increasing. On Easter-Day I set out for Warrington. Mr.
March, 1780. ] JOURNAL.
reflect, in this room I lodged the first time I saw poor Mr.
Ireland:
Emphatically poor!
Poor beyond expression ;— though he left fourscore thousand pounds behind him!
Thur. 24.—I met the building Committee; according to whose representation, our income at last nearly answcrs our expenses.
If so, it will clear itself in a few years.
Mon. 28.—Taking the post-coach, I reached Newbury time cnough to preach to a crowded audience.
Tuesday, 29, and Wednesday, I preached at Bath, where brotherly love is now restored.
Thursday, Marcu 2. I went into Bristol, and enjoyed much peace among a quiet, loving people.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I examined the society, and had reason to rejoice over them.
Mon. 13.—I set out for the north, and in the evening preached at Stroud, where is a considerable increase of the work of God.
Tuesday, 14. I preached in the church at Pitchcomb ; but it would by no means contain the congregation.
In the evening I preached at Tewkesbury, and on Wednesday, 15, at Worcester, to a very serious congregation.
Thursday, 16. About noon I began preaching at Bewdley, in an open space at the head of the town.
The wind was high and exceeding sharp; but no one seemed to regard it.
In the middle of the sermon came a man beating a drum; but a gentleman of the town soon silenced him.
Friday, 17.
About noon I preached at Bengeworth church, to the largest congregation I ever saw there; and in Pebworth church about six, to a larger congregation than I had seen there before.
I found uncommon liberty in applying those words, (perhaps a last warning to the great man of the parish, Mr. Martin,)
"' Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."
Sat. 18.—I went on to Birmingham; and, Sunday, 19, preached. at eight in the morning, and at half-past one in the afternoon; in the evening, at Wednesbury.
Monday, 20. I reached Congleton, and preached to a lively congregation on our Lord's words: " Lazarus, come forth!"
Tuesday, 21. I preached in the new chapel at Macclesfield; Thausday, 23, at Stockport and Manchester.
On Good-Friday I preached, at seven, in Manchester ; about one, in Oldham; and in Manchester, at six.
Saturday, 25. I went on to Bolton, where the work of God is continually increasing.
On Easter-Day I set out for Warrington.
Mr.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[April, 1780.
Harmer read Prayers both morning and afternoon.
We had a large congregation in the morning; as many as the church could well contain in the afternoon; and more than it could contain in the evening.
At last there is reason to hope, that God will have a steady people even in this wilderness.
The next evening, when a few of the society were met together, the power of God came mightily upon them.
Some fell to the ground; some cried aloud for mercy ; some rejoiced with joy unspeakable.
Two or three found a clear sense of the love of God; one gay young woman, in particular, who was lately much prejudiced against this way, but is now filled with joy unspeakable.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I spent at Liverpool, being undetermined whether to proceed or not.
At length I yielded to the advice of my friends, and deferred my journey to Ireland.
So I preached at Northwich about noon, and in the evening at Alpraham, in the midst of all the old
Methodists.
We had a very different congregation at Nantwich in the evening.
But as many as could get into the House, or near the door, behaved very seriously.
Sat. Apnit 1.—I returned to Chester, and found many alive to God, but scarce one that retained his pure love.
Sunday, 2.
T reached Warrington about ten.
The chapel was well filled with serious hearers; and I believe God confirmed the word of his grace.
Hastening back to Chester, I found a numerous congregation waiting, and immediately began, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Mon.
3.—I returned to Manchester, and, Tuesday, 4, strongly applied, "What could I have done more to my vineyard, that I have not done?"
At present there are many heré that " bring forth good grapes:" But many swiftly increase in goods; and I fear very few sufficiently watch and pray that they may not set their hearts upon them.
Wed. 5.—I preached at Bolton; Thursday, 6, about noon, at Bury ; and at Rochdale in the evening.
Friday, 7. I went to Delph, a little village upon the mountains, where a remarkable work of God is just broke out.
I was just set down, when the Minister sent me word, I was welcome to preach in his church.
On hearing this, many people walked thither immediately, near a mile from the town ; but in ten minutes he sent me word, his ulind was changed.
We knew not then what to do, till the
April, 1780.] JOURNAL.
Wer Trustees of the Independent meeting offered us the use of their House.
It was quickly filled, and truly God bore witness to his word. In the evening I preached at Huddersfield. Saturday, 8. About noon I opened the new House at Mirfield, and in the evening preached at Daw-Green.
Sunday, 9. I went on to Birstal, and took my stand at the front of the House, though the north-east wind whistled round about.
I preached again between four and five, pointing them to the Great Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.
Mon. 10.—I preached in the prison at Whitelee ; in the evening at Morley ; and on Tuesday morning at Cross-Hall.
The family here are much grown in grace since I saw them last.
Most of them now enjoy the great salvation, and walk worthy of their vocation ; and all around them " see their good works, and glorify their Father which is in heaven."
In the evening I preached toa very genteel congregation at Wakefield.
