Wesley Corpus

Friday, 13. Many flocked together at five; and far more than the Room would contain in the evening. Perhaps the time is come for the Gospel to take root even in this barren soil. Sat. 14.--I rode to Wednesbury. Sunday, 15. I made a shift to preach within at eight in the morning; but in the afternoon I knew not what to do, having a pain in my side, and a sore throat. However, I resolved to speak as long as I could. I stood at one end of the House, and the people (supposed to be eight or ten thousand) in the field adjoining. I spoke from, “I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” When I had done speaking, my complaints were gone. At the love-feast in the evening, many, both men and women, spoke their experience in a manner which affected all that heard. One in particular said, “For seventeen or eighteen years I thought God had forgotten me. Neither I nor any under my roof could believe. But now, blessed be his name, he has taken me and all my house; and given me, and my wife, and our seven children, to rejoice together in God our Saviour.” Mon. 16.--I intended to rest two or three days; but being pressed to visit Shrewsbury, and having no other time, I rode over to-day, though upon a miserable beast. When I came in, my head ached as well as my side. I found the door of the place where I was to preach surrounded by a numerous mob. But they seemed met, only to stare. Yet part of them came in ; almost all that did (a large number) behaved quietly and seriously. Tues. 17.--At five the congregation was large, and appeared not a little affected. The difficulty now was, how to get back. For I could not ride the horse on which I came. But this too was provided for. We met in the street with one who lent me his horse, which was so easy, that I grew better and better till I came to Wolverhampton. None had yet preached abroad in this furious town; but I was resolved, with God’s help, to make a trial, and ordered a table to be set in the inn-yard.