Wesley Corpus

I then met the society, gathered from all parts. Afterwards I met the select society: And when they were gone, I was just as fresh as when I set out in the morning. Tues. 24.--I preached about noon at Potto, and in the evening in the new House at Yarm, by far the most elegant in England. A large congregation attended at five in the morning, and seemed to be just ripe for the exhortation, “Let us go on unto perfection.” I had indeed the satisfaction of finding most of the believers here athirst for full redemption. In the evening I preached at Stockton. The rain was suspended while I was enforcing those awful words, “Now God commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Friday, 27. I was obliged to preach abroad at five; as also in Darlington at noon, and at Barnard-Castle in the evening; where many hearts were bowed down before the Lord. Sat. 28.--I rode to Newcastle. Here I received a short letter from John Johnson at York:--“This evening, about a quarter before seven, it pleased God to take to himself our 176 REv. J. wesLEY’s [May, 1764. dear brother, John Manners, after a time of remarkable affliction, and as remarkable patience. He was clearly sensible to the last, as well as solidly happy, saying, ‘The way is quite clear; my heart is at liberty.’” Sun. 29.--The ground being wet with heavy rain, I preached in the House both morning and evening. I soon found what spirit the people were of. No jar, no contention is here; but all are peaceably and lovingly striving together for the hope of the Gospel. And what can hurt the Methodists, so called, but the Methodists? Only let them not fight one another, let not brother lift up sword against brother, and “no weapon formed against them shall prosper.” Mon. 30.--I received a letter from Cornwall, wherein were these words:--“Yesterday I preached to a large congregation at St. John’s. The occasion was this :--One of our friends came into Mr. Thomas’s a few days since. After speaking a little upon business, he said, ‘What need have we to watch !’ Presently sitting down, he added, ‘There is but one step between me and death, and died.” Wed. May 2--I talked with M. L., a remarkable monu ment of divine mercy.