Wesley Corpus

Tues. 30.--I rode to Cork; and on Wednesday, MAY 1, to Bandon: But the north-east wind forbade my preaching in the street. I was the less concerned at this, because my business now lay chiefly with the society. Those who had been scattered I laboured to gather up; those who were drowsy, to awaken; those that were dead, to quicken; and to unite all together in following after peace and holiness. Sun. 5.--I returned to Cork, and would fain have preached abroad; but the violent wind would not suffer it. Monday, 6. I spake severally to the members of the society. Two years ago they were reduced to about an hundred and ninety. They are now only an hundred and seventy; and yet the work of God deepens in those that remain. I found many growing in grace; many rejoicing in the pure love of God; and many more, who were earnestly panting after the whole mind that was in Christ. May, 1771.] JOURNAL. 431 Sun. 12.--I assisted at the funeral of Susanna Pilson. She was one of the first members of this society, and con tinued firm in the hottest of the persecution. Upwards of twenty years she adorned the Gospel, steadily and uniformly walking with God. For great part of the time she was a living witness, that “the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin.” After a lingering illness, she calmly resigned her soul into the hands of her faithful Creator. Mon. 13.--We had an agreeable ride to Kilfinnan. I designed to preach under the Court-House; but was offered the use of the room above, where the Church Service has been for these two years, as the church lies in ruins. In a very short time we had a large and attentive congregation. If the parish Ministers were zealous for God, the Protestants in Ireland would soon out-number the Papists. Tues. 14.--I rode on to Limerick, and told the congrega tion plainly, “If, as is your manner, you attend three days, and then fall off, I can bestow my time better elsewhere. But if you continue to come, I will stay with you longer.” They took me at my word; and continued to increase both morning and evening, as long as I stayed in the city. Wed. 15.--A gentleman desired me to visit his daughter.