Wesley Corpus

From Amsterdam to Mere is all a train of the most delightful gardens. Turning upon the left, you then open upon the Texel, which spreads into a sea. Zeeburg itself is a little house built on the edge of it, which commands both a land and sea prospect. What is wanting to make the inhabitants happy, but the knowledge and love of God? Tues. 24.--We took a view of the new Workhouse, which stands on one side of the Plantations. It much resembles Shore ditch Workhouse: Only it is considerably larger. And the front of it is so richly ornamented, that it looks like a royal palace 254 Rev. J. Wesley’s [June, 1783. About four hundred are now in the house, which is to receive four hundred more : Just half as many as are in the Poorhouse at Dublin, which now contains sixteen hundred. We saw many of the poor people, all at work, knitting, spinning, picking work, or weaving. And the women in one room were all sewing, either fine or plain work. Many of these had been women of the town : For this is a Bridewell and Workhouse in one. The head keeper was stalking to and fro, with a large silver-hilted sword by his side. The bed-chambers were exceeding neat: The beds are better or worse as are those that use them. We saw both the men in one long room, and the women in ano ther, at dinner. In both rooms they sung a Psalm and prayed, before and after dinner. I cannot but think the managers in Amsterdam wiser than those in Dublin : For certainly a little of the form of religion is better than none at all ! Afterwards we spent an hour at Mrs. V 's, a very extraordinary woman. Both from her past and present expe rience, I can have no doubt but she is perfected in love. She said, “I was born at Surinam ; and came from thence when I was about ten years old. But when I came hither, my guardian would not let me have my fortune, unless I would go back to Surinam. However, I got acquainted with some pious people, and made shift to live, till I was about sixteen: I then embarked for Surinam ; but a storm drove us to the coast of England, where the ship was stranded.