Wednesday, 12. After preaching at Rothwell, I inquired what was become of that lovely class of little girls, most of them believers, whom I met here a few years since.
I found those of them that had pious parents remain to this day: But all of them whose parents did not fear God are gone back into the world.
In the evening I preached in the new House at Leeds.
Thursday, 18. I opened the new House at Hunslet.
On Friday, I preached at Woodhouse.
Sunday, 16. Our House at Leeds was full at eight ; yet every one heard distinctly. In the afternoon I preached at the old church ; but a considerable part of the people could not hear.
Indeed the church is remarkably ill constructed.
Had it been built with common sense, all that were in it, and even more, might have heard every word.
Mon. 17.—I left Leeds in one of the roughest mornings I have ever seen.
We had rain, hail, snow, and wind, in abundance. About nine I preached at Bramley ; between one and two at Pudsey. Afterwards I walked to Fulneck, the German settlement.
Mr. Moore showed us the house, chapel, hall, lodging-rooms, the apartments of the widows, the single men, and single women.
He showed us likewise the workshops of various kinds, with the shops for grocery, drapery, mercery, hardware, &c., with which, as well as with bread from their bakehouse, they furnish the adjacent country.
I see not what but the mighty power of God can hinder them from N VOL. IV.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Apri], 1780. acquiring millions; as they, 1. Buy all materials with ready money at the best hand: 2. Have above a hundred young men, above fifty young women, many widows, and above a hundred married persons; all of whom are employed from morning to night, without any intermission, in various kinds of manufactures, not for journeymen's wages, but for no wages at all, save a little very plain food and raiment: As they have, 3. A quick sale for all their goods, and sell them all for ready money.
But can they lay up treasure on earth, and at the same time lay up treasure in heaven ?
In the evening I preached at Bradford, where I was well pleased to find many, both men and women, who had never suffered any decay since they were perfected in love.
Wednesday, 19. I went to Otley; but Mr. Ritchie was dead before I came.
But he had first witnessed a good confession.
One telling him, "You will be better soon ;" he replied, "TI cannot be better; for I have God in my heart.
Iam happy, happy, happy in his love."
Mr. Wilson, the Vicar, after a little hesitation, conseated that I should preach his funeral sermon: This I did to-day.
The text he had chosen was, "To you that believe, he is precious."
Perhaps such a congregation had hardly been in Otley church before.
Surely the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass!
Sun. 23.—Mr. Richardson being unwilling that I should preach any more in Haworth church, Providence opened another: I preached in Bingley church, both morning and afternoon.
This is considerably larger than the other.
It rained hard in the morning: This hindered many ; so that those who did come, got in pretty well in the forenoon; but in the afternoon very many were obliged to go away.
After preaching at several other places on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday, 26, I preached in Heptonstall church, well filled with serious hearers.
In the evening I preached near Todmorden, in the heart of the mountains.
One would » wonder where all the people came from.
Thursday, 27.
I preached in Todmorden church, with great enlargement of heart.
In the afternoon we went on to Blackburn.
It seemed, the whole town was moved.
But the question was, where to put the congregation.
We could not stand abroad, because of the sun: So as many as could, squeezed into the
May, 1780.] JOURNAL.
preaching-house.
All the chief men of the town were there.
It seems as if the last will be first.
Sun. 30.—We had a lovely congregation at Colne; but a much larger at one and at five Many of them came ten or twelve miles; but I believe not in vain: God gave them a good reward for their labour.
Mon. May 1.—We reached Grassington about ten.
The multitude of people constrained me to preach abroad.
It was fair all the time I was preaching; but afterwards rained much.
At Pateley-Bridge, the Vicar offered me the use of his church. Though it was more than twice as large as our preaching-house; it was not near large enough to contain the congregation.
How vast is the increase of the work of God!
Particularly in the most rugged and uncultivated places!
How does he "send the springs" of grace also "into the valleys, that run among the hills."
Tues. 2.—We came to Ripon, and observed a remarkable turn of Providence: The great hinderance of the work of God jn this place has suddenly disappeared ; and the poor people, being delivered from their fear, gladly flock together to hear
His word.
The new preaching-house was quickly more than filled.
Surely some of them will not be forgetful hearers !
In the afternoon we travelled through a delightful country ; the more so when contrasted with the horrid mountains.
The immense ruins of Garvaix Abbey show what a stately pile it was once.
Though we were at a lone house, a numerous congregation assembled in the evening ; on whom I enforced,
"This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Wed. 3.—Judging it impracticable to pass the mountains in a carriage, I sent my chaise round, and took horse. At twelve
I preached at Swaledale, toa loving people, increasing both in grace and number.
Thence we crossed over another range of dreary mountains, and in the evening reached BarnardCastle. Not being yet inured to riding, I now felt something like weariness.
But I forgot it in the lively congregation, and in the morning it was gone.
Thur. 4.—About eight I preached toa serious congregation at Cuthbedson; and about one at Newbiggin, in Teesdale.
We doubted how we should get over the next mountain, the famous Pikelow, after so long and heavy rains; but I scarce