Wesley Corpus

Resolving not to shoot over their heads, as I had done the day before, I spoke strongly of death and judg ment, heaven and hell. This they seemed to comprehend; and there was no more laughing among them, or talking with each other; but all were quietly and deeply attentive. 460 REv. J. WESLEY’s [April, 1772. In the evening, when I began at Glasgow, the congre gation being but small, I chose a subject fit for experienced Christians; but soon after, a heap of fine gay people came in: Yet I could not decently break off what I was about, though they gaped and stared abundantly. I could only give a short exhortation in the close, more suited to their capacity. Thursday, 23, was the fast before the Lord’s Supper. It was kept as a Sunday; no shops open, or business done. Three Ministers came to assist Mr. Gillies, with whom I had much conversation. They all seemed to be pious as well as sensible men. As it rained in the evening, I preached in the Grammar School,--a large, commodious room. I know not that ever I spoke more plain, nor perhaps with more effect. Fri. 24.--We had a large congregation at five; and many of the rich and gay among them. I was aware of them now; and they seemed to comprehend perfectly well what it is to be “ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” I set out at seven; in the evening I preached at Edinburgh, on, “My son, give me thy heart;” and after preaching in the morning, on Saturday, 25, set out for the north. I reached Perth in the evening, and sent to the Provost to desire the use of the Guildhall; in which I preached, Sunday, 26, in the morning, and (it being very cold) in the evening. Afterwards I accepted of the Provost's invitation to lodge at his house; and spent an agreeable evening with him and three Ministers, concluded with solemn prayer. Mon. 27.--I spent three or four hours in conversation with Dr. Oswald and Mr. Fraser, two as pious and sensible Ministers as any I know in Scotland. From Methuen we went on to Dunkeld, once the capital of the Caledonian kingdom; now a small town, standing on the bank of the Tay, and at the foot of several rough, high mountains.