open air, but in the frost, perfectly well. 4. Thatthe herb of
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[March, 1775.
3. That the Green is an evergreen ; and bears, not only in the open air, but in the frost, perfectly well.
4. Thatthe herb of Paraguay likewise bears the frost, and is a species of tea.
Aud I observed that they are all species of bay or laurel.
The leaf of Green tea is both of the colour, shape, and size of a bay leaf: That of Bohea is smaller, softer, and of a darker colour.
So is the herb of Paraguay, which is of a dirty green ; and no larger than our common red sage.
Marcu 1.—(Being Ash-Wednesday.) I took a solemn leave of our friends at London; and on Thursday, 2, met our brethren at Reading.
A few were awakened, and perhaps converted here, by the ministry of Mr. Talbot.
But as he did not take any account of them, or join them together, we found no trace of them remaining.
A large room was presently filled, and all the spaces adjoining.
And I have hardly ever seen a people who seemed more eager to hear.
Fri. 3.—The mild weather changed into cold and blustering, with heavy showers of rain; notwithstanding which, we had a very large congregation at Ramsbury Park.
Saturday, 4. At noon I preached to a still larger congregation, in the new House at Seend: In the afternoon I went on to Bristol ; whence, on Monday, 13, I set out for Ireland.
Tues. 14.—At noon I preached in Tewkesbury, now the liveliest place in the Circuit.
Many here have been lately convinced of sin, and many converted to God.
Some have been made partakers of the great salvation, and their love and zeal have stirred up others.
So that the flame now spreads wider and wider. O let none be able to quench it !
In the evening I preached at Worcester. Here also the flame is gradually increasing.
While I was here, there was a very extraordinary trial at the assizes.
A boy being beaten by his master, ran away; and wandering about till he was half starved, was then allowed to lie in the hay-loft ofaninn, In the night he stole into the room where two gentlemen lay ;
(probably not very sober ;) and, without waking them, picked the money out of both their pockets ; though their breeches lay under their head. In the morning, having confessed the fact, he was committed to gaol. He made no defence: So one of the Counsellors rose up, and said, "' My Lord, as there is none to plead for this poor boy,
I will do it myself."
He did so, and then added, " My Lord, it may be this bad boy may make a good man. And I humbly