Wesley Corpus

The society is continually increasing, and more and more of the hearers are convinced and justified. What is the strangest thing, is, there is no opposer in the town, but rich and poor all acknowledge the work of God. Satur day, 3. In the afternoon the good providence of God brought us once more well to Bristol. Sun. 4.--Finding a report had been spread abroad, that I was just going to leave the Church; to satisfy those that were grieved concerning it, I openly declared in the evening, that I had now no more thought of separating from the Church than I had forty years ago. Tues. 6.--I preached at Paulton and Coleford; Wednesday, 7, in an open place near the road, at Melis. Just as I began, a wasp, though unprovoked, stung me upon the lip. I was afraid it would swell, so as to hinder my speaking; but it did not. I spoke distinctly, near two hours in all; and was no worse for it. In the evening I preached with much satisfaction at Frome, to a mixed multitude of rich and poor; and afterwards strongly exhorted them that had believed to walk in love, after the example of our Great Master. On Thursday I preached at Trowbridge; and on Friday at Bradford, where the work of God has much increased lately; indeed, it has increased this year through the whole Circuit, as it has not done for twenty years before. On Saturday evening I preached at Bath. Sun. 11.--Mr. Bradburn preached at seven, and Mr. Col lins about two in the afternoon. I began the service at eleven, and preached on part of the Epistle, Ephesians iii. 14, &c. Both then and in the evening the word “ distilled as the dew, and as the rain on the tender herb.” Tues. 13.--I preached at Stoke; and in the evening at Pens ford; where, I fear, after all the pains we have taken, the gene rality of the people know just as much of religion as the Hot tentots. Wednesday, 14. I preached in the evening in the old Temple Church, on Psalm lxxiv. 12. In the old translation it runs, “The help that is done upon the earth, God doeth it him self.” A glorious and important truth ! In the new, “Working salvation in the midst of the earth.” What a wonderful emen Oct. 1785.] JOURNAL.