Wesley Corpus

NEWINGToN, January 19, 1786. or THE Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 4, 1782.--I preached in the market-house at Tiverton; Thursday, 5, at Halberton, Taunton, and South-Brent. Friday, 6. About ten I preached at Shipham, a little town on the side of Men diff, almost wholly inhabited by miners, who dig up lapis calaminaris. I was surprised to see such a congregation at so short a warning; and their deep and serious atten tion seemed to be a presage, that some of them will profit by what they hear. In the afternoon we went on to Bristol. Sun. 8.--My brother read Prayers, and I preached to a very uncommon congregation. But a far more numerous one met near King's Square in the evening, on whom I strongly enforced, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Permit me to observe here, how you may distinguish a genuine small Field's Bible from a spurious one: The genuine reads here, “Ye can serve God and mammon.” In the spurious, the “not” is supplied. Mon.9.--About nine I preached at Paulton, where the flame is abated, but not quenched. The same is the case at Shepton Mallet, where I preached in the evening. Tuesday, 10. I went on to the simple-hearted colliers, at Coleford, abundance of whom met at six in the evening, in a green meadow, which was delightfully gilded by the rays of the setting sun. Wed nesday, 11. I preached to a large and serious congregation at the end of the preaching-house at Frome. After preaching at Roade, Pensford, Trowbridge, and Freshford, on Friday, 13, I preached at Bath. Sunday, 15. I had a far greater number of communicants than usual. Both at this time, and in the afternoon and the evening service, we had no common blessing. On Monday and Tuesday I preached at Chew-Magna, at Sutton, Stoke, and Clutton: In my way thither, I saw a famous monument of antiquity, at Stanton-Drew; supposed 238 It Ev. J. WESLEY’s [Oct. 1782. to have remained there between two and three thousand years. It was undoubtedly a Druid's temple, consisting of a smaller and a larger circle of huge stones set on end, one would think by some power more than human. Indeed, such stones have been used for divine worship, nearly, if not quite, from the time of the flood. On the following days I preached at many other little places. Sun.