To 1773
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | journal |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-journal-1760-to-1773-413 |
| Words | 400 |
365
who rambled hither from Westminster, some months since,
in quest of an estate. I clearly saw the providence of God,
directing me hither before he was quite starved. Thence we
rode to the Garter, near Clonmell; (where we had excellent
entertainment;) and the next morning, over exceeding
pleasant and well-cultivated mountains, to Waterford. Never was the prospect more gloomy here than at present. Through the continual neglect of the Preachers, the congrega
tion was reduced almost to nothing; and so was the society. Yet I found much liberty of speech in the evening, and a
strong hope that God would revive his work. I was invited to lodge at Mr. Scott's, a considerable
tradesman. I found a young gentlewoman there, a visitant,
well-bred, sensible, good-humoured; studious to oblige, and
“lacking nothing” but the “one thing.” Saturday, 10. The Room was quite filled in the morning. In the evening
I preached in the court to thrice as many as the Room
would contain; and all were not only quiet, but attentive. Sun. 11.--The congregation at eight was still larger. But
not many seemed to be affected. In the evening the court
was filled, and I believe God opened both the understanding
and the hearts of many. Afterwards I met the society, and
endeavoured to lift up the hands that hung down. Light
began to spring up. Misunderstandings vanished away, and
the spirits of many revived. Mon. 12.--I laboured to re-unite the poor, shattered
society, and to remove the numberless offences which had
torn them in pieces. Tuesday, 13. In the evening God
began to answer for himself. I scarce ever saw a more deep
and general impression made on a congregation. At the
meeting of the society, likewise, he refreshed us with “the
multitude of peace.”
Wed. 14.--I preached in the market-house at Passage, to
as dull a congregation as I have seen. They would have
been rude enough too, but that they stood in awe of Mr. Freestone, who gave one and another, when they did not
regard his signs, a stroke on the head with his stick. By
this means the whole multitude was tolerably quiet, and
many seemed much affected. A little before twelve I came to Old-Ross, and preached to a
small, serious congregation. Thence we went onto Enniscorthy;
but the difficulty was, where I should preach. It rained, but
366 REv. J. wesLEY’s [June, 1769.