I determined to show myself, at least, where I had appointed to
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Dec. 1789.
Here I had leisure on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, to consider throughly the account of the Pelew Islands.
It is ingenious; but I esteem it a dangerous book, which I cannot believe, if I believe the Bible; for the direct tendency of it is to show, that the Bible is quite needless; since if men may be as virtuous without revelation as with it, then it is quite superfluous; then the fable of Jesus Christ, and that of Mahomet, are equally valuable.
I do not say that Mr.
Keate, much less Captain Wilson, designed to inculcate this consequence; but it necessarily follows, if you believe the premises.
I cannot believe there is such a Heathen on earth as Abba Thulle; much less such a heathen nation as are here painted.
But what do you think of Prince Lee Boo?
I think he was a good-natured, sensible young man, who came to England with Captain Wilson, and had learned his lesson well; but was just as much a Prince, as Tomo Chachi was a King.
Mon. December 7.—I went to Chatham, and preached, as usual, to far more than the House could contain: And it is no wonder, considering that the spirit and behaviour of the people confirm the doctrine they hear.
T'wesday, 8. We took a walk in the dock-yard.
In the evening I preached in the elegant House at Brompton; but it is already far too small.
The people flock in on every side, to hear peacefully the Gospel.
Thur. 10.—I returned to London, and preached at the new chapel.
Sun. 18.—Feeling much concern for poor backsliders, I endeavoured to explain and apply the concluding words of the parable of the Prodigal Son: "This thy brother was dead, and is alive again: He was lost, and is found;" and in the evening those of Hosea viii. 11.
Mon. 14.—I went to Canterbury, and preached in the evening, on, "There is one God."
The House would in nowise contain the congregation, in which were several Clergymen. It pleased God to give me uncommon liberty of spirit ; as also at Dover the next evening, where the new House, large as it is, was far too small, so that many could not get in.
1% ednesday, 16. Being quite hoarse, I couldneither sing nor speak: However, I determined to show myself, at least, where I had appointed to preach. Coming to Sandwich about noon, and finding the congregation was waiting, I trusted in God, and began to speak :
The more I spoke, the more my voice was stren gthened ; so that
Dec. 1789.] JOURNAL.
in a few minutes I think all could hear; and many, I believe, took knowledge that what they heard was not the word of man but of God.
I preached again at Margate in the evening, till my voice was near as clear as before I begun.
The Spirit of God was with us of a truth.
Thur. 17.—I returned to Canterbury, and spent half an hour with my old friend Mr. Perronet, the last of the six sons, and nearly worn out, and just tottering over the grave.
In the evening we had another numerous congregation, and all deeply serious.
Friday, 18. We returned to London.
Mon. 21.—I went to Sevenoaks, where the work of God has been at a stand for many years.
It was a rainy night ; notwithstanding which, the chapel was crowded from end to end: God seemed to rest in an uncommon degree upon the whole congregation.
I was still more surprised to see the House filled in a very dark, rainy morning; a sight which has not been for many years.
Surely God is about to give this poor, dead people yet another gracious visitation.
Fri. 25.—(Being Christmas-Day.) We began the service in the new chapel at four o'clock, as usual; where I preached again in the evening, after having officiated in West-Street at the common hour.
Saturday, 26. We had a very uncommon congregation in the evening, with a very uncommon blessing.
Sunday, 27. I preached in St. Luke's, our parish church, in the afternoon, to a very numerous congregation, on, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come."
So are the tables turned, that I have now more invitations to preach in churches than
I can accept of.
Mon. 28.—I retired to Peckham; and at leisure hours read part of a very pretty trifle,—the Life of Mrs. Bellamy.
Surely never did any, since John Dryden, study more To make vice pleasing, and damnation shine, than this lively and elegant writer.
She has a fine imagination ; a strong understanding; an easy style, improved by much reading ; a fine, benevolent temper; and every qualification that could consist with a total ignorance of God.
But God was not in all her thoughts. Abundance of anecdotes she inserts, which may be true or false. One of them, concerning
Mr. Garrick, is curious.
