Wesley Corpus

Fletcher complained, that, after all the pains they had taken, they could not prevail on the people to join in society, no nor even to meet in a class. Resolving to try, I preached to a crowded audience, on, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” I followed the blow in the afternoon, by strongly applying those words, “Awake, thou that sleepest;” and then enforcing the necessity of Christian fellowship on all who desired either to awake or keep awake. I then desired those that were willing to join together for this purpose, to call upon Mr. Fletcher and me after Service. Ninety-four or ninety-five persons did so; about as many men as women. We explained to them the mature of a Christian society, and they willingly joined therein. Mon. 25.--I spent an agreeable hour at the Boarding-School in Sheriff-Hales. I believe the Misses Yeomans are well April, 1782.] journal. 223 qualified for their office. Several of the children are under strong drawings. We then went on to Newcastle-under-Lyne. (This is the name of a little river which runs near the town.) Tuesday, 26. I found many at Burslem, too, under sad appre hensions of the public danger: So I applied to these also those comfortable words, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.” Thur. 28.--Coming to Congleton, I found the Calvinists were just breaking in, and striving to make havoc of the flock. Is this brotherly love? Is this doing as we would be done to ? No more than robbing on the highway. But if it is decreed, they cannot help it: So we cannot blame them. MARch 29.--(Being Good-Friday.) I came to Maccles field just time enough to assist Mr. Simpson in the laborious service of the day. I preached for him morning and after noon; and we administered the sacrament to about thirteen hundred persons. While we were administering, I heard a low, soft, solemn sound, just like that of an AEolian harp. It continued five or six minutes, and so affected many, that they could not refrain from tears. It then gradually died away. Strange that no other organist (that I know) should think of this. In the evening, I preached at our Room. Here was that harmony which art cannot imitate. Sat.