settled in Spain, sailed to Ireland, under Milea, or Milesius ;
Sept. 1781.] JOURNAL.
Saturday, Serrember 1. I made an end of that curious book, Dr. Parson's "Remains of Japhet."
The very ingenious author has struck much light into some of the darkest parts of ancient history; and although I cannot entirely subscribe to every proposition which he advances, yet I apprehend he has sufficiently proved the main of his hypothesis; namely,—
1. That, after the flood, Shem and his descendants peopled the greatest parts of Asia.
2. That Ham and his children peopled Africa. 3. That Europe was peopled by the two sons of Japhet, Gomer and Magog; the southern and southwestern by Gomer and his children; and the north and the north-western by the children of Magog.
4. That the former were called Gomerians, Cimmerians, Cimbrians, and afterwards Celtic, Galate, and Gauls; the latter were called by the general name of Scythians, Scuiti, Scots.
5. That the Gomerians spread swiftly through the north of Europe, as far as the Cimbrian Chersonesus, (including Sweden, Denmark,
Norway, and divers other countries,) and then into Treland, where they multiplied very early into a considerable nation.
6. That some ages after, another part of them who had first settled in Spain, sailed to Ireland, under Milea, or Milesius ; and, conquering the first inhabitants, took possession of the land.
7. That about the same time the Gomerians came to Ireland, the Magogians, or Scythians, came to Britain ; so early that both still spoke the same language, and well understood cach other. 8. That the Irish, spoke by the Gomerians, and the Welsh, spoke by the Magogians, are one and the same language, expressed by the same seventeen letters, which were long after brought by a Gomerian Prince into Greece.
9, That all the languages of Europe, Greek and Latin in particular, are derived from this.
10. That the antediluvian language, spoken by all till after the flood, and then continued in the family of Shem, was Hebrew; and from this (the Hebrew) tongue many of the Eastern languages are derived.
The foregoing particulars this fine writer has made highly probable. And these may be admitted, though we do not agree to his vehement panegyric on the Irish language ; much less, receive all the stories told by the Irish Poets, or Chroniclers, as genuine, authentic history.
At eleven I preached in Camborne Church-town ; and I believe the hearts of all the people were bowed down before the
REV. J. WESLEY'S.
|Sept. 1781
Lord.
After the Quarterly Meeting in Redruth, I preached in the market-place, on the first principle, "Ye are saved through faith."
It is also the last point ; and it connects the first point of religion with the last.
Sun. 2.—About five in the evening I preached at Gwennap.
I believe two or three and twenty thousand were present; and I believe God enabled me so to speak, that even those who stood farthest off could hear distinctly.
I think this is my ne plus ultra.
I shall scarce see a larger congregation, till we meet in the air.
After preaching at Bodmin, Launceston, Tiverton, and Halberton, on Wednesday, 5, about noon, I preached at Taunton.
I believe it my duty to relate here what some will esteem a most notable instance of enthusiasm.
Be it so or not, I aver the plain fact.
In an hour after we left Taunton, one of the chaise-horses was on a sudden so lame, that he could hardly set his foot to the ground.
It being impossible to procure any human help, I knew of no remedy but prayer.
Immediately the lameness was gone, and he went just as he did before.
In the evening I preached at South-Brent; and the next day went on to Bristol.
Fri. 7.—I went over to Kingswood, and made a particular inquiry into the management of the school.
I found some of the Rules had not been observed at all; particularly that of rising in the morning.
Surely Satan has a peculiar spite at this school!
What trouble has it cost me for above these thirty years!
I can plan; but who will execute2 I know not; God help me!
Sun. 9.—In the calm, sunshiny evening I preached near King's Square.
I know nothing more solemn than such a congregation, praising God with one heart and one voice.
Surely they who talk of the indecency of field-preaching never saw such a sight as this.
Mon. 10.—I preached at Paulton and Shepton-Mallet to a lively, increasing people in each place.
Tuesday, 11. I found the same cause of rejoicing at Coleford; and the next evening at Frome.
Thursday, 18. I preached at Roade and at Bradford.
Friday, 14. After an interval of thirty years, I preached again in Trowbridge.
About two I preached near the church in Freshford; and then spent a day or two at Bath.
Oct. 1781.] JOURNAL.
On Monday, 17, I preached at Chew-Magna and Stoke ; on Tuesday, at Clutton and Pensford.
But Pensford is now a dull, dreary place, the flower of the congregation being gone.
Thur. 20.—I went over to Mangots-Field, a place famous for all manner of wickedness, and the only one in the neighbourhood of Kingswood which we had totally neglected.
But, on a sudden, light is sprung up even in this thick darkness.
Many inquire what they must do to be saved Many of these have broke off outward sin, and are earnestly calling for an inward Saviour.
I preached in the main street, to almost all the inhabitants of the town, on, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."'
Fri. 21.—I preached at Thornbury, where I had not been before for near forty years. It seems as if good might at length be done here also; as an entire new generation is now come up, in the room of the dry, stupid stocks that were there before.
On Monday, 24, and the following days, I met the classes at Bristol, and was not a little surprised to find that the society is still decreasing. Certainly we have all need to stir up the gift of God that is in us, and with all possible care to " strengthen the things that remain."
Thur. 27.—I preached at Bath and Bradford ; and on Friday, at Trowbridge.
How long did we toil here and take nothing!
At length, it seems, the answer of many prayers is come.
Friday, 28. About noon I preached at Keynsham ; and not without hopes of doing good even here.
Since Miss Owen has removed from Publow, Miss Bishop has set up a school here; and it is worthy to be called a Christian school.
It is what the school at Publow was!
Sat. 29.—I spent an hour with Mr. Henderson at Hannam, and particularly inquired into his whole method; and I am persuaded there is not such another house for lunatics in the three kingdoms.
He has a peculiar art of governing his patients; not by fear, but by love.
The consequence is, many of them speedily recover, and love him ever after.
Thur. OcroperR 4.—I was importuned to preach the condemned sermon at Bristol.
I did so, though with little hope of doing good; the criminals being eminently impenitent.
Yet they were, for the present, melted into tears; and they were not out of God's reach.