Wesley Corpus

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. The air was sharp, yet the multitude of people constrained me to preach abroad; and, I trust, not in vain; for great was the power of God in the midst of them. Tues. 28.--We walked through the Duke of Athol’s gardens, in which was one thing I never saw before,--a summer-house in the middle of a green-house, by means of which one might in the depth of winter enjoy the warmth of May, and sit surrounded with greens and flowers on every side. May, 1772.] JOURNAL. 461 In the evening I preached once more at Perth, to a large and serious congregation. Afterwards they did me an honour I never thought of,--presented me with the freedom of the city. The diploma ran thus:-- MAGISTRATUUM illustris ordo et honorandus senatorum catus inclytae civitatis Perthensis, in debiti amoris et affectuum tesseram erga Johannem W: y, immunitatibus Apraefatae civitatis, societatis etiam et fraternitatis aedilitiae privilegiis donarunt. Aprilis die 289 anno Sal. 1772°.* I question whether any diploma from the city of London be more pompous, or expressed in better Latin. In my way to Perth, I read over the first volume of Dr. Robertson’s “History of Charles the Fifth.” I know not when I have been so disappointed. It might as well be called the History of Alexander the Great. Here is a quarto volume of eight or ten shillings’ price, containing dry, verbose dissertations on feudal government, the substance of all which might be comprised in half a sheet of paper ! But “Charles the Fifth !” Where is Charles the Fifth ? Leave off thy reflections, and give us thy tale ! Wed. 29.--I went on to Brechin, and preached in the Town-Hall to a congregation of all sorts, Seceders, Glassites, Non-jurors, and what not? O what excuse have Ministers in Scotland for not declaring the whole counsel of God, where the bulk of the people not only endure, but love, plain dealing? Friday and Saturday. I rested at Aberdeen. Sunday, MAY 3. I went in the morning to the English Church. Here, likewise, I could not but admire the exemplary decency of the congregation.