Liberty ;" but I was much disappointed. It is abstruse and
May, 1780.] JOURNAL.
and seriousness of the hearers, I conceived a little hope, that even here some good will be done.
Thur, 11.—I reached Newcastle; and on Friday, 12, went to Sunderland. Many of our friends prosper in the world.
I wish their souls may prosper also.
Sunday, 14, I preached at Gateshead-Fell at two o'clock, and hoped to preach at the Garth-Heads at five; but the rain drove us into the House.
But all was well; for many found God was there.
Mon. 15.-——-I set out for Scotland; and Tuesday, 16, came to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Such a congregation I have not seen there for many years.
Perhaps the seed which has so long seemed to be sown in vain, may at length produce a good harvest.
Wed. 17.—I1 went on to Dunbar. I have seldom seen such a congregation here before.
Indeed some of them seemed at first disposed to mirth; but they were soon as serious as death.
And truly the power of the Lord was present to heal those that were willing to come to the throne of grace.
Thursday, 18. I read, with great expectation, Dr. Watts's " Essay on Liberty ;" but I was much disappointed.
It is abstruse and metaphysical.
Surely he wrote it either when he was very young or very old.
In the evening I endeavoured to preach to the hearts of a large congregation at Edinburgh.
We have cast much "bread upon the waters" here.
Shall we not " find it again," at Icast "after many days ?"
Fri. 19.—I preached at Joppa, a settlement of colliers, three miles from Edinburgh.
Some months ago, as some of them were cursing and swearing, one of our Local Preachers going by, reproved them.
One of them followed after him, and begged he would give them a sermon.
He did so several times.
Afterwards the Travelling Preachers went, and a few quickly agreed to meet together.
Some of these now know in whom they have believed, and walk worthy of their profession.
Sat. 20.—I took one more walk through Holyrood House, the mansion of ancient Kings.
But how melancholy an appearance does it make now!
The stately rooms are dirty as stables; the colours of the tapestry are quite faded ; several of the pictures are cut and defaced.
The roof of the royal chapel is fallen in; and the bones of James the Fifth, and the once beautiful Lord Darnley, are scattered about like those of sheep or oxen. Such is human greatness !
Is not "a living dog better than a dead lion?"
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[May, 1780.
Sun. 21.—The rain hindered me from preaching at noon upon the Castle-Hill. In the evening the House was well filled, and I was enabled to spéak strong words.
But I am not a Preacher for the people of Edinburgh.
Hugh Saunderson and Michael Fenwick are more to their taste.
Tues. 23.—A gentleman took me to see Roslyn Castle, eight miles from Edinburgh.
It is now all in ruins, only a small dwelling-house is built on one part of it. The situation of it is. exceeding fine, on the side of a stecp mountain, hanging overa river, from which another mountain rises, equally steep, and clothed with wood.
At a little distance is the chapel, which is. in perfect preservation, both within and without. Ishould never have thought it had belonged to any one less than a sovereign
Prince! the inside being far more elegantly wrought with variety of Scripture histories in stone-work, than I believe can be found again in Scotland; perhaps not in all England.
Hence we went to Dunbar.
Wednesday, 24.
In the afternoon I went through the lovely garden of a gentleman in the town, who has laid out walks hanging over the sea, and winding among the rocks.
One of them Jeads to the Castle, wherein that poor injured woman, Mary Queen of Scots, was confined.
But time has well nigh devoured it : Only a few ruinous walls are now standing.
Thur. 25.—We went on to Berwick.
Friday, 26.
In returning to Alnwick we spent an hour at H., an ancient monastery.
Part of it the Duke of Northumberland has repaired, furnished it in a plain manner, and surrounded it with a little garden.
An old inscription bears date 1404, when part of it was built by the fourth Earl of Northumberland.
How many generations have had their day since that time, and then passed away like a dream! We had a happy season at Alnwick with a large and deeply attentive congregation.
Sat, 27.—At noon I preached in the Town-Hall at Morpeth ; and God applied his word to many hearts.
In the afternoon I preached to the loving colliers at Placey, and then went on to Newcastle.
