Wesley Corpus

At one, Robert Williams preached in the market place, to some thousands of people, all quiet and attentive. About five I preached near the town to a willing multitude, many of whom seemed to be cut to the heart. Mon. 30.--About two we reached Penrith. Two of our friends guided us thence to Appleby, a county-town worthy of Ireland, containing, at least, five-and-twenty houses. I was desired to preach here; but, being very wet, I chose to ride on to Arthur Johnson's, near Brough. July, 1766.] JOURNAL, 255 I would willingly have preached, (though we had rode upwards of seventy miles,) but it was a lone house, and there was not time to gather a congregation. Tuesday, JULY 1. The neighbours soon came together, to whom I preached at seven, and then rode on to Barnard-Castle, and met the Stew ards of the societies, greatly increased since I was here before. At six I preached in an open space, adjoining to the preaching house. As the militia were in town, the far greater part of them attended, with a large congregation from town and country. It rained most of the time I was speaking; but, I believe, hardly six persons went away. At the love-feast which fol lowed, several spoke their experience with all simplicity. One poor mourner was set at liberty, and many greatly comforted. Wed. 2.--About noon I preached in Teesdale, and in Weardale at six in the evening. Here a poor woman was brought to us, who had been disordered several years, and was now raving mad. She cursed and blasphemed in a terrible manner, and could not stand or sit still for a moment. However, her husband constrained her to come to the place where I was going to preach; and he held her there by main strength, although she shrieked in the most dreadful manner; but in a quarter of an hour she left off shrieking, and sat motionless and silent, till she began crying to God, which she continued to do, almost without intermission, till we left her. Thur. 3.--We rode through a pleasant vale to Wolsing ham, where I began singing near the middle of the town. A few soon gathered together, and their number increased all the time I was preaching.