aud Friday, 22, returned to Newcastle.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[June, 1781. with the utmost decency, while I showed, " Hiscommandments are not grievous."
Soon after, a little breeze sprung up, which, early in the morning, brought us to Whitehaven.
Thur. 14.—I had a design to preach at noon in the TownHall at Cockermouth; but Mr. Lothian offering me his meeting-house, which was far more convenient, I willingly accepted his offer.
By this means I had a much more numerous audience ; most of whom behaved well.
At seven I preached at Mr. Whyte's, in Ballantyne ; a little village four miles from Cockermouth.
Many assembled here who had hardly seen or heard a Methodist before.
I believe some of them did not hear in vain.
After this, I saw Mr.
Whyte no more.
God soon called him into a better world.
Friday, 15. In the evening I preached in the Town-Hall, at Carlisle ; and on Saturday, 16, reached Newcastle.
Sun. 17,—In the morning I preached at the Ballast-Hills; in the afternoon, at Gateshead; and at five, at the GarthHeads.
To-day I heard a remark at All-Saints' church, which I never read or heard before, in confirmation of that assertion of Abraham, "If they hear not Moses and the Prophets :'—" The thing has been tried.
One did rise from the dead, in the sight of a multitude of people. The namesake of this Lazarus rose from the dead.
The very Pharisees could not deny it.
Yet who of them that believed not Moses and the Prophets was thereby persuaded to repent Py
Wed. 20.—I went over to Sunderland; and preached evening and morning to a lovely congregation.
Thursday, 21. Tread Prayers and preached in Monkwearmouth church; aud Friday, 22, returned to Newcastle.
Sat. 23.—I went overto Hexham, and preached in the marketplace to a numerous congregation, on, "I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God."
None were rude or uncivil in ay respect ; and very few were inattentive.
Sunday, 24. I preached in the morning at Gateshead-Fell; about noon, ata village called Greenside, ten miles west of Newcastle, to the largest congregation I have seen in the north ; many of whom were Roman Catholics. In the evening I preached once more at the GarthHeads, (some thought to the largest congregation that had ever been there,) on those words in the Service,
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God."
After preaching at many places in the way, on Wednesday,
July, 1781.] JOURNAL.
27, I preached at York.
Many of our friends met me here, so that in the evening the House would ill contain the congregation.
And I know not when I have found sucha spirit among them; they seemed to be all hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
Thur. 28.—I preached at eleven in the main street at Selby, to a large and quiet congregation; and in the evening at Thorne.
This day I entered my seventy-ninth year; and, by the grace of God, I feel no more of the infirmities of old age, than I did at twenty-nine.
Friday, 29. I preached at Crowle and at Epworth.
I have now preached thrice a day for seven days following ; but it is just the same as if it had been but once.
Sat. 30.—I went over to Owstone, and found the whole town was moved.
One of the chief men of the town had been just buried, and his wife a few days before.
In a course of nature they might have lived many years, being only middle-aged. He had known the love of God, but had choked the good seed by hastening to be rich.
But Providence disappointed all his schemes ; and it was thought he died of a broken heart. I took that opportunity of enforcing, " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
Sun. Jury 1.—I preached, as usual, at Misterton, at Overthorpe, and at Epworth.
Monday, 2. I preached at Scotter about eight ; at Brigg, at noon; and in the evening, in the old church-yard, at Grimsby, to almost all the people of the town, on, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
The late proof of it is in the glorious death of Robert Wilkinson; and the behaviour of his widow, So firm, yet soft, so strong, yet so resign'd,
I believe, will hardly be forgotten by any that were witnesses of it.
Tues. 3.—I preached at Claythorp, three miles from Grimsby.
Here, likewise, there has been an outpouring of the Spirit.
I was reminded here of what I saw at Cardiff, almost forty years ago.
I could not go into any of the little houses, but presently it was filled with people; and I was constrained to pray with them in every house, or they would not be satisfied.
Several of these are clearly renewed in love, and give a plain, scriptural account of their experience; and VOL. IV.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[July, 1781. there is scarce a house in the village, wherein there is not one or more earnestly athirst for salvation.
Wed. 4.—I called upon an honest man, and, I hope, took him out of the hands of an egregious quack ; who was pouring in medicines upon him, for what he called "wind in the nerves!"
Jn the evening I preached at Louth, now as quiet as Grimsby.
When shall we learn "to despair of none?"
Thur. 5.—I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Brackenbury again, though still exceeding weak. His chapel was thoroughly filled in the evening; I trust, with sincere hearers.
Fri. 6.—I crossed over to Langham-Row; where the high wind would not suffer me to preach abroad.
But the House tolerably contained the congregation ; most of whom attended again at five in the morning.
To-day I finished the second volume of Dr. Robertson's "History of America."
His language is always clear and strong, and frequently elegant ; and I suppose his history is preferable to any history of America which has appeared in the English tongue.
But I cannot admire, First, His intolerable prolixity in this history, as well as his " History of Charles the Fifth."
He promises eight books of the History of America, and fills four of them with critical dissertations.
True, the dissertations are sensible, but they have lost their way; they are not history: And they are swelled beyond all proportion; doubtless, for the benefit of the author and the bookseller, rather than the reader.
I cannot admire, Secondly, A Christian Divine writing a history, with so very little of Christianity in it.
Nay, he seems studiously to avoid saying any thing which might imply that he believes the Bible.
I can still less admire, Thirdly, His speaking so honourably of a professed Infidel; yea, and referring to his masterpiece of Infidelity, "Sketches of the History of Man;" as artful, as unfair, as disingenuous a book, as even Toland's " Nazarenus."
Least of all can I admire, Fourthly, His copying after Dr, Hawkesworth, (who once professed better things,) in totally excluding the Creator from governing the world.
Was it not enough, never to mention the Providence of God, where there was the fairest occasion, without saying expressly, "The fortune of Certiz," or "chance,? did thus or thus?
So far as fortune or chance governs the world, God has no place in it.
The poor American, though not pretending to bea Christian,
July, 1781.] JOURNAL,
knew better than this.
When the Indian was asked, "" Why do you think the beloved ones take care of you?" he answered,
"When I was in the battle, the bullet went on this side, and on that side; and this man died, and that man died; and I am alive!
So I know, the beloved ones take care of me."
It is true, the doctrine of a particular Providence (and any but a particular Providence is no Providence at all) is absolutely out of fashion in England: And a prudent author might write this to gain the favour of his gentle readers.
Yet I will not say, this is real prudence; because he may lose hereby more than he gains; as the majority, even of Britons, to this day, retain some sort of respect for the Bible.
If it: was worth while to mention a little thing, after things of so much greater importance, I would add, I was surprised that so sensible a writer, in enumerating so many reasons, why it is so much colder in the southern hemisphere than it is in the northern; why it is colder, for instance, at forty degrees south, than at fifty north latitude; should forget the main, the primary reason, namely, the greater distance of the sun!
For is it not well known, that the sun (to speak with the vulgar) is longer on the north side the line than the south? that he is longer in the six northern signs than the southern, so that there is a difference (says Gravesande) of nine days?
Now, if the northern hemisphere be obverted to the sun longer than the southern, does not this necessarily imply that the northern hemisphere will be warmer than the southern?
And is not this the primary reason of its being so?
Sat. 7.—I designed to go from hence to Boston; but a message from Mr. Pugh, desiring me to preach in his church on Sunday, made me alter my design.
So, procuring a guide, I set out for Rauceby.
We rode through Tattershall, where there are large remains of a stately castle ; and there was in the chancel of the old church, the finest painted glass (so it was esteemed) in England; but the prudent owner, considering it brought him in nothing by staying there, lately sold it for a round sum of money.
Here I met with such a ferry as I never saw before.
The boat was managed by an honest countryman who knew just nothing of the matter, and a young woman equally skilful.
However, though the river was fifty yards broad, we got over it in an hour and a half.
We then went on through the fens P2
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[July, 1781. in a marvellous road, sometimes tracked, and sometimes not, till about six we came to Rauceby, and found the people gathered from all parts.
I preached on those words in the Second Lesson, " There is neither Greek nor Jew, Barbarian,
Scythian, bond nor free: But Christ is all and in all."
Sun. 8.—The congregation was still larger.
Hence I rode over to Welby, and preached in Mr. Dodwell's church in the afternoon and in the evening, to a numerous and serious. congregation.
Monday, 9. I preached at Grantham in the open air, (for no house would contain the congregation,) and none made the least disturbance, any more than at Newark,
(where I preached in the evening,) or in the Castle-yard at Lincoln, on Tuesday, 10.
Wednesday, 11. I preached at Newton-upon-Trent, and Gainsborough.
After visiting many other societies, I crossed over into the West-Riding of Yorkshire. Monday, 23. I preached at Yeadon, to a large congregation.
I had heard, the people there were remarkably dead : If so, they were now remarkably quickened ; for I know not when I have seen a whole congregation so moved.
Tuesday, 24. We had fifty or sixty children at five; and as many or more in the evening; and more affectionate ones I never saw.
For the present at least God has touched their hearts.
On Wednesday and Thursday I preached at Bradford and Halifax; on Friday, at Greetland chapel, and Huddersfield.
After preaching I retired to Longwood-House, one of the pleasantest spots in the county.
Saturday, 28. I preached at Longwood-House, at Mirfield, and at Daw-Green.
Sunday, 29. I preached at eight before the House.