Sun. 28.—Between eight and nine in the morning I preached at Gateshead-Fell, on Fellowship with God; a subject which not a few of them understand by heart-felt experience, The congregation at Sheephill about noon was far too large for any House to contain.
Such was the power of God that I almost wondered any could help believing.
June, 1780.] JOURNAL.
five I preached at the GarthHeads, to a still more numerous congregation; but there were few among them whorememberced my first preaching near that place in the Keelman's Hospital.
For what reason the wise managers of that place forbade my preaching there any more, I am yet still to learn.
Wed. 31.—Taking my leave of this affectionate people, L went to Mr. Parker's, at Shincliff, near Durham.
The congregation being far too large to get into the House, L stood near his door.
It seemed as if the whole village were ready to receive the truth in the love thereof.
Perhaps their earnestness may provoke the people of Durham to jealousy.
In the afternoon we took a view of the Castle at Durham, the residence of the Bishop.
'The situation is wonderfully fine, surrounded by the river, and commanding all the country ; and many of the apartments are large and stately ; but the furniture is mean beyond imagination!
I know not where I have seen such in a gentleman's house, or a man of five hundred a year, except that of the Lord-Lieutenant in Dublin.
In the largest chambers, the tapestry is quite faded ; beside that, it is coarse and ill-judged.
Take but one instance:—In Jacob's vision you sec, on the one side, a little paltry ladder, and an angel climbing it, in the attitude of a chimney-sweeper ; and on the other side Jacob staring at him, from under a large silver-laced hat !
Thur.
June 1.—About ten I preached at Aycliff, a large village, twelve miles from Durham ; all the inhabitants whereof seem now as full of good-will, as they were once of prejudice.
I preached at Darlington in the evening.
It is good to be here ; the liveliness of the people animates all that come near them.
On Friday evening, we had a love-feast, at which many were greatly comforted, by hearing such artless, simple accounts of the mighty works of God.
Sat. 3.—At noon I preached to a large congregation at Northallerton.
The sun shone full in my face when I began; but it was soon overcast; and I believe this day, if never before, God gave a general call to this careless people.
In the evening I preached at Thirsk.
When I was here last, a few young women behaved foolishly; but all were deeply serious now, and seemed to feel that God was there.
Sun. 4.—The service began about ten at Staveley, near Boroughbridge. Mr. Hartley, the Rector, read Prayers, But
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[June, 1780. the church would scarce contain half the congregation ; so that I was obliged to stand upon a tombstone, both morning and afternoon. In the evening I preached at Boroughbridge, to a numerous congregation ; and all were attentive, except a few soldiers, who seemed to understand nothing of the matter.
Mon. 5.—About noon I preached at Tockwith, and then went on to York.
I was surprised to find a general faintness here ; one proof of which was, that the morning preaching was given up.
Tuesday, 6, was the Quarterly Meeting, the most numerous I ever saw.
At two was the love-feast, at which several instances of the mighty power of God were repeated ; by which it appears that his work is still increasing in several parts of the Circuit.
An arch news-writer published a paragraph to-day, probably designed for wit, concerning the large pension which the famous Wesley received for defending the King.
This so increased the congregation in the evening, that scores were obliged to go away.
And God applied that word to many hearts, "I will not destroy the city for ten's sake!"
Wed. 7.—I preached at Pocklington and Swinfleet. Thursday, 8. I preachedon the Green at Thorne, to a listening multitude.
Only two or three were much diverted at the thought of seeing the dead, small and great, standing before God !
Fri. 9.—About noon I preached at Crowle ; and in the evening at Epworth, on, "TI will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Saturday, 10. In the evening I preached at Owstone; and, passing the Trent early in the morning, on Sunday, 11, preached at Kirton, about eight, to a very large and very serious congregation. Only before me stood one, something like a gentleman, with his hat on even at prayer. I could scarce help telling him astory :—In Jamaica, a Negro passing by the Governor, pulled off his hat ; so did the Governor ; at which one expressing his surprise, he said, "Sir, I should be ashamed if a Negro had more good manners than the Governor of Jamaica.'
About two I preached at Gainsborough, and again at five, to a very numerous congregation. We had then a love-feast, and one of the most lively which I have known for many years.
