The House would not have contained a quarter of the people.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[April, 1790. behaved congregation at Newcastle-under-Lyne. (Observe, that is the name of the river which runs above the town.)
Sunday, 28. I preached soon after one in Mr. Myat's yard, at Lane-End:
The House would not have contained a quarter of the people.
At Burslem also I was obliged to preach abroad, such were the multitudes of the people. Surely the people of this place were highly favoured.
Mercy embraced them on every side.
Mon. 29.—At nine I preached in the new chapel, at Tunstal; the most elegant I have seen since I left Bath. My text was,
"Let us go on unto perfection ;" and the people seemed to' devour the word.
In the evening I preached at Congleton.
The Minister, the Mayor, and all the heads of the town, were present; so, that I might not overshoot them, I preached on Psalm xc.
12: And, I believe, God applied it to their hearts.
Tues. 30.—I went on to Macclesfield, and preached to a crowded audience, both this and the following night.
On Thursday morning one of my horses died.
I judged it best to leave the other till I could procure another, and took post-chaises to Stockport.
A large congregation was ready at six in the evening.
In the morning, on Good-Friday, we went on to Oldham.
The new House would in nowise contain the congregation; but I preached to as many as it would contain, on 1 Cor. vi. 19; and at Manchester in the evening, Saturday, Arrit 8, on Heb. iv. 14.
Apri. 4.—(Being Haster-day.) I think we had about one thousandsix hundred communicants. I preached, both morning and evening, without weariness; and in the evening lay down in peace.
Mon. 5.—Calling at Altringham, I was desired to speak a few words to the people in the new chapel; but almost as soon as I got thither, the House was filled; and soon after, more than filled.
So I preached on 1 Pet. i, 3; and many praised God with joyful lips.
About twelve I preached in the chapel at.
Northwich, to a large and very lively congregation, and, in the evening, met once more with our old affectionate friends at Chester.
I have never seen this chapel more crowded than to-night ; but still it could not near contain the congregation.
Both this and the following evening, I was greatly assisted to declarethe power of Christ's resurrection ; and to exhort all that were risen with him to set their affections on the things above.
May, 1790.] JOURNAL,
Here I met with one of the most extraordinary phenomena that I ever saw, or heard of :—Mr. Sellers has in his yard a large Newfotindland dog, and an old raven. These have fallen deeply in love with each other, and never desire to be apart.
The bird has learned the bark of thé dog, so that few can distinguish them.
She is inconsolable when he goes out ; and, if he stays out a day or two, she will get up all the bones and scraps she can, and hoard them up for him till he comes back.
Wed. 7.—About eleven I preached at Warrington.
The chapel was well filled with serious hearers; but the great congregation was at Liverpool.
If those without were added to those within, I believe it would have exceeded even that at Manchester; and surely the power of God was present with them also.
Thur. 8.—Such another congregation we had on Thursday, among whom were many that had never been there before.
They seemed utterly amazed when I explained, " Now faith is the evidence of things unseen."
I believe many were then convinced ; but, alas, how soon will that conviction die away !
Fri. 9.—We went to Wigan, for many years proverbially called, wicked Wigan: But it is not now what it was: The inhabitants in general have taken a softer mould.
The House in the evening was more than filled; and all that could get in seemed to be greatly affected, while I strongly applied our Lord's words, "I will; be thou clean."
Saturday, 10.
I crossed over to Northwich, and again found the wisdom of judging nothing before the time.
The removal, which I used to ascribe to caprice, I find was the effect of necessity.
A wretched man, who had persuaded his father-in-law to give the staff out of his own hands, now abridges him of half his five hundred a year; and has the conscience to take fifty pounds a year out of the remainder, for the board of his son, apprenticed to him.
In the evening I preached in the lovely House at Bolton, to one of the loveliest congregations in England; who, by patient continuance in well-doing, have turned scorn and hatred into general esteem and good-will.
[ Part of the manuscript having been lost, causes a chasm here. | Mon. May 24.—We set out at four, and reached Forglen about noon.
The face of the country is much changed for the better since I was here before.
Agriculture increases on every side; so do manufactories, industry, and cleanliness.
REV, J. WESLEY'S
(June, 1790..
But I found poor Lady B. (one of the most amiable women in the kingdom) exceeding ill; and I doubt whether she will be much better till she removes to her own country.
I spenta very agrceable afternoon with the lovely family, and preached to a serious congregation in the evening.
Tuesday, 25. We: returned to Aberdeen; and I took a solemn farewell of a crowded audience.
If I should be permitted to see them again, well; if not, I have delivered my own soul.
Wed. 26.—Taking the midland road, we spent an hour at Lawrence-Kirk ; which, from an inconsiderable village, is, by the care and power of Lord Gordon, soon sprung up into a. pleasant, neat, and flourishing town.
