waiting. Thursday, 9. Going on to Shorcham, we found
294.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Dec. 1784. waiting.
Thursday, 9. Going on to Shorcham, we found that venerable man, Mr. Perronet, ninety-one years of age, calmly waiting for the conclusion of a good warfare.
His bodily strength is gone, but his understanding is little impaired; and he appears to have more love than ever.
After preaching to an carnest congregation in the evening, and to great part of them in the morning, [ returned to London.
Monday, 13, and the two days following, I preached at Canterbury, Dover, and Sittingbourne.
Thursday, 16. I went to Sheerness ; where Mr. Fox read Prayers, and I preached on those words in the Second Lesson, "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
I hardly ever spoke stronger words.
May God make the application!
I never before found this society in such a state as they were now; being all, in general, athirst for God, and increasing in number as well as in grace.
Friday, 17. I preached at Chatham, where likewise I found only peace and love; and on Saturday, 18, cheerfully returned to London.
Mon. 20.—I went to Hinxworth, where I had the satisfaction of meeting Mr. Simeon, Fellow of King's College, in Cambridge.
He has spent some time with Mr. Fletcher, | at Madeley; two kindred souls; much resembling cach other, both in fervour of spirit, and in the earnestness of their address.
He gave me the pleasing information, that there are three parish churches in Cambridge, wherein true scriptural religion is preached ; and several young gentlemen who are happy partakers of it.
I preached in the evening on Gal. vi. 14.
Twesday, 21. I spent a little time with the children at Miss Harvey's school, whom she likewise carefully instructs herself.
After dinner we set out for Wrestlingworth ; and having a skilful guide, who rode before the chaise, and picked out the best way, we drove four miles in only three hours.
Wednesday, 22. I returned to London, and concluded my journeys for the present year.
Sat. 25.—We met, as usual, in the new chapel, at four: At ten, and in the afternoon, I preached in West-Street; and afterwards spent a comfortable hour in meeting the society.
Sun. 26.—I preached the condemned criminals' sermon in Newgate.
Forty-seven were under sentence of death.
While they were coming in, there was something very awful in the clink of their chains. But no sound was heard, either from them or the crowded audience, after the text was named, " There is
Jan. 1785.] JOURNAL.
joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, that need not repentance."
The power of the Lord was eminently present, and most of the prisoners were in tears. A few days after, twenty of them died at once, five of whom died in peace.
I could not but greatly approve of the spirit and behaviour of Mr. Villette, the Ordinary ; and I rejoiced to hear, that it was the same on all similar occasions.
Fri. 31.—We had a solemn watch-night, and ushered in the new year with the voice of praise and thanksgiving.
Sat. January 1, 1785.—Whether this be the last or no, may it be the best year of my life! Sunday, 2. A larger number of people were present this evening at the renewal of our covenant with God, than was ever seen before on the occasion.
Tues. 4.—At this scason we usually distribute coals and bread among the poor of the socicty.
But I now considered, they wanted clothes, as well as food.
So on this, and the four following days, I walked through the town, and begged two hundred pounds, in order to clothe them that needed it most.
But it was hard work, as most of the streets were filled with melting suow, which often lay ankle deep; so that my feet were steeped in snow-water nearly from morning till evening:
T held it out pretty well till Saturday evening; but I was laid up with a violent flux, which increased every hour, till, at six in the morning, Dr. Whitehead called upon me.
His first draught made me quite easy ; and three or four more perfected the cure.
If he lives some years, I expect he will be one of the most eminent Physicians in Europe.
I supposed my journeys this winter had been over; but I could not decline one more.
Monday, 17. I set out for poor Colchester, to encourage the little flock.
They had exceeding little of this world's goods, but most of them had a better portion.
Tuesday, 18. I went on to Mistleythorn, a village near Manningtree.
Some time since, one of the shipwrights of Deptford-yard, being sent hither to superintend the building of some men-of-war, began to read scrmons on a Sunday evening in his own house.
Afterwards he exhorted them a little, and then formed a little society. Some time after, he begged one of our Preachers to come over and help them.
