going too far? I mean, 5. Walking uniformly as
Jury 1769 DEFINES CHRISTIAN PERFECTION 347
black despair, believing herself forsaken of God, and possessed by a legion of devils!
Yet I found great liberty in praying for her, and a strong hope that she will die in peace.
Tues. June 27.—[From a letter "to a pious and sensible woman"] "By Christian perfection, I mean, 1. Loving God with all our heart.
Do you object to this?
I mean, 2. 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 anything 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 Conference.
Tuesday, August 1, 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 Pillmoor, willingly offered themselves for the service ;
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Avs. 1769 by whom we determined to send them fifty pounds, as a token of our brotherly love.
Wesley at the 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. 24.—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 and beautified his house; so that, with the gardens, orchards, walks, and pieces of water that surround it, it is a kind of little paradise.
LADY HUNTINGDON
Serr. 1769
REMARKABLE SCENERY
Fri. 25.—We rode through a lovely country to Chepstow.
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 serpentine 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 ?
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.
Westward, 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 voice, especially one, called a gentleman, who had filled