Wesley Corpus

Mon. 28.--In the evening I preached in the barracks at Chatham. I spoke louder than I have done for years; yet the skirts of the congregation could not hear. Few of those that did hear, heard in vain; for God was in the midst of them. Tues. 29.--At moon I preached at Sittingbourne, to a deeply-attentive audience; and in the evening at Canterbury, in an House half filled,--a sight I do not often see. Wed. 30.--I rode to Dover, and came in just before a violent storm began. It did not hinder the people. Many were obliged to go away after the House was filled. What a desire to hear runs through all the sea-port towns wherever we come ! Surely God is besieging this nation, and attacking it at all the entrances ! Thur. DECEMBER 1.--The storm was ready to bear away both man and beast. But it abated about noon; so that, after preaching at Margate, I had a pleasant ride to Canterbury. I made an odd observation here, which I recommend to all our Preachers. The people of Canterbury have been so often reproved, (and frequently without a cause,) for being dead and cold, that it has utterly discouraged them, and made them cold as stones. How delicate a thing is it to reprove ! To do it well, requires more than human wisdom. Fri. 2.--Those who are called Mr. Whitefield’s society, at Chatham, offered me the use of their preaching-house, which I suppose is nearly four times as large as that at the barracks. In the morning I walked on, ordering my servant to overtake me with my carriage: And he did so; but not till I had walked seven or eight miles. Tues. 13.--Having heard an heavy charge brought against * Supreme law.-EDIT. Dec. 1768.] JOURNAL, 349 W G-, a member of our society, I desired the parties concerned to meet me together. But this afternoon we could not get half through. At the second hearing I was convinced, 1. That he had spoken unkindly and unjustly: 2. That he had done wrong in leaving Mr. Dear at so short a warning: But I was equally convinced, 3. That there had been no dishonesty on either side. Wed. 14.--I saw the Westminster scholars act the “Adelphi” of Terence; an entertainment not unworthy of a Christian. O how do these Heathens shame us!