Wesley Corpus

An angel blowing a trumpet was placed on the sounding-board over the pulpit. Many were 148 REv. J. Wesley’s [April, 1779. vehemently against this; others as vehemently for it: But a total end was soon put to the contest; for the angel vanished away. The congregations, morning and evening, were very large; and the work of God seems to increase, in depth as well as extent. Sun. 18.--In the morning I preached in Haworth church; but in the afternoon I could not. Thousands upon thousands were gathered together, so that I was obliged to stand in the church-yard. And I believe all that stood still were able to hear distinctly. Mon. 19.--I preached in Bingley church to a numerous congregation. I dined with Mr. Busfield, in his little paradise; but it can give no happiness unless God is there. Thence I went to Otley. Here also the work of God increases; parti cularly with regard to sanctification. And I think every one who has experienced it, retains a clear witness of what God has wrought. Thur. 22.-I was a little surprised at a passage in Dr. Smollet’s “History of England,” vol. xv., pp. 121, 122:- “Imposture and fanaticism still hang upon the skirts of religion. Weak minds were seduced by the delusions of a superstition, styled Methodism, raised upon the affectation of superior sanctity, and pretensions to divine illumination. Many thousands were infected with this enthusiasm by the endeavours of a few obscure Preachers, such as Whitefield, and the two Wesleys, who found means to lay the whole kingdom under contribution.” Poor Dr. Smollet ! Thus to transmit to all succeeding gene rations a whole heap of motorious falsehoods ! “Imposture and fanaticism l’’ Neither one nor the other had any share in the late revival of scriptural religion, which is no other than the love of God and man, gratitude to our Creator, and good-will to our fellow-creatures. Is this delusion and superstition? No, it is real wisdom ; it is solid virtue. Does this famaticism “hang upon the skirts of religion ?” Nay, it is the very essence of it. Does the Doctor call this enthusiasm * Why? Because he knows nothing about it. Who told him that these “obscure Preachers ” made “preten sions to divine illumination ?” How often has that silly calumny been refuted to the satisfaction of all candid men?