may it be the best year of my life! Sunday, 2. A larger
Jan.1785
PREACHING IN NEWGATE
(instead of four), went off, as it usually did, with a thundering noise.
At this the thieves ran away with all speed ; though their work was not half done; and the whole damage which we sustained scarce amounted to six pounds.
Sun. Dec. 26.—I preached the condemned criminals' sermon in Newgate.
Forty-seven were under sentence of death.
While they were coming in, there was something very awful in the clink of their chains.
But no sound was heard, either from them or the crowded audience, after the text was named, "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, that need not repentance."
The power of the Lord was eminently present, and most of the prisoners were in tears.
A few days after, twenty of them died at once, five of whom died in peace.
I could not but greatly approve of the spirit and behaviour of Mr. Villette, the Ordinary; and I rejoiced to hear that it was the same on all similar occasions.
Wesley at 81 Begs £200 Fri. 31.—We had a solemn watch-night, and ushered in the new year with the voice of praise and thanksgiving.
1785. Sat. Jan. 1.—Whether this be the last or no, may it be the best year of my life!
Sunday, 2. A larger number of people were present this evening at the renewal of our covenant with God, than was ever seen before on the occasion.
Tues. 4.—At this season we usually distribute coals and bread among the poor of the society.
But I now considered, they wanted clothes, as well as food.
So on this, and the four following days I walked through the town, and begged two hundred pounds, in order to
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Jan. 1785 clothe them that needed it most.
But it was hard work as most of the streets were filled with melting snow, which often lay ankle deep; so that my feet were steeped in snow water nearly from morning till evening:
I held it out pretty well till Saturday evening; but I was laid up with a violent flux, which increased every hour, till, at six in the morning, Dr. Whitehead called upon me.
His first draught made me quite easy; and three or four more perfected the cure.
If he lives some years, I expect he will be one of the most eminent physicians in Europe.
I supposed my journeys this winter had been over : but I could not decline one more.
Monday, 17. I set out for poor Colchester, to encourage the little flock.
They had exceeding little of this world's goods, but most of them hada better portion.
Tuesday, 18. I went on to Mistleythorn, a village near Manningtree.
Some time since, one of the shipwrights of Deptford-yard, being sent hither to superintend the building of some men-ofwar, began to read sermons on a Sunday evening in his own house.
Afterwards he exhorted them a little, and then formed a little society.
Some time after, he begged one of our preachers to come over and help them.
I now found a lively society, and one of the most elegant congregations I had seen for many years.
Yet they seemed as willing to be instructed, as if they had lived in Kingswood.
Wednesday, 19. I returned to Colchester; and on Thursday, 20, preached to a lovely congregation at Purfleet, and the next morning returned to London.
Sun. 23.—I preached morning and afternoon at Weststreet, and in the evening in the chapel at Knightsbridge:
I think it will be the last time; for I know not that T have ever seen a worse-behaved congregation.
Avc.1785
AT CARISBROOK CASTLE
Tues.
25.—I spent two or three hours in the House of Lords.
I had frequently heard that this was the most yenerable assembly in England.
But how was I disappointed!
What is a lord, but a sinner, born to die!
Fifty Years Growth of Methodism Thurs. March 24 (Worcester).—I was now considering how strangely the grain of mustard-seed, planted about fifty years ago, has grown up.
It has spread through all Great Britain and Ireland; the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man; then to America, from the Leeward Islands, through the whole continent, into Canada and Newfoundland.
And the societies, in all these parts, walk by one rule, knowing religion is holy tempers ; and striving to worship God, not in form only, but likewise
"in spirit and in truth."
Tues. June 28.—By the good providence of God, I finished the eighty-second year of my age.
Is anything too hard for God?
It is now eleven years since I have felt any such thing as weariness: many times I speak till my voice fails, and I can speak no longer; frequently
I walk till my strength fails, and I can walk no farther ; yet even then I feel no sensation of weariness, but am perfectly easy from head to foot.
I dare not impute this to natural causes: it is the will of God.
Tues. Aug. 9.—I crossed over to the Isle of Wight.
Here also the work of God prospers: we had a comfortable time at Newport, where is a very teachable, though uncommonly elegant, congregation.
Wednesday, 10. We took a walk to the poor remains of Carisbrook-castle.
It seems to have been once exceeding strong, standing ona steep ascent.
But even what little of it is left is now swiftly running to ruin.
The window, indeed, through which King Charles attempted to make his