Wesley Corpus

MARch 1-03eing Ash-Wednesday.) I took a solemn leave of our friends at London; and on Thursday, 2, met our brethren at Reading. A few were awakened, and perhaps converted here, by the ministry of Mr. Talbot. But as he did not take any account of them, or join them together, we found no trace of them remaining. A large room was pre sently filled, and all the spaces adjoining. And I have hardly ever seen a people who seemed more eager to hear. Fri. 3.-The mild weather changed into cold and bluster ing, with heavy showers of rain; notwithstanding which, we had a very large congregation at Ramsbury Park. Saturday, 4. At noon I preached to a still larger congregation, in the new House at Seend: In the afternoon I went on to Bristol; whence, on Monday, 13, I set out for Ireland. Tues. 14.--At noon I preached in Tewkesbury, now the liveliest place in the Circuit. Many here have been lately convinced of sin, and many converted to God. Some have been made partakers of the great salvation, and their love and zeal have stirred up others. So that the flame now spreads wider and wider. O let none be able to quench it ! In the evening I preached at Worcester. Here also the flame is gradually increasing. While I was here, there was a very extraordinary trial at the assizes. A boy being beaten by his master, ran away; and wandering about till he was half starved, was then allowed to lie in the hay-loft of an inn. In the night he stole into the room where two gentlemen lay; (probably not very sober;) and, without waking them, picked the money out of both their pockets; though their breeches lay under their head. In the morning, having confessed the fact, he was committed to gaol. He made no defence: So one of the Counsellors rose up, and said, “My Lord, as there is none to plead for this poor boy, I will do it myself.” He did so, and then added, “My Lord, it may be this bad boy may make a good man. And I humbly April, 1775.] JOURNAL. 41 conceive, it might be best to send him back to his master. I will give him a guinea towards his expenses.” “And I will give him another,” said the Judge.