Wesley Corpus

One of my audience here was Mr. Pinder, a contemporary of mine at Oxford. But any that observed so feeble, decrepit an old man, totter ing over the grave, would imagine there was a difference of forty, rather than two, years between us! On Friday and Saturday I made a little excursion into Yorkshire. Sunday, 24. I preached at eight at Gringley-in the-Hill, to an huge congregation, among whom I could observe but one person that was inattentive. Here I received an invi tation from Mr. Harvey, to give him a sermon at Tinningley. I came thither a little before the service began; and the church was filled, but not crowded. Between three and four I. returned 24 REv. J. WEsley’s [July, 1774. to Epworth. The congregation there was large last Sunday; but it was nearly doubled now : And never had we, from the beginning, a more solemn and affectionate parting. Mon. 25.-I went on to Sheffield, and on Tuesday met the select society. But it was reduced from sixty to twenty; and but half of these retained all that they once received What a grievous error, to think those that are saved from sin cannot lose what they have gained It is a miracle if they do not; seeing all earth and hell are so enraged against them: While, meantime, so very few, even of the children of God, skilfully endeavour to strengthen their hands. Wed. 27.--About one we reached Leek, in Staffordshire. I could not innagine who the Quaker should be that had sent me word he expected me to dinner; and was agreeably sur prised to find that it was my old friend, Joshua Strongman, of Mount-Mellick, in Ireland, whom I had not seen for many years. I found he was the same man still; of the same open, friendly, amiable temper: And every thing about him was (not costly or fine, but) surprisingly neat and elegant. It began to rain soon after we came in ; but the rain stayed while I was preaching; and it seemed the whole town, rich and poor, were gathered together, and listened while I explained, “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” I preached at Burslem in the evening; and on Thursday, 28, in the afternoon, came to Shrewsbury. Sat.