Wesley Corpus

Afterward we had a love-feast, which I suppose might have continued till midnight, if all had spoken that were ready to speak. On Monday and Tuesday I preached again at Bethesda, and God touched several hearts, even of the rich and great: So that (for the time at least) they were “almost persuaded to be Chris tians.” It seems as if the good Providence of God had prepared this place, for those rich and honourable sinners, who will not deign to receive any message from God but in a genteel way. Wed. 11.--By conversing with many of our friends, I found they were still increasing in grace as well as in number. The society now contains upwards of a thousand members; so that it has outrun all in England, but that of London. After this amazing flow, we must expect an ebb : It will be well if only two hundred of these fall away. On Thursday and Friday the congregations were still uncommonly large, and seemed to feel all that was spoken. Sat. 14.--Even at the Gravel-Walk, where the congregation 368 REv. J. WESLEY’s [April, 1787. used to be small enough, the House was crowded in the evening; although the soldiers (seventy or eighty of whom are in the society) could not attend, it being the hour of their roll-calling. Sun. 15.--I preached first at the new Room, and afterwards at Bethesda: Many fair blossoms we see here also; and surely some fruit will follow ! In the evening our House could not contain the congregation, though they squeezed together as close as possible. I believe few of them heard in vain: Such attention sat on every face, as I seldom see even in Bristol or London. Mon. 16.--I set out early, and preached at Prosperous about ten, to a numerous congregation; and although I had come ten miles out of my way, I did not regret my labour. In the even ing we came to Philipstown, which we had forsaken for near forty years; yet at length there is a prospect of good. A little society is formed; and some troopers, who are part of it, keep all the town in awe. The congregation was as quiet as that in Dub lin, both in the evening and at seven in the morning. Here is seed sown once more; and God is able to give a plentiful harvest. Tues.