Sunday, 5. We met to renew our covenant with God.
WESLEY'S JOURNAL _—_ June 1783 evening, and at five and twelve on Tuesday, purposing to preach in the square at the Dock in the evening; but the rain prevented.
However, I did so on Wednesday evening.
A little before I concluded, the commanding officer came into the square with his regiment; but he immediately stopped the drums, and drew up all his men in order on the high side of the square.
They were all still as night; nor did any of them stir, till I had pronounced the blessing.
"The Tide is now Turned"
1783.
Wed. Jan. 1.—May I begin to live to-day!
Sunday, 5. We met to renew our covenant with God.
We never meet on this occasion without a blessing; but I do not know that we had ever so large a congregation before.
Sun. 19.—I preached at St. Thomas's church in the afternoon, and at St. Swithin's in the evening.
The tide is now turned; so that I have more invitations to preach in churches than I can accept of.
Fri. Feb, 21.—At our yearly meeting for that purpose, we examined our yearly accounts, and found the money
(just answering the expense) was upwards of three thousand pounds a year.
But that is nothing to me: what I receive of it yearly, is neither more nor less than thirty pounds, Sun. June 1.—I was refreshed by the very sight ot the congregation at the new chapel (London).
Monday, 2, and the following days, I employed in settling my business, and preparing for my little excursion.
Wednesday, 11. I took coach with Mr. Brackenbury, Broadbent, and Whitfield; and in the evening we reached Harwich,
I went immediately to Dr. Jones, who received me in the most affectionate manner.
About nine in the morn-
June 1783
IN ROTTERDAM
ing we sailed, and at nine on Friday, 13, landed at Helvoetsluys.
Wesley Visits Holland Here we hired a coach for Briel, but were forced to hire a waggon also, to carry a box which one of us could have carried on his shoulders.
At Briel we took a boat to Rotterdam.
We had not been long there, when Mr.
Bennet, a bookseller, who had invited me to his house, called upon me.
But as Mr. Loyal, the minister of the Scotch congregation, had invited me, he gave up his claim, and went with us to Mr. Loyal's.
I found a friendly, sensible, hospitable, and, I am persuaded, a pious man.
We took a walk together round the town, all as clean as a gentleman's parlour.
Many of the houses are as high as those in the main street at Edinburgh ; and the canals, running through the chief streets, make them convenient, as well as pleasant; bringing the merchants' goods up to their doors.
Stately trees grow on all their banks.
The whole town is encompassed with a double row of elms; so that one may walk all round it in the shade.
Sat. 14.—I had much conversation with the two English ministers, sensible, well-bred, serious men.
These, as well as Mr. Loyal, were very willing I should preach in their churches; but they thought it would be best for me to preach in the Episcopal church.
By our conversing freely together, many prejudices were removed, and all our hearts seemed to be united together.
In the evening we again took a walk round the town, and I observed, 1. Many of the houses are higher than most in Edinburgh. It is true they have not so many stories ; but each story is far loftier.
2. The streets, the outside and inside of their houses in every part, doors, windows,
44.4
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
June 1783 well-staircases, furniture, even floors, are kept so nicely clean that you cannot find a speck of dirt.
3. There is such a grandeur and elegance in the fronts of the large houses, as I never saw elsewhere; and such a profusion of marble within, particularly in their lower floors and staircases, as I wonder other nations do not imitate.
The women and children (which I least of all expected) were in general the most beautiful I ever saw.
They were surprisingly fair, and had an inexpressible air of innocence in their countenance.
5. This was wonderfully set off by their dress, which was simplex munditiis, plain and neat in the highest degree.
6. It has lately been observed, that growing vegetables greatly resist putridity : so there is an use in their numerous rows of trees which was not thought of at first.
The elms balance the canals, preventing the putrefaction which those otherwise might produce.
The Reverent Dutch One little circumstance I observed, which I suppose is peculiar to Holland: to most chamber-windows a looking-glass is placed on the outside of the sash, so as to show the whole street, with all the passengers.
There is something very pleasing in these moving pictures. Are they found in no other country ?
Sun. 15.—The Episcopal church is not quite so large as the chapel in West-street.
It is very elegant both without and within. The service began at half-past nine.
Such a congregation had not often been there before.
I preached on, 'God created man in his own image." The people seemed, "all but their attention, dead."
In the afternoon the church was so filled as (they informed me) it had not been for these fifty years. I preached on,
"'God hath given us eternal life; and this life is in his
June 1783. THE CHARMS OF HOLLAND
Son."
I believe God applied it to many hearts.
Were it only for this hour, I am glad I came to Holland.
One thing which I peculiarly observed was this, and the same in all the churches in Holland: at coming in, no one looks on the right or the left hand, or bows or courtesies to any one; but all go straight forward to their seats, as if no other person was in the place.
