Wesley Corpus

We had a French sermon in our Room at three. Afterwards I met the society; many of whom came from the country, and had no English; so Mr. Brackenbury interpreted for me again: Afterwards we both prayed. Many of the people seemed greatly affected. Between five and six I began preaching in the yard; but before I had finished my sermon, it poured down with rain; so I was obliged to conclude abruptly. Mon. 27.-