Wednesday, 20, in the afternoon, met my brother in
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
June 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 !) 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, 20, in the afternoon, met my brother in London.
Monday, 25, 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 society 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 love!