Wesley Corpus

wesLEY’s [July, 1765. At seven in the evening I preached in the Assembly-room at Kilkenny, to many well-dressed, reputable people, some of whom attended again at five in the morning. In the evening the congregation was increased in seriousness as much as in number, while I enforced those awful words, “God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” I never spoke plainer; yet I did not hear of any that were offended. What an alteration is there in this city within six or eight years | Sat. 6.--We rode to Portarlington. At seven I preached in the market-house to a numerous congregation. Near as many were present at eight in the morning. I had great liberty of speech; and the manner wherein they “suffered the word of exhortation” persuaded me it would not be in vain. We came to Mount-Mellick before the church began, and were glad to find it was sacrament Sunday. In the evening I preached on one side of the market-place, on our Lord’s lamentation over Jerusalem, to almost all the Protestants in the town, and not a few of the Papists. To these I made a particular application in the conclusion of my discourse. Indeed, I never found so great a concern for them as since I came last into the kingdom. Mon. 8.--I preached in the market-place once more; and it was a solemn hour. I left many of the people much alive to God, and athirst for his whole image. I preached at Tullamore in the evening. At five in the morning the House was near full. While I was preaching on Tuesday evening in the market-place we had several showers; but few went away. Here, likewise, I was constrained to address myself to the Papists in particular, and to exhort them never to rest till they were partakers of the common salvation. About eleven we were waked with a cry of “Fire,” which was at the next door but one.