Wesley Corpus

I am as strong at eighty-one, as I was at twenty-one; but abundantly more healthy, being a stranger to the head-ache, tooth-ache, and other bodily disorders which attended me in my youth. We can only say, “The Lord reigneth !” While we live, let us live to him.- In the afternoon I went to Gainsborough, and willingly accepted the offer of Mr. Dean’s chapel. The audience was large, and seemed much affected: Possibly some good may be done even at Gainsborough Tuesday, 29. I preached in the July, 1784.j JOURNAL. 283 street at Scotter, to a large and deeply attentive congregation. It was a solemn and comfortable season. In the evening I read Prayers and preached in Owstone church; and again in the morning. Wednesday, 30. In the evening I preached at Epworth. In the residue of the week, I preached morning and evening in several of the neighbouring towns. Sun. JULY 4.--I read prayers and preached in Owstone church, so filled as probably it never was before; and believe every one, awakened or unawakened, felt that God was there. The congregation in the afternoon, at Epworth market-place, was thought to be larger than ever it was before; and great was the Holy One of Israel in the midst of them. Mon. 5.--At twelve I preached in the elegant House at Doncaster, for once pretty well filled; and spoke more strongly, indeed more roughly, than I am accustomed to do. It was sultry hot (as it has been once or twice before) while we went to Rotherham, where I preached abroad to a larger congregation, both of rich and poor, than even at Epworth; and earnestly enforced on those who are called believers, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Tues. 6.--I joined again the select society, which was fallen in pieces; and prayed them to be wiser for the time to come. Ibreakfasted at that amiable old man’s, Mr. Sparrow; elder bro ther to his twin-soul whom I knew at Westminster. Thence I went on to Sheffield, where the society is increased to near some hundred members. How swiftly does the work of God spread among those who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow ! Wed. 7.--It was supposed there were a thousand persons present at five in the morning. A young gentlewoman was with us at breakfast, who was mourning and refused to be comforted.