Wesley Corpus

Thur. 18.--We breakfasted at a friend’s, a mile or two from Monmouth, and rode to Crick-Howell, where I intended to dine; but I found other work to do. Notice had been given that I would preach, and some were come many miles to hear. So I began without delay, and I did not observe one light or inattentive person in the congregation. When we came to Brecknock, we found it was the Assize week; so that I could not have the Town-Hall, as before, the Court being to sit there at the very time when I had appointed to JMug. 1763.] JOURNAL. 143 preach: So I preached at Mr. James's door; and all the people behaved as in the presence of God. Fri. 19.--I preached near the market-place, and afterwards rode over to Trevecka. Howell Harris’s house is one of the most elegant places which I have seen in Wales. The little clapel, and all things round about it, are finished in an uncommon taste; and the gardens, orchards, fish-ponds, and mount adjoining, make the place a little paradise. He thanks God for these things, and looks through them. About sixscore persons are now in the family; all diligent, all constantly employed, all fearing God and working righteousness. I preached at ten to a crowded audience, and in the evening at Brecknock again; but to the poor only: The rich (a very few excepted) were otherwise employed. Sat. 20.--We took horse at four, and rode through one of the pleasantest countries in the world. When we came to Trecastle, we had rode fifty miles in Monmouthshire and Brecknockshire; and I will be bold to say, all England does not afford such a line of fifty miles’ length, for fields, meadows, woods, brooks, and gently-rising mountains, fruitful to the very top. Carmarthenshire, into which we came soon after, has at least as fruitful a soil; but it is not so pleasant, because it has fewer mountains, though abundance of brooks and rivers. About five I preached on the Green at Carmarthen, to a large number of deeply attentive people. Here two gentlemen from Pembroke met me, with whom we rode to St. Clare, intending to lodge there; but the inn was quite full: So we concluded to try for Larn, though we knew not the way, and it was now quite dark.