Wesley Corpus

J. Wesley’s [June, 1781. an artless, loving congregation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” A few miles from thence, we came to Bishop's Court, where good Bishop Wilson resided near threescore years. There is something venerable, though not magnificent, in the ancient palace; and it is undoubtedly situated in one of the pleasantest spots of the whole island. At six in the evening I preached at Balleugh ; but the preaching-house would not contain one half of the congrega tion; of which the Vicar, Mr. Gilling, with his wife, sister, and daughter, were a part. He invited me to take a breakfast with him in the morning, Tuesday, 5; which I willingly did. He read family-prayers before breakfast, in a very serious manner. After spending a little time very agreeably, I went on to Kirk-Andrews. Here also I was obliged to preach in the open air; the rain being suspended till I had done. In the afternoon we rode through a pleasant and fruitful country, to Ramsay, about as large as Peel, and more regularly built. The rain was again suspended while I preached to well nigh all the town; but I saw no inattentive hearers. Wed. 6.--We had many of them again at five, and they were all attention. This was the place where the Preachers had little hope of doing good. I trust they will be happily disappointed. This morning we rode through the most woody, and far the pleasantest, part of the island;--a range of fruitful land, lying at the foot of the mountains, from Ramsay, through Sulby, to Kirkmichael. Here we stopped to look at the plain tomb-stones of those two good men, Bishop Wilson and Bishop Hildesley; whose remains are deposited, side by side, at the east end of the church. We had scarce reached Peel before the rain increased; but here the preaching-house contained all that could come. Afterwards, Mr. Crook desired me to meet the singers. I was agreeably surprised. I have not heard better singing either at Bristol or London. Many, both men and women, have admirable voices; and they sing with good judgment. Who would have expected this in the Isle of Man? Thur. 7.--I met our little body of Preachers. They were two-and-twenty in all. I never saw in England so many stout, well-looking Preachers together.