being too small, we repaired, as usual, to the Grove; a most
June, 1785.] JOURNAL.
called on Bishop Antone, in Holland, an old acquaintance, whom I had not seen for six-and-forty years, till both he and I were grown grey-headed, he did not ask me so much as to wet my lips.
Is not this a shameful way?
way, contrary not only to Christianity, but to common humanity?
Is it not a way that a Jew, a Mahometan, yea, an honest Heathen, would be ashamed of ?
Having now finished an ingenious book, Le Vrayer's " Animadversions on the Ancient Historians,' I thought a few passages worth transcribing, as containing some uncommon remarks.
He says more for the veracity of Herodotus than ever I saw before ; and convinces me that his authority is more to be relied on than that of Polybius; who, " contrary to the truth of history, makes Scipio an example of continence, in giving up the fair captive to the Spanish Prince ; whereas, in fact, he never would, nor did, restore her to her husband."
"There is not a more incredible relation in all the Roman History, than that Clelia, and all the Roman virgins who were hostages to the Hetrurians, swam over the river Tiber to Rome.
Surely they would scarce have dared to look upon so rapid a river, much less to plunge into it; especially when there was no necessity, for the peace was then almost concluded.
"Some writers affirm, and it is earnestly believed, that . Belisarius was reduced to beggary.
But it is a mere fable:
On the contrary, the Emperor Justinian heaped titles and honours upon him to the last ; although he recalled him out of Italy, after he had been defeated there by the French.
Procopius, who wrote largely concerning him, says not one word of his being reduced to poverty."
Thur. 9.—Between nine and ten I preached in the Court House at Antrim, to a large staring congregation.
Thence we went on to Belfast, through miserable roads. O where is common sense!
At six I preached in the Linen-Hall, to a large congregation, admirably well-behaved.
I often wonder that, among so civil a people, we can do but little good.
Friday, 10. We came to Downpatrick; where, the preaching-house being too small, we repaired, as usual, to the Grove; a most lovely plain, very near the venerable ruins of the cathedral.
The congregation was as large as that at Belfast, but abundantly more awakened.
The people in general were remarkably affectionate. They filled the large preaching-house at five
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[June, 1785. in the morning ; and we seemed to be as closely united with them as with one of our old societies in England.
About eleven on Saturday, I preached in the Linen-Hall, at Ballinahinch, to a numerous congregation.
The country, from hence to Lisburn, is wonderfully pleasant and fruitful. At six I preached in the Presbyterian meeting, a large and commodious building ; and I was now with the most lively society that I have seen for many days; owing chiefly to the good providence of God bringing sister
Johnson hither. She came indeed in an acceptable time; for J W. and his wife, who far many years had been pillars, had left the society.
They had one child, a son, about nineteen years old, of whom they were fond enough; by a fall from his horse he was killed in a moment, leaving his parents inconsolable; just then she came to Lisburn, and visited them.
God opened her mouth, both in exhortation and prayer.
They saw and acknowledged his hand.
She was enabled to give up her child to God; he cried out, " Surely God has sent an angel from heaven to comfort us!"
Both of them joined the society; and are more in earnest for salvation than they have been for many years.
Sun. 12.,—We had a solemn opportunity in the morning.
In the afternoon, as no building could contain the people, I stood abroad and proclaimed, "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance."
The hearers (allowing five persons to a square yard) were seven or cight thousand.
At eleven I preached in the church-yard at Lurgan.
The sun shone extremely hot ; but we were sheltered from it, partly by the church, and partly by the spreading trees.
In the afternoon I went on to Tanderagee, one of the pleasantest towns in Ireland, surrounded by woods and fruitful hills, with a clear river running between them.
At six I stood in the Grove, where the tall elms shaded both me and the numerous congregation.
Several gentlemen and _ several Clergymen were among them, and all behaved with serious attention.
T lodged at the Rev. Dr. L 's, where my time seemed exceeding short.
Wednesday, 15. The scene changed from a palace to a cottage at Derry-Anvil, a small village surrounded by a bog; but inhabited by lively Christians.
About eleven I preached in a shady orchard, to an exceeding large congregation; and in the evening to a still larger at the Grange, a small
June, 1785. ] JOURNAL.
village on the top of a hill.
Many showers went to the right and the left while I was preaching, but only a few drops fell upon us.
Thursday, 16. About eight I preached at RichHill, where there were many backsliders, on, " How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?"
In thé afternoon I came to Newry, where I never before had any tolerable place to preach in ; but the Presbyterians now offered me the use of their large and handsome meeting-house: Perhaps it never was filled before.
I believe the occasion required me to speak very plain, which I did from Elijah's question, "' How long halt ye between two opinions?"
And I applied it to the conscience of each person, rich and poor, with all possible plainuess.
Fri. 17.—Many of our friends from Dublin gave us the meeting at Drogheda ; a large, handsome town, which seemed to me to be little inferior to Waterford.
After much opposition, a small society is formed here.
I preached in the Sessions-House, a large commodious room, which was quickly filled with rich and poor.
The Mayor himself and several of the Aldermen took care that none should make any disturbance.
God gave us an exceeding solemn season.
After sermon I gave a short account of the rise of Methodism. if believe all were so satisfied, that there will scarce be any more persecution of the Methodists at Drogheda.
Sat. 18.—Having visited all the places I proposed, I came back to Dublin just as well as I set out, my strength having been as my day.
Sun. 19.—I exhorted a crowded audience to "bring forth fruits meet for repentance;" and afterwards pressed the exhortation on our own society.
Monday, 20. I visited one ill of a violent fever, and calmly triumphing over sickness, and pain, and death. In the evening I received a letter from a Physician, whom, the next morning, I carried to see her. He thoroughly understood her case; and from the day she followed his prescription she began to recover. I feared very many of the society would be lost before my return ; but I found only three: So that seven hundred and thirty-seven of them remained.
Wed. 22.—I went with twelve or fourteen of our friends on the canal to Prosperous.
It is a most elegant way of travelling, little inferior to that of the track-skuits in Holland. We had fifty or sixty persons in the boat, many of whom desired me to give them a sermon. I did so; and they were all atten-