Wesley Corpus

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. In some of the following days I visited the country societies. Friday, 30. After preaching at the Foundery in the evening, I met the Bands as usual. While a poor woman was speaking a few artless words out of the fulness of her heart, a fire kindled, and ran, as flame among the stubble, through the hearts of almost all that heard: So, when God is pleased to work, it matters not how weak, or how mean, the instrument. Sat. 31.--I spent an hour with one who was as hot as any of the lambs at the Tabernacle; but she is now a calm, reason able woman. Indeed God has now breathed a spirit of love and peace into all that remain united together. Those who are otherwise minded have left us. Sun. FEBRUARY 1.--Many were comforted and strength ened both at the Lord’s Supper, and at the evening service. I think all jealousies and misunderstandings are now vanished, and the whole society is well knit together. How long will they continue so, considering the unparalleled fickleness of the people in these parts? That God knows. However, he does work now, and we rejoice therein. Mon. 2.--I left them with a cheerful heart, and rode on to Lakenheath. The congregation was large, but to this day there was no society. So, after preaching, I explained the nature of a society, and examined those who were willing to join together. Near half of them had known the love of God, and seemed alive to him. Tues. 3.--About noon I preached at Harston, five miles beyond Cambridge. Here Mr. Berridge's labour has not been in vain. Several have found peace with God; and a more artless, loving people I have seldom seen. They were gathered from all parts. It pleased God to give a manifesta tion of his love to one woman in the midst of the sermon. She praised God aloud, and inflamed many hearts with love and thankfulness. In the evening I preached at Melbourn, another small town, 40 REv. J. WESLEY’s [Feb. 1761. about four miles from Harston.