Wesley Corpus

gathered from all parts of the island. I afterwards met the society, artless and teachable, and full of good desires. But few of them yet have got any farther, than to “see men as trees walking.”- Wed. 12.--I preached to a large congregation at five, wh seemed quite athirst for instruction. Afterwards we took a walk over the remains of the Castle, so bravely defended in the last century, against all the power of the Parliament forces, by the widow of the Lord Chief Justice Banks. It is one of the noblest ruins I ever saw : The walls are of an im mense thickness, defying even the assaults of time, and were formerly surrounded by a deep ditch. The house, which stands in the middle, on the very top of the rock, has been a magnificent structure. Some time since the proprietor fitted up some rooms on the south-west side of this, and laid out a little garden, commanding a large prospect, pleasant beyond description. For a while he was greatly delighted with it: But the eye was not satisfied with seeing. It grew familiar; it pleased no more; and is now run all to ruin. No wonder: What can delight always, but the knowledge and love of God? About noon I preached at Langton, three or four miles from Corfe-Castle, to a large and deeply serious congregation. Here is likewise a little society; but I did not find any among them who knew in whom they had believed. In the evening I preached in a meadow, near Swanage, to a still larger congre gation. And here at length I found three or four persons, and all of one family, who seemed really to enjoy the faith of the Gospel. Few others of the society (between thirty and forty in number) appeared to be convinced of sin. I fear the Preachers have been more studious to please than to awaken, or there would have been a deeper work. The Isle (or properly Peninsula) of Purbeck is mine or ten miles broad, and perhaps twenty long, running nearly from north-east to south-west. Two mountains run almost the whole length, with valleys both between them and on each side, but poorly cultivated. The people in general are plain, artless, good-natured, and well-behaved. If the labourers here are zealous and active, they will surely have a plentiful harvest. Thur.