Wesley Corpus

Sunday, 16. My heart was greatly enlarged in exhorting a very numerous con gregation to “worship God in spirit and in truth.” And we had such a number of communicants as we have not had before, July, 1786.] JOURNAL. 343 since the covenant-night. I suppose fifty, perhaps a hundred of them, never communicated before. In the afternoon I buried the remains of Thomas Parkinson, (who died suddenly two or three days before,) one of our first members, a man of an excel lent spirit, and unblamable conversation. Monday, 17. After preaching at West-Street, where many were impressed with a deep sense of the presence of God, I took coach for Bristol. We had a delightful journey; but having the window at my side open while I slept, I lost my voice, so that I could scarce be heard across a room. But before Wednesday morning (by applying garlic as usual) it was instantly restored. Thur. 20.--I preached at the new Room, on, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” And the hearts of many, who had been vexed with needless scruples, were mightily refreshed. Fri. 21.--I walked over to Kingswood School, now one of the pleasantest spots in England. I found all things just according to my desire; the Rules being well observed, and the whole behaviour of the children showing that they were now managed with the wisdom that cometh from above. Sun. 23.--I preached in the morning on those words in the Second Lesson, “Lazarus, come forth;” and I believe, many that were buried in sin heard the voice of the Son of God. In the evening I preached abroad on Matt. v. 20. In the middle of the sermon it began to rain; but not many went away. This put me in mind of that remarkable circumstance respecting the late Pope. On that solemn day when the Pope rides on horse back to St. Peter's, a violent storm scattered his whole retinue. When it abated, His Holiness was missing; but they soon found him sitting quietly in the church. Being asked how he could ride through such a storm, he very calmly replied, “I am ready to go, not only through water, but through fire also, for my Lord’s sake.” Strange, that such a man should be suffered to sit two years in the Papal chair Tues. 25.--Our Conference began: About eighty Preachers attended.