met the society ; and reminded them of what they were some
Aug. 1790.] JOURNAL.
before and after.
I was struck with the preaching-house at Gainsborough, (one of the handsomest towns in Lincolnshire,) so neat, so elegant! just taking up one side of a small, neat
Square.
I found uncommon liberty of speech, and received it as a token for good. Surely this poor society, which has been so miserably depressed, will again lift up its head! Saturday,
3. I reached Epworth ; and, after preaching in the evening, met the society ; and reminded them of what they were some years ago, and what they are now ; scarce retaining the shadow of their former zeal and activity in all the ways of God.
Sun. 4.—I went ovcr to Misterton, where likewise the work of God was exceedingly decayed.
The House being far too small to contain the multitude of people, I stood under a spreading tree ; and strongly exhorted them to "strengthen the things that remained," which were "ready to die."
Thence I hastened back to Epworth; but I could not reach it till the Church Service was begun.
It was observed Mr.
Gibson read the Prayers with unusual solemnity; and I believe he was not displeased to see five times as many at church, aud ten times as many at the Lord's table, as usual.
As soon as the Afternoon Service ended, I beganin the marketplace to press that awful question, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" on such a congregation as was never seen at Epworth before.
Fri. Aveust 27.—I returned to Bristol.
In the evening, and at the watch-night, the House was sufficiently filled.
Finding the account of Mrs. Scudamore's life and death (an excellent woman, though mistaken in this point) has revived in some the imagination of the expiatory nature of sufferings, and hence their absolute necessity to salvation, I discussed the subject at large; and showed that both these notions had their rise in Popery ; and that neither the one nor the other of them had any foundation in Scripture.
Sun. 29.—Mr. Baddiley being gone to the north, and Mr, Collins being engaged elsewhere, I had none to assist in the. service, and could not read the Prayers myself; so I was obliged to shorten the service, which brought the Prayers, sermon, and Lord's supper, within the compass of three hours.
I preached in the afternoon near King's Square ; and the hearts of the people bowed down before the Lord.
Mon. 30.—About noon I preached at Castle-Carey.
Since I was here God has taken to himself that amiable woman,
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Sept. 1790, Mrs. Clark ; who, to a fine person and a good understanding, joined a very uncommon degree of deep religion.
This inclined me to apply earnestly Eccles. ix. 10; and all the people seemed to feel it.
Afterwards, I called on her deeplyafflicted husband, who spent some hours with us the next day.
I hope he will no longer sorrow as one without hope, but will trust to meet her ina better place. In the evening I preached in the new House at Ditcheat.
It would not hold the congregation ; but many could hear at the windows, which they seemed right willing to do.
A flame appears to be kindled here already.
God grant it may continue and increase !
Tuesday, 31. William Kingston, the man born without arms, came to see me of his own accord.
Some time since he received a clear sense of the favour of God; but after some months he was persuaded by some of his old companions to join in a favourite diversion, whereby he lost sight of God, and ' gave up all he had gained: But God now touched his heart again, and he is once more in earnest to save his soul.
He is of a middling height and size, has a pleasing look and voice, and an easy, agreeable behaviour.
At breakfast he shook off his shoes, which are made on purpose, took the tea-cup between his toes, and the toast with his other foot. He likewise writes a fair hand, and does most things with his feet which we do with our hands.
About noon I preached to a lovely congregation at Shepton-Mallet; and in the evening at Pensford.
The House was crowded with earnest hearers, and I trust the word did not fall to the ground.
Wed. SurremBer 1.—I returned to Bristol; and, it being the first day of the fair, I spoke strongly from the words of Solomon, "Buy the truth, and sell it not?
In the two following days, I corrected and abridged the account of that excellent woman, Mrs. Scudamore ; a burning and shining light, till the Mystics persuaded her to put her light under a bushel: So that for above two years she renounced all conversation with even her pious friends!
How does this agree with Scripture? " All my delight is in the saints that are on the earth, and with them that excel in virtue!??
How far was the experience of Jane Cooper, or Elizabeth Harper, preferable to that of such a solitary !
Sat. 4.—I went on to Bath, and preached in the evening to a serious, but small congregation, for want of notice.
