Wesley Corpus

5.--Upon examination, I found the society at New castle, also, smaller than it was two years since. This I can impute to nothing but the want of visiting from house to house; without which the people will hardly increase, either in number or grace. In the following week, I preached in many towns round Newcastle, and on Saturday went again to Sunderland. In the evening we mightily wrestled with God for an enlarge ment of his work. As we were concluding, an eminent backslider came strongly into my mind; and I broke out abruptly, “Lord, is Saul also among the Prophets? Is James Watson here? If he be, show thy power !” Down dropped James Watson like a stone, and began crying aloud for mercy.- Here, Lord, let all his wand'rings end, And all his steps to thee-ward tend 1 474 REv. J. WESLEY’s [June, 1772. Mon. 15.--I left Newcastle. About noon I preached at Durham; in the evening, at Stockton; on Tuesday, at Yarm; Wednesday, at Thirsk; on Thursday, at Osmotherley, and Hutton-Rudby. Friday, 19. I preached in Stokesley at eight, and then crept over the Moors to Castleton. The congregation was gathered from many miles round, and was indeed swift to hcar. It was with much difficulty that we got from hence to Whitby, between six and seven. Here I found a lively society indeed: The chief reason of their liveliness was this:--Those who were renewed in love, (about forty in number,) continuing fervent in spirit, and zealous for God, quickened the rest, and were a blessing to all around them. Sat. 20.--It being a fair, mild evening, I preached on the smooth, green top of the hill, a little above the church. As soon as I began to preach, some poor men began ringing the bells: But it was lost labour; for all the people could hear, to the very skirts of the congregation. Sun. 21.--About noon I preached in the little Square, at Robin Hood's Bay, to most of the inhabitants of the town; and in the evening at Scarborough, in the shell of the new House. Monday, 22. I went on to Bridlington. The Room being far too small, I was desired to preach in the church yard.