During the service, none turns his head on either side, or looks at anything but his book or the minister ; and in going out, none take notice of any one, but all go straight forward till they are in the open air.
After church an English gentleman invited me to his country-house, not half a mile from the town.
I scarce ever saw so pretty a place.
The garden before the house was in three partitions, each quite different from the others.
The house lay between this and another garden (nothing like any of the others), from which you looked through a beautiful summer-house, washed by a small stream, into rich pastures filled with cattle.
We sat under an arbour of stately trees, between the front and the back gardens. Here were four such children (I suppose seven, six, five, and three years old) as I never saw before in one family ; such inexpressible beauty and innocence shone together !
In the evening I attended the service of the great Dutch church, as large as most of our cathedrals. The organ (like those in all the Dutch churches) was elegantly painted and gilded; and the tunes that were sung were very lively, and yet solemn.
Mon. 16.—We set out in a track-skuit for the Hague.
By the way we saw a curiosity; the gallows near the canal, surrounded with a knot of beautiful trees ; so the dying man will have one pleasant prospect here, whatever befalls him hereafter!
At eleven we came to Delft,
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
June 1783 a large, handsome town, where we spent an hour at a merchant's house, who, as well as his wife, a very agreeable woman, seemed both to fear and to love God.
Afterwards we saw the great church; I think nearly, if not quite, as long as York Minster.
It is exceedingly light and elegant within, and every part is kept exquisitely clean.
The tomb of William the First is much admired; particularly his statue, which has more life than one would think could be expressed in brass.
The Beautiful Hague When we came to the Hague, though we had heard much of it, we were not disappointed.
It is, indeed, beautiful beyond expression.
Many of the houses are exceeding grand, and are finely intermixed with water and wood; yet are not too close, but so as to be sufficiently ventilated by the air.
Being invited to tea by Madam de Vassenaar (one of the first quality in the Hague), I waited upon her in the afternoon.
She received us with that easy openness and affability which is almost peculiar to Christians and persons of quality.
Soon after came ten or twelve ladies more, who seemed to be of her own rank (though dressed quite plain), and two most agreeable gentlemen ; one of whom, I afterwards understood, was a colonel in the Prince's Guards.
After tea I expounded the three first verses of the thirteenth of the first Epistle to the Corinthians.
Captain M. interpreted, sentence by sentence. I then prayed, and Colonel V. after me. I believe this hour was well employed.
Tues. 17.—As we walked over the Place we saw the Swiss Guards at their exercise.
They are a fine body of men, taller, I suppose, than any English regiment; and they all wear large black whiskers, which they take care
_ June 1783
DUTCH SINGING
to keep as black as their boots.
Afterwards we saw the gardens at the Old Palace, beautifully laid out, with a large piece of water in the middle, and a canal at each end: the open walks in it are pleasant, but the shady serpentine walks are far pleasanter.
We dined at Mrs, L——'s, in such a family as I have seldom seen.
Her mother, upwards of seventy, seemed to be continually rejoicing in God her Saviour: the daughter breathes the same spirit; and her grandchildren, three little girls and a boy, seem to be all love.
I have not seen four such children together in all England.
gentleman coming in after dinner, I found a particular desire to pray for him.
In a little while he melted into tears, as indeed did most of the company.
Wed. 18.
In the afternoon Madam de Vassenaar invited us to a meeting at a neighbouring lady's house.
I expounded Gal. vi. 14, and Mr. M. interpreted as before.
At Leyden and Amsterdam Thurs. 19.—We took boat at seven. Mrs, L. and one of her relations, being unwilling to part so soon, bore us company to Leyden; a large and populous town, but not so pleasant as Rotterdam.
In the afternoon we went on to Haerlem, where a plain, good man and his wife received us in a most affectionate manner.
At six we took boat again.
As it was filled from end to end, I was afraid we should not have a very pleasant journey.
After Mr. Ferguson had told the people who we were, we made a slight excuse, and sung an hymn,
They were all attention.
We then talked a little, by means of our interpreter, and desired that any of them who pleased would sing. Four persons did so; and sung well. After a while we sung again: so did one or two of them; and
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
June 1783 all our hearts were strangely knit together, so that when we came to Amsterdam they dismissed us with abundance of blessings.
Fri. 20.—We breakfasted at Mr. Ferguson's, near the heart of the city.
At eleven we drank coffee (the custom in Holland) at Mr. J 's, a merchant, whose diningroom is covered, both walls and ceiling, with the most beautiful paintings.
He and his lady walked with us in the afternoon to the Stadt-house; perhaps the grandest buildings of the kind in Europe.
The great hallis a noble room indeed, near as large as that of Christ-church in Oxford.
But I have neither time nor inclination to describe particularly this amazing structure.
The Warmly Affectionate Dutch Sun. 22.—I went to the new church, so called still, though four or five hundred years old.
