Wesley Corpus

The eagerness with which the poor people devoured the word made me amends for the cold ride over the snowy mountains. The same earnestness I observed in the congregation at Maxfield: And yet hardly a third part of those I formerly examined now retain the glorious liberty which they then enjoyed. MARCH 28.-(Being Good-Friday.) As soon as we came from church, I began at Stockport, on, “We preach Christ crucified; to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness.” At six in the evening I preached at Manchester; and on Saturday, and on Easter-Day In the evening I explained to the society the nature of the yearly subscription. On this one sent me the following letter:-- * GooD SIR, March 31, 1766. “I THouGHT proper to send you a few lines concerning what you spoke of last night. How good it was that you put us all together as one family; that each might do his utmost to help all his brethren I Had you spoke of this sooner, and opened your mind freely as you did yesterday, where I have given one shilling, I would have given one pound. My heart was rejoiced at the good news, so as my tongue cannot express. I was ready to cry out, with Zaccheus, ‘Lo, the half of my goods I give to the poor. I have sent you two guineas towards carrying on the work of the Lord. And may the blessing of the Lord go with it; for I give it freely: I would rather it had been twoscore. W. N.” Tues. APRIL 1.--On a close examination, out of more than fifty persons, who, two or three years ago, were filled with the love of God, I did not find above a third part who had not suffered loss. But almost all were deeply sensible of their loss, and earnestly groaning for what they once enjoyed. 246 REv. J. wesLEY’s [April, 1766. Wed, 2.--We rode through heavy rain to Chester. Friday, 4. I visited a poor woman, who has been ill eight years, and is not yet weary or faint in her mind. An heavy-laden sinner desired to receive the sacrament with her, and found rest to her soul; and from that hour increased every day in the knowledge and love of God. Mon.