Wesley Corpus

And thus it always is; the custom began in the reign of King Log, and continued ever since. The next evening the same hubbub began again, not among the mob, but the ordinary hearers. I desired them to stop, and reasoned the case with them. The effect was far greater than one could expect. The whole congregation went as quietly and silently away as they use to do at the Foundery in London. Tues. 20.--I inquired concerning Yarmouth, a large and populous town, and as eminent, both for wickedness and ignorance, as even any sea-port in England. Some had endeavoured to call them to repentance; but it was at the hazard of their lives. What could be done more? Why, last summer God sent thither the regiment in which Howell Harris was an officer. He preached every night, none daring to oppose him; and hereby a good seed was sown. Many were stirred up to seek God; and some of them now earnestly invited me to come over. I went this afternoon, and preached in the evening. The House was presently more than filled; and, instead of the tumult which was expected, all were as quiet as at London. Indeed the word of God was quick and powerful among them, as it was again at six in the morning. At eleven I preached my farewell sermon. I saw none that was not deeply affected. O fair blossoms | But how many of these will “bring forth fruit unto perfection?” In the afternoon I rode back to Norwich, and took an account of the society there. I found the persons who pro fessed to meet in class were about three hundred and thirty; but many of them were as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke. Where or what will they be a year hence? Thur. 22.--We had our first watch-night at the Tabernacle; at which I could not but observe, though I preached the Law Feb. 1761.] JOURNAL. 39 from the beginning of my sermon to the end, yet many were exceedingly comforted. So plain it is that God can send either terror or comfort to the heart, by whatever means it pleaseth him. Sunday, 25, was a day of solemn rejoicing. Both at eight, at eleven, at two, and at five, God was eminently present in the congregation; filling their hearts with love, and their mouths with praise.