profitable hour with Mr. Whitefield, in calling to mind
WESLEY'S JOURNAL = Marcu 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 fourand-twenty.
Why do persons who treat the same subjects with me, write so much larger books?
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. 27 (London.)—I had one more agreeable 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 landsharks 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 hardships, and survived them.
Sure no novel in the world
Aprit1769
A THREE FARTHINGS' FORT
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 Archdeacon C—-—e, who desired I would take a bed with him ; and soon after by another, who told me the Archdeacon 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 Church 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 Charlemount, 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 (according 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
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 founder'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!
Bands they have none: four-and-forty persons jn 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 Forsaken Beauty Thur. May 25.—I rode to Bandon, In the evening we were obliged to be in the house; but the next,
Friday, 26, I stood in the main street, and cried to a numerous congregation, " Fear God, and keep his commandments; 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