Wesley Corpus

MARCH 3.--I preached at L But O what a change is there ! The society is shrunk to five or six mem hers, and probably will soon shrink into nothing. And the family is not even a shadow of that which was for some years a pattern to all the kingdom | Sun. 6.--In the evening I went to Brentford, and on Mon day to Newbury. Tuesday, 8. Coming to Chippenham, I was informed that the floods had made the road by Marshfield impassable. So I went round by Bath, and came to Bristol just as my brother was giving out the hymn; and in time to beseech a crowded audience, not to receive “the grace of God in vain.” Sat. 12.--I went over to Kingswood, and put an end to some little misunderstandings which had crept into the family. At this I rejoiced; but I was grieved to find that Ralph Mather's falling into Mysticism and Quakerism had well nigh put an end to that uncommon awakening which he had before occasioned among the children. But the next day I found, the little maids at Publow, who found peace by his means, had retained all the life which they had received; and had indeed increased therein. Tues. 15.-I began my northern journey, and went by Stroud, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury, to Worcester. Thursday, 17. I preached in the Town-Hall at Evesham, to a numerous and serious congregation. Friday, 18. I returned to Worcester. The society here continues walking together in love, and are not moved by all the efforts of those who would fain teach them another Gospel. I was much comforted by their steadfastness March, 1774.] JOURNAL. 9 and simplicity. Thus let them “silence the ignorance of foolish men l’’ Sat. 19.--In the evening I preached at Birmingham, and at eight in the morning. At noon I preached on Bramwick Heath; and, the Room being far too small, stood in Mr. Wiley’s courtyard, notwithstanding the keen north-east wind. At Wednesbury, likewise, I was constrained by the multitude of people to preach abroad in the evening. I strongly enforced upon them the Apostle's words, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” If we do not “go on to perfection,” how shall we escape lukewarmness, Antinomianism, hell-fire? Mon. 21.--I preached at nine in Darlaston, and about noon at Wolverhampton. Here I had the pleasure of meeting Mr.