Wesley Corpus

Thence I rode to Cookstown; a town consisting of one street about a mile long, running directly through a bog. I preached to most of the inhabitants of the town; and so the next day, morning and evening. Many “received the word with gladness.” Perhaps they will not all be stony-ground hearers. 360 REv. J. WESLEY’s [April, 1769. We took the new road to Dungiven. But it was hard work. Nigh founder'd, on we fared, Treading the crude consistence. We were near five hours going fourteen miles, partly on horseback, partly on foot. We had, as usual, a full House at Londonderry in the evening, and again at eight on Sunday morning. In the afternoon we had a brilliant congregation. But such a sight gives me no great pleasure; as I have very little hope of doing them good: Only “with God all things are possible.” Both this evening and the next I spoke exceeding plain to the members of the society. In no other place in Ireland has more pains been taken by the most able of our Preachers. And to how little purpose ! Bands they have none: Four and-forty persons in the society | The greater part of these heartless and cold. The audience in general dead as stones. However, we are to deliver our message; and let our Lord do as seemeth him good. Tues. 25.--I fixed again the meeting of the singers, and of the children; both which had been discontinued. Indeed, a general remissness had prevailed since the morning preaching was given up. No wonder: Wherever this is given up, the glory is departed from us. Wed. 26.--Being to preach at Brickfield, four or five (English) miles from Derry, I chose walking, to show these poor indolent creatures how to use their own feet. Finding the bulk of the hearers quite senseless, I spoke as strongly as I could, on, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” But I did not perceive they were at all affected. God only can raise the dead. Thur. 27.--I went to a village called the New-Buildings, about three miles from the city, and preached in a field near the town, to a civil, careless congregation.