Wesley Corpus

Sat. 10.--I preached to a huge congregation at Manchester, and to a far larger at ten in the morning, being Easter-Day. It was supposed there were near a thousand communicants. But hitherto the Lord has helped me in this respect also: I have found no congregation which my voice could not command. Mon. 12.--I found a lovely congregation at Stockport, much alive to God. So was that at Oldham the next day, which was not perceptibly lessened, though it blew a storm, and poured down with rain. Here a young woman, of unblamable character, (otherwise I should not have given her any credit,) gave me a remarkable account. She said, “I had totally lost the sight of my right eye, when I dreamed one night, that our Saviour appeared to me; that I fell at his feet, and he laid his hand upon my right eye. Immediately I waked, and from that moment have seen as well with that eye as with the other.” I applied, to a very large congregation, the case of the Rechabites. (Jer. xxxv.) I asked, 1. Does it appear that these owed to Jonadab more than the Methodists owe to me? 2. Are they as observant of my advices (although both scriptural and rational; to instance only in dress and rising early) as the Rechabites were of his advices 2 (Of drinking no wine, and living in tents; which had neither Scripture nor reason to support them l) I think every member of the society at Bolton does take my advice, with respect to other things, as well as with respect to dress and rising early; in consequence of which they are continually increasing in number as well as in grace. Fri. 16.--I preached about ten at Wingate, a village five or six miles from Bolton. I was constrained, by the multitude of people, to preach abroad, though it was exceeding cold, on, “All things are ready; come unto the marriage.” Truly the people were ready too. They drank in every word. In the evening we had a very uncommon congregation at Wigan. Only one gentlewoman behaved “as she used to do at church;” (so several afterwards informed me;) talking all the time, though no one answered her | But the rest were deeply attentive ; and, I trust, will not be forgetful hearers.