Wesley Corpus

V n, and immediately fell into close conversation. There seems to be in him a pecu liar softness and sweetness of temper; and a peculiar liveliness in Mrs. V m. Our loving dispute, concerning deliverance from sin, was concluded within an hour: And we parted, if that June, 1783.] JOURNAL. 253 could be, better friends than we met. Afterwards we walked to Mr. J 's house in the Plantations, a large tract of ground, laid out in shady walks. These lie within the city walls: But there are other walks, equally pleasant, without the gates. Indeed nothing is wanting but the power of reli gion, to make Amsterdam a paradise. Sun. 22.--I went to the new church, so called still, though four or five hundred years old. It is larger, higher, and better illuminated, than most of our cathedrals. The screen that divides the church from the choir is of polished brass, and shines like gold. I understood the Psalms that were sung, and the text well, and a little of the sermon ; which Mr. de H. delivered with great earnestness. At two I began the Ser vice at the English church, an elegant building, about the size of West-Street chapel. Only it has no galleries; nor have any of the churches in Holland. I preached on Isaiah lv. 6, 7; and I am persuaded many received the truth in the love thereof. After service I spent another hour at Mr. V. ’s. Mrs. V again asked me abundance of questions, concerning deliverance from sin; and seemed a good deal better satis fied, with regard to the great and precious promises. Thence we went to Mr. B., who had lately found peace with God. He was full of faith and love, and could hardly mention the goodness of God without tears. His wife appeared to be exactly of the same spirit, so that our hearts were soon knit together. From thence we went to another family, where a large company were assembled. But all seemed open to receive instructions, and desirous to be altogether Christians. After dinner Mrs. J took me in a coach to the Mere, and thence round the country to Zeeburg. I never saw such a country before: I suppose there is no such summer country in Europe. From Amsterdam to Mere is all a train of the most delightful gardens.