till by little and little she sunk back into the world, and had
144.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[March, 1779. till by little and little she sunk back into the world, and had neither the power nor form of religion left.
Sun. 21.—I returned to Norwich, and took an exact account of the society.
I wish all our Preachers would be accurate in their accounts, and rather speak under than above the truth.
I had heard again and again of the increase of the society.
And what is the naked truth?
Why, I left in it two hundred and two members; and I find one hundred and seventy-nine!
Sunday, 21.
At twelve I took coach, and in the morning reached London.
Sun. 28.—Immediately after preaching at Spitalfields, I hasted away to St. Peter's, Cornhill, and declared to a crowded congregation, "God hath given us his Holy Spirit."
At four E preached in the new chapel, for the benefit of the Reformation Society. This also I trust will be a means of uniting together the hearts of the children of God of various denominations.
Mon. Marcu 1.—I went to Bristol.
Thursday, 4. I went over to Paulton, and preached at noon to the liveliest people in all the Circuit.
This people are now just of the same spirit as those of Bristol were forty years ago.
Thur. 11.—I opened the new chapel at Bath.
It is about half as large as that at London, and built nearly upon the same model.
After reading Prayers, I preached on, "We preach Christ crucified; to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness." I believe God sent his word home to many hearts.
We concluded the service with the Lord's Supper.
Mon. 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 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 !
I was preparing to go to Gratton, when one brought me word from Mr. Roberts, that he had changed his mind 3 80 I preached
March, 1779.] JOURNAL.
in Mr. Stephen's orchard, to far more than his church would have contained. And it was no inconvenience either to me or them, as it was a mild, still evening.
Wed. 17.—I preached at Tewkesbury about noon, and at Worcester in the evening.
Thursday, 18. Upon inquiry, I found there had been no morning preaching since the Conference! So the people were of course weak and faint. At noon
I preached in Bewdley, in an open space, at the head of the town, toavery numerous and quiet congregation.
Here Mrs.
C informed me, "This day twelvemonth I found peace with God ; and the same day my son, till then utterly thoughtless, was convinced of sin.
Sometime after, he died, rejoicing in God, and praising him with his latest breath."
Fri. 19.—I preached in Bengeworth church about noon, and about six in Pebworth church.
Saturday, 20. I went on to Birmingham.
Sunday, 21. Just at the time of preaching, at Bromwich-Heath, began such a storm as that which ushered in the year.
Yet as no house could contain the people, I was constrained to stand in the court-yard.
For a moment I was afraid of the tiles falling on the people; but they regarded nothing but the word.
As I concluded, we had a furious shower of hail: Hitherto could the prince of the power of the air go; but no farther.
After preaching at Wednesbury, Darlaston, Dudley, and Wolverhampton, on Wednesday, 24, I went on to Madeley.
In the way I finished a celebrated " Essay on Taste."
And is this the treatise that gained the premium?
It is lively and pretty ; but neither deep nor strong.
Scarce any of the terms are accurately defined: Indeed, defining is not this author's talent.
He has not by any means a clear apprehension; and it is through this capital defect, that he jumbles together true and false propositions, in every chapter and in every page.
To this Essay three extracts are subjoined.
The first is much to the purpose.
The second is a superficial, empty thing. Is this a specimen of the great M. D'Alembert? But I was most surprised at the third.
What! is this extracted from the famous Montesquieu?
It has neither strength, nor clearness, nor justness of thought!
And is this the writer so admired all over Europe?
He is no more to be compared to Lord Forbes, or Dr. Beattie, than a mouse to an elephant.
Thur. 25.—I preached in the new House which Mr.
VOL. IV.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Apri], 1779.
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 CoalbrookDale, 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 the Colossus at Rhodes weighed much more.
Sat. 27.—I preached at Newcastle-under-Lyne; Sunday, 28, at Burslem, morning and afternoon.
Monday, 29. I went on to our loving brethren at Congleton, and preached on the nature of Christian zeal. A measure of this they have already ; but they want much more.
Tuesday, 30, and the next day, I preached at Macclesfield. The hearts of many were enlarged ; and the society I found was increasing both in number and strength.
Thur. Avxit 1.—About one, I preached at New-Mills, in Derbyshire.
A commodious preaching-house, lately built, has proved a blessing to the whole country.
They flock together from every quarter, and are thankful both to God and man.