I now founda lively society, and one of the most elegant congregations I had seen for many years.
Yet they seemed as willing to be instructed, as if they had lived in Kingswood.
Wednesday, 19.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Feb. 1785.
I returned to Colchester; and on Thursday, 20, preached to a lovely congregation at Purfleet, and the next morning returned to London.
Sun. 23.—I preached morning and afternoon at WestStreet, and in the evening in the chapel at Knightsbridge :
I think, it will be the last time; for I know not that I have ever seen a worse-behaved congregation.
Tues. 25.—I spent two or three hours in the House of Lords.
I had frequently heard that this was the most venerable assembly in England.
But how was I disappointed !
What is a Lord, but a sinner, born to die!
Sun. 30.—From those words, "Righteous art thou, O Lord, and true are thy judgments," I endeavoured to point out those sins which were the chief cause of that awful transaction we commemorate this day.
I believe the chief sin which brought the King to the block, was his persecuting the real Christians.
Hereby he drove them into the hands of designing men, which issued in his own destruction.
Sun. Fesruary 6.—We had a love-feast.
I could not but observe the manner wherein several of them spoke one after another.
Not only the matter, but the language, the accent, the tone of voice, wherewith illiterate persons, men and women, young and old, spoke, were such as a scholar need not be ashamed of.
Who teacheth like Him?
Sun. 13,—1 met the single women, and exhorted them to consider, to prize, and to improve, the advantages they enjoyed.
On the following days, I visited many of our poor, to see with my own eyes what their wants were, and how they might be effectually relieved.
Sun. 20.—I preached in Spitalfields church in the morning, and in the afternoon at St. Ethelburg's, and in the evening at the new chapel.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I visited the residue of the sick and poor.
Friday, 25. I received letters from the Preachers, Stewards, and Leaders at Plymouth-Dock, informing me, that William Moore had renounced the Methodists, hired a place to preach in, and drawn away about forty of our members, to form a society for himself.
They therefore begged I would come down as soon as possible, to quench the kindling fire.
I saw no time was to be lost, and therefore immediately took places in the Exeter diligence.
Sun. 27.—I preached in Stepney church, one of the largest
March, 1785.] JOURNAL.
parish churches in England.
Monday, 28. The diligence reached Sarum about eight in the evening.
About nine we left it.
So keen a frost, I hardly ever felt before: And our carriage let in the air on all sides, so that we hardly could preserve life.
However, soon after five on T'wesday evening, we got to Exeter.
Wednesday, Marcu 2. We went on to Plymouth-Dock ; and found all that we had heard, confirmed.
But I verily believe, we are better without William Moore, than with him; as his heart is not right with God.
To quiet the minds of many well-meaning persons, I preached on those comfortable words, " Even the hairs of your head are all numbered ;" and in the morning, on, " Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him."
Thursday, 3. In the evening I read to the whole congregation a plain state of the case, with regard to the Deed of Declaration, which William Moore had so wonderfully misrepresented: And I believe they were all fully satisfied.
Fri. 4.—I took a walk through the Royal Hospital for sick and wounded sailors.
I never saw any thing of the kind so complete: Every part is so convenient, and so admirably neat.
But there is nothing superfluous, and nothing purely ornamental, either within or without.
There seems to be nothing wanting, but a man full of faith and zeal, to watch over the souls of the poor patients, and teach_ them to improve their affliction.
In the evening I preached to a large congregation at Plymouth ; and it pleased God to give me uncommon liberty in describing the power of faith.
What a blessed proof of this has there been here, since I was in the town before!
Preaching at the Dock in the evening, I besought all serious people not to "grieve the Holy Spirit of God ;" but to "put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking."
I exhorted them, in particular, not to talk about Mr. Moore at all, but to give him up to God.
Sun. 6.—I preached at the Dock at seven. Between one and two I began at Plymouth; and as many as could get in seemed to be deeply affected, with the application of those words, "Go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee."
In the afternoon I accepted of an invitation from Dr. Gench, the Physician of the Hospital; and passed an agreeable hour with a man of sense, and, it seems, of considerable learning.