Sunday, §. At ten we had a numerous congregation, and
' Sept. 1790.] JOURNAL.
more communicants than ever I saw here before.
This day I cut off that vile custom, I know not when or how it began, of preaching three times a day by the same Preacher, to the same congregation; enough to weary out both the bodies and minds of the speaker, as wéll as his hearers.
Surely God is returning to this society!
They are now in earnest to make their calling and election sure.
Mon. 6.—This evening the congregation was almost as large as it was the night before; and the power of God was mightily present: And so it was on Tuesday and Wednesday evening at Bristol.
Thursday, 9. I read over the .experience of Joseph Humphrys; the first Lay Preacher that assisted me in England, in the year 1738.
From his own mouth I learn, that he was perfected in love, and so continued for at least atwelvemonth.
Afterwards he turned Calvinist, and joined Mr. Whitefield, and published an invective against my brother and me in the newspaper.
In a while he renounced Mr.
Whitefield, and was ordained a Presbyterian Minister.
At last he received Episcopal ordination.
He then scoffed at inward religion; and when reminded of his own experience, replied, "That was one of the foolish things which I wrote in the time of my madness!"
Fri. 10.—I preached to a large congregation at Chew-Stoke, nine miles from Bristol on those words in the Second Lesson,
"Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden ;" and in the evening at Mrs. Griffith's house.
Sun. 12.—I intended to preach abroad; but the weather would not permit.
Monday, 13, and the three following days, I met the classes of the society, which contains nine hundred and forty-four members.
Still I complain of false musters.
It was told in London that this society contained above a thousand members; and yet it falls so far short of a thousand.
There is altogether a fault in this matter.
Thur. 16.—I was desired to see a monster properly speaking.
He was as large as the largest lion in the tower ; but covered with rough hair, of a brown colour; has the head of a swine, and feet like a mole.
It is plain to me, it was begotten between a bear and a wild boar.
He lives on fruit and bread, chiefly the latter.
The keeper handles him as he pleases, putting his hand in his mouth, and taking hold of his tongue; but he has a horrible roar, between that of a lion and of a bull.
494,
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Sept. 1790.
At the same time I saw a pelican. Is it not strange that we have no true account or picture of this bird?
It is one of the most beautiful in nature; being indeed a large swan, almost twice as big as a tame one; snow-white and elegantly shaped.
Only its neck is three quarters of a yard long, and capable of being so distended as to contain two gallons of liquid or solid. She builds her nest in some wood, not far froma river ; from which she daily brings a quantity of fish to her young:
This she carries in her neck, (the only pouch which she has,) and then divides it among her young; and hence is fabricated the idle tale of her feeding them with her blood.
Fri. 17,—I went over to Thornbury, and preached at noon to a very large and deeply serious congregation.
In the evening we had a solemn watch-night at Kingswood.
Saturday, 18. I called upon Mr. Easterbrook, ill of a disorder which no Physician understands, and which it seems God alone can cure. He is a pattern to all Bristol, and indeed to all England; having beside his other incessant labours, which never were intermitted, preached in every house in his parish!
It was while he was preaching in his own church, that he was suddenly struck with a violent pain in his breast.
This confounds all the Physicians, and none of their medicines alter it.
Sun. 19.—Mr. Collins assisted me in the morning, so I had an easy day's work.
Monday, 20, and the next day, I read over the King of Sweden's tract, upon the Balance of Power in Europe.
If it be really his, he is certainly one of the most sensible, as well as one of the bravest, Princes in Europe ; and if his account be true, what a woman is the Czarina ! But still God is over all!
Wed. 22.—I preached once more in Temple church, on, "All things are possible to him that believeth."
Sat. 25.—Mr. Hay, the Presbyterian Minister of Lewensmead meeting, came to desire me to let him have the use of our preaching-house on Sundays, at those hours when we did not use it ourselves, (near ten in the morning and two in the afternoon,) while his House was re-building.
To this I willingly consented, and he preached an excellent sermon there the next day at two.
I preached at five in the morning to more than the House would well contain.
Mon. 27.—I left Bristol; about eleven I preached in the Devizes ; and in the evening at Sarum.
I do not know that ever I saw the House so crowded before, with high and low,