She says, " When he was taking
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Jan. 1790. ship for England, a lady presented him with a parcel, which she desired him not to open till he was at sea.
When he did he found Wesley's Hymns, which he immediately threw overboard." I cannot believe it. I think Mr. G. had more sense.
He knew my brother well; and he knew him to be not only far superior in learning, but in poetry, to Mr. Thomson, and all his theatrical writers put together: None of them can equal him, either in strong, nervous sense, or purity and elegance of language.
The musical compositions of his sons are not more excellent than the poetical ones of their father.
In the evening I preached to a crowded congregation, some of whom seemed a good deal affected.
Thursday, 31. I preached at the new chapel; but, to avoid the cramp, went to bed at ten o'clock. I was well served. I know not that I ever before felt so much of it in one night.
Fri. January 1, 1790.—I am now an old man, decayed from head to foot.
My eyes are dim; my right hand shakes much; my mouth is hot and dry every morning; I have a lingering fever almost every day; my motion is weak and slow.
However, blessed be God, I do not slack my labour:
I can preach and write still. sat. 2.—I preached at Snowsfields, to the largest congregation I have seen there this year, on,
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ."
Sunday, 3. I suppose near two thousand met at the new chapel to renew their covenant with God ; a scriptural means of grace which is now almost everywhere forgotten except among the Methodists.
Tues. 5.—I paid a visit to my old friend Mark Davis; and in the evening I preached to a small audience at Leytonstone.
Wednesday, 6. I preached to a larger and more awakened congregation at Stratford.
Twesday, 12. I retired to HighburyPlace to answer my letters.
Suwnday,17. I buried Mrs. Dornford, (a good woman,) and preached her funeral sermon.
In the afternoon, I preached in Great St. Helen's, to a large congregation.
It is, I believe, fifty years since I preached there before.
What has God wrought since that time !
Thur, 21.—I paid a visit to an eminent sister, of whom every one despaired.
She resolved to set out once more.
May God uphold her with his right hand!
Sunday, 24. We had a love-feast for all the society, at which many spoke their experience with much simplicity, Monday, 25. I went to
Feb. 1790.] JOURNAL.
Dorking ; and laboured to awaken a harmless, honest, drowsy people, who for many years have seemed to stand stock-still, neither increasing nor decreasing.
Fri. 29.—We had our general Quarterly Meeting, whereby it' appeared, that the society feceived and expended about three thousand pounds a year; but our expense still exceeded our income.
Saturday, 30. I began meeting the classes, which took up this day and all the next week.
Sun. Fepruary 7.—I preached the funeral sermon of that saint of God, Robert Windsor, many years a burning and a shining light.
He was born a few months after me; was a prudent, serious, diligent man, full of mercy and good fruits ; without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
He seemed on the brink of death some months ago; but was suddenly raised up again; praised God without ceasing a few days; and then laid down, and died.
Wed. 10.—We found much of the presence of God in the chapel at Brentford, where the congregation was exceeding large. So it was the next evening at Lambeth, though perhaps not so much alive.
Saturday, 13. The meeting of the penitents in the evening was exceeding solemn ; as indeed it generally is.
Sunday, 14. I preached a sermon to the children at West-Street chapel.
They flocked together from every quarter ; and truly God was in the midst of them, applying those words, "Come, ye little children, hearken unto me; and I will teach you the fear of the Lord."
Tues. 16.—I retired to Balham for a few days, in order to finish my sermons, and put all my little things in order.
Thur. 18.—I preached once more at poor Wandsworth.
The House was more crowded than it has been for several years; and I could not but hope that God will once more build up the waste places. Friday, 19. I preached to a large audience at Chelsea; and examined the little society, who do not decrease; but rather grow in grace, and strengthen each other's hands.
Sun. 21.—I preached to the children at the new chapel ; and I believe not in vain.
Monday, 22. We had a comfortable opportunity at West-Street; and another on Tuesday evening at the new chapel, where we had also a solemn meeting of the Leaders.
