Wesley Corpus

18-The House contained the morning congregation; but in the evening multitudes were constrained to go away. Sept. 1765.] JOURNAL, 233 So does truth win its way against all opposition, if it be steadily declared with meekness of wisdom. Mon. 19.--I preached in Northwich at ten, and at Manchester in the evening. Our Conference began on Tuesday, 20, and ended on Friday, 23. Sunday, 25. Having been all the week greatly straitened for room, I preached at seven in the new Square. The congregation was exceeding large; yet generally and deeply attentive. About one I preached at Stockport on a Green at the south end of the town. It was sultry hot, but few regarded it; for God “sent a gracious rain upon his inheritance.” At six in the evening I preached at Maxfield; and, setting out early in the morning, by long stages came to Birmingham, where a large congregation waited for me. I began imme diately to apply those comfortable words, “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” I soon forgot my weariness, and the heat of the place: God was there, and it was enough. On Tuesday, 27, I rode on to Stroud, and the next morning to Bristol. After resting three or four days, on Monday, SEPTEMBER 2, I set out for Cornwall, and preached that evening at Middlesey. Tuesday, 3. I rode to Tiverton, and in the evening preached near the east end of the town to a large and quiet audience. Wednesday, 4. I rode on to North-Tawton, a village where several of our Preachers had preached occasionally. About six I went to the door of our inn; but I had hardly ended the Psalm, when a Clergyman came, with two or three (by the courtesy of England called) gentlemen. After I had named my text, I said, “There may be some truths which concern some men only; but this concerns all mankind.” The Minister cried out, “That is false doctrine, that is predestination.” Then the roar began, to second which they had brought an huntsman with his hounds: But the dogs were wiser than the men; for they could not bring them to make any noise at all. One of the gentlemen supplied their place. He assured us he was such, or none would have suspected it; for his language was as base, foul, and porterly, as ever was heard at Billingsgate.