Wesley Corpus

But after I had been well electrified, by driving four or five hours, over very rugged, broken pavement, my complaint was removed, and my hand was as steady as when I was ten years old. About noon I preached in the shell of the House at Wigan. In the middle of the sermon, came an impetuous storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, which added much to the solemnity of the occasion. Thursday, 27. I went on to Miss Bosanquet's, and prepared for the Conference. How willingly could I spend the residue of a busy life in this delightful retirement l But, Man was not born in shades to lie Up and be doing ! Labour on, till Death sings a requiem to the parting soul. Sun. 30.--I preached under Birstal-Hill, and the greater part of the huge audience could hear while I enforced, “When the breath of man goeth forth, he turneth again to his dust, and then all his thoughts perish.” I preached at Leeds in the evening, and found strength in proportion to my work. Tues. AUGUST 1,-Our Conference began. Having received several letters, intimating that many of the Preachers were utterly unqualified for the work, having neither grace nor gifts sufficient for it, I determined to examine this weighty charge Aug. 1775.] JOURNAL. 51 with all possible exactness. In order to this, I read those letters to all the Conference; and begged that every one would freely propose and enforce whatever objection he had to any one. The objections proposed were considered at large: In two or three difficult cases, Committees were appointed for that purpose. In consequence of this, we were all fully con vinced that the charge advanced was without foundation; that God has really sent those labourers into his vineyard, and has qualified them for the work: And we were all more closely united together than we have been for many years. Fri. 4.--I preached at Bradford, where the people are all alive. Many here have lately experienced the great salvation, and their zeal has been a general blessing. Indeed, this I always observe, wherever a work of sanctification breaks out, the whole work of God prospers. Some are convinced of sin, others justified, and all stirred up to greater earnestness for salvation. I breakfasted at Great-Horton. Two or three of the neigh bours then came in to prayer.