Wesley Corpus

Monday, 30, and the ensuing days, I visited the classes. I was careful to take an exact account of the society. I was surprised to find only a hundred and fifty-nine. I thought they had been double the number. I hope, by the assistance of God, within four months to see that none of these want either food or raiment. Fri. November 3.--Taking the advantage of a moonlight evening, I went down to the chapel at Rotherhithe. I never saw it so well filled before, nor with such serious and atten tive hearers. Is anything too hard for God? Shall this wilderness blossom and bud as the rose? Sun. 5.--I buried the remains of John Cowmeadow, another martyr to loud and long preaching. To save his life, if possi ble, when he was half dead, I took him to travel with me. But it was too late: He revived a little, but soon relapsed; and, after a few months, died in peace. He had the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, and was of an exemplary behaviour. Tues. 7.-Ivisited the classes, and found them much increased both in grace and number. The House was, as usual, well filled in the evening, and many were refreshéd and comforted. Thur. 9.--In the evening I preached at Stratford; and under standing I had many good sort of people to deal with, I endea voured to stir them up, by strongly showing what it is to build upon a rock; after showing them the various ways whereby the generality of good men (so called) usually build upon the sand. Dec. 1786.] JOURNAL. 355 Sun. 12.--I preached, morning and afternoon, for the use of our little charity-school, where forty boys and twenty girls are trained up both for this world and the world to come. Mon. 13.--I retired, for a few days, to Highbury-Place, that I might go on in my work without interruption. I returned to town on Thursday, 16; and after preaching on 1 Tim. vi. 20, had a comfortable meeting with the Bands. Their shy mess is vanished away; and we have only one inconvenience, --we have not time to hear all those that are willing to speak. Sun. 26.-After officiating at West-Street morning and after noon, I took coach at seven in the evening. We had a clear, pleasant night, and reached Norwich about eleven on Monday, 27.