Wesley Corpus

It was well we were in the shade; for the sun shone as hot as it usually does at Midsummer. We walked from thence to Coalbrook Dale, and took a view of the bridge which is shortly to be thrown over the Severn. It is one arch, a hundred feet broad, fifty-two high, and eighteen wide; all of cast-iron, weighing many hundred tons. I doubt whether the Colossus at Rhodes weighed much more. Sat. 27.--I preached at Newcastle-under-Lyne; Sunday, 28, at Burslem, morning and afternoon. Monday, 29. I went on to our loving brethren at Congleton, and preached on the nature of Christian zeal. A measure of this they have already; but they want much more. Tuesday, 30, and the next day, I preached at Macclesfield. The hearts of many were enlarged; and the society I found was increasing both in number and strength. Thur. APRIL 1.--About one, I preached at New-Mills, in Derbyshire. A commodious preaching-house, lately built, has proved a blessing to the whole country. They flock together from every quarter, and are thankful both to God and man. In the evening I preached at Stockport, where I received a strange account of poor William Hamilton, who left us to join the Quakers, and is as miserable as he can live, afraid to see any man lest he should kill him. O what a poor exchange has this unhappy man made Fri. 2.--About one I opened the new chapel at Davyhulme. APRIL 4, (being Easter-Day,) was a solemn festival. In the afternoon I preached at Oldham, to such a congregation as I have not seen since I was in the Cornish amphitheatre. And all, beside a few giddy children, were seriously attentive. Mon. 5.--I preached at Northwich. I used to go on from hence to Little-Leigh; but since Mr. Barker is gone hence, that place knows us no more. I cannot but wonder at the infatuation of men that really love and fear God, and yet leave great part of, if not all, their substance to men that neither April, 1779.] JOURNAL. 147 love nor fear him Surely if I did little good with my money while I lived, I would, at least, do good with it when I could live no longer. Tues. 6.--I went to Mr. S ’s at Nantwich, a nephew of Mr.