In the evening I preached at Stockport, where I received a strange account of poor William Hamilton, who left us to join the Quakers, and is as miserable as he can live, afraid to sec any man lest he should kill him.
O what a poor exchange has this unhappy man made!
Fri, 2.—About one I opened the new chapel at Davyhulme.
Aprit 4, (being Easter-Day,) was a solemn festival.
In the afternoon I preached at Oldham, to such a congregation as I have not seen since I was in the Cornish amphitheatre.
And all, beside a few giddy children, were seriously attentive.
Mon. 5.—I preached at Northwich.
I used to go on from hence to Little-Leigh; but since Mr. Barker is gone hence, that place knows us no more.
I cannot but wonder at the infatuation of men that really love and fear God, and yet leave great part of, if not all, their substance to men that neither
April, 1779.] JOURNAL.
love nor fear him! Surely if I did little good with my money while I lived, I would, at least, do good with it when I could live no longer.
Lues. 6.—I went to Mr.
S——'s at Nantwich, a nephew of Mr. Matthew S ; who was, fifty years ago, one of our little company at Oxford, and'was then both in person, in natural temper, and in piety, one of the loveliest young men I knew.
Mr. Joseph S—— was then unborn, and was for many years without God in the world.
But he is now as zealous in the works of God, as he was once in the works of the devil.
While I preached it was a season of strong consolation; but one young gentlewoman refused to be comforted.
She foljowed me into Mr. 8
's all in tears; but would neither touch meat nor drink.
After I had spent a little time in prayer, she broke out into prayer herself; and she did not cease, till God turned her sorrow into joy unspeakable.
After preaching at Alpraham and Chester, on Wednesday I went ou to Warrington.
The proprietor of the new chapel had sent me word, that I was welcome to preach in it ; but he had now altered his mind: So I preached in our own; and I saw not one inattentive hearer.
I preached at Liverpool in the evening, and the next day ; at Wigan on Friday ; on Saturday and Sunday at Bolton.
Monday, 12.
I preached at Bury about one; and in the evening at Rochdale.
Now was the day of visitation for this town.
The people were all on fire: Never was such a flame kindled here before; chiefly by the prayer-meetings scattered through the town.
Tuesday, 13. I preached at nine to a crowded audience in the new House at Bacup; at one in the shell of the house at Padiham, where there is at length a prospect of peace, after abundance of disturbance, caused by cone who neither fears God nor revereuces man. In the evening
I preached at Colne; but the people were still in such a panic, that few durst go into the left-hand gallery.
Wednesday, 14.
After a delightful ride through the mountains, I preached first in Todmorden, and then in Heptonstall church. I afterwards lodged at the Ewood, which I still love for good Mr.
Grimshaw's sake.
Thur. 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
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[April, 1779. 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. 18.—In the morning I preached in Haworth church ; but in the afternoon I could not.
Thousands upon thousands were gathered together, so that I was obliged to stand in the church-yard.
And I believe all that stood still were able to hear distinctly.
Mon. 19.—I preached in Bingley church to a numerous congregation.
I dined with Mr. Busfield, in his little paradise ; but it can give no happiness unless God is there.
Thence I went to Otley.
Here also the work of God increases ; particularly with regard to sanctification.
AndI think every one who has experienced it, retains a clear witness of what God has wrought.
Thur. 22.—I was a little surprised at a passage in Dr.
Smollet's "' History of England," vol. xv., pp. 121, 122 :— *"Tmposture and fanaticism still hang upon the skirts of religion.
Weak minds were seduced by the delusions of a superstition, styled Methodism, raised upon the affectation of superior sanctity, and pretensions to divine illumination.
Many thousands were infected with this enthusiasm by the endeavours of a few obscure Preachers, such as Whitefield, and the two Wesleys, who found means to lay the whole kingdom under contribution."
Poor Dr. Smollet! Thus to transmit to all succeeding generations a whole heap of notorious falsehoods !
" Imposture and fanaticism!"
Neither one nor the other had any share in the late revival of scriptural religion, which is no other than the love of God and man, gratitude to our
Creator, and good-will to our fellow-creatures.
Is this delusion and superstition?
No, it is real wisdom ; it is solid virtue.
Does this fanaticism " hang upon the skirts of religion ?"
Nay, it is the very essence of it.
