met together in London, in order to renew our covenant
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
May 1776 blame where it was due, the 'Calm Address' was written.
'Sir, I am, '¢ Your humble servant,
"JoHN WESLEY."
Preaching from the Stocks 1776.
January 1.—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 opportunity.
Sun. 14.
As I 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 drinking 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 off 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 1.—I set out early, and the next afternoon
May 1776
WESLEY'S TWO INQUIRIES
reached Whitehaven; and my chaise-horses were no worse for travelling near a hundred and ten miles in two days.
In travelling through Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, 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, amazingly 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 affirm 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 Wigton, 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.