Wesley Corpus

1, 2, 3, in utter defiance of their common saying, “He is a good man, though he has bad tempers.” Nay, if he has bad tempers, he is no more a good man than the devil is a good angel. At five I preached in our own chapel, exceeding crowded, on the form and power of godliness. I am now clear of these people, and can cheerfully commend them to God. May, 1784.] JOURNAL. 277 Mon. 17.-I reached Arbroath, and inquired into that odd event which occurred there in the latter end of the last war. The famous Captain Fell came one afternoon to the side of the town, and sent three men on shore, threatening to lay the town in ashes, unless they sent him thirty thousand pounds. That not being done, he began firing on the town the next day, and continued it till night. But, perceiving the country was alarmed, he sailed away the next day, having left some hundred cannon-balls behind him; but not having hurt man, woman, or child, or anything else, save one old barn-door. Tues. 18.--I preached at Dundee. Wednesday, 19. I crossed over the pleasant and fertile county of Fife, to Melval House, the grand and beautiful seat of Lord Leven. He was not at home, being gone to Edinburgh, as the King's Commissioner; but the Countess was, with two of her daugh ters, and both her sons-in-law. At their desire I preached in the evening, on, “It is appointed unto man once to die;” and I believe God made the application. Thursday, 20. It blew a storm : Nevertheless, with some difficulty, we crossed the Queen’s Ferry. Friday, 21. I examined the society, and found about sixty members left. Many of these were truly alive to God: So our labour here is not quite in vain. Satur day, 22. I had some close conversation with L. M., who appeared to be clearly saved from sin, although exceedingly depressed by the tottering tenement of clay. About noon I spent an hour with her poor scholars; forty of whom she has provided withaserious master, who takes pains to instruct them in the principles of religion, as well as in reading and writing. A famous actress, just come down from London, (which, for the honour of Scotland, is just during the sitting of the Assembly,) stole away a great part of our congregation to-night.