Does the Doctor call this enthusiasm?
Why?
Because he knows nothing about it.
Who told him that these " obscure Preachers " made " pretensions to divine illumination?"
How often has that silly calumny been refuted to the satisfaction of all candid men?
However, they " found means to lay the whole kingdom under
April, 1779.] JOURNAL.
contribution."
So does this frontless man, blind and bold, stumble on without the least shadow of truth !
Meantime, what faith can be given to his history?
What credit can any man of reason give to any fact upon his authority ?
In travelling this week I looked over Baron Swedcnborg's " Account of Heaven and Hell."
He wasa man of piety, of a strong understanding, and most lively imagination ; but he had a violent fever when he was five-and-fifty years old, which quite overturned his understanding.
Nor did he ever recover it ; but it continued " majestic, though in ruins."
From that time he was exactly in the state of that gentleman at Argos,— Qui se credebat miros audire tragedos, In vacuo letus sessor plausorque theatro,
Who wondrous tragedies was wont to hear, Sitting alone in the empty theatre, His words, therefore, from that time were eg7i somnia, the dreams of a disordered imagination; just as authentic as Quevedo's " Visions of Hell."
Of this work in particular I must observe, that the doctrine contained therein is not only quite unproved, quite precarious from beginning to end, as depending entirely on the assertion of a single brain-sick man ; but that, in many instances, it is contradictory to Scripture, to reason, and to itself.
But, over and above this, it contains many sentiments that are essentially and dangerously wrong.
Such is that concerning the Trinity; for he roundly affirms God to be only one person, who was crucified: So that he revives and openly asserts the long-exploded heresy of the Sabellians and Patripassians ; yea, and that of the Anthropomorphites ; affirming that God constantly appears in heaven in the form of a man.
And the worst is, he flatly affirms, «None can go to heaven, who believes three persons in the Godhead :" Which is more than the most violent Arian or Socinian ever affirmed before.
Add to this, that his ideas of heaven are low, grovelling, just suiting a Mahometan paradise ; and his account of it has a natural tendency to sink our conceptions, both of the glory of heaven, and of the inhabitants of it ; whom he describes as far inferior both in holiness and happiness to Gregory Lopez, or Monsieur De Renty.
And his account of hell leaves nothing terrible in it; for, first, he quenches the unquenchable fire.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[April, 1779.
He assures us there is no fire there; only he allows that the governor of it, the devil, sometimes orders the spirits that behave ill, to be "laid on a bed of hot ashes."
And, secondly, he informs you, that all the damned enjoy their favourite pleasures.
He that delights in filth is to have his filth; yea, and his harlot too! Now, how dreadful a tendency must this havein such an age and nation as this!
I wish those pious men, Mr. Clowes and Clotworthy, would calmly consider these things, before they usher into the world any more of this madman's dreams.
Mon. 26.—I preached at Huddersfield, where there is a great revival of the work of God. Many have found peace with God:
Sometimes sixteen, eighteen, yea, twenty in one day. 'So that the deadly wound they suffered, when their Predestinarian brethren left them, is now fully healed ; and they are not only more lively, but more in number, than ever they were before.
Tues. 27.—I saw a melancholy sight indeed! One that ten years ago was clearly perfected in love; but was worried by Mr.
, day and night, threaping him down he was in a delusion, that at length it drove him stark mad.
And so he continues to this day.
Observe! it was not Perfection drove this man mad, but the incessant teasing him with doubtful disputations.
Wed. 28.—I had promised to preach at six in the morning, to the poor prisoners at Whiteley.
Though the ground was covered with snow, so many people flocked together, that I was constrained to preach in the court of the prison.
The snow continued to fall, and the north wind to whistle round us ; but I trust God warmed many hearts.
I preached at Wakefield in the evening ; Thursday, 29, at Rothwell and Leeds ; and on Friday noon, at Harewood.
In the afternoon we walked to Mr. Lascelles's house.
It is finely situated on a little eminence, commanding a most delightful prospect of hill and dale, and wood and water.
It is builtofa fine white stone, with two grand and beautiful fronts.
I was not much struck with anything within.
There is too much sameness in all the great houses I have seen in England ; two rows of large, square rooms, with costly beds, glasses, chairs, and tables.
But here is a profusion of wealth; every pane of glass, we were informed, cost six-and-twenty shillings.
