our covenant with God. It wasa solemn season, wherein
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Jan. 1777 milder way.
Let them only agree together to discharge any tinner or labourer that is concerned in the plundering of a wreck, and advertise his name, that no Cornish gentleman may employ him any more; and neither tinner nor labourer will any more be concerned in that bad work.
Sun. 18.—The passage through the sands being bad for a chaise, I rode on horseback to St. Agnes, where the rain constrained me to preach in the house.
As we rode back to Redruth, it poured down amain, and found its way through all our clothes.
I was tired when I came in; but after sleeping a quarter of an hour, all my weariness was gone.
In Bethnal Green Hamlet 1777.
Wed. Jan. 1.—We met, as usual, to renew our covenant with God.
It wasa solemn season, wherein many found His power present to heal, and were enabled to urge their way with strength renewed.
Thur. 2.—I began expounding, in order, the book of Ecclesiastes.
JI never before had so clear a sight either of the meaning or the beauties of it.
Neither did I imagine that the several parts of it were in so exquisite a manner connected together; all tending to prove that grand truth—that there is no happiness out of God.
Wed. 15.—I began visiting those of our society who lived in Bethnal-green hamlet.
Many of them I found in such poverty as few can conceive without seeing it.
O why do not all the rich that fear God constantly visit the poor!
Can they spend part of their spare-time better?
Certainly not.
So they will find in that day when 'every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour."
Such another scene I saw the next day, in visiting
May 1777 STONE-LAYING AT CITY ROAD 413
another part of the society.
I have not found any such distress, no, not in the prison of Newgate.
One poor man was just creeping out of his sick-bed, to his ragged wife and three little children ; who were more than half naked, and the very picture of famine; when one bringing in a loaf of bread, they all ran, seized upon it, and tore it in pieces in an instant.
Who would not rejoice that there is another world?
City Road Chapel Begun Monday, April 21, was the day appointed for laying the foundation of the new chapel.
The rain befriended us much, by keeping away thousands who purposed to be there.
But there were still such multitudes, that it was with great difficulty I got through them, to lay the first stone.
Upon this was a plate of brass (covered with another stone), on which was engraved, " This was laid by Mr. John Wesley, on April 1, 1777."
Probably this will be seen no more, by any human eye; but will remain there, till the earth and the works thereof are burned up.
Sun. 27.—The sun breaking out, I snatched the opportunity of preaching to many thousands in Moorfields.
All were still as night, while I showed how " the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil."
Wed. May 14.—At eleven I preached at Pocklington, with an eye to the death of that lovely woman, Mrs.
Cross.
A gay young gentleman, with a young lady, stepped in, stayed five minutes, and went out again, with as easy an unconcern as if they had been listening to a ballad-singer.
I mentioned to the congregation the deep folly and ignorance implied in such behaviour.
These pretty fools never thought that for this very
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
May 1777 opportunity they are to give an account before men and angels!
In the evening I preached at York.
I would gladly have rested the next day, feeling my breast much out of order.
But notice having been given of my preaching at Tadcaster, I set out at nine in the morning.
About ten the chaise broke down.
I borrowed a horse; but as he was none of the easiest, in riding three miles I was so thoroughly electrified, that the pain in my breast was quite cured.
I preached in the evening at York; on Friday took the diligence ; and on Saturday afternoon came to London.
Wesley in the Isle of Man Fri. 30.—I went on to Whitehaven, where I found a little vessel waiting for me.
After preaching in the evening, I went on board about eight o'clock, and before eight in the morning landed at Douglas,in the Isle of Man
Douglas exceedingly resembles Newlyn in Cornwall; both in its situation, form, and buildings; only it is much larger, and has a few houses equal to most in Penzance.
As soon as we landed, I was challenged by:
Mr. Booth, who had seen me in Ireland, and whose brother has been for many years a member of the society in Coolylough.
A chaise was provided to carry me to Castletown.
I was greatly surprised at the country.
All the way from Douglas to Castletown it is as pleasant and as well cultivated as most parts of England, with many gentlemen's seats.
Castletown a good deal resembles Galway; only it is not so large.
At six I preached near the castle, I believe, to all the inhabitants of the town.
Two or three gay young women showed they knew nothing about religion ; all the rest were deeply serious,
June 1777 PREACHING IN A MALT-HOUSE 415
Sun, June 1.—At six I preached in our own room; and, to my surprise, saw all the gentlewomen there.
Young as well as old were now deeply affected, and would fain have had me stayed, were it but an hour or two ; but I was forced to hasten away, in order to be at Peeltown before the service began.
Mr. Corbett said, he would gladly have asked me to preach, but that the Bishop had forbidden him; who had also forbidden all his Clergy to admit any Methodist
Preacher to the Lord's supper.
But is any Clergyman obliged, either in law or conscience, to obey such a prohibition?
By no means.
The will even of the King does not bind any English subject, unless it be seconded by an express law.
How much less the will of a Bishop?
'But did not you take an oath to obey him?"
No, nor any Clergyman in the three kingdoms.
This is a mere vulgar error.
Shame that it should prevail almost universally.
As it rained, I retired after service into a large malthouse.
Most of the congregation followed, and devoured the word.
It being fair in the afternoon, the whole congregation stopped in the church-yard ; and the word of God was with power.
It was a happy opportunity.
The Manx Men Mon. 2.—The greater part of them were present at five in the morning.
A more loving, simple-hearted people than this I never saw, And no wonder ; for they have but six Papists, and no Dissenters, in the island.
It is supposed to contain near thirty thousand people, remarkably courteous and humane.
Ever since smuggling was suppressed, they diligently cultivate their land : and they have a large herring fishery, so that the country improves daily.
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Aue. 1777
The old castle at Peel (as well as the cathedral built within it) is only a heap of ruins.
It was very large, and exceeding strong, with many brass guns; but they are now removed to England.
I set out for Douglas in the one-horse chaise, Mrs.
Smyth riding with me.
In about an hour, in spite of all I could do, the headstrong horse ran the wheel against a large stone: the chaise overset in a moment ; but we fell so gently on smooth grass, that neither of us was hurt at all.
In the evening I preached at Douglas, to near as large a congregation as that at Peel, but not near so serious.
Before ten we went on board, and about twelve on Tuesday, 3, landed at Whitehaven.
I preached at five in the afternoon; and hastening to Cockermouth, found a large congregation waiting in the castle-yard.
Between nine and ten o'clock I took chaise ; and about ten on Wednesday, 4, reached Settle.
In the evening I preached near the market-place, and all but two or three gentlefolks were seriously attentive.
Thursday, 5.
About noon I came to Otley.
"Taught by a Chaise Boy"
Mon. July 21.—Having been much pressed to preach at Jatterson, a colliery, six or seven miles from Pembroke,
I began soon after seven.
The house was presently filled, and all the space about the doors and windows; and the poor people drank in every word.
I had finished my sermon, when a gentleman, violently pressing in, bade the people get home and mind their business.
As he used some bad words, my driver spake to him.
He fiercely said, 'Do you think I need to be taught by a chaise-boy?"
The lad replying, "Really, Sir, I do think so," the conversation ended.
Tues. Aug. 5.—Our yearly Conference began.
Auc. 1777.
WESLEY AT CONFERENCE
now particularly inquired (as that report had been spread far and wide) of every assistant, "* Have you reason to believe, from your own observation, that the Methodists are a fallen people?
Is there a decay or an increase in the work of God where you have been?
Are the societies in general more dead, or more alive to God, than they were some years ago?"
The almost universal answer was, "If we must 'know them by their fruits,' there is no decay in the work of God among the people in general.
'The societies are not dead to God: they are as much alive as they have been for many years.
And we look on this report as a mere device of Satan, to make our hands hang down."
Are the Methodists a Fallen People?
But how can this question be decided?"
You, and you, can judge no farther than you see.
You cannot judge of one part by another; of the people of London, suppose, by those of Bristol.
And none but myself has an opportunity of seeing them throughout the three kingdoms.
But to come to a short issue.
In most places, the Methodists are still a poor despised people, labouring under reproach, and many inconveniences ; therefore, wherever the power of God is not, they decrease.
By this, then, you may form a sure judgment.
Do the Methodists in general decrease in number?
Then they decrease in grace; they are a fallen, or, at least, a falling people.
But they do not decrease in number ; they continually increase; therefore, they are not a fallen people.
'The Conference concluded on Friday, as it began, in much love.