Wesley Corpus

Truly these “approve the things that are excellent,” whether they practise them or no. I found this to be a genuine Methodist society: They are all thoroughly united to each other. They love and keep our Rules; they long and expect to be perfected in love: If they continue so to do, they will and must increase in number as well as in grace. Tues. 4.--I reached Aberdeen between four and five in the afternoon. Wednesday, 5. I found the morning preaching had been long discontinued: Yet the bands and the select society were kept up. But many were faint and weak for want of morning preaching and prayer-meetings, of which I found scarce any traces in Scotland. In the evening I talked largely with the Preachers, and showed them the hurt it did both to them and the people, for any one Preacher to stay six or eight weeks together in one place. Neither can he find matter for preaching every morning and evening, nor will the people come to hear him. Hence he grows cold by lying in bed, and so do the people. Whereas, if he never stays more than a fortnight together in one place, he may find matter enough, and the people will gladly hear him. They immediately drew up such a plan for this Circuit, which they determined to pursue. 274 REv. W. wesley’s [May, 1784. Thur. 6.--We had the largest congregation at five which I have seen since I came into the kingdom. We set out immediately after preaching, and reached Old-Meldrum about ten. A servant of Lady Banff's was waiting for us there, who desired I would take post-horses to Fort-Glen. In two hours we reached an inn, which, the servant told us, was four little miles from her house. So we made the best of our way, and got thither in exactly three hours. All the family received us with the most cordial affection. At seven I preached to a small congregation, all of whom were seriously attentive, and some, I believe, deeply affected. Fri. 7.--I took a walk round about the town. I know not when I have seen so pleasant a place. One part of the house is an ancient castle, situated on the top of a little hill. At a small distance runs a clear river, with a beautiful wood on its banks.