I submitted to importunity, and once more sat for my picture.
I could scarce believe myself ;— the picture of one in his eighty-seventh year !
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[ March, 1790.
Wed. 24.—I preached once more at Wapping, to a crowded audience; and the next evening at the new chapel, throughly filled.
Friday, 26. I preached at Rotherhithe, where also there is lately a remarkable revival of the work of God.
Saturday, 27. I dined at Mr. Baker's, one of the Sheriffs of London ; a plain man, who still lives in an inn-yard!
In the evening I had such a congregation at Snowsfields, as has not been seen there before for many years.
Afterwards I met the penitents for the last time.
They quite filled the Room ; and God was in the midst of them.
Sun. 28.—We have not had such a congregation at the new chapel since the renewal of the covenant ; nor such a blessing: The hearts of the people were like melting wax.
Most of them were in tears; and I trust they will not soon forget the exhortation which was then given them.
In the afternoon I preached at West-Street chapel, on Eph. v. 1,2. The chapel would not near contain the congregation.
All that could squeeze in seemed much affected; and it was with difficulty I broke through and took chaise for Brentford ; where I came before six o'clock.
The congregation here also was by far the largest I ever saw here; so that, it seems, our labour even here will not be in vain.
Mon. Maxcu 1.—I left Brentford early in the morning, and in the evening preached at Newbury.
The congregation was large, and most of them attentive; but a few were wild as colts untamed.
We had none such at Bath the following evening, but all were serious as death.
Indeed, the work of God seems to flourish here, deepening as well as widening..
Wednesday, 3. I took a view of the new buildings. There are at present none like them in England.
They have not only added a second Crescent, with two beautiful rows of houses, near Ludstown, but a whole town on the other side of the city, which is swiftly increasing every day.
And must all these fine buildings be burned up?
Yea,— Earth and heaven destroy'd, Nor left even one in the mighty void !
Thur. 4.—I went on to Bristol, where I found a people ready prepared for the Lord. The Preachers are in earnest, the fruit of which plainly appears in the congregations. Friday, 5. Hearing
Mr. W:
, of Bolton, was dying, I went over, and spent an
March, 1790. ] JOURNAL,
hour with him.
His spirit was much comforted, and in a few days he was nearly as well as ever.
Saturday, 6. I preached in the evening at Temple church.
Mr. Easterbrook has lately been very ill; but God has again lifted up his head to be a father to the poor a little longer'
Sunday, 7. I preached at the Room morning and evening; and about two in the afternoon at Kingswood.
Just as I concluded my sermon in the Room, a lady came in her carriage in all haste; and, finding the sermon was over, earnestly desired to stay at the society.
Afterwards she importuned me much to call on her at the Hot Wells, where her husband, Governor Johnstone, died two years ago.
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, she came io the preaching, and seemed to be much affected.
On Friday evening I was at Kingswood, and preached to such a congregation, as I have not seen there on a week-day for forty years, unless it was at a watch-night.
Saturday, 13. I spent two hours with her at GranbyHouse, and answered all her questions.
She appeared quite willing to know the truth, and to be altogether a Christian; and vehemently desired, if our lives were prolonged, that I would visit her in London.
But if we should live, would she then be willing to see me? If she is, it would be a miracle indeed.
This week I visited the classes in Bristol.
I wonder we do not increase in number, although many are convinced, many justified, and a few perfected in love.
I can impute the want of increase to nothing but want of self-denial.
Without this, indeed, whatever other helps they have, no believers can go forward.
Sunday, 14, was a comfortable day.
Inthe morning I met the Strangers' Society, instituted wholly for the relief, not of our society, but for poor, sick, friendless strangers. I do not know that I ever heard or read of such an institution till within a few years ago.
So this also is one of the fruits of Methodism.
Mon. 15.—I set out early, and dined at Stroud ; but in the evening we knew not.what todo.
The preaching-house was far too small to contain the congregation ; so that several hundreds
(it was supposed) were obliged to go away.
But the power of God remained with us; and great was our rejoicing in him.
