Wesley Corpus

It is a lovely prospect. The green gently-rising meadows and fields, on both sides of the little river, clear as crystal, were sprinkled over with innumerable little houses; three in four of which (if not mine in ten) are sprung up since the Mcthodists came hither. Since that time, the beasts are turned into men, and the wilderness into a fruitful field. It being very cold, I judged it best to preach in the House, though many of the people could not get in. Just as I began to pray, a man began to scream, and that so loud, that my voice was quite drowned. I desired he would contain himself as far as he could; and he did so tolerably well. I then applied the account of the Woman of Canaan. The people devoured every word. Il ed. 3.--I desired to speak with those who believed God had saved them from inward sin. I closely examined them, twenty in all, ten men, eight women, and two children. Of one man, and one or two women, I stood in doubt. The experience of the rest was clear; particularly that of the children, Margaret Spenser, aged fourteen, and Sally Blackburn, a year younger. But what a contrast was there between them ! Sally Blackburn was all calmness; her look, her speech, her whole carriage was as sedate, as if she had lived threescore years. On the contrary, Peggy was all fire; her cyc sparkled; her very features spoke; her whole face was all alive; and she looked as if she was just ready to take wing for heaven | Lord, let neither of these live to dishonour thee! Rather take them unspotted to thyself! In the evening, I preached on, “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” And indeed God confirmed his word. There was a cry on every side, but not like that last night. This did not damp, but quicken, the rest, especially that of the children; many of whom mourned for God, but none rejoiced with joy unspeakable. About twenty of them, steady and consistent, both in their testimony and behaviour, desired to join with their elder brethren, in the great sacrifice of thanks giving. A few were then also constrained to cry out; but the greater part enjoyed “the silent heaven of love.” Thur. 4.--At five I took my leave of this blessed people.