Wesley Corpus

Then it is high time to begin, and try if something can be done now. In the two following days I spoke as strongly as I could; and my labour was not in vain. The congre gation increased very considerably, and appeared to be of another spirit. They behaved better the second night than the first, and far better the third night than the second. Many of them, I believe, had a fresh call from God; and at the meeting of the society he was eminently present: So that, notwithstanding their decay, I could not but hope there would be a “blessing in the remnant.” I expected one to meet me at Sligo; but none appearing, I set out alone at five in the morning, JUNE 1, purposing to ride the new road to Castlebar; but on second thoughts I rode straight on to Foxford. At the entrance of the town I met three gentlewomen. One of them turned and cried out, “Is not that Mr. Wesley?” I thought it odd, but rode on. At the other end of the town a gentleman met me, and, taking hold of my bridle, said, “Sir, I must beg you to turn back, and dine with me at the barracks. There is a lady whom you know, and who will be very glad to see you.” I went back, and found one whom I had wished to see, more than most persons in the nation, but scarce ever expected to see her more. It was Miss B n, of Sligo; and I found Mrs. S n (now a widow) just the same amiable woman that Miss B--n was. I spent an hour or two in close, serious conversation, admiring the good providence of God. So I could not go the new road, which misses Foxford, because God had work for me to do there. About seven I preached at Castlebar, on “the excellency of the knowledge of. Jesus Christ.” I found another kind of people here than at Sligo, and was much refreshed among them. Sunday, 2. Most of the Gentry in the town being at the Court-yard in the evening, my text was, “We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness.” I know not that ever I spake more June, 1765.] JOURNAL.