It is larger, higher, and better illuminated than most of our cathedrals.
The screen that divides the church from the choir is of polished brass, and shines like gold. I understood the Psalms that were sung, and the text well, and a little of the sermon; which Mr. De H. delivered with great earnestness.
At two I began the service at the English church, an elegant building, about the size of West-street chapel.
Only it has no galleries; nor have any of the churches in Holland.
I preached on Isaiah lv. 6, 7; and I am persuaded many received the truth in the love thereof.
After dinner Mrs. J took me in a coach to the Mere, and thence round the country to Zeeburg.
I never saw such a country before: I suppose there is no such summer country in Europe.
From Amsterdam to Mere is all a train of the most delightful gardens.
Turning upon the left, you then open upon the Texel,
June 1783
THE DUTCH CHARACTER
which spreads into a sea.
Zeeburg itself is a little house built on the edge of it, which commands both a land and a sea prospect.
What is wanting to make the inhabitants happy, but the knowledge and love of God?
Wed. 25.—We took boat for Haerlem.
The great church here is a noble structure, equalled by few cathedrals in England, either in length, breadth, or height: the organ is the largest I ever saw, and is said to be the finest in Europe.
Hence we went to Mr. Van Ka 's, whose wife was convinced of sin and justified by reading Mr. Whitefield's sermons.
Here we were as at home.
Before dinner we took a walk in Haerlem Wood.
It adjoins to the town, and is cut out in many shady walks; with lovely vistas shooting out every way.
The walk from the Hague to Scheveling is pleasant; those near Amsterdam more so; but these exceed them all.
We returned in the afternoon to Amsterdam ; and in the evening took leave of as many of our friends as we could. Howentirely were we mistaken in the Hollanders, supposing them to be of a cold, phlegmatic, unfriendly temper!
Ihave not met with a more warmly affectionate people in all Europe! no, not in Ireland!
Wesley at Utrecht Thur. 26.—Our friends having largely provided us with wine and fruits for our little journey, we took boat in a lovely morning for Utrecht.
Utrecht has much the look of an English town.
The streets are broad, and have many noble houses.
In quietness and stillness it much resembles Oxford.
The country all round is like a garden: and the people I conversed with are not only civil and hospitable, but friendly and affectionate, even as those at Amsterdam.
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WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Dec. 1783
Mon. 30.—We hired a coach for Rotterdam, at half a crown per head.
We dined at Gouda, at Mr Van Flooten's, minister of the town, who received us with all possible kindness.
Before dinner we went into the church, famous for its painted windows ; but we had not time to survey a tenth part of them: we could only observe, in general, that the colours were exceeding lively, and the figures exactly proportioned.
In the evening we reached once more the hospitable house of Mr. Loyal, at Rotterdam.
Tues. July 1.—I called on as many as I could of my friends,and we parted with much affection. We then hired a yacht, which brought us to Helvoetsluys about eleven the next day.
At two we went on board; but the wind turning against us, we did not reach Harwich till about nine on Friday morning.
After a little rest, we procured a Carriage, and reached London about eleven at night.
Two Hours With Dr, Johnson I can by no means regret either the trouble or expense which attended this little journey.
It opened me a way into, as it were, a new world; where the land, the buildings, the people, the customs, were all such as I had never seen before.
But as those with whom I conversed were of the same spirit with my friends in England,
I was as much at home in Utrecht and Amsterdam, as in Bristol and London.
Sun. 6.—We rejoiced to meet once more with our English friends in the new chapel; who were refreshed with the account of the gracious work which God is working in Holland also.
Thur. Dec. 18.—I spent two hours with that great man, Dr. Johnson, who is sinking into the grave by a gentle decay.
JOHN WESLEY AND DR, JOHNSON IN THE TOWER JOHN WESLEY VISITS LORD GEORGE GORDON
A>rit1784. PREACHING AT FIVE A.M.
Mon. April 5.—I was surprised, when I came to Chester, to find that there also morning preaching was quite left off, for this worthy reason:
'Because the people will not come, or, at least, not in the winter."
If so, the Methodists are a fallen people.
Here is proof.
They have "lost their first love": and they never will or can recover it, till they 'do the first works."
Wesley and Early Rising As soon as I set foot in Georgia, I began preaching at five in the morning ; and every communicant, that is, every serious person in the town, constantly attended throughout the year: I mean, every morning, winter and summer, unless in the case of sickness.
They did so till I left the province.
In the year 1738, when God began his great work in England, I began preaching at the same hour, winter and suinmer, and never wanted a congregation.
If they will not attend now, they have lost their zeal; and then, it cannot be denied, they are a fallen people.
And, in the mean time, we are labouring to secure the preaching-houses to the next generation!
In the name of God, let us, if possible, secure the present generation from drawing back to perdition!
Let all the preachers that are still alive to God join together as one man, fast and pray, lift up their voice as a trumpet, be instant, in season, out of season, to convince them they are fallen ; and exhort them instantly to repent, and "do the first works": this in particular—rising in the morning, without which neither their souls nor bodies can long remain in health.
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WESLEY'S JOURNAL
May 1784 Mon. 19.—I went on to Ambleside ; where, as I was sitting down to supper, I was informed, notice had been given of my preaching, and that the congregation was waiting.
I would not disappoint them; but preached immediately on salvation by faith.
Among them werea gentleman and his wife, who gave me a remarkable relation.
Remarkable Escape from Prison She said she had often heard her mother relate, what an intimate acquaintance had told her, that her husband was concerned in the Rebellion of 1745.
He was tried at Carlisle, and found guilty.
The evening before he was to die, sitting and musing in her chair, she fell fast asleep.
She dreamed, one came to her, and said, ''Go to such a part of the wall, and among the loose stones you will find a key, which you must carry to your husband."
She waked; but, thinking it a common dream, paid no attention to it.
Presently she fell asleep again, and dreamed the very same dream.
She started up, put on her cloak and hat, and went to that part of the wall, and among the loose stones found a key.
Having, with some difficulty, procured admission into the gaol, she gave this to her husband.
It opened the door of his cell, as well as the lock of the prison door.
So at midnight he escaped for life.
The Banks of the Spey Sat. May 8.—We reached the banks of the Spey.
I suppose there are few such rivers in Europe.
The rapidity of it exceeds even that of the Rhine: and it was now much swelled with melting snow.
However, we made shift to get over before ten; and about twelve reached Elgin.
Here I was received by a daughter of
May 1784
WESLEY IN SCOTLAND
good Mr. Plenderleith, late of Edinburgh; with whom, having spent an agreeable hour, I hastened toward Forres: but we were soon at full stop again; the river
Findhorn also was so swollen, that we were afraid the ford was not passable.
However, having a good guide, we passed it without much difficulty.
I found Sir Lodowick Grant almost worn out. Never was a visit more seasonable.
By free and friendly conversation his spirits were so raised, that I am in hopes it will lengthen his life.
Sun. 9.—I preached to a small company at noon, on, 'His commandments are not grievous."
As I was concluding, Colonel Grant and his lady came in: for whose sake I began again, and lectured, as they call it, on the former part of the fifteenth chapter of St. Luke.
We had a larger company in the afternoon, to whom I preached on "judgment to come."
And this subject seemed to affect them most.
Twelve and a Half Miles in Heavy Rain Mon. 10.—I set out for Inverness.
I had sent Mr.
M'Allum before, on George Whitfield's horse, to give notice of my coming.
Hereby I was obliged to take both George and Mrs. M'Allum with me in my chaise.
To ease the horses, we walked forward from Nairn, ordering Richard to follow us, as soon as they were fed: he did so, but there were two roads.
So, as we took one, and he the other, we walked about twelve miles and a half of the way, through heavy rain.
We then found Richard waiting for us at a little ale-house, and drove on to Inverness.
But, blessed be God, I was no more tired than when I set out from Nairn.
I preached at seven to a far larger congregation than I had seen here since I preached in the kirk.
And surely the labour was not in vain: for God sent a message to many hearts,
WESLEY'S JOURNAL = May 1784
Tues. 11.—Notwithstanding the long discontinuance of morning preaching, we had a large congregation at five.
I breakfasted at the first house I was invited to at Inverness, where good Mr. M'Kenzie then lived.
His three daughters live in it now ; one of whom inherits all the spirit of her father.
In the afternoon we took a walk over the bridge, into one of the pleasantest countries
I have seen.
It runs along by the side of the clear river, and is well-cultivated and well-wooded.
And here first we heard abundance of birds, welcoming the return of spring.
The congregation was larger this evening than the last: and great part of them attended in the morning.
We had then a solemn parting, as we could hardly expect to meet again in the present world.
Incidents in Scotland Tues. 18.—I preached at Dundee.
Wednesday, 19.
I crossed over the pleasant and fertile county of Fife, to Melval-house, the grand and beautiful seat of Lord Leven.
He was not at home, being gone to Edinburgh, as the King's Commissioner ; but the Countess was, with two of her daughters, and both her sons-in-law.
At their desire, I preached in the evening, on, "It is appointed unto man once to die"; and I believe God made the application.
Thur. 20.—It blew a storm; nevertheless, with some difficulty, we crossed the Queen's-ferry.
Sat. 22 (Edinburgh).—A famous actress, just come down from London (which, for the honour of Scotland, is just during the sitting of the Assembly), stole away a great part of our congregation to-night.
How much wiser are these Scots than their forefathers !
Sun. 23.—I went in the morning to the Tolbooth kirk ; in the afternoon, to the old Episcopal chapel. But