Wesley Corpus

20.--About one I preached on West-Bromwich Heath; in the evening, near the preaching-house in Wednes bury. The north wind cut like a razor; but the congregation, as well as me, had something else to think of. Tues. 22.--I read over a small book, “Poems, by Miss Whateley,” a farmer’s daughter. She had little advantage from education, but an astonishing genius. Some of her Elegies I think quite equal to Mr. Gray’s. If she had had proper helps for a few years, I question whether she would not have excelled any female poet that ever yet appeared in England. Wed. 23.--After preaching at several other places, I rode on to Wolverhampton. Here too all was quiet; only those who could not get into the House made a little noise for a time: And some hundreds attended me to my lodging; but it was with no other intent than to stare. Thur. 24.--I rode to Newcastle-under-Line, (a river so called,) one of the prettiest towns in England. Many here already know themselves: Not a few know Christ. The largeness of the congregation constrained me, though it was very cold, to preach in the open air, on, “God commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” I scarce ever saw a more attentive or better-behaved congregation. Fri. 25.--I turned aside a little to Burslem, and preached in the new House. That at Congleton is about the same size, but better contrived, and better finished. We had an elegant congregation at Congleton, yet earnestly attentive. It seems, the behaviour of the society in this town has convinced all the people in it but the Curate, who still refuses to give the sacrament to any that will not promise to hear these Preachers no more. Sat. 26.--We rode to Macclesfield. Sunday, 27. At eleven one of the Ministers preached a useful sermon, as did the other in the afternoon. At five in the evening we had thousands upon thousands; and all were serious, while I enforced, “Now is the day of salvation.” Mon. 28.--I met the Stewards of the several societies at Manchester. The times of outward distress are now over: God has given us plenty of all things. It remains only, to give ourselves up to Him who “giveth us all things richly to enjoy.” April, 1768.] JOURNAL. 315 Tues. 29.--I preached in Stockport at noon, and Manchester in the evening. Wednesday, 30.