Wesley Corpus

Westward, one may see to the mouth of the Bristol Channel; and the three other ways, as far as the eye can reach. And most of the land which you see is well cultivated, well wooded, and well watered: So that the globe of earth, in its present condition, can hardly afford a more pleasing scene. Saturday, 9. I returned to Bristol. Tues. 12.--I inquired into the state of Kingswood School. The grievance now is the number of children. Instead of thirty, (as I desired,) we have near fifty; whereby our masters are burdened. And it is scarce possible to keep them in so exact order as we might do a smaller number. However, this still comes nearer a Christian school, than any I know in the kingdom. Sun. 17.--I preached to a serious congregation in Princes Street, many of whom came from the ships on the river, and gaped and stared as if they had never heard a sermon before. In the afternoon, I preached near the new Square, on “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” I was in hopes this would remove rather than increase prejudice; but 380 REv. J. wesLEY’s [Oct. 1769. I was much mistaken. One of the hearers soon after told his friend, “Mr. W. is as dark and blind as ever.” Tues. 19.--Between twelve and one, I preached at Fresh ford; and on White's Hill, near Bradford, in the evening. By this means many had an opportunity of hearing, who would not have come to the Room. I had designed to preach there again the next evening; but a gentleman in the town desired me to preach at his door. The beasts of the people were tolerably quiet till I had nearly finished my sermon. They then lifted up their voice, especially one, called a gentle man, who had filled his pocket with rotten eggs: But, a young man coming unawares, clapped his hands on each side, and mashed them all at once. In an instant he was perfume all over; though it was not so sweet as balsam. Fri. 22.--I saw poor Mrs. at Bristol, on the very brink of despair. I prayed for her in faith, and, not many days after, found her sweetly rejoicing in God her Saviour. Saturday, 23.