Wesley Corpus

Our country friends flocked in from all sides. At the Communion was such a sight as I am persuaded was never seen at Manchester before: Eleven or twelve hundred communicants at once; and all of them fearing God. Tues. 3.−1 took a solemn leave of our affectionate friends here, and went on to Bolton. The society here are true, original Methodists. They are not conformed to the world, either in its maxims, its spirit, or its fashions; but are simple followers of the Lamb : Consequently they increase both in grace and number. Wed. 4.--I went over to Wigan, and preached a funeral sermon for Betty Brown, one of the first members of this society; one of whom, John Layland, gave me the following artless account of her:--“She met with us in a class about twenty years, even to the Sunday before her death, which was on Friday, March 2. Going to market that day in good health, she returned (as she often did) without her husband, ate her supper, and went to bed. About midnight, he came, and found her body; but the spirit was fled ! Her love for God, for his cause, and for her brethren and sisters, was truly remarkable. So was her pity for backsliders. At home and abroad she was continually intent on one thing. We cannot forget her tears and prayers, which we doubt not the Lord hath heard. “A little before her death, sitting with my sisters, she seemed in deep thought, and broke out , ‘I will go to God!’ One of them being surprised, said, ‘Pray, Betty, what do you mean?” She only replied, ‘I will go to God.” So that, if I think right, she was the beloved of God, the delight of his children, a dread to wicked men, and a torment to devils.” Thur. 5.-I went to Chester. The House was well filled with deeply attentive hearers. I perceived God had exceedingly blessed the labours of Jonathan Hern and William Boothby. The congregations were much larger than they used to be. The society was increased; and they were not only agreed among themselves, but in peace with all round about them. Fri. 6.--I went to Alpraham, and preached the funeral sermon of good old sister Cawley. She has been indeed a mother in Israel; a pattern of all good works. Saturday, 7.