Wesley Corpus

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. I had designed to go from hence to Blackburn; but hearing that April, 1784.] JOURNAL. 27] one of our society, near Preston, was at the point of death, I turned a little out of my way, to spend half an hour with her. I found Mrs. Nuttal, a lovely patient creature, praising God continually, though worn away with pining sickness and long continued pain. Having paid the last office of friendship here, I went to Preston, and preached to a serious congregation. In the evening I preached at Blackburn, where also the society is lively, and continually increasing. Sun. 18.--After preaching at five to a numerous congrega tion, (but not one rich or well-dressed person among them, either morning or evening ! Poor Blackburn ) I hastened on to Gisburn. The church was so full that a few were obliged to stand without the doors. The word was quick and powerful. So it was afterward at Settle. Sufficient for this day was the labour thereof. Mon. 19.--I went on to Ambleside; where, as I was sitting down to supper, I was informed, notice had been given of my preaching, and that the congregation was waiting. I would not disappoint them; but preached immediately on salvation by faith. Among them were a gentleman and his wife, who gave me a remarkable relation. She said she had often heard her mother relate, what an intimate acquaintance had told her, that her husband was concerned in the Rebellion of 1745. He was tried at Carlisle, and found guilty. The evening before he was to die, sitting and musing in her chair, she fell fast asleep. She dreamed, one came to her, and said, “Go to such a part of the wall, and among the loose stones you will find a key, which you must carry to your husband.” She waked ; but, thinking it a common dream, paid no attention to it. Presently she fell asleep again, and dreamed the very same dream. She started up, put on her cloak and hat, and went to that part of the wall, and among the loose stones found a key.