Many spoke, and with great fervour, as well as simplicity ; so that most who heard blessed God for the consolation.
Mon. 12.—About eleven I preached at Newton-upon-Trent, to a large and very genteel congregation.
Thence we went to
June, 1780. ] JOURNAL.
Newark: But our friends were divided as to the place where I should preach.
At length they found a convenient place, covered on three sides, and on the fourth open to the street.
It contained two or three thousand people well, who appeared to hear as for life.
Only one big man, exceeding drunk, was very noisy and turbulent, till his wife (fortissima Tyndaridarum ! *) seized him by the collar, gave him two or three hearty boxes on the ear, and dragged him away like a calf.
But, at length, he got out of her hands, crept in among the people, and stood as quiet as a lamb.
Tues. 18.—I accepted of an invitation from a gentleman at Lincoln, in which I had not set my foot for upwards of fifty years.
At six in the evening I preached in the Castle-yard, to a large and attentive congregation.
They were all as quiet as if I had been at Bristol.
Will God have a people here also?
Wed. 14.—I preached again at ten in the morning.
In the middle of the sermon a violent storm began; on which Mr. Wood, the keeper, opened the door of the Court-House, which contained the whole of the congregation.
I have great hope some of these will have their fruit unto holiness, and in the end everlasting life.
Heavy rain drove us into the House at Horncastle in the evening.
Thursday, 15. I preached at Raithby.
Two of Mr.
Brackenbury's brothers spent the evening with us. Friday, 16.
We went on to Boston, the largest town in the county, except Lincoln.
From the top of the steeple (which I suppose is by far the highest tower in the kingdom) we had a view not only of all the town, but of all the adjacent country.
Formerly this town was in the fens; but the fens are vanished away: Great part of them is turned into pasture, and part into arable land.
At six the House contained the congregation, all of whom behaved in the most decent manner.
How different from those wild beasts with whom Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Mather had to do!
Saturday, 17. The House was pretty well filled in the morning, and many were much affected. A gentleman who was there invited me to dinner, and offered me the use of his paddock ; but the wind was so exceeding high, that I could not preach abroad, as I did when I was here before, just six-and-twenty years ago; and Mr. Thompson, a friendly Anabaptist, offering
* The bravest Amazonian of her race. —EDIT.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[June, 1780. me the use of his large meeting-house, I willingly accepted the offer.
I preached to most of the chief persons in the town, on 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3; and many of them seemed utterly amazed.
"Open their eyes, O Lord, that they sleep not in death!"
Sun. 18.—I gave them a parting discourse at seven; and after adding a few members to the httle society, and exhorting them to cleave close to each other, I left them with a comfortable hope that they would not be scattered any more.
About noon I preached in the market-place at Wainfleet, once a large sea-port town, till the harbour was blocked up by sand.
The congregation behaved exceeding well.
We now passed into Marshland, a fruitful and pleasant part of the county.
Such is Langham-Row in particular, the abode of honest George Robinson and his fourteen children. Although it was a lone house, yet such a multitude of people flocked together, that I was obliged to preach abroad.
It blew a storm, and we had several showers of rain; but no one went away.
I do not wonder that this society is the largest, as well as the liveliest, in these parts of Lincolnshire.
Mon. 19.—I preached at Louth, where the people used to be rough enough; but now were serious and calmly attentive.
Such a change in a whole town, I have seldom known in the compass of one year.
Tues. 20.—After preaching at Tealby, I went on to Grimsby, where I am still more at home than at any place in the east of Lincolnshire ; though scarce any of our first members remain :
They are all safe lodged in Abraham's bosom.
But here is stilla loving people, though a little disturbed by the Calvinists, who seize on every halting soul as their own lawful prey.
Wed. 21.—I preached at Scotter, toa lovely, simple-hearted people; and at Epworth in the evening.
Thur. 22.—I preached once more at Crowle, to a numerous and deeply serious congregation.
Every one thought, "Can any good come out of Crowle?"
But God's thoughts were not as our thoughts.
There is now such a work of God in this, as is in few of the places round about it.
Sat. 24.—I preached about noon at Belton.
There was the dawn of a blessed work here; but " My Lady's Preachers," so. called, breaking in, set every one's sword against his brother.
