evening came to Oxford, where I spent the two following
Jan. 1740
WESLEY'S CORRESPONDENTS
"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 remember, 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 despised and forsaken of all men, lived obscure and unknown for a few months, and then went to Him whom his soul loved,
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
ApriL 1740 Mon. 21.—I preached at Hannam, four miles from Bristol.
In the evening I made a collection in our congregation 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 collection 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 1 (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, sufficiently prejudiced against us.
But they insulted 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. 2.—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. 1740
PREACHING INCIDENTS
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 dismissed me with many blessings.
Preaching Incidents Sun. 28.—I began expounding the sermon on the mount, at London.
In the afternoon I described toa 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 round the door, who opened all their throats the
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Nov. 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 proposed 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 societyroom, 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,