Wesley Corpus

None at the house could speak English, but I had interpreters enough. In the evening our large Room was throughly filled: I preached on, “By grace are ye saved, through faith.” Mr. Brackenbury interpreted sentence by sentence; and God owned his word, though delivered in so awkward a manner; but especially in prayer: I prayed in English, and Mr. B. in French. The houses here are exactly like those in the interior parts Aug. 1787.] JOURNAL. 395 of Wales, equal to the best farmers’ houses in Lincolnshire; and the people in general are far better behaved than our country farmers in England. Fri. 24.--I returned to St. Helier. The high wind in the evening prevented my preaching abroad. However, on more than the House would contain, I enforced those awful words, “It is appointed unto men once to die.” I believe the word fell heavy on all that heard; and many wished to die the death of the righteous. Sat. 25.--Having now leisure, I finished a sermon on discerning the “Signs of the Times.” This morning I had a particular conversation (as I had once or twice before) with Jeannie Bisson of this town; such a young woman as I have hardly seen elsewhere. She seems to be wholly devoted to God, and to have constant communion with him. She has a clear and strong understanding; and I cannot perceive the least tincture of enthusiasm. I am afraid she will not live long. I am amazed at the grace of God which is in her: I think she is far beyond Madame Guion, in deep communion with God; and I doubt whether I have found her fellow in England. Precious as my time is, it would have been worth my while to come to Jersey, had it been only to see this prodigy of grace. In the evening God was with us in a very uncommon manner, while I opened and enforced those comprehensive words, “We preach Christ crucified.” I know not when we have had such an opportunity; it seemed as if every soul present would have found the salvation of God! Sun. 26.--Dr. Coke preached at five, and I at nine o'clock. Afterwards I heard the English Service at church; but the congregation was nothing near so large as ours at five in the morning. We had a French sermon in our Room at three.