Wesley Corpus

One would wonder whence all the people came : They seemed to spring out of the earth. Here also there were once many bitter persecutors; but they are vanished away like smoke. Several of them, indeed, came to a fearful end, and their neighbours took warning by them. Thur. 31.-We travelled through a pleasant, well-cultivated country to Omagh, the shire town of Tyrone. It being market-day, a multitude of people presently flocked together to a tent, as they call it, on the side of the Green. At first they were innocently noisy; (this being a new thing at Omagh;) but they were soon still as night: I suited my sub ject to their experience, preaching on, “It is appointed unto men once to die.” God applied it to their hearts. Not a smile was to be seen; but all seemed to feel the solemn truth. Thence we went over mountains and dales to Kerlish Lodge, where we met with a hearty welcome, both from Alexander Boyle, and his amiable wife, who are patterns to all the country. Although we were at a lone house ten miles from any town, and although the weather was both rainy and stormy, we had 380 REv. J. wesley’s [June, 1787. a large congregation in the evening, and afterwards a com fortable love-feast. I do not wonder the work of God spreads in these parts; the spirit and behaviour of Mr. Boyle and his wife, continually employed in doing good, have an amazing influence on all their neighbourhood. Some time ago she went to his uncle's at Killrail, who has four daughters grown up. They began conversing in the evening; they prayed, and sung, and talked and prayed again, till about seven in the morning. By that time all four of them found a clear sense of pardon ; and two believed they were saved from all sin. Mr. Boyle had spoke to Dr. Wilson, the Rector of a neighbouring town, concerning my preaching in the church; who wrote to the Bishop, and received a letter in answer, giving a full and free consent. The Doctor desired me to breakfast with him. Meantime one of his parishioners, a warm Seceder, took away the key of the church. So I preached in a neighbouring orchard: I believe, not in vain. The Rector and his wife were in the front of the congregation.