I expected to preach at one, as usual, under the hill at Birstal ; but after the Church Service was ended, the Clerk exclaimed with a loud voice, "The Rev. Mr. Wesley is to preach here in the afternoon."
So I desired Mr. Pawson to preach at one.
The church began at half-hour past two; and I spoke exceeding plain to such a congregation as I never met there before.
In the evening I preached at Bradford to thousands upon thousands, on, "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Mon. 30.—I crossed over to Tadcaster at noon; and in the evening to York.
Hence I took a httle circuit through Malton, Scarborough, Beverley, Hull, and Pocklington, and came to York again.
Aug. 1781.] JOURNAL.
Sun. Avcust 5.—At the old church in Leeds we had eighteen Clergymen, and about eleven hundredcommunicants.
I preached there at three: The church was thoroug!:ly filled'; and I believe most could hear, while I explained the " new covenant," which God has now made with the Israel of God.
Mon. 6.—I desired Mr. Fletcher, Dr. Coke, and four more of our brethren, to meet every evening, that we might consult together on any difficulty that occurred.
On Tuesday our Conference began, at which were present about seventy Preachers, whom I had severally invited to come and assist me with their advice, in carrying on the great work of God.
Wednesday, 8. I desired Mr. Fletcher to preach.
I do not wonder he should be so popular; not only because he preaches with all his might, but because the power of God attends both his preaching and prayer.
On Monday and Tuesday we finished the remaining business of the Conference, and ended it with solemn prayer and thanksgiving.
Wed. 15.—I went to Sheffield.
In the afternoon I took a view of the chapel lately built by the Duke of Norfolk : One may safely say, there is none like it in the three kingdoms ; nor, I suppose, in the world.
It is a stone building, an octagon, about eighty feet diameter.
A cupola, which is at a great height, gives some, but not much, light.
A little more is given by four small windows, which are under the galleries.
The pulpit is movable: It rolls upon wheels; and is shifted once a quarter, that all the pews may face it in their turns: I presume the first contrivance of the kind in Europe.
After preaching in the evening to a crowded audience, and exhorting the society to brotherly love, I took chaise with Dr.
Coke; and, travelling day and night, the next evening came to London.
We observed Friday, 17, as a fast-day, and concluded it with a solemn watch-night.
Having finished my business in town for the present, on Sunday, 19, at eight in the evening, I took coach with my new fellow-traveller,
George Whitfield ; and on Monday evening preached at Bath.
Tuesday, 21. I went on to Bristol ; and after resting a day, ou Thursday, 23, set out for Cornwall.
Finding, after breakfast, that I was within a mile of my old friend, G. S—, I walked over, and spent an hour with him.
He is all-original still, like no man in the world, either in sentiments or any thing about him.
But perhaps if I had his immense fortune, I might be as great an oddity as he.
REV. J, WESLEY'S
[Aug. 1781.
About six in the evening I preached at Taunton, to a numerous congregation. I found the letters concerning Popery had much abated prejudice here.
Friday, 24. I preached at Collumpton about noon, and at Exeter in the evening. Saturday, 25. I preached in the Square at Plymouth-Dock, toa quieter congregation than usual.
Sunday, 26. Between one and two, I began in the new House in Plymouth.
Thelarge congregation was all attention ; and there seemed reason to hope that even here we shall find some fruit of our labour.
In the evening I preached again in the Square, on the story of the Pharisee and Publican, to such a congregation, for number and seriousness together, as I never saw there before.
Mon, 27.—I1 was desired to preach at Trenuth at noon, @ little way (they said) out of the road.
The Uttle way proved six or seven miles,through a road ready to break our wheels in pieces.
However, I just reached St. Austle time enough ta preach; and God greatly comforted the hearts of his people.
Tues. 28.—Between nine and ten we had such a storm of rain, as I do not remember to have seen in Europe before.
It seemed ready to beat in the windows of the chaise, and in three minutes drenched our horsemen from head to foot. We reached Truro, however, at the appointed time.
I have not for many years seen a congregation so universally affected.
One would have imagined, every one that was present had a desire to save his soul.
In the evening I preached in the High-street at Helstone.
I scarce know a town in the whole county which is so totally changed ; not a spark of that bitter enmity to the Methodists, in which the people here for many years gloried above their fellows.
Going through Marazion, I was told that a large congregittion was waiting: So I stepped out of my chaise, and began immediately ; and we had a gracious shower.
Some were cut to the heart; but more rejoiced with Joy unspeakable.
In the evening I preached in the market-place at Penzance.
I designed afterwards to meet the society ; but the people were So eager to hear all they could, that they quickly filled the House from end to end.
This is another of the towns wherein the whole stream of the people is turned, as it were, from east to west.
We had a happy season, both at St. Just on Thursday evening, and in the market-place at St. Ives on Friday.