Wesley Corpus

Sat. 30.-I went on to Madeley; and in the evening preached under a sycamore-tree, in Madeley-Wood, to a large congregation, good part of them colliers, who drank in every word. Surely never were places more alike, than Madeley-Wood, Gateshead-Fell, and Kingswood. Sun. 31.--The church could not contain the congregation, either morning or afternoon; but in the evening I preached to a still larger congregation at Broseley; and equally attentive. I now learned the particulars of a remarkable story, which I had heard imperfectly before:--Some time since, one of the colliers here, coming home at night, dropped into a coal-pit, twenty-four yards deep. He called aloud for help, but none heard all that night, and all the following day. The second night, being weak and faint, he fell asleep, and dreamed that his wife, who had been some time dead, came to him, and greatly comforted him. In the morning, a gentleman going a hunting, Aug. 1774.] JOURNAL. 25 an hare started up just before the hounds, ran straight to the mouth of the pit, and was gone; no man could tell how. The hunters searched all round the pit, till they heard a voice from the bottom. They quickly procured proper help, and drew up the man unhurt. Mon. AUGUST 1.--I preached at Bewdley, in an open place at the head of the town; and in the evening at Worcester, which still continues one of the liveliest places in England. Here I talked with some who believe God has lately delivered them from the root of sin. Their account was simple, clear, and scriptural; so that I saw no reason to doubt of their testimony.- Tues. 2.-I preached at ten in the Town-Hall, at Evesham, and rode on to Broadmarston. Thursday, 4. I crossed over to Tewkesbury, and preached at noon in a meadow near the town, under a tall oak. I went thence to Cheltenham. As it was the high season for drinking the waters, the town was full of Gentry: So I preached near the market-place in the evening, to the largest congregation that was ever seen there. Some of the footmen at first made a little disturbance; but I turned to them, and they stood reproved. Sat. 6.--I walked from Newport to Berkeley-Castle.