His Lordship has also erected a little library here, adjoining to a handsome and well-furnished inn, The country from hence to Brechin is as pleasant as a garden: Happy would Scotland be, if it had. many such gentlemen and noblemen.
In the evening I began: preaching at Brechin, in the Freeman's Lodge; but I was so faint and ill, that I was obliged to shorten my discourse.
Thursday, 27. We went on through Forfar (now a handsome and almost a new town) and Cupar to Auchterarder.
Here we: expected pooraccommodations, but were agreeably disappointed..
Food, beds, and everything else, were as neat and clean as at Aberdeen or Edinburgh.
Friday, 28. We travelled through. a delightful country, by Stirling and Kilsythe, to Glasgow.
The congregation was miserably small; verifying what I had often heard before, that the Scots dearly love the word of the Lord—on the Lord's day. If I live to come again, I will take: care to spend only the Lord's day at Glasgow.
Mon. 31.—We set out at two, and came to Moffat soon. after three in the afternoon.
'Taking fresh horses, we reached Dumfries between six and seven, and found the congregation waiting: So, after a few minutes, I preached on Mark iii. 385: " Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Tues.
June 1.—Mr. Mather had a good congregation at. five.
In the day I conversed with many of the people; a candid, humane, well-behaved people; unlike most that I have found in Scotland.
In the evening the House was filled; and truly God preached to their hearts.
Surely God. will have a considerable people here.
Wed. 2.—We set out early, and reached Carlisle about noon.
The work a little increases here: A small handful of people
June, 1790.] JOURNAL.
stand firm ; and those that opposed are broken to pieces. Our House would not near contain the congregation ; and the word of God was with power.
Thursday, 3. We rode to Hexham, through one of the pleasantest countries that I have lately seen.
The road lay (from Haisle) on the side of a fruitful mountain, shaded with trees, and sloping down to a clear river; which ran between ours and another fruitful mountain, well wooded and improved.
At Hexham they have latcly built a convenient preaching-house; but it is too small already.
Here isa loving people, much alive to God, and consequently increasing daily.
Friday, 4. We reached Newcastle.
In this and Kingswood house, were I to do my own will, I should choose to spend the short remainder of my days.
But it cannot be; this is not my rest.
This and the next evening we had a numerous congregation ; and the people seemed much alive.
Sun. 6.—I was invited to preach in Lemsley church, on the side of Gateshead-Fell; but some hours after, the Minister changed his mind. So I preached in our own preachinghouse, which contained the greater part of the congregation tolerably well; among whom were Sir Henry Lyddal and his Lady, with, a great number of his servants.
The chapel was hot as a stove; but neither high nor low seemed to regard it: For God was there!
The Orphan-House was equally crowded in the evening; but the rain would not suffer me to preach abroad.
Mon. 7.—I transcribed the Stations of the Preachers.
Tuesday, 8. I wrote a form for settling the preachinghouses, without any superfluous words, which shall be used for the time to come, verbatim, for all the Houses to which I contribute anything.
I will no more encourage that villanous tautology of lawyers, which is the scandal of our nation.
In the evening I preached to the children of our Sunday-school ; six or seven hundred of whom were present.
N.B. None 'of our masters or mistresses teach for pay: They scek a reward that man cannot give.
Wed. 9.-Having dispatched all the business I had to do here, in the evening I took a solemn leave of this lovely people; perhaps never to see them more in this life; and set out early in the morning, Thursday, 10.
About noon I preached at Wolsingham, in a House throughly filled, on Isaiah xxxv. 8; and in the evening in Weardale, which hardly contained the congregation.
The same spirit was still in the congregation, that has been for many years; and
REV. J, WESLEY'S
[June, 1790. many felt, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear.
Fri. 11.—About seven I preached at Stanhope; but no House would contain the congregation.
So I stood ina broad place near the church; and enforced, "If any man thirst, Jet him come unto me and drink."
In going through Wolsingham, we called at Mr. W.'s, who was in low circumstances till a few years ago, when many thousands were heaped upon him unawares; and yet he seems to walk unhurt in fire!
What is too hard for God?
Hence we went on to Durham.
Tere likewise I was obliged to preach in the open air, to a multitude of people, all of whom were serious and attentive, Saturday, 12. We went through a lovely country to Sunderland, where I preached in the evening to a numerous congregation.
Sunday, 13. In the morning I preached a charity sermon in Monkwearmouth church, for the Sunday-school; which has already cleared the streets of all the children that used to play there on a Sunday from morning to evening.
I preached at five near the Pens, to several thousands of people.
Here, it is plain, our labour has not been in vain.
Mon. 14.—In the evening I preached to as many as the Town-Hall would contain at Hartlepool.
Tuesday, 15. I received a farther account of Mrs. B., from two that had lived with her a year and a quarter ; and was throughly convinced, that she is a woman of strong sense, and a lively imagination ; but that she is given up to a strong delusion, (whether natural or diabolical I know not,) to believe a lie.