At five I preached in the shell of the new House, on the form
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[ March, 1785. and power of godliness.
In the evening I met the society once more, confirmed in the truth more than ever, and more determined to walk in the good old way wherein they had continued from the beginning.
Mon. 7.—We had a pleasant journey to Exeter; and on Tuesday, to Bath.
But the coach did not come in soon enough for me to preach in the evening: Nevertheless, we had a large congregation in the morning.
Wednesday, 9. This society too is much improved since I was here last.
Many stumblingblocks are removed out of the way, and brotherly love is increased.
Thur. 10.—After spending a day or two at Bristol, on Saturday, 12, I returned to Bath, and preached to a numerous congregation.
Great part of them were present again at six in the morning.
Sunday, 20. I went over to Kingswood, and preached the funeral sermon of Ann Noble, an old member of the society; who, having adorned the Gospel above forty years, died in the full triumph of faith.
Mon. 21.—I set out early, and dined at Stroud.
The death of Mr. Willis, snatched away in the midst of his years, but a few days before, brought abundance of people to the preachinghouse; and most of them were deeply serious; so that we had avery solemn hour.
Tuesday, 22. I preached in Painswick at noon, and at six in the Court-House at Gloucester,
A multitude of people flocked together, many of whom were of the better sort; and most of them appeared to be, for the present, almost persuaded to be Christians.
Wednesday, 23.
About eleven I preached at Tewkesbury, and in the evening at Worcester.
Thursday, 24. I breakfasted at Mrs. Price's,. a Quaker, who keeps a Boarding-School.
I was much pleased with her children, so elegantly plain in their behaviour, as well as apparel.
I was led, I know not how, to speak to them largely ; then to pray; and we were all much comforted. The society is in great peace, and striving together for the hope of the Gospel.
I have not seen greater earnestness and simplicity in any society, since we left London.
I was now considering how strangely the grain of mustardseed, planted about fifty years ago, has grown up. It has spread through all Great Britain and Ireland ; the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man; then to America, from the Leeward Islands, through the whole continent, into Canada and Newfoundland.
And the societies, in all these parts, walk by one rule, knowing
March, 1785.] JOURNAL.
religion is holy tempers; and striving to worship God, not in form only, but likewise "in spirit and in truth."
Marcu 25.—(Being Good-Friday.) I hastened to reach Birmingham before the Church Service began.
A sharper frost I never knew: But indéed our House was hot enough in the evening; and I have not seen a more earnest people.
Such an advantage it is to be fully employed.
In every place we find labouring men most susceptible of religion.
Such a blessing results from that curse, "In the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread."
Sat. 26.—I had designed to rest ; but notice had been given of my preaching at Quinton at noon.
As the House would not hold the people, I was constrained, cold as it was, to preach abroad; and they all seemed to feel that solemn question,
" How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"
In the evening my heart was enlarged in such a manner as I have seldom known; so that I detained the congregation considerably longer than I am accustomed to; and all the people seemed determined to " glorify God with their body and their spirit."
Marcu 27.—(Being Easter-day.) I preached at seven, on, «The Lord is risen indeed," with an uncommon degree of freedom; and then met the Local Preachers, several of whom seemed to have caught the fashionable disease,—desire of independency.
They were at first very warm ; but at length agreed to act by the Rules laid down in the Minutes of the Conference.
The weather now changed.
Small rain fell some hours, and then turned into snow.
This made it very dirty: However, the poor people got through, and filled Darlastonchurch. Hence
I returned to Wednesbury ; but could not preach abroad, the ground being covered with snow.
As many as could crowded into the House.
A love-feast followed, at which many plain people spoke without reserve.
The artless propriety with which they spoke must be truly astonishing to all who do not consider that promise, " They shall be all taught of God."
Mon. 28.—I preached a kind of funeral sermon on Sarah Wood, one of the first members of the society.
For above fifty years she adorned the Gospel, being a pattern of all holiness.
She was confined to her bed for several months.
Being asked if time did not hang upon her hands, she answered, "No; the Bible is my delight."
" How can that be," said