Tues. 16.—At noon I preached at Painswick, to as many as the House would contain: In the evening, at Gloucester, we had a large multitude; but many of them would neither hear
VOL. IV.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[ March, 1790. nor let others hear. Indeed, they that sat in the galleries could hear well; but very few of them that were below.
Wed. 17.—In the way to Tewkesbury, at the earnest desire of Samuel Vernon, I called on him and his five daughters, (all grown up,) who are lately joined to that society; all of whom are now in great earnest, and bid fair to adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour. I preached at Tewkesbury about twelve; but here also the House would not contain the congregation.
We went on to Worcester in the afternoon, and found much comfort among a well-established people. They have no jars now, but all hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Thur'sday, 18. We went on to Stourport, which is now full twice as large as it was two years ago. The first chapel was built about three years ago, by the joint contributions of Arminians and Calvinists, agreeing that they should preach by turns. But in ashort time the poor Arminians were locked out. On this one or two gentlemen built another, far larger and more commodious.
But it was not large enough to contain them in the evening, to whom I explained that solemn passage in the Revelation, 'I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God."
They seemed to be all serious and attentive as long as I was speaking ; but the moment I ceased, fourscore or one hundred began talking all at once.
I do not remember ever to have been present at such a scene before. This must be amended; otherwise (if I should live) I will see Stourport no more.
Fri. 19.—About eleven, coming to Quinton, I found a congregation waiting for me. So, that I might not disappoint them, I preached immediately, on, "We love him, because he first loved us;" and then went on to Birmingham, which I think is thrice as large as when I saw it fifty years ago.
The congregation in the evening were well squeezed together, and most of them got in. The behaviour of the rich and poor is such, as does honour to their profession; so decent, so serious, so devout, from the beginning to the end! It was the same the next evening.
Sunday, 21. The Prayers began at the new House about half an hour after ten.
It is a little larger than the uew House at Brompton, and admirably well constructed.
But several hundreds, I suppose, could not get in. I think all who did, found that God wasthere. The great House likewise in the evening was utterly insufficient tocontain the congregation.
But God is able to supply this want also; and his time is best.
March, 1790.] JOURNAL.
Mon. 22.—I went on to our old friends at Wednesbury, where the work of God greatly revives. Business has exceedingly decreased, and most of them have left the town.
So much the more have the poor grown in grace, and laid up treasure in heaven. But we were at a great loss in the evening.
I could not preach abroad after sunset, and the House would not near contain the people.
However, as many as possibly could squeezed in; and their labour was not in vain.
Tues, 23.—About one I preached in the new House at Dudley; one of the neatest in England.
It was a profitable season, where two persons, they informed me, found peace with God.
We had a pleasant ride to Wolverhampton.
This evening the rain began, and continued about twenty hours, after more than four-and-twenty weeks of fair weather ; such a winter as I never saw before.
A melancholy event fell out the day before :—The mistress of the house adjoining boiling some varnish, it boiled over, and took fire, which seized on her, and burnt her so that her life is despaired of.
The rain a little lessened our congregation, so that the House contained us tolerably well; and many, even of the genteel hearers, seemed almost persuaded not to halt between two opinions.
Wed. 24.—We rode to Madeley through a pleasant rain, which did not hinder the church from being throughly filled ; and, I believe, all who had spiritual discernment perceived that it was filled with the presence of God.
Thursday, 25.
At nine I preached to a select congregation, on the deep things of God; and in the evening, on, " He is able to save unto the uttermost all them that come unto God through him."
Friday, 26. I finished my sermon on the Wedding Garment; perhaps the last that I shall write.
My eyes are now waxed dim; my natural force is abated.
However, while I can, L svould fain do a little for God before I drop into the dust.
In the evening I preached to a crowded audience at Salop, on, " Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace."
But I was much ashamed for them.
The moment I had done speaking, I suppose fifty of them were talking all at once; and no wonder they had neither sense nor good manners,— for they were gentlefolks !
Sat. 27.—I preached in the evening to a sensible and wellmm ep