Wesley Corpus

And yet who so industrious, according to Raynal, who so virtuous, so happy, as his subjects? So that he must totally give up either his argument against Christianity, or that against Monarchy. If the Peruvians were, and the Chinese are, the most indus trious, virtuous, and happy men, then Monarchy is no way in consistent with the industry, virtue, and happiness of a people. But if the Peruvians were, in these respects, and the Chinese are, no better than other men, (which is the very truth,) then the argument against Christianity falls to the ground. From the largeness and the seriousness of the congregations here, I should have imagined the work of God was much in creased; but, upon inquiry, I found just the contrary : Near one third of those were wanting whom I left in the society three years ago. Yet those who remained seemed much in earnest. In the evening God clothed his word with power; few appeared to be unaffected; and I was sorry I could not spend a little more time, where the fields were so white to the harvest. Wed. 29.--I returned to Cork, and met the classes. O when will even the Methodists learn not to exaggerate” After all the pompous accounts I had had of the vast increase of the society, it is not increased at all; nay, it is a little smaller than it was three years ago: And yet many of the members are alive to God. But the smiling world hangs heavy upon them. Sun. MAY 3.--I was a little surprised at a message from the Gentlemen of the Aghrim Society, (a company of Volunteers so called,) that, if I had no objection, they would attend at the new Room in the evening. They did so, with another Independent Company, who were just raised: (The True Blues:) A body of so personable men I never saw toge ther before. The gentlemen in scarlet filled the side gallery; those in blue the front gallery: But both galleries would not contain them all: Some were constrained to stand below. All behaved admirably well, though I spoke exceeding plain on, “We preach Christ crucified.” No laughing, no talking; all seemed to hear as for life. Surely this is a token for good. Mon. 4.--I went to Kilfinnan, in the neighbourhood of 122 REv. J. Wesley’s [May, 1778.