One proof may suffice :
Some time since, she told the community, as from God, that the day of judgment would begin that evening. But how could she come off when the event did not answer?
Easily enough.
" Moses," said she, "could not see the face of God, till he had fasted forty days and forty nights.
We mustall do the same."
So for three weeks they took no sustenance, but three gills of water per day; and three weeks more, they took each three gills of water-gruel perday.
What a mercy that half of them did not die in making the experiment!
About noon I preached abroad to a large congregation, and in the afternoon went on to Stockton.
The congregation was at least double to that at Hartlepool, all of whom seemed to feel that God was there.
Wednesday, 16. I preached in the main street at Yarm, to a dull, attentive people.
Thursday, 17.
June, 1790.] JOURNAL.
About noon I preached at Potto, toa deeply serious congregation ; and to another such in the evening at Hutton-Rudby.
Twenty years this society was a pattern to all the country for seriousness and deep devotion. I think seventeen of them were perfected in love; but only three of them remain, and most of the rest are either removed, or grown cold and dead.
Fri. 18.—I preached at Stokesley in the morning; and then went on to Whitby.
It was very providential, that part of the adjoining mountain fell down, and demolished our old preaching-house, with many houses besides; by which means we have one of the most beautiful chapels in Great
Britain, finely situated on the steep side of the mountain.
At six it was pretty well filled with such a congregation of plain, earnest people, as is not often seen.
I conversed with many of them the next day, who were much alive to God.
Sunday, 20. The House contained us at seven tolerably well.
The church likewise was well filled.
But in the evening we _ were much straitened for room ; but as many as could hear, stood on the pavement without.
In all England I have not seen a more affectionate people than those at Whitby.
Mon. 21.—Being importuned by our friends at Malton to call there, (it being but about thirty miles out of the way,) I set out early, to prevent the heat of the day.
Calling at Pickering, some of the society soon found me out, with whom I went to the preaching-house ; which was full enough in a few minutes' time.
So was the House at Malton, in the evening ; where I found the socicty more loving and united together than they had been for many years.
Tues. 22.—I crossed over to Scarborough.
The congregation in the evening was unusually small, being not yet recovered from the blessed fruits of the election.
This was the hottest day we have had this year: And about one in the afternoon, the thunder, which had long lain at a distance, came near, with thick flashes of lightning, and impetuous rain: The thunder continued in one roll for an hour and a quarter.
never heard the like before, since my return from America.
Thursday, 24. The Dissenting Minister offering me the use of hischapel in Bridlington, twice as large as our own, (the wind being too high for me to stand abroad,) I willingly accepted his offer. Friday, 25. About noou I preached at Beverley, to a serious, well-behaved congregation ; and in the evening to one equally serious, and far more numerous, at Hull.
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[July, 1790.
Saturday, 26, was a day of satisfaction. I preached at seven in the morning, and at six in the evening, to as many as our
House could contain ; the ground being too wet for the congregation to stand abroad.
Monday, 28. This day I enter into my eighty-eighth year.
For above eighty-six years, I found none of the infirmities of old age ; my eyes did not wax dim, neither was my natural strength-abated: But last August I found almost a sudden change. My eyes were so dim, that no glasses would help me. My strength likewise now quite forsook me ; and probably will not return in this world. But I feel no pain from head to foot; only it seems nature is exhausted : and, humanly speaking, will sink more and more, till
The weary springs of life stand still at last.
Tues. 29.—I crossed over through Epworth to Owstone, and passed a comfortable day with many of the Preachers.
This, which was one of the last societies in the Circuit, is now become first in grace, as well as number. The new preachinghouse not being able to contain one-half of the congregation, I preached abroad in the calm, mild evening; and I believe
God applied his word to many hearts.
Thur.
Jury 1.—I went to Linceln. After dinner we took a walk in and round the Minster ; which I really think is more elegant than that at York, in various parts of the structure, as well as in its admirable situation.
The new Ilouse was throughly filled in the evening, and with hearers uncommonly serious.
There seems to be a remarkable difference between the people of Lincoln and those of York.
They have not so much fire and vigour of spirit ; but far more mildness and gentleness ; by means of which, if they had the same outward helps, they would probably excel their neighbours.
Some miles short of Lincoln, our post-boy stopped at ar inn on the road, to give his horses a little water.
As soon as we went in, the innkeeper burst into tears, as did his wife ; wringing her hands, and weeping bitterly,
"What!" he said, "are you come into my house ! My father is John Lester, of Epworth."
I found both he and his wife had been of our society, till they left them.
We spent some time in prayer together ; and I trust not in vain.
Fri. 2.—About eleven I preached at Newton ; but the preaching-house would not contain half the congregation. No rain fell during the time of preaching ; but it rained both