Wesley Corpus

We drove with two horses as far as Reading. Two more were then added, with a postilion, who knowing little of his business, instead of going forward, turned quite round on a sloping ground, so that we expected the coach to overturn every moment. So it must have dome, but that the coachman instantly leaped off, and with some other men held it up, till we got out at the opposite door. The coach was then soon set right, and we went on without let or hinderance. After spending two or three days at Bath, on Thursday, 8, I went forward to Bristol. On Monday, 12, and the following days, I visited the society; but was surprised to find no greater increase, considering what Preachers they had had. Sun. 18.-I preached morning and evening at the Room; in the afternoon at Temple church. The congregation here is remarkably well-behaved; indeed so are the parishioners in general. And no wonder, since they have had such a succession of Rectors as few parishes in England have had. The present incumbent truly fears God. So did his predecessor, Mr. Catcott, who was indeed as eminent for piety as most Clergymen in England. He succeeded his father, a man of the same spirit, who I suppose succeeded Mr. Arthur Bedford; a person greatly esteemed, fifty or sixty years ago, for piety as well as learning. Mon. 19.--For several years the severe weather has begun the very day I set out from Bristol. But the mild weather now continued seven or eight days longer. This evening I preached at Stroud; Tuesday, 20, at Stroud, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, and Worcester. Wednesday, 21. At noon I preached in Bewdley; and at Worcester in the evening. Thursday, 22. I preached in Bengeworth church, and had some conversation with that amiable man, Mr. B. I preached in the evening at Pebworth church, on those words in the Lesson, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 198 REv. J. weslEY’s [March, 1781. Sat. 24.--I was invited to preach at Quinton, five miles from Birmingham. I preached there at noon in the open air, to a serious and attentive congregation. Some of them appeared to be very deeply affected. Who knows but it may continue? In the evening I had another comfortable opportunity with our friends at Birmingham. Sun. 25.--I preached at Birmingham, Dudley, and Wednesbury. Monday, 26.