Wesley Corpus

Tuesday, 21. I went on to Bristol; and after resting a day, on Thursday, 23, set out for Cornwall. Finding, after breakfast, that I was within a mile of my old friend, G. S.-, I walked over, and spent an hour with him. He is all-original still, like no man in the world, either in sentiments or any thing about him. But perhaps if I had his immense fortune, I might be as great an oddity as he. 214 REv. J. Wesley’s [Aug. 1781. About six in the evening I preached at Taunton, to a numerous congregation. I found the letters concerning Popery had much abated prejudice here. Friday, 24. I preached at Collumpton about noon, and at Exeter in the evening. Satur day, 25. I preached in the Square at Plymouth-Dock, to a quieter congregation than usual. Sunday, 26. Between one and two, I began in the new House in Plymouth. The large congregation was all attention; and there seemed reason to hope that even here we shall find some fruit of our labour. In the evening I preached again in the Square, on the story of the Pharisee and Publican, to such a congregation, for number and seriousness together, as I never saw there before. Mon. 27.--I was desired to preach at Trenuth at noon, a little way (they said) out of the road. The little way proved six or seven miles, through a road ready to break our wheels in pieces. However, I just reached St. Austle time enough to preach; and God greatly comforted the hearts of his people. Tues. 28.-Between nine and ten we had such a storm of rain, as I do not remember to have seen in Europe before. It seemed ready to beat in the windows of the chaise, and in three minutes drenched our horsemen from head to foot. We reached Truro, however, at the appointed time. I have not for many years seen a congregation so universally affected. One would have imagined, every one that was present had a desire to save his soul. In the evening I preached in the High-street at Helstone. I scarce know a town in the whole county which is so totally changed ; not a spark of that bitter enmity to the Methodists, in which the people here for many years gloried above their fellows.