Wesley Corpus

L., a remarkable monu ment of divine mercy. She is about two-and-twenty, and has about six hundred pounds a year in her own hands. Some months since God spoke peace to her soul, while she was wrestling with him in private prayer. This was never entirely taken from her, even while she was almost alone. But she was often dull and faint, till she broke through all hinderances, and joined heart and hand with the children of God. Tues. 8.--We rode over the wild Moors to Wolsingham. It proved to be the fair-day. So I had hearers from all parts. In the evening I preached to the simple, loving, earnest people at Barnard-Castle. If all to whom we preach were of this spirit, what an harvest would ensue ! Wed. 9.--I was invited to breakfast by Mr. F , a. neighbouring gentleman. I found we had been school-fellows at the Charter-House: And he remembered me, though I had forgot him. I spent a very agreeable hour with a serious as well as sensible man. About noon I preached to a large congregation in Teesdale, and to a still larger in Weardale in the evening. The next day, after preaching at Prudhoe and Nafferton, I returned to Newcastle. Tues. 15.--I rode to South-Shields, and was persuaded to May, 1764.] JOURNAL. 177 preach in the House. It was well I did, for about the middle of the sermon there was a violent shower. But it was quite fair at six, while I preached at North-Shields to a very large and yet very serious congregation. How is the scene changed since my brother preached here, when the people were ready to swallow him up ! O what has God wrought in this land within four or five and twenty years! Fri. 18.--I received much satisfaction in conversing with the most honourable member of our society,-Henry Jackson, now in the ninety-fifth or ninety-sixth year of his age. He put me in mind of that venerable man, Mr. Eliot, of New-England; who frequently used to say to his friends, a few years before he went to God, “My memory is gone; my understanding is gone; but I think I have more love than ever.” Sat. 19.--I preached to the poor colliers at Placey, who are still a pattern to all the country. We rode home by a great house I had frequently heard of.