Wesley Corpus

It was supposed the people would be afraid to come, as part of the roof had lately fallen in. (Indeed it fell an hour before the congregation met: Otherwise many must have been hurt.) But they were not afraid: The House was well filled : And even the rich attended with seriousness. Wed. 18.--I preached at Nottingham, to a serious, loving congregation. There is something in the people of this town, which I cannot but much approve of; although most of our society are of the lower class, chiefly employed in the stocking manufacture, yet there is generally an uncommon gentleness and sweetness in their temper, and something of elegance in their behaviour, which, when added to solid, vital religion, make them an ornament to their profession. Thur. 19.-I did not reach Leicester till the congregation had waited some time: So I began immediately to enforce, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” I had designed not to call here at all, supposing it would be lost labour. But the behaviour of the whole congregation convinced July, 1777.] JOURNAL. 103 me that I had judged wrong. They filled the House at five in the morning, and seemed determined to “stir up the gift of God which was in them.” Saturday, 21. I returned to London. Wed. 25.--I saw Dr. Dodd for the last time. He was in exactly such a temper as I wished. He never at any time expressed the least murmuring or resentment at any one; but entirely and calmly gave himself up to the will of God. Such a prisoner I scarce ever saw before, much less such a con demned malefactor. I should think, none could converse with him without acknowledging that God is with him. Thur. 26.-I read the truly wonderful performance of Mr. Rowland Hill. I stood amazed l Compared to him, Mr. Toplady himself is a very civil, fair-spoken gentleman Friday, 27. I wrote an answer to it: “Not rendering railing for railing;” (I have not so learned Christ;) but “speaking the truth in love.” Sat. 28.--I have now completed my seventy-fourth year; and by the peculiar favour of God, I find my health and strength, and all my faculties of body and mind, just the same as they were at four-and-twenty. Mon. 30.--I set out for Northamptonshire, and preached in the evening at Stony-Stratford. Mr.