Some of them revive a little; but I doubt whether they wilk ever recover their first love.
July, 1780.] JOURNAL.
Sun. 25.—Sir William Anderson, the Rector, having sent an express order to his Curate, he did not dare to gainsay.
So at ten I began reading Prayers to such a congregation as I apprehend hardly ever assembled in this church before.
I preached on Luke viii. 18, part of the Second Lesson.
Not a breath was heard; all was still "as summer's noontide air ;" and I believe our Lord then sowed seed in many hearts, which will bring forth fruit to perfection.
After dinner I preached at Westwood-side.
The high wind was a little troublesome; but the people regarded it not. We concluded the day with one of the most solemn love-feasts I have known for many years.
Mon. 26.—Finningley church was well filled in the evening; and many seemed much affected.
Tuesday, 27.
I preached at Doncaster about noon, and to a larger congregation at Rotherham in the evening.
Wednesday, 28. I went to Sheffield: But the House was not ready; so I preached in the Square.
I can hardly think I am entered this day into the seventyeighth year of my age.
By the blessing of God, I am just the same as when I entered the twenty-eighth.
This hath God wrought, chiefly by my constant exercise, my rising early, and preaching morning and evening.
Thur. 29.—I was desired to preach at Worksop; but when I came, they had not fixed on any place. At length they chose. a lamentable one, full of dirt and dust, but without the least shelter from the scorching sun.
This few could bear: So we had only a small company of as stupid people as ever I saw.
In the evening I preached in the old House at Sheffield; but the heat was scirce supportable.
I took my leave of it at five in the morning, and in the evening preached in the new
House, thoroughly filled with rich and poor; to whom I declared, "We preach Christ crucified:"
And He bore witness to his word in a very uncommon manner.
Saturday, Jury 1. I preached once more at Rotherham.
Sunday, 2.
At eight I preached at Sheffield.
There was afterwards such a number of communicants as was never seen at the old church before.
I preached again at five; but very many were constrained to go away.
We concluded our work by visiting some that were weak in body, but strong in faith, desiring nothing but to do and suffer the will of God.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[July, 1780.
Monday, 3, and Tuesday, 4, I preached at Derby; Wednesday, 5, at a church eight miles fromit.
In the afternoon, as I was going through Stapleford, in my way to Nottingham, I was stopped by some who begged me to look into their new preaching-house.
Many following me, the House was soon filled; and we spent half an hour together, to our mutual comfort.
Inthe evening I preached at Nottingham.
Wednesday, 5. I preached in Loughborough about eleven, and in the evening at Leicester.
I know not how it is that I constantly find such liberty of spirit in this place.
Thur. 6.—The Room at five, according to custom, was filled from end to end.
I have not spent a whole day in Leicester for these fifty-two years: Surely I shall before I die.
This night we spent in Northampton; then went on to London.
Sun. 9.—We had a full congregation at the new chapel, and found God had not forgotten to be gracious.
In the following days I read over, with a few of our Preachers, the large Minutes of the Conference, and considered all the articles, one by one, to see whether any should be omitted or altered.
Sunday, 16, was a day of much refreshment and strong consolation to many, who are persuaded that God will revive his work, and bind up the waste places.
Monday, 17. My brother and I set out for Bath.
I preached at Reading in the evening.
On Tuesday-evening I preached at RainsburyPark.
On Wednesday, we reached Bath.
A year ago, there was such an awakening here as never had been from the beginning ; and, in consequence of it, a swift and large increase of the society.
Just then Mr. M'Nab, quarrelling with Mr. Smyth, threw wildfire among the people, and occasioned anger, jealousies, judging each other, backbiting and tale-bearing without end; and, in spite of all the pains which have been taken, the wound is not healed to this day.
Both my brother and I now talked to as many as we could, and endeavoured to calm and soften their spirits; and on Friday and Saturday I spoke severally to all the members of the society that could attend.
On Friday evening, both in the preaching, and at the meeting of the society, the power of God was again present to heal; as also on Saturday, both morning and evening: And a few are added to the society.
Sun. 23.—I preached (after reading Prayers) at ten, at halfhour past two, and in the evening.
Very many heard; I hope