Wesley Corpus

I went to Sheffield: But the House was not ready; so I preached in the Square. I can hardly think I am entered this day into the seventy eighth year of my age. By the blessing of God, I am just the same as when I entered the twenty-eighth. This hath God wrought, chiefly by my constant exercise, my rising early, and preaching morning and evening. Thur. 29.--I was desired to preach at Worksop; but when I came, they had not fixed on any place. At length they chose a lamentable one, full of dirt and dust, but without the least shelter from the scorching sun. This few could bear: So we had only a small company of as stupid people as ever I saw. In the evening I preached in the old House at Sheffield; but the heat was scarce supportable. I took my leave of it at five in the morning, and in the evening preached in the new House, thoroughly filled with rich and poor; to whom I declared, “We preach Christ crucified:” And He bore witness to his word in a very uncommon manner. Saturday, JULY 1. I preached once more at Rotherham. Sunday, 2. At eight I preached at Sheffield. There was afterwards such a number of communicants as was never seen at the old church before. I preached again at five; but very many were constrained to go away. We concluded our work by visiting some that were weak in body, but strong in faith, desiring nothing but to do and suffer the will of God. 188 REv. J. Wesley’s [July, 1780. Monday, 3, and Tuesday, 4, I preached at Derby; Wed nesday, 5, at a church eight miles from it. In the afternoon, as I was going through Stapleford, in my way to Nottingham, I was stopped by some who begged me to look into their new preaching-house. Many following me, the House was soon filled; and we spent half an hour together, to our mutual comfort. In the evening I preached at Nottingham. Wed nesday, 5. I preached in Loughborough about eleven, and in the evening at Leicester. I know not how it is that I constantly find such liberty of spirit in this place. Thur. 6.--The Room at five, according to custom, was fille." from end to end.