Wesley Corpus

Friday, 26. I preached in the new chapel at Eccleshall, to a people just sprung out of the dust, exceeding artless and exceeding earnest; many of whom seemed to be already saved from sin. O, why do we not encourage all to expect this blessing every hour, from the moment they are justified In the evening I preached at Bradford, on the Wise Man that builds his house upon a rock; that is, who builds his hope of heaven on no other foundation than doing these sayings con tained in the Sermon on the Mount; although, in another sense, we build not upon his sayings, but his sufferings. Sat. 27.--I preached in the church at Bingley; perhaps not so filled before for these hundred years. Sunday, 28. The congregation at Haworth was far greater than the church could contain. For the sake of the poor parishioners, few of whom are even awakened to this day, I spoke as strongly as I possibly could upon these words, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” The church at Colne is, I think, at least twice as large as that at Haworth. But it would not in any wise contain the congregation. I preached on, “I saw a great white throne coming down from heaven.” Deep attention sat on every face; and, I trust, God gave us his blessing. Mon. 29.-About two I preached at Padiham, in a broad street, to a huge congregation. I think the only inattentive persons were, the Minister and a kind of gentleman. I saw none inattentive at Clough in the evening. What has God wrought, since Mr. Grimshaw and I were seized near this place by a furious mob, and kept prisoners for some hours The sons of him who headed that mob now gladly receive our saying. Tues. 30.--In the evening I preached in a kind of Square, at Colne, to a multitude of people, all drinking in the word. I scarce ever saw a congregation wherein men, women, and children stood in such a posture: And this in the town wherein, thirty years ago, no Methodist could show his head Î The first that preached here was John Jane, who was inno cently riding through the town, when the zealous mob pulled May, 1776.] JOURNAL. 73 him off his horse, and put him in the stocks.