Wesley Corpus

SEPTEMBER 1.--We clambered over the mountains to Buxton. In the afternoon I preached in Fairfield church, about half a mile from the town ; it was thoroughly filled with serious and attentive hearers. Tuesday, 2. We went to Leeds, where I was glad to find several Preachers. Wed. 3.−I consulted the Preachers, how it was best to proceed with the Trustees of Birstal House, to prevail upon them to settle it on the Methodist plan. They all advised me to begin by preaching there. Accordingly, I preached on Thursday evening, and met the society. I preached again in the morning. Friday, 5. About nine I met the nineteen Trustees; and, after exhorting them to peace and love, said, “All that I desire is, that this House may be settled on the Methodist plan; and the same clause may be inserted in your Deed which is inserted in the Deed of the new chapel in London; viz., “In case the doctrine or practice of any Preacher should, in the opinion of the major part of the Trustees, be not conformable to Mr. W. ’s Sermons and Oct. 1783.] JOURNAL. 261 Notes on the New Testament, on representing this, another Preacher shall be sent within three months.’” Five of the Trustees were willing to accept of our first proposals; the rest were not willing. Although I could not obtain the end proposed; and, in that respect, had only my labour for my pains; yet I do not at all repent of my journey: I have done my part; let others bear their own burden. Going back nearly the same way I came, on Saturday, 13, I reached Bristol. I had likewise good reward for my labour, in the recovery of my health, by a journey of five or six hundred miles. On Wednesday, 17, and the two following days, I visited several of the country societies; and found most of them, not only increasing in number, but in the knowledge and love of God. Fri. 26.--Observing the deep poverty of many of our brethren, I determined to do what I could for their relief. I spoke severally to some that were in good circumstances, and received about forty pounds. Next I inquired who were in the most pressing want, and visited them at their own houses.