and Scotland; the lovely weather continuing, such as
Mar. 1779 WALKING AND SLEEPING
coach to follow me. But it was in no great haste: it did not overtake me till I had walked above five miles.
I cared not if it had been ten: the more I walk, the sounder I sleep.
Sun. 15.—Having promised to preach in the evening at St. Antholine's church, I had desired one to have a coach ready at the door, when the service at the new chapel was ended.
But he had forgot; so that, after preaching and meeting the society, I was obliged to walk as fast as I could to the church.
The people were so wedged together, that it was with difficulty I got in. The church was extremely hot; but this I soon forgot; for it pleased God to send a gracious rain upon his inheritance.
Sun. 29.—I was desired to preach a charity sermon in St. Luke's church, Old-street.
I doubt whether it was ever so crowded before; and the fear of God seemed to possess the whole audience. In the afternoon I preached at the new chapel; and at seven, in St. Margaret's, Rood-lane; full as much crowded as St. Luke's.
Is then the scandal of the cross ceased ?
Wesley goes North 1779. Mon. Mar. 15.—I began my tour through England and Scotland; the lovely weather continuing, such as the oldest man alive has not seen before, for January,
February, and half of March.
In the evening I preached at Stroud, the next morning at Gloucester, designing to preach in Stanley at two, and at Tewkesbury in the evening: but the minister of Gratton (near Stanley) sending me word, I was welcome to the use of his church, I ordered notice to be given, that the service would begin there at six o'clock.
Stanley chapel was thoroughly filled at two.
It is eighteen years since I
4.22
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
May 1779 was there before; so that many of those whom I saw here then were now grey-headed; and many were gone to Abraham's bosom.
May we follow them as they did Christ !
Thur. 25.—I preached in the new house which Mr.
Fletcher has built in Madeley-wood.
The people here exactly resemble those at Kingswood; only they are more simple and teachable.
But for want of discipline, the immense pains which he has taken with them has not done the good which might have been expected.
I preached at Shrewsbury in the evening, and on Friday, 26, about noon, in the assembly-room at Broseley.
It was well we were in the shade; for the sun shone as hot as it usually does at midsummer.
We walked from thence to Coalbrook-dale, and took a view of the bridge which is shortly to be thrown over the Severn.
It is one arch, a hundred feet broad, fifty-two high, and eighteen wide; all of cast-iron, weighing many hundred tons.
I doubt whether che Colossus at Rhodes weighed much more.
Thur. April 15.—I went to Halifax, where a little thing had lately occasioned great disturbance.
An angel blowing a trumpet was placed on the sounding-board over the pulpit.
Many were vehemently against this; others as vehemently for it: but a total end was. soon put to the contest; for the angel vanished away.
The congregations, morning and evening, were very large ; and the work of God seems to increase in depth as well as extent.
Sun, May 2.—Dr. Kershaw, the vicar of Leeds, desired me to assist him at the sacrament,
It was a solemn season.
We were ten clergymen, and seven or eight hundred communicants, Mr. Atkinson desired
Juty 1779
PATERNAL AFFECTION
4.23 me to preach in the afternoon.
Such a congregation had been seldom seen there; but I preached to a much larger in our own house at five; and I found no want of strength.
Mon. June 28.—I preached in the new preachinghouse, at Robin-Hood's-bay, and then went on to Scarborough.
Tuesday, 29, I spent agreeably and profitably with my old friends; and in my way to Bridlington,
Wednesday, 30, took a view of Flamborough-head.
It is an huge rock, rising perpendicular from the sea to an immense height, which gives shelter to an innumerable multitude of sea-fowl of various kinds.
I preached in the evening at Bridlington, and afterwards heard a very uncommon instance of paternal affection :—A gentleman of the town had a favourite daughter, whom he set up in a milliner's shop.
Some time after she had a concern for her soul, and believed it her duty to enter into the society.
Upon this her good father forbad her his house ; demanding all the money he had laid out ; and required her instantly to sell all her goods, in order to make the payment } Wesley Attended by Felons Wed. July 21.—When I came to Coventry, I found notice had been given for my preaching in the park ; but the heavy rain prevented.
I sent to the Mayor, desiring the use of the town-hall.
He refused; but the same day gave the use of it to a dancing-master.
I then went to the women's market.
Many soon gathered together, and listened with all seriousness.
I preached there again the next morning, Thursday, 22, and again in the evening.
Then I took coach for London.
I was nobly attended: behind the coach were ten convicted felons, loudly blaspheming and rattling their
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Ocr. 1779 chains; by my side sat a man with a loaded blunderbuss, and another upon the coach.
Sun. 25.—Both the chapels were full enough.
On Monday, I retired to Lewisham to write.
Tues. August 3.
Our Conference began; which continued and ended in peace and love.
Sunday, 8. I was at West-street in the morning, and at the new chapel in the evening, when I took a solemn leave of the affectionate congregation.
This was the last night which I spent at the Foundery.
What hath God wrought there in one-and-forty years !
Fri. August 13 (Monmouth).—As I was going down a steep pair of stairs, my foot slipped, and I fell down several steps. Falling on the edge of one'of them, it broke the case of an almanack, which was in my pocket, all to pieces.
The edge of another stair met my right buckle, and snapped the steel chape of it in two; but I was not hurt.
So doth our good Master give his angels charge over us!
In the evening I preached at Brecknock.
"Make your Will before you Sleep"
Thurs. Sept. 23.—In the evening one sat behind me in the pulpit at Bristol, who was one of our first masters at Kingswood. A little after he left the school he likewise left the society. Riches then flowed in upon him; with which, having no relations, Mr. Spencer designed to do much good—after his death.
«But God said unto him, Thou fool!"
Two hours after he died intestate, and left all his money to—be scrambled for !
Reader, if you have not done it already, make your will before you sleep !
Wed. Oct. 6.—At eleven I preached in Winchester, where there are four thousand five hundred French