Wesley Corpus

Madan preach an excellent sermon at Haxey. At two I preached at Westwood-Side, to the largest congregation I ever saw in the Isle of Axholme; and to nearly the same at Epworth-Cross, as soon as the Church Service was ended. After spending two days here, on Wednesday, 5, I preached about nine at Ferry, and then rode on to Gainsborough. I preached in the old hall to a mixed multitude, part civil, part rude as bears. We rode home through heavy rain, joined with much thunder and lightning, part of which was just over our heads. But “the Lord sitteth above the water floods.” So we came safe, only very wet, to Epworth. Thur. 6.--I preached about nine at Hatfield Woodhouse; and about one at Sykehouse, to far the largest congregation which has been seen there for many years. Boast who will, that Methodism (the revival of true religion) is just coming to nothing: We know better things, and are thankful to God for its continual increase. Sat. 8.-I preached at Winterton to such a congregation as I suppose never met there before. From thence we rode 72 REv. J. wesDEY’s [Aug. 1761. on to Barrow, where the mob was in readiness to receive us; but their hearts failed; so they gave only two or three huzzas, and let us pass by unmolested. As soon as I came out to preach, we had another huzza; but as more and more of the angry ones came within hearing, they lost all their fierceness, and sunk into calmness and attention. So I concluded my discourse with quietness and satisfaction. In the evening I preached at Grimsby, where I spent Sunday and Monday. Tuesday, 11. I preached at two in Lorborough; in the evening at Elkington. The next morning we rode to Horncastle, where Satan’s children had threatened terrible things; but they could go no farther than to give one feeble shout as we entered into the town. As the House would not contain the congregation, I preached on the outside of it; and there was no disturbance. Indeed a silly, pert man spoke twice or thrice, but none regarded him. About one I preached at Sibsey, on the edge of the Fens. There were a few wild colts here also; but all the rest (and they were not a few) were serious and deeply attentive.