Wesley Corpus

I trust the seed now sown will not wither away, but grow up into everlasting life Mon. 25.--Being desired to preach at Ballinasloe, in my way to Aghrim, Istood, about eleven, in the shade of a large house, and preached to a numerous congregation of Papists and Pro testants, equally attentive, on, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” As I entered Aghrim, the Rector, who was waiting at his gate, welcomed me into the country; and desired me to use his church, both now, and whenever I pleased : I preached there at six. It was thoroughly filled with well-behaved hearers. But the society here, as well as that at Tyrrel’s Pass, is well nigh shrunk into nothing ! Such is the baleful influence of riches' The same effect we find in every place. The more men increase in goods, (very few excepted,) the more they decrease in grace. Tues. 26.-I went on to Eyre-Court. Here, also, the Minister gave me the use of his church ; but the people seemed to understand little of the matter. As I had not this privilege at Birr, I went to the Square, where the owner of a large house invited me to preach before it. The con gregation was exceeding large; but many of them wild as colts untamed. However, the far greater part of them were seriously attentive. I am in hopes the work of God will revive here also ; the rather, because he has fully restored one of the most eminent backsliders in the kingdom. When I came to Tullamore, the Minister was willing that I should preach in the church; where both the soldiers and all the Officers attended, and our Great Captain was present also. Thur. 28.--I supposed the house at Portarlington would lave more than contained the congregation; but it would scarce 304 REv. J. Wesley’s [May, 1785. contain a third part of them. So I removed to the market house, and preached on the general judgment. The word was quick and powerful, so that very few appeared to be unaffected. In the evening I preached in the church at Mount-Mellick. Perhaps such a congregation was never there before. But the greater part of them seemed to be of Gallio’s mind, to care for none of these things. Fri. 29.--I preached in our own House at Kilkenny, to just such another congregation.