28. About noon I preached at St. Neot's, and afterwards
Oct. 1778.] JOURNAL.
use it.
Thursday, 15.
I preached at Witney.
Since Nancy B. has been detained here, the work of God has greatly revived.
Mysterious Providence!
That one capable of being so extremely useful, should be thus shut up in a corner !
Fri. 16.—I was desired to preach at Thame, on my return to London.
I came thither a little after ten.
The mob had been so troublesome there, that it was a doubt with the Preachers, whether the place should not be given up.
However, I thought it might not be amiss, before this was done, to make one trial myself.
But I found it impracticable to preach abroad, the wind being so exceeding sharp.
I went therefore into a large building, formerly used by the Presbyterians.
It was quickly filled, and more than filled, many being obliged to stand without.
Yet there was no breath of noise; the whole congregation seemed to be "all but their attention dead."
We had prayed before, that God would give us a quiet time, and he granted us our request.
Immediately after, a strange scene occurred.
I was desired to visit one who had been eminently pious, but had now been confined to her bed for several months, and was utterly unable to raise herself up.
She desired us to pray, that the chain might be broken.
<A few of us prayed in faith.
Presently she rose up, dressed herself, came down stairs, and I believe had not any farther complaint.
In the evening I preached at High-Wycomb, and on Saturday returned to London.
Mon. 19.—About noon I reached Mr. Fary's near Little Brickhill.
I designed to preach in the House ; but the number of people obliged me to preach abroad, in spite of the keen east winds.
Tuesday, 20. I preached about noon at Hanslip, and in the evening at Moreton, near Buckingham. Wednesday, 21.
I preached about noon at Silston, (properly Silverstone,) and then walked with a company of our friends to Whittlebury.
This is the flower of all our societies in the Circuit, both for zeal and simplicity.
Thursday, 22. I preached at Towcester ; on Friday, at Northampton; and on Saturday, returned to London.
Mon. 26.—I set out in the diligence to Godmanchester, hoping to be there by six in the evening. But we did not come till past eight: So, most of the people being gone, I only gave a short exhortation.
At five in the morning we had a large congregation, but a much larger in the evening.
Wednesday, 28.
About noon I preached at St. Neot's, and afterwards
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Nov. 1778. visited a lovely young woman, who appeared to be in the last stage of a consumption, and was feebly gasping after God.
She seemed to be just ripe for the Gospel, which she drank in with all her soul.
God speedily brought her to the blood of sprinkling, and a few days after she died in peace.
I preached in the evening at Bedford, and the next day, Thursday, 29, at Luton. We had a miserable preaching-house here: But Mr. Cole has now fitted up a very neat and commodious Room, which was thoroughly filled with well-behaved and deeply attentive hearers. Howlong did we seem to be ploughing the sand here!
But it seems there will be some fruit at last.
Fri. 30.—I preached at noon to fifty or sixty dull creatures, at poor, desolate Hertford; and they heard with something like seriousness.
In the afternoon I went on to London.
Sunday, NoveMBer 1, was the day appointed for opening the new chapel in the City-Road.
Itis perfectly neat, but not fine; and contains far more people than the Foundery: I believe, together with the morning chapel, as many as the Tabernacle.
Many were afraid that the multitudes, crowding from all parts, would have occasioned much disturbance.
But they were happily disappointed : There was none at all: All was quietness, decency, and order.
I preached on part of Solomon's Prayer at; the Dedication of the Temple; and both in the morning and afternoon, (when I preached on the hundred forty and four thousand standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion,) God was eminently present in the midst of the congregation.
Mon. 2.—I went to Chatham, and preached in the evening to a lively, loving congregation.
Tuesday, 3. I went by water to Sheerness. Our Room being far too small for the people that attended, I sent to the Governor to desire (what had been allowed me before) the use of the chapel.
He refused me, (uncivilly enough,) affecting to doubt whether I was in orders!
So I preached to as many as it would contain in our own Room.
Wed. 4.—I took a view of the old church at Minster, once a spacious and elegant building.
It stands pleasantly on the top of a hill, and commands all the country round.
We went from thence to Queensborough, which contains above fifty houses, and sends two members to Parliament.
Surely the whole Isle of Sheppy is now but a shadow of what it was once.
Thur. 5.—I returned to Chatham, and on the following morning set out in the stage-coach for London.
At the end
Dec. 1778.] JOURNAL.
of Stroud, I chose to walk up the hill, leaving the 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.
Thur. 26.—I fulfilled the dying request of Ann Thwayte, by burying her remains, and preaching her funeral sermon. In all the changes of those about her, she stood steadfast, doing and suffering the will of God: She was a woman of faith and prayer; in life and death adorning the doctrine of God her Saviour.
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?
Tues. DECEMBER 1.—I went to Rye.
Here, as in many other places, those who begin to flee from the wrath to come are continually "received to doubtful disputations ;" puzzled and perplexed with intricate questions concerning absolute and unconditional decrees!
Lord, how long wilt thou suffer this ?
How long shall these well-meaning zealots destroy the dawning work of grace, and strangle the children in the birth?
Wed. 2.—In the evening I preached at Robertsbridge, and spoke with all possible plainness, both for the sake of threescore children, and of a large congregation of serious, attentive people.
Thur. 3.—Many at Sevenoaks seemed deeply affected, while I was applying those words, " Do ye now believe?"
Especially while I was reminding them of the deep work which God wrought among them twelve or fourteen years ago.
Friday, going on to Shoreham, I found Mr. P. once more brought back from the gates of death ; undoubtedly for the sake of his little flock ; who avail themselves of his being spared too, and continually increase not only in number, but in the knowledge and love of God.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Jan. 1779.
Sun. 6.—I buried the remains of Merchant West, snatched away in the midst of his years.
From a child he had the fear of God, and was serious and unblamable in his behaviour.
'When he was a journeyman, he was reverenced by all who wrought in the shop with him ; he was a pattern of diligence in all things, spiritual and temporal.
During a long and severe illness, his patience was unshaken, till he joyfully resigned his spirit to God.
Mon. 7.—I took a little journey to Canterbury and Dover, and was much comforted among a loving, earnest people.
Friday, 11.
I preached at Lambeth, in the chapel newly prepared by Mr. Edwards, whose wife has seventy-five boarders,
Miss Owen, at Publow, takes only twenty, thinking she cannot do her duty to any more.
Fri. 18.—I called upon Colonel Gallatin.
But what a change is here: The fine gentleman, the soldier, is clean gone, sunk into a feeble, decrepit old man'; not able to rise off his seat, and hardly able to speak.
Sun. 20.—I buried what was mortal of honest Silas Told.
For many years he attended the malefactors in Newgate, without fee or reward; and I suppose no man for this hundred years has been so successful in that melancholy office.
God had given him peculiar talents for it; and he had amazing success therein.
The greatest part of those whom he attended died in peace, and many of them in the triumph of faith.
Fri. 25.—(Being Christmas-Day.) Our service began at four, as usual, in the new chapel. I expected Mr. Richardson to read Prayers at West-Street chapel, but he did not come; soI read Prayers myself, and preached, and administered the sacrament to several hundred people.
In the afternoon I preached at the new chapel, thoroughly filled in every corner ; and in the evening at St. Sepulchre's, one of the largest parish churches in London.
It was warm enough, being sufficiently filled ; yet I felt no weakness or weariness, but was stronger after I had preached my fourth sermon, than I was after the first.
Thur. 31.—We concluded the old year with a solemn watchmight, and began the new with praise and thanksgiving. We had a violent storm at night.
The roaring of the wind was like loud thunder, It kept me awake half an hour; I then slept in peace.
Fri.
January 1, 1779.—At length we have a House capable of containing the whole society.
We met there this evening to
Feb. 1779.] JOURNAL.
renew our covenant with God; and we never met on that solemn occasion without a peculiar blessing.
Tues. 12.—I dined and drank tea with four German Ministers.
I could not but admire the wisdom of those that appointed them.
They seem to consider not only the essential points, their sense and piety, but even those smaller things, the good breeding, the address, yea, the persons of those they send into foreign countries.
Sun. 24.—I visited a young woman in such terrible fits as I scarce ever saw before; and she was hardly out of one, when she fell into another; so that it seemed she must soon lose her reason, if not her life.
But Dr. Wilson, in one or two days' time, restored her to perfect health.
Mon. Fesruary 8.—Finding many serious persons were much discouraged by prophets of evil, confidently foretelling very heavy calamities, which were coming upon our nation, I endeavoured to lift up their hands, by opening and applying those comfortable words: (Psalm xliii. 5, 6:) " Why art thou so heavy, O my soul? And why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God; for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God."
Wednesday, 10, was a National Fast. So-solemn a oneI never saw before.
From one end of the city to the other, there was scarce any one seen in the streets.
All places of public worship were crowded in an uncommon degree ; and an unusual awe sat on most faces.
I preached on the words of God to Abraham, interceding for Sodom, "I will not destroy the city for his sake."
Mon. 15.—I went to Norwich in the stage-coach, with two very disagreeable companions, called a gentleman and gentlewoman, but equally ignorant, insolent, lewd, and profane.
Wed. 17.—I went to Yarmouth, and preached to a large and serious congregation.
Thursday, 18.
I preached at Lowestoft, where is a great awakening, especially among youth and children; several of whom, between twelve and sixteen years of age, are a pattern to all about them.
Friday, 19. I preached at Loddon, and afterwards talked with a girl sixteen years of age.
She was justified two months since, and has not yet lost the sight of God's countenance for a moment ; but has been enabled to rejoice evermore, and to pray without ceasing.
But being surrounded with relations who neither loved nor feared God, they were pressing upon her continually,