One looking-glass cost five hundred pounds, and one bed, six hundred.
The whole floor was just on the plan of Montague-
May, 1779.] JOURNAL.
House; now the British Muscum.
'he grounds round the house are pleasant indeed, particularly the walks on the riverside, and through the woods. But what has the owner thereof, save the beholding them with his eyes?
Sat. May 1.—I looked over the first volume of Mr. Bryant's * Ancient Mythology."
Heseemsto bea person of immense reading, and indefatigable indistry.
But I have two objections to the whole work: 1. That his discoveries, being built chiefly on etymologies, carry nocertainty in tliem.
2. That were they ever so certain, they are of no consequence.
For instance, Whether Chiron was a man or a mountain,—and whether the Cyclops were giants or watch-towcrs,—are points vf no manner cf importance, cither to me or any man living.
Sun. 2.—Dr. Kershaw, the Vicar of Leeds, desired me to assist him at the sacrament. It was asolemn season. We were ten Clergymcn, and seven or eight hundred communicants.
Mr. Atkinson desired 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.
Fri. 7.— After having visited the intermediate societies, I came to Darlington, and found some of the liveliest people in the north of England.
All but one or two of the society are justified ; great part of them partakers of the great salvation ; and all of them seem to retain their first simplicity, and to be as teachable as little children.
Sun. 9.—I preached in the market-place ; and all the congregation behaved well, but a party of the Queen's Dragoons.
Monday, 10. 1 preached at Barnard-Castle ; and saw a quite different behaviour in the Durham Militia; the handsomest body of soldiers I ever saw, except in Ireland.
The next cvening they all came, both Officers and soldiers, and were a pattern to the whole congregation.
In my journey to Brough, (where I preached at noon,) I read over a volume of Dr.
Blair's Sermons.
He is an elegant, but not a deep, writer; much resembling, but not equalling, Mr. Secd.
I do not remember that any day in January, February, or March, was near so cold as this.
Wed. 12.—After preaching at Cuthburton and in Teesdale, I went a little out of my way, to see one of the wonders of nature.
The river Tees rushes down between two rocks, and
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[May, 1779. falls sixty feet perpendicular into a basin of water, sixty feet deep.
In the evening I preached to the lovely congregation in Weardale, and the next day went on to Newcastle.
Sun. 16.—I preached at Gateshead-Fell in the morning; and in the new House, near Sheephill, at noon.
Here the work of God greatly revives; many are lately convinced of sin, and many enabled, from day to day, to rejoice in God their Saviour.
Mon. 17.—About noon I preached at Shields, and in the evening at Sunderland.
TZuesday, 18.
I read Prayers and preached in Monkwearmouth church: and Thursday, 20, returned to Newcastle. Sunday, 23. Inthemorning I preached at Ballast-Hills; about two, at the Fell; about five, at the Garth-Heads.
The congregation was double to that at the Fell; and I trust God gave us a double blessing.
Mon. 24.—I preached at five in the Orphan-House; about nine, at Placey; at noon, in the market-house, at Morpeth.
Many soldiers, who were marching through the town, came in; and the power of the Lord was present to heal.
In the evening I preached in the Court-House, at Alnwick ; and at night was no more tired than in the morning.
Tues. 25.—We walked through the Castle.
Two of the rooms are more elegant than even those at HarewoodHouse.
But it is not a profusion of ornaments, (they are exceeding plain and simple,) it is not an abundance of gold and silver, but a je ne s¢ai quoi, that strikes every person of taste.
In the evening I preached in the Town-Hall, at Berwick.
Many Officers, as well as soldiers, were there; and the whole congregation seemed much affected.
Shall we see fruit at Berwick also?
Wed. 26.—We had such a congregation at Dunbar as I have not seen there for many years.
Thursday, 27.
I went on to Edinburgh.
I was agreeably surprised at the singing in the evening.
I have not heard such female voices, so strong and clear, anywhere in England.
Fri. 28.—I went to Glasgow, and preached in the House 5 but the next evening, by the river-side. Sunday, 30. At seven
I spoke exceeding strong words, in applying the parable of the Sower.
In the afternoon I went to the English chapel.
But how was I surprised!
Such decency have I seldom seen even at West-Street, or the new Room in Bristol.
1. All, both men and women, were dressed plain: I did not see one high head: