Wesley Corpus

Often this poor society had been well nigh shattered in pieces; first, by Benjamin Worship, then a furious Calvinist, tearing away near half of them ; next, by John Simpson turning Antinomian, and scattering most that were left. It has pleased God, contrary to all human proba bility, to raise a new society out of the dust; nay, and to give them courage to build a new preaching-house, which is well finished, and contains about five hundred persons. I opened it this evening; and as many as could get in, seemed to be deeply affected. Who knows but God is about to repair the waste places, and to gather a people that shall be scattered no more ? Thur. 23.--We went to Lowestoft, where the people have stood firm from the beginning. Observing in the evening, that forty or fifty people were talking together, as soon as the service was over, (a miserable custom that prevails in most places of public worship, throughout England and Ireland,) I strongly warned the congregation against it; as I had done those at Norwich and Yarmouth. They received it in love; and the next evening, all went silently away. But this warning must be given again and again in every place, or it will not be effectual. Sat. 25.--I preached in Lowestoft at five ; at eight to an earnest, lively people at Cove; and at one to a more numerous, but not more lively, congregation at Loddon. The most numerous was that at Norwich in the evening, many of whom were truly alive to God. Sun. 26.--I gave the sacrament at seven ; at nine I preached at Bear-Street, where I am in hopes considerable good will be done. The most serious congregation in our House we had at two ; but the most numerous at six; though not above half of those that came could get in. Those that could hear, did not lose their labour; for God “satisfied the hungry with good things.” Mon. 27.--I talked at large with M. F. Such a case I have not known before. She has been in the society nearly from the 264. REV. J. W. ESLEY’s [Nov. 1783. beginning. She found peace with God five-and-thirty years ago; and the pure love of God a few years after. Above twenty years she has been a Class and a Band Leader, and of very eminent use.