Wesley Corpus

She fell, and two infants fell out of her. Such was the mercy of the Irish at that time ! Such the spirit which their good Priests infused into them | 436 REV, J. wesley’s [June, 1771. Mon. 10.--I was surprised at the improvements made in this county within a few years. For above thirty miles, it is now cultivated like England, and sprinkled up and down with little new-built houses. A gentleman of Dermauin, desiring me to preach there, I began without delay, at the end of his house. It being the fair-day, there was a numerous congre gation; but not so numerous as that at Mallilough, where I preached about noon. Between six and seven, after riding more than fifty Irish miles, I reached Derry, and preached on, “There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to men.” God spake by his word to many tempted souls, and comforted them over all their troubles. Every morning and evening, on the following days, the congregations were larger than I ever remember; and several Clergymen were present every evening. Thursday, 13. I spoke severally to the members of the society. I found far more life among them than I expected. Near one half of the sixty (that was the number of those that remained) I judged to be real believers. What a mischievous injustice it is to represent all this people as dead! It has weakened the hands of the Preachers much, and has greatly discouraged the people. The continually telling people they are dead, is the ready way to make them so. Fri. 14.--I looked over a volume of Mr. Skelton’s Works. He is a surprising writer. When there is occasion, he shows all the wit of Dr. Swift, joined with ten times his judgment; and with (what is far more) a deep fear of God, and a tender love to mankind. About noon I preached at the New Buildings, two miles from Londonderry. The people, some time past, bore a near resemblance to the colliers of Kings wood. They were equally without God in the world, and eminent for all manner of wickedness: But old things are passed away, and they are eminent now for the fear of God, and the love of their neighbour. I preached there again on Sunday, 16, and administered the Lord’s Supper to the society.