on Sunday, September a, I had the pleasure to observe, that all went as quietly away, as if they had been accus- tomed to it for many years. Sun. Sep. 9. — I met the society at seven ; and told them in plain terms, that they were the most ignorant, self-conceited, self-willed, fickle, untractable, disorderly, disjointed society, that I knew in the three kingdoms. And God applied it to their hearts : so that many were profited ; but I do not find, that one was offended. Field'preaching Expedient Fri, 14. — I returned to London. Saturday, 15. Having left orders for the immediate repairing of West Street chapel, I went to see what they had done, and saw cause to praise God for this also. The main timbers were so rotten, that in many places one might thrust his fingers into them. So that probably, had we delayed till spring, the whole building must have fallen to the ground. Mon. 17. — I went to Canterbury. Two hundred soldiers, I suppose, and a whole row of officers, attended in the evening. Their number was increased the next evening, and all behaved as men fearing God. Wednes- day, 19, I preached at Dover, in the new room, which is just finished. Here also the hearers increase, some of whom are convinced and others comforted daily. Thursday, 20. I strongly applied at Canterbury to the soldiers in particular, " He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 26» WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1759 The next day, in my return to London, I read Mr. Huygens's " Conjectures on the Planetary World." He surprised me. I think he clearly proves that the moon is not habitable : that there are neither Riven nor mountains on her spotty globe : that there is no sea, no water on her surface, nor any atmosphere: and hence he very rationally infers, that " neither are any of the secondary planets inhabited." And who can prove that the primary are? I know the earth is. Of the rest I know nothing. Sun. 33 A vast majority of the immense congrega- tion in Moorfields were deeply serious. One such hour might convince any impartial man of the expediency of field-preaching. What building, except St. Paul's church, would contain such a congregation. And if it would, what human voice could have reached them there ? By repeated observations I find I can command thrice the number in the open air, that I can under a roof. And who can say the time for field-preaching is over, while, t. Greater numbers than ever attend : 2. The converting, as well as convincing, power of God is eminently present with them ? Wesley Clothes French Prisonen Mon. Oct. I (Bristol). — All my leisure time, during my stay at Bristol, I employed in finishing the fourth volume of "Discourses"; probably the last which I shall publish. Mon. 15. — I walked up to Knowle, a mile from Bristol, to see the French prisoners. About eleven hundred ot them, we are informed, were confined in that little place, without anything to lie on but a little dirty straw, or anything to cover them but a few foul thin Nor. 1759 PREACHING OVER A STY «63 rags, either by day or night, so that they died like rotten sheep. I was much affected, and preached in the even- ing on (Exodus xxiii. 9), " Thou shalt not oppress a stranger : for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Eighteen pounds were contributed immediately, which were made up four- and-twenty the next day. With this we bought linen and woollen doth, which were made up into shirts, waistcoats, and breeches. Some dozen of stockings were added ; all which were carefully distributed, where there was the greatest want. Presently after, the Corporation of Bristol sent a large quantity of mattresses and blankets. And it was not long before contributions were set on foot at London, and in various parts of the kingdom; so that I believe from this time they were pretty well provided with all the necessaries of life. The Truth about Trances Sat Nov. 17. (London). — I spent an hour agreeably and profitably with Lady G H , and Sir C H . It is well a few of the rich and noble are called. O that God would increase their number 1 But I should rejoice (were it the will of God), if it were done by the ministry of others. If I might choose, I should still (as I have done hitherto) preach the Gospel to the poor. Fri. 23. — The roads were so extremely slippery, it was with much difficulty we reached Bedford. We had a pretty large congregation ; but the stench from the swine under the room was scarce supportable. Was ever a preaching-place over a hog-sty before ? Surely they love the Gospel, who come to hear it in such a place. Sun. 25 In the afternoon God was eminently present with us, though rather to comfort than convince, 264 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1759 But I observed a remarkable difference, since I was here (Everton) before, as to the manner of the work. None now were in trances, none cried out, none fell down or were convulsed : only some trembled exceedingly, a low murmur was heard, and many were refreshed with the multitude of peace. The danger was, to regard extraordinary circumstances too much, such as outcries, convulsions, visions, trances; as if these were essential to the inward work, so that it could not go on without them. Perhaps the danger is, to regard them too little ; to condemn them altogether ; to imagine they had nothing of God in them, and were a hindrance to his work. Whereas the truth is, i. God suddenly and strongly convinced many that they were lost sinners; the natural consequence whereof were sudden outcries and strong bodily convulsions ; 2. To strengthen and encourage them that believed, and to make his work more apparent, he favoured several of them with divine dreams, others with trances and visions : 3. In some of these instances, after a time, nature mixed with grace : 4. Satan likewise mimicked this work of God in order to discredit the whole work : and yet it is not wise to ^ve up this part any more than to give up the whole. At first, it was, doubtless, wholly from God. It is partly bo at this day; and he will enable us to discern how far, in every case, the work is pure, and where it mixes or degenerates. Wed. 38. — I returned to London; and on Thursday, 29, the day appointed for the general thanks- giving, I preached again in the chapel near the Seven Dials, both morning and afternoon. I believed the oldest man in England has not seen a thanksgiving-day so observed before. It had the solemnity of the General Fast. All the shops were shut up : the people APRIL1760 IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM S65 in the streets appeared, one and all, with an air of seriousness : the prayers, lessons, and whole public service, were admirably suited to the occasion. The prayer for our enemies, in particular, was extremely striking : perhaps it is the first instance of the kind in Europe. There was no noise, hurry, bonfires, fireworks in the evening; and no public diversions. This is indeed a Christian holiday, a "rejoicing unto the Lord." The next day came the news that Sir Edward Hawke had dispersed the French fleet. Sun. Dec. 9. — I had, for the first time, a love- feast for the whole society. Wednesday, 12. I began reading over the Greek Testament and the notes, with my brother and several others ; carefully comparing the translation with the original, and correcting or enlarging the notes as we saw occasion. The same day I spent part of the afternoon in the British Museum. There is a large library, a great number of curious manuscripts, many uncommon monu- ments of antiquity, and the whole collection of shells, butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers, &c., which the inde- fatigable Sir Hans Sloane, with such vast expense and labour, procured in a life of fourscore years. Wesley and the Irish Question 1760. Wed. Jan. 16. — One came to me, as she said, with a message from the Lord, to tell me, I was laying up treasures on earth, taking my ease, and minding only my eating and drinking. I told her, God knew me better ; and if he had sent her, he would have sent her with a more proper message. Mon. April 21. — In riding to Rosmead, I read Sir John Davis's " Historical Relations concerning Ireland." None who reads these can wonder, that, fruitful as it is. 266 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Junk 1760 it was always so thinly inhabited ; for he makes it plain, I. That murder was never capital among the native Irish ; the murderer only paid a small fine to the Chief of his sept. 2. When the English settled here, still the Irish had no benefit of the English laws. They coa'd not so much as sue an Englishman. So the English beat, plundered, yea, murdered them, at pleasure. Hence, 3. Arose continual wars between them, for three hundred and fifty years together ; and hereby both the English and Irish natives were kept few, as well as poor. 4. When they were multiplied during a peace of forty years, from 1600 to 1641, the general massacre, with the ensuing war, again thinned their numbers; not so few as a million of men, women, and children, being destroyed in foiu: years' time. 5. Great numbers have ever since, year by year, left the land merely for want of employment. 6. The gentry are continually driving away hundreds, yea, thousands, of them that remain, by throwing such quantities of arable land into pasture, which leaves them neither business nor food. This it is that now dispeoples many parts of Ireland, of Connaught in particular, which, it b supposed, has scarce half the inhabitants at this day which it had fourscore years ago. Attack on Wesley's Hat Tues. June 10. — I rode to Drumersnave, a village delightfully situated. At noon William Ley, James Glasbrook, and I rode to Carrick-upon-Shannon. In less than an hour, an Esquire and Justice of the peace came down with a drum, and what mob he could gather. I went into the garden with the congregation, while h« was making a SiPT. 1760 A FURIOUS MAGISTRATE 867 speech to his followers in the street. He then attacked William Ley (who stood at the door), being armed with an halbert and long sword; and ran at him with the halbert, but missing his thrust, he then struck at him, and broke it short upon his wrist. Having made his way through the house to the other door, he was at a full stop. James Glasbrook held it fast on the other side. While he was endeavouring to force it open, one told him I was preaching in the garden. On this he quitted the door in haste, ran round the house, and with part of his retinue, climbed over the wall into the garden ; and with a whole volley of oaths and curses declared, "You shall not preach here to-day." I told him, " Sir, I do not intend it ; for I have preached already." This made him ready to tear the ground. Finding he was not to be reasoned with, I went into the house. Soon after he revenged himself on James Glasbook (by breaking the truncheon of his halbert on his arm), and on my hat, which he beat and kicked most valiantly ; but a gentle- man rescued it out of his hands, and we rode quietly out of the town. Wed. Sept. 10. — When I came to St. Ires, I was determined to preach abroad; but the wind was so high, I could not stand where I had intended. But we found a little inclosure near it, one end of which was native rock, rising ten or twelve feet perpendicular, from which the ground fell with an easy descent. A jetting out of the rock, about four feet from the ground, gave me a very convenient pulpit. Here well nigh the whole town, high and low, rich and poor, assembled together. Nor was there a word to be heard, or a smile seen, from one end of the congregation to the other. It was just the same the three following eveningi. Indeed I was S6fc WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sjpt. 1766 afraid on Saturday, that the roarmg of the sea, raised by the north wind, would have prevented their hearing. But God gave me so clear and strong a voice, that I believe scarce one word was lost. Sun. 14. — At eight I chose a large ground, the sloping side of a meadow, where the congregation stood, row above row, so that all might see as well as hear. It was a beautiful sight. Every one seemed to take to himselt what was spoken. I believe every backslider in the town was there. And surely God was there, to " heal their backslidings." I began at Zennor, as soon as the Church service ended : I suppose scarce six persons went away. At five I went once more into the ground at St. Ives, and found such a congregation as I think was never seen in a place before (Gwennap excepted) in this county. Some of the chief of the town were now not in the skirts, but in the thickest of the people. The clear sky, the setting sun, the smooth, still water, all agreed with the state of the audience. "A Kind of Waterspout* Wed. 17. — The room at St. Just was quite full at five, and God gave us a parting blessing. At noon I preached on the cliff near Penzance, where no one now gives an uncivil word. Here I procured an account, from an eye-witness, of what happened the twenty-seventh of last month. A round pillar, narrowest at bottom, of a whitish colour, rose out of the sea near Mousehole, and reached the clouds. One who was riding over the strand from Marazion to Penzance saw it stand for a short space, and then move swiftly toward her, till tho skirt of it touching her, the horse threw her and ran away. It had a strong sulphurous smell. It dragged Sfpt. 1760 A WATERSPOUT ON LANji* t69 with it abundance of sand and pebbles from the shore ; and then went over the land, carrying with it corn, furze, or whatever it found in its way. It was doubtless a kind of water-spout j but a water-spout on land, I believe, is seldom seen. FrL 19. — I rode to lUogan. We had heavy rain before I began, but scarce any while I was preaching. I learned several other particulars here concerning the water-spout. It was seen near Mousehole an hour before sunset. About sunset it began travelling over the land, tearing up all the furze and shrubs it met. Near an hour after sunset it passed (at the rate of four or five miles an hour) across Mr. Harris's fields, in Camborne, sweeping the ground as it went, about twenty yards in diameter at bottom, and broader and broader up to the clouds. It made a noise like thunder, took up eighteen stacks of corn, with a large hay-stack and the stones whereon it stood, scattered them abroad (but it was quite dry), and then passed over the cliflF into the sea. Sat. 20. — In the evening I took my old stand in the main street in Redruth. A multitude of people, rich and poor, calmly attended. So is the roughest become one of the quietest towns in England. A Tinner's Story Sun. 21. — I preached in the same place at eight. Mr. C , of St. Cubert, preached at the church both morning and afternoon, and strongly confirmed what I had spoken. At one, the day being mild and calm, we had the largest congregation of all. But it rained all the time I was preaching at Gwennap. We concluded the day with a love-feast, at which James Roberts, a tinner of St. Ives, related how God had dealt with his soul. «70 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1760 He was one of the first in society in St. Ives, but toon relapsed into his old sin, drunkenness, and wallowed in it for two years, during which time he headed the mob who pulled down the preaching-house. Not long after, he was standing with his partner at Edward May's shop when the preacher went by. His partner said, "I will tell him I am a Methodist." "Nay," said Edward, " your speech will bewray you." James felt the word as a sword, thinking in himself, " So does my speech now bewray me ! " He turned and hastened home, fancying he heard the devil stepping after him all the way. For forty hours he never closed his eyes, nor tasted either meat or drink. He was then at his wit's end, and went to the window, looking to drop into hell instantly, when he heard those words, " I will be merciful to thy unrighteousness, thy sins and iniquities will I remember no more." All his load was gone; and he has now for many years walked worthy of the Gospel Wed. Oct. a a. — Being informed that some neighbour- ing gentlemen had declared they would apprehend the next preacher who came to Pensford, I rode over to give them the meeting ; but none appeared. The house was more than filled with deeply atteniive hearers. It seems the time is come at length for the word of God to take root here also. Fri. 24 — I visited the French prisoners at Knowle, and found many of them almost naked again. In hopes of provoking others to jealousy, I made another collec- tion for them, and ordered the money to be laid out in linen and waistcoats, which were given to those that were most in want. Sat. 25*— King George was gathered to his fiithas. When will England have a better Prince ? Jan. i76i WESLEY DESCRIBES NEWGATE 871 Many of us agreed to observe Friday, 31, as a day of fitting and prayer for the blessing of God upon our nation, and in particular on his present Majesty. We met at five, at nine, at one, and at half-past eight. I expected to be a little tired, but was more lively after twelve at night than I was at six in the morning. "Wesley "Writea to the "London Chronicle" 1761. Jan. Fri. a. — I wrote the following letter: " To the Editor of the London Chronicle. "Sir, — Of all the seats of woe on this side hell, few, I suppose, exceed or even equal Newgate. If any region of horror could exceed it a few years ago, Newgate in Bristol did; so great was the filth, the stench, the misery, and wickedness, which shocked all who had a spark of humanity left. How was I surprised then, when I was there a few weeks ago! i. Every part of it, above stairs and below, even the pit, wherein the felons are confined at night, is as clean and sweet as a gentleman's house ; it being now a rule, that every prisoner wash and clean his apartment throughly twice a week. a. Here is no fighting or brawling. If any thinks himself ill-used, the cause is immediately referred to the keeper, who hears the contending parties face to face, and decides the affair at once. 3. The usual grounds of quarrelling are removed. For it is very rarely that any one cheats or wrongs another, as being sure, if any thing of this kind is discovered, to be committed to a closer confinement. 4. Here is no drunkenness suffered, however advantageous it might be to the keeper, as well as the tapster. 5. Nor any whoredom ; the women prisoners 272 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1 761 being narrowly observed, and kept separate from the men: nor is any woman of the town now admitted, no, not at any price. 6. All possible care is taken to prevent idleness: those who are willing to work at their callings are provided with tools and materials, partly by the keeper, who gives them credit at a very moderate profit; partly by the alms occasionally given, which are divided with the utmost prudence and impartiality. Accordingly, at this time, among others, a shoemaker, a tailor, a brazier, and a coach- maker are working at their several trades. 7. Only on the Lord's day they neither work nor play, but dress themselves as clean as they can, to attend the public service in the chapel, at which every person under the roof is present. None is excused, unless sick j in which case he is provided, gratis, both with advice and medicines. 8. And in order to assist them in things of the greatest concern (besides a sermon every Sunday and Thursday), they have a large Bible chained on one side of the chapel, which any of the prisoners may read. By the blessing of God on these regulations the prison now has a new face : nothing offends either the eye or ear j and the whole has the appearance of a quiet, serious family. And does not the keeper of Newgate deserve to be remembered full as well as the Man of Ross? May the Lord remember him in that day I Meantime, will no one follow his example 7 I am, Sir, " Your humble servant, "John Weslky." Sat. March 14. — I rode (from Birmingham) to Wed- nesbury. Sunday, 15. I made a shift to preach within at eight in the morning ; but in the afternoon I knew March 1761 PREACHING DIFFICULTIES 273 not what to do, having a pain in my side, and a sore throat. However, I resolved to speak as long as I could. I stood at one end of the house, and the people (sup- posed to be eight or ten thousand) in the field adjoining. I spoke from, " I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." When I had done speaking, my complaints were gone. Mon. 16. — I intended to rest two or three days ; but being pressed to visit Shrewsbury, and having no other time, I rode over to-day, though upon a miserable beast. When I came, my head ached as well as my side. I found the door of the place where I was to preach surrounded by a numerous mob. But they seemed met, only to starve. Yet part of them came in; almost all that did (a large number) behaved quietly and seriously. Preaching in the Inn Yard Tues. 17. — At five the congregation was large, and appeared not a little afTected. The difficulty now was, how to get back. For I could not ride the horse on which I came. But this too was provided for. We met in the street with one who lent me his horse, which was so easy that I grew better and better till I came to Wolverhampton. None had yet preached abroad in this furious town ; but I was resolved, with God's help, to make a trial, and ordered a table to be set in the inn- y§^d.i. Such a number of wild men I have seldom seen ; l%^ytbsy [gai^e me no disturbance, either while I ySf^li^ifnmt!fd^a,l afterwards walked through the jfAtouttflKgil'^jeaclieJ t^iisldfen^rgeft/songiegation at I^d}§fKS9d)railii«@B quie&dasjabJicmdadL zzSiuu^ctamiis) cJft«g«D3i»Sa jftf ,jMfh \IBfeS)^H®* .11b IB qiflaiow DiJduq on bsd s^riiJ isAi bf.M«'fe^Itfnfd%btqT]|.oe>4ftv^q)^fteq T^^PJhPWW5Wfi4 «fcl^cJri?C9flipfi pfa|hBol^eai:ofljflio^S,£oif^o^y}^ tefiisiS'^ efeBifiiFiiP'bis^jaa fern ^jfeamfikVjbsJiigfef near Nenagh, in the county of Limerick, and t|^/tS}45?ff9 July 176a IRISH REBELS «89 inclosed. Near the same time the others met in the county of Tipperary, of Waterford, and of Cork. As no one offered to suppress or hinder them, they increased in number continually, and called themselves White- boys, wearing white cockades, and white linen frocks. In February, there were five or six parties of them, two or three hundred men in each, who moved up and down, chiefly in the night; but for what end, did not appear. Only they levelled a few fences, dug up some grounds, and hamstrung some cattle, perhaps fifty or sixty in all. One body of them came into Cloheen, of about five hundred foot, and two hundred horse. They moved as exactly as regular troops, and appeared to be thoroughly disciplined. They now sent letters to several gentlemen, threatening to pull down their houses. They compelled every one they met to take an oath to be true to Queen Sive (whatever that meant) and the Whiteboys ; not to reveal their secrets ; and to join them when called upon. It was supposed, eight or ten thousand were now actually risen, many c f them well armed j and that a far greater number were ; eady to rise whenever they should be called upon. Those who refused to swear, they threatened to bury alive. Two or three they did bury up to the neck, and left them ; where they must quickly have perished, had they not been found in time by some travelling by. At length, toward Easter, a body of troops, chiefly light horse, were sent against them. Many were apprehended and committed to gaolj the rest of them disappeared. This is the plain, naked fact, which has been so variously represented. 'Whitewashing Kilkenny Marble Sat. July 10. — We rode to Kilkenny, one of the pleasantest and the most ancient cities in the kingdom ; T 290 WESLEY'S JOURNAL July 1762 and not inferior to any at all in wickedness, or in hatred to this way. I was therefore glad of a permission to preach in the Town Hall ; where a small, serious com- pany attended in the evening. Sunday, 11. I went to the cathedral ; one of the best built which I have seen in Ireland. The pillars are all of black marble ; but the late Bishop ordered them to be white-washed I Indeed, marble is so plentiful near this town, that the very streets are paved with it Mod. 12. — I went to Dunmore Cave, three or four miles from Kilkenny. It is full as remarkable as Poole's Hole, or any other in the Peak. The opening is round, parallel to the horizon, and seventy or eighty yards across. In the midst of this, there is a kind of arch, twenty or thirty feet high. By this you enter into the first cave, nearly round, and forty or fifty feet in diameter. It is encompassed with spar-stones, just like those on the sides of Poole's Hole. On one side of the cave is a narrow passage, which goes under the rock two or three hundred yards ; on the other, an hollow, which no one has ever been able to find an end of. I suppose this hole too, as well as many others, was formed by the waters of the deluge, retreating into the great abyss, with which probably it communicates. Mon. 26 In some respects the work of God in Dublin was more remarkable than even that in London, i. It is far greater, in proportion to the time, and to the number of people. That society had above seven-and-twenty hundred members; this not a fifth part of the number. Six months after the flame broke out there, we had about thirty witnesses of the great salvation. In Dublin there were about forty in less than four months. 2. The work was more pure. In all this time, while they were noildly and tenderly Sift. i76a TROUBLE AT EXETER «91 treated, there were none of them headstrong or unadyis- able ; none th&t were wiser than their teachers ; none who dreamed of being immortal or infallible, or incap- able of temptation: in short, no whimsical or enthu- siastic persons : all were calm and sober-minded. Wesley in Cornwall Friday, Aug. 27, — I set out for the west; and having preached at Shepton and Middlesey in the way, came on Saturday to Exeter. When I began the service there, the congregation (beside ourselves) were two women, and one man. Before I had done, the room was about half full. This comes of omitting field-preaching. Sun. 29 I preached at eight on Southernay Green, to an extremely quiet congregation. At the cathedral we had an useful sermon, and the whole service was performed with great seriousness and decency. Such an organ I never saw or heard before, so large, beautiful, and so finely toned ; and the music of " Glory be to God in the highest," I think exceeded the " Messiah " itself. I was well pleased to partake of the Lord's supper with my old opponent. Bishop Lavington. O may we sit down together in the kingdom of our Father ! At five I went to Southernay Green again, and found a multitude of people ; but a lewd, profane, drunken vagabond had so stirred up many of the baser sort, that there was much noise, hurry, and confusion. While I was preaching, several things were thrown, and much pains taken to overturn the table j and after I concluded, many endeavoured to throw me down, but I walked through the midst, and left them. Saturday, Sept. 4. — After preaching in Grampound, I rods on to Truro. I almost expected there would be S9t WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sew. 1761 some disturbance, as it was market-day, and I stood in the street at a small distance from the market. But all was quiet. Indeed both persecution and popular tumult seem to be forgotten in Cornwall. Sun. 5. — As I was enforcing, in the same place, those solemn words, " God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," a poor man began to make some tumult; but many cried out^ "Constables, take him away." They did so, and the hurry was over. At one I preached in the main street at Redruth, where rich and poor were equally attentive. The wind was so high at five, that I could not stand in the usual place at Gwennap. But at a small distance was a hollow, capable of containing many thousand people. I stood on one side of this amphitheatre toward the top, with the people beneath and on all sides, and enlarged on those words in the Gospel for the day (Luke x. 23, 24), " Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see, and which hear the things that ye kaar." Wed. 15. — The more I converse with the believers in Cornwall, the more I am convinced that they have sustained great loss for want of hearing the doctrine of Christian perfection clearly and strongly enforced. I see, wherever this is not done, the believers grow dead and cold. Nor can this be prevented, but by keeping up in them an hourly expectation of being perfected in love. I say an hourly expectation ; for to expect it at death, or some time hence, is much the same as not expecting it at aU. That detestable practice of cheating the King (smug- gling) is no more found in our societies. And since that accursed thing has been put away, the work of God has everywhere increased. Oct. 176* "THAT SOLEMN CUSTOM" 293 Mon. October 25. — I preached at one, in the shell of the new house at Shepton Mallet. In digging the foundation they found a quarry of stone, which was more than sufficient for the house. Thur. 28. — One who had adorned the Gospel in life and in death, having desired that I should preach her funeral sermon, I went with a few friends to the house, and sang before the body to the room. I did this the rather, to show my approbation of that solemn custom, and to encourage others to follow it. As we walked, our company swiftly increased, so that we had a very numerous congregation at the room. And who can tell, but some of these may bless God from it to all eternitj ? Wesley's Day of Pentecost Many years ago my brother frequently said, " Your day of Pentecost is not fully come ; but I doubt not it will; and you will then hear of persons sanctified, as frequently as you do now of persons justified." Any unprejudiced reader may observe, that it was now fully come. And accordingly we did hear of persons sancti- fied, in London, and most other parts of England, and in Dublin, and many other parts of Ireland, as frequently as of persons justified ; although instances of the latter were far more frequent than they had been for twenty years before. That many of these did not retain the gift of God, is no proof that it was not given them. That many do retain it to this day, is matter of praise and thanksgiving. And many of them are gone to him whom they loved, praising him with their latest breath ; just in the spirit of Ann Steed, the first witness in Bristol of the great salvation; who, being worn out with sickness and racking pain, after she had com- S94 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1763 mended to God all that were round her, lifted up her eyes, cried aloud, " Glory 1 Hallelujah I " and died. Wesley ia Aberdeen Again 1763. Mon. May 16. — Setting out a month later than usual, I judged it needful to make the more haste ; so I took post-chaises, and by that means easily reached New- castle, on Wednesday, 18. Thence I went on at leisure, and came to Edinburgh, on Saturday, ai. The next day I had the satisfaction of spending a little time with Mr. Whitefield. Humanly speaking, he is worn out; but we have to do with him who hath all power in heaven and earth. Mon. 33. — I rode to Forfar, and on Tuesday, 34, rode on to Aberdeen. Wed. 25. — I inquired into the state of things here. Surely never was there a more open door. The four ministers of Aberdeen, the minister of the adjoining town, and the three ministers of Old-Aberdeen, hitherto seem to have no dislike, but rather to wish us "good luck in the name of the Lord." Most of the town's people as yet seem to wish us well ; so that there is no open opposition of any kind. O what spirit ought a preacher to be of, that he may be able to bear all this sunshine I About noon I went to Gordon's Hospital, built near the town for poor children. It is an exceeding hand- some building, and (what is not common) kept exceeding clean. The gardens are pleasant, well laid out, and in extremely good order ; but the old bachelor who founded it, has expressly provided that no woman should ever be there. At seven, the evening being fair and mild, I preached to a multitude of people, in the College Close, on, " Stand May 1 76 J RELIGIOUS SCOTLAND 995 in the ways and lee, and ask for the old paths." But the next evening, the weather being raw and cold, I preached in the College Hall. What an amazing willing- ness to hear runs through this whole kingdom ! There want only a few zealous, active labourers, who desire nothing but God ; and they might soon carry the Gospel through all this country, even as high as the Orkneys. Plain Dealing in Scotland Fri. 37. — I set out for Edinburgh again. About one I preached at Brechin. All were deeply attentive. Perhaps a few may not be forgetful hearers. Afterwards we rode on to Broughty Castle, two or three miles below Dundee. We were in hopes of passing the river here, though we could not at the town ; but we found our horses could not pass till eleven or twelve at night. So we judged it would be best, to go over ourselves and leave them behind. In a little time we procured a kind ' of a boat, about half as long as a London wherry, and three or four feet broad. Soon after we had put off, I perceived it leaked on all sides, nor had we anything to lade out the water. When we came toward the middle of the river, which was three miles over, the wind being high, and the water rough, our boatmen seemed a little surprised ; but we encouraged them to pull away, and in less than half an hour we landed safe. Our horses were brought after us ; and the next day we rode on to Kinghorn-ferry, and had a pleasant passage to Leith. Sun. 29. — I preached at seven in the High School yard, Edinburgh. It being the time of the General Assembly, which drew together, not the ministers only, but abundance of the nobility and gentry, many oif both sorts were present ; but abundantly more at five in the 296 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juke 1763 afternoon. I spake as plain as ever I did in my life. But I never knew any in Scotland offended at plain dealing. In this respect the North Britons are a pattern to all mankind. Tues. June 7. — There is something remarkable in the manner wherein God revived his work in these parts. A few months ago the generality of people in this circuit were exceeding lifeless. Samuel Meggot, perceiving this, advised the society at Barnard Castle to observe every Friday with fasting and prayer. The very first Friday they met together, God broke in upon them in a wonderful manner; and his work has been increasing among them ever since. The neighbouring societies heard of this, agreed to follow the same rule, and soon experiwiced the same blessing. Is not the neglect of this plain duty (I mean fasting, ranked by our Lord with almsgiving and prayer) one general occasion of deadness among Christians? Can any one willingly neglect it, and be guiltless ? The Drunkard's Magnificat Thur. 16. — ^At five in the evening I preached at Dewsbury, and on Friday, 17, reached Manchester. Here I received a particular account of a remarkable incident : An eminent drunkard of Congleton used to divert himself, whenever there was preaching there, by standing over against the house, cursing and swearing at the preacher. One evening he had a fancy to step in, and hear what the man had to say. He did so : but it made him so uneasy that he could not sleep all night In the morning he was more uneasy still ; he walked in the fields, but all in vain, till it came in his mind to go to one of his merry companions, who was always ready to abuse the Methodists. He told him how be JUNB1763 A STRANGE CONVERSION 89^ wai, and asked what he should do. " Do 1 " said Samuel, " go and join the society. I will ; for I was never so uneasy in my life." They did so without delay. But presently David cried out, " I am sorry I joined; for I shall get drunk again, and they will turn me out." However, he stood firm for four days ; on the fifth, he was persuaded by the old companions to " take one pint," and then another, and another, till one of them sud, " See, here is a Methodist drunk 1 " David started up, and knocked him over, chair and alL He then drove the rest out of the house, caught up the landlady, carried her out, threw her into the kennel ; went back to the house, broke down the door, threw it into the street, and then ran into the fields, tore his hair, and rolled up and down on the ground. In a day or two was a love-feast ; he stole in, getting behind, that none might see him. While Mr. Furze was at prayer, he was seized with a dreadful agony, both of body and mind. This caused many to wrestle with God for him. In a while he sprung up on his feet, stretched out his hands, and cried aloud, " All my sins are for- given ! " At the same instant, one on the other side ot the room cried out, " Jesus is mine ! And he has taken away all my sins." This was Samuel H. David burst through the people, caught him in his arms, and said, "Come, let us sing the "Virgin Mary's song; I never could sing it before. ' My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit doth rejoice in God my Saviour.' " And their following behaviour plainly showed the reaUty of their profession. Mon. 20. — I preached at Maxfield about noon. As I had not been well, and was not quite recovered, our brethren insisted on sending me in a chaise to Burslem, Between four and five I quitted the chaise, and took my 298 WESLEY'S JOURNAL AV0.176J horse. Presently after, hearing a cry, I looked back, and saw the chaise upside down (the wheel having violently struck against a stone), and well nigh dashed in pieces. About seven I preached to a large congrega- tion at Burslem; these poor potters, four years ago, were as wild and ignorant as any of the colliers in Kingswood. Lord, thou hast power over thy own clay I Wesley Praises Wales Sat. Aug. ao (Brecknock). — We took horse at four, and rode through one of the pleasantest countries in the world. When we came to Trecastle, we had rode fifty miles in Monmouthshire and Brecknockshire; and I will be bold to say, all England does not afford such a line of fifty miles' length, for fields, meadows, woods, brooks, and gently-rising mountains, fruitful to the very top. Carmarthenshire, into which we came soon after, has at least as fruitful a soil ; but it is not so pleasant, because it has fewer mountains, though abundance of brooks and rivers. About five I preached on the green at Carmarthen to a large number of deeply attentive people. Here two gentlemen from Pembroke met me, with whom we rode to St. Clare, intending to lodge there ; but the inn was quite full : so we concluded to try for Larn, though we knew not the way, and it was now quite dark. Just then came up an honest man who was riding thither, and we willingly bore him company. Thur. 25. — I was more convinced than ever that the preaching Uke an Apostle, without joining together those that are awakened, and training them up in the ways of God, is only begetting children for the murderer. How much preaching has there been for these twenty years all over Pembrokeshire! But no regular societies, no Sept. 1 763 "CHILDREN FOR I'HE MURDERER" 299 discipline, no order or connection ; and the consequence is, that nine in ten of the once-awakened are now faster asleep than ever. Fri. 26. — We designed to take horse at four (from Haverfordwest), but the rain poured down, so that one could scarce look out. About six, however, we set out, and rode through heavy rain to St. Clare. Having then little hopes of crossing the sands, we determined to go round by Carmarthen ; but the hostler told us we might save several miles, by going to LlansteflFan's Ferry. We came thither about noon, where a good woman in- formed us the boat was aground, and would not pass till the evening: so we judged it best to go by Carmarthen still. But when we had rode three or four miles, I recollected that I had heard speak of a ford, which would save us some miles' riding. We inquired of an old man, who soon mounted his horse, showed us the way, and rode through the river before us. Soon after my mare dropped a shoe, which occasioned EG much loss of time, that we could not ride the sands, but were obliged to go round, through a miserable road to Llanellos. To mend the matter, our guide lost his way, both before we came to Llanellos and after; so that it was as much as we could do to reach Bocher Ferry a little after sunset. Knowing it was impossible then to reach Fenreese, as we designed, we went on straight to Swansea. Methodists and tlieir Wealth Sat. Sept. 17 (Bristol). — I preached on the green at Bedminster. I am apt to think many of the hearers scarce ever heard a Methodist before, or perhaps any other preacher. What but field-preaching could reach 300 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dec. 1763 these poor sinners? And are not their souls also precious in the sight of God ? Sun. 18. — I preached in the morning in Princess Street, to a numerous congregation. Two or three gentleman, so-called, laughed at first; but in a few minutes they were as serious as the rest. On Monday evening I gave our brethren a solemn caution, not to "love the world, neither the things of the world." This will be their grand danger : as they are industrious and frugal, they must needs increase in goods. This appears already: in London, Bristol, and most other trading towns, those who are in business have increased in sub- stance seven-fold, some of them twenty, yea, an hun- dred-fold. What need, then, have these of the strongest warnings, lest they be entangled therein, and perish ! FrL 23 I preached at Bath. Riding home we saw a coffin, carrying into St. George's church, with many children attending it. When we came near, we found they were our own children, attending the corpse of one of their school-fellows, who had died of the small-pox; and God thereby touched many of their hearts in a manner they never knew before. Mon. a6. — I preached to the prisoners in Newgate, and in the afternoon rode over to Kingswood, where I had a solemn watch-night, and an opportunity of speaking closely to the children. One is dead, two recovered, seven are ill still; and the hearts of all are like melting wax. Sat. October i. — I returned to London, and found our house in ruins, great part of it being taken down, in order to a thorough repair. But as much remained as I wanted : six foot square suffices me by day or hf night. Thur. Dec. aa. — I spent a little time in a visit FBB.176+ IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY SOI to Mr. M ; twenty years ago a zealouS and useful magistrate, now a picture of human nature in disgrace ; feeble in body and mind j slow of speech and of under- standing. Lord, let me not live to be useless 1 1764. Men. Jan. 16. — I rode to High Wycombe, and preached to a more numerous and serious congre- gation than ever I saw there before. Shall there be yet another day of visitation to this careless people ? A large number was present at five in the morning : but my face and gums were so swelled I could hardly speak. After I took horse, they grew worse and worse, till it began to rain. I was then persuaded to put on an oil-case hood, which (the wind being very high) kept rubbing continually on my cheek, till both pain and swelling were gone. A Difficult Crossing Between twelve and one we crossed Ensham Ferry. The water was like a sea on both sides. I asked the ferryman, " Can we ride the causeway ? " He said, "Yes, sir; if you keep in the middle." But this was the difficulty, as the whole causeway was covered with water to a considerable depth. And this in many parts ran over the causeway with the swiftness and violence of a sluice. Once my mare lost both her fore feet, but she gave a spring, and recovered the causeway : otherwise we must have taken a swim ; for the water on either side was ten or twelve feet deep. However, after one or two more plunges more, we got through, and came safe to Whitney. Mon. Feb. 6. — I opened the new chapel at Wapping. Thur. 16. — I once more took a serious walk through the tombs in Westminster Abbey. What heaps of un- meaning stone and marble 1 But there was one tomb 30« WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 176+ which showed common sense; that beautiful figure of Mr. Nightingale endeavouring to screen his lovely wife from Death. Here indeed the marble seems to speak, and the statues appear only not alive. Fri. 24 — I returned to London. Wednesday, ag, I heard " Judith," an oratorio, performed at the Lock. Some parts of it are exceedingly fine ; but there are two things in all modern pieces of music, which I could never reconcile to common sense. One is, singing the same words ten times over; the other, singing different words by different persons, at one and the same time. And this, in the most solemn addresses to God, whether by way of prayer or of thanksgiving. This can never be defended by all the musicians in Europe, till reason is quite out of date. Wesley at Birmingham, Walsall, and Derby Wed. March 21. — We had an exceeding large con gregation at Birmingham, in what was formerly the playhouse. Happy would it be, if all the playhouses in the kingdom were converted to so good an use. After service the mob gathered, and threw some dirt and stones at those who were going out. But it is probable they will soon be calmed, as some of them are in gaol already. A few endeavoured to make a disturbance the next evening during the preaching ; but it was lost labour; the congregation would not be diverted from taking earnest heed to the things that were spoken. Fri. 23 — I rode to Dudley, formerly a den of lions, but now as quiet as Bristol. They had just finished their preaching-house, which was thoroughly filled. I saw no trifler ; but many in tears. Mon. 26. — I was desired to preach at Walsal. Jama Jones was alarmed at the motion, apprehending there March 1764 A FATEFUL TEXT 803 would be much disturbance. However, I determined to make the trial. Coming into the house, I met with a token for good. A woman was telling her neighbour why she came : " I had a desire," said she, " to hear this man ; yet I durst not, because I heard so much ill of him; but this morning I dreamed I was praying earnestly, and I heard a voice, saying, ' See the eighth verse of the first chapter of St. John.' I waked, and got my Bible, and read, 'He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.' I got up, and came away with all my heart." The house not being capable of containing the people, about seven I began preaching abroad ; and there was no opposer, no, nor a trifler to be seen. All present were earnestly attentive. How is Walsal changed I How has God other tamed the wild beasts, or chained them up I Tues. 37. — We rode to Derby. Mr. Dobinson be- lieved it would be best for me to preach in the market- place, as there seemed to be a general inclination in the town, even among people of fashion, to hear me. He had mentioned it to the mayor, who said he did not apprehend there would be the least disturbance ; but if there should be any thing of the kind, he would take care to suppress it. A multitude of people were gathered at five, and were pretty quiet till I had named my text. Then " the beasts of the people " lifted up their voice, hallooing and shouting on every side. Finding it impossible to be heard, I walked softly away. An innumerable retinue followed me; but only a few pebble-stones were thrown, and no one hurt at aU. Most of the rabble followed quite to Mr. D 's house ; but it seems, without any malice prepense ; for they stood stock-still about an hour, and then quietly went away. 304 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1764 Sat 31 (Rotherham). — An odd circumstance occurred during the morning preaching. It was well, only serious persons were present An ass walked gravely in at the gate, came up to the door of the house, lifted up his head, and stood stock-still, in a posture of deep attention. Might not "the dumb beast reprove" many who have far less decency, and not much more underatanding ? "No Law for Methodists" At noon I preached (the room being too small to contain the people) in a yard, near the bridge, in Doncaster. The wind was high and exceeding sharp, and blew all the time on the side of my head. In the afternoon I was seized with a sore throat, almost as soon as I came to Epworthj however, I preached, though with some difficulty; but afterward I could hardly speak. Being better the next day, Sunday, April i, I preached about one at Westwood Side, and soon after four, in the market-place at Epworth, to a numerous congregation. At first, indeed, but few could hear ; but the more I spoke, the more my voice was strengthened, tin toward the close, all my pain and weakness were gone, and all could hear distinctly. Mon. April 2 — I had a day of rest. Tuesday, 3, 1 preached, about nine, at Scotter, a town six or seven miles east of Epworth, where a sudden flame is broke out, many oeing convinced of sin almost at once, and many justified. But there were many adversaries stirred up by a bad man, who told them, " There is no law for Methodists." Hence continual riots followed ; till, after a while, an upright magistrate took the cause in hand, and so managed both the rioters and him who set them at work, that they have been quiet as lambs ever since. March 1764 TWO BOLD METHODISTS 805 Thur. 5. — About eleven I preached at Elsham. The two persons who are the most zealous and activ<* here are the steward and gardener of a gentleman, whom the minister persuaded to turn them off unless they would leave " this way." He gave them a week to consider of it ; at the end of which they calmly answered, " Sir, we choose rather to want bread here, than to want ' a drop of water ' hereafter," He replied, " Then follow your own conscience, so you do my business ai well as formerly." Fri. 6. — I preached at Ferry at nine in the morning, and in the evening ; and, about noon, in Sir N. H.'s hall, at Gainsborough. Almost as soon as I began to speak, a cock began to crow over my head; but he was quickly dislodged, and the whole congr^ation, rich and poor, were quiet and attentive. Wesley Unhorsed Stm. 8. — I set out for Misterton, though the common road was impassable, being all under water; but we found a way to ride round. I preached at eight, and I saw not one inattentive hearer. In our return, my mare rushing violently through a gate, struck my heel ag^nst the gate-post, and left me behind her in an instant, laid on my back at full length. She stood still till I rose and mounted again j and neither of us was hurt at all. Tues. 10. — The wind abating, we took boat at Barton, with two such brutes as I have seldom seen. Their blasphemy, and stupid gross obscenity, were beyond all I ever heard. We first spoke to them mildly ; but it had no effect. At length we were constrained to rebuke them sharply j and they kept themselves tolerably within bounds, till we landed at Hull I preached at five, two V 306 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1764 hours sooner than was expected ; by this means we had tolerable room for the greatest part of them that came; and I believe not many of them came in vain. Men. 16. — At six I began preaching in the street at Thirsk. The congregation was exceeding large. Just as I named my text, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? " a man on horseback, who had stopped to see what was the matter, changed colour and trembled. Probably he might have resolved to save his soul, had not his drunken companion dragged him away. Wesley on Holy Island Men. May 21. — I took my leave of Newcastle; and about noon preached in the market-place at Morpeth. A few of the hearers were a little ludicrous at first ; but their mirth was quickly spoiled. In the evening I preached in the Court-house at Alnwick, where I rested the next day. Wednesday, 23. I rode over the sands to Holy Island, once the famous seat of a Bishop; now the residence of a few poor families, who live cUefly by fish- ing. At one side of the town are the ruins of a cathedral, with an adjoining monastery. It appears to have been a lofty and elegant building, the middle aisle being almost entire. I preached in what was once the market-place, to almost all the inhabitants of the island, and distributed some little books among them, for which they were exceeding thankful. In the evening I preached at Berwick-upon-Tweed; the next evening at Dunbar; and on Friday, 25, about ten, at Haddington, in Provost D.'s yard, to a very elegant congregation. But I expect little good will be done here; for we begin at the wrong end : religion must not go from the greatest to the least, or the power would appear to be of men. May 1764 PREACHES ON CALTON HILL S07 In the evening I preached at Musselborough ; and the next, on the Calton Hill at Edinburgh. It being the time of the General Assembly, many of the Ministers were there. The wind was high and sharp, and blew away a few delicate ones. But most of the congregation did not stir till I had concluded. Sun. 27. — At seven I preached in the High School yard, on the other side of the city. The morning was extremely cold. In the evening it blew a storm. How- ever, having appointed to be on the Calton Hill, I began there, to an huge congregation. At first, the wind was a little troublesome ; but I soon forgot it. And so did the people for an hour and a half^ in which I fully delivered my own soul. Wesley at the General Assembly Mon. 28. — I spent some hours at the General Assembly, composed of about an hundred and fifty ministers. I was surprised to find i. That any one was admitted, even lads, twelve or fourteen years old : a. That the chief speakers were lawyers, six or seven on one side only : 3. That a single question toolc up the whole time, which, when I went away, seemed to be as far from a conclusion as ever, namely, " Shall Mr. Lindsay be removed to Kilmarnock parish or not ? " The argument for it was, " He has a large family, and this living is twice as good as his own." The argument against it was, " The people are resolved not to hear him, and will leave the kirk if he comes." If then the real point in view had been, as their law directs, " the greater good of the Church," instead of taking up five hours, the debate might have been determined in five minutes. On Monday and Tuesday I spoke to the memben ol 30* WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1764 the society severally. Thursday, 31. I rode to Dundee^ and, about half an hour after six, preached on the side of a meadow near the town. Poor and rich attended. Indeed, there is seldom fear of wanting a congregation in Scotland. But the misfortune is, they know every- thing : so they learn nothing. At Inverness Thur. June 7. — I rode over to Sir Archibald Grant's, twelve computed miles from Aberdeen. It is surprising to see how the country between is improved even within these three years. On every side the wild, dreary moors are ploughed up, and covered with rising corn. All the ground near Sir Archibald's, in particular, is as well cultivated as most in England. About seven I preached. The kirk was pretty well filled, though upon short notice. Certainly this is a nation " swift to hear, and slow to speak," though not " slow to wrath." Sun. 10 About eight we reached Inverness. I could not preach abroad, because of the rain ; nor could I hear of any convenient room ; so that I was afraid my coming hither would be in vain, all ways seemed to be blocked up. At ten I went to the kirk. After service, Mr. Fraser, one of the ministers, invited us to dinner, and then to drink tea. As we were drinking tea, he asked at what hour I would please to preach. I said,, " At half-hour past five." The high kirk was filled in a very short time ; and I have seldom found greater liberty of spirit. The other minister came afterwards to our inn, and showed the most cordial affection. Were it only for this day, I should not have regretted the riding an hundred miles. Mon. II. — A gentleman who lives three miles from the town invited me to his house, assuring me the Junk 1764 LOVERS OF SERMONS a09 minister of his parish would be glad if I would make use of his kirk ; but time would not permit, as I had ap- pointed to be at Aberdeen on Wednesday. All I could do was, to preach once more at Inverness. I think the church was fuller now than before; and I could not but observe the remarkable behaviour of the whole congregation after service. Neither man, woman, nor child spoke one word all the way down the main street. Indeed the seriousness of the people is the less surprising, when it is considered, that, for at least an hundred years, this town has had such a succes- sion of pious ministers as very few in Great Britain have known. After Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, I think Inverness is the largest town I have seen in Scotland. The main streets are broad and straight; the houses mostly old, but not very bad, nor very good. It stands in a pleasant and fruitful country, and has all things needful for life and godliness. The people in general speak remarkably good English, and are of a friendly courteous behaviour. A Sermon and Congregation to Order About eleven we took horse. While we were dining at Nairn, the inn-keeper said, " Sir, the gentlemen of the town have read the little book you gave me on Saturday, and would be glad if you would please to give them a sermon." Upon my consenting, the bell was immediately rung, and the congregation was quickly in the kirk. O what a difference is there between South and North Britain ! Every one here at least loves to hear the word of God ; and none takes it into his head to speak one uncivil word to an;, for endeavouring to save their souls. 310 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Junb 1764 Doubting whether Mr. Grant was come home, Mr. Kershaw called at the Grange Green, near Forres, while I rode forward. Mr. Grant soon called me back. I have seldom seen a more agreeable place. The house is an old castle, which stands on a little hill, with a delightful prospect all four ways; and the hospitable master has left nothing undone to make it still more agreeable. He showed us all his improvements, which are very considerable in every branch of husbandry. In his gardens many things were more forward than at Aberdeen, yea, or Newcastle. And how is it, that none but one Highland gentleman has discovered that we have a tree in Britain, as easily raised as an ash ; the wood of which is of full as fine a red as mahogany, namely, the laburnum ? I defy any mahogany to exceed the chairs which he has lately made of this. Tues. 12. — We rode through the pleasant and fertile county of Murray to Elgin. I never suspected before that there was any such country as this near an hundred and fifty miles beyond Edinburgh; a country which is supposed to have generally six weeks more sunshine in a year than any part of Great Britain. At Elgin are the ruins of a noble cathedral ; the largest that I remember to have seen in the kingdom. We rode thence to the Spey, the most rapid river, next the Rhine, that I ever saw. Though the water was not breast-high to our horses, they could very hardly keep their feet. We dined at Keith, and rode on to Strathbogie, much improved by the linen-manufacture. All the country from Fochabers to Strathbogie has little houses scattered up and down ; and not only the valleys, but the moun- tains themselves, are improved with the utmost care. There want only more trees to make them more pleasant than most of the mountains in England. The whole JuM« 176+ NINETY-MILE RIDE SI I family at our inn, eleven or twelve in number, gladly joined with us in prayer at night. Indeed, so they did at every inn where we lodged ; for among all the sins they have imported from England, the Scots have not yet learned, at least not the common people, to scoff at sacred things. Wed. 13. — We reached Aberdeen about one. Between six and seven, both this evening and the next I preached in the shell of the new house, and found it a time of much consolation. Friday, 15. We set out early, and came to Dundee just as the boat was going off. We designed to lodge at the house on the other side ; but could not get either meat, drink, or good words ; so we were constrained to ride on to Cupar. After travelling near ninety miles, I found no weariness at all j neither were our horses hurt. Thou, O Lord, dost save both man and beast I Wesley and a Scotch Communion Sat. 16. — We had a ready passage at Kinghom, and in the evening I preached on the Calton Hill, to a very large congregation ; but a still larger assembled at seven on Sunday morning in the High School yard. Being afterwards informed that the Lord's supper was to be administered in the west kirk, I knew not what to do ; but at length I judged it best to embrace the opportunity, though I did not admire the manner of administration. After the usual morning service, the minister enumerated several sorts of sinners, whom he forbade to approach. Two long tables were set on the sides of one aisle, covered with table-cloths. On each side of them a bench was placed for the people. Each table held four or five and thirty. Three ministers sat at the top, behind a cioH-table; «H WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jwly 1764 one of whom made a long exhortation, closed with the words of our Lord ; and, then, breaking the bread, gave it to him who sat on each side him. A piece of bread was then given to him who sat first on each of the four benches. He broke off a little piece, and gave the bread to the next; so it went on, the deacons giving more when wanted. A cup was then given to the first person on each bench, and so by one to another. The minister continued his exhortation all the time they were receiving ; then four verses of the twenty-second Psalm were sung, while new persons sat down at the tables. A second minister then prayed, consecrated, and exhorted. I was informed the service usually lasted till five in the evening. How much more simple, as well as more solemn, b the service of the Church of England I The evening congregation on the hill was far the largest I have seen in the kingdom; and the most deeply afiected. Many were in tears ; more seemed cut to the heart. Surely this time will not soon be forgotten. Will it not appear in the annals of eternity? Wesley's Likes and Dislikes Mon. July 2. — I gave a fair hearing to two of our brethren who had proved bankrupts. Such we immediately exclude from our society, unless it plainly appears not to be their own fault. Both these were in a prosperous way till they fell into that wretched trade of bill-broking, wherein no man continues long without being wholly ruined. By this means, not being sufiSciently accurate in their accounts, they ran back without being sensible of it. Yet it was quite clear that I R is an honest man ; I would hope the same concerning the other. JULT1764 AN APPEAL TO GALLIO «13 Tues. 3 (Leeds). — I was reflecting on an odd circum- stance, which I cannot account for. I never relish a tune at first hearing, not till I have almost learned to sing it; and as I learn it more perfectly, I gradually lose my relish for it, I observe something similar in poetry ; yea, in all the objects of imagination. I seldom relish verses at first hearing; till I have heard them over and over, they give me no pleasure ; and they give me next to none when I have heard them a few times more, so as to be quite familiar. Just so a face or a picture, which does not strike me at first, becomes more pleasing as I grow more acquainted with it ; but only to a certain point : for when I am too much acquainted, it is no longer pleasing. O, how imperfectly do we understand even the machine which we carry about us ! Thur. 5. — I had the comfort of leaving our brethren at Leeds united in peace and love. About one I preached in a meadow at Wakefield. At first the sun was inconvenient ; but it was not many minutes before that inconvenience was removed by the clouds coming between. We had not only a larger, but a far more attentive, congregation than ever was seen here before. One, indeed, a kind of gentleman, was walking away with great unconcern, when I spoke aloud. " Does Gallio care for none of these things ? But where will you go, with the wrath of God on your head, and the curse of God on your back?" He stopped short, stood still, and went no farther till the sermon was ended. Sat. 14. — In the evening I preached at Liverpool; and the next day, Sunday, 15, the house was full enough. Many of the rich and fashionable were there, and behaved with decency. Indeed, I have always SI* WESLEY'S JOURNAL July 1764 observed more courtesy and humanity at Liverpool than at most sea-ports in England. She Thought, "I Laugh Prettily." Mon. 16. — In the evening the house was fuller, il possible, than the night before. I preached on the " one thing needful " ; and the rich behaved as seriously as the poor. Only one young gentlewoman (I heard) laughed much. Poor thing I Doubtless she thought, " I laugh prettily." Fri. 20. — At noon we made the same shift at Congleton as when I was here last. I stood in the window, having put as many women as it would contain into the house. The rest, with the men, stood below in the meadow, and many of the townsmen wild enough. I have scarce found such enlargement of heart since I came from Newcastle. The brutes resisted long, but were at length overcome; not above five or six excepted. Surely man shall not long have',the upper hand ; God will get unto himself the victory. It rained all the day till seven in the evening, when I began preaching at Burslem. Even the poor potters here are a more civilised people than the better sort (so called) at Congleton. A few stood with their hats on ; but none spoke a word, or offered to make the least disturbance. Sat. »i. — I rode to Bilbrook, near Wolverhampton, and preached between two and three. Thence we went on to Madeley, an exceeding pleasant village, encom- passed with trees and hills. It was a great comfort to me to converse once more with a Methodist of the old stamp, denying himself, taking up his cross, and resolved to be " altogether a Christian." SuQ. a 3. — At ten Mr. Fletcher read prayers, and I July 1764 WESLEY LOSES HIS WAY SIS preached on those words in the gospel, " I am the good Shepherd : the good Shepherd layeth down his Ufe for the sheep." The church would nothing near contain the congregation ; but a window near the pulpit being taken down, those who could not come in stood in the churchyard, and I believe all could hear. The congre- gation, they said, used to be much smaller in the afternoon than in the morning ; but I could not discern the least difference, either in number or seriousness. I found employment enough for the intermediate hours, in praying with various companies who hung about the house, insatiably hungering and thirsting after the good word. An Exhausting Day Wed. 35. — I took horse a little after four, and, about two, preached in the market-place at Llanidloes, two or three and forty miles from Shrewsbury. At three we rode forward through the mountains to the Fountain- head. I was for lodging there ; but Mr. B being quite unwilling, we mounted again about seven. After having rode an hour, we found we were quite out of the way, having been wrong directed at setting out. We were then told to ride over some grounds; but our path soon ended in the edge of a bog : however, we got through to a little house, where an honest man, instantly mounting his horse, galloped before us, up hill and down, till he brought us into a road, which, he said, led straight to Roes-fair. We rode on, till another met us, and said, "No; this is the way to Aberystwith. If you go to Roes-fair, you must turn back, and ride down to yonder bridge." The master of a little house near the bridge then directed us to the next village, where we inquired again 816 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juiti764 (it being past nine), and were once more set exactly wrong. Having wandered an hour upon the mountains, through rocks, and bogs, and precipices, we, with abundance of difficulty, got back to the little house near the bridge. It was in vain to think of rest there, it being full of drunken, roaring miners ; besides that, there was but one bed in the house, and neither grass, nor hay, nor corn, to be had. So we hired one of them to walk with us to Roes-fair, though he was miserably drunk, till, by falling all his length in a purling stream, he came tolerably to his senses. Between eleven and twelve we came to the inn ; but neither here could we get any hay. When we were In bed, the good hostler and miner thought good to mount our beasts. I believe it was not long before we rose that they put them into the stable. But the mule was cut in several places, and my mare was bleeding Lke a pig, from a wound behind, two inches deep, made, it seemed, by a stroke with a pitch- fork. What to do we could not tell, till I remembered, I had a letter for one Mr. Nathaniel Williams, whom, upon inquiry, I found to live but a mile off. We walked thither, and found "an Israelite indeed," who gladly received both man and beast. After I had got a little rest, Mr. W. desired me to give an exhortation to a few of his neighbours. None was more struck therewith than one of his own family, who before cared for none of these things. He sent a servant with us after dinner to Tregarron, from whence we had a plain road to Lampeter. Fri. a;. — We rode through a lovely vale, and over pleasant and fruitful hills, to Carmarthen. Thence, after a short bait, we went on to Pembroke, and came before I was expected: lo I rested that night, having not July 1764 THE MAYOR'S BEHAVIOUR »17 quite recovered my journey from Shrewsbury to Roes- fair. Sun. 29. — The minister of St. Mary's sent me word he was very willing I should preach in his church : but, before service began, the mayor sent to forbid it ; so he preached a very useful sermon himself. The mayor's behaviour so disgusted many of the gentry, that they resolved to hear where they could; and accordingly flocked together in the evening from all parts of the town : and perhaps the taking up this cross may profit them more than my sermon in the church would have done. Seveo Hours on Horseback Mod. 30. — I rode to Haverfordwest : but no notice had been given, nor did any in the town know of my coming. However, after a short time, I walked up toward the castle, and began singing an hymn. The people presently ran together from all quarters. They have curiosity at least ; and some, I cannot doubt, were moved by a nobler principle. Were zealous and active labomrers here, what an harvest might there be, even in this corner of the landl We returned through heavy rain to Pembroke. Tues. 31. We set out for Glamorganshire, and rode up and down steep and stony mountains, for about five hours, to Larn. Having procured a pretty ready passage there, we went on to Lansteffan Ferry, where we were in some danger of being swallowed up in the mud before we could reach the water. Between one and two we reached Kidwelly, having been more than seven hours on horseback, in which time we could have rode round by Carmarthen with more ease both to man and beast. I have, therefore, taken my leave of these ferries; 318 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1764 considering we save no time by crossing them (not even when we have a ready passage), and so have all the trouble, danger, and expense, clear gains. I wonder that any man of common sense, who has once made the experiment, should ever ride from Pembroke to Swansea any other way than by Carmarthen. The Ride from Pembroke to Swansea An honest man at Kidwelly told us there was no difficulty in riding the sands ; so we rode on. In ten minutes one overtook us who used to guide persons over them ; and it was well he did, or, in all probability, we had been swallowed up. The whole sands are at least ten miles over, with many streams of quicksands intermixed. But our guide was thoroughly acquainted with them, and with the road on the other side. By his help, between five and six, we came well tired to Oxwych in Gower. I had sent two persons on Sunday, that they might be there early on Monday, and so sent notice of my coming all over the country : but they came to Oxwych scarce a quarter of an hour before me ; so that the poor people had no notice at all: nor was there any to take us in; the person with whom the preacher used to lodge being three miles out of town. After I had stayed a while ia the street (for there was no public-house), a poor woman gave me house room. Having had nothing since break- fast, I was very willing to eat or drink; but she simply told me, she had nothing in the house but a dram of gin. However, I afterwards procured a dish of tea at another house, and was much refreshed. About seven I preached to a little company, and again in the morning. They were all attention; so that even for the sake of this handful of people I did not regret my labour. Sun. November 4.— I proposed to the leaderi, tha Ja«. 1765 WESLEY AND BACHELORS S19 assisting the Society for the Reformation of Manners with regard to their heavy debt. One of them asked, " Ought we not to pay our own debt first ? " After some consultations, it was agreed to attempt it. The general debt of the society in London occasioned chiefly by repairing the Foundery and chapels, and by building at Wapping and Snowsfields, was about nine hundred pounds. This I laid before the society in the evening, and desired them all to set their shoulders to the work, either by a present contribution, or by subscribing what they could pay, on the ist of January, February or March. Mon. 5 (London). — My scraps of time this week I employed in setting down my present thoughts upon a single life, which indeed, are just the same they have been these thirty years ; and the same they must be, unless I give up my Bible. Wesley's Ezpefiments with Lioni Mon. Dec. 31. — I thought it would be worth while to make an odd experiment. Remembering how surprisingly fond of music the lion at Edinburgh was, I determined to try whether this was the case with all animals of the same kind. I accordingly went to the Tower with one who plays on the German flute. He began playing near four or five lions ; only one of these (the rest not seem- ing to regard it at all) rose up, came to the front of his den, and seemed to be all attention. Meantime, a tiger in the same den started up, leaped over the lion's back, turned and ran under his belly, leaped over him again, and BO to and fro incessantly. Can we account for this by any principle of mechanism ? Can we account for it ataU? 1765. Tues. January 1. — This week I wrote an S«0 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1765 answer to a warm letter, published in the "London Magazine,'' the author whereof is much displeased that I presume to doubt of the modern astronomy. I cannot help it. Nay, the more I consider, the more my doubts increase : so that, at present, I doubt whether any man on earth knows either the distance or magnitude, I will not say of a fixed star, but of Saturn, or Jupiter ; yea, of the sun or moon. Sun. 20. — I employed all my leisure hours this week in revising my letters and papers. Abundance of them I committed to the flames. Perhaps some of the rest may see the light when I am gone. Breakfast with Mr. Whitefield Mon. October 21. — I went in the coach from Bristol to Salisbury, and on Thursday, 34, came to London. Mon. a8. — I breakfasted with Mr. Whitefield, viho seemed to be an old, old man, being fairly worn out in his Master's service, though he has hardly seen fifty years, and yet it pleases God that I, who am now in my sixty-third year, find no disorder, no weakness, no decay, no difference from what I was at five-and- twenty ; only that I have fewer teeth, and more grey hairs. Sun. November 24. — I preached on those words in the lesson for the day, " The Lord our righteousness." I said not one thing which I have not said, at least, fifty times within this twelvemonth ; yet it appeared to many entirely new, who much importuned me to print my sermon, supposing it would stop the mouths of all gsun- sayers. Alas, for their simplicity I In spite of all I can print, say, or do, will not those who seek occasion of offence find occasion? Dec. 1765 WESLEY'S HORSE FALLS «21 Tues. December 3 I rode to Dover, and found a little company more united together than they have been for many years. Whilst several of them continued to rob the King, we seemed to be ploughing upon the sand; but since they have cut oflf the right hand, the word of God sinks deep into their hearts. Thur. 5. — I rode back to Feversham. Here I was quickly informed that the mob and the magistrates had agreed together to drive Methodism, so called, out of the town. After preaching, I told them what we had been constrained to do by the magistrate at Rolvenden j who perhaps would have been richer, by some hundred pounds, had he never meddled with the Methodists ; concluding, " Since we have both God and the law on our side, if we can have peace by fair means, we had much rather ; we should be exceeding glad ; but if not, we will have peace." Wed. 18. — Riding through the Borough, all my mare's feet flew up, and she fell with my leg under her. A gentleman, stepping out, lifted me up, and helped me into his shop. I was exceeding sick, but was presently relieved by a little hartshorn and water. A.fter resting a few minutes, I took a coach ; but when I was cold, found myself much worse ; being bruised on my right arm, my breast, my knee, leg, and ankle, which swelled exceedingly. However, I went on to Shoreham ; where by applying treacle twice a day, all the soreness was removed, and I recovered some strength, so as to be able to walk a little on plain ground. The word of God does at length bear fruit here also, and Mr. P. is com- forted over all his trouble. Saturday, 21. Being not yet able to ride, I returned in a chariot to London. Sun. 22 I was ill able to go through the service at West Street; but God provided for this also. Mr. X 3Zi W£SLEY'S JOURNAL April 1766 Greaves, being just ordained, came straight to the chapel, and gave me the assistance I wanted. Thur. 26. — I should have been glad of a few days' rest, but it could not be at this busy season. However, being electrified morning and evening, my lameness mended, though but slowly. 1766. Fri. Jan. 31. — Mr. Whitefield called upon me. He breathes nothing but peace and love. Bigotry cannot stand before him, but hides its head wherever he comes. Two Deeds Wed. February 5 (London). — One called upon me who had been cheated out of a large fortune, and was now perishing for want of bread. I had a desire to clothe him, and send him back to his own country ; but was short of money. However, I appointed him to call again in an hour. He did so ; but before he came, one from whom I expected nothing less, put twenty guineas into my hand ; so I ordered him to be clothed from head to foot, and sent him straight away to Dublin. Hon. April 7. — ^I preached at Warrington, about noon, to a large congregation, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. I never spoke more plain ; nor have I ever seen a congregation listen with more attention. Thence I rode to Liverpool, and thoroughly regulated the society, which had great need of it. Wednesday, 9. I took much pains with a sensible woman who had taken several imprudent steps. But it was labour lost — neither argument nor persuasion made the least impres- sion. O, what power less than almighty can convince a thorough paced enthusiast 1 Thur. 10. — I looked over the wonderful deed which was lately made here ; on which I observed, i. It takes Painted at the age of 63 by Nathaniel Hone, (National Portrait Gallery) JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791) R.A. JoHi 1766 AN ANTI-METHODIST DEED 823 op three krge skins of parchment, and so could not cost less than six guineas ; whereas our own deed, transcribed by a friend, would not have cost six shillings, a. It is verbose beyond all sense and reason; and withal BO ambiguously worded, that one passage only might find matter for a suit of ten or twelve years in Chancery. 3. It everywhere calls the house a meeting-house, a name which I particularly object to. 4. It leaves no power either to the assistant or me, so much as to place or displace a steward. 5. Neither I, nor all the Conference, have power to send the same preacher two years together. To crown all, 6. If a preacher is not appointed at the Conference, the trustees and the congregation are to choose one by most votes ! And can any one wonder I dislike this deed, which tears the Methodist discipline up by the roots ? Is it not strange, that any who have the least regard either for me or our discipline, should scruple to alter this ancouth deed ? Wesley Covered with Mud Tnes. June 34. — ^Before eight we reached Dumfries, and after a short bait pushed on in hopes of reaching Sol way-frith before the sea was come in. Designing to call at an inn by the frith side, we inquired the way, and were directed to leave the main road, and go straight to the house which we saw before us. In ten minutes Duncan Wright was embogged; however, the horse plunged on, and got through. I was inclined to turn back : but Duncan telling me I needed only go a little to the left, I did so, and sunk at once to my horse's shoulders. He sprung up twice, and twice sunk again, each time deeper than before. At the third plunge he threw me on one side, and we both made shift to scramble 324 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jvly 1766 out. I was covered with fine, soft mud, from my feet to the crown of my head ; yet, blessed be God, not hurt at alL But we could not cross till between seven and eight o'clock. An honest man crossed with us, who went two miles out of his way to guide us over the sands to Skilburness ; where we found a little, clean house, and passed a comfortable night. Sat. July 19. — I took a view of Beverley minster, such a parish church as has scarce its fellow in England, It is a most beautiful as well as stately building, both within and without, and is kept more nicely clean than any cathedral which I have seen in the kingdom ; but where will it be when the earth is burned up, and the elements melt with fervent heat ? About one I preached at Pocklington (though my strength was much exhausted), and in the evening at York. Sun. 27. — As BaUdon church would not near contain the congregation, after the prayers were ended, I came out into the church-yard, both morning and afternoon. The wind was extremely high, arid blew in my face all the time ; yet, I believe, all the people could hear. At Bradford there was so huge a multitude, and the rain so damped my voice, that many in the skirts of the con- gregation could not hear distinctly. They have just built a preaching-house, fifty-four feet square, the largest octagon we have in England ; and it is the first of the kind where the roof is built with common sense, rising only a third of its breadth ; yet it is as firm as any in England ; nor does it at all hurt the walls. Why then does any roof rise higher ? Only through want of skill, or want of honesty, in the builder. Tues. 29. — In the evening I preached near the preaching-house at Paddiham, and strongly insisted on communion with God, as the only religion that would AwG. 1766 VERDICT FOR METHODISTS SS4 avaU us. At the close of the sermon came Mr. M. His long, white beard showed that his present disorder was of some continuance. In all other respects, he was quite sensible; but he told me, with much concern, " You can have no place in heaven without — a beard I Therefore, I beg, let yours grow immediately," Wesley Secares Justice for Methodists Sat. Aug. 30. — We rode to Stallbridge, long the seat of war, by a senseless, insolent mob, encouraged by their betters, so called to outrage their quiet neighbours. For what ? Why, they were mad : they were Methodists. So, to bring them to their senses, they would beat their brains out. They broke their windows, leaving not one whole pane with glass, spoiled their goods, and assaulted their persons with dirt, and rotten eggs, and stones, when- ever they appeared in the street. But no magistrate, though they applied to several, would show them either mercy or justice. At length they wrote to me. I ordered a lawyer to write to the rioters. He did so ; but they set him at naught. We then moved the Court of King's Bench. By various artifices, they got the trial put off, from one assizes to another, for eighteen months. But it fell so much the heavier on themselves, when they were found guilty; and, from that time, finding there is law for Methodists, they have suffered them to be at peace. I preached near the main street, without the least disturbance, to a large and attentive congregation. Thence we rode on to Axminster, but were throughly wet before we came thither. The rain obliged me to preach within at six j but at seven on Sunday morning, I cried in the market-place, " The kingdom of God is at hand ; repent ye, and believe the Gospel." ai9 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sift. 1766 In the erening I preached in the street at Ashburton. Many behaved with decency ; but the rest, with such stupid lyideness as I have not seen, for a long time, in any part of England. Mon. September i. — I came to Plymouth Dock, where, after heavy storms, there is now a calm. The house, notwithstanding the new galleries, were extremely crowded in the evening. I strongly exhorted the back- sliders to return to God ; and I believe many received " the word of exhortation," Tues. 2. — Being invited to preach in the Tabernacle at Plymouth, I began about two in the afternoon. In the evening I was offered the use of Mr. Whitefield's room at the dock; but, large as it is, it would not contain the congregation. At the close of the sermon, a large stone was thrown in at one of the windows, which came just behind me, and fell at my feet, the best place that could have been found. So no one was hurt or frightened, not many knowing anything of the matter. Gwcnnap's Famous Amphitlieatre Sun. 7 — At eight I preached in Mousehole, a large vOlage south-west from Newlyn. Thence I went to Buryan church, and, as soon as the service was ended, preached near the church-yard, to a numerous congre- gation. Just after I began, I saw a gentleman before me, shaking his whip, and vehemently striving to say something. But he was abundantly too warm to say anything intelligibly. So, after walking a while to and fro, he wisely took horse, and rode away. Fri. 12. — I rode to St. Hilary, and in the evening preached near the new house on, " Awake, thou that tleepest." In returning to my lodging, it being dark, Sept. 1766 TWENTY THOUSAND LISTENERS S27 my horse was just stepping into a tin-pit, when an honest man caught him by the bridle, and turned his head the other way. Sun. 14. — I preached in St. Agnes at eight. The congregation in Redruth, at one, was the largest I ever had seen there; but small, compared to that which assembled at five, in the natural amphitheatre at Gwennap; far the finest I know in the kingdom. It is a round, green hollow, gently shelving down, about fifty feet deep ; but I suppose it is two hundred across one way, and near three hundred the other. I believe there were full twenty thousand people; and, the evening being calm, all could hear. Mon. 15. — I preached at Cubert, and next morning rode on to St. Columb. Being desired to break the ice here, I began preaching, without delay, in a gentleman's yard adjoining to the main street. I chose this, as neither too public nor too private. I fear the greater part of the audience understood full little of what they heard. However, they behaved with seriousness and good manners. Hence I rode to Fort-Isaac, now one of the liveliest places in Cornwall. The weather being uncertain, I preached near the house. But there was no rain while I preached, except the gracious rain which God sent upon his inheritance. Here Mr. Buckingham met me, who, for fear of ofiending the bishop, broke off all commerce with the Methodists. He had no sooner done this, than the bishop rewarded him by turning him out of his curacy; which, had he continued to walk in Christian simplicity, he would probably have had to this day. Wed. 17. — I twice stopped a violent bleeding from a cut, by applying a brier-leaf. The room at Launceston 328 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1766 would not near contain the congregation in the evening to whom I strongly applied the case of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda. Many were much affected: but, O, how few are willing to be made whole I Wesley on a Country Life Mon. Nov. 3 I rode to Brentford from London, where all was quiet, both in the congregation and the society. Tuesday, 4. I preached at Brentford, Batter- sea, Deptford, and Welling, and examined the several societies. Wednesday, 5. I rode by Shoreham to Sevenoaks. In the little journeys which I have lately taken, I have thought much on the huge encomiums which have been for many ages bestowed on a country life. How have all the learned world cried out, O fortunati nlmium, lua si boiuk norint, Agricolael But, after all, what a flat contradiction !s this to universal experience ! See that little house, under the wood, by the river side! There is rural life in per- fection. How happy then is the farmer that lives there? Let us take a detail of his happiness. He rises with, or before, the sun, calls his servants, looks to his swine and cows, then to his stables and barns. He sees to the ploughing and sowing his ground, in winter or in spring. In summer and autumn he hurries and sweats among his mowers and reapers. And where is his happiness in the meantime? Which of these emidoyments do we envy? Or do we envy the delicate repast that succeeds, which the poet so languishes for ? — O quando faba, Pythagoras cognata, simulqni Uncta utis pingiui ponentur oluscula lardo I March 1767 A PERFECT CHRISTIAN S«9 ■ O the happiness of eating beans well greased with fat bacon ! Nay, and cabbage too ! " — Was Horace in his senses when he talked thus, or the servile herd of his imitators ? Our eyes and ears may convince us there is not a less happy body of men in all England than the country farmers. In general their life is supremely dull ; and it is usually unhappy too. For of all people in the kingdom they are most discontented ; seldom satisfied either with God or man. Wesley and the Charactei* of a Methodist 1767. Thur. March 5. — I at length obliged Dr. D. by entering into the lists with him. The letter I wrote (though not published till two or three weeks after) was as follows : " To the Editor of LhytPs Evening Post. " Sir, — Many times the publisher of the ' Christian Magazine' has attacked me without fear or wit; and hereby he has convinced his impartial readers of one thing at least — that (as the vulgar say) his fingers itch to be at me ; that he has a passionate desire to measure swords with me. But I have other work upon my hands : I can employ the short remainder of my life to better purpose. " The occasion of his late attack is this : Five or six and thirty years ago, I much admired the character of a perfect Christian drawn by Qemens Alexandrinus. Five or six and twenty years ago, a thought came into my mind, of drawing such a character myself, only in a more scriptural manner, and mostly in the very words of Scripture: this I entitled, • The Character of a Methodist,' beUeving that curiosity would incite more persons to read it, and also that some prejudice might S30 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1767 thereby be removed from candid men. But that none might imagine I intended a panegyric either on myself or my friends, I guarded against this in the very title-page, saying, both in the name of myself and them. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.' To the same effect I speak in the conclusion, ■ These are the same principles and practices of our sect ; these are the marks of a true Methodist ' ; that is, a true Christian, as I immediately after explain myself: ' by these alone do those who are in derision so called desire to be distinguished from other men.' (P. 11.) ' By these marks do we labour to distinguish ourselves from those whose minds or lives are not according to the Gospel of Christ' (P. 12.) "Upon this Rusticulus, or Dr. Dodd, says, 'A Methodist, according to Mr. Wesley, is one who is perfect, and sinneth not in thought, word, or deed.' "Sir, have me excused. This is not 'according to Mr. Wesley.' I have told all the world I am not perfect; and yet you allow me to be a Methodist. I tell you flat, I have not attained the character I draw. Will you pin it upon me in spite of my teeth ? " ' But Mr. Wesley says, the other Methodists have.' I say no such thing. What I say, after having given a scriptural account of a perfect Christian, is this: 'By these marks the Methodists desire to be distinguished from other men ; by these we labour to distinguish ourselves.' And do not you yourself desire and labour after the very same thing ? " But you insist, ' Mr. Wesley aflSrms the Methodists' (that is, all Methodists) ' to be perfectly holy and righteous.' Where do I affirm this ? Not in the tract before us. In the front of this I affirm just the contrary ; and that I affirm it anywhere else is more Sept. 1767 WHAT THE SEXTON SAW S3l than I know. Be pleased, sir, to point out the place : till this is done, all you add (bitterly enough) is mere brufum fultnen; and the Methodists (so called) may still declare (without any impeachment of their sincerity), that they do not come to the holy table •trusting in their own righteousness, but in God's manifold and great mercie>i.' I am, Sir, " Yours, &c., •'John Wesley." The Sfj:ton'a Strange Apparition Sat. Aug. I. — Before I left Glasgow I heard so strange an account, that I desired to hear it from the person himself. He was a sexton, and yet for many years had li> tie troubled himself about religion. I set down his words, and leave every man to form his own judgment upon them: ''Sixteen weeks ago, I was walking, an hour before sunset, behind the high-kirk; and, looking on one side, I saw one close to me, who looked in my face, and asked me how I did. I answered, ' Pretty well.' He said, ' You have had many troubles ; but how have you improved them 7 ' He then told me all that ever I did ; yea, and the thoughts that had been in my heart ; adding, ' Be ready for my second coming ': and he was gone I knew not how. I trembled all over, and had no strength in me; but sunk down to the ground. From that time I groaned continually under the load of sin, till at the Lord's supper it was all taken away." Fri. Sep. 25. — I was desired to preach at Freshford; but the people durst not come to the house, because of the small-pox, of which Joseph Allen, "an Israelite indeed," had died the day before. So they placed a table near the church-yard. But I had no sooner begun to 33« WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dec. 1767 speak, than the bells began to ring, by the procurement of a neighbouring gentleman. However, it was labour lost ; for my voice prevailed, and the people heard me distinctly : nay, a person extremely deaf, who had not been able to hear a sermon for several years, told his neighbours, with great joy, that he had heard and under* stood all, from the beginning to the end. Queer Houses at Sbeerness Mon. Nov. 23. — I went to Canterbury. Here I met with the Life of Mahomet, wrote, 1 suppose, by the Count de Boulanvilliers. Whoever the author is, he is a very pert, shallow, self-conceited coxcomb, remarkable for nothing but his immense assurance and thorough contempt of Christianity. And the book is a dull, ill-digested romance, supported by no authorities at all; whereas Dean Prideaux (a writer of ten times his sense) cites his authorities for every thing he advances. In the afternoon I rode to Dover ; but the gentleman I was to lodge with was gone a long journey. He went to bed well, but was dead in the morning : such a vapour is life ! At six I preached ; but the house would by no means contain the congregation. Most of the officers of the garrison were there. I have not found so much life here for some years. Sun. Dec. 13. — To-day I found a little soreness on the edge of my tongue, which the next day spread to my gums, then to my lips, which inflamed, swelled, and, the skin bursting, bled considerably. Afterward, the roof of my mouth was extremely sore, so that I could chew nothing. To this was added a continual spitting. I knew a little rest would cure all. But this was not to be had; for I had appointed to be at Sheerness on Jan. 1768 MEN-OF-WAR APARTMENT* 833 Wednesday, the i6th. Accordingly, I took horse between five and six, and came thither between five and six in the evening. At half an hour after six, I began reading prayers (the governor of the fort having given me the use of the chapel), and afterwards preached, though not without difficulty, to a large and serious congregation. The next evening it was considerably increased, so that the chapel was as hot as an oven. In coming out, the air, being exceeding sharp, quite took away my voice, so that I knew not how I should be able the next day to read prayers or preach to so large a congregation. But in the afternoon the governor cut the knot, sending word, I must preach in the chapel no more. A room being offered, which held full as many people as I was able to preach to, we had a comfortable hour ; and many seemed resolved to " seek the Lord while he may be found." Such a town as many of these live in is scarce to be found again in England. In the dock adjoining to the fort there are six old men-of-war. These are divided into small tenements, forty, fifty, or sixty in a ship, with little chimneys and windows ; and each of thes£ contains a family. In one of them, where we called, a man and his wife, and six little children lived. And yet all the ship was sweet and tolerably clean ; sweeter than most sailing ships I have been in. Saturday, 19. I returned to London. Wesky in the Marshalsea Prison 1768. Sat. Jan. 2. — I called on a poor man in the Marshalsea, whose case appeared to be uncommon. He is by birth a Dutchman, a chymist by profession. Being but half-employed at home, he was advised to come to »S4 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Fm, 1768 London, where he doubted not of having full employment. He vras recommended to a countryman of his to lodge, who after six weeks arrested him for much more than he owed, and hurried him away to prison, having a wife near her time, without money, friend, or a word of English to speak. I wrote the case to Mr. T , who immediately gave fifteen pounds; by means of which, with a little addition, he was set at liberty, and put in a way of living. But I never saw him since : and reason good ; for he could now live without me. Mon. 4. — At my leisure hours this week, I read Dr. Priestley's ingenious book on Electricity. He seems to have accurately collected and well digested all that is known on that curious subject But how little is that all I Indeed the use of it we know ; at least, in some good degree. We know it is a thousand medicines in one : in particular, that it is the most efficacious medi- cine in nervous disorders of every kind, which has ever yet been discovered. But if we aim at theory, we know nothing. We are soon Lost and bewilder'd In the fruitless seardL Mon. II. — This week I spent my scraps of time in reading Mr. Wodrow's " History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland." It would transcend belief, but that the vouchers are too authentic to admit of any exception. O what a blessed Governor was that good- natured man, so called. King Charles the Second! Bloody Queen Mary was a lamb, a mere dove, in com- parison of him I Mon. Feb. 8. — I met with a surprising poem, entitled, "Choheleth; or, the Preacher." It is a para- phrase, in tolerable verse, on the Book of Ecclesiastes. I really think the author of it (a Turkey Merchant) March 1768 PREACHING IN A BARN S35 understands both the diflScult expressions, and the con- nexion of the whole, better than any other either ancient or modern writer whom I have seen. He was at Lisbon during the great earthquake, just then sitting in his night- gown and slippers. Before he could dress himself, part of the house he was in fell, and blocked him up. By this means his life was saved ; for all who had run out were dashed in pieces by the falling houses. Wesley Traveb North Mon. March 14. — I set out on my northern journey, and preached at Stroud in the evening. Tuesday, 15. About noon I preached at Painswick, and in the evening at Gloucester. The mob here was for a considerable time both noisy and mischievous. But an honest magis- trate, taking the matter in hand, quickly tamed the beasts of the people. So may any magistrate, if he will ; so that wherever a mob continues any time, all they do is to be imputed not so much to the rabble as to the justices. Wed. 16. — About nine I preached at Cheltenham — a quiet, comfortable place j though it would not have been so, if either the rector or the Anabaptist minister could have prevented it. Both these have blown the trumpet with their might ; but the people had no ears to hear. In the afternoon I preached at Upton, and then rode on to Worcester. But the difficulty was, where to preach. No room was large enough to contain the people ; and it was too cold for them to stand abroad. At length we went to a friend's, near the town, whose barn was larger than many churches. Here a numerous congregation soon assembled; and again at five, and at ten in the morning. Nothing is wanting here but a commodious house : and will not God provide this also ? 386 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1768 Fri. 18 The vicar of Pebworth had given notice in the church on Sunday, that I was to preach there on Friday. But the squire of the parish said, " It is con- trary to the canons " (wise squire !), " and it shall not be." So I preached about a mile from it, at Broadniarston,by the side of Mr. Eden's house. The congregation was exceeding large, and remarkably attentive. In the morning, the chapel (so it anciently was) was well filled at five. The simplicity and earnestness of the people promise a glorious harvest. Sat. 19. — We rode to Birmingham. The tumults which subsisted here so many years are now wholly sup- pressed by a resolute magistrate. After preaching, I was pleased to see a venerable monument of antiquity, George Bridgins, in the one hundred and seventh year of his age. He can still walk to the preaching, and retains his senses and understanding tolerably well. But what a dream will even a life of a hundred years appear to him the moment he awakes in eternity 1 Preaching in a North Wind Sun. »o. — About one I preached on West-Bromwich heath; in the evening, near the preaching-house m Wednesbury. The north wind cut like a razor ; but the congregation, as well as me, had something else to think of. Tues. 3 2. — I read over a small book, "Poems, by Miss Whately," a farmer's daughter. She had little advantage from education, but an astonishing genius. Some of her elegies I think quite equal to Mr. Gray's. If she had had proper helps for a few years, I question whether she would not have excelled any female poet that ever yet appeared in England. April 1768 WESLEY'S PRETTY LISTENERS 337 Wed. 30. — I rode to a little town called New Mills, In the High-peak 01 Derbyshire. I preached at noon in their large new chapel, which (in consideration that preaching-houses have need of air) has a casement in every window, three inches square I That is the custom of the country 1 Wesley Instrticts Parents In the evening and the following saorhing I brought strange things to the ears of many in Manchester, concerning the government of their families, and the education of their children. But some still made that very sUly answer, " O, he has no children of his own ! " Neither had St. Paul, nor (that we know) any of the Apostles. What then ? Were they therefore unable to instruct parents ? Not so. They were able to instruct every one that had a soul to be saved. Wed. April 6. — About eleven I preached at Wigan, in a place near the middle of the town, which I suppose was formerly a playhouse. It was very full, and very warm. Most of the congregation were wild as wild might be; yet none made the least disturbance. Afterwards, as I walked down the street, they stared sufficiently ; but none said an uncivil word. In the evening we had a huge congregation at Liver- pool; but some pretty, gay, fluttering things did not behave with so much good manners as the mob at Wigan. The congregations in general were quite well-behaved, as well as large, both morning and evening ; and I found the society both more numerous and more lively than ever it was before. Mon. II. — I rode to Bolton; on Wednesday, to Kendal. Seceders and mongrel Methodists have so surfeited the people here, that there is small prospect of S38 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1768 doing good : however, I once more " cast " my " bread upon the waters," and left the event to God. Thur. 14. — I rode on, through continued rain, to Ambleside. It cleared up before we came to Keswick, and we set out thence in a fair day; but on the mountains the storm met us again, which beat on us so impetuously, that our horses could scarce turn their faces against it. However, we made shift to reach Cockermouth ; but there was no room for preaching, the town being in an uproar through the election for Members of Parliament; so, after drying ourselves, we thought it best to go on to Whitehaven. Wesley and Mary Queen of Scoti Tues. 26. — I came to Aberdeen. Here I found a society truly alive, knit together In peace and love. The congregations were large both morning and evening, and, as usual, deeply attentive. But a company of strolling players, who have at length found place here also, stole away the gay part of the hearers. Poor Scotland 1 Poor Aberdeen 1 This only was wanting to make them as completely irreligious as England. Fri. 39. — I read over an extremely sensible book, but one tliat surprised me much : it is " An inquiry into the Proofs of the Charges commonly advanced against Mary Queen of Scots." By means of original papers, he has made it more clear than one would imagine it possible at this distance : i . That slft^ was altogether innocent of the murder of Lord Darnley, and no way privy to it : 3. That she married Lord Bothwell (then near seventy years old, herself but four-and-twenty) from the pressing instance of the nobility in a body, who at the same time assured her he was innocent of the King's murder: May 1768 ELIZABETH AS NERO 339 3. That Murray, Morton, and Lethington, themselves contrived that murder, in order to charge it upon her ; as well as forged those vile letters and sonnets which they palmed upon the world for hers. " But how then can we account for the quite contrary story, which has been almost universally received?" Most easily. It was penned and published in French, English, and Latin (by Queen Elizabeth's order), by George Buchanan, who was secretary to Lord Murray, and in Queen Elizabeth's pay ; so he was sure to throw dirt enough. Nor was she at liberty to answer for herself. "But what then was Queen Elizabeth?" As just and merciful as Nero, and as good a Christian as Mahomet. Sun. May i. — I preached at seven in the new room ; in the afternoon at the College kirk, in Old Aberdeen. At six, knowing our house could not contain the congregation, I preached in the castle gate, on the paved stones. A large number of people were all attention; but there were many rude, stupid creatures round about them, who knew as little of reason as of religion : I never saw such brutes in Scotland before. One of them threw a potato, which fell on my arm : I turned to them ; and some were ashamed. Wesley at Scoon and Holyrood Mon. 2. — I set out early from Aberdeen, and about noon preached in Brechin. After sermon, the provost desired to see me, and said, " Sir, my son had epileptic fits from his infancy : Dr. Ogylvie prescribed for him many times, and at length told me he could do no more. I desired Mr. Blair last Monday to speak to you. On Tuesday morning my son said to his mother, he had just been dreaming that his fits were gone, and he was 340 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1768 perfectly well. Soon after I gave him the drops you advised : he is perfectly well, and has not had one fit since." Thur. 5. — We rode through the pleasant and fruitful Carse of Gowry, a plain, fifteen or sixteen miles long, between the river Tay and the mountains, very thick inhabited, to Perth. In the afternoon we walked over to the royal palace at Scoon. It is a large old house, delightfully situated, but swiftly running to ruin. Yet there are a few good pictures, and some fine tapestry left, in what they call the Queen's and the King's chambers. And what is far more curious, there is a bed and a set of hangings in the (once) royal apartment, which was wrought by poor Queen Mary, while she was imprisoned in the Castle of Lochlevin. It is some of the finest needlework I ever saw, and plainly shows both her exquisite skill and unwearied industry. Sat. 14. — I walked once more through Holyrood House, a noble pile of building ; but the greatest part of it left to itself, and so (like the palace at Scone) swiftly running to ruin. The tapestry is dirty, and quite faded; the fine ceilings dropping down; and many of the pictures in the gallery torn or cut through. This was the work of good General Hawley's soldiers (like General, like men !), who, after running away from the Scots at Falkirk, revenged themselves on the harm- less canvas ! Sun. 15. — At eight I preached in the High School yard ; and I believe not a few of the hearers were cut to the heart. Between twelve and one a far larger con- gregation assembled on the Castle Hill ; and I believe my voice commanded them all, while I opened and enforced those awful words, " I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God." In the evening our house JUNBI768 CURED BY THE SUN «41 was sufficiently crowded, even with the rich and honourable. " Who hath warned " these " to flee from the wrath to come ? " O may they at length awake and " arise from the dead 1 " Wesley's Old Schoolfellow Wed. June i. — Many of the militia were present at Barnard Castle in the evening, and behaved with decency. I was well pleased to lodge at a gentleman's, an old schoolfellow, half a mile from the town. What a dream are the fifty or sixty years that have slipped away since we were at the Charterhouse I Thur. 2. — I preached, at noon, at a farmer's house, near Brough, in Westmoreland. The sun was hot enough, but some shady trees covered both me and most of the congregation. A little bird perched on one of them, and sung, without intermission, from the begin- ning of the service unto the end. Many of the people came from far ; but I believe none of them regretted theii labour. Fri. 3. — In running down one of the mountains yes- terday, I had got a sprain in my thigh : it was rather worse to-day ; but as I rode to Barnard Castle, the sun shone so hot upon it, that, before I came to the town, it was quite well. In the evening the commanding officer gave orders there should be no exercise, that all the Durham militia (what a contrast !) might be at liberty to attend the preaching. Accordingly, we had a little army of officers as well as soldiers ; and all behaved well. A large number of them were present at five in the morning. Tues. 7. — I went down by water to South Shields, and preached at noon, to far more than could hear. We went, after dinner, to Tynemouth Castle, a magnificent 34t WEST.EY'S JOURNAL Skpt. 1768 heap of ruins. Within the walls are the remains of a very large church, which seems to have been of exquisite workmanship ; and the stones are joined by so strong a cement, that, but for Cromwell's cannon, they might have stood a thousand years. Wesley's Wife III Sun. Aug. 14. — Hearing my wife was dangerously ill, I took chaise immediately and reached the Foundery before one in the morning. Finding the fever was turned, and the danger over, about two I set out again, and in the afternoon came (not at all tired) to Bristol. Wed. Sept. 7 (Penzance). — After the early preaching, the select society met ; such a company of lively be- lieyers, full of faith and love, as I never found in this county before. This, and the three following days, I preached at as many places as I could, though I was at first in doubt, whether I could preach eight days together, mostly in the open air, three or four times a day. But my strength was as my work : I hardly felt any weariness, first or last. Sun. II. — About nine I preached at St. Agnes, and again between one and two. At first I took my old stand at Gwennap, in the natural amphitheatre. I sup- pose no human voice could have commanded such an audience on plain ground; but the ground rising all round gave me such an advantage, that I believe all could hear distinctly. Mon. 13. — I preached about noon at Callistick, and in the evening at Kerley. It rained all the time ; but that did not divert the attention of a large congregation. At noon, Tuesday, 13, I preached in Truro, and in the evening at Mevagissey. It was a season of solemn joy ; I have not often found the like. Surely God's thoughts Dec. 1768 WESLEY AND THE TALKER S43 are not as our thoughts I Can any good be done at Mevagissey ? Fri. 1 6 — I rode, through heavy rain, to Polperro. Here the room over which we were to lodge being filled with pilchards and conger-eels, the perfume was too potent for me j so that I was not sorry when one of our friends invited me to lodge at her house. Soon after I began to preach, heavy rain began ; yet none went away till the whole service was ended. Sat. 17. — ^When we came to Crimble Passage, we were at a full stop. The boatmen told us the storm was so high, that it was not possible to pass : however, at length we persuaded them to venture out ; and we did not ship one sea till we got over. Sun. 18. — Our room at the Dock contained the morn- ing congregation tolerably well. Between one and two I began preaching on the quay in Plymouth. Notwith- standing the rain, abundance of people stood to hear. But one silly man talked without ceasing, till I desired the people to open to the right and left, and let me look him in the face. They did so. He pulled o£f his hat, and quietly went away. Wesley and Seaport Towns Wed. Nov. 30.— I rode to Dover, and came in just before a violent storm began. It did not hinder the people. Many were obliged to go away after the house was filled. What a desire to hear runs through all the seaport towns wherever we come ! Surely God is besieging this nation, and attacking it at all the en- trances! Wed. Dec. 14 I saw the Westminster scholars act the " Adelphi " of Terence ; an entertainment not unworthy of a Christian. O bow do these Heathens shame us 1 1 S44 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1769 Their very comedies contain both excellent sense, the liveliest pictures of men and manner, and so fine strokes of genuine morality, as are seldom found in the writings of Christians. 1769. Mon. Jan. 9. — I spent a comfortable and profitable hour with Mr. Whitefield, in calling to mind the former times, and the manner wherein God prepared us for a work which it had not then entered into our hearts to conceive. Fri. Feb. 17 (Yarmouth). — I abridged Dr. Watts's pretty "Treatise on the Passions." His hundred and seventy-seven pages will make a useful tract of four- and-twenty. Why do persons who treat the same subjects with me, write so much larger books 7 Of many reasons, is not this the chief — we do not write with the same view ? Their principal end is to get money ; my only one, to do good. Mon. 87 (London.) — I had one more agreeabla conversation with my old friend and fellow labourer, George Whitefield. His soul appeared to be vigorous still, but his body was sinking apace ; and unless God interposes, he must soon finish his labours Wesley's Land-Shark Thur. March 30 (Dublin). — I was summoned to the Court of Conscience by a poor creature who fed my horses three or four times while I was on board. For this service he demanded ten shillings. I gave him half a crown. When I informed the Court of this, he was sharply reproved. Let all beware of these land- sharks on our sea-coasts ! — My scraps of time this week I employed in reading the account of Commodore Byron. I never before read of any who endured such hard- ships, and survived them. Sure no novel in the world April 1769 A THREE FARTHINGS' FORT S45 can be more affecting, or more surprising, than this history. Wed. April 19 (Armagh). — We took horse about ten, being desired to call at Kinnard (ten or eleven miles out of the way), where a little society had been lately formed, who were much alive to God. At the town-end, I was met by a messenger from Arch- deacon C e, who desired I would take a bed with him ; and soon after by another, who told me the Arch- deacon desired I would alight at his door. I did so ; and found an old friend whom I had not seen for four or five and thirty years. Wesley Opens a New Churcli He received me with the most cordial affection ; and, after a time, said, "We have been building a new church, which my neighbours expected me to open; but if you please to do it, it will be as well." Hearing the bell, the people flocked together from all parts of the town, and " received the word with all readiness of mind." I saw the hand of God was in this, for the strengthening of this loving people. Hence we rode through a pleasant country to Charle- mount, where I preached to a very large and serious congregation, near the fort, which has a ditch round it, with some face of a fortification ; and probably (ac- cording to custom) costs the Government a thousand a year, for not three farthings' service ! Thur. 20. — I went on to Castle - caulfield, and preached on the green adjoining to the castle, to a plain, serious people, who still retain all their earnestness and simplicity. Thence I rode to Cookstown; a town consisting of one street about a mile long, running directly through a bog. I preached to most of the 346 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1769 inhabitants of the town : and so the next day, morning and evening. Many "received the word with gladness," Perhaps they will not all be stony-ground hearers. We took the new road to Dungiven. But it was hard work. Nigh foundei'd, on we fared. Treading the crude consistence. We were near five hours going fourteen miles, partly on horseback, partly on foot. We had, as usual, a full house at Londonderry in the evening, and again at eight on Sunday morning. In the afternoon we had a brilliant congregation. But such a sight gives me no great pleasure ; as I have very little hope of doing them good : only " with God all things are possible." Both this evening and the next I spoke exceeding plain to the members of the society. In no other place in Ireland has more pains been taken by the most able of our preachers. And to how little purpose I Bands they have none : four-and-forty persons in society! The greater part of these heartless and cold. The audience in general dead as stones. However, we are to deliver our message ; and let our Lord do as seemeth him good. A Fofsaken Beattty Thar. May 25 — I rode to Bandon. In the evening we were obliged to be in the house ; but the next, Friday, 26, 1 stood in the main street, and cried to a numerous congregation, " Fear God, and keep his com- mandments ; for this is the whole of man." Afterwards I visited one that a year or two ago was in high life, an eminent beauty, adored by her husband, admired and caressed by some of the first men in the nation. She was now without husband, without friend, without fortune, confined to her bed, in constant pain, and in July 1769 DEFINES CHRISTIAN PERFECTION 347 black despair, believing herself forsaken of God, and possessed by a legion of devils I Yet I found great liberty in praying for her, and a strong hope that she will die in peace. Tues. June aj. — [From a letter "to a pious and sensible woman"] "By Christian perfection, I mean, I. Loving God with all our heart. Do you object to this? I mean, a. A heart and life all devoted to God. Do you desire less ? I mean, 3. Regaining the whole image of God. What objection to this ? I mean, 4. Having all the mind that was in Christ. Is this going too far? I mean, 5. Walking uniformly as Christ walked. And this surely no Christian will object to. If any one means anything more or any- thing else by perfection, I have no concern with it. But if this is wrong, yet what need of this heat about it, this violence, I had almost said, fury of opposition, carried so far as even not to lay out anything with this man, or that woman, who professes it ? " Mon. July 3 — I rode to Coolylough (where was the quarterly meeting), and preached at eleven, and in the evening. While we were singing, I was surprised to see the horses from all parts of the ground gathering about us. Is it true then that horses, as well as lions and tigers, have an ear for music ? Sun. 30. — At five I preached at Leeds; and on Monday, 31, prepared all things for the ensuing Confer- ence. Tuesday, August i, it began ; and a more loving one we never had. On Thursday I mentioned the case of our brethren at New York, who had built the first Methodist preaching-house in America, and were in great want of money and much more of preachers. Two of our preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Fillmoor, willingly offered themselves for the service; 8*9 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1769 by whom we determined to send them fifty pounds, as a token of our brotherly love. Wesley at tlie Countess of Huntingdon's Wed. Aug. 23. — I went on to Trevecka. Here we found a concourse of people from all parts, come to celebrate the Countess of Huntingdon's birth-day, and the anniversary of her school, which was opened on the twenty-fourth of August, last year. I preached in the evening, to as many as her chapel could well contain ; which is extremely neat, or rather, elegant ; as is the dining-room, the school, and all the house. About nine Howell Harris desired me to give a short exhortation to his family. I did so; and then went back to my Lady's and laid me down in peace. Thur. 34. — I administered the Lord's supper to the family. At ten the public service began. Mr. Fletcher preached an exceeding lively sermon in the Court, the chapel being far too small. After him, Mr. William Williams preached in Welsh, till between one and two o'clock. At two we dined. Meantime, a large number of people had baskets of bread and meat carried to them in the court. At three I took my turn there, then Mr. Fletcher, and, about five, the congregation was dismissed. Between seven and eight the love-feast began, at which I believe many were comforted. In the evening several of us retired into the neighbouring wood, which is exceeding pleasantly laid out in walks; one of which leads to a little mount, raised in the midst of a meadow, that commands a delightful prospect. This is Howell Harris's work, who has likewise greatly enlarged arid beau- tified his house; so that, with the gardens, orchards, walks, and pieces of water that surround it, it is a kind of little paradise. ^ ^ LADY HUNTIXGDON Sept. 1769 REMARKABLE SCENERY 849 Fri. 25. — We rode through a lovely country to Chep- stow. I had designed to go straight on, but yielded to the importunity of our friends to stay and preach in the evening. Meantime, I took a walk through Mr. Morris's woods. There is scarce anything like them in the kingdom. They stand on the top, and down the side, of a steep mountain, hanging in a semicircular form over the river. Through these woods abundance of serpen- tine walks are cut, wherein many seats and alcoves are placed ; most of which command a surprising prospect of rocks and fields on the other side of the river. And must all these be burned up ? What will become of us then, if we set our hearts upon them i The Gentleman with Rotten Eggs Fri. Sept. 8. — I preached about nine at Taunton, and then rode on to Bridgewater. This afternoon I went to the top of Brent Hill : I know not, I ever before saw such a prospect. West- ward, one may see to the mouth of the Bristol Channel ; and the three other ways, as far as the eye can reach. And most of the land which you see is well cultivated, well wooded, and well watered : so that the globe of earth, in its present condition, can hardly afford a more pleasing scene. Tues. 19 Between twelve and one, I preached at Freshford ; and on White's Hill, near Bradford, in the evening. By this means many had an opportunity of hearing, who would not have come to the room. I had designed to preach there again the next evening ; but a gentleman in the town desired me to preach at his door. The beasts of the people were tolerably quiet till I had nearly finished my sermon. They then lifted up their Toice, especially one, called a gentleman, who had filled 350 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jah. 1770 his pocket with rotten eggs : but, a young man coming unawares, clapped his hands on each side, and mashed them all at once. In an instant he was perfume all over ; though it was not so sweet as balsam. Tues. Oct. 24. — I preached at Alston, in a large malt-room, where one side of my head was very warm, through the crowd of people, the other very cold, having an open window at my ear. Between six and seven I preached at Northampton ; and it was an awful season. This evening there was such an aurora borealis as I never saw before : the colours, both the white, the flame- colour, and the scarlet, were so exceeding strong and beautiful. But they were awful too : so that abundance of people were frighted into many good resolutions. Wesley on Geology and Rousseau Tues. Dec. 36. — I read the letters from our preachers in America, informing us that God had begun a glorious work there; that both in New York and Philadelphia multitudes flock to hear, and behave with the deepest seriousness ; and that the society in each place already contains above an hundred members. Friday, 29, we observed as a day of fasting and prayer, partly on account of the confused state of public affairs, partly as preparatory to the solemn engagement which we were about to renew. 1770. Mon. Jan. i. — About eighteen hundred of us met together ; it was a most solemn season. As we did openly " avouch the Lord to be our God, so did He avouch us to be His people." Wed. 17. — In a little journey, which I took into Bedfordshire, I finished Dr. Burnat's " Theory of the Earth." He is doubtless one of the first-rate writers, Feb. I770 ROUSSEAU THE COXCOMB 851 both as to sense and style j his language is remarkably clear, unaffected, nervous, and elegant. And as to his theory, none can deny that it is ingenious, and con- sistent with itself. And it is highly probable, i. That the earth arose out of the chaos in some such manner as he describes: 2. That the antediluvian earth was without high or abrupt mountains, and without sea, being one uniform crust, enclosing the great abyss : 3. That the flood was caused by the breaking of this crust, and its sinking into the abyss of waters : and 4. That the present state of the earth, both internal and external, shows it to be the ruins of the former earth. This is the substance of his two former books, and thus far I can go with him. I have no objection to the substance of his third book upon the general conflagration, but think it one of the noblest tracts which is extant in our language. And I do not much object to the fourth, concerning the new heavens and the new earth. The substance of it is highly probable. Sat. Feb. 3, and at my leisure moments on several of the following days, I read with much expectation a celebrated book — Rousseau upon Education. But how was I disappointed I Sure a more consummate cox- comb never saw the sun ! How amazingly full of him- self I Whatever he speaks, he pronounces as an oracle. But many of his oracles are as palpably false, as that "young children never love old people." No! Do they never love grandfathers and grandmother? Fre- quently more than they do their own parents. Indeed, they love all that love them, and that with more warmth and sincerity than when they come to liper years. But I object to his temper, more than to his judg- ment : he is a mere misanthorpe; • ^nic all over. So 352 WESLEY'S JOURNAL March 1770 indeed is his brother-infidel, Voltaire j and well nigh as great a coxcomb. But he hides both his doggedness and vanity a little better ; whereas here it stares us in the face continually. As to his book, it is whimsical to the last degree; grounded neither upon reason nor experience. To cite particular passages would be endless ; but any one may observe concerning the whole, the advices which are good are trite and common, only disguised under new expressions. And those which are new, which are really his own, are lighter than vanity itself. Such dis- coveries I always expect from those who are too wise to believe their Bibles. Swedenborg an Entertaining Madman Wed. 28. — I sat down to read and seriously consider some of the writing of Baron Swedenborg. I began with huge prejudice in his favour, knowing him to be a pious man, one of a strong understanding, of much learning, and one who thoroughly believed himself. But I could not hold out long. Any one of his visions puts his real character out of doubt. He is one of the most ingenious, lively, entertaining madmen, that ever set pen to paper. But his waking dreams are so wild, so far remote both from Scripture and common sense, that one might as easily swallow the stories of " Tom Thumb," or " Jack the Giant- Killer." Mon. March 5. — I came to Newbury, where I had been much importuned to preach. But where? The Dissenters would not permit me to preach in their meeting-house. Some were then desirous to hire the old playhouse ; but the good mayor would not suffer it to be so profaned 1 So I made use of a workshop — a large, commodious place. But it would by no means APRILI770 READING ON HORSEBACK S53 contain the congregation. All that could hear behaved well ; and I was in hopes God would have a people in this place also. The next evening I preached at Bristol, and spent the rest of the week there. Wesley and his Hoi-sea Wed. 21 ^In the following days I went on slowly, through Staffordshire and Cheshire, to Manchester. In this journey, as well as in many others, I observed a mistake that almost universally prevails ; and I desire all travellers to take good notice of it, which may save them both from trouble and danger. Near thirty years ago, I was thinking, " How is it that no horse ever stumbles while I am reading ? " (History, poetry, and philosophy I commonly read on horseback, having other employment at other times.) No account can possibly be given but this : because then I throw the reins on his neck. I then set myself to observe ; and I aver, that in riding above an hundred thousand miles, I scarce ever remember any horse (except two, that would fall head over heels any way) to fall, oi make a considerable stumble while I rode with a slack rein. To fancy, therefore, that a tight rein prevents stumbling is a capital blunder. I have repeated the trial more frequently than most men in the kingdom can do. A slack rein will prevent stumbling if anything will. But in some horses nothing can. Wed. April 25. — Taking horse at five, we rode to Dunkeld, the first considerable town in the Highlands. We were agreeably surprised : a pleasanter situation cannot be easily imagined. Afterwards we went some miles on a smooth, delightful road, hanging over the river Tayj and then went on, winding through the mountains, to the Castle of Blair. The mountains, for B 35* WESLEY'S JOURNAL Arm 1770 the next twenty miles, were much higher, and covered with snow. In the evening we came to Dalwhinny, the dearest inn I have met with in North Britain, In the morning we were informed, so much snow had &llen in the night, that we could get no farther. And indeed, three young women, attempting to cross the mountain to Blair, were swallowed up in the snow. However, we resolved, with God's help, to go as far as we could. But, about noon, we were at a full stop : the snow, driving together on the top of the mountain, had quite blocked up the road. We dismounted, and, striking out of the road warily, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, with many stumbles, but no hurt, we got on to Dalmagarry, and before sunset, to Inverness. Fri. 37. — I breakfasted with the senior minister, Mr. M'Kenzie, a pious and friendly man. At six in the evening I began preaching in the church, and with very uncommon liberty of spirit At seven in the morning I preached in the library, a large commodious room ; but it would not contain the congregation ; many were constrained to go away. Afterwards I rode over to Fort George, a very regular fortificadon, capable of contuning four thousand men. A> I was just taking horse, the commanding oiScer sent word, I was welcome to preach. But it was a little too late : I had then but just time to ride back to Inverness. Wesley at Nairn, Elgin, and Aberdeea Mon. 30. — We set out in a fine morning. A little before we reached Nairn, we were met by a messenger from the minister, Mr. Dunbar; who desired, I would breakfast with him. and give them a sermon in his church. Afterwards we hastened to Elgin, through a pleasant and well-cultivated country. When we set out MAYI770 ON MONTROSE GREEN «55 from hence, the rain began, and poured down till we came to the Spey, the most impetuous river I ever saw. Finding the large boat was in no haste to move, I stepped into a small one, just going off. It whirled us over the stream almost in a minute. I waited at the inn at Fochabers (dark and dirty enough in all reason), till our friends overtook me with the horses. The outside of the inn at Keith was of the same hue, and promised us no great things. But we were agreeably disappointed. We found plenty of everything, and lo dried ourselves at leisure. Sun. May 6. — I preached in the college kirk at Old Aberdeen, to a very serious (though mostly genteel) con- gregation. In the evening I preached at our own room, and early in the morning took my leave of this loving people. We came to Montrose about noon. I had designed to preach there ; but found no notice had been given. However, I went down to the green, and sung a hymn. People presently flocked from all parts, and God gave me great freedom of speech ; so that I hope we did not meet in vain. At seven in the evening I preached at Arbroath, pro- perly Aberbrothwick. The whole town seems moved : the congregation was the largest I have seen since we left Inverness; and the society, though but of nine months' standing, is the largest in the kingdom, next that of Aberdeen. Tues. 8. — I took a view of the small remains of the abbey. I know nothing like it in all North Britain. I paced it, and found it an hundred yards long. The breadth is proportionable. Part of the west end, which is still standing, shows it was full as high as Westminster Abbey. The south end of the cross aisle likewise is sUnding, near the top of which is a large circular window. 356 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1770 The lealous Reformers, they told us, burnt this down. God deliver us from reforming mobs 1 I have seen no town in Scotland which increases so fast, or which is built with so much common sense, as this. Two entire new streets, and part of a third, have been built within these two years. They run parallel with each other, and have a row of gardens between them. So that every house has a garden; and thus both health and convenience are consulted. Where Are the Highlands? Mon. 14. — After ten years' inquiry, I have learned what are the Highlands of Scotland. Some told me, " The Highlands begin when you cross the Tay " j others, " when you cross the North Esk " j and others, " when you cross the river Spey " : but all of them missed the mark. For the truth of the matter is, the Highlands are bounded by no river at all, but by earns, or heaps of stones laid in a row, south-west and north-east, from lea to sea. These formerly divided the kingdom of the Picts from that of the Caledonians, which included all the country north of the cams; several whereof are still remaining. It takes in Argyleshire, most of Perthshire, Murrayshire, with all the north-west counties. This is called the Highlands, because a considerable part of it (though not the whole) is mountainous. But it is not more mountainous than North Wales, nor than many parts of England and Ireland ; nor do I believe it has any mountain higher than Snowdon Hill, or the Skiddaw in Cumberland. Talking Erse, therefore, is not the thing that distinguishes these from the Lowlands. Neither is this or that river ; both the Tay, the Esk, and the Spey running through the Highlands, not south of them. JuNKi7?b WESLEY AT SIXTY-SEVEN S57 Fri. 18. — We rode over to the Earl of Haddington'a seat, finely situated between two woods. The house is exceeding large and pleasant, commanding a wide pros- pect both ways : and the Earl is cutting walks through the woods, smoothing the ground, and much enlarging and beautifying his garden. Yet he is to die ! In the evening, I trust God broke some of the stony hearts of Dunbar. A little increase here is in the society likewise ; and all the members walk unblamably. Wesley and the Turnpikes Fri. June 15. — I was agreeably surprised to find the whole road from Thirsk to Stokesley, which used to be extremely bad, better than most turnpikes. The gentle- men had exerted themselves, and raised money enough to mend it effectually. So they have done for several hundred miles in Scotland, and throughout all Connaught in Ireland ; and so they undoubtedly might do through- out all England, without saddling the poor people with the vile imposition of turnpikes for ever. In the afternoon we come to Whitby. Having preached thrice a day for five days, I was willing to preach in the house; but notice had been given of my preaching in the market-place ; so I began at six, to a large congregation most of them deeply attentive. Sun. 17. — We had a poor sermon at church. How- ever, I went again in the afternoon, remembering the words of Mr. Philip Henry, " If the preacher does not know his duty, I bless God that I know mine." Thur. 28. — I can hardly believe that I am this day entered into the sixty-eighth year of my age. How marvellous are the ways of God ! How has He kept me even from a child ! From ten to thirteen or fourteen, I had little but bread to eat, and not great plenty of that. 358 WESLEY'S JOURNAL July 1770 I believe this was so bi from hurting me, that it laid the foundation of lasting health. When I grew up, in consequence of reading Dr. Cheyne, I chose to eat sparingly, and drink water. This was another great means of continuing my health, till I was about seven, and-twenty. I then began spitting of blood, which continued several years. A warm climate cured this. I was afterwards brought to the brink of death by a fever; but it left me healthier than before. Eleven years after, I was in the third stage of a consumption ; in three months it pleased God to remove this also. Since that time I have known neither pain nor sickness, and am now healthier than I was forty yean ago. This hath God wrought I Wesley in St. Albans Abbey Mon. July 30. — I preached at Bingham, ten miles from Nottingham. I really admired the exquisite stupidity of the people. They gaped and stared while I was speaking of death and judgment, as if they had never heard of such things before. And they were not helped by two surly, ill-mannered clergymen, who seemed to be just as wise as themselves. The congrega- tion at Houghton in the evening was more noble^ behaving with the utmost decency. Tues. 31. — At nine I preached in the market-place at Loughborough, to almost as large a congregation as at Nottingham, and equally attentive. Thence I rode to Markfield. Notwithstanding the harvest, the church was quickly filled. And great was our rejoicing in our great High Priest, through whom we. " came boldly to the throne of grace." In the evening I preached in the Castle Yard at Leicester, to a multitude of awakened and unawakened. One feeble attempt was made to Ado. I770 WESLEY AT ST. ALBANS 859 disturb them : a man was sent to cry fresh salmon at a little distance; but he might as well have spared the pains, for none took the least notice of him. Wed. Aug. I — I rode to Northampton. It being still extremely hot, I determined not to be cooped up, but took my stand on the side of the common, and cried aloud to a large multitude of rich and poor, "Acquaint thyself now with him, and be at peace." Thur. 2 Some friends from London met us at St. Albans. Before dinner we took a walk in the abbey, one of the most ancient buildings in the kingdom, near a thousand years old ; and one of the largest, being five hundred and sixty feet in length (considerably more than Westminster Abbey), and broad and high in propor- tion. Near the east end is the tomb and vault of good Duke Humphrey. Some now living remember since his body was entire. But after the coffin was opened, so many were curious to taste the liquor in which it was preserved, that in a little time the corpse was left bare, and then soon mouldered away. A few bones are now all that remain. How little is the spirit concerned at this I Wesley and tbe Druid Monuments Tues. 31. — I rode on to Tiverton, and thence through Launceston, Camelford, Fort Isaac, Cubert, St. Agnes, and Redruth, to St. Ives. Here God has made all our enemies to be at peace with us, so that I might have preached in any part of the town. But I rather chose a meadow, where such as would might sit down, either on the grass or on the hedges — so the Cornish term their broad stone walls, which are usually covered with grass. Here I enforced, " Fear God, and keep His command- ments; for this is the whole of man." 860 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1770 Sat. Sept. I. — ^I took a walk to the top of that celebrated hill, Carn Brae. Here are many monuments of remote antiquity, scarce to be found in any other part of Europe : Druid altars of enormous size, being only huge rocks, strangely suspended one upon the other ; and rock-basins, hollowed on the surface of the rock, it is supposed, to contain the holy water. It is probable these are at least coeval with Pompey's theatre, if not with the pyramids of Egypt. And what are they the better for this ? Of what consequence is it either to the dead or the living, whether they have withstood the wastes of time for three thousand or three hundred years ? Congregation of 20,000 Sun. a. — At five in the evening I preached in the natural amphitheatre at Gwennap. The people covered a circle of near fourscore yards diameter, and could not be fewer than twenty thousand. Yet, upon inquiry, I found they could all hear distinctly, it being a calm, still evening. After visiting Medros, Plymouth, and Collumpton, I came on Friday, 7, to Taunton. Presently, after preaching, I took horse. The rain obliged us to make haste ; but in a while the saddle came over his neck, and then turned under his belly. I had then only to throw myself off, or I must have fallen under him. I was a little bruised, but soon mounted again, and rode to Lympsham, and the next day to Bristol. Sun. 9. — My voice was weak when I preached at Princes Street in the morning. It was stronger at two in the afternoon, while I was preaching under the sycamore tree in Kingswood; and strongest of all at five in the evening, when we assembled near King's Square in Bristol, Nov. 1770 DEATH OF WHITEFIELD S6l Thur. Oct II. — About eleyen I preached at Win- chester, to a genteel and yet serious congregation. I was a little tired before I came to Portsmouth, but the congregation soon made me forget my weariness. Indeed the people in general here are more noble than most in the south of England. They receive the word of God " with all readiness of mind," and showed civility, at least, to all that preach it Fire at Portsmouth Dock FtL 13. — I walked round the Dock, much larger than any in England. The late fire began in a place where no one comes, just at low water, and at a time when all were fast asleep. So that none can doubt its being done by design. It spread with such amazing violence, among tow, and cordage, and dry wood, that none could come near without the utmost danger. Nor was anything expected, but the whole dock would be consumed, if not the town also. But this God would not permit It stopped on one side, close to the commissioner's house ; and just as it was seizing the town on the other side, the wind changed and drove it back. Afterwards the fury of it was checked, by water, by sand, and by pulling down some buildings. And yet it was full five weeks before it was wholly put out. Wesley Preaches Whitefield's Funeral Sermon Sat. Nov. 10. — I returned to London, and had the melancholy news of Mr. Whitefield's death confirmed by his executors, who desired me to preach his funeral sermon on Sunday, the i8th. In order to write this, I retired to Lewisham on Monday ; and on Sunday following, went to the chapel in Tottenham Court Road. An immense multitude was gathered together from all S6» WESLEY'S JOURNAL D«c. 1770 corners of the town. I was at first afraid that a great part of the congregation would not be able to hear; but it pleased God so to strengthen my voice, that even those at the door heard distinctly. It was an awful season : all were still as night ; most appeared to be deeply affected ; and an impression was made on many, which one would hope wUl not speedily be effaced. The time appointed for my beginning at the Taber- nacle was half-hour after five ; but it was quite filled at three, so I began at four. At first the noise was ex- ceeding great ; but it ceased when I began to speak ; and my voice was again so strengthened that all who were within could hear, unless an accidental noise hindered here or there for a few moments. O that all may hear the voice of him with whom are the issues of life and death ; and who so loudly, by this unexpected stroke^ calls all his children to love one another ! Fri. 23. — Being desired by the trustees of the taber- nacle at Greenwich to preach Mr. Whitefield's funeral sermon there, I went over to-day for that purpose ; but neither would this house contain the congregation. Those who could not get in made some noise at first, but in a little while all were silent. Here, likewise, I trust God has given a blow to that bigotry which had prevailed for many years. Mon. Dec 3. — I took a little journey into Kent. In the evening I preached at Chatham, in the new house, which was sufficiently crowded with attentive hearers. Tues. 4. — I preached at Canterbury. Wed. 5. — ^We went to Dover, where, with some diffi- culty, we climbed to the top of Shakespeare's cliff. It is exceeding high, and commands a vast prospect both by sea and land ; but it is nothing so terrible in itsdf as it ia in his description. I preached to a very serioui Fbb. I77I WESLEY'S WIFE AND WILL S6S congregation in the evening as well as in the morning. The same, likewise, we observed at Canterbury ; so that I hope to see good days here also. Fri. 7 . — I preached in Feversham at nine, and in the evening at Chatham. So we go through water and fire ! And all is well, so we are doing or suffering the will of our Lord I Wesley's Wife Leaves Him Wed. tg. — About noon I preached at Dorking. The hearers were many, and seemed all attention. About an hundred attended at Ryegate in the evening, and between twenty and thirty in the morning ; dull indeed as stones. 1 77 1, Wed. Jan. a. — I preached in the evening, at Deptford, a kind of funeral sermon for Mr. Whitefield. In every place I wish to show all possible respect to the memory of that great and good man. Wed. 23. — For what cause I know not to this day, [Wesley's wife] set out for Newcastle, purposing " never to return." Non earn reliqui : non dimisi : tton revocabo — [I did not desert her: I did not send her away : I will not recall her]. Fri. 35. — I revised and transcribed my will, declaring as simply, as plainly, and as briefly as I could, nothing more nor nothing else, but "what I would have done with the worldly goods which I leave behind me." Thur. Feb. 14. — I went through both the upper and lower rooms of the London workhouse. It contains about an hundred children, who are in as good order as any private family. And the whole house is as clean, from top to bottom, as any gentleman's needs be. And why is not every workhouse in London, yea, through the kingdom, in the same order? Purely for want «64 WESLEY'S Journal Mat 1771 either of sense, or of honesty and activity, in them that superintend it. Men. 25. — I showed a friend, coming out of the country, the tombs in Westminster Abbey. The two with which I still think none of the others worthy to be compared are that of Mrs. Nightingale, and that of the Admiral rising out of his tomb at the resurrection. But the vile flattery inscribed on many of them reminded me of that just reflection : If on the sculptured marble you rely. Pity that worth like his should ever dlo. If credit to the real life you give. Pity a wretch like him should ever live I The Earl of Desmond's Castle Wed. May 32 (Ireland) After preaching at Balli- garane, I rode to Ashkayton. There are no ruins, I believe, in the kingdom of Ireland, to be compared to these. The old Earl of Desmond's Castle is very large, and has been exceeding strong. Not far from this, and formerly communicating with it by a gallery, is his great hall, or banqueting room. The walls are still firm and entire ; and these with the fine carvings of the window-frames (all of polished marble), give some idea of what it was once. Its last master lived like a prince for many years, and rebelled over and over against Queen Elizabeth. After his last rebellion, his army being totally routed, he fled into the woods with two or three hundred men. But the pursuit was so hot, that these were soon scattered from him, and he crept alone into a small cabin. He was sitting there, when a soldier came in and struck him. He rose and said, " I am the Earl of Desmond." The wretch, rejoicing that he had found so great a prize, cut off his head at once. Queen Elizabeth and King Oct. I77I WESLEY AT SIXTY-EIGHT S6i James allowed a pension to his relict for many years. I have seen a striking picture of her, in her widow's weeds, said to be taken when she was an hundred and forty years old. At a small distance from the castle stands the old abbey, the finest ruin of the kind in the kingdom. Not only the walls of the church, and many of the apartments, but the whole cloisters are entire. They are built of black marble exquisitely polished, and vaulted over with the same. So that thty are as firm now as when they were built, perhaps seven or eight hundred years ago ; and, if not purposely destroyed (as most of the ancient buildings in Ireland have been), may last these thousand years. But add these to the years they have stood already, and what is it to eternity ? A moment ! Mon. June 24 — This day I entered the sixty-ninth year of my age. I am still a wonder to myself. My voice and strength are the same as at nine-and-twenty This also hath God wrought Wesley in Winchester Cathedral Tues. Oct. 1. — I went on to Salisbury. Wednesday, «. I preached at Whitchurch ; Thursday, 3, at Winchester. I now found time to take a view of the cathedral. Here the sight of that bad Cardinal's tomb, whom the sculptor has placed in a posture of prayer, brought to my mind those fine lines of Shakespeare, which be put into the mouth of King Henry the Sixth : Lord Cardinal, If thou hast any hope of Heaven's grace. Give us a sign. He dies, and makes no sign. On Thursday and Friday evening I preached at Portsmouth Common. Saturday, 5. I set out at two. About ten some of our London friends met me at see WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1771 Cobham, with whom I took a walk in the neighbouring gardens, inexpressibly pleasant, through the variety of hills and dales, and the admirable contrivance of the whole. And now, after spending his life in bringing it to perfection, the grey-headed owner advertises it to be sold ! Is there anything under the sun that can satisfy a spirit made for God ? Wed. 1 6. — I preached at South-Lye. Here it was that I preached my first sermon, six-and-forty years ago. One man was in my present audience who heard it. Most of the rest are gone to their long home. Wed. 30. — I walked over to Winchelsea from Rye, said to have been once a large city, with abundance of trade and of inhabitants, the sea washing the foot of the hill on which it stands. The situation is exceeding bold, the hill being high and steep on all sides. But the town is shrunk almost into nothing, and the seven churches into half an one. I preached at eleven in the new square, to a considerable number of serious people; and at Rye in the evening, where were many that are " not far from the kingdom of God." Tues. Nov. 5. — In our way to Bury we called at Felsham, near which is the seat of the late Mr. Reynolds. The house is, I think, the best contrived and the most beautiful I ever saw. It has four fronts, and five rooms on a floor, elegantly, though not sumptuously, furnished. At a small distance stands a delightful grove. On every side of this, the poor, rich man, who had no hope beyond the grave, placed seats, to enjoy life as long as he could. But being resolved none of his family should be " put into the ground," he built a structure in the midst of the grove, vaulted above and beneath, with niches for coffins, strong enough to stand for i^es. In one of these he had soon the satisfaction of laying the Dec. 1 77 1 AN UNCOMMON HOUSE S67 remains of his only child ; and, two years after, those ot his wife. After two years more, in the year 1759, having eat, and drank, and forgotten God, for eighty- four years, he went himself to give an account of his stewardship. ■Wesley at Windsor Park Fri. 39. — We viewed the improvements of that active and useful man, the late Duke of Cumberland. The most remarkable work is the triangular tower which he built on the edge of Windsor Park. It is surrounded with shrubberies and woods, having some straight, some serpentine, walks in them, and commands a beautiful prospect all three ways: a very extensive one to the south-west. In the lower part is an alcove, which must be extremely pleasant in a summer evening. There is a little circular projection at each corner, one of which is filled by a geometrical staircase : the other two contain little apartments, one of which is a study. I was agreeably surprised to find many of the books not only religious, but admirably well chosen. Perhaps the great man spent many hours here, with only him that seeth in secret; and who can say how deep that change went^ which was so discernible in the latter part of his life ? Hence we went to Mr. Bateman's house, the oddest I ever saw with my eyes. Everything breathes antiquity; scarce a bedstead is to be seen that is not an hundred and fifty years old ; and everything is quite out of the common way: be scorns to have anything like his neighbours. For six hours, I suppose, these elegant oddities would much delight a curious man ; but after six months they would probably give him no more pleasure than a collection of feathers. Mon. Dec. 16. — I rode to Dorking, where were manv 368 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Die. 1771 people; but none were cut to the heart. Tuesday, 17. I went on to Ryegate-place. In King Heniy the Fourth's time, this was an eminent monastery. At the dissolution of monasteries, it fell into the hands of the great spoiler, Henry the Eighth. Queen Elizabeth, pleased with the situation, chose it for one of her palaces. The gentleman who possesses it now has entirely changed the form of it; pulling down whole piles of ancient building, and greatly altering what remains. Yet, after all that is taken away, it still looks more like a palace than a private house. The staircase is of the same model with that at Hampton-court : one would scarce know which is the original. The chimney- piece in the hall is probably one of the most curious pieces of wood-work now in the kingdom. But how long ? How many of its once bustling inhabitants are already under the earth I And how httle a time will it be before the house itself, yea, the earth shall be burned up! Sat. 9i.-:-I met an old friend, James Hutton, whom I had not seen for five-and-twenty years. I felt this made no difference; my heart was quite open; his seemed to be the same ; and we conversed just as we did in 1738, when we met in Fetter Lane. Monday, 23, and so all the following days, when I was not particularly engaged, I spent an hour in the morning with our preachers, as I used to do with my pupils at Oxford. Wednesday, 25. I preached early at the Foundery; morning and afternoon, at the chapel. In returning thence at night, a coach ran full against my chaise, and broke one of the shafts and the traces in pieces. I was thankful that this was all; that neither man nor beast received the least hurt. Moo. 30. — At my brother's request, I sat again fof Feb. 1771 AT HAMPTON COURT 369 my picture. This melancholy employment always reminds me of that natural reflection — Behold, what frailty we in man may see I His shadow Is less given to change than h& 1772. Tues. Jan. 14. — I spent an agreeable hour with Dr. S , the oldest acquaintance I now have. He is the greatest genius in little things that ever fell under my notice. Almost everything about him is of his own invention, either in whole or in part. Even his fire- screen, his lamps of various sorts, his ink-horn, his very save-all. I really believe, were he seriously to set about it, he could invent the best mouse-trap that ever was in the world. Wesley as Art Critic Thnr. 16. — I set out for Luton. The snow lay so deep on the road, that it was not without much difficulty, and some danger, we at last reached the town. I was offered the use of the church : the frost was exceeding sharp, and the glass was taken out of the windows. However, for the sake of the people, I accepted the offer, though I might just as well have preached in the open air. I suppose four times as many people were present, as would have been at the room ; and about an hundred in the morning. So I did not repent of my journey through the snow. Fri. Feb. 7. — I called on a friend at Hampton Court, who went with me through the house. It struck me more than anything of the kind I have seen in England, more than Blenheim House itself. One great difference is, everything there appears designedly grand and splendid; here everything is quite, as it were, natural, and one thinks it cannot be otherwise. If the expression may be allowed, there is a kind of stiffness runs through a ▲ 570 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Feb. 177* the one, and an easiness through the other. Of pictures I do not pretend to be a judge; but there is one, by Paul Rubens, which particularly struck me, both with the design and the execution of it It is Zacharias and Elizabeth, with John the Baptist, two or three years old, coming to visit Mary, and our Lord sitting upon hei knee. The passions are surprisingly expressed, even in the children ; but I could not see either the decency or common sense of painting them stark naked : nothing can defend or excuse this : it is shockingly absurd, even an Indian being the judge. I allow, a man who paints thus may have a good hand, but certainly no brains. Wesley on "A Sentimental Journey" Tues. 1 1. — I casually took a volume of what is called, "A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy." Sentimental! what is that? It is not English: he might as well say. Continental. It is not sense. It conveys no determinate idea; yet one fool makes many. And this nonsensical word (who would believe it 7) is become a fashionable one 1 However, the book agrees full well with the title ; for one is as queer as the other. For oddity, uncouthness, and unlikeness to all the world beside, I suppose, the writer is without a rival. Wed. 13. — In returning, I read a very different book, published by an honest Quaker, on that execrable sum of all villanies, commonly called the Slave Trade. I read of nothing like it in the heathen world, whether ancient or modern : and it infinitely exceeds, in every instance of barbarity, whatever Christian slaves suffer in Mahometan countries. Fri. 14. — I began to execute a design, which had long been in my thoughts, to print as accurate an April I77» REMARKABLE LETTERS 871 edition of my works, as a bookseller would do. Surely I ought to be as exact for God's sake, as he would be for money. Mon. 1 7. — One gave me a very remarkable relation : A gay young woman lately came up to London. Curio- sity led her to hear a sermon, which cut her to the heart. One standing by, observed how she was affected, and took occasion to talk with her. She lamented that she should hear no more such sermons, as she was to go into the country the next day ; but begged her new acquaintance to write to her there, which she promised to do. In the country her convictions so increased, that she resolved to put an end to her own life. With this design she was going up stairs, when her father caled her, and gave her a letter from London. It was from her new acquaintance, who told her, " Christ is just ready to receive you : now is the day of salvation." She cried out, " It is, it is 1 Christ is mine ! " and was filled with joy unspeakable. She begged her father to give her pen, ink, and paper, that she might answer her friend immediately. She told her what God had done for her soul, and added, " We have no time to lose I The Lord is at hand 1 Now, even now, we are stepping into eternity." She directed her letter, dropped down, and died. Wesley and the Boarding'school Fri. 21. — I met several of my friends, who had begun a subscription to prevent my riding on horseback ; which I cannot do quite so well, since a hurt which I got some months ago. If they continue it, well ; if not, I shall have strength according to my need. Mon. April 6 (Manchester). — In the afternoon I drank tea at Am. O. But how was I shocked ! The 378 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1772 children that used to cling about me, and drink in every word, had been at a boarding-school. There they had unlearned all religion, and even seriousness; and had learned pride, vanity, affectation, and whatever could guard them against the knowledge and love of God. Methodist parents, who would send your girls headlong to hell, send them to a fashionable boarding-school ! Tues. 14 I set out for Carlisle. A great part of the road was miserably bad. However, we reached it in the afternoon, and found a small company of plain, loving people. The place where they had appointed me to preach was out of the gate; yet it was tolerably filled with attentive hearers. Afterwards, inquiring for the Glasgow road, I found it was not much round to go by Edinburgh; so I chose that road, and went five miles forward this evening, to one of our friends' houses. Here we had an hearty welcome, under a lowly roof, with sweet and quiet rest. Wed. 15. — Though it was a lone house, we had a large congregation at five in the morning. Afterwards we rode for upwards of twenty miles, through a most delightful country ; the fruitful mountains rising on either hand, and the clear stream running beneath In the afternoon we had a furious storm of rain and snow: however, we reached Selkirk safe. Here I observed a little piece of stateliness which was quite new to me : the maid came in, and said, " Sir, the lord of the stable waits to know if he should feed your horses." We call him ostler in England. After supper all the family seemed glad to join with us in prayer. Thur. 16. — We went on through the mountains, covered with snow, to Edinburgh. Sat. 18. — I set out for Glasgow. One would rather have imagined it was the middle of January than the April i77« "MISERABLE BIGOTRY" 873 middle of April. The snow covered the mountains on either hand, and the frost was exceeding sharp ; so I preached within, both this evening and on Sunday morning. But in the evening the multitude constrained me to stand in the street. My text was, " What God has cleansed, that call not thou common." Hence I took occasion to fall upon their miserable bigotry for opinions and modes of worship. Many seemed to be not a little convinced ; but how long will the impression continue ? Wesley at Greenock and Glasgow Men. 20. — I went on to Greenock, a sea-port town, twenty miles west of Glasgow. It is built very much like Plymouth Dock, and has a safe and spacious harbour. The trade and inhabitants, and consequently the houses, are increasing swiftly; and so is cursing swearing, drunkenness. Sabbath-breaking, and all manner of wickedness. Our room is about thrice as large as that at Glasgow ; but it would not near contain the con- gregation. I spoke exceeding plain, and not without hope that we may see some fruit, even among this hardhearted generation. Tues. 31. — The house was very full in the morning; and they showed an excellent spirit; for after I had spoke a few words on the head, every one stood up at the singing. In the afternoon I preached at Port- Glasgow, a large town, two miles east of Greenock. Many gay people were there, careless enough ; but the greater part seemed to hear with understanding. In the evening I preached at Greenock ; and God gave them a loud caU, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear. Wed. 23. — About eight I preached once more in the »74 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1771 Masons' Lodge, at Port-Glasgow. The house was crowded greatly ; and I suppose all the gentry of the town were part of the congregation. Resolving not to shoot over their heads, as I had done the day before, I spoke strongly of death and judgment, heaven and hell. This they seemed to comprehend ; and there was no more laughing among them, or talking with each other ; but all were quietly and deeply attentive. In the evening, when I began at Glasgow, the con- gregation being but small, I chose a subject fit for experienced Christians ; but soon after, a heap of fine gay people came in : yet I could not decently break off what I was about, though they gaped and stared abun- dantly. I could only give a short exhortation in tho close, more suited to their capacity. Wesley Receives tbe Freedom of Perth Tues. 28 (Dunkeld). — We walked through the Duke of Athol's gardens, in which was one thing I never saw before — a summer-house in the middle of a green- house, by means of which one might in the depth of winter enjoy the warmth of May, and sit surrounded with greens and Sowers on every side. In the evening I preached once more at Perth, to a large and serious congregation. Afterwards thqr did me an honour I never thought of — presented me with the freedom of the city. In my way to Perth, I read over the first volume of Dr. Robertson's " History of Charles the Fifth." I know not when I have been so disappointed. It might as well be called the History of Alexander the Great Here is a quarto volume of eight or ten shillings' pricey containing dry, verbose dissertations on feudal govern- ment, the lubstance of all which might be comprised in Mati77« a miserable READER 375 half a sheet of paper I But " Charles the Fifth ! " Whew is Charles the Fifth? Leave off thy reflections, and give us thy tale I Wed. t^. — I went on to Brechin, and preached in the town-hall to a congregation of all sorts, Seceders, Glassites, Nonjurors, and what not ? O what excuse have ministers in Scotland for not declaring the whole counsel of God, where the bulk of the people not only endure, but love plain dealing ! Friday and Saturday. — I rested at Aberdeen. Sun. May 3 — I went in the morning to the English church. Here, Ukewise, I could not but admire the exemplary decency of the congregation. This was the more remarkable, because so miser-able a reader I never heard before. Listening with all attention, I understood but one single word, Balak, in the first lesson; and one more, begat, was all I could possibly distinguish in the second. Is there no man of spirit belonging to this congregation ? Why is such a burlesque upon public worship sufifered? Would it not be far better to pay this gentleman for doing nothing, than for doing mischief; for bringing a scandal upon religion ? About three I preached at the College kirk in the Old Town to a large congregation, rich and poor ; at six, in our own house, on the narrow way. I spoke exceeding plain, both this evening and the next; yet none were offended. What encouragement has every preacher in this country, " by manifestation of the truth," to " com- mend " himself " to every man's conscience in the sight of God!" Tues 5. — In the evening I preached in the new bouse a^ Arbroath (properly Aberbrotheck). In this S76 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1771 town there is a change indeed ! It was wicked to a proverb; remarkable for Sabbath-breaking, cursing, swearing, drunkenness, and a general contempt of reli- gion. But it is not so now. Open wickedness disap- pears) no oaths are heard, no drunkenness seen in the streets. And many have not only ceased from evil, and learned to do well, but are witnesses of the inward kingdom of God, " righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" Wed. 6. — The magistrate! here also did me the honour of presenting me with the freedom of their cor- poration. I value it as a token of their respect, though I shall hardly make any farther use of it. Wesley Visits the Bass Rock Wed. 20 — In the evening I preached at Dunbar. Thursday, ai. I went to the Bass, seven miles from it, which, in the horrid reign of Charles the Second, was the prison of those venerable men who suffered the loss of all things for a good conscience. It is a high rock sur- rounded by the sea, two or three miles in circumference, and about two miles from the shore. The strong east wind made the water so rough, that the boat could hardly live: and when we came to the only landing- place (the other sides being quite perpendicular), it was with much difficulty that we got up, climbing on our hands and knees. The castle, as one may judge by what remains, was utterly inaccessible. The walls of the chapel, and of the Governor's house, are tolerably entire. The garden walls are still seen near the top of the rock, with the well in the midst of it. And round the walls there are spots of gruss, that feed eighteen or twenty sheep. But the proper natives of the island are Solund-geese, JuKEi77« THE SOLUND-GEESE 877 a. bird about the size of a Muscovy duck, which breed by thousands, from generation to generation, on the sides of the rock. It is peculiar to these, that they lay but one egg, which they do not sit upon at all, but keep it under one foot (as we saw with our eyes), till it is hatched. How many prayers did the holy men confined here offer up, in that evil day 1 And how many thanks- givings should we return, for all the liberty, civil and religious, which we enjoy ! At our return, we walked over the ruins of Tantallon Castle, once the seat of the great Earls of Douglas. The front walls (it was four square) are still standing, and by their vast height and huge thickness, give us a httle idea of what it once was. Such is human greatness 1 Fri. 2 2 We took a view of the famous Roman camp, lying on a mountain, two or three miles from the town. It is encompassed with two broad and deep ditches, and is not easy of approach on any side. Here lay General Lesley with his army, while Cromwell was starving below. He had no way to escape; but the enthusiastic fury of the Scots delivered him. When they marched into the valley to swallow him up, he mowed them down like grass. Sat 23. — I went on to Alnwick, and preached in the town hall. What a difference between an English and a Scotch congregation ! These judge themselves rather than the preacher ; and their aim is, not only to know, but to lore and obey. Through the Dalea Mon. June i. — I began a little tour through the Dales. About nine, I preached at Kiphill ; at one, at Wokingham. Here we began to trace the revival of the work of God ; and here began the horrid mountains we 378 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 177a had to climb over. However, before six, we reached Barnard Castle. I preached at the end of the preaching- house, to a large congregation of established Christians. At five in the morning, the house was near full of persons ripe for the height and depth of the Gospel. Tues. 2. — We rode to New-Orygan in Teesdale. The people were deeply attentive ; but, I think, not deeplj affected. From the top of the next enormous mountain, we had a view of Weardale. It is a lovely prospect The green gently rising meadows and fields, on both sides of the little river, clear as crystal, were sprinkled over with innumerable little houses ; three in four of which (if not nine in ten) are sprung up since the Methodists came hither. Since that time, the beasts are turned into men, and the wilderness into a fruitful field. Thur. 4. — At five I took my leave of this blessed people. I was a little surprised, in looking attentively upon them, to observe so many beautiful faces as I never saw before in one congregation ; many of the children in particular, twelve or fourteen of whom (chiefly boys) sat full in my view. But I allow, much more might be owing to grace than nature, to the heaven within, that shone outward. Field'preaching as Wesley's Cross Fri. Aug. 31. — I preached again about eight, and then rode back to Harford. After dinner we hasted to the Passage ; but the watermen were not in haste to fetch us over; so I sat down on a convenient stone, and finished the little tract I had in hand. However, I got to Pembroke in time, and preached in the town hall, where we had a solemn and comfortable opportunity. Sun. Sept. 6 I preached on the quay, at Kingswood, and near King's Square. To this day field-preaching ii Oct. 177* A CURIOUS DREAM S79 a cross to me. But I know my commission, and see no other way of " preaching the Gospel to every crea- ture." Wed. Oct. 14. — A book was given me to write on, " The Works of Mr. Thomson," of whose poetical abilities I had always had a very low opinion ; but looking into one of his tragedies, " Edward and Eleonora," I was agree- ably surprised. The sentiments are just and noble ; the dictiqn strong, smooth, and elegant ; and the plot con- ducted with the utmost art, and wrought o£f in a most surprising manner. It is quite his masterpiece, and I really think might vie with any modern performance of the kind. Good or Bad Spirits? Sat 31. — A young man of good sense, and an un- blamable character, gave me a strange account of what (he said) had happened to himself, and three other persons in the same house. As I knew they all feared God, I thought the matter deserved a farther examina- tion. So in the afternoon I talked largely with them all. The sum of their account was this : "Near two years ago, Martin S and William J saw, in a dream, two or three times repeated to each of them, a person who told them there was a large treasure hid in such a spot, three miles from Norwich, consisting of money and plate, buried in a chest, between six and eight feet deep. They did not much regard this, till each of them, when they were broad awake, saw an elderly man and woman standing by their bedside, who told them the same thing, and bade them go and dig it up, between eight and twelve at night Soon after, they went ; but, being afraid, took a third man with them. They began digging at eight, and after 880 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 1771 they had dug six feet, saw the top of a coffer, or chest. But presently it sunk down into the earth ; and there appeared over the place a large globe of bright fire, which, after some time, rose higher and Ugher, till it was quite out of sight Not long after, the man and woman appeared again, and said, 'You spoiled all, by bringing that man with you.' From this time, both they and Sarah and Mary J , who live in the same house with them, have heard, several times in a week, delightful music, for a quarter of an hour at a time. They often hear it before those persons appear ; often when they do not appear." They asked me whether they were good or bad spirits ; but I could not resolve them. A Remarkable Dream Tues. Nov. 17. — One was relating a remarkable story, which I thought worthy to be remembered. Two years ago, a gentleman of large fortune in Kent dreamed that he was walking through the churchyard, and saw a new monument with the following inscription: or SAMUEL SAVAGE, ESQ, WHO DEPAITSD THIS Unt ON SEPTEUBKX — , IJJ*, AOBD ^ He told his friends in the morning, and was much affected : but the impression soon wore off. But on that day he did depart ; and a stone was erected with that very inscripnon. A gentlewoman present added a relation equally sur- prising, which she received from the person's own mouth : Nov. i77« TRAGEDY IN A DREAM S81 "Mrs. B , when about fourteen years of age, being at a boarding-school, a mile or two from her father's, dreamed she was on the top of the church- steeple, when a man came up, and threw her down to the roof of the church. Yet she seemed not much hurt, till he came to her again, and threw her to the bottom. She thought she looked hard at him, and said, ' Now you have hurt me sadly, but I shall hurt you worse ' ; and waked. A week after, she was to go to her father's. She set out early in the morning. At the entrance of a little wood, she stopped, and doubted whether she should not go round, instead of through it. But, knowing no reason, she went straight through, till she came to the other side. Just as she was going over the style, a man pulled her back by the hair. She immedi- ately knew it was the same man whom she had seen in her dream. She fell on her knees, and begged him, ' For God's sake, do not hurt me any more.' He put his hands round her neck, and squeezed her so, that she instantly lost her senses. He then stripped her, carried her a Uttle way, and threw her into a ditch. " Meantime, her father's servant coming to the school, and hearing she was gone without him, walked back. Coming to the style, he heard several groans, and, looking about, saw many drops of blood. He traced them to the ditch, whence the groans came. He lifted her up, not knowing her at all, as her face was covered with blood, carried her to a neighbouring house, and running to the village, quickly brought a surgeon. She was just alive ; but her throat was much hurt, so that she could not speak at aU. " Just then a young man of the village was missing. Search being made, he was apprehended in an alehouse two miles off. He had all her clothes with him in a 382 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jam. 1773 bag, which, he said, he found. It was three months before she was able to go abroad. He was arraigned at the Assizes. She knew him perfectly, and swcre to the man. He was condemned, and soon after executed." Wed. Dec. a. — I preached at the new preaching, house, in the parish of Bromley. In speaking severally to the members of the society, I was surprised at the openness and artlessness of the people. Such I should never have expected to find within ten miles of London. Wesle/s Letters and Friends 1773. Fri. Jan. i. — We (as usual) solemnly renewed our covenant with God. Mon. 4. — I began revising my letters and papers. One of them was wrote above an hundred and fifty years ago (in 16 1 9), I suppose, by my grandfather's father, to her he was to marry in a few days. Several were wrote by my brothers and me when at school, many while we were at the University ; abundantly testifying (if it be worth knowing) what was our aim from our youth up. Thur. 7. — I called where a child was dying of the smallpox, and rescued her from death and the doctors, who were giving her saffron, &c., to drive them out I Can any one be so ignorant still ? We observed Friday 8, as a day of fasting and prayer, on account of the general want of trade and scarcity of provisions. The next week I made an end of revising my letters ; and from those I had both wrote and received, I could not but make one remark — that for above these forty years, of all the friends who were once the most closely united, and afterwards separated from me, every one had separated himself! He left me, not I him. And from both mine and their own letters, the steps whereby they did this are clear and undeniable. Feb. 1773 A REMARKABLE PARAGRAPH 3^ Wed. Feb. 94. — A very remarkable paragraph was published in one of the Edinburgh papers : " We learn from the Rosses, in the county of Donegal, in Ireland, that a Danish man-of-war, called the Norih Crown, commanded by the Baron D'Ulfeld, arrived off those islands, from a voyage of discovery towards the Pole. They sailed from Bornholme, in Norway, the ist of June 1769, with stores for eighteen months, and some able astronomers, landscape-painters, and every apparatus suitable to the design; and steering N. by E. half E., for thirty-seven days, with a fair wind and open sea, discovered a large rocky island, which having doubled, they proceeded W.N.W., till the 17th of September, when they found themselves in a strong current, between two high lands, seemingly about ten leagues distant, which carried them at a prodigious rate for three days when, to their great joy, they saw the main land of America, that lies between the most westerly part of the settlements on Hudson's River and California. Here they anchored in a fine cove, and found abundance of wild deer and buffaloes, with which they victualled ; and sailing southward, in three months got into the Pacific Ocean, and returned by the Straits of Le Maine and the West India Islands. They have brought many curiosities, particularly a prodigious bird, called a contor, or contose, above six feet in height, of the eagle kind, whose wings, expanded, measure twenty-two feet four inches. After bartering some skins with the country people, for meal, rum, and other necessaries, they sailed for Bremen, to wait the thaw, previous to their return to Copenhagen. "February 34, 1773." If this account is true, one would hope not only the 384 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1773 King of Denmark will avail himself of so impoitant a discovery. I came to Liverpool on Saturday, March 20. Mon. 22 — The captain was in haste to get my chaise on board. About eleven we went on board ourselves : and before one, we ran on a sand bank. So, the ship being fast, we went ashore again. Tues. 23 We embarked again on board the Free- mason, with six other cabin-passengers, four gentlemen, and two gentlewomen, one of whom was daily afraid of falling in labour. This gave me several opportunities of talking closely and of praying with her and her com- panion. We did not come abreast of Holyhead till Thursday morning. We had then a strong gale, and a rolling sea. Most of the passengers were sick enough, but it did not affect me at all. In the evening the gentlemen desired I would pray with them j so we con- cluded the day in a solemn and comfortable manner. WesUy and bis Chaise Fri. 26. — We landed at Dunleary, and hired a coach to Dublin. On Monday and Tuesday I examined the society, a little lessened, but now well united together. I was a little surprised to find the Commissioners of the Customs would not permit my chaise to be landed, because, they said, the captain of a packet-boat had no right to bring over goods. Poor pretence! However, I was more obliged to them than I then knew ; for had it come on shore, it would have been utterly spoiled. Mon. April 5. — Having hired such a chaise as I could, I drove to Edinderry. Mon. 12. — I preached at Ballinasloe and Aghrim. Tues. 13. — As I went into Eyre Court, the street wai April 177 J THE CHAISE UPSET S85 full of people, who gave us a loud huzza when we passed through the market-place. I preached in the open air, to a multitude of people, all civil, and most of them serious. A great awakening has been in this town lately ; and many of the most notorious and profligate sinners are entirely changed, and are happy witnesses of the gospel salvation. Incidents in Ireland Wed. a I. — Some applied to the Quakers at Ennis- corthy, for the use of their meeting-house. They refused : so I stood at Hugh M'Laughlin's door, and both those within and without could hear. I was in doubt which way to take from hence, one of my chaise-horses being much tired j till a gentleman of Ballyrane, n-ear Wexford, told me, if I would preach at his house the next evening, he would meet me on the road with a fresh horse. So I complied, though it was some miles out of the way. Accordingly, he met us on Thurday 22, six or seven miles from Enniscorthy. But we found his mare would not draw at all : so we were forced to go on as we could. I preached in the evening at Ballyrane, to a deeply serious congregation. Early in the morning we set out, and, at two in the afternoon, came to Ballibac- ferry. A troop of sailors ran down to the shore, to see the chaise put into the boat. I was walking at a small distance, when I heard them cry out, " Avast 1 Avast 1 The coach is overset into the river." I thought, " How- ever, it is well my bags are on shore ; so my papers are not spoiled." In less than an hour they fished up the chaise, and got it safe into the boat. As it would not hold us all, I got in myself, leaving the horses to come after. At half-hour after three I came to Passage. S86 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Mat 177J Finding no post-chaise could be had, and having no time to spare, I walked on (six or seven miles) to Water- ford, and began preaching without delaj, on, " My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Sun. 25. — Word being brought me that the' Mayor was willing I should preach in the bowling-green, I went thither in the evening. An huge multitude was quickly gathered together. I preached on, " I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God." Some attempted to disturb, but without success ; the bulk of the congre- gation being deeply attentive. But as I was drawing to a conclusion, some of the Papists set on their work in earnest. They knocked down John Christian, with two or three more, who endeavoured to quiet them; and then began to roar like the waves of the sea; but hitherto could they come, and no farther. Some gentle- men, who stood near me, rushed into the midst of them j and, after bestowing some heavy blows, seized the ring- leader, and delivered him to the constable ; and one of them undertook to conduct me home. So few received any hurt, but the rioters themselves ; which, I trust, will make them more peaceable for the time to come. A Neglected School Thur. May 13. — We went on, through a most dreaiy country, to Galway; where, at the late survey, there were twenty thousand Papists, and five hundred Pro- testants. But which of them are Christians, ' have the mind that was in Christ, and walk as He walked ? And without this, how little does it avail, whether they are called Protestants or Papists ! At six I preached in the court-house, to a large congregation, who all behaved well. Fri. 14. — In the evening I preached at Ballinrobe; and on Saturday went on to Castlebar. Entering th« Mat 1773 A PICTURE OF SLOTHFULNESS S87 town, I was struck with the sight of the Charter-school j — no gate to the courtyard, a large chasm in the wall, heaps of rubbish before the house-door, broken windows in abundance ; the whole a picture of slotbfulness, nasti- ness, and desolation I I did not dream there were any inhabitants, till, the next day, I saw about forty boys and girls walking from church. As I was just behind them, I could not but observe, i. That there was neither master nor mistress, though, it seems, they were both well: 2. That both bdys and girls were completely dirty : 3. That none of them seemed to have any garters on, their stockings hanging about their heels : 4. That in the heels, even of many of the girls' stockings, were holes larger than a crown-piece. I gave a plain account of these things to the trustees of the Charter-school in Dublin : whether they are altered or no, I cannot tell. Mobbed by Masons Mon. 24. — About noon I preached at Tonnylommon. One of my horses having a shoe loose, I borrowed Mr. Watson's horse, and left him with the chaise. When we came near Enniskillen, I desired two only to ride with me, and the rest of our friends to keep at a distance. Some masons were at work on the first bridge, who gave us some coarse words. We had abundance more as we rode through the town ; but many soldiers being in the street, and taking knowledge of me in a respectful manner, the mob shrunk back. An hour after Mr. Watson came in the chaise. Before he came to the bridge many ran together, and began to throw whatever came next to hand. The bridge itself they had blocked up with large stones, so that a carriage could not pass ; but an old man cried out, " Is this the 388 WESLEVS JOURNAL May 1773 way you use strangers ? " and rolled away the stones. The mob quickly rewarded him by plastering him over with mortar from head to foot. They then fell upon the carriage, which they cut with stones in several places, and well nigh covered with dirt and mortar. From one end of the town to the other, the stones flew thick about the coachman's head. Some of them were two or three pounds' weight, which they threw with all their might If but one of them had struck him, it would have effectually prevented him from driving any farther ; and, then, doubtless, they would have given an account of the chaise and horses. I preached at Sydore in the evening and morning, and then set out for Roosky. The road lay not far from Enniskillen. When we came pretty near the town, both men and women saluted us, first with bad words, and then with dirt and stones. My horses soon left them behind ; but not till they had broke one of the windows, the glass of which came pouring in upon me; but did me no further hurt. About an hour after, John Smith came to Enniskillen. The masons on the bridge preparing for battle, he was afraid his horse would leap with him into the river j and therefore chose to alight. Immediately they poured in upon him a whole shower of dirt and stones. However, he made his way through the town, though pretty much daubed and bruised. Wed. 26. — ^We set out at half-hour past two, and reached Omagh t little before eleven. Finding I could not reach Ding-bridge by two o'clock in the chaise, I rode forward with all the speed I could j but the horse dropping a shoe, I was so retarded that I did not reach the place till between three and four. I found the minister and the people waiting ; but the church would JoNE 1773 A PRIMATE'S DESIGNS 389 not near contain them ; so I preached near it to a mixed multitude of rich and poor, Churchmen, Papists, and Presbyterians. I was a httle weary and faint when I came, the sun having shone exceeding hot ; but the number and behaviour of the congregation made me forget my own weariness. Having a good horse, I rode to the place where I was to lodge (two miles off) in about an hour. After tea they told me another congregation was waiting : so I began preaching without delay ; and warned them of the madness which was spreading among them, namely, leaving the church. Most of them, I believe, will take the advice; I hope all that are of our society. Wesley at Derry and Armagh Thur. 27. — I went on to Londonderry. Friday, 28. I was invited to see the bishop's palace (a grand and beautiful structure), and his garden, newly laid, and exceeding pleasant. Here I innocently gave some offence to the gardener, by mentioning the English of a Greek word. But he set us right, warmly assuring us that the English name of the flower is not Crane's bill, but Geranium ! Sat. 29. — We walked out to one of the pleasantest spots which I have seen in the kingdom. It is a garden laid out on the steep side of an hill ; one shady walk of which, in particular, commands all the vale and the hill beyond. The owner finished his walks — and died. Sat. June 5. Armagh. — I walked over the fine improvements which the Primate has made near his lodge. The ground is iardly two miles round ; but it is laid out to the best advantage. Part is garden, part meadow, part planted with shrubs or trees of various kinds. The house is built of fine white stone, and is fit 890 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1773 for a nobleman. He intends to carry away a bog which lies behind it, and bare a large piece of water in its place. He intends also to improve the town greatly, and to execute many other grand designs ; I doubt too many even for a Primate of Ireland, that is aboTO seventy years old I The Spea&ing Statue Again Mon. 14. — After preaching at Lurgan, I inquired of Mr. Miller, whether he had any thoughts of perfecting his speaking statue, which had so long lain by. He said he had altered bis design ; that he intended, if he had life and health, to make two, which would not only speak, but sing hymns alternately with an artictilate voice ; that he had made a trial, and it answered weU. But he could not tell when he should finish it, as he had much business of other kinds, and could only give his leisure hours to this. How amazing is it that no man of fortune enables him to give all his time to the work I I preached in the evening at Lisburn. All the time I could spare here was taken up by poor patients. I generally asked, " What remedies have you used ? " and was not a little surprised. What has fashion to do with physic ? Why (in Ireland, at least), almost as much as with head-dress. BUsters, for any thing or nothing, were all the fashion when I was in Ireland last. Now the grand fashionable medicine for twenty diseases (^ho would imagine it?) is mercury sublimate! Why is it not an halter, or a pistol? They would cure a little more speedily. Tues. 15. — ^When I came to Belfast, 1 learned the real cause of the late insurrections in this neighbour- hood. Lord Donegal, the proprietor of almost the JwLY 1773 A SPLENDID SLEEPER 891 whole country, came hither to give his tenants new leases. But when they came, they found two merchants of the town had taken their farms over their heads ; so that multitudes of them, with their wives and children, were turned out to the wide world. It is no wonder that, as their lives were now bitter to them, they should fly out as they did. It is rather a wonder that they did not go much farther. And if they had, who would have been most in fault? Those who were without home, without money, without food for them- selves and families ? or those who drove them to this extremity? Tlie Eartbqua&e at Madeley Mon. July 5. — About eleven we crossed Dublin-bar, and were at Hoy-lake the next afternoon. This was the first night I ever lay awake in my life, though I was at ease in body and mind. I believe few can say this : in seventy years I never lost one night's sleep I I went, by moderate stages, from Liverpool to Madeley; where I arrived on Friday, 9. The next morning we went to see the effects of the late earthquake : such it undoubtedly was. On Monday, 37, at four in the morning, a rumbling noise was heard, accompanied with sudden gusts of wind, and wavings of the ground. Presently the earthquake followed, which only shook the farmer's house, and removed it entire about a yard ; hut carried the barn about fifteen yards, and then swallowed it up in a vast chasm ; tore the ground into numberless chasms, large and small ; in the large, threw up mounts, fifteen or twenty feet high : carried an hedge, with two oaks, above forty feet, and left them in their natural posi- tion. It then moved under the bed of the river j which, making more resistance, received a ruder shock, being 398 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1773 shattered in pieces, and heaved up about thirty feet from its foundations. By throwing this, and many oaks, into its channel, the Severn was quite stopped up, and con- strained to flow backward, tOl, with incredible fury, it wrought itself a new channel. Such a scene of desola- tion I never saw. Will none tremble when God thus terribly shakes the earth ? Mon. Aug. 16. — In the evening I preached at St. Austle ; Tuesday, 1 7, in the coinage-hall at Truro ; at six, in the main street at Helstone. How changed is this town, since a Methodist preacher could not ride through it without hazard of his life I A Man of Seventy Preaches to 30,000 People Sat. 21. — I preached in Illogan and at Redruth; Sunday, 22, in St. Agnes church-town, at eight; about one at Redruth; and at five, in the amphitheatre at Gwennap. The people both filled it, and covered the ground round about, to a considerable distance. So that, supposing the space to be fourscore yards square, and to contain five persons in a square yard, there must be above two and thirty thousand people; the largest assembly I ever preached to. Yet I found, upon inquiry, all could hear, even to the skirts of the congregation I Perhaps the first time that a man of seventy had been heard by thirty thousand persons at once! Mon. Sept. 13. — My cold remaining, I was ill able to speak. In the evening I was much worse, my palate and throat being greatly inflamed. However, I preached as I could ; but I could then go no farther. I could swallow neither liquids nor solids, and the wind- pipe seemed nearly closed. I lay down at my usual time, but the defluxion of rheum was so uninterrupted, Jan. 1774 WESLEY ELECTRIFIED 893 that I slept not a minute till near three in the morning. On the following nine days I grew better. Sun. 19. — I thought myself able to speak to the congregation, which I did for half an hour ; but after- wards I found a pain in my left side and in my shoulder by turns, exactly as I did at Canterbury twenty years before. In the morning I could scarce lift my hand to my head ; but, after being electrified, I was much better ; so that I preached with tolerable ease in the evening j and the next evening read the letters, though my voice was weak. From this time I slowly recovered my voice and my strength j and on Sunday preached without any trouble. Mon. Oct. 4. — I went, by Shep ton-mallet, to Shaftes- bury, and on Tuesday to Salisbury. Wednesday, 6. Taking chaise at two in the morning, in the evening I came well to London. The rest of the week I made what inquiry I could into the state of my accounts. Some confusion had arisen from the sudden death of my book-keeper ; but it was less than might have been expected. A Monster Elm Monday, 11, and the following days, I took a little tour through Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Be- tween Northampton and Towcester we met with a great natural curiosity, the largest elm I ever saw ; it was twenty-eight feet in circumference ; six feet more than that which was some years ago in Magdalen-collie walks at Oxford. 1774. Mon. Jan. 84. — I was desired by Mrs. Wright, of New- York, to let her take my eflSgy in wax-work. She has that of Mr. Whitefield and many others ; but none of them, I think, comes up to a well-drawn picture. S9* WESLEY'S JOURNAL ]««" 1774 Fri. May so. — I rode over to Mr. Fraser's, at Monedie, whose mother-in-law was to be buried that day. what a difference is there between the English and the Scotch method of burial ! The English does honour to human nature ; and even to the poor remains, that were once a temple of the Holy Ghost 1 But when I see in Scotland a cof&n put into the earth, and covered up without a word spoken, it reminds me of what was spoken concerning Jehoiakim, " He shall be buried with the burial of an ass 1 " Wesley Arrested in Edinburgh Wed. June i. — I went to Edinburgh, and the next day examined the society one by one. I was agreeably surprised. They have fairly profited since I was here last. Such a number of persons having sound Christian experience I never found in this society before. I preached in the evening to a very elegant congregation, and yet with great enlargement of heart. Sat. 4. — I found uncommon liberty at Edinburgh in applying Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones. As I was walking home, two men followed me, one of whom said, " Sir, you are my prisoner. I have a warrant from the SheriflF to carry you to the Tolbooth." At first I thought he jested ; but finding the thing was serious, I desired one or two of our friends to go up with me. When we were safe lodged in a house adjoining to the Tolbooth, I desired the officer to let me see his warrant. I found the prosecutor was one George Sutherland, once a member of the society. He had deposed, " That Hugh Saunderson, one of John Wesley's preachers, had taken from his wife one hundred pounds in money, and upwards of thirty pounds in goods ; and had, besides that, terrified her into madness; so tliat, through the JuNB 1774. PREACHING ON CASTLE HILL S9S want of her help, and the loss of business, he was damaged five hundred pounds." Before the Sheriff, Archibald Cockburn, Esq., he had deposed, " That the said John Wesley and Hugh Saunder- son, to evade her pjirsuit, were preparing to fly the country; and therefore he desired his warrant to search for, seize, and incarcerate them in the Tolbooth,tiIl they should find security for their appearance." To this request the Sheriff had assented, and given his warrant for that purpose. But why does he incarcerate John Wesley ? Nothing is laid against him, less or more. Hugh Saunderson preaches in connexion with him. What then? Was not the Sheriff strangely overseen ? Mr. Sutherland furiously insisted that the officer should carry us to the Tolbooth without delay. However, he waited till two or three of our friends came, and gave a bond for our appearance on the 24th instant. Mr. S. did appear, the cause was heard, and the prosecutor fined one thousand pounds. Vesley's Tei-ribk Ride Sun. 5. — ^About eight I preached at Ormiston, twelve miles from Edinburgh. The house being small, I stood in the street, and proclaimed " the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." The congregation behaved with the utmost decency. So did that on the Castle-hill in Edin- burgh, at noon j though I strongly insisted, that God " now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." In the evening the house was thoroughly filled ; and many seemed deeply affected. I do not wonder that Satan, had it been in his power, would have had me otherwise employed this day. Mon. 20. — About nine I set out from Sunderland fu Horsley, with Mr. Hopper and Mr. Smith. I took Mrs, 39» WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1774 Smith and her two little girls, in the chaise with me. About two miles from the town, just on the brow of the hill, on a sudden both the horses set out, without any visible cause, and flew down the hill, like an arrow out of a bow. In a minute John fell off the coach-box. The horses then went on full speed, sometimes to the edge of the ditch on the right, sometimes on the left. A cart came up against them : they avoided it as exactly as if the man had been on the box. A narrow bridge was at the foot of the hill. They went directly over the middle of it. They ran up the next hill with the same speed j many persons meeting us, but getting out of the way. Near the top of the hill was a gate, which led into a farmer's yard. It stood open. They turned short, and run through it, without touching the gate on one side^ or the post on the other. I thought, " However, the gate which is on the other side of the yard, and is shut, will stop them " : but they rushed through it, as if it had been a cobweb, and gal- loped on through the corn-field. The little girls cried out, " Grandpapa, save us I " I told them, " Nothing will hurt you : do not be afraid " ; feeling no more fear or care (blessed be God !) than if I had been sitting in my study. The horses ran on, till they came to the edge of a steep precipice. Just then Mr. Smith, who could not overtake us before, galloped in between. They stopped in a moment. Had they gone on ever so little, he and we must have gone down together 1 I am persuaded both evil and good angels had a large share in this transaction : how large we do not know now ; but we shall know hereafter. Tues. 28. — This being my birth-day, the first day of my seventy-second year, I was considering. How is this, that I find just the same strength as I did thirty years July 1774 WESLEY AT SEVENTY-ONE S97 ago ? That my sight is considerably better now, and my nerves firmer, than they were then ? That I have none of the infirmities of old age, and have lost several I had in my youth ? The grand cause is, the good pleasure of God, who doeth whatsoever pleaseth Him. The chief means are : i. My constantly rising at four, for about fifty years. 2. My generally preaching at five in the morning j one of the most healthy exercises in the world. 3. My never travelling less, by sea or land, than four thousand five hundred miles in a year. A Collier's Remarkable Escape Sat. July 30. — I went to Madeley j and in the evening . preached under a sycamore-tree, in Madeley-wood, to a large congregation, good part of them colliers, who drank in every word. Surely never were places more alike, than Madeley-wood, Gateshead-fell, and Kings- wood. Sun. 31 The church could not contain the congre- gation, either morning or afternoon j but in the evening I preached to a still larger congregation at Broseley ; and equally attentive. I now learned the particulars of a remarkable story, which I had heard imperfectly before: — Some time since, one of the colliers here, coming home at night, dropped into a coal-pit, twenty-four yards deep. He called aloud for help, but none heard all that night, and all the following day. The second night, being weak and faint, he fell asleep, and dreamed that his wife, who had been some time dead, came to him, and greatly comforted him. In the morning, a gentle- man going a hunting, an hare started up just before the hounds, ran straight to the mouth of the pit, and was gone J no man could tell how. The hunters searched all round the pit, till they heard a voice from the bottom 898 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1774 They quickly procured proper help, and drew up the man unhurt. Tues. Aug. 2. — I preached at ten in the town-hall at Evesham, and rode on to Broadmarston. Thur. 4. — I crossed over to Tewkesbury, and preached at noon in a meadow near the town, under a tall oak. I went thence to Cheltenham. As it was the high season for drinking the waters, the town was full of gentry : so I preached near the market-place in the evening, to the largest congregation that was even seen there. Some of the footmen at first made a little disturbance ; but I turned to them, and they stood reproved. Sat. 6. — I walked from Newport to Berkeley-castle. It is a beautiful, though very ancient, building; and every part of it kept in good repair, except the lumber- room and the chapel ; the latter of which, having been of no use for many years, is now dirty enough. I particu- larly admired the fine situation, and the garden on the top of the house. In one corner of the castle is the room where poor Richard II. was murdered. His effigy is still preserved, said to be taken before his death. If he was like this, he had an open, manly countenance, though with a cast of melancholy. In the afternoon we went on to Bristol. Wesley at Corfe Castle Mon. Oct. 10. — I preached at Salisbury ; and on Tuesday, 11, set out for the Isle of Purbeck. ' When we came to Corfe-castle, the evening being quite calm and mild, I preached in a meadow near the town, to a deeply attentive congregation, gathered from all parts of the bland. Wed. I a. — I preached to a large congregation at five, who seemed quite athirst for instruction. Afterwards Oct. 1774 A REMARKABLE METHODIST S99 we took a walk over the remains of the castle, so bravely defended in the last century, against all the power of the Parliament forces, by the widow of the Lord Chief Justice Banks. It is one of the noblest ruins I ever saw : the walls are of an immense thickness, defying even the assaults of time, and were formerly surrounded by a deep ditch. The house, which stands in the middle, on the very top of the rock, has been a. magnificent structure. Some time since the proprietor fitted up some rooms on the south-west side of this, and laid out a little garden, commanding a large prospect, pleasant beyond de- scription. For a while he was greatly delighted with it : but the eye was not satisfied with seeing. It grew familiar ; it pleased no more ; and is now run all to ruin. No wonder : what can delight always, but the knowledge and love of Gk>d 7 A Methodist Isaac Newton Monday, 31, and the following days, I visited the societies near London. Friday, November 4. In the afternoon John Downes (who had preached with us many years) was saying, " I feel such a love to the people at West-street, that I could be content to die with them. I do not find myself very well ; but I must be with them this evening." He went thither, and began preaching, on, " Come unto me, ye that are weary and heavy-laden." After speaking ten or twelve minutes, he sunk down and spake no more, till his spirit returned to God. I suppose he was by nature full as great a genius as Sir Isaac Newton. I will mention but two or three instances of it :-^When he was at school, learning Algebra, he came one day to his master, and said, " Sir, I can prove this proposition a better way than it is proved in the book." 400 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Not. 1774 His master thought it could not be; but upon trial, acknowledged it to. be so. Some time after, his father sent him to Newcastle with a clock, which was to be mended. He observed the clockmaker's tools, and the manner how he took it in pieces, and put it together again ; and when he came home, first made himself tools, and then made a clock, which went as true as any in the town. I suppose such strength of genius as this has scarce been known in Europe before. Another proof of it was this : — ^Thirty years ago, while I was shaving, he was whittling the top of a stick : 1 asked, " What are you doing ? " He answered, " I am taking your face, which I intend to engrave on a copper- plate." Accordingly, without any instruction, he first made himself tools, and then engraved the plate. The second picture which he engraved, was that which was prefixed to the " Notes upon the New Testament." Such another instance, I suppose, not all England, or perhaps Europe, can produce. For several months past, he had far deeper com* munion with God, than ever he had had in his life ; and for some days he had been frequently saying, " I am so happy, that I scarce know how to live. I enjoy such fellowship with God, as I thought could not be had on this side heaven." And having now finished his course of fifty-two years, after a long conflict with pain, sickness, and poverty, he gloriously rested from his labours, and entered into the joy of his Lord. Sun. 13. — After a day of much labour, at my usual time (half-hour past nine), I lay down to rest. I told my servants, " I must rise at three, the Norwich coach setting out at four." Hearing one of them knock, though sooner than I expected, I rose and dressed myself; but afterwards, looking at my watch. I found it was but Nov. 1774 A BIG FIRE 401 half-hour past ten. While I was considering what to do, I heard a confused sound of many yoices below: and looking out at the window towards the yard, I saw it was as light as day. Meantime, many large flakes of fire were continually flying about the house; all the upper part of which was built of wood, which was near as dry as tinder. A large deal-yard, at a very small distance from us, was all in a light fire ; from which the north-west wind drove the flames directly upon the Foundery ; and there was no possibility of help, for no water could be found. Perceiving I could be of no use, I took my Diary and my papers, and retired to a friend's house. I had no fear; committing the matter into God's hands, and knowing He would do whatever was best. Immediately the wind turned about from north- west to south-east ; and our pump supplied the engines with abundance of water ; so that in a little more than two hours, all the danger was over. Wesley in the Fens Tues. 23. — I took a solemn and affectionate leave of the society at Norwich. About twelve we took coach. About eight, Wednesday, 23, Mr. Dancer met me with a chaise, and carried me to Ely. O what want of common sense 1 Water covered the high-road for a mile and a half. I asked, "How must foot-people come to the town ? " " Why, they must wade through I " About two I preached in a house well filled with plain, loving people. I then took a walk to the cathedral, one of the most beautiful I have seen. The western tower is exceeding grand ; and the nave of an amazing height. Hence we went through a fruitful and pleasant country, though surrounded with fens, to Sutton. Here many people had lately been stirred up : they had prepared sc 40« WESLEY'S JOURNAL Fib. 1775 a large barn. At six o'clock it was well filled; and it seemed as if God sent a message to every soul. Fri. 25. — I set out between eight and nine in a one- horse chaise, the wind being high and cold enough. Much snow lay on the ground, and much fell as we crept along over the fen-banks. Honest Mr. Tubbs would needs walk and lead the horse through water and mud up to his mid-leg, smiling and saying, " We fen-men do not mind a little dirt." When we had gone about four miles, the road would not admit of a chaise. So I borrowed a horsey and rode forward ; but not far, for all the grounds were under water. Here therefore I procured a boat, full twice as large as a kneading-trough. I was at one end, and a boy at the other, who paddled me safe to Erith. There Miss L waited for me with another chaise, which brought me to It Ives. No Methodist, I was told, had preached in this town: so I thought it high time to begin ; and about one I preached to a very well-dressed, and yet well-behaved congregation. Thence my new friend (how long will she be such?) carried me to Godmanchester, near Hunt- ingdon. A large bam was ready, in which Mr. Berridge and Mr. Venn used to preach. And though the weather was still severe, it was well filled with deeply attentin people. Sat. 36. — I set out early, and in the evening reached London. 1775. Wed. Feb. 33. — I had an opportunity of sedng Mr. Gordon's curious garden at Mile-end, the like of which I suppose is hardly to be found in England, if in Europe. One thing in particular I learned here, the real nature of the tea-tree. I was informed, i. That the green and the bohea are of quite different species, a. Nov. I77S WESLEY AND THE TEA-TREE 403 That the bohea is much tenderer than the green. 3. That the green is an evergreen ; and bears, not only in the open air, but in the frost, perfectly well. 4. That the herb of Paraguay likewise bears the frost, and is a species of tea. 5. And I observed that they are all species of bay or laurel. The leaf of green tea is both of the colour, shape, and size of a bay leaf: that of bohea is smaller, softer, and of a darker colour. So is the herb of Paraguay ; which is of a dirty green, and no larger than our common red sage. Wesley's Coach Upset San. Aug. 6. — At one I proclaimed the glorious Gospel to the usual congregation at Birstal, and in the evening at Leeds. Then, judging it needful to pay a short visit to our brethren at London, I took the stage- coach, with five of my friends, about eight o'clock. Before nine, a gentleman in a single-horse chaise struck his wheel against one of ours. Instantly the weight of the men at top overset the coach ; otherwise, ten times the shock would not have moved it; but neither the coachman, nor the men at top, nor any within, were hurt at all. On Tuesday, in the afternoon, we were met at Hatfield by many of our friends, who conducted us safe to London. Monday, October 30, and the following days, I visited the little societies in the neighbourhood of London. Saturday, November 11. I made some additions to the " Calm Address to our American Colonies." Need any one ask from what motive this was wrote? Let him look round : England is in a fiame I a flame of malice and rage against the King, and almost all that are in authority under him. I labour to put out this flame Ought not every true patriot to do the same? 404 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nov. 177 J hireling writers on either side judge of me by themselves, that I cannot help. Sun. 12. — I was desired to preach, in Bethnal-green church, a charity sermon for the widows and orphans of the soldiers that were killed in America. Knowing how many would seek occasion of offence, I wrote down my sermon. I dined with Sir John Hawkins and three other gentlemen that are in commission for the peace; and was agreeably surprised at a very serious conversation, kept up during the whole time I stayed. Wesley and the American "War Mon. 27 I set out for Norwich. That evening I preached at Colchester; Tuesday, at Norwich; Wednesday, at Yarmouth. About this time I published the following letter m Lloyd's " Evening Post : " — " Sir, — I have been seriously asked, ' From what motive did you publish your Calm Address to the American Colonies ? ' " I seriously answer, Not to get money. Had that been my motive, I should have swelled it into a shilling pamphlet, and have entered it at Stationers' Hall. " Not to get preferment for myself, or my brother's children. I am a httle too old to gape after it for myself: and if my brother or I sought it for them, we have only to show them to the world. " Not to please any man Uving, high or low. I know mankind too well. I know they that love you for political service, love you less than their dinner; and they that hate you, hate you worse than the devil. '■ Least of all did I write with a view to inflame any : just the contrary. I contributed my mite toward putting out the flame which rages all over the land. This I have Not. 1775 WESLEY DEFENDS THE KING 405 more opportunity of observing than any other man in England. I see with pain to what an height this already rises, in every part of the nation. And I see many pouring oil into the flame, by crying out, ' How unjustly, how cruelly, the King is using the poor Americans ; who are only contending for their liberty, and for their legal privileges ! ' " Now there is no possible way to put out this flame, or hinder its rising higher and higher, but to show that the Americans are not used either cruelly or unjustly ; that they are not injured at all, seeing they are not contending for liberty (this they had, even in its full extent, both civil and religious); neither for any legal privileges ; for they enjoy all that their charters grant. But what they contend for is, the illegal privilege of being exempt from parliamentary taxation. A privilege this, which no charter ever gave to any American colony yet ; which no charter can give, unless it be confirmed both by King, Lords, and Commons; which, in fact, our colonies never had; which they never claimed till the present reign : and probably they would not have claimed it now, had they not been incited thereto by letters from England. One of these was read, according to the desire of the writer, not only at the continental Congress, but likewise in many congregations throughout the Combined Provinces. It advised them to seize upon all the King's officers; and exhorted them, 'Stand valiantly, only for six months, and in that time there will be such commotions in England that you may have your own terms.' " This being the real state of the question, without any colouring or aggravation, what impartial man can either blame the King, or commend the Americans ? **With this view, to quench the fire, by laying the 406 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1776 blame where it was due, the 'Calm Address' was written. " Sir, I am, " Your humble servant, "John Wesley." Preachingr from the Stocks 1776. January i. — About eighteen hundred of us met together in London, in order to renew our covenant with God ; and it was, as usual, a very solemn oppoc tunity. Sun. 14. As 1 was going to West-street chapel, one of the chaise-springs suddenly snapped asunder; but the horses instantly stopping, I stepped out without the least inconvenience. At all my vacant hours in this and the following week, I endeavoured to finish the " Concise History of England." I am sensible it must give offence, as in many parts I am quite singular ; particularly with regard to those injured characters, Richard III. and Mary Queen of Scots. But I must speak as I think ; although still waiting for, and willing to receive, better information. Tues. April 30 In the evening I preached in a kind of square, at Colne, to a multitude of people, all drink- ing in the word. I scarce ever saw a congregation wherein men, women, and children stood in such a posture : and this in the town wherein, thirty years ago, no Methodist could show his head ! The first that preached here was John Jane, who was innocently riding through the town, when the zealous mob pulled him oS his horse, and put him in the stocks. He seized the opportunity and vehemently exhorted them "to flee from the wrath to come." Wed. May i. — I set out early, and the next afternoon May 1776 WESLEY'S TWO INQUIRIES 407 reached Whitehaven; and my chaise-horses were no worse for travelling near a hundred and tea miles in two days. In travelling through Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Worcestersliire, Warwickshire, Stafford- shire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire,Westmoreland, and Cumberland, I diligently made two inquiries: the first was, concerning the increase or decrease of the people ; the second, concerning the increase or decrease of trade. As to the latter, it is, within these two last years, amaz- ingly increased ; in several branches in such a manner as has not been known in the memory of man : such is the fruit of the entire civil and religious liberty which all England now enjoys ! And as to the former, not only in every city and large town, but in every village and hamlet, there is no decrease, but a very large and swift increase. One sign of this is the swarms of little children which we see in every place. Which, then, shall we most admire, the ignorance or confidence of those that afiSrm population decreases in England ? I doubt not but it increases full as fast here as in any province of North-America. "A Very Extraordinary Genius'* Mon. 6. — After preaching at Cockermouth and Wig- ton, I went on to Carlisle, and preached to a very serious congregation. Here I saw a very extraordinary genius, a man blind from four years of age, who could wind worsted, weave flowered plush on an engine and loom of his own making ; who wove his own name in plush, and made his own clothes, and his own tools of every sort. Some years ago, being shut up in the organ-loft at church, he felt every part of it, and afterwards made an organ for himself, which, judges say, is an exceeding good one. 40t WESLErS JOURNAL May 177! He then taught himself to play upon it psalm-tunes, anthems, voluntaries, or anything which he heard. I heard him play several tunes with great accuracy, and a complex voluntary : I suppose all Europe can hardly produce such another instance. His name is Joseph Strong. But what is he the better for all this, if he is still " without God in the world ? " Fri. 17. — I reached Aberdeen in good time. Saturday, 18. I read over Dr. Johnson's " Tour to the Western Isles." It is a very curious book, wrote with admirable sense, and, I think, great fidelity ; although, in some respects, he is thought to bear bard on the nation, which I am satisfied he never intended. Mon. 30. — I preached about eleven at Old-Meldrum, but could not reach Banff tiU near seven in the even- ing. I went directly to the Parade, and proclaimed to a listening multitude " the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." All behaved well but a few gentry, whom I rebuked openly, and they stood corrected. Neat and Elegant Banff Banff is one of the neatest and most elegant towns that I have seen in Scotland. It is pleasantly situated on the side of a hill, sloping from the sea, though close to it ; so that it is sufficiently sheltered from the sharpest winds. The streets are straight and broad. I believe it may be esteemed the fifth, if not the fourth, town b the kingdom. The county, quite from Banff to Keith, is the best peopled of any I have seen in Scotland. This is chiefly, if not entirely, owing to the late Earl of Find- later. He was indefatigable in doing good, took pains to procure industrious men from all parts, and to provide such little settlements for them as enabled them to live with comfort. Mat 1776 WESLEY BUYS AN ESTATE 409 About noon I preached at the New-mills, nine miles from Banff, to a large congregation of plain, simple people. As we rode in the afternoon the heat overcame me, so that I was weary and faint before we came to Keith; but I no sooner stood up in the market-place than I forgot my weariness ; such were the seriousness and attention of the whole congregation, though as numerous as that at Banff. Mr. Gordon, the Minister of the parish, invited me to supper, and told me his kirk was at my service. A little society is formed here already ; and is in a fair way of increasing. But they were just now in danger of losing their preaching-house, the owner being determined to sell it. I saw but one way to secure it for them, which was to buy it myself. So (who would have thought it ?) I bought an estate, consisting of two houses, a yard, a garden, with three acres of good land. But he told me flat, " Sir, I will take no less for it than sixteen pounds ten shillings, to be paid, part now, part at Michaelmas, and the residue next May." A Town of Beggars Here Mr. Gordon showed me a great curiosity. Near the top of the opposite hill a new town is built, contain- ing, I suppose, a hundred houses, which is a town of beggars. This, he informed me, was the professed, regular occupation of all the inhabitants. Early in spring they all go out, and spread themselves over the king- dom; and in autumn they return, and do what is requisite for their wives and children. Mon. 37. — I paid a visit to St. Andrews, once the largest city in the kingdom. It was eight times as large as it is now, and a place of very great trade : but the sea rushing from the north-east, gradually destroyed the harbour and trade together : in consequence of which 410 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jumi 1776 whole streets (that were) are now meadows and gardens. Three broad, straight, handsome streets remain, all point- ing at the old cathedral ; which, by the ruins, appears to have been above three hundred feet long, and propor- tionately broad and high : so that it seems to have ex- ceeded York Minster, and to have at least equalled any cathedral in England. Another church, afterwards used in its stead, bears date 11 24. A steeple, standing near the cathedral, is thought to have stood thirteen hundred years. Wesley Criticises tlie Scotch Universities What is left of St Leonard's college is only a heap of ruins. Two colleges remain. One of them has a toler- able square ; but all the windows are broke, like those of a brothel. We were informed, the students do this before they leave the college. Where are their blessed Governors in the mean time ? Are they all fast asleep ? The other college is a mean building, but has a handsome library newly erected. In the two colleges, we learned, were about seventy students ; near the same number as at Old-Aberdeen. Those at New-Aberdeen are not more numerous : neither those at Glasgow. In Edinburgh, I suppose, there are a hundred. So four Universities contain three hundred and ten students! These all come to their several colleges in November, and re- turn home }n Mayl So they may study five months in the year, and lounge all the rest ! O where was the common sense of those who instituted such colleges? In the English colleges, every one may reside all the year, as all my pupils did ; and I should have thought myself little better than a highwayman, if I had not lectured them every day in the year but Sundays. Fri. June 28. — I am seventy-three years old, and fu Auo. 1776 WESLEY AT SEVENTY-THREE 4H abler to preach than I was at three-and-twenty. What natural means has God used to produce so wonderful an effect? 1. Continual exercise and change of air, by travelling above four thousand miles in a year : a. Con- stant rising at four : 3. The ability, if ever I want, to sleep immediately : 4. The never losing a night's sleep in my life : 5. Two violent fevers and two deep con- sumptions. These, it is true, were rough medicines : but they were of admirable service ; causing my flesh to come again as the flesh of a little child. May I add, lastly, evenness of temper ? I feel and grieve ; but, by the grace of God, I fret at nothing. But stUl " the help that is done upon earth. He doeth it.himself." And this He doeth in answer to many prayers. Smuggling in Cornwall Sat Aug. 17. — We found Mr. Hoskins, at Cubert (Cornwall), alive j but just tottering over the grave. I preached in the evening, on 2 Cor. v. 1-4 j probably the last sermon he will hear from me. I was after- wards inquiring, if that scandal of Cornwall, the plundering of wrecked vessels, still subsisted. He said, "As much as ever; only the Methodists will have nothing to do with it. But three months since a vessel was wrecked on the south coast, and the tinners presently seized on all the goods ; and even broke in pieces a new coach which was on board, and carried every scrap of it away." But is there no way to prevent this shameful breach of all the laws both of religion and humanity : Indeed there is. The gentry of Cornwall may totally prevent it whenever they please. Let them only see that the laws be strictly executed upon the next plun- derers ; and after an example is made of ten of these, the next wreck will be unmolested. Nay, there is a 419 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. 177J milder way. Let them only agree together to discharge any tinner or labourer that is concerned in the plundering of a wreck, and advertise his name, that no Cornish gentleman may employ him any more ; and neither tinner nor labourer will any more be concerned in that bad work. Sun. 18. — The passage through the sands being bad for a chaise, I rode on horseback to St. Agnes, where the rain constrained me to preach in the house. As we rode back to Redruth, it poured down amain, and found its way through all our clothes. I was tired when I came in ; but after sleeping a quarter of an hour, all my weariness was gone. In Bethnal Green Hamlet 1777. Wed. Jan. i. — We met, as usual, to renew our covenant with God. It was a solemn season, wherein many found His power present to heal, and wen enabled to urge their way with strength renewed. Thur. a. — I began expounding, in order, the book of Ecclesiastes. I never before had so clear a sight either of the meaning or the beauties of it. Neither did I imagine that the several parts of it were in so exquisite a manner connected together; all tending to prove that grand truth — that there is no happiness out of God. Wed. 15 I began visiting those of our society who lived in Bethnal-green hamlet. Many of them I found in such poverty as few can conceive without seeing it O why do not all the rich that fear God constantly visit the poor ! Can they spend part of their spare-time better? Certainly not. So they will find in that day when " every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." Such another scene I saw the next day, in visiting May 1777 STONE-LAYING AT CITY ROAD 413 another part of the society. I have not found any such distress, no, not in the prison of Newgate. One poor man was just creeping out of his sick-bed, to his ragged wife and three little children j who were more than half naked, and the very picture of famine; when one bringing in a loaf of bread, they all ran, seized upon it, and tore it in pieces in an instant. Who would not rejoice that there is another world ? City Road Chapel Begun Monday, April 31, was the day appointed for laying the foundation of the new chapel. The rain befriended us much, by keeping away thousands who purposed to be there. But there were still such multitudes, that it was with great difficulty I got through them, to lay the first stone. Upon this was a plate of brass (covered with another stone), on which was engraved, " This was laid by Mr. John Wesley, on April i, 1777." Probably this will be seen no more, by any human eye j but will remain there, till the earth and the works thereof are burned up. Sun. 27. — The sun breaking out, I snatched the opportunity of preaching to many thousands in Moor- fields. All were still as night, while I showed how " the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil." Wed. May 14. — At eleven I preached at Pocklington, with an eye to the death of that lovely woman, Mrs. Cross. A gay young gentleman, with a young lady, stepped in, stayed five minutes, and went out again, with as easy an unconcern as if they had been listening to a ballad-singer. I mentioned to the congregation the deep folly and ignorance implied in such behaviour. These pretty fools never thought that for this very 414 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Mat 1777 opportunity they are to give an account before men and angels 1 In the evening I preached at York. I would gladly have rested the next day, feeling my breast much out of order. But notice having been given of my preaching at Tadcaster, I set out at nine in the morning. About ten the chaise broke down. I borrowed a horse ; but as he was none of the easiest, in riding three miles I was so thoroughly electrified, that the pain in my breast was quite cured. I preached in the evening at York; on Friday took the diligence ; and on Saturday afternoon came to London. Wesley in tbe Isk of IVEan FrL 30. — I went on to Whitehaven, where I found a little vessel waiting for me. After preaching in the evening, I went on board about eight o'clock, and before eight in the morning landed at Douglas.in the Isle of Man Douglas exceedingly resembles Newlyn in Cornwall; both in its situation, form, and buildings; only it is much larger, and has a few houses equal to most in Penzance. As soon as we landed, I was challenged by Mr. Booth, who had seen me in Ireland, and whose brother has been for many years a membet of the society in Coolylough. A chaise was provided to carry me to Castletown. I was greatly surprised at the country. All the way from Douglas to Castletown it is as pleasant and as well cultivated as most parts of England, with many gentlemen's seats. Casdetown a good deal resembles ' Galway ; only it is not so large. At six I preached near the castle, I believe, to all the inhabitants of the town. Two or three gay young women showed they knew nothing about religion ; all the rest were deeply serious. JuKB 1777 PREACHING IN A MALT-HOUSE 415 Snn. June i — At six I preached in our own room ; and, to my surprise, saw all the gentlewomen there. Young as well as old were now deeply affected, and would fain have had me stayed, were it but an hour or two ; but I was forced to hasten away, In order to be at Peeltown before the service began. Mr. Corbett said, he would gladly have asked me to preach, but that the Bishop had forbidden him ; who had also forbidden all his Clergy to admit any Methodist Preacher to the Lord's supper. But is any Clergyman obliged, either in law or conscience, to obey such a prohibition? By no means. The will even of the King does not bind any English subject, unless it be seconded by an express law. How much less the will of a Bishop ? " But did not you take an oath to obey him ? " No, nor any Clergyman in the three kingdoms. This is a mere vulgar error. Shame that it should prevail almost universally. As it rained, I retired after service into a large malt- house. Most of the congregation followed, and devoured the word. It being fair in the afternoon, the whole congregation stopped in the church-yard ; and the word of God was with power. It was a happy opportunity. The Manx Mea Mon. 9. — ^The greater part of them were present at five in the morning. A more loving, simple-hearted people than this I never saw. And no wonder j for they have but six Papists, and no Dissenters, in the island. It is supposed to contain near thirty thousand people, remarkably courteous and humane. Ever since smuggling was suppressed, they diligently cultivate their land : and they have a large herring fishery, so that the country improves daily. 416 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Auo, 1777 The old castle at Peel (as well as the cathedral built within it) is only a heap of ruins. It was very large, and exceeding strong, with many brass guns ; but they are now removed to England. I set out for Douglas in the one-horse chaise, Mrs. Smyth riding with me. In about an hour, in spite of all I could do, the headstrong horse ran the wheel against a large stone : the chaise overset in a moment ; but we fell so gently on smooth grass, that neither of us was hurt at all. In the evening I preached at Douglas, to near as large a congregation as that at Peel, but not near so serious. Before ten we went on board, and about twelve on Tuesday, 3, landed at Whitehaven. I preached at five in the afternoon; and hastening to Cockermouth, found a large congregation waiting in the castle-yard. Between nine and ten o'clock I took chaise ; and about ten on Wednesday, 4, reached Settlft In the evening I preached near the market-place, and all but two or three gentlefolks were seriously attentive. Thursday, 5. About noon I came to Otley. "Taught by a Chaise Boy" Mon. July ai. — Haidng been much pressed to preach at Jatterson, a colliery, six or seven miles from Pembroke, I began soon after seven. The house was presently filled, and all the space about the doors and windows; and the poor people drank in every word. I had finished my sermon, when a ^entleman, violently pressing in, bade the people get home and mind their business. As he used some bad words, my driver spake to him. He fiercely said, " Do you think I need to be taught by a chaise-boy ? " The lad replying, " Really, Sir, I do think so," the conversation ended. Tues. Aug. 5. — Our yearly Conference began. I Aug. 1777 WESLEY AT CONFERENCE 417 now particularly inquired (as that report had been spread far and wide) of every assistant, " Have you reason to believe, from your own observation, that the Methodists are a fallen people ? Is there a decay or an increase in the work of God where you have been ? Are the societies in general more dead, or more alive to God, than they were some years ago ? " The almost universal answer was, " If we must ' know them by their fruits,' there is no decay in the work of God among the people in general. The societies are not dead to God : they are as much alive as they have been for many years. And we look on this report as a mere device of Satan, to make our hands hang down." Are the Methodists a Fallen People? "Bnt how can this question be decided ? " You, and you, can judge no farther than you see. You cannot judge of one part by another ; of the people of London, suppose, by those of Bristol. And none but myself has an opportunity of seeing them throughout the three kingdoms. But to come to a short issue. In most places, the Methodists are still a poor despised people, labouring nnder reproach, and many inconveniences; therefore, wherever the power of God is not, they decrease. By this, then, you may form a sure judgment. Do the Methodists in general decrease in number ? Then they decrease in grace; they are a fallen, or, at least, a falling people. But they do not decrease in number ; they continually increase; therefore, they are not a fallen people. The Conference concluded on Friday, as it began, in much love. 418 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sept. 1778 Wesley Starts a Magfazine Mon. Nov. 14. — Having been many times desired, for near forty years, to publish a magazine, I at length complied ; and now began to collect materials for it. If it once begin, I incline to think it will not end but with my life. Wed. Dec. 17. — Just at this time there was a combi- nation among many of the post-chaise drivers on the Bath road, especially those that drove in the night, to deliver their passengers into each other's hands. One driver stopped at the spot they had appointed, where another waited to attack the chaise. In consequence of this many were robbed ; but I had a good Protector stilL I have travelled all roads, by day and by night, for these forty years, and never was interrupted yet. 1778. Friday, Jan. 37, was the day appointed for the national fast ; and it was observed with due solemnity. All shops were shut up ; all was quiet in the streets; all places of public worship were crowded ; no food wai served up in the King's house till five o'clock in the even- ing. Thus far, at least, we acknowledge God may direct our paths. Sun. June 28. — I am this day seventy-five years old; and I do not find myself, blessed be God, any weaker than I was at five-and-twenty. This also hath God wrought I Wesley Discusses Old Sermons Tues. Sept. 1. — I went to Tiverton. I was musing here on what I heard a good man say long since — " Once in seven years I burn all my sermons ; for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I could seven years ago." Whatever others can do, I SiPT.1778 WESLEY AND HIS SERMONS 419 really cannot. I cannot write a better sermon on the Good Steward, than I did seven years ago : I cannot write a better on the Great Assize, than I did twenty years ago : I cannot write a better on the Use of Money, than I did near thirty years ago : nay, I know not that I can write a better on the Circumcision of the Heart, than I did five-and-forty years ago. Perhaps, indeed, I may have read five or six hundred books more than I had then, and may know a little more history, or natural philosophy, than I did : but I am not sensible that this has made any essential addition to my knowledge in divinity. Forty years ago I knew and preached every Christian doctrine which I preach now. Among tbe Ruins Thur. 3. — About noon I preached at Cathanger, about eight miles from Taunton. It was an exceeding large house, built (as the inscription over the gate testifies) in the year 1555, by Sergeant Walsh, who had then eight thousand pounds a year ; perhaps more than equal to twenty thousand now. But the once famous family is now forgotten; the estate is mouldered almost into nothing ; and three quarters of the magnificent buildings lie level with the dust. I preached in the great hall, like that of Lincoln College, to a very serious congrega- tion. In the evening I preached at South-Petherton, once a place of renown, and the capital of a Saxon kingdom ; as is vouched by a palace of King Ina still remaining, and a very large and ancient church. I suppose the last blow given to it was by Judge Jefferies, who, after Monmouth's rebellion, hanged so many of the inhabi- tants, and drove so many away, that it is never likely to lift up its head again. 420 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Not. 1778 City Road Chapel Opened Sunday, November i, was the day appointed for open- ing the new chapel in the City-road. It is perfectly neat, but not fine ; and contains far more people than the Foundery : I beUeve, together with the morning chapel, as many as the Tabernacle. Many were afraid that the multitudes, crowding from all parts, would have occa^ sioned much disturbance. But they were happily dis- sppointed : there was none at all : all was quietness decency, and order. I preached on part of Solomon's Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple ; and both in the morning and afternoon (when I preached on the hundred forty and four thousand standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion), God was eminently present in the midst of the congregation. Mon. 3 — I went to Chatham, and preached in the evening to a lively, loving congregation. Tuesday, 3. I went by water to Sheerness. Our room being far too small for the people that attended, I sent to the Governor to desire (what had been allowed me before) the use of the chapel. He refused me (uncivilly enough), affect- ing to doubt whether I was in orders ! So I preached to as many as it would contain in our own room. Wed. 4. — I took a view of the old church at Minster, once a spacious and elegant building. It stands pleasantly on the top of a hill, and commands all the country round. We went from thence to Queensborough, which contains above fifty houses, and sends two mem- bers to Parliament. Surely the whole Isle of Sheppey is BOW but a shadow of what it was once. Thur. 5. — I returned to Chatham, and the following morning set out on the stage-coach for London. At the end of Stroud, I chose to walk up the hill, leaving the Mar. 1779 WALKING AND SLEEPING 421 coach to follow me. But it was in no great haste : it did not overtake me tlU I had walked above five miles. I cared not if it had been ten : the more I walk, the sounder I sleep. Sun. 15. — Having promised to preach in the evening at St. Antholine's church, I had desired one to have a coach ready at the door, when the service at the new chapel was ended. But he had forgot ; so that, after preaching and meeting the society, I was obliged to walk as fast as I could to the church. The people were so wedged together, that it was with difficulty I got in. The church was extremely hot ; but this I soon forgot ; for it pleased God to send a gracious rain upon his inheri- tance. Sun. 29. — I was desired to preach a charity sermon in St. Luke's church, Old-street. I doubt whether it was ever so crowded before ; and the fear of God seemed to possess the whole audience. In the afternoon I preached at the new chapel; and at seven, in St. Margaret's, Rood-lane; fiill as much crowded as St. Luke's. Is then the scandal of the cross ceased ? Wesley goes North 1779. Mon.Mar. 15. — I began my toui through England and Scotland ; the lovely weather continuing, such as the oldest man alive has not seen before, for January, February, and half of March. In the evening I preached at Stroud, the next morning at Gloucester, designing to preach in Stanley at two, and at Tewkesbury in the evening : but the minister of Gratton (near Stanley) sending me word, I was welcome to the use of his church, I ordered notice to be given, that the service would begin there at six o'clock. Stanley chapel was thoroughly filled at two. It is eighteen years since I 428 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1779 was there beforo ; lO that many of those whom I saw here then were now grey-headed ; and many were gone to Abraham's bosom. May we follow them as they did Christ I Thur. 25 I preached in the new house which Mr. Fletcher has buUt in Madeley-wood. The people here exactly resemble those at Kingswood; only they are more simple and teachable. But for want of dis- cipline, the immense pains which he has taken with them has not done the good which might have been expected. I preached at Shrewsbury in the evening, and on Friday, 26, about noon, in the assembly-room at Broseley. It was well we were in the shade ; for the sun shone as hot as it usually does at midsummer. We walked from thence to Coalbrook-dale, and took a view of the bridge which is shortly to be thrown over the Severn. It is one arch, a hundred feet broad, fifty-two high, and eighteen wide ; all of cast-iron, weighing many hundred tons. I doubt whether che Colossus at Rhodes weighed much more. Thur. April 15. — I went to Halifax, where a little thing had lately occasioned great disturbance. An angel blowing a trumpet was placed on the sounding-board over the pulpit. Many were vehemently against this ; others as vehemently for it : but a total end was soon put to the contest ; for the angel vanished away. The congregations, morning and evening, were very large; and the work of God seems to increase in depth as well as extent. Sun. May a. — Dr. Kershaw, the vicar of Leeds, desired me to assist him at the sacrament. It was a solemn season. We were ten clergymen, and seven or eight hundred communicants. Mr. Atkinson desired July 1779 PATERNAL AFFECTION 423 me to preach In the afternoon. Such a congregation had been seldom seen there ; but I preached to a much laigir in our own house at five; and I found no want of strength. Mon. June 28. — I preached in the new preaching- house, at Robin-Hood's-bay, and then went on to Scar- borough. Tuesday, 29, 1 spent agreeably and profitably with my old friends; and in my way to Bridlington, Wednesday, 30, took a view of Flamborough-head. It is an huge rock, rising perpendicular from the sea to an immense height, which gives shelter to an innumerable multitude of sea-fowl of various kinds. I preached in the evening at Bridlington, and afterwards heard a very uncommon instance of paternal affection : — A gentleman of the town had a favourite daughter, whom he set up in a milliner's shop. Some time after she had a concern for her soul, and believed it her duty to enter into the society. Upon this her good father forbad her his house ; demanding all the money he had laid out ; and required her instantly to sell all her goods, in order to make the payment I Wesley Attended by Felons Wed. July si. — When I came to Coventry, I found notice had been given for my preaching in the park ; but the heavy rain prevented. I sent to the Mayor, desiring the use of the town-hall. He refused ; but the same day gave the use of it to a dancing-master. I then went to the women's market. Many soon gathered together, and Ustened with all seriousness. I preached there again the next morning, Thursday, 22, and again in the evening. Then I took coach for London. I was nobly attended : behind the coach were ten con- victed felons, loudly blaspheming and rattling their 424 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1779 chains ; by my side sat a man with a loaded blunderbuss, and another upon the coach. Sun. 25. — Both the chapels were full enough. On Monday, I retired to Lewisham to write. Tues. August 3. Our Conference began ; which con- tinued and ended in peace and love. Sunday, 8. I was at West-street in the morning, and at the new chapel in the evening, when I took a solemn leave of the affectionate congregation. This was the last night which I spent at the Foundery. What hath God wrought there in one-and-forty years I FrL August 13 (Monmouth). — As I was going down a steep pair of stairs, my foot slipped, and I fell down several steps. Falling on the edge of one of them, it broke the case of an almanack, which was in my pocket, all to pieces. The edge of another stair met my right buckle, and snapped the steel chape of it in two ; but I was not hurt. So doth our good Master give his angels charga over us 1 In the evening I preached at Brecknock. "Make your "Will before you Sleep" Thurs. Sept. 23 — In the evening one sat behind me in the pulpit at Bristol, who was one of our first masters at Kingswood. A little after he left the school he likewise left the society. Riches then flowed in upon him; with which, having no relations, Mr. Spencer designed to do much good — after his death. " But God said unto him. Thou fool ! " Two hours after he died intestate, and left all his money to — be scrambled fori Reader, if you have not done it already, make your will before you sleep 1 Wed. Oct. 6 — ^At eleven I preached in Winchester, where there are four thoqsc-vnd five hundred FreucJ) April lySo WESLErS NEW HOUSE 425 prisoners. I was glad to find they have plenty of whole- some food ; and are treated, in all respects, with great humanity. In the evening I preached at Portsmouth-common. Thursday, 7. I took a view of the camp adjoining to the town, and wondered to find it as clean and as neat as a gentleman's garden. But there was no chaplain. The English soldiers of this age "have nothing to do with Godl Fri. 8. — ^We took chaise, as usual, at two, and about eleven came to Cobham. Having a little leisure, I thought I could not employ it better than in taking a walk through the gardens. They are said to take up four hundred acres, and are admirably well laid out They far exceed the celebrated gardens at Stow. This night I lodged in the new house at London. How many more nights have I to spend there ? 1780. Sun. Jan. 23. — In the evening I retired to Lewisham, to prepare matter (who would believe it) for a monthly magazine. Friday, February 4, being th« national fast, I preached first at the new chapel, and then at St. Peter's Cornhill. What a difference in the congregation ! Yet out of these stones God can raise up children to Abraham. Wesley at the German Settlement Mon. April 17. — I left Leeds in one of the roughest mornings I have ever seen. We had rain, hail, snow, and wind, in abundance. About nine I preached at Brair-ley ; between one and two at Pudsey. Afterwards I walked to Fulneck, the German settlement. Mr. Moore showed us the house, chapel, hall, lodging-rooms, the apartments of the widows, the single men, and single wpmen. He showed us likewise the workshops of various 426 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Mat 1780 kinds, with the shops for grocery, drapery, mercery, hard ware, &c., with which, as well as with bread from theii bakehouse, they furnish the adjacent country. I see not what but the mighty power of God can hinder them from acquiring millions; as they, i. Buy all materials with ready money at the best hand; 2. Have above a hun- dred young men, above fifty young women, many widows, and above a hundred married persons ; all of whom are employed from morning to night, without any intermis- sion, in variotis kinds of manufactures, not for journey- men's wages, but for no wages at all, save a little very plain food and raiment : as they have. 3. A quick sale for all their goods, and sell them all for ready money. But can they lay up treasure on earth, and at the same time lay up treasure in heaven ? Sat. May ao.^I took one more walk through Holy- rood-house, the mansion of ancient kings. But how melancholy an appearance does it make nowl The stately rooms are dirty as stables; the colours of the tapestry are quite faded ; several of the pictures are cut and defaced. The roof of the royal chapel is fallen in ; and the bones of James the Fifth, and the once beautiful Lord Darnley, are scattered about like those of sheep or oxen. Such is human greatness I Is not <* a living dog better than a dead lion ? " Sun. 21. — The rain hindered me from preaching at noon upon the Castle-hill. In the evening the house was weU filled, and I was enabled to speak strong words. But I am not a preacher for the people of Edinburgh. Tues. 23. — A gentleman took me to see Roslyn- castle, eight miles from Edinburgh. It is now all in ruins, only a small dwelling-house is built on one part of it. The situation of it is exceeeding fine, on the side of a steep mountain, hanging over a river, from which JuNi 1780 WESLEY AND ROSLYN CHAPEL 427 another mountain tises, equally steep, and clothed with wood. At a little distance is the chapel, which is in perfect preservation, both within and without, I should never have thought it had belonged to any one less than a sovereign prince ! the inside being far more elegantly wrought with variety of Scripture histories in stone-work, than I believe can be found again in Scotland ; perhaps not in all England. The Bishop of Durham's Tapestr7 Wed. 31. — I went to Mr. Parker's, at Shincliff, near Durham. The congregation being far too large to get into the house, I stood near his door. It seemed as if the whole village were ready to receive the truth in the love thereof. Perhaps their earnestness may provoke the people of Durham to jealousy. In the afternoon we took a view of the castle at Dur- ham, the residence of the bishop. The situation is won- derfully fine, surrounded by the river, and commanding all the country ; and many of the apartments are large and stately ; but the furniture is mean beyond imagina- tion 1 I know not where I have seen such in a gentle- man's house, or a man of five hundred a year, except that of the Lord Lieutenant in Dublin. In the largest chambers, the tapestry is quite faded ; beside that, it is coarse and ill-judged. Take but one instance: — In Jacob's vision you see, on the one side, a little paltry ladder, and an angel climbing it, in the attitude of a chimney-sweeper ; and on the other side Jacob staring at him, from under a large silver-laced hat. Mon. June 5 (York). — ^An arch news-writer published a paragraph to-day, probably designed for wit, concerning the large pension which the famous Wesley received for defending the king. This so increased the congregation 4^8 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jumi78o in the evening, that scores were obliged to go away. And God applied that word to many hearts, " I will not destroy the city for ten's sake ? " Mon. 12 About eleven I preached at Newton-upon. Trent, to a large and very genteel congregation. Thence we went to Newark : but our friends were divided as to the place where I should preach. At length they found a convenient place, covered on three sides, and on the fourth open to the street. It contained two or three thousand people well, who appeared to hear as for life. Only one big man, exceeding drunk, was very noisy and turbulent, till his wife seized him by the collar, gave him two or three hearty boxes on the ear, and dragged him away like a calf. But, at length, he got out of her hands, crept in among the people, and stood as quiet aa a lamb. Wesley oo "Boston Stump" Fri. 1 6. — We went on to Boston, the largest town in the county, except Lincoln. From the top of the steeple (which I suppose is by far the highest tower in the kingdom) we had a view not only of all the town, but of all the adjacent country. Formerly this town was in the fens ; but the fens are vanished away : great part of them is turned into pasture, and part into arable land. At six the house contained the congregation, all of whom behaved in the most decent manner. Wed. 28. — I went to ShefSeld: but the house was not ready ; so I preached in the square. I can hardly think I am entered this day into the seventy-eighth year of my age. By the blessing of God, I am just the same as when I entered the twenty-eighth. This hath God wrought, chiefly by my constant exercise, my rising early, and preaching morning and evening. Oct. 1780 THE DUKE OF DORSET'S SEAT 429 Mon. Sept. 11. — As I drew near Bath, I wondered what had drawn such a multitude of people together, till I learnt, that one of the members for the city had given an ox to be roasted whole. But their sport was sadly interrupted by heavy rain, which sent them home faster than they came; many of whom dropped in at our chapel, where I suppose they never had been before. Wesley at Sevenoaks Mon. Oct. 16. — I went to Tunbridge-wells, and preached to a serious congregation, on Rev. xx. 12. Tuesday, 17. I came back to Sevenoaks, and in the afternoon walked over to the Duke of Dorset's seat. The park is the pleasantest I ever saw ; the trees are so elegantly disposed. The house, which is at least two hundred years old, is immensely large. It consists of two squares, considerably bigger than the two quad- rangles in Lincoln college. I believe we were shown above thirty rooms, beside the hall, the chapels, and three galleries. The pictures are innumerable; I think, four times as many as in the castle at Blenheim. Into one of the galleries opens the king's bedchamber, ornamented above all the rest. The bed-curtains are cloth-of-gold ; and so richly wrought, that it requires some strength to draw them. The tables, the chairs, the frames of the looking- glasses, are all plated over with silver. The tapestry, representing the whole history of Nebuchadnezzar, is as fresh as if newly woven. But the bed-curtains are exceed- ing dirty, and look more like copper than gold. The silver on the tables, chairs, and glass, looks as- dull as lead. And, to complete all, King Nebuchadnezzar among the beasts, together with his eagle's claws, has a large crown upon his head, and is clothed in scarlet and gold. i30 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dec. 1780 Vesley Visits Lord George in the Towe* Sat. Dec. 16 (London). — Having a second message from Lord George Gordon, earnestly desiring to see me, I wrote a line to Lord Stormont, who, on Monday, 18, sent me a warrant to see Iiim. On Tuesday, 19, I spent an hour with him, at his apartment in the Tower. Our conversation turned upon Popery and religion. He seemed to be well acquainted with the Bible ; and had abundance of other books, enough to furnish a study. I was agreeably surprised to find he did not complain of any person or thing; and cannot but hope, his confinement will take a right turn, and prove a lasting blessing to him. Fri. 22. — At the desire of some of my friends, I accompanied them to the British Museum. What an immense field is here for curiosity to range in I One large room b filled from top to bottom with things brought from Otaheite; two or three more with things dug out of the ruins of Herculaneum I Seven huge apartments are filled with curious books ; five with manuscripts ; two with fossils of all sarts, and the rest with various animals. But what account will a man give to the Judge of quick and dead for a life spent in collecting all these ? Sun. 34. — Desiring to make the most of this solemn day, I preached early in the morning at the new chapel; at ten and four I preached at West-street; and in the evening met the society at each end of the town. Fri. 29. — I saw the indictment of the Grand Jury against Lord George Gordon. I stood aghast I What a shocking insult upon truth and common sense I But it is the usual form. The more is the shame. Why will April 1781 FIRE IN CITY ROAD 431 not the Parliament remove this scandal from oui nation ? Sat. 30. — ^Waking between one and two in the morning, I observed a bright light shine upon the chapel. I easily concluded there was a fire near ; probably in the adjoining timber-yard. If so, I knew it would soon lay xk in ashes. I first called all the family to prayer; then going out, we found the fire about a hundred yards off, and had broke out while the wind was south. But a sailor cried out, " Avast I Avast I the wind is turned in ( moment I" So it did, to the west, while we were At prayer, and so drove the flame from us. We then thankfully returned, and I rested well the residue of the night. 1781. Thur. Jan. 35. — I spent an agreeable hour at I concert of my nephews. But I was a little out of my element among lords and ladies. I love plain music tad plain company best A Rough Voyage Mon. April 9. — Desiring to be in Ireland as soon as possible, I hastened to Liverpool, and found a ship ready to sail; but the wind was contrary, till on Thurs- day morning, the captain came in haste, and told us, the wind was come quite fair. So Mr. Floyd, Snowden, Joseph Bradford, and I, with two of our sisters, went on board. But scarce were we out at sea, when the wind turned quite foul, and rose higher and higher. In an hour I was so affected, as I had not been for forty years before. For two days I could not swallow the quantity of a pea of anything solid, and very little of any liquid. I was bruised and sore from head to foot, and ill able to turn me on the bed. All Friday, the storm increasing, the sea of conse- 432 WESLEY'S JOURNAL April 1781 quence was rougher and rougher. Early on Saturday morning, the hatches were closed, which, together with the violent motion, made our horses so turbulent, that I was afraid we must have killed them, lest they should damage the ship. Mrs. S. now crept to me, threw her arms over me, and said, " O Sir, we will die together ! " We had by this time three feet water in the hold, though it was an exceeding light vessel. Meantime we were furiously driving on a lee-shore ; and when the captain cried, " Helm-a-lee," she would not obey the helm. I called our brethren to prayers ; and we found free access to the throne of grace. Soon after we got, I know not how, into Holyhead harbour, after being sufficiently buffeted by the winds and waves for two days and two nights. The more I considered, the more I was convinced, it was not the will of God I should go to Ireland at this time. So we went into the stage-coach without delay, and the next evening came to Chester. I now considered in what place I could spend a few days to the greatest advantage. I soon thought of the Isle of Man, and those parts of Wales which I could not weU see in my ordinary course. I judged it would be best to begin with the latter. So, after a day or two's rest, on Wednesday, 18, I set out for Brecon, purposing to take Whitchurch (where I had not been for many years) and Shrewsbury in my way. At noon I preached in Whitchurch, to a numerous and very serious audience ; in the evening at Shrewsbury ; where, seeing the eames^ ness of the people, I agreed to stay another day. Not knowing the best way from hence to Brecon, I thought well to go round by Worcester. I took Broseley in my way, and thereby had a view of the iron bridge over the Severn : I suppose the first and the only one in Europe. It will not soon be imitated. May 1781 MELANCHOLY ST. DAVID'S 433 Tues. May i. — I rode to St. David's, seventeen measured miles from Haverford. I was surprised to find all the land, for the last nine or ten miles, so fruitful and well cultivated. What a difference is there between the westermost parts of England, and the westermost parts of Wales ! the former (the west of Cornwall), so barren and wild ; the latter, so fruitful and well-improved. But the town itself is a melancholy spectacle. I saw but one tolerable good house in it. The rest were miserable huts indeed. I do not remember so mean a town even in Ireland. The cathedral has been a large and stately fabric, far superior to any other in Wales. But a great part of it is fallen down already ; and the rest is hasten- ing into ruin : one blessed fruit (among many) of bishops residing at a distance from their see. Here are the tombs and effigies of many ancient worthies : Owen Tudor in particular. But the zealous Cromwellians broke off their noses, hands, and feet; and defaced them as much as possible. But what had the Tudors done to them ? Why, they were progenitors of Kings. In the Isle of Man Wed. 30 I embarked on board the packet-boat, for the Isle of Man. We had a dead calm for many hours : however, we landed at Douglas on Friday morning. Both the preachers met me here, and gave me a comfort- able account of the still increasing work of God. Before dinner, we took a walk in a garden near the town, wherein any of the inhabitants of it may walk. It is wonderfully pleasant ; yet not so pleasant as the gardens of the Nunnery (so it is still called), which are not far from it. These are delightfully laid out, and yield to few places of the size in England. At ax I preached in the market-place, to a large • ■ 434 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Junk 1781 congregation; all of whom, except a few children, and two or three giddy young women, were seriously attentive. Sat. June 2. — I rode to Castleton, through a pleasant and (now) well-cultivated country. At six I preached in the market-place, to most of the inhabi- tants of the town, on, " One thing is needful." I believe the word carried conviction into the hearts of nearly all that heard it. Afterwards I walked to the house of one of our English friends, about two miles from the town. All the day I observed, wherever I was, one circum- stance that surprised me: — In England we generally hear the birds singing, morning and evening ; but here thrushes and various other kinds of birds, were singing all day long. They did not intermit, even during the noon-day heat, where they had a few trees to shade them. Preaching at Peel June 3. — (Being Whitsunday.) I preached In the market-place again about nine, to a still larger congrega- tion than before, on, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." How few of the genteel hearers could say so! About four in the afternoon, I preached at Barewle, on the mountains, to a larger congregation than that in the morning. The rain, began soon after I began preaching ; but ceased in a few minutes. I preached on, " They were all filled with the Holy Ghost"; and showed in what sense this belongs to us and to our children. Between six and seven I preached on the sea-shore at Feel, to the largest congregation I have seen in the island ; even the society nearly filled the house. I soon found what spirit they were of. Hardly in England (un- less perhaps at Bolton) have I found so plain, so earnest, so simple a people. Mon. 4. — We had such a congregation at five, as June 1 78 1 GOOD MANX SINGERS *35 might have been expected on a Sunday evening. We then rode through and over the mountains to Beer- garrow ; where I enforced, on an artless, loving congre- gation, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." A few miles from thence, we came to Bishop's- court, where good Bishop Wilson resided near threescore years. There is something venerable, though not magni- ficent, in the ancient palace; and it is undoubtedly situated in one of the pleasantest spots of the whole island. Tues. 5. — In the afternoon we rode through a pleasant and fruitful country to Ramsay, about as large as Peel, and more regularly built. The rain was again suspended while I preached to well nigh all the town ; but I saw no inattentive hearers. An Ideal Circuit Wed. 6. — This morning we rode through the most woody, and far the pleasantest, part of the island ; — a range of fruitful land, lying at the foot of the mountains, from Ramsay, through Sulby, to Kirk- michael. Here we stopped to look at the plain tomb- stones of those two good men, Bishop Wilson and Bishop Hildesley ; whose remains are deposited, side by side, at the east end of the church. We had scarce reached Peel before the rain increased; but here the preaching-house contained all that could come. After- wards, Mr. Crook desired me to meet the singers. I was agreeably surprised. I have not heard better sing- ing either at Bristol of London. Many, both men and women, have admirable voices ; and they sing with good judgment Who would have expected this in the Isle of Man? Thur. 7. — I met our little body of Preachers. They were two-and-twenty in all. I never saw in England so 436 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1781 many stout, well-looking Preachers together. If their spirit be answerable to their look, I know not what can stand before them. In the afternoon I rode orer to Dawby, and preached to a very large and very serious congregation. Fri. 8. — Having now visited the island round, east, south, north, and west, I was thoroughly convinced that we have no such circuit as this, either in England, Scot- land, or Ireland. It is shut up from the world ; and, having little trade, is visited by scarce any strangers. Here are no Papists, no Dissenters of any kind, no Cal- vinists, no disputers. Here is no opposition, either from the Governor (a mild, humane man), from the bishop (a good man), or from the bulk of the clergy. One or two of them did oppose for a time ; but they seem now to understand better. So that we have now rather too little, than too much reproach ; the scandal of the cross being, for the present, ceased. The natives are a plain, artless, simple people ; unpolished, that is, unpolluted j few of them are rich or genteel j the far greater part moderately poor ; and most of the strangers that settle among them are men that have seen afHiction. The Local Preachers are men of faith and love, knit together in one mind and one judgment. They speak either Manx or English, and follow a regular plan, which the assistant gives them monthly. The isle is supposed to have thirty thousand inhabi- tants. Allowing half of them to be adults, and our societies to contain one or two and twenty hundred members, what a fair proportion is this 1 What has been seen like this, in any part either of Great Britain or Ireland ? Sat. 9. — We would willingly have set sail; but the strong north-east wind prevented us. Monday, 11. It Mar. 1781 WESLEY ON JOHNSON'S tOUR 43? being moderate, we put to sea : but it soon died away into a calm ; so I had time to read over and consider Dr. Johnson's " Tour through Scotland." I had heard that he was severe upon the whole nation ; but I could find nothing of it. He simply mentions (but without any bitterness) what he approved or disapproved : and many of the reflections are extremely judicious j some of them very affecting. Tues. 12. — Having several passengers on board, 1 offered to give them a sermon; which they willingly accepted. And all behaved with the utmost decency, while I showed " His commandments are not grievous." Soon after, a little breeze sprung up, which, early in the morning, brought us to Whitehaven. Thur. 28 I preached at eleven in the main street at Selby, to a large and quiet congregation ; and in the evening at Thome. This day I entered my seventy- ninth year ; and, by the grace of God, I feel no more of the infirmities of old age, than I did at twenty-nine. Friday, 29. I preached at Crowle and at Epworth. I have now preached thrice a day for seven days following; but it is just the same as if it had been but once. "A Low, Soft, Solemn Sound" 1781. March 29. — (Being Good Friday.) I came to Macclesfield just time enough to assist Mr. Simpson in the laborious service of the day. I preached for him morning and afternoon ; and we administered the sacrar ment to about thirteen hundred persons. While we were administering, I heard a low, soft, solemn sound, just like that of an .^Eolian harp. It continued five or six minutes, and so affected many, that they could not refrain from tears. It then gradually died away. Strange that no other organist (that I know) should think of 43S WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juki 178* this. In the evening I preached at our room. Here was that harmony which art cannot imitate. Tues. May 14. — Some years ago four factories for spinning and weaving were set up at Epworth. In these a large number of young women, and boys and girls, were employed. The whole conversation of these was profane and loose to the last degree. But some of these stumbling in at the prayer-meeting were suddenly cut to the heart. These never rested till they had gained their companions. The whole scene was changed. In three of the factories, no more lewdness or profaneness were found; for God had put a new song in their mouth, and blasphemies were turned to praise. Those three I visited to day, and found religion had taken deep root in them. No trifling word was heard among them, and they watch over each other in love. I found it exceeding good to be there, and we rejoiced together in the God of our salvation. Fri. 31. — As I lodged with Lady Maxwell at Saughton- hall (a good old mansion-house, three miles from Edin- burgh), she desired me to give a short discourse to a few of her poor neighbours. I did so, at four in the afternoon, on the story of Dives and Lazarus. About seven I preached in our house at Edinburgh, and fully delivered my own soul. Sat. June i. — I spent a little time with forty poor children, whom Lady Maxwell keeps at school. They are swiftly brought forward in reading and writing, and learn the principles of religion. But I observe in them all the love of finery. Be they ever so poor, they must have a scrap of finery. Many of them have not a shoe to their foot : but the girl in rags is not without her ruffles. Sun. 2. — Mr. Collins intended to have preached on July 1782 WESLEY FALLS DOWNSTAIRS 4S9 the Castle-hill at twelve o'clock ; but the dull minister kept us in the kirk till past one. At six the house was well filled: and I did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God. I almost wonder at myself. I seldom speak anywhere so roughly as in Scotland. And yet most of the people hear and hear, and are just what they were before. Wesley Enters His 8otIi Year Sat 15 (Kelso). — As I was coming down stairs, the carpet slipped from under my feet, which, I know not how, turned me round, and pitched me back, with my head foremost, for six or seven stairs. It was impossible to recover myself till I came to the bottom. My head rebounded once or twice from the edge of the stone stairs. But it felt to me exactly as if I had fallen on a cushion or a pillow. Dr. Douglas ran out, sufficiently affrighted. But he needed not. For I rose as well as ever ; having received no damage, but the loss of a little skin from one or two of my fingers. Doth not God give his angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways ? Wed. 26. — I preached at Thirsk; Thursday, 27, at York. Friday, 28. I entered into my eightieth year ; but, blessed be God, my time is not "labour and sorrow." I find no more pain or bodily infirmities than at five-and-twenty. This I still impute, i. To the power of God, fitting me for what He calls me to. 2. To my still travelling four or five thousand miles a year. 3. To my sleeping, night or day, whenever I want it. 4. To my rising at a set hour. And, 5. To my constant preaching, particularly in the morning. Sat. July 6. — I came to Birmingham, and preached once more in the old, dreary preaching-house. 440 WESLEY'S JOURNAL July 1781 Sun. 7. — I opened the new house at eight, and it contained the people well: but not in the evening; many were then constrained to go away. In the middle of the sermon, a huge noise was heard, caused by the breaking of a bench on which some people stood. None of them was hurt ; yet it occasioned a general panic at first: but in a few minutes all-was quiet. Sun. 14. — I heard a sermon in the old church, at Birmingham, which the preacher uttered with great vehemence against these " hairbrained, itinerant enthu- siasts." But he totally missed his mark; having not the least conception of the persons whoin he undertook to describe. No Repose for Wesley Wed. 17. — I went on to Leicester; Thursday, 18, to Northampton; and Friday, 19, to Hinxworth, in Hertfordshire. Adjoining to Miss Harvey's house is a pleasant garden ; and she has made a shady walk round the neighbouring meadows. How gladly could I repose awhile here ! But repose is not for me in this world. In the evening many of the villagers flocked together, so that her great hall was well filled. I would fain hope, some of them received the seed in good ground, and will bring forth fruit with patience. Sat. 30. — ^We reached London. All the following week the congregations were uncommonly large. Wed- nesday, 24. My brother and I paid our last visit to Lewisham, and spent a few pensive hours with the relict of our good friend, Mr. Blackwell. We took one more walk round the garden and meadow, which he took so much pains to improve. Upwards of forty years this has been my place of retirement, when I could spare two or three da^s from Londoi). Aug. 1782 HIGHWAYMEN ON THE ROAD 441 Tues. Aug. 13. — Being obliged to leave London a little sooner than I intended, I concluded the conference to-day ; and desired all our brethren to observe it as day of solemn thanksgiving. At three in the afterno I took coach. About one on Wednesday morning we were informed that three highwaymen were on the road before us, and had robbed all the coaches that had passed, some of them within an hour or two. I felt no uneasiness on the account, knowing that God would take care of us : and he did so ; for, before we came to the spot, all the highwaymen were taken j so we went on unmolested, and early in the afternoon came safe to Bristol. Thur, 15. — I set out for the west; preached at Taunton in the evening ; Friday noon, at Collumpton j and in the evening, at Exeter. A Christian Bishop's Furniture Sun. 18. — I was much pleased with the decent be- haviour of the whole congregation at the cathedral ; as also with the solemn music at the post-communion, one of the finest compositions I ever heard. The bishop inviting me to dinner, I could not but observe, i. The lovely situation of the palace, covered with trees, and as rural and retired as if it was quite in the country. 3. The plainness of the furniture, not costly or showy, but just fit for a Christian bishop. 3. The dinner sufficient, but not redundant ; plain and good, but not delicate. 4. The propriety of the company — five clergymen and four of the aldermen ; and, 5. The genuine, unaffected courtesy of tLe bishop, who, I hope, will be a blessing to tiis whole diocese. We set out early in the morning, Monday, 19, and in the afternoon came to Plymouth. I preached in the 4M WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1783 evening, and at five and twelve on Tuesday, purposing to preach in the square at the Dock in the evening; but the rain prevented. However, I did so on Wednesday evening. A little before I concluded, the commanding ofScer came into the square with his regiment ; but be immediately stopped the drums, and drew up all his men in order on the high side of the square. They were all still as night; nor did any of them stir, till I had pronounced the blessing. "Tte Tide is now Tui-ned" 1783. Wed. Jan. i. — May I begin to live to-day I Sunday, 5. We met to renew our covenant with God. We never meet on this occasion without a blessing ; but I do not know that we had ever so large a congregation before. Sun. 19. — I preached at St. Thomas's chiurch in the afternoon, and at St. Swithin's in the evening. The tide is now turned ; so that I have more invitations to preach in churches than I can accept of. Fri. Feb. 21. — At our yearly meeting for that purpose, we examined our yearly accounts, and found the money (just answering the expense) was upwards of three thousand pounds a year. But that is nothing to me : what I receive of it yearly, is neither more nor less than thirty pounds. Sun. June 1. — I was refreshed by the very sight ot the congregation at the new chapel (London). Monday, 2, and the following days, I employed in settling my busi- ness, and preparing for my httle excursion. Wednes- day, II. I took coach with Mr. Brackenbury, Broadbent, and Whitfield ; and in the evening we reached Harwich. I went immediately to Dr. Jones, who received me in the most affectionate manner. About nine in the morn< JVRII783 IN ROTTERDAM 44S ingwe sailed, and at nine on Friday, 13, landed at Helvoetsluys. Wesley Visits Holland Here we hired a coach for Briel, but were forced to hire a waggon also, to carry a box which one of us could have carried on his shoulders. At Briel we took a boat to Rotterdam. We bad not been long there, when Mr. Bennet, a bookseller, who had invited me to his house, called upon me. But as Mr. Loyal, the minister of the Scotch congregation, had invited me, he gave up his claim, and went with us to Mr. Loyal's. I found a friendly, sensible, hospitable, and, I am persuaded, a pious man. We took a walk together round the town, all as clean as a gentleman's parlour. Many of the houses are as high as those in the main street at Edin- burgh ; and the canals, running through the chief streets, make them convenient, as well as pleasant ; bringing the merchants' goods up to their doors. Stately trees grow on all their banks. The whole town is encompassed with a double row of elms ; so that one may walk all round it in the shade. Sat. 14. — I had much conversation with the two English ministers, sensible, weU-bred, serious men. These, as well as Mr. Loyal, were very willing I should preach in their churches ; but they thought it would be best for me to preach in the Episcopal church. By our conversing freely together, many prejudices were removed, and all our hearts seemed to be united together. In the evening we again took a walk round the town, and I observed, i . Many of the houses are higher than most in Edinburgh. It is true they have not so many stories ; but each story is far loftier, a. The streets, the outside and inside of their houses in every part, doors, windows, 444 WESLEY'S JOURNAL June 178 J well-staircases, furniture, even floors, are kept so nicely clean that you cannot find a speck of dirt. 3. There is such a grandeur and elegance in the fronts of the large houses, as I never saw elsewhere ; and such a profusion of marble within, particularly in their lower floors and staircases, as I wonder other nations do not imitate. 4. The women and children (which I least of all expected) were in general the most beautiful I ever saw. They were surprisingly fair, and had an inexpressible air of innocence in their countenance. 5. This was wonder- fully set off by their dress, which was simplex munditiis, plain and neat in the highest degree. 6. It has lately been observed, that growing vegetables greatly resist putridity : so there is an use in their numerous rows of trees which was not thought of at first. The elms balance the canals, preventing the putrefaction which those otherwise might produce. The Reverent Dutcb One little circumstance I observed, which I suppose is peculiar to Holland: to most chamber-windows a looking-glass is placed on the outside of the sash, so as to show the whole street, with all the passengers. There is something very pleasing in these moving pictures, ^e they found in no other country ? Sun. 15. — ^The Episcopal church is not quite so large as the chapel in West-street. It is very elegant both without and within. The service began at half-past nine. Such a congregation had not often been there before. I preached on, " God created man in his own image." The people seemed, " all but their attention, dead." In the afternoon the church was so filled as (they informed me) it had not been for these fifty years. I preached on, " God hath given us eternal life; and this life is in his June 1783 THE CHARMS OF HOLLAND 445 Son." I believe God applied it to many hearts. Were it only for this hoiir, I am glad I came to Holland. One thing which I peculiarly observed was this, and the same in all the churches in Holland : at coming in, no one looks on the right or the left hand, or bows or courtesies to any one ; but all go straight forward to their seats, as if no other person was in the place. During the service, none turns his head on either side, or looks at anything but his book or the minister ; and in going out, none take notice of any one, but all go straight forward till they are in the open air. After church an English gentleman invited me to his country-house, not half a mile from the town. I scarce ever saw so pretty a place. The garden before the house was in three partitions, each quite diifercnt from the others. The house lay between this and another garden (nothing like any of the others), from which you looked through a beautiful summer-house, washed by a small stream, into rich pastures filled with cattle. We sat under an arbour of stately trees, between the front and the back gardens. Here were four such children (I suppose seven, six, five, and three years old) as I never saw before in one family ; such inex- pressible beauty and innocence shone together ! In the evening I attended the service of the gre'it Dutch church, as large as most of our cathedrals. The organ (like those in all the Dutch churches) was elegantly painted and gilded ; and the tunes that were sung were very lively, and yet solemn. Mon. 16. — ^We set out in a track-skuit for the Hague- By the way we saw a curiosity ; the gallows near the canal, surrounded with a knot of beautiful trees ; so the dying man will have one pleasant prospect here, what- ever befalls him hereafter 1 At eleven we came to Delft, 446 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jciiii78j a large, handsome town, where we spent an hour at a merchant's house, who, as well as his wife, a very agree- able woman, seemed both to fear and to love God. Afterwards we saw the great church ; I think nearly, if not quite, as long as York Minster. It is exceedingly light and elegant within, and every part is kept ex< quisitely clean. The tomb of William the First is much admired ; particularly his statue, which has more life than one would think could be expressed in brass. The Beautiful Hague When we came to the Hague, though we had heard much of it, we were not disappointed. It is, indeed, beautiful beyond expression. Many of the houses are exceeding grand, and are finely intermixed with water and wood ; yet are not too dose, but so as to be suffi- ciently ventilated by the air. Being invited to tea by Madam de Vassenaar (one of the first quality in the Hague), I waited upon her in the afternoon. She received us with that easy openness and affability which is almost peculiar to Christians and per- sons of quality. Soon after came ten or twelve ladies more, who seemed to be of her own rank (though dressed quite plain), and two most agreeable gentlemen ; one of whom, I afterwards understood, was a colonel in the Prince's Guards. After tea I expounded the three first verses of the thirteenth of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. Captain M. interpreted, sentence by sen- tence. I then prayed, and Colonel V. after me. I believe this hour was well employed. Tues. 17. — As we walked over the Place we saw the Swiss Guards at their exercise. They are a fine body of men, taller, I suppose, than any English regiment ; and they aU wear large black whiskers, which they take care JUNI1783 DUTCH SINGING 447 to keep as black as their boots. Afterwards we saw the gardens at the Old Palace, beautifully laid out, with a large piece of water in the middle, and a canal at each end : the open walks in it are pleasant, but the shady serpentine walks are far pleasanter. We dined at Mrs. L 's, in such a family as I have seldom seen. Her mother, upwards of seventy, seemed to be continually rejoicing in God her Saviour : the daughter breathes the same spirit ; arid her grand- children, three little girls and a boy, seem to be all love. I have not seen four such children together in all England. A gentleman coming in after dinner, I found a particular desire to pray for him. In a little while he melted into tears, as indeed did most of the company. Wed. 18. In the afternoon Madam de Vassenaar invited us to a meeting at a neighbouring lady's house. I expounded Gal. vi. 14, and Mr. M. interpreted at before. At Leyden and Afflsterdam Thurs. 19. — ^We took boat at seven. Mrs. L. and one of her relations, being unwilling to part so soon, bore us company to Leyden ; a large and populous town, but not so pleasant as Rotterdam. In the afternoon we went on to Haarlem, where a plain, good man and his wife received us in a most affectionate manner. At sue we took boat again. As it was filled from end to end, I was afraid we should not have a very pleasant journey. After Mr. Ferguson had told the people who we were, we made a slight excuse, and sung an hymn. They were all attention. We then talked a little, by means of our interpreter, and desired that any of them who pleased would sing. Four persons did so ; and sung well. After a while we sung again : so did one or two of them ; and 448 WESLEY'S JOURNAL ' Jun« 1783 all our hearts were strangely knit together, so that when we came to Amsterdam they dismissed us with abundance of blessings. Fri. 20. — We breakfasted at Mr. Ferguson's, near the heart of the city. At eleven we drank coffee (the custom in Holland) at Mr. J 's, a merchant, whose dining- room is covered, both walls and ceiling, with the most beautiful paintings. He and his lady walked with us in the afternoon to the Stadt-house; perhaps the grandest buildings of the kind in Europe. The great hall is a noble room indeed, near as large as that of Christ-church in Oxford. But I have neither time nor inclination to describe particularly this amazing structure. The Warmly Affectionate Dutch Sun. 2 2. — I went to the new church, so called still, though four or- five hundred years old. It is larger, higher, and better illuminated than most of our cathe- drals. The screen that divides the church from the choir is of polished brass, and shines like gold. I under- stood the Psalms that were sung, and the text well, and a little of the sermon ; which Mr. De H. delivered with great earnestness. At two I began the service at the English church, an elegant building, about the size of West-street chapeL Only it has no galleries ; nor have any of the churches in Holland. I preached on Isaiah Iv. 6, 7 ; and I am persuaded many received the truth in the love thereof. After dinner Mrs. J took me in a coach to the Mere, and thence round the country to Zeeburg. I never saw such a country before : I suppose there is no such summer country in Europe. From Amsterdam to Mere is all a train of the most delightful gardens. Turning upon the left, you then open upon the Texel, June 1783 THJi UUlCH CHARACTER 449 which spreads into a sea. Zeeburg itself is a little house built on the edge of it, which commands both a land and a sea prospect. What is wanting to make the inhabitants happy, but the knowledge and love of God ? Wed. 25. — We took boat for Haerlem. The great church here is a noble structure, equalled by few cathedrals in England, either in length, breadth, or height : the organ is the largest I ever saw, and is said to be the finest in Europe. Hence we went to Mr. Van Ka ' s, whose wife was convinced of sin and justified by reading Mr. Whitefield's sermons. Here we were as at home. Before dinner we took a walk in Haerlem Wood, It adjoins to the town, and is cut out in many shady walks ; with lovely vistas shooting out every way. The walk from the Hague to Scheveling is pleasant ; those near Amsterdam more so ; but these exceed them all. We returned in the afternoon to Amsterdam ; and in the evening took leave of as many of our friends as we could. How entirely were we mistaken in the Hollanders, supposing them to be of a cold, phlegmatic, unfriendly temper I I have not met with a more warmly affectionate people in all Europe ! no, not in Ireland 1 Wesley at UtrecHt Thur. 26. — Our friends having largely provided us with wine and fruits for our little journey, we took boat in a lovely morning for Utrecht. Utrecht has much the look of an English town. The streets are broad, and have many noble houses. In quietness and stillness it much resembles Oxford. The country all round is like a garden : and the people I conversed with are not only civil and hospitable, but friendly and affectionate, even as those at Amsterdam. ■ r 450 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dec. 1783 Mon. 30. — We hired a coach for Rotterdam, at half a crown per head. We dined at Gouda, at Mr, Van FJooten's, minister of the town, who received us with all possible kindness. Before dinner we went into the church, famous for its painted windows ; but we had not time to survey a tenth part of them: we could only observe, in general, that the colours were exceeding lively, and the figures exactly proportioned. In the evening we reached once more the hospitable house of Mr. Loyal, at Rotterdam. Tues. July i. — I called on as many as I could of my friends.and we parted with much affection. We then hired a yacht, which brought us to Helvoetsluys about eleven the next day. At two we went on board ; but the wind turning against us, we did not reach Harwich till about nine on Friday morning. After a little rest, we procured a curiage, and reached London about eleven at night Two Hours With Dr. Johnson I can by no means regret either the trouble or expense which attended this Uttle journey. It opened me a way into, as it were, a new world; where the land, the buildings, the people, the customs, were all such as I had never seen before. But as those with whom I con- versed were of the same spirit with my friends in England, I was as much at home in Utrecht and Amsterdam, as in Bristol and London. Sun. 6. — We rejoiced to meet once more with our English friends in the new chapel ; who were refreshed with the account of the gracious work which God is working in Holland also. Thur. Dec. 18. — I spent two hours with that great man, Dr. Johnson, who is sinking into the grave by a gentle decay. >5 O CO ?5 o 1-5 >^ S5 a o o Q O d3 o O H O O o 1^ H &3 O H E-i m W o 1-5 APM11784 PREACHING AT FIVE A.M. 451 Mon. April 5. — ^I was surprised, when 1 came to Chester, to find that there also morning preaching was quite left oflF, for this worthy reason : " Because the people will not come, or, at least, not in the winter." If so, the Methodists are a fallen people. Here is proof. They have " lost their first love " : and they never will or cao recover it, till they " do the first works." Wesley and Early Rising As soon as I set foot in Georgia, I began preaching at five in the morning ; and every communicant, that is, every serious person in the town, constantly attended throughout the year : I mean, every morning, winter and summer, unless in the case of sickness. They did so till I left the province. In the year 1738, when God began his great work in England, I began preaching at the same hour, winter and summer, and never wanted a congr^tion. If they will not attend now, they have lost their zeal ; and then, it cannot be denied, they are a fallen people. And, in the mean time, we are labouring to secure the preaching-houses to the next generation I In the name of God, let us, if possible, secure the preseat generation from drawing back to perdition ! Let all the preachers that are still alive to God join together as one man, fast and pray, lift up their voice as a trumpet, be instant, in season, out of season, to convince them they are fallen ; and exhort them instantly to repent, and " do the first works " : this in particular — rising in the morning, without which neither their aouls nor bodies can long remain in health 452 WESLEY'S JOURNAL May 1784 Mon. 19. — I went on to Ambleside ; where, as I was sitting down to supper, I was informed, notice had been given of my preaching, and that the congregation was waiting. I would not disappoint them; but preached immedinlely on salvation by faith. Among them were a gentleman and his wife, who gave me a remarkable relation. Remarkable Escape from Prison She said she had often heard her mother relate^ what an intimate acquaintance had told her, that her husband was concerned in the Rebellion of 1745. He was tried at Carlisle, and found guilty. The evening before he was to die, sitting and musing in her chair, she fell fast asleep. She dreamed, one came to her, and said, "Go to such a part of the wall, and among the loose stones you will find a key, which you must carry to your husband." She waked; but, thinking it a common dream, paid no attention to it. Presently she fell asleep again, and dreamed the very same dream. She started up, put on her cloak and hat, and went to that part of the wall, and among the loose stones found a key. Having,, with some difficulty, procured admission into the gaol, she gave this to her husband. It opened the door of his cell, as well as the lock of the prison door. So at midnight he escaped for life. The Banks of the Spey Sat. May 8. — We reached the banks of the Spey. 1 suppose there are few such rivers in Europe. The rapidity of it exceeds even that of the Rhine : and it was now much swelled with melting snow. However, we made shift to get over before ten; and about twelve reached Elgin. Here I was received by a daughter of Mat 1784 WESLEY IN SCOTLAND 45* good Mr. Plenderleith, late of Edinburgh ; with whom, having spent an agreeable hour, I hastened toward Forres : but we were soon at full stop again ; the river Findhorn also was so swollen, that we were afraid the ford was not passable. However, having a good guide, we passed it without much difficulty. I found Sir Lodowick Grant almost worn out. Never v. as a visit more seasonable. By free and friendly conversation his spirits were so raised, that I am in hopes it will lengthen his life. Sun. 9 — I preached to a small company at noon, on, "His commandments are not grievous.'' As I was concluding, Colonel Grant and his lady came in : for whose sake I began again, and lectured, as they call it, on the former part of the fifteenth chapter of St. Luke. We had a larger company in the afternoon, to whom I preached on "judgment to come." And this subject seemed to affect them most. Twelve and a Half Miles in Heavy Rain Mon. 10. — I set out for Inverness. I had sent Mr. M'Allum before, on George Whitfield's horse, to give notice of my coming. Hereby I was obliged to take both George and Mrs. M'Allum with me in my chaise. To ease the horses, we walked forward from Nairn, ordering Richard to follow us, as soon as they were fed : he did so, but there were two roads. So, as we took one, and he the other, we walked about twelve miles and a half of the way, through heavy rain. We then found Richard waiting for us at a little ale-house, and drove on to Inverness. But, blessed be God, I was no more tired than when I set out from Nairn. I preached at seven to a for larger congregation than I had seen here since I preached in the kirk. And surely the labour was not in vain : for God sent a message to many hearts. 454 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Mat 1784 Tues. II. — Notwithstanding the long discontinuance of morning preaching, we had a large congregation at five. I breakfasted at the first house I was invited to at Inverness, where good Mr. M'Kenzie then lived. His three daughters live in it now ; one of whom inherits all the spirit of her father. In the afternoon we took a walk over the bridge, into one of the pleasantest countries I have seen. It runs along by the side of the clear river, and is well-cultivated and well-wooded. And here first we heard abundance of birds, welcoming the return of spring. The congregation was larger this evening than the last : and great part of them attended in the morning. We had then a solemn parting, as we could hardly expect to meet again in the present world. Incidents in Scotland Tues. 1 8. — 1 preached at Dundee. Wednesday, 19. I crossed over the pleasant and fertile county of Fife, to Melval-house, the grand and beautiful seat of Lord Leven. He was not at home, being gone to Edinburgh, as the King's Commissioner • but the Countess was, with two of her daughters, and both her sons-in-law. At their desire, I preached in the evening, on, " It is appointed unto man once to die " ; and I believe God made the application. Thur. 20 It blew a storm ; nevertheless, with some difficulty, we crossed the Queen's-ferry. Sat. 22 (Edinburgh). — A famous actress, just come down from London (which, for the honour of Scotland, is just during the sitting of the Assembly), stole away a great part of our congregation to-night. How much wiser are these Scots than their forefathers ! Sun. 23. — I went in the morning to the Tolbooth kirk ; in the afternoon, to the old Episcopal chapel. But Aug. 1784 A BUSY WEEK AT 81 455 they have lost their glorying : they talked, the moment service was done, as if they had been in London. In the evening the Octagon was well filled ; and I applied, with all possible plainness, "God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Wesley at 81 Mon. June 38 (Epworth). — To-day I entered on my eighty-second year, and found myself just as strong to labour, and as fit for any exercise of body or mind, as I was forty years ago. I do not impute this to second causes, but to the Sovereign Lord of all. It is He who bids the sun of life stand still, so long as it pleaseth him. I am as strong at eighty-one, as I was at twenty-one ; but abundantly more healthy, being a stranger to the head-ache, tooth-ache, and other bodily disorders which attended me in my youth. We can only say, "The Lord reigneth 1 " While we live, let us live to him ! In the afternoon I went to Gainsborough, and willingly accepted the ofier of Mr. Dean's chapel. The audience was large and seemed much affected : possibly some good may be done even at Gainsborough 1 Tuesday, 39. I preached in the street at Scotter, to a large and deeply attentive congregation. It was a solemn and comfortable season. In the evening I read prayers and preached in Owstone church ; and again in the morning. Wednesday, 30. In the evening I preached at Epworth. In the residue of the week, I preached morning and evening in several of the neighbouring towns. Wed. Aug. 18 I went to Admiral Vaughan's, at Tracoon, one of the pleasantest seats in Great Britain. The house is embosomed in lofty woods, and does not appear till you drop down upon it. Tbe Admir^tl 456 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Nor. 1784 governs his family, as he did in his ship, with the utmost punctuality. The bell rings, and all attend without delay, whether at meals, or at morning and evening prayer. I preached at seven, on PhiL iii. 8 ; and spent the evening in serious conversation. Tues. 31. — Dr. Coke, Mr. AVhatcoat, and Mr. Vasey, came down from London, in order to embark for America. Wed. Sep. i. — Being now clear in my own mind, I took a step which I had long weighed in my mind, and appointed Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey to go and serve the desolate sheep in America. Thursday, 2. I added to them three more ; which, I verily believe, will be much to the glory of God. Sun. 12. — Dr. Coke read prayers, and I preached, in the new room. Afterward I hastened to Kingswood, and preached under the shade of that double row of trees which I planted about forty years ago. How little did any one then think that they would answer such an intention I The sun shone as hot as it used to do even in Georgia ; but his rays could not pierce our canopy ; and our Lord, meantime, shone upon many souls, and refreshed them that were weary. Burglary at WesIey^s House Sat. Nov. 2o (London).^ At three in the morning two or three men broke into our house, through the kitchen window. Thence they came up into the parlour, and broke open Mr. Moore's bureau, where they found two or three pounds : the night before I had prevented his leaving there seventy pounds, which he had just received. They next broke open the cupboard, and took away some silver spoons. Just at this time the alarum, which Mr. Moore^ by mistake, had set for half-past three Jan 1785 PREACHING IN NEWGATE 457 (instead of four), went off, as it usually did, with a thundering noise. At this the thieves ran away with all speed ; though their work was not half done ; and the whole damage which we sustained scarce amounted to six pounds. Sun. Dec. 26. — I preached the condemned criminals' sermon in Newgate. Forty-seven were under sentence of death. While they were coming in, there was some- thing very awful in the clink of their chains. But no sound was heard, either from them or the crowded audience, after the text was named, " There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, that need not repentance." The power of the Lord was eminently present, and most of the prisoners were in tears. A few days after, twenty of them died at once, five of whom died in peace. I could not but greatly approve of the spirit and be- haviour of Mr. Villette, the Ordinary , and I rejoiced to hear that it was the same on all similar occasions. Wesley at 81 Begs £200 FrL 31. — We had a solemn watch-night, and ushered in the new year with the voice of praise and thanks- giving. 1785. Sat. Jan. 1. — ^Whether this be the last or no, may it be the best year of my life 1 Sunday, 2. A larger number of people were present this evening at the re- newal of OH covenant with God, than was ever seen before on the occasion. Tues. 4. — At this season we usually distribute coals and bread among the poor of the society. But I now considered, they wanted clothes, as well as food. So on this, and the four following days I walked through the town, and begged two hundred pounds, in order to 458 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jan. 1785 clothe them that needed it most. But it was hard work as most of the streets were filled with melting snow, which often lay ankle deep ; so that my feet were steeped in snow water nearly from morning till evening; I held it out pretty well till Saturday evening ; but I was laid up with a violent flux, which increased every hour, till, at six in the morning. Dr. Whitehead called upon me. His first draught made me quite easy ; and three or four more perfected the cure. If he lives some years, I expect he will be one of the most eminent phy- sicians in Europe. I supposed my journeys this winter had been over ■ but I could not decline one more. Monday, 17. I set out for poor Colchester, to encourage the little flock. They had exceeding little of this world's goods, but most of them had a better portion. Tuesday, 18. I went on to Mistleythorn, a village near Manningtree. Some time since, one of the shipwrights of Deptford-yard, being sent hither to superintend the building of some men-of- war, began to read sermons on a Sunday evening in his own house. Afterwards he exhorted them a little, and then formed a little society. Some time after, he begged one of our preachers to come ever and help them. I now found a Uvely society, and one of the most elegant congregations I had seen for many years. Yet they seemed as willing to be instructed, as if they had lived in Kingswood. Wednesday, 19. I returned to Colchester J and on Thursday, 20, preached to a lovely congregation at Purfleet, and the next morning returned to London. Sun. 23. — I preached morning and afternoon at West- street, and in the evening in the chapel at Knightsbridge: I think it will be the last time ; for I know not that I have ever seen a worse-behaved congregatioo. Auo. 1785 AT CARISBROOK CASTLE 459 Tues. 25. — I spent two or three hours in the House of Lords. I had frequently heard that this was the most venerable assembly in England. But how was I dis- appointed 1 What is a lord, but a sinner, born to die I Fifty Years Growth of Methodism Thurs. March 24 (Worcester). — I was now consider- ing how strangely the grain of mustard-seed, planted about fifty years ago, has grown up. It has spread through all Great Britain and Ireland ; the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man ; then to America, from the Lee- ward Islands, through the whole continent, into Canada and Newfoundland. And the societies, in all these parts, walk by one rule, knowing religion is holy tempers ; and striving to worship God, not in form only, but likewise " in spirit and in truth." Tues. June 28. — By the good providence of God, I finished the eighty-second year of my age. Is anything too hard for God ? It is now eleven years since I have felt any such thing as weariness : many times I speak till my voice fails, and I can speak no longer ; frequently I walk till my strength fails, and I can walk no farther ; yet even then I feel no sensation of weariness, but am perfectly easy from head to foot. I dare not impute this to natural causes : it is the will of God. Tues. Aug. 9. — I crossed over to the Isle of Wight. Here also the work of God prospers : we had a comfort- able time at Newport, where is a very teachable, though uncommonly elegant, congregation. Wednesday, 10. We took a walk to the poor remains of Carisbrook-castle. It seems to have been once exceeding strong, standing on a steep ascent. But even what little of it is left is flow swiftly running to ruin. The window, indeed, through which King Charles attempted to make his 46* WESLEY'S JOURNAL Junb 1786 escape, is still in being ; and brought to my mind that whole train of occurrences, wherein the hand of God was so eminently seen. Thur. 25 About nine I preached at Mousehole^ where there is now one of the liveliest societies in Corn- wall. Hence we went to the Land's-end, in order to which we clambered down the rocks, to the very edge of the water ; and I cannot think but the sea has gained some hundred yards since I was here forty years ago. Wesley Visits the House of Lords 1 786. Mon. Jan. 9 At leisure hours this week, I read the Life of Sir William Penn, a wise and good man. But I was much surprised at what he relates concerning his first wife ; who lived, I suppose, fifty years, and said a little before her death, " I bless God, I never did anything wrong in my life ! " Was she then ever convinced of sin ? And if not, could she be saved on any other footing than a heathen ? Tues. 34. — I was desired to go and hear the King deliver his speech in the House of Lords. But how agreeably was I surprised I He pronounced every word with exact propriety. I much doubt whether there be any other king in Europe, that is so just and natural a speaker. Wed. June a 8. — I entered into the eighty-third year of my age. I am a wonder to myself. It is now twelve years since I have felt any such sensation as weariness, I am never tired (such is the goodness of God 1 ) either with writing, preaching, or travelling. One natural cause undoubtedly is, my continual exercise and change of air. How the latter contributes to health I know not ; but certainly it does. Oct. 1786 BUILDING EXTRAORDINAk* 461 The remainder of this Journal was not published in Wesley's lifetime and was not revised by him. The MS. was " so ill written as to be scarcely legible." • • ■ . Tues. Sept. 26. — Reached London. I now applied myself in earnest to the writing of Mr. Fletcher's Life, having procured the best materials I could. To this I dedicated all the time I could spare, till November, from five in the morning till eight at night. These are my studying hours ; I cannot write longer in a day without hurting my eyes. Wesley Visits Hatfield House Mon. Oct. 2. — I went to Chatham, and had much comfort with the loving, serious congregation in the evening, as well as at five in the morning. Tuesday, 3. We then ran down, with a fair, pleasant wind, to Sheer- ness. The preaching-house here is now finished, but by means never heard of. The building was undertaken a few months since, by a little handful of men, without any probable means of finishing it. But God so moved the hearts of the people in the dock, that even those who do not pretend to any religion, carpenters, shipwrights, labourers, ran up, at all their vacant hours, and worked with all their might, without any pay. By this means a large square house was soon elegantly finished, both within and without; and it is the neatest building, next to the new chapel in London, of any in the south of England. Thurs. 19. — I returned to London. In this journey I had a full sight of Lord Salisbury's seat, at Hatfield. The park is delightful. Both the fronts of the house are very handsome, though antique. The hall, the assembly- room, and the gallery are grand and beautiful. The 46« WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jam. 1787 chapel is extremely pretty ; but the furniture in general (excepting the pictures, many of which are originals) is just such as I should expect in a gentleman's house of five hundred a year. Sat. Dec. 23. — By great importunity I was iriduced (having little hope of doing good) to visit two of the felons in Newgate, who lay under sentence of death. They appeared serious ; but I can lay little stress on appearances of this kind. However, I wrote in their behalf to a great man ; and perhaps it was in conse- quence of this that they had a reprieve. Sun. 24. — I was desired to preach at the Old Jewry. But the church was cold, and so was the congregation. We had a congregation of another kind the next day, Christmas-day, at four in the morning, as well as five in the evening at the new chapel, and at West-street chapel about noon. Wesley's Threat to Deptford 1787. Mon. Jan. i. — We began the service at four In the morning, to an unusually large congregation. We had another comfortable opportunity at the new chapel at the usual hour, and a third in the evening at West- street. Tuesday, 2. I went over to Deptford; but it seemed, I was got into a den of lions. Most of the leading men of the society were mad for separating from the Church. I endeavoured to reason with them, but in vain : they had neither good sense nor eyen good manners left At length, after meeting the whole society, I told them, " If you are resolved, you may have your service in church-hours ; but, remember, from that time you will see my face no more." This struck deep ; and fi-om that hour I have heard no more of separating from the Church I July 1787 WESLEY IN DUBLIN 463 Monday, 8, and the four following days, I went a begging for the poor. I hoped to be able to provide food and raiment for those of the society who were in pressing want, yet had no weekly allowance : these were , about two hundred : but I was much disappointed. Six or seven, indeed, of our brethren, gave ten pounds apiece. If forty or fifty had done this, I could have carried my design into execution. However, much good was done with two hundred pounds, and many sorrowful hearts made glad. Wesley Visits the Irish Parliament House Wed. July 4. — I spent an hour at the New-Dargle, a gentleman's seat four or five miles from Dublin. I have not seen so beautiful a place in the kingdom. It equals the Leasowes in Warwickshire ; and it greatly exceeds them in situation ; all the walks lying on the side of a mountain, which commands all Dublin-bay, as well as an extensive and finely variegated land-prospect. A little river runs through it, which occasions two cascades, at a small distance from each other. Although many places may exceed this in grandeur, I believe none can exceed it in beauty. Afterwards I saw the Parliament-house. The House of Lords far exceeds that at Westminster; and the Lord-Lieutenant's throne as far exceeds that miserable throne (so called) of the King in the English House of Lords. The House of Commons is a noble room in- deed. It is an octagon, wainscoted round with Irish oak, which shames all mahogany, and galleried all round for the convenience of the ladies. The Speaker's chair is far more grand than the throne of the Lord-Lieutenant. But what surprised me above all, were the kitchens of the House, and the large apparatus for good eating. Tables 46* WESLEY'S JOURNAL Auo. 1787 were placed from one end of a large hall to the other j which, it seems, while the Parliament sits, are daily covered with meat at four or five o'clock, for the accom- modation of the Members. Wed. II. — At five I took an affectionate leave of this loving (Irish) people ; and, having finished all my busi- ness here, in the afternoon I went down with my friends, having taken the whole ship, and went on board the Prince of Wales, one of the Parkgate packets. At seven we sailed with a fair, moderate wind. Between nine and ten I lay down, as usual, and slept till near four, when I was waked by an uncommon noise, and found the ship lay beating upon a large rock, about a league from Holy- head. The captain, who had not long lain down, leaped up ; and, running upon the deck, when he saw how the ship lay, cried out, " Your lives may be saved, but I am undone ! " Yet no sailor swore, and no woman cried out. We immediately went to prayer j and presently the ship, I know not how, shot off the rock, and pursued her way, without any more damage than the wounding a few of her outside planks. About three in the after- noon we came safe to Parkgate; and in the evening went on to Chester. A Visit to the Channel Islands Mon. Aug. 13 — We set out from Yarmouth with a fair wind ; but it soon turned against us, and blew so hard that in the afternoon we were glad to put in at Swanage. Tues. 14. — Sailing on, with a fair wind, we fully ex- pected to reach Guernsey in the afternoon ; but the wind turning contrary, and blowing hard, we found it would be impossible. We then judged it best to put in at the Isle of Alderney ; but we were very near being ship* Aug. 1787 ON THE ISLE OF ALDERNEY 465 wrecked in the bay. When we were in the middle of the rocks, with the sea rippling all round us, the wind totally failed. Had this continued, we must have struck upon one or other of the rocks ; so we went to prayer, and the wind sprung up instantly. About sunset we landed ; and, though we had five beds in the same room, slept in peace. About eight I went down to a convenient spot on the beach, and began giving out a hymn. A woman and two little children joined us immediately. Before the hymn was ended, we had a tolerable congregation ; all of whom behaved well : part, indeed, continued at forty or fifty yards' distance ; but they were all quiet and attentive. "A Little Circamstance * It happened (to speak in the vulgar phrase) that three or four who sailed with us from England, a gentleman, with his wife and sister, were near relations of the Governor. He came to us this morning, and, when I went into the room, behaved with the utmost courtesy. This little circumstance may remove prejudice, and make a more open way for the Gospel. Soon after we set sail, and, after a very pleasant pas- sage, through little islands on either hand, we came to the venerable castle, standing on a rock, about a quarter of a mile from Guernsey. The isle itself makes a beautiful appearance, spreading as a crescent to the right and left ; about seven miles long, and five broad ; part high land, and part low. The town itself is boldly situated, rising higher and higher from the water. The first thing I observed in it was, very narrow streets, and e»':eeding high houses. But we quickly went on to Mr. De Jersey's, hardly a mile from the town. Here I found B most cordial welcome, both from the master of the so 466 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug, 1787 house, and all his family. I preached at seven, in a large room, to as deeply serious a congregation as I ever saw. Thur. 16. — I had a very serious congregation at five, in a large room of Mr. De Jersey's house. His gardens and orchards are of a vast extent, and wonderfully pleasant ; and I know no nobleman in Great Britain that has such variety of the most excellent fruit ; which he is every year increasing, either from France or other parts of the Continent. What quantity of fruit he has, you may conjecture from one sort only : — this summer he gathered fifty pounds of strawberries daily, for six weeks together. In the evening I preached at the other end of the town, in our own preaching-house. So many people squeezed in (though not near all who came), that it was as hot as a stove. But this none seemed to regard ; for the word of God was sharper than a two-edged sword. At the Governor's House Fri. 17. — I waited upon the Governor, and spent half an hour very agreeably. In the afternoon we took a walk upon the pier, the largest and finest I ever saw. The town is swiftly increasing ; new houses starting up on every side. In the evening I did not attempt to go into the house, but stood near it, in the yard, surrounded with tall, shady trees, and proclaimed to a large congregation, "God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." I believe many were cut to the heart this hour, and some not a httle comforted. Sat. 18. — Dr. Coke and I dined at the Governor's. I was well pleased to find other company. We conversed seriously for upwards of an hour, with a sensible, well- bred, agreeable man. In the evening I preached to ths largest congregation I have seen here. Aug. 1787 AT ST. HELIER 467 Sun. 19. — Joseph Bradford preached at six in the morning, at Montplaisir les Terres, to a numerous con- gregation. I preached at half an hour past eight, and the house contained the congregation. At ten I went to the French church, where there was a large and well- behaved congregation. At five we had the largest con- gregation of all "Because I have Lived so Many Yeais** Mon. 20. — We embarked between three and four in the morning, in a very small, inconvenient sloop, and not a swift sailer; so that we were seven hours in sailing what is called seven leagues. About eleven we landed at St. Helier, and went straight to Mr. Brackenbury's house. It stands very pleasantly, near the end of the town ; and has a large, convenient garden, with a lovely range of fruitful hills, which rise at a small distance from it. I preached in the evening to an exceeding serious congregation, on Matt. iii. ult.': and almost as many were present at five in the morning; whom I exhorted to go on to perfection. Tues. 21. — We took a walk to one of our friends in the country. Near his house stood what they call the college. It is a free school, designed to train up children for the university ; exceeding finely situated, in a quiet recess, surrounded by tall woods. Not far from it stands, on the top of a high hill (I suppose a Roman mount), an old chapel, believed to be the first Christian church which was built in the island. From hence we had a view of the whole island, the pleasantest I ever saw ; as far superior to the Isle of Wight as that is to the Isle of Man. The little hills, almost covered with large trees, «re inexpressibly beautiful : it seems they are to be equalled in the Isle of Guernsey. In the evening I was 468 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1787 obliged to preach abroad, on, " Now is the day of salvation." I think a blessing seldom fails to attend that subject. Wed. 22. — In the evening, the room not containing the people, I was obliged to stand in the yard. I preached on Rom. iii. 22, 23 ; and spoke exceeding plain : even the gentry heard with deep attention. How little does God turn to his own glory ! Probably many of these flock together, because I have lived so many years. And perhaps even this may be the means of their living for ever. Detained by Contfary Winds Mon. 27. — Captain Cabot, the master of a Guernsey sloop, called upon us early in the morning, and told us, if we chose to go that way, he would set out between five and six. But the wind being quite contrary, we judged it best to wait a little longer. In the evening, being appointed to preach at seven, I was obliged to preach within. We were extremely crowded j but the power of God was so manifested while I declared, " We preach Jesus Christ, and him crucified," that we soon forgot the heat, and were glad of being detained a little longer than we intended. I thought when I left Soiithampton, to have been there again as this day ; but God's thoughts were not as my thoughts. Here we are shut up in Jersey j for how long we cannot tell. But it is all well ; for thou, Lord, hast done it. Tues. 28. — Being still detained by contrary winds, I preached at six in the evening to a larger congregation than ever, in the assembly-room. It conveniently con- tains five or six hundred people. Most of the gentry were present ; and I believe felt that God was there in an uncommon degree. Being still detained, I preached Die. 1787 WESLEY SITS TO A PAINTER 469 there again the next evening, to a larger congregation than ever. I now judged, I had fully delivered my own soul : and in the morning, the wind serving for Guernsey, and not for Southampton, I returned thither not unwil- lingly J since it was not by my choice, but by the clear providence of God : for in the afternoon I was offered the use of the assembly-room ; a spacious chamber in the market-place, which would contain thrice as many as our former room. I willingly accepted the offer, and preached at six to such a congregation as I had not seen here before; and the word seemed to sink deep into their hearts. I trust it will not return empty. Tues. Sept. 4. — The storm continued, so that we could not stir. I took a walk to-day, through what is called the New-ground, where the gentry are accustomed to walk in the evening. Both the upper ground, which is as level as a bowling-green, and the lower, which is planted with rows of trees, are wonderfully beautiful. In the evening I fully delivered my own soul, by showing what it is to build upon a rock. But still we could not sail; the wind being quite contrary, as well as exceeding high. Sails for Penzance It was the same on Wednesday. In the afternoon we drank tea at a friend's, who was mentioning a captain just come from France, that proposed to sail in the morning for Penzance; for which the wind would serve, though not for Southampton. In this we plainly saw the hand of God; so we agreed with him im- mediately; and in the morning, Thursday, 6, went on board with a fair, moderate wind ; but we had but just entered the ship when the wind died away. We cried to God for help ; and it presently sprung up, exactly fair, and it did not cease till it brought us into Penzance bay. ♦70 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Afml 1788 Sat. Dec. a a. — I jrielded to the importunity of a painter, and sat an hour and a half, in all, for my picture. I think it was the best that was ever taken; but what is the picture of a man above fourscore? Wesley on His Old Age Sat. March i. — ^Being Leap-year.) I considered, what difference do I find by an increase of years ? I find, I. Less activity; I walk slower, particularly up- hill : 2. My memory is not so quick : 3. I cannot read so quick by candle-light. But I bless God, that all my other powers of body and mind remain just as they were. Sat. April 19. — We went on to Bolton, where I preached in the evening in one of the most elegant houses in the kingdom, and to one of the liveliest congre- gations. And this I must avow, there is not such a set of singers in any of the Methodist congregations in the three kingdoms. There cannot be; for we have near a hundred such trebles, boys and girls, selected out of our Sunday-schools, and accurately taught, as are not found together in any chapel, cathedral, or music-room within the four seas. Besides, the spirit with which they all sing, and the beauty of many of them, so suits the melody, that I defy any to exceed it ; except the singing of angels in our Father's house. Sun. 20. — At eight, and at one, the house was thoroughly filled. About three I met between nine hun- dred and a thousand of the children belonging to our Sunday-schools. I never saw such a sight before. They were all exactly clean, as well as plain, in their apparel All were serious and well-behaved. Many, both boys and girls, had as beautiful faces as, I believe, England or Europe can afford. When they all sung together, and none of them out of tune, the melody was beyond jum 1788 WESLEf AT EIGHTY-FOUR 471 that of any theatre; and, what is the best of all, many of them truly fear God, and some rejoice in his salvation. These are a pattern to all the town. Their usual diver- sion is to visit the poor that are sick (sometimes six, or eight, or ten together), to exhort, comfort, and pray with them. Frequently ten or more of them get together to sing and pray by themselves ; sometimes thirty or fortj ; and are so earnestly engaged, alternately singing, praying and crying, that they know not how to part. You chil- dren that hear this, why should not you go and do like- wise 7 Is not God here as well as at Bolton ? Let God arise and maintain his own cause, even " out of the mouths of babes and sucklings I " Wesley's Reasons for His Long Life Sat. June aS. — I this day enter on my eighty-fifth year : and what cause have I to praise God, as for a thousand spiritual blessings, so for bodily blessings also I How little have I suffered yet by " the rush of numerous years 1 " It is true, I am not so agile as I was in times past I do not run or walk so fast as I did ; my sight is a little decayed ; my left eye is grown dim, and hardly serves me to read; I have daily some pain in the ball of my right eye, as also in my right temple (occasioned by a blow received some months since), and in my right shoulder and arm, which I impute partly to a sprain, and partly to the rheumatism. I find likewise some decay in my memory, with regard to names and things lately past ; but not at all with regard to what I have read or heard twenty, forty, or sixty years ago; neither do I find any decay in my hearing, smell, taste, or appetite (though I want but a third part of the food I did once); nor do I feel any such thing as weariness, either in travelling 01 preaching : and I am not conscious 47!l WESLEY'S JOURNAL Juni 1788 of any decay in writing sermons ; which I do as readily, and I believe as correctly, as ever. To what cause can I impute this, that I am as I am 7 First, doubtless, to the power of God, fitting me for the work to which I am called, as long as he pleases to con- tinue me therein J and, next, subordinately to this, to the prayers of his children. May we not impute it as inferior means, I. To my constant exercise and change of air ? 3. To my never having lost a night's sleep, sick 01 well, at land or at sea, since I was born ? 3. To my having sleep at command ; so that when- ever I feel myself almost worn out, I call it, and it comes, day or night ? 4. To my having constantly, for above si^ty years, risen at four in the morning ? ' 5. To my constant preaching at five in the morning, for above fifty years ? 6. To my having had so little pain in my life; and so little sorrow, or anxious care ? Even now, though I find pain daily in my eye, or temple, or arm ; yet it is never violent, and seldom lasts many minutes at a time. Whether or not this is sent to give me warning that I am shortly to quit this tabernacle, I do not know ; but be it one way or the other, I have only to say, My remnant of days I spend to his praise Who died the whole world to redcoat Be they many or few, My days are bis due, And they all are devoted to Him I I preached in the morning on Psalm xc. la; in the evening on Acts xiii. 40, 41 ; and endeavoured to ins prove the hours between to the best advantage. JuLT 1788 WESLEY'S PERPLEXITY 47« Sun. 29 — At eight I preached at Misterton, as usual, ■bout one to a numerous congregation at Newby, near Haxey; and about four at my old stand in Epworth market-place, to the great congregation. Sun. July 6. — I came to Epworth before the church service began ; and was glad to observe the seriousness with which Mr. Gibson read prayers, and preached a plain useful sermon ; but was sorry to see scarce twenty com- municants, half of whom came on my account. I was informed likewise, that scarce fifty persons used to at- tend the Sunday service. What can be done to remedy this soie evil ? "What is to be Done?" I fain would prevent the members here from leaving the Church ; but I cannot do it. As Mr. G. is not a pious man, but rather an enemy to piety, who frequently preaches against the truth, and those that hold and love it, I cannot with all my influence persuade them either to hear him, or to attend the sacrament administered by him. If I cannot carry this point even while I live, who then can do it when I die ? And the case of Epworth is the case of every church where the minister neither loves nor preach the Gospel. The Methodists will not attend his ministrations. What then is to be done? At four I preached in the market-place, on Rom. vi. a$ J and vehemently exhorted the listening multitude to choose the better part. Mon. 7. — Having taken leave of this aflfectionate people, probably for the last time, I went over to Fin- ningleyj and preached at eleven, on that verse in the second lesson, Luke xix. 42. After dinner we walked over Mr. H.'8 domain, the like to which I never saw in 47* WESLEY'S JOURNAL Ave. 1788 so small a compass. It contains a rabit-warren, deer, swans, pheasants in abundance, besides a fish-pond and an elegant garden. Variety indeed ! But is there no danger that such a multitude of things should divert the mind from the " one thing needful ? " An Important Conference I preached at the new chapel (London) every evening during the conference, which continued nine days, be- ginning on Tuesday, July 29, and ending on Wednesday, August 6 : and we found the time little enough ; being obliged to pass over many things very briefly, which deserved a fuller consideration. Sun. Aug. 3. — I preached at the new chaapel, so filled as it scarce ever was before, both morning and evening. Mon. 4. At five we had a good evening congregation ; and I believe many felt the power of the word; or, rather, of God, speaking therein. One of the most important points considered at this conference, was that of leaving the Church. The sum of a long conversation was, i. That, in a course of fifty years, we had neither premeditately nor willingly varied from it in one article either of doctrine or discipline. 2. That we were not yet conscious of varying from it in any point of doctrine. 3. That we have in a course of years, out of necessity, not choice, slowly and warily varied in some points of discipline, by preaching m the fields, by extemporary prayer, by employing lay preachers, bv forming and regulating societies, and by holding yearly conferences. But we did none of these things till we were convinced we could no longer omit them, but at the peril of our souls. Wed. 6. — Our conference ended, as it began, in great peace. We kept this day as a fast, meeting at Dec. 1788 WESLEY IN HIGHGATE 475 five, nine, and one, for prayer ; and concluding the day with a solemn watch-night. The three following days I retired, revised my papers, and finished all the work I had to do in London. Sun. 10. I was engaged in a very unpleasing work; the discharge of an old servant. She had been my housekeeper at West-street for many years, and was one of the best housekeepers I had had there; but her husband was so notorious a drunkard, that I could not keep them in the house any longer. She received her dismission in an excellent spirit, praying God to bless us all. I preached in the morning at West-street to a large congregation, but to a far larger at the new chapel in the evening. It seems the people in general do not expect that I shall remain among them a great while after my brother ; and that, therefore, they are willing to hear while they can. In the evening we set out in the mail coach, and early in the morning got to Portsmouth. Sat. Sept. 6. — ^I walked over to Mr. Henderson's, at Hannam, and thence to Bristol. But my friends, more kind than wise, would scarce suffer it. It seemed so sad a thing to walk five or' six miles I I am ashamed, that a Methodist preacher, in tolerable health, should make any difiSculty of this. M' 'Tlie Gentle Steps of Age" Mon. Dec. 15. — In the evening I preached at Miss Teulon's school in Highgate. I think it was the coldest night I ever remember. The house we were in stood on the edge of the hill, and the east wind set full in the window. I counted eleven, twelve, one, and was then obliged to dress, the cramp growing more and more violent. But in the morning, not only the cramp was gone, but likewise the lameness which used to follow it 476 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Jaw. 1789 Abont this time I was reflecting on the gentle stepj whereby age steals upon us. Take only one instance. Four years ago my sight was as good as it was at iive- and-twenty. I then began to observe that I did not see things quite so clear with my left eye as with my right; all objects appeared a little browner to that eye. I began next to find some difficulty in reading a small print by candle-light A year after, I found it in reading such a print by day-light. In winter, 1786, 1 could not well read our four-shilling hymn-book, unless with a large candle; the next year I could not read letters, if wrote with a small or bad hand. Last winter a pearl appeared on my left eye, the sight of which grew exceeding dim. The right eye seems unaltered ; only I am a great deal nearer sighted than ever I was. Thus are " those that look out at the windows darkened " ; one of the marks of old age. But I bless God, " the grasshopper is " not " a burden." I am still capable of travelling, and my memory is much the same as ever it was ; and so, I think, is my understanding. Wesley Sits to Romney 1789. Thur. Jan. i. — If this is to be the last year of my life, according to some of those prophecies, I hope it will be the best. I am not careful about it, but heartily receive the advice of the angel in Milton, — "How well b thine : how long permit to Heaven.' Mon. 5. — At the earnest desire of Mrs. T , 1 once more sat for my picture. Mr. Romney is a painter indeed. He struck off an exact likeness at once ; and did more in one hour than Sir Joshua did in ten. Fri. 9. — I left no money to any one in my will, ^^ecause I had none. But now considering, that, when* April 1789 WESLEY ANTICIPATES DEATH 477 ever I am removed, money will soon arise by the sale of books, I added a few legacies by a codicil, to be paid as soon as may be. But I would fain do a little good while I live; for who can tell what will come after him? Tues. 13. — I spent a day or two with my good old friends at Newington. Thursday, 15. I retired to Camberwell, and carried on my Journal, probably as far as I shall live to write it. Tues. 20. — I retired in order to finish my year's accounts. If possible, I must be a better economist; for instead of having anything beforehand, I am now considerably in debt : but this I do not like. I would fain settle even my accounts before I die. Wesley Explains Methodism Sunday, March i, was a solemn day indeed. The new chapel was sufficiently crowded both morning and afternoon ; and few that expected a parting blessing, were disappointed of their hope. At seven in the evening I took the mail-coach ; and having three of our brethren, we spent a comfortable night, partly in sound sleep, and partly in singing praise to God. It will now quickly be seen whether they who prophesied some time since, that I should not outlive this month, be sent of God or not. One way or the other, it is my care to be always ready. April 12 (Dublin). — (Being Easter-day.) We had a solemn assembly indeed ; many hundred communicants in the morning ; and in the afternoon far more hearers than our room would contain, though it is now con- siderably enlarged. Afterwards I met the society, and explained to them ,at large the original design of the Methodists, namely, not to be a distinct party, but to 478 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Aug. 1789 stir up all parties, Christians or heathens, to worship God in spirit and in truth ; but the Church of England in particular ; to which they belonged from the beginning. With this view I have uniformly gone on for fifty years, never varying from the doctrine of the Church at all ; nor from her discipline, of choice, but of necessity : so, in a course of years, necessity was laid upon me (as I have proved elsewhere), i. To preach in the open air. 2. To pray extempore. 3. To form societies. 4. To accept of the assistance of lay preachers : and, in a few other instances, to use such means as occurred, to prevent or remove evils that we either felt or feared. Wesley Describes Himself at Eighty'five Sun. June 38 In the conclusion of the morning service, we had a remarkable blessing : and the same in the evening, moving the whole congregation as the heart of one man. This day I enter on my eighty-sixth year. I now find I grow old: i. My sight is decayed; so that I cannot read a small print, unless in a strong light. 2, My strength is decayed ; so that I walk much slower than I did some years since. 3. My memory of names, whether of persons or places, is decayed ; till I stop a little to recollect them. What I should be afraid of, is, if I took thought for the morrow, that my body should weigh down my mind ; and create either stubbornness, by the decrease of my understanding ; or peevishness, by the increase of bodily infirmities : but Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God. Sat. Aug. 8 — I settled all my temporal business, and, in particular, chose a new person to prepare the Arminian Magazine ; being obliged, however unwillingly, to drop Mr. O , for only these two reasons : x. The errata Painted in 1789 by William Hamilton, R. A. {The original is nnir in Vntutnal Portrait QaUery) KEV. JOHN WESLEY, A. M. Aug. 1789 WESLEY'S BAD SUB-EDITOR 479 are unsufferable; I have borne them for these twelve years, but can bear them no longer. 3. Several pieces are inserted without my knowledge, both in prose and verse. I must try whether these things cannot be amended for the short residue of my life. "How Is the Tide Turned" Mon. 17. — In the afternoon, as we could not pass by the common road, we procured leave to drive round by some fields, and got to Falmouth in good time. The last time I was here, about forty years ago, I was taken prisoner by an immense mob, gaping and roaring like lions : but how is the tide turned 1 High and low now lined the street, from one end of the town to the other, out of stark love and kindness, gaping and staring as if the King were going by. In the evening I preached on the smooth top of the hill, at a small distance from the sea, to the largest congregation I have ever seen in Cornwall, except in or near Redruth. And such a time I have not known before, since I returned from Ireland. God moved wonderfully on the hearts of the people, who all seemed to know the day of their visitation. Wed. 19. — I preached at noon in the high street in Helstone, to the largest and most serious congregation which I ever remember to have seen there. Thursday, 20. I went on to St. Just, and preached in the evening to a lovely congregation, many of whom have not left their first love. Friday, ai. About eleven I preached Newlyn, and in the evening at Penzance ; at both places I was obliged to preach abroad. Saturday, 22. I crossed over to Redruth, and at six preached to a huge multitude, as usual, from the steps of the market-house. The ward seemed to sink deep into every heart. I know not that ever I spent such a week in Cornwall before. 480 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Dec. 1789 Sun. aj. — I preached there again in the morning, and in the evening at the amphitheatre ; I suppose, for the last time ; for my voice cannot now command tha still increasing multitude. It was supposed they were now more than five-and-twenty thousand. I think it scarce possible that all should hear. Thurs. Oct. 8. — I am now as well, by the good providence of God, as I am likely to be while I live. My sight is so decayed that I cannot well read by candle-light ; but I can write as well as ever : and my strength is much lessened, so that I cannot easily preach above twice a day. But, I bless God, my memory is not much decayed ; and my understanding is as dear as it has been these fifty years. Wesley's Eighty'sizth Cbristmas Fri. Dec. 23. — (Being Christmas-day.) We began the service in the new chapel at four o'clock, as usual j where I preached again in the evening, after having oflSciated in West-street at the common hour. Sunday. 27. I preached in St. Luke's, our parish church, in the afternoon, to a very numerous congregation, on, " The Spirit and the Bride say. Come." So are the tables turned, that I have now more invitations to preach in churches than I can accept of. Mon. 28. — I retired to Peckham ; and at leisure hours read part of a very pretty trifle — the Life of Mrs. Bellamy. Surely never did any, since John Dryden, study more To make vice pleasing, and damnation shine. than this lively and elegant writer. Abundance of anecdotes she inserts, which may be true or false. One of them, concerning Mr. Garrick, is curious. She says, "When he was taking ship for England, a JwNB 1790 GARRICK AND WESLEY'S HYMNS 481 lady presented him with a parcel, which she desired him not to open till he was at sea. When he did, he found Wesley's Hymns, which he immediately threw overboard." I cannot believe it. I think Mr. G. had more sense. He knew my brother well ; and he knew him to be not only far superior in learning, but in poetry, to Mr. Thojison, and all his theatrical writers put together : none of them can equal him, either in strong, nervous sense, or purity and elegance of language. The musical compositions of his sons are not more excellent than the poetical ones of their father. Thur. 31. — I preached at the new chapel; but, to avoid the cramp, went to bed at ten o'clock. I was well served. I know not that I ever before felt so much of it in one night. The Last Year of the Journal 1790. Fri. Jan. i, — I am now an old man, decayed from head to foot. My eyes are dim ; my right hand shakes much ; my mouth is hot and dry every morning ; I have a lingering fever almost every day ; my motion is weak and slow. However, blessed be God, I do not slack my labour : I can preach and write still. Sun. 17. — In the afternoon I preached in Great St. Helen's, to a large congregation. It is, I believe, fifty years since I preached there before. What has God wrought since that time 1 Tues. Feb. 23. — I submitted to importunity, and once more sat for my picture. I could scarce believe myself ; — the picture of one in his eighty-seventh year ! Mon. June 28. — This day I enter into my eighty- eighth year. For above eighty-six years, I found none of the infirmities of old age ; my eyes did not wax dim, neither was my natural strength abated : but last August as 482 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Sift. 1790 I found almost a sudden change. My eyes were so dim, that no glasses would help me. My strength likewise quite forsook me ; and probably will not return in this world. But I feel no pain from head to foot; only it seems nature is exhausted; and, humanly speaking, will sink more and more, till The weaiy springs of life stand still at last Thur. July i. — I went to Lincoln. After dinner we took a walk in and around the Minster ; which I really think is more elegant than that at York, in various parti of the structure, as well as in its admirable situation. The new house was thoroughly filled in the evening, and with hearers uncommonly serious. There seems to be a remarkable difference between the people of Lincoln, and those of York. They have not so much fire and vigour of spirit; but far more mildness and gentleness; by means of which, if they had the same outward helps, they would probably excel their neighbours. A Backsliding Innkeeper Some miles short of Lincoln, our post-boy stopped at an inn on the road, to give his horses a little water. As soon as we went in, the innkeeper burst into tears, as did his wife ; wringing her hands, and weeping bitterly. " What I " he said, " are you come into my house I My father is John Lester, of Epworth." I found both he and his wife had been of our society, till they left them. We spent some time in prayer together ; and I trust not in vain. Sat. Sept. 4. — I went on to Bath, and preached in the evening to a serious, but small congregation, for want of notice. Sun. 5. At ten we had a numerous congregation, and Oct. 1790 CONLmMJNS PREACHING THRICE 483 more communicants, than ever I saw here before. This day I cut off that vile custom, I know not when or how it began, of preaching three times a day, by the same preacher to the same congregation; enough to weary out both the bodies and minds of the speaker, as well as his hearers. Surely God is returning to this society 1 They are now in earnest to make their calling and election sure. "I Am Become an Honourable Man" Mon. Oct. II I went (from London) to Colchester, and still found matter of humiliation. The society was lessened, and cold enough; preaching again wu discontinued, and the spirit of Methodism quite gone, both from the preachers and the people : yet we had a wonderful congregation in the evening, rich and poor, clergy and laity. So we had likewise on Tuesday evening. So that I trust God will at length build up the waste places. Wed. 13. — ^We set out early, but found no horses at Cobdock; so that we were obliged to go round by Ipswich, and wait there half an hoiu:. Nevertheless, wa got to Norwich between two and three. In the evening I preached at Norwich ; but the house would in no wise contain the congregation. How wonderfully is the tide turned 1 I am become an honourable man at Norwich. God has at length made our enemies to be at peace with us ; and scarce any but Antinomians open their mouth against us. Thur. 14. — I went to Yarmouth ; and, at length, found a society in peace, and much united together. In the evening the congregation was too large to get into the preaching-house ; yet they were far less noisy than usual After supper a little company went to prayer. 484 WESLEY'S JOURNAL Oct. 1790 and the power of God fell upon us ; especially when a young woman broke out into prayer, to the surprise and comfort of us all. Fri. 15. I went to Lowestoft, to a steady, loving, well-united society. The more strange it is, that they neither increase nor decrease in number. Sat. 16. I preached at Loddon about one; and at six in Norwich. Sun. 17. At seven I administered the Lord's supper to about one hundred and fifty persons, near twice as many as we had last year. Wesley's Last Entries Mon. 18. — No coach going out for Lynn to-day, I was obliged to take a post-chaise. But at Dereham no horses were to be hadj so we were obliged to take the same horses to Swaffham. A congregation was ready here, that filled the house, and seemed quite ready to receive instruction. But here neither could we procure any post-horsei ; so that we were obliged to take a single-horse chaise. The wind, with mizzling rain, came full in our faces: and we had nothing to screen us from it; so that I was throughly chilled firom head to foot before I came to Lynn. But I soon forgot this little inconvenience; for which the earnestness of the congregation made me large amends. Tues. 19. — In the evening all the Clergymen in the town, except one, who was lame, were present at the preaching. They are all prejudiced in favour of the Methodists ; as indeed are most of the townsmen ; who give a fair proof by contributing so much to our Sunday- schools ; so that there is near twenty pounds in hand. Wed. 30. — I had appointed to preach at Diss; a JOHN W ES L E=Y^M A-. BORN JUNE 17. 1703:DtED MARCH 2.1751 CHARLES-WESLEY. M.A. 30RN DEC.E:MB:ER 18 |.70S: DIEQ M A RC H "2 9 .. I 7 8 & I / ■ f 3, y-. THE BEST OF ALL IS COD IS WITH US'. ■M-LOOK UPOM fll-L THE WORLD iS MY PARISH--^ WESLEY'S MEMORIAL IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY Oct. 1790 WESLEY'S JOURNAL CEASES 485 town near Scoleton ; but the difficulty was, where I could preach. The minister was willing I should preach in the church ; but feared offending the bishop, who, going up to London, was within a few miles of the town. But a gentleman asking the bishop whether he had any objection to it, was answered, " None at all." I think this church is one of the largest in this county. I suppose it has not been so filled these hundred years. This evening and the next I preached at Bury, to a deeply attentive congregation, many of whom know in whom they have believed. So that here we have not lost all our labour. Fri, 22. — We returned to London. Sun. 24. — I explained, to a numerous congregation In Spitalfields church, " the whole armour of God." St. Paul's, Shadwell, was still more crowded in the after- noon, while I enforced that important truth, " One thing is needful " ; and I hope many, even then, resolved t* choose the better part. INDEX ABBRDAKK, VUtl IS) 167, I7S Aberdeen ministen, encouragement of Methodism by, 294 Old Aberdeen, invitation to preach at, 374 preaching in college Idrk, , 339. 3SS. 375 freaehing-house, erection of, ■oaety, commendatiao tl, 338, 355 visits to, 374, 375, 408 Aberdeen University, 410 Abergavenny, field preaehlnf at. Acadents to Wesley driving, 368, 403, 416 escapes from, 398, 396, 395, 41^ fidls, 195, 439 riding, 58, 63, 107, 154. 156, 178, 350, 305, 331, 360 Accounts Societies, Methodist, sm that title Wesley's, 393, 477 Age, Weslejrs, allusions to, 358, 36s. 392. 396, 410, 418, 438, 437, 439. 455. 459. 460. 468, 470. 471. 476, 478, 480, 481 Aghrim, pleaching at, 384 Aldrich'i " Logic,^ translatloB et, 179 Alnwiek apprenticeship customs at, 009 preaching at, 173, 196. ass, 306. 377 Alston, preaching at, 350 Alstone Moor, wanderings on, 174 Ambleside, visits to, 338, 453 America ioumeyingt in, lo, 13, 15, 15 Methodism In, 439 appointment of ministen for work in, 456 America Methodism In money and preachers, offers of, 347 progress of work, 350 statistics, xxxii *oyage to, 3, 4, 27 lifeons,s." Simmonds,"3 storms, see that title ste also Georgia and Savannah American Independence, War of " Calm Address to the Ameri- can Colonies," 403 charity sermon for widows and orphans of British sol- diers fallen in, 404 Amsterdam, impression* of, 448 Anabaptists Cheltenham, minister's oppo- sition at, 335 preaching to, Annesley, Dr., 60 Apparitions, Glasgow lezton's story, 331 ste also Dreams Apples and apple-tea, eniia tot quinsey, 159 Arbroath Abbey ruins, visit to, 355 freedom of, Wesley's presen- tation with, 376 reformation effected at, 376 Armagh, Archbishop's improve- ments at, 389 Army, the, and Wesley Cork Barracks, defence of Methodist preachers at, 186 Fort George, officers' invita- tion to Wesley at, 354 Holyhead, attacks of officers at, 181 Portsmouth Camp, vacant chaplaincy at, 425 preaching, attendance of sol- diers at Athlone, i^f *M INDEX Aimy, the, and Wesley preaching, attendance of lol- diers at Canterbury, 3a6, 227, 361 Clonmel, 233 Dover, 226, 332 Durham Militia, 341 Kinsale, 186, 202 Nenagh, 169 Plymouth Dock, 449 wickedness in, 170, 202 Newcastle, Wesley's offer of services at, 144 Arrests of Methodist preachen, let that title of Wesley at Edinburgh, 394 St Just, 130 Savannah, 18 Tolcam, threatened arrast at, 136 Art, criticisms on, 370 Ashburton, preaching to tmmly mob at, 326 Ashkayton, visit to ruins at, 364 Assaults on Wesley resistance to, 127 sa also Mobbing Astronomy, views on, 262, 330 Athlone conduct in church, influenoe of Methodists on, 288 preaching at, 157, 172 welcome by boys at, 160 Athol's, Duke of, gardens, visit to^ 374 Aurora Borealis, 350 Axminster, preaching at, 335 Aymo, refusal of admittance to inn at, 189 Baildon, preaching at, 304 Baldock, storm at, 147 Baldon Ferry, passage of, 330 Ballibacfeny, accident to chain at, 386 Balliboy, preacliing at, 160 Balligarane, visit to, 364 Ballinasloe, preaching at, 384 Ballinrobe, preaching at, 386 Ballyrane, visit to, 385 Bandon, visits to, 184, 185, 303, 346 Banff, impressions o(, 408 Bangor, visit to, 336 Bankrupts, exclusion of, horn Methodist societies, 312 Barley Hall, preaching at, 283 Barlow's, Mr., Sermons, coa» ments on, 151 Barnard's Castle fast day, adoption of, 396 growth of Methodism at, 377 preaching at, 200, 341 schoolfellow, visit to, sa Char- terhouse Barrowiord, escape from mob at, 163 Basingstoke, preaching at, 47 Bass Rock, visit to, 376 Bateman't, Mr,, house, visit to^ 367 Bath ox, roasting whole, 439 preaching at, 48, 50, S9. »S4« 246, 300, 483 Battersea, preaching at, 328 " Baxter's Life," comments on,3l] Bearfield, preaching at, 64 Beau Nash, argument with, 5t Bedford, preaching at, 34S Bedfordshire, tour through, 393 Bedminster, field preaching at, 299 Beecher's, Alderman, refusal to admit Wesley to condemned prisoners, 71 Beercrocomb, journey to, 149 Beergarrow, preaching at, 435 Beggar Settlement near Keith, 409 Belfast, visit to, 391 BeUnger's, Mr., hospitality, 14 "Bel&my, Mrs., Life of — con- ments on, 480 Bennet, J., association with, 174 Berkeley Castle, visit to, 398 Berwick, visits to, 173, 196, 306 Bethnal Green charity sermon for widowi and orphans of British sol- diers killed in Amtricaii War, 404 poverty at, 413 Beverley Min5ter,'vlslt to, 3*4 Bigotry, condemnation of, 36^ 373 Bilbrook, preaching at, 314 Bingham, preaching at, 3^ Birds, Wesley on Solund geese, 376 song birds in Isle of Man, 434 Birmingham journey tlirough, 36 INDEX 489 Bbningham mobbing at, 309 work in, 114, 177, 336 Hit, preaching at, 160, 17a Birstall, visits to, 86, 403 Birth, Wesley's, xjoci Bishops, authority of, 415 Blackheath, field preaching at, 57 Blackwell's, Mr., house at Lewis- ham, retirement at, 440 Blanchland, preaching to lead miners at, 149 Blarney, meeting with Cork Me- thodists at, 17X Blazed trees, 25 Blendon, visits to Mr. Delamotte «t, 3a Faith, Justification by.Wesley preaches, 40 Blenheim House, impressions of, 369 Boardman, Richard, volunteer for work in America, 347 Bogs, journeys through, 174, 3x6^ 323 B&hler, Peter Carolina, departure for, 43 influence onWesIey's religiona life. 35. 36. 39. 40. 4ii 74 Introduction to, 33, xzxi travel witli, 34 Bolton Methodist choir si, 470 preaching barber's story, ig6 mob violence, 165, 175 tide to, 337 Bonas, journey through, 907 Books, Wesley and abridgments, 193, 193, 344 criticisms on, 64, 76, 151, 173, 304, 315, 263, 333, 334, 344, 35°. 3SI. 370. 374. 379. 408, 480, 481 •ditions, 177, 193, 193, 195, 406 ut *lso Names of books,— Writings, Wesley's, &c. Boothbank, preaching at, 806 BorUse, Dr. peisecutioii of Methodist pica- chers, 137, 129 variant for Wesley's arrest, 130 Bonnighbridge, journey through, 107 Boston, ?liitt to, 383, 43! Battle, Journey through, 353 Bougainvilliers', Count of, " Ufa of Mahomet," comments on,333 Brackenbury, Mr. hospitality at St. Helier, 467 journey with, 443 Bradford building, Methodist, tet Preaching-houses preaching at. 59. 3*4. 3S0 Bradford, Joseph Guernsey, preaching in, 467 journey with, 431 Wesley's last illness, xxx Bramley, preaching at, 380, 43J Breage, visit to, 333 Brechin preaching at, 395, 37s provost's son, cure of, 340 Brecknock, visits to, 178, 228, 4*4 Brecknockshirejsceneiy, 398 Brent Hill, view from, 349 Brentford, preaching at, 328 Bridgewater, journey through, 349 Bridlington, preaching at, 423 Brig Casterton, snowy journey from, 148 Brimstone plaster, experiment of, 313 Bristol, Wesley and blading, Methodist, first in England, xxxi erection of, 49, xxxi repairing and enlarging, collections for, 154 kot wells, drinking the waters at, 314 iUness at, 79 Newgate Prison, su that title riot against Methodists, 70 ■odety, Methodist classes, institution of, xxxi conferences, 138, 237 rales, consideration of, 237 Steed, Ann, first convert, 293 visits to, 46, 136, 173, 195, 304, 306, 343, 398 work in, 48, 50, 57, 79> 138. 177, 325, 337, 363, 300 Bristol Cathedral, performance of Handel's " Messiah " at, 250 Broadbent, Mr., association with, 443 Broadmarston, visit* to, 336, 398 Bromlejr, arectloB af laaacUDg- howM at, 3Sa INDEX Broidejr prnehlnKat, 397 Severn Bridge, vleir of, 43a Bratheis, Wesley's Tiverton, visit to brother at, 35 jw mlm Weslef, ChariM Brough, preaching at, 341 Brooghton's, Mr,, opinion on Wesley's doctrine of faith, 41 Broughty Castle, crossingthe fetiy •t, 39s Buckingham's, Mr,, abandonment of Methodism, 337 Boilth, preaching at, 178, 938 Burglary at We^iey's house, 456 Burials Ireland, howling at funerals In, 187 Scotch rite of, 394 uealst Funerals Bomet's, Dr., "Theory of the Earth," comments on, 350 Bumham, preaching at, 198 Burslem driving accident, narrow ei- cape from, 398 potters, preaching to, 39S, 314 Bury, visit to, 485 Bn^an, preaching at, 336 Societies, Methodist, stt that title Wesley's, 237, 393, 477, 478 " Byron, Commander, Account of," comments on, 344 Calamt's, Dr,, abridgment of " Baxter's Life," comments on, aiS Callistick, preaching at, 343 Calton HiU, preaching on, 307, 3" Camberwell, retirement at, 477 Camelford, journey through, 359 Canada, Methodism in, 4|9, xnil Candour, Wesley's love M, S96 " Canorum," domish nicknam* for Methodist, 133 CanterbuiT preaching at, 19s, m6, s6i, 36a riding accident at, 350 visit to, 33a Canterbuiy, Archbishop of Interview with Wesl^ and WhiteBeld, 84 Canterbtny, Archbishop ef Palace at Croydon, Wede^ visit to, 160 Canterbury Cathedral, im|ae» iions of^ 19* CardifF &ilure of work in, 166 preaching at, 64, 78, 166, 17! Carfajc, preaching at, 40 Oarisbrook Castle, visits to, aii. Cattle blind genius at, 408 preaching at, 373 Carmarthen, visits to, 3^8, 316 Cam Brae, visit to Dnud remalni at, 360 Carnarvon, Journeys throa|h, 161, 329 Carnage, Wesley's Customs Commissioners' r»> fiisal to allow landing of, 384 gilt of,by Wesley's friends, 371 Carrick-on-Sbannon, Justices' at- tack on Methodists at, 367 Castle Caulfield, preaching at, 34c Castlebar, neglected condition (3 Charter-school at, 386 Castleton, preaching at, 434 Castletown, visit to, 414 Cathanger, preaching at, 419 Causton, Mr., controversy at Sa- vannah with, 17 Cave's, Dr., "Primitive Christi- anity, " abridgment of, 193 Celibacy, views on, 194, ^19 Chaise drivers' league with high- waymen, 418 Chancery bills, opinion on, 115 Channel Islands, visit to, 464 Character, Wesley's, allegadom against, 77, 79, 136, saa, 437 "Character of a Methodist,* Wesley's tract on, ^ Charlemount, preadimg at, 345 Charles II., reflections on, 334, 376 Charlton, preaching at, an Charterhouse and Wesley entry, xviil, zzxi meeting with old schoolMlow, visit, 843 Chatham erection of MetbodiM INDEX 4»1 preaching at, 363, 410, 461 Chelsea, disturbance of preaehine at,8t Chelsea Phjnie Garden, visit to, 166 CheltenbaB, preaeliing at, 335, -.398 Chepstow colle{^ blend, meeting wllb, 283 scenerf at, 349 Cherington, preaching at, ajt Chester impressions of, 303 preaching, 301, 285 early service, dlscontln- nance of, 451 Chester-on-the-Strate, preaching at, 24a Childrai Education, see that title Gordon's Hospital for, 394 " Lessons for Childien, * Wesley's, 195 «« also Schools Chippenham, journey to, •14 Choctaw Indians, proposed mis- sion to, 13 "Chobeletb, ■ Poem," comments on. 334 Cbowden Fell, preaching on, 106 "Christian Libiaiy," preparation of, 305, 314 debt incaned by, 305 Church of England attendance at church servica, Wesley's, 109, 151, 153, 170, 330, 351, 353, 377, 3S7 clergy incompetent clergy, stric- tures on, 375 opposition of, 48, 63, 87, 245. 305. 335. 440 . London churches, invitations to preach in, 421, 442, 480 separation from clergy, inefficient, in- fluence of, 473 conferences, decision of, 219- 237. 474 divergence from church practices, 73, 474, 478 protests against, Wes- ley's, 389, 462 Churches, Methodist, te* Preach- ing Houses Qty Road Chapel foundation-stone, laying, 4ig opening, 420, zzid Wesley's last sermon In, xad Clara, preaching at, 157 Classics, comments on, 344 Clifton, preacbmg at, 50 Clonmell, visits to, 188, 339 Closeland, preaching at, 189 Coal pit, fire in, 254 Cobham gardens, visits to, 366, 4*] journey through, 210 Coclcermouth preaching at, 206, 407, 4I< visit to, 338 Cocldighting, objection to, 105, '57 Coke, Dr. America, volunteer for wcA in, 456 Guernsey, visit to, 466 Colbeck, Mr., attack of mob ea, 163 Colchester preaching at, 351 Society, see Societies, Meth»- dist Colchester Castle, visit to, 259 Coleford colliers, Influence of Meth» dism on, 154 preaching at, 228 Colestock, wet journey to, 149 Collections America, subscriptions ti^ wards work in, 347 buildings, Methodist, oollee- tions for, 154, 202 Knowle, relief of French prf- soners at, 262, 270 poor relief, 70, 74, 147, 457, 463 Colliers, preaching to, 105, 154, 256. 397. 416 see also Kingswood Collins, Mr., discussion of field preaching vrith, 136 Collumpton, visits to, 360, 441 Colne, effect of Methodist work in, 406 Conferences, Wesley's, 216, 417 Bristol, 138, 337 England, Church of, separa* tion from, sa Church of England First conferenea, 114, nai f, 1 49s INDEX Conferences, Wesle/f Leeds, 219, 347 London, 424, 441, 474 Congleton, riotous congregation at, 314 Connaught, preaching in, 157 Conversion Faith, Justification bjr, lee that title Sanctification, Methodist doc- trine of, 292, 293 Conwajr Castle, 236 Cookstown, preaching at, 34s Coolylough, quarterly meeting at, 347 Coot Hill, preaching at, 987 Cope's, Gen., defeat by I^eten* der's troops, 140 Corfe Castle, visit to, 398 Cork Barracks, preaching at, 187 building, Methodist, collec- tion for, 202 effigy, Wesley burnt in, 184 meeting with Methodists from, 171 visits to, 182, 20a Whiteboys, disturbances at, 2S9 Cornwall congregations, see Field Preaching — Numbers at- tracted by persecution of Methodists, 127-134 cessation of, 15a, 293 tours in, 108, 127, 151, 331, «44. agi. 3S9. 39a. 4". 479 Correspondence, Wesley's, 69, 330, 38a, 475 Country life, misery of, 398 Cove, stay at, 30^ Coventry, preaching at, 433 Cowbridge, reformation effected at, 167 Crimble Passage, dangerous ctxis- sing at, 343 Crimmeds drive from Coventiy with, 4*3 see also Newgate Crowan, arrest of Mr. Mazfield at, 137 Crowle, preaching at, 437 Croydon, visit to Aidhbishop's palace at, 360 Cubert ■aves, visit to, 134 Cnbert preaching at, 327, 359, 411 Cumberland's, Duke of, impnn» ments at Windsor Park, 367 Cupar, journey through, 311 Cypress swamp, 15 Daily Chronitle, Wesley's letter on prison reform to, 271 Dale Country, tour through, 378 Dalwhinny, dangerous ioumsy from, 354 DannabuU, visit to, 179 Darlington horses, death of, 107 preaching at, 276 Davis's, Sir J., "Historical Rela- tions concerning Ireland — ' comments on, 365 Death preparation for, Wesley's, j; 29 Iransitoriness of earthly things, 193, 199, 219, 226, 353, 3SS, 260, 36^, 368, 436 Wesley's, xxx, xxxii see also Names of persons Deathbed repentance, opinion oi^ 36, 46a Debts Societies, Methodist, sa thii title Wesley's, 49, 305, 337, 477 Declaration in an indictment for defiauding the Revenue, opinion of, 379 Delamotte, Mr. Blendon, reception of Weslcf at, 33, 40 food, experiment with, 10 voyage to America, 3 Delft, visit to, 446 Denmark, Aretic ezploraUons bf, 383 Depression, sufferings from, ttf, Deptford preaching at, 63, 383, 338 Whitefield's, Mr., fimenl sermon, 36^ Society's separation from Church Of England, protest against, 463 Derby, dUsturt>anoe at field preai^ ing in, 303 Desmond's, Earl of, castle, 364 INDEX 493 Deverel Longbridge, accident dar- ing journey to, 150 Dewsbury, preaching at, 296 Dingbridge, field preacliing at, 388 " Discourses," Wesley's, 26a Diss Church, preaching in, 485 Doctor, Wesley as, 205, 217, 340, 390 Dodd, Dr., dispute on "Character of a Methodist " with, 328 Doddridge's, Dr., school, visit to, 138 Dolgelly, visits to, 178, 239 Doncaster, preaching at, 304 Donegal's, Lord, tenants, ejection of, 391 Dorking, preaching at, 363, ^67 Dorset's, Duke of, seat, visit to, 439 " Douglas, comments on, 940 Douglas impressions of, 414 preaching at, 433 Dover, preaching at, 226, a6i, 332, 343, 362 Dover Castle, visit to, mai Downes, John death of, 399 journey wiUi, 146 Dreams conversion by, 51 remarkable, 233, 242, 379, 45a views on, Wesley's, 264 Druid remains at Cam Brae, visit to, 360 Drumersnave, visit to, 265 Drunkards, j<« Intemperance Dublin Court of Conscience, snm- mons before, 344 Phoenix Park, visit to, 15* Pilkington, Mrs., intwview with, 182 preaching in, 153, 158, 160, 330 Society, Methodist, 168, 384 review of, 290 Dudley erection of Methodist build- ing, see Preaching-houses ■Breaching at changed conduct towards Methodists, 273, 303 mob attacks, 176 Dumfries, visits to, 007, 338, sj5, an Dummer, visit to Mr. Kinchin at, 40 Dunbar battle-field, 377 preaching at, 306, 376 society, Dundee, preaching at, 308, 454 Dungiven, bad road to, 346 Dunkeld Athol's, Duke of, gardens, 374 impressions of, 353 Dunmore, visit to Earl of Arran's seat at, 189 Dunmore Cave, visit to, 990 Dunstable, visit to, 248 Durham Bishop's palace, impressions of, 427 preaching at, 376 Eagle, Mount, visit to, 388 Early rising five o'clock services, discon- tinuance of, sa Preaching habit of, Wesley's, 397, 411, 428, 451, 471 Ebly, preaching at, 63 Ecclesiastes " Choheleth," poem on, 334 sermons on, Wesley's, 412 Edinburgh Assembly, General, meeting of, 307 Impressions of, 197, 375 preaching in, 295, 307, 340, 426, 438, 4S4 society, examination of, 394 visit to, 372 Edinburgh University, 410 Edinderry, visits to, 154, 384 Education boarding schools, fashionable, evil influence of, 371 Manchester Address, 337 "Rousseau on Education," criticism of, 351 schools, see that title Wesley's, Mrs. Susannah, letter on, 93 Elections, Parliamentary conduct of Methodists at, 15a Old Sarum, borough of, 310 Oxford, vote at, 193 Electricity disease, treatment of, 205 purchase of electrical appara- tus, Wesley's, 938 494 INDEX Electricity see also Illness, Wesley's Elgin, visits to, 310, 354, 453 Elizabeth, Queen, opinion of, 339 Ellison's, Mr,, preadiing at Gates- head, 143 Elsham, preaching at, 305 Ely Cathedral, visit to, 401 England, histories of, Wesley'f, 192, 406 Enniskillen mobbing by masons at, 388 ride to, 287 Ensham Ferry, dangeroiuaouing of, 301 Epitaphs mother, Wesley's, 90 reflections on, 364 Wesley's composition of hla own epitaph, 213 Epsom, Tisit to friend at, aGa Epworth childhood at, zviil diurch, use of, lefiised le Wesley, 86 Itctories, changed conduct of workpeople in, 43S idd pieadiing at, M, 304, 437.4SS.'t73 ^ ,„ , Mcrament refused to Weslqr, «isiu to, laa, 134, I49> 349 Wesley, Rev. S., work under, 88, zzxi Erith, journey through, 40* Escot, preaching at, 146 Eustick, Mr. persecution of Methodists, 117 Wesley, serving warrant en arrest on, 13a Bvaas, Mr. Lakenheath, erection of preaching-house at, 348 preaching at house of, 193 Evesham, preaching at, 398 Sveniruf Post, letter in defence of " Calm Address to the Ameri- can Colonies," 404 Executors, Wesley's, xvriU Exeter Breaching, 109, 391 '■Word to a Freeholder," ISO Bishop of, dinner with, 441 Cathedral, music in, 391, 441 i^esight, Wesley's, 397, 461, 470, 471, 476, 478, 481, 4I8 Factort hands at Epworth, work among, 438 Faith healing, j|5, 136, 146, 191 Faith, Justification by outward signs of, Wesley's views on, ^i, 264 remarkable instances of^ 41, 58, 65, 81, 88, 174, 196, 323, 332, 256, 396, 371 Wesley, experience of, 35, 43, 56, 57, xxxi Falmouth, preaching at effect of work, 331, 479 mobbing, 133 Fast days, national, aay, 418, 435 Fasting, obligation of, 396 Fasting and prayer, days of, 177, a?!. 35°. 383 Pretender,intercession against invasion of, 140 Scotland, institution of iut days in, 396 Father, Wesley's, 88, z*i Felsham, visit to Mb S^noldi'i seat at, 366 Fen Country drainage of, 49S journey through, 409 Ferbane, refusal to receive heretics at inns in, 173 Ferguson, Mr., acquaintance with, 448 Ferries, danger and delay of crossing, 78, 133, 171, 179, 188, 338, 339, 353, 395, 301, 318, 343, 378 Ferry, preaching at, 305 Fetter Lane Society, 54 Feversham magistrate and mob, threat ol legal proceedings against, 331 prowhing at, 31, 363 Field preaching, Wesley and advantages of, 136, 338, 356, 363, 391, 399 "cross, "'Wesley's, 379 first experience of, 47, xxxl injuries received during, izg irreverence, charges of, 165 numbers attract^ by, 48, 57, 61, 76, 85, 88, 106, 109, 3£a, 313, 334, 34a, 386, 398,437, 434 Cornwall, 333, 344, 337, jSOb 39". 479 INDEX 495 Fldd Preaching, Wesley and obstructionists, Wesley's me- thods with, 151, 193, 357, 343 ptess-gangs, disturbances by, see Press-gangs Riot Act, reading, 130, 138 imniliness, 64, 77, no, 130, 165, 300, 335, 386 »iews on, Wesley's, 54 Findlater's, Earl of, improvements near Banff, 408 Finningley, preaching at, 473 Fire, Wesley s house in danger of, 400, 431 Fishermen, preaching to, 345 Flamborough Head, view of, 433 Fletcher, Nb., Wesley's biography of, 461 Flooten, Mr. Van, dinner with, 450 Floyd, Mr., journey with, 431 Fodiabers, journey through, 355 Fonmon, preaching at, i^ Food abstemiousness, Wesley's, 4, "7.357 Delamottes, Mr., experi- ments, 10 lea, Wesley's renunciation of, 146 For&r, journey through, 394 Forgiveness of injuries, Wesley's, 205 Fort George, invitation fiom com- manding officer to preach at, 354 Fortifications, English, state of, 310 Fothergill's, Dr., medical atten- dance, 3ia Foundery electrical treatment tat lick persons at, 23S fire near, 400 home at, leaving, 434 institution of Methodist worlc, at, xxxi preaching at, 194, 195, 915, 316, 368 Fox, Mr., travel with, 36 Foxes, "Acts and Monuments," Wesley's edition of, 193 Fox's, Mrs., religious influence on Wesley, 41 Fiance, war with Hawke's, Sir E., victory, 365 France, war with Ireland, threatened invasion of, 330 Prisoners Knowle, relief of pri- soners at, 362, 270 Winchester, treatment at 4^4 Fraser, Mr., visit to, 394 Frederica, visits to, 10, 14 FVeshford, preaching at, 331, 349, 423 Friends, Wesley and his loyalty to, 38a meetings with old friends, 345, 368, 369, 477 Fulneck, German settlement at, 435 Funeral sermons, see Sermons Gainsborough, preaching 01,455 Hickman's, Sir N., ball, use of, 257. 305 Galway, preaching at, 386 Gaols, see Prisons Garden, iMr., appeal against un- licensed marriages in Carolina to, 16 Gardiner's, CoL, death at battle of Preston, 197 Garth, journey through, 167 Gateshead, preaching at, 14a George II. death of, 270 impressions of, Wesley's, 236 George IIL's speech, excellent delivery of, 460 Georgia, Wesley in, xxxi landing, 7^ preaching at 5 A.M., 451 report to the trustees, 33, 41 publication of, 45 see ako Savannah Gerard's, Mr., approval of prison work, 3 Gerard's Cross, preaching at, 4t German settlement at Fulneck, 425 Germans on S.S. "Simmonds,''6 Germany, visit to, 44 Gillies, Mr,, acquaintance with, 308, 339 Glasgow preaching at, ao8, 339, 373 sexton's ghost storjr, 331 Glasgow Cathedral, visit to, aju 496 INDEX Glasgow University, Impressioni of, so8, 239 Glastonbury Tower, visit to, aa4 Gloster, preaching at, 171 Gloucester, preaching at, 431 suppression of rioting, 335 Glynne, Mrs., drive to Wem with, 284 Godalming, journey through, 210 Goodshaw church, invitation to preach in, 164 Gordon, Lord George, interview with, 430 Gordon, Mr., minister of Keith, offer of kirk to Wesley, 409 Gordon's Hospital for Children, visit to, 294 Gordon's, Mr,, garden at Mile End, 402 Gouda, visit to, 450 Grammars, Wesley's compilations of French, 177 Latin, 192 Hebrew, 195 Grampound, preaching at, 091 mayor's interference with, 345 Grant, Mr., invitation to Grange Green from, ^10 Grant, Sir Archibald invitation from, 374 visit to, 308 Grant, Sir Ludowick, visit to, 453 Grantham, snowy journey to, 149 Gratton church, invitation to preach in, 421 Great St. Helen's church, preach- ing in, 34, 481 Greenock, preaching at, 373 Greenwich, Mr. Whitefidd s fun- eral sermon at, 362 Griffith's, John, courage, 120 Griffith's, R., house, attack on, 181 Grimsby, dangerous crossing to, 122 members from, appointment with, 149 preaching at, 199 Orimshaw, Mr., attadc of mob on, 163 Guernsey, iapressioiu of, 465, 469 Guisborough, preachmg at, 277 Gwennap, field preaching at, no, 113, 129, 132, 137, 22r, 269, »9«i 3»7. 34a. 360i 39a. 480 Gwynne, Sarah, marriage «ritt Charles Wesley, 167 Haarlem, impressions of, 449 Habits, Wesley's, 397, 411, 428, 439. 472 Hackney, retirement at, 217 Haddington, preaching at, 306 Haddington's, Earl of, seat, visit to, 3S7 Hague, visit to, 446 Halifax, development of Metho dism at, 422 Hammond's Marsh, preaching at, 182 Hampton Court Palace, impres- sions of, 369 Handel's oratorios, 250 Hannam Henderson, Mr., visit to, 47] preaching at, 70 Harford, journey through, 377 Harris, Howell, intercourse with, SB, 228, 348 Harston, preaching by moonlight at, 283 Hartlepool, field preaching at, 257, 276 Harvey, Miss, visit to, 440 Hatfield Salisbury's, Lord, seat, vUt to, 461 storm at, 147 Haverfordwest, visits to, 199, 317 Hawke's, Sir E., victory ovel French fleet, 265 Hawkins, Sir J., dinner with, 404 Haworth Grimshaw, Mr., minister of— mobbing at Barrowford, 163 preaching at, aSo Hazey, preaching at, 88, 473 Hayes, journey through, 198 Health, improvement of, in oU age. 455 Hedgeford, journey through, 3S Helstone, preaching at, 479 effect of work at, aaa, 393 Helvoetsluys, voyage to England from, 4SO Henderson, Mr., visit to, 475 Henley, teaching in the iim at, 38 Heptonstall, preaching at, 319 Hickman's, Sir N., hall at Gains- borough, preaching in, 357, 30] Hide, Afr,, stay with, 151 INDEX 497 Higheata, preaching at Miss Teu- lon^ school in, 475 Highlands, Scotch, boundaries of| 356 Highwaymen immunity from attack of, 441 postchaise drivers league witti, 418 High Wycombe, preaching at, 301 Hildesley's, Bishop, tomb, visit to, 43S Hinely Hill, moving service at, 174 Hinxworth, jouraey through, 440 Histories, Wesley's compilations, 19a, 406 I I I I Holland churches leverence of Dutch con- gregations, 445 Invitation to preach ia, 443 Impressions of, 450 tour in, 443 Hollovmr, Mr., stay with, 179 Holms-Chapel, journey through, 37 Holy Qub formation of, i, 3, xzzi Samey, Mr., member of, 34 Holy Island, visit to, 306 Holyhead crossings to and from Ireland, 161, 168, 230, 236, 433 Gri£Bth's, R., house, attaeki on, 187 preaching at, 180 Holyrood Palace, visiU to, S40i 426 Homer's Iliad, comments on, 161 Homes In London, Wesley's, 435 borglaiy at, 456 Oty Road house, Wesley's death at, xxxii flres at, 400, 431 Foundery, leaving home Ib. 424 Hopper, Mr., association with, X78, 180, 39S Horses accidenu to his, 193, aoi, 316 delays occasioned by, 108, 188, a84, 299 bmeness healed by fiiitb, 146 loss of, 107, 201 ncoid rides, aj9, )ii Horses riding accidents, iw title Acci- dents stumbling, prevention of, 353 Houghton, preaching at, 358 Housekeeper, dismissal of, 475 Hoy-Lake, first sleepless night in Wesley's life, 391 Hull, visits to, 199, 306 Huntingdon's, Countess of, birth- day celebrations, 348 Husk, Gen., letter to, 143 Hutchins's, Mr., religious influ- ence on Wesley, 41 Hutton, James, meeting with, 368 Hutton Rudby, Methodist society at, 377 Huygens's "Conjectures on the Planetarjj World," ooaments on. afia Illnesses mind Influence of, on the body, 2S3 Wesley's, 79, 169, 17a, 178, aia, 226, 340, 397, 333, 3S8. 414 depression, 37, 125 clrctrical treatment, 323 . 393 last illness, xsr overwork, 276 qninsey, attack In Dublin, 158 tceovery In answer to prayer, 7s, 147 icmedies, Wesley s, ut that title toothache, 149, 301 Illogan, preaching at, 244,369, 393 Indians, American chiefs, Intervleni with, S, 13, >S visit to, 9 Ingham's, Mr. , voyage to America, 3 Inns, Scotland, accommodation In, 354 Intemperance, abandonment of, by Wesley's followers, 78, 196 Inverness impressions of, 309 preaching, 308, 354, 453 Ipswich, journey through, 483 Ireland history si, comments on, a6j 31 ♦98 INDEX Ireland honesty of Dublin bookseller, 231 Journeys In, 157, 167, 177, 350, 286, 344, 364, 384 strife, religious, 160 voyages, 161, 168, 17*, 104, 230. 23s. 384. 431. 464 Whiteboys rising, 289 Isham, Dr., invitation to vote for Oxford M.P. from, 193 Islington, preaching at, 45 Italian language, study of, 3a Jane, John death of, 190 Holyhead, meeting with Wd- ley at, 180 preaching at Colne from the stocks, 406 Jatterson, preaching to colliers at, 416 Jersey, impressions of, 467 Jersey's, Mr. de, hospitality ia Guernsey, 465 Jews at Savannah, 16 Johnson, Dr. "Tour through Scotland," comments on, 437 " Tour to the Western Isles," comments on, 408 visit to, 450 Jones, Dr., visit to, 44a ones's, Mr., escape from mob at Cork, 184 Journal, Wesley's, 314, 477 origin of, vii •' Judith," performance of, 303 Justices of the Peace, sa Magis- trates Keith, visits to, 355, 409 Kelso, preaching at, 241 Kendal, deterioration of Method- ist work at, 337 Kennet's " Antiquities," revision of, 193 Kennington common, preaching on, 57, 61, 71 Kerley, preaching in the rain at, 342 Kershaw's, Dr., invitation of Wes- ley's services in Leeds Church, 422 Keswick, visits to, 174, 338 Kilconnel visit to mins at, 335 Kilhenny impressions of, 189 preaching in town ball, 39s Killcock, joinmey through, 159 Kinchin, Mr. association with, 36, 37, 39 visit to, 40 Kingston, journey through, an Kingswood colliers, Whitefield's work amongst, 68 preaching, 48, 50, 79, 360, 377, ,456 . , religious ecstasies of women at, 6s visits to, 204 Kingswood School books for use in, comfdlatlOB of, 192 establishment of, 64 fire, 246 meeting with ex-master of, 434 progress. 248 reorganisation, 173 small-pox, outbreak of, 300 teaching, Wesley's, 91 visit to, 300 Kinnaird, invitation to open new church at, 345 Kinnegad, journey through, 159 Kinsale, preaching at, 186, 103 Kiphill, preaching at, 377 Knightsbridge, ill-behaved con- gregation at, 458 Knowle, relief of French prisonen at, 262, 270 Knutsford, journey tbiough, 38 Labouk eolsnjr in London, 73 Laburnum, cultivation of for tim- ber, 310 Lakenheath, Mr. Evans's preach- ing-house at, 248 I,ambeth, preaching at, 61, 63 Land's End, impressions o( in 244 Lane's, Justice, proclamation against Methodist preachers, lai Languages, foreign, Wesley's ac- quaintance with, 3, 32, 4^ Lanissan, visit to Mr. Williami at, 78 Lanmais, preaching at, 167 Lansteffan Ferry, 317 Lantrissent, preaching at, 167 Launceston, visit to, IT4, 337, 359 INDEX 499 hnbigbm, Bishop, usodatloii «itb, S91 Law, Wesley and the appeals against violence 10^ So, 137, i6a, 331, 335 Iniquities of Chancery bills, 125 Declaration in an indict- ment for defrauding the Revenue, 279 Gordon, Lord George, Indictment against, 430 piess-gangs, 60 see also Magistrates LaVf, Mr., "Book on the New Birth," comments on, 64 Lead Hill, visits to^ 308, 339, 355 Leeds conferences, 347 separation from Church of England, decision against, 319 ■ebbing at, 139 parish church, invitation to assist in, 433 preaching at, 347, 403 Pretender's invasion, news of, 145 society, Methodist, 313 visits to, 107, 425 Leeward Islands, Methodism in, 459 Leicester, preaching in Castle yard at. 358 ^ Leicestershire, summons to dying friend in, 84 Leigh, preaching at, 166, sia Leith, journey through, 295 Lesmahaggy, journey through, S08 "Lessons for Children," Wesley's, 195 Leven's, Countess of, seat, preach- ing at, 454 Lewis's " Hebrew Antiquities," revision of, 193 Lewisham Blackwell's, Mr., house, fare- well visit to, 440 Illness at, 313 retirement, 361, 424, 435 Lnrden, visit to, 447 Likes and dislikes, Wesley's, 313 iJmerick lease of old abbey by Metho- dists, 169 pnaebing at, 170 Limerick Cathedral, attendance a divine service at, 160 Lincoln, erection of pieacbing- house at, 483 Lincoln Cathedral, visit to, 483 Lions, musical experiment on, 319 Ljsbum, preaching and doctoring at, 390 Liverpool impressions of, siS preaching at, ai8, 313, 337 preaching-house deed, opin- ion of, 329 ■ociety, Methodist, legulationa of, 33a visits to, 384 Llanidloes, visits to, 178, 315 Lloyds Bvening Ptst, latter on "Chaneter (tf a Methodist" to, 339 Lloyd's, Henry, interpretation of Wesley's preaching into Welsh, 167 Loddon, preaching at, 484 London, Bishop of Charlestown commissary, 16 Interview vrith Wesley and Whitefidd, 84 London homes In, «* Homes in Lon- don, Weslejr'a labour colony in, 73 Wesley's preaching and work fa. 33. 34.45. S7. 61. 71. 81, 83, 106, 108, 134, 196, 198, ■10, 337, 320, 331, 403, 440, 442. 4SO. 458, 474. 477. 480, 481 London Magatine, reply to letter on Astronomy in, 330 Londonderry Bishop's palace, visit to, 389 preaching at, 346 sodety, lill organisation of, 346 Lords, Honse of, visits to, 326, 459, 460 Lot, decision by, 46 I«v^hborougb, preaching at, 358 Love feasts, celebrations of, 165, 369,348 Lowestoft, society at, .^4 Loyal's, Mr., hospitality at Rot- terdam, 442, 450 Lurgan, speaking statu* at, al6, 500 INDEX l«ther, Marth " Comment on the Epistle to the Galatlans," criticism on, 7b "Life of, comments on, 17a Lnton, preaching in crowded church at, 369 Lympsham, visit to, 360 Lynn, preaching at, 484 Macclesfield Church, assisting at Good Friday service in, 437 Machynlleth, ride to, 178 Mackford, Mr., attack of mob on, 163: Madeley Church, preaching In, 314 earthquake at, 39a Madeley Wood Methodism at, lack of organi- sation, 433 preaching to colliers at, 397 Magazine, Wesley's, 418, 425 Amiinian, change of editor, 478 Magistrates, appeal against violence to, 127, 162, 335 Arbroath, Wesley's presenta- tion with freedom of, 376 legal proceedings against, 321 Staffordshire justices' procla- mation against Methodist preachers, 131 rapport of, 70, 87, 304, 335, 336 "Mahomet, Life of," comments on, 33a M'AUum, Mr. and Mrs., journey in Scotland with, 453 Man, Isle of, impressions of, 414, 434 Manchester preaching at, ai8, 396 visits to, 36, 37, 3S3 Marazion, Mr. Maxfield's trial and condemnation at, laS MarkAeld, preaching at, 76, 358 Marriage opinions on, 167, 194, 196 unlicensed, suppression of, 16 Wesley's, 194, xxxi see also Wesley, Charles Marshalsea Prison depravity in, soj succour of Dutchman in, 333 Marshfield, journey through, 8a Muy, Queea of Seen " Inquiry into Proob/ Of Charges against," com- ments on, 338 needlework at Scoon, 340 reflections on, 276 Matlock, preaching to fashionaU* congregation at, 282 Maxfield, preaching at, 897 Maxfield's, Mr., arrest and con- demnation for preaching, 127 Maxwell, Lady, stay with, 438 Mayors Cork, encouragement of rioters at, 184 encouragement of, iia, 119, 332, 386 Interference of, 245, 317 Newcastle, set that title Riot Act, proclamation of against Wesley, 130 Medros, visit to, 360 Meeting-house, Wesley's objection to term, 323 Melval House, preaching at, 454 Merchant's, Mr., hospitality, 54 " Messiah," Handel's, petform- ance of, at Bristol, 250 Methodism, allegations against, 136, 171, 322, 440 conduct, effect on, 72, 78, 87, IS7, 196, 241, 3S7, 4". 438 Dodd, Dr., dispute with on "Character of a Metho- dist," 328 name of Methodism given to Wesley's teaching, 61, 64 origin of, I persecution of, 136, 184, 189, 306 progress of, aao, aja, 436, 459, xzzii see also Mobs, ftc. Mevagissey, preaching at, 345, 34a Middlesey, visit to, 291 Mighton Car, preaching at, 199 Mile End, visit to Mr. Gordon's garden at, 402 Millam Sands, crossing, 253 Miller's, Mr., speaking statue «t I.urgan, 286, 390 Miners, Wesley and the preaching colliers, set that title lead miners at Blaadi- land, 149 INDEX SOI Mlacra, Wesley ud tbe pleaching tinners, no, 114, 13s Cornish miner's sermon, 244 Minories, preaching in, 45 Minster, visit to old cbureb at 430 Misterton, preaching at, 305, 47a Mistleytbom, foundation of society by Deptford shipwright, 458 Mobs which threatened Wesley Bandon, 183 Barrow(ord, i6a Birmingham, joa Bolton, 175 Derby, 303 Dudley, iTiS Enniskillen, 3I7 Falmouth, 133 Holyhead, 181 Sbepton Mallet, ijS Stallbtidge, 335 Wednesbuiy, 114 Wesley's influence on, 71, it j, 151, 176 Uonagban, suspicion of Wesley's connection with Whiteboys ris- ing, s86 If onedie, attendance at funeral at. Honey viewi on possession of pro- perty, Wesley's, 190 Wesley's accounts, settling of, 393, 477 debts, 49, 338, 477 income from Methodist societies, 443 publication, loss incurred by, 20s responsibility for Method- ist building expenses,49 Monmouth, visit to, 424 Monmouthshire scenery, 298 Montrose, preaching at, 355 Moorfields, preaching at, 57, 61, 153, 191, 338, 363, 413 Moravians admiration for, 74 visit to, 45 Morgan, Mr., member of Holy Club, I Morgan, Mr. Jenkin,acquaintance with, 179, 180 Morpeth, preaching at, 173. i0, •4i,3r«& Morva preaching at, lag, 144 Riot Act, proclamation of, against Methodists, 138 Moss, Richard, journey to New- castle with, is6 Mousehole, preaching at, 326, 460 Murrayshire, aspect of, 310 Museum, British, visits to, 365, 430 Music, Wesley and Bolton, Methodist choir at, 470 Exeter Cathedral, 441 •xperiments on wild beasts, 319 borses, effects of music on, 347 "Judith," performance of, 3M Macclesfield, 437 Manx singing, 435 "Messiah," performanca of, 250 Rotterdam organ, 445 Musselburgh, preaching at, 197, J07 Naffbrton, preaching at, aig, 256 Nairn preaching in Idrlc, 309, 354 visit to, 4S3_ Negroes, preaching to, a8 Neiser, Wensel, acquaintance with, 33 Nelson, John, Cornish journey with, no, 113 Nenagh, dragoon's requeM for preaching, 169 Nephews, Wesley's, attendance at concert given by, 431 Nettle cure, 169, 217 New-Dangle, visit to, 463 New-Mills, preaching at, 337, 409 New-Orygan, visit to, 378 " New Testament Notes," Wes- ley's, 214, 265 New Year services, 382, 406, 41a, 442. 4S7 New York Methodist building, 6nt, 347 progress of worli in, 350 Newark-upon-Trent, 149, 43t Newbury, preaching at, 353 Newby, preaching at, 472 Newcastle affection for, Wesley's, 155 «Ofl INDEX Newcastle burlesqae on Methodism in Moot Hall, 124 preaching at, 85, 106, 173, 241 preaching-house foundation-stone, laying, 103 pnrcbase of ground for, I03, 137 ftetender, defence against invasion of, 139 mayor, correspondenca with, 140 loldiers, Wesley's offer of preaching to, 143 Tisits to, 37, 133, 161, 394, 306 walls, old Roman, 319 wickedness in, 85 Newell Hay, preaching at, ai8 Newfoundland, Methodism in, 459 Newgate Brison, Bristol preaching, 50, 300 reforms in, Wesley's letter to the Daily CkrmicU, 371 Wesley's visits prohibited, 71 Newgate rason, London Gondemned criminals appeal for reprieve of, 46a sermon to, 457 preaching in, 45 Newlyn, preaching at, 044, 479 Newport, Isle of Wi^iht, preaching at, 210, 4|9 Newport, Monmouthshire, field preaching at, 64 Newport- Pagnelljoumey through «4 Newton-npon-TVent, preaching at, 438 Newtown, visit to, 171 Northallerton, visit to, 319 Northampton, 75, 138, 44a preaching at, 350, 359 Northamptonshire, tour through, 393 Norwich, 401, 404 preaching at, 483, 484 society, te* Societies, Method- ist St. Peter's parish church, 354 Tatwrnade, rebuke to beha- viour of congregation in, 260 Taylor's, Dr., aeeting-house, 347 Nottingham preaching at, 7C, a3a tide to, X33 OAKRAimoH, Jenniey tbioai^ ISO Oakhin, preaching at, 153 Oglethorpe, Mr. America, visit to, 5, 14 Indians, reception of, it visits to, Wesley's, 33 Old Jewry, preaching at, 46a Old Sarum, visit to, 316 Omagh, journey through, 38S Ordination, Wesley's, ziz, xni Organisation in religious woik, necessity of, 298, 423 Ormiston, preaching at, 395 Osmotherley, visit to, 377 Otley, journey through, 416J Owstone Church, preaching iiv 4SS Oxford, Wesley and Christ Church, entry at, xvili, zxzi College chapel, preaching i^ 40,77,12s dection, parliamentary, vote at, 193 Evans's, Mr., preaching at, 193 Holy Qub, su that title Lincoln College, election •• Fellowship of, zix, zzd Prisons, mission work in Bocardo Prison^ 4| Castle Prison, 39 lesldence at, i tatorship, xnd visits to, 39, 41, 69, ^ Oxford's, Bishop of, rnmmmfl* tion of prison work, 3 Oxmanstown Green, preaching at, 158, ite Paddirah, preaching at, s8a, jM Painswick, preaching at, 335 " Parish," Wesley's, S5 Parkgate, preachmg at, 385 Parks's, Joan, courage, lao Parliament, Houses of England George IIL's speech, ifm House of Lords, 226, 459 Ireland, comments on, 463 Pascal's "Thoughts," comments on, 204 Pebworth Church, squire's pnh hibition of Weslejr's preaching In, 336 Peckham, retirement at, tfm INDEX 503 Pedras, preaching at, iM Peel, preachin|; at, 435 Peel Castle, ruins of, 416 Pembrock's, Alderman, protection of Methodists, 184, 187 Pembroke preaching at, 317, 378 Swansea, difficult journey to, 318 Pembrokeshire, lack of organisa- tion in, 298 Pendennis Castle, visit to, aza Penmaen-Mawr, journey through, 236 Penn, Sir W., "Life of," com- ments on, 460 Penruddock Moor, wanderingi on, 174 Pennrn, preaching at, tax Fknifonl {peaching, 48, 50, 370 riotous attack, 8a Pentecost, Wesley's day of, *93 Penzance Channel Islands, voyage from, 469 preaching at, 343, 479 treatment of Methodists, changes in, 268 Perfection, Christian, letter on,347 Peiranwell, preaching at, 151 Persecution of Methodists, 126, ai6, 243, 423I ,, ^ ^ la also Magistrates, Mobs, Sec Peisehouse's,Justice, proclamation against Methodist preachers, 121 PeiSi, Wesley's presentation with freedom of, 374 Peter the Great, Life of, 227 Philadelphia, work in, 350 Pictures Glasgow College Libnry, paintings in, 239 Hampton Court, criticism on pictures at, 370 Pilkington, Mrs., interview with, 182 Pill, preaching at, 327 Pilmoor, Joseph, volunteer for work in America, 347 Placey, field preaching to colliers at, 105 change effected by, 241 Plaistow, preaching at, 62 Play houses and players "Macbeth," performance of, "I Playhouses and players Newcastle, burlesque on Me- thodism at, 124 opinions on, 315, 236, 303, 338, 4S4 Plenderleith, Mr.^ friendship with, Plymouth mqbbing at, 150 preaching at, 326, 343, 441 visit to, 360 Pocklington, preaching at, 324 413 Polperro, field preaching at, 343 Poor, obligation oflvisiting, 206, 412 Population of England, increase in, 407 Port Glasgow, preaching at, 373 Port Isaac, visits to, 327, 359 Portraits, Wesley sits for his, 369, 469, 476 Portsmouth affection for the people of, Wesley's, 361 Dock, account of fire at, 361 preaching at, 210, 365, 425 Potten, preaching at, 148 Potter's "Grecian Antiquities,' revision of, 192 Potters, preaching to, 314 Poverty, Wesley's, gPi 213, 44a Prayer ailments cured in answer to, 7S, 126, 146, 191 extempore prayer, divergence from church practices, 73, 474. 478 Preachers, Methodist America appointment of preachen for, 4S6 volunteers for work in, Impressment of, see Frass- gangs lay preachers, first employ- ment of, xzxl marriage, duties in regard to, 196 nicknames given to, 133, 185 number in 1791 and 1901, zxzii preaching of Cornish miner, 344 property of, Wealqr'i views OD, igo 504 INDEX Preachers, Methodist time devoted by Wesley to, 368 . for {articular preachers set their names Preaching, Wesley's accidents dm-ing 48, 63, 440 five o'clock sei^ces, 451, 4^4 obstructionists, Wesley's me- thods with, 72, 80, 192 pay of, 207 su a/ja Field preaching. Mobs, &C. teaching-houses collections for, 154, 30a erection of America, 357 Birmingham, opening of new house at, 440 Bradford, 324 Bristol, see that title City Road Chapel, 413, 420 Dover, 261 Dudley, 302 New Mills, 337 Parkgate, 285 Keith, Wesley's purchase of preaching-house at, 409 Limerick, lease of abbey near, 169 responsibility for expenses, Wesley's, 49 sites, purchase of, 49, 102, 137 Press-gangs disturbances by, 60, 227 injustice of, 60 preachers, impressment of warrant issued in Corn- wall for, 127 seizure of Methodists by, 257 Wesley, threatened impress- ment of, 132 Preston Field, battle of, 197 Pretender, the invasion of Great Britvn, 139 , Wesley s alleged assistance of, 136. 14s Priestley's, Dr., " Electricity," comments on, 334 Prisons condition of, 205, xxiii reform, Wesley's letter to the Daily Chronicle on, 271 Mr «/w names of prisons Providences, remarliable, 114, 154, 397 Pudsey, preaching at, 435 Punctuality, Wesley's, 249 Purfleet, preaching at, 458 Purton, crossing the Severn at, nl Q17AKESS Enniscorthy, refusal of OM ol meeting-house, 385 intercourse with, 38, 114 Queensborough, visits to, 430 Queensborough's, Duke of, leat in Scotland, 339, 355 Ramsat, preaching at, 4)5 Rathcormuck funeral, Irish, howling at, 187 journey to, 171 Reading books, read, see Bookl opportunities for, 353 Reading, Berks bargemen's attack, frustratloa of. IS3 preaching at, 190, 317 Redruth preaching at, 393, 337, 393, 479 treatment of Methodists, change of, 269 visits to, 127, 359, 413 Relief, charitable, 323 collections for, 70, 74, 417, 463 employment of poor, 74 Knowle, French prisoners at, 262 labour colony in London, 7* lending fimd, 147 Remedies, Wesley's medical briar-leaves for cuts, 337 brimstone plaster, 314 electricity, see that title nettles for pleurisy, 169, 117 treacle for bruises, 331 Resolutions at commencement cf ministry in England, 33 Retirement, Wesley's love of, 189, 440 Reverence field preaching, behavionral, 165 Holland, chtmJies, in, 44s Reynolds, Mr., visit to, at wA- sham, 366 INDEX 605 Reynold*-*, sir J., pertnh of Wesley, 477 Rich, reception of the gospel by the, 50, 53, S7, 17a, aoa, 228, 258, 263, 274, 300, 306, 314, .341. 374. 408, 41S, 468 Richard II., effigy of, at Berkeley Castle, 398 Riches, danger of, 300, 426, 474 Richter, Schulius, acquaintance with, 33 Riddel, Mr., purchase of ground at Newcastle from, loa Riding, Wesley's, xiv accidents, 58, 62, 107, 154, 156, 178, 250, 305, 321, 360 record rides, 188, iSg, 259, 3", 316 su also Horses Ridley, Alderman, letter to, 143 Riots, see Mobs Roads, Wesley and the high badness of roads, 200, 907, 299. 30s. 346, 357. 401 highwaymen, danger from, 418, 441 Scotland, condition of roads in, 207 turnpikes, imposition of, 357 Roberts's, James, spuitual expe- riences, 370 Robertson's " History of Charles v.," comments on, 374 Robinhood's Bay erection of pteaching-houae, 423 preaching at, 209, 378 Rochdale, changed treatment of Methodists at, 174 Roes-fair, difficult journey to, 316 Rolvenden, legal proceedings against magistrate at, 321 Roman History, compilation of, 199 Rome, Chntch of, saints canonised by, 283 Romley, Mr., incumbent of Ep- worth, relations mth, 86, 104 Romney's portrait of Wesley, 476 Roslyn, impressions of, 426 Rosmead, ride to, 265 Rotherham, preaching at, 304 Rotterdam, impressions of, 443 Roughlee, mobbing at, 161 Rousseau on Education.commentt on, 3.SI Royader, journey to, aat Runwick Chureli, preaching !n, 69 Rutty, Dr., medical attendance of, 159. 169 Rye, preaching at, 366 Ryegate, preaching; at, 363 Ryegate Place, visit to, 368 Sadler's Wells Theatre, preach- ing at, 215 St Agnes, preaching at, 244, 327, 342, 359. 392. 412 St. Alban's Abbey, visit to, 359 St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, preaching forbidden at, 33 St. Andrews, impressions ot, 409 St. Ann's Church, Aldersgate, preaching forbidden at, 42 St. Antholin's Church, sermons in, 42, 45, 421 St. Austle, preaching at, 345, 392 St. Bennett's Church, Paul's Wharf, Wesley forbidden to preach at, 43 St Botolph's,Bishopsgate, preach- ing at, 45 St Clement's Church, Strand, sermon at, 45 St Columb, preaching at, 327 St. David's, impressions of, 433 St Helier, visit to, 467 St Hilary erection of preaching-bouse, 326 field preaching at, in St. John the Evangelist's, London preaching prohibited in, 33 St John's Church, Wapping preaching forbidden at, 42 St Just field preaching at, izi, 129, 223, 244, 268, 479 preaching-house, laying foun- dation-stone, 234 Wesley arrested at, 130, 138 St. Katherine Cree's Church, London, preaching forbidden at, 43 St Katherine of Genoa, criticism on Life of, 383 St Lawrence's Church. London, preaching in, 34 prohibition of, 43 St. Luke's Church, London, preaching in, 480 St Luke's Church, Old Street, charity sermon at, 431 508 INDEX St. Margaret's Church, Rood Lane, preaching in, 421 St. Michael's Mount, visit to, I2t St Patrick, story of, 159 St. Paul's Cathedral anthems at, 43 irreverence of congregation at, 16s St. Paul's Church, Shadwell, preaching at, 485 St. Peter's, Comhill, preaching at, 42s St. Stephen's, field preaching at, 246 St Stephen's Church, Walbrook, visit to, 254 St Switbin's Church, invitation to preach at, 442 St Thomas's Church, invitation to preach at, 442 St. Ives, Cornwall bribery, opposition of Metho- dists to, 152 change of conduct towards Methodists, 138, 152, 359 mayor, loan of boat from, lis preaching in, 109, 129, 267 Riot Act, proclamation of, 130 smuggling, see that title St Ives, Hunts, first Methodist preaching at, 402 Salisbury journey through, 35, 190, 365, 398 preaching at, 398 Salisbury's, Lord, seat at Hatfield, comments on, 462 Sandhutton, ride to, 107 Samey, Mr., member of Holy Club, 34 Savannah, ministry at appointment to, 9, 15 controversy with parish- ioners, ue Williamson, Mrs. departure firom, 24 expenses, account of, 16 Savoy Chapel, preaching at, 42 Scarborough, preaching in storm at, 278 Schools, Wesley and boarding schools, fashionable, influence of, 371 Castlebar, neglected condi- tion of Charter-school at, 387 Charterboufe, ta that title Schools, Wesley and Highgate, visit to, 47s Huntingdon's, Countess ol school at Trevecka, 348 Jersey College, visit to, 467 Kingswood School, see thai title Maxwell's, Lady, school al Edinburgh, 438 Scilly Isles, visit to, iia Scoon, visit to, 240 Scotland baptism, administration el Scotch rite of, 239 congregations, comments on, 197, 240, 308, 309, 37S, 377 Impressions of, 197, 198, 239, 310 Inns, 197, 207, 311, 3SS Lord's Sapper, administratloa of, 311 ministers, cordiality o^ aog, 308, 354 preachmg discontinuance of morn- ing preaching, 454 Wesle^s first sermon la Irirk, 209 tee also names of places lonrs in, 197, 207, 238, 306, 338. 3S3. 372. 394. 408, 4>6b 438, 4Sa universities, see that title Scotter I>reaching at, 455 riots, suppression of, at, 304 Second sight, instances of, 65, aSa Selby, preaching at, 437 Selkirk, " Lord of the Sublet " at, 37a Sennan, preaxhing at, iii " Sentimental Journey through France and Italy," comments on, 370 Sermons by Weslqr charity sermons, 404, 491 City Road Chapel, dedication sermon, 420 Ecclesiastes, series of sermons on, 41a first sermon, 366, zzzi iimeral sermons Wesley's, Mrs. Susan- nah, 89 Whitefield's, 361, 363 lodgment of hia ownsermoai^ Wesley's, 41* INDEX C07 Sermoni by Wesley last sermon, xxvll, xxxll length of sermons, 63, 64, 88 ■umber, daily, 198, 1276, 34a, 357, 437 texts, see that title thanksgiving sermon for pro- gress of work in England, 220 Servant, dismissal of, 475 Settle, preaching at, 416 Seven Dials electrical treatment for iilck persons at, 238 preaching in, 106, 195 West Street Chapel, set that title Sevenosiks, visit to, 283, 429 Severn Bridge, construction of, 433,433 Shaitesbnry, journey through, 393 Shakespeare's Cli^ visit to, 363 Shalwood, W., recovery from ill- ness in answer to prayer, 126 Shannon, river, 157 Sheemess governor's reiiisal of chapel, 420 preaching-house, erection by voluntary workers, 461 tenements on men-of-war, 333 Sheffield, preaching at, 343, sSa, 428 Shepherd, Mr. arrest of, iffi journeys with, 137, 146 Sheppey, Isle of, visit to, 430 Sbepton Mallet, 393 erection of Methodist build- ing, 393 mobbing at, 155 preaching at, 291 riding accident at, 156 Bhlndiff, preaching at, 437 Shoreham, visits to, 212, 383, 331 Shrewsbury, preaching at, 873, 384, 423, 432 Shronill, visit to, 188 Sick, visiting, 305 Bolton Sunday scholars, 474 Holy Club, work of, a Society. United, rules tt, 74 « Simmonds " s. s., voyag* to America on, 4 Singing, Wesley and Bolton, Methodist choir, 474 Singing, Wesley and Manx singers, criticisms on, 435 oratorios, repetition of words in, 303 Sitch, W. , courage of, 120 Skilburness, crossingSolway Sands to, 324 Skinner's Alley, Dublin, preaching in, 158, 168 Slater's, E., courage, iso Slave Trade, reflections on, 370 Sligo, preaching in the market- place at, 287 Sloane's, Sir H„ collection in Bri- tish Museum, 265 Small-pox outbreaks of, 300, 331 treatment of, by ignorant doc- tors, 382 Smith, John, mobbing at Ennis- killen, 388 Smuggling, abandonment of, by Wesley's followers, 72 Cornwall, an, 292 Dover, 32r Sunderland, 341 wrecked vessels, plundering, 4" Snow, travelling through, see Weather Snowden, Mr., journey with, 431 Snowsfields, preaching at, 194 Societies, M ethodist American, 350 business balance of accounts, year ly. 44a debts, 49, 81, 319 income of, 442 London business, trans- ference firom Wesley to stewards, 205 conferences, see that title development of, 417 dissension in, 164, 216, a6i England, societies in Birmingham, 177 Brentford, 328 Colchester, 351, 458 Dover, 321 Liverpool, growth of, 337 London, establishment of first society in, 41, 45, 46, 399, 403 Mousehole, vigorous so- eietyat, 460 50* INDEX Societies, Methodist ' England, societies In Norwich, 261, 401 Penzance, 342 Placey, society of collkis at, Plymouth, 150 St. Ives, Cornwall, 109, 210 Ireland, societies bl Athlone, a88 Corit, 171 Dublin, 168 Limericlc, 170 Man, Isle of, societies in, 435 membership, restrictions on; 7a, 124, 241. 321 • statistics, zxxii object of, Wesley's explana- tion, 477 •fganisation Glasses, diTision Into, 83, 168, X70, xxxi necessity for, 298, 421 Scotland Al)erdeen, 338, 355 Arbroath, 355 Edinburgh, personal In- terviews with members, 307 Keith, 409 needers from, 102, 217, 338, 483 stewards, interview with, 277 Wight, Isle of, 210, 459 zeal, diminution of, 483 Society for the Reformation of Manners, assisting debt of, 319 Sodor and Man, Bishop of, re- fusal of Lord's Supper to Metho- dist preachers, 41^ Solund-geese, peculiar method of hatching eggs, 377 South-Biddick, field preaching at, los South-Lye, Wesley's first sermon preached at, 366 South-Petherton, ruins at, 419 South Shields, preaching at, 341 Southwark, electrical treatment of sick persons by, 238 Spangenberg's, Mr., German pas- tor at Savannah, interview with, 8 Spain, 16 langiMgit itndy of, i< Spain Wesley'i alleged latrigtM with, 78 Spey, 4S2 Spitalfields preaching at, 191, an watch-night service at, 191 Spitalfields Church, preaching In, 48s Stafford, journey through, 36 Staincross, preaching at, 282 Stallbridge, legal proceedingi against rioters at, 325 Stamford, journey through, 148 Stanley, preaching at, 63, 421 Stanton-Harcourt, visit to, 34 Statius's "Thebais,"comments ea. 168 Stayley Hall, preaching at, 14J Steed, Ann, death of, 293 Stephenson, Mr., purchase of ground U Neweasue from, 103, 127 Sticklepath, meeting with Quakan at, 114 Stilton, journey through, 148 Stithians, preaching at, 137 Stockdale's, Mr., house, destni» tion of, by Cork mob, 185 Stockton, preaching at, 276 interruption ojf press-guf, 2S7 Stokesley, examination of Meth» dist society at, 277 Stone, teaching in the inn at, 38 Stone's, W„ house, mob attack on, Storms, Wesley In, 6, 13, las, 147, 168, 180, igS, 225, 238, 284, 286, 465 Stroud, preaching at, 335, 421 Sunday Schools Bolton, exemplary school at, 470 Lynn, subscriptions from, 484 statistics, zxxii Smiderland preaching at, 341, 356 society, Methodist, exelnsIoB of smugglers from, 241, 35S Sutherland,'s, G., prosecution o( Wesley at Edinburgh, 395 Sutton, Hunts, preaching at, 401 " Swaddlers," nickname of Metho- dist preachers in Cork, 185 Swaffham, preaching at, 484 Snmniea, journey to, 299, 31! INDEX <09 SwMUrlng, tVesley's objection to, loS rebukes for, 105, 191, 305 Swedenborg's writings, comments on, 35a Swindells, Mr. illness of, 13S mobbing at Shepton, 155 Swiss Guards in Holland, 446 Sydore, preaching at, 388 Tadcastek, preacfalng at, 414 Talk-on-the-Hill, visit to, 38 TannabuU, journey through, 229 Tantallon Castle, visit to, 377 Tapestry, Bishop of Durham's, Taunton, visits to, loS, 349, 360, 441 Tavistock, journey to, 149, 150 Taylor's, Dr., meeting-house at Norwich, 247 Tea, abstinence from, 146 Temper, Wesley's, 411 Temple Maqueteer, jonmey through, 160 Terence's "Adelphi," perform- ance of, by Westminster scho- lars, 343 Teulon's, Miss, school at High- gate, preaching at, 475 Tewkesbury, preaching at, 398 Texts, Wesley's, 9, 33, 34, 39, 40, 47. 48, SO. SI. 54. S7. 60-65, 71, 72, 76-81, 83, 8s, 87-89, 104- 106, 108-114, 129, 130, 137, 138, 140, 151, 160, 161, 165, 168, 170. 173-176, 187, 193, 198-201, 320, 222, 225, 238, 256, 258, 261, a63, 273, 274, 292, 306, 315, 320, 32s. 326. 328. 340. 346. 359. 373i 386, 408, 428, 437, 453-457. 466, 468, 473. 480, 485 Thanksgiving days, observance of in Methodist sodety, 221, 441 Thanksgiving, national, 264 Thetford, journey through, 248 Thirsk Methodist society at, aao preaching at, 306 Thomas's, Howell, preaching at, 179 Thomas's, Rev., efforts to rescue Wesley from mob, 134 Thomson! "Works," oomnents ThombuTf , preaching at, 19 Thome, visit to, 437 Thorny Hill, journey through, 2*7 Tinners Cornwall, Methodist tinner's sermon in, 244 preaching to, no, 114, 130 Tipperary, Whiteboys disturb- ances at, 289 Tiverton, journey through, 359 Todmorden, preaching at, 219 Tolcam mob attack at, 137 threa'encd arrest at, 136 Tonnylommon, preaching at, 387 TracooD, visit to Admiral Vaughan at. 455 ' - Tracts, Wesley's, 150, 329, 378, 403 Trade, English, development of, 407 Trances, accounts of, 259, 364 Travels, Wesley and his benefit to health, 397, 411, 439, 460, 472 fens, travelling through, set Fens ferry crossing, delay and dan. ger from, 78, 122, 171, 178, 179, 188, 228, 229, 252, 295, 301, 318 343, 378 moors, journeys across, 109, 174 religious converse with fellow travellers, duty of, 75 roads, see that title sands, crossing, 253, 318, 323 snow, 148, 228, 354, 369 storms, see that title sufferings from cold and rain, los, 147. 178, 194. 3ia. •25, 229, 248, aj6, 284, 338. 484 see also Voyages Treacle-cure, 169 TrefoUwin, preaching at, 179 Trevecka Harris, Howell, visit to, at, 228 Huntingdon' s. Countess of birthday celebrations, 34S Tiezuthan Downs, preaching 00 no, 113 Truro preaching at, 292, 34a, 39a visit to friandi at, 245 Tuam, visit to, 835 51* INDEX Tucker, William, Irish jounef with, i68 Tullamore, visits to, 157, 231 Tunbridge Wells, preaching at, 429 Turner's Hall, subsidence of floor in, 62 Turnpikes, opinion ot, 357 Tybee Island, anchorage near, 7 Tynemouth Castle, visit to, 341 Tyrrel's Pass, preaching at, 159 Universities Oxford, see that title Scotland, organisation in, 410 visit to, 208 Upton, preaching at. 335 Utrecht, impressions of, 449 Vaset'S, Mr., appointment to work in America, 456 Vassenaar's, Mme. de, hospitality at the Hague, 446, 447 Vaughan, Adm., visit to, 455 Visions second sight, instances of, 66, 280 sky, appearances in, 223 Voltaire, criticisms of, 352 Voyages, Wesley and his advice on, Wesley's, 250 American voyage, 4, 27 Channel Islands, 464, 469 Holland, 443, 450 Ireland, 161, 168, 172, 180, 204, 230, 236, 286, 384 SciUy Isles, 112 wreckage, narrow escapes from, 171, 431, 464 Wakefield, preaching at, 313 Wales, Wesley's travels in scenery, 236, 298, 316, 433 tours in, 63, 64, 78, 166, 178, 228, 236, 298, 315, 432 for particul^ places, ta their names Walsal mobbing at, 116 treatment of Methodists, change in, 303 Wapping French chapel, farewell ser- mon in, 83 opening of new chapel, 301 (veacbing at, 34, 225 Ward's, Franoli, honw attacked by mob, 114 Ware's, Sir J., "Antiquities of Ireland," comments on, 158 Warrington, preaching at, aiS, 322 Watch-night services, 83, 146, ZJ3, 191. I94i 300, 457. 474 Water-spout in Cornwall, 36! Waterford preaching at mob attacks on Metho* dists at, 188 papist riot, 386 Whiteboys rising in, 289 Watson, Mr., masons' attack at Enniskillen on, 388 Watts's, Dr., " "Treatise on the Passions," abridgment of, 344 Waxwork eflBgy, Wesley's, 393 Weather encountered by Wesley prayer, change of weather in answer to, 174, 218, 319, 469 preaching unhindered ,by weather, 50, 67, 106, 157, 278, 284, 307, 336, 342, 343 seealso Storms and Travellmg Wednesbmy mobbing at, 114 preaching at, 114, 177, 373, 336 Welling, preaching at, 283, 084, 328 Wesley, Charles American journey, 3 Indians, visit to, 9 return to England, 13 Bible texts, guidance by, 46 Blackwell's, Mr., house at Lewisham, fuewell visit to, 44 Bohler's, Peter, rehgious m- fluence on, 41 hymns Garrick's reported treat- ment of, 480 Wesley's appreciation of, 481 illness, 35, 190 justification by faith, ezperi< ence of, 42 Kingswood, visit to, 66 marriage with Sarah Gwynna 167 Pentecost of Methodism, 993 Plymouth, work at, 150 INDEX 511 Wtsley, Charles portrait, desire for Wesley's, 368 ' itormicrossing the Severn, laa work in the North, 147 Wesley, Mrs. John daughter of, 198 death of, xxxii illness, 343 journeys, 198, 206, sxf son, death of, 31c Wesley marriage with, 194 separation from, 363 Wesley, M13. Susannah, xvil death and funeral, 89 education of her family, letter on, 93, 93 fother of, see Annesley, Dr. field preachingat Kennington, attendance at, 61 joitification by faith, experi- ence of, 60 preaching, 90 Tisits to, Wesley's, 35, 56 West-Bromwich Heath, preach- ing at, 336 West Street Chapel preaching in, 191, 198, 33a, 424, 458, 462, 47S, 480 repairs to, 261 Westminster Abbey, tombs In, 301. 364 Whatcoat's, Mr., appointment to work in America, 456 Whateley's, Miss, "Poems," com- ments on, 336 Whitby preaching at, 278, 357 situation of, 209 Whitby Abt)ey, visit to, 278 Whitchurch, preaching at, 365, 433 Whiteboys rising, 389 Whitefield, Mr. death and ftmetal sermons, 361, 363 field preaching, 47 Georgia, voyage to, 31 return from, 48 Holland, Whitefield'l ser- mons read in, 449 Interviews with Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London, &( Jnstification, outward ligns 0(58 Whitefield, Mr. Kingswood colliery soceess of work amongst, 68 letter from, unauthorised pub- lication of, 73 Plymouth Dock, room at, 326 Wesley and criticism on Whitefield's preaching, 177 dispute, 73 Intercourse, 46, 57, 58, 50 394, 32°. 322, 344 reconciliation, 225 Whitehaven preaching at, 414, 416 visits to, 253, 338, 407 Whitehead's, Dr., medical atten- dance, 458, xxvi Wbitelamb's, Mr. , offer of use of Wroote Church, 88 Whitfield, Mr., association with, 442, 453 Widdop, escape from Barrowford mob to, 164 Wigan, preaching in former play- house at, 337 Wight, Isle of impressions of, 310 progress of Methodism in, 459 Wigton, preaching at, 255, 407 Will, Wesley's, 363, 477 codicil, 477 William the Silent, statue at Delft, 446 Williams's, Mr., hospitality, 316 Williamson, Mr., forbidden to allow Wesley use of church, 230 Williamson, Mrs., controversy at Savannah with, 17 charges against Wesley, 20 warrant for Wesley's arrest, 18 Wilson's, Bishop, tomb, visit to, 435 Winchelsea, preaching at, 366 Winchester, preaching at, 361, 424 Winchester Cathedral, visit to, 365 Windsor, preaching at, 153 Windsor Park, Duke of Cumtwr- land's improvements at, 367 Windthrop's, Alderman, protec- tion of Methodists at Cork, 1B4 Wine, abstinence from, 4 Winterbum, preaching at, 190 Wodrow's, " History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland," comments on, 334 Ml* INDEX Wolff, Mr. Wesley's last vMt to, XXV Wolsingluuii, preaching at, ^ Wolverhampton, first experiment in field preaching at, 273 Women, championship of Wesley by, 120, 133, 185 Woodseats, preaching at, 243 Worcester, preaching at, 33s Workhouses London, visit to cbjldren't vard in, 363 mission work m, 46 Wrestlingworth, preaching at, 283 Wright's, Mrs., waxwork efiSgles, 393 Writm^s, Wesley's criticism of Wesley's friend, 206 4ebt incurred by publication, ■OS. "37 Original "Calm Address to the American Colonies," "OharacteTof a Matbo dist, '329 "DisGoiinaib ifia Writings, Wesley's original "Lessons for ChlldNB,* "NewTestamentNoles * 2x4, 265 " Word to a Preeholdsr," 150 proceeds, disposition of, by codicil, 477 revised edition 371 translation m Aldrich's •' Logic," 179 Wesley's comments oo his own writings, 344 sa aho Boola Wroote Church, preaching la, H Yarh, visit to, 277 Yarmouth, preaching at, 483 York, preaching at, 2so, 180, 324, 414.427 York Minster, attendance at sar. vice in, 220 Young's, Robert, assault on We» ley, n6 Zbbbuko, visit to, 448 Ztmur, preaching at, lat, i0t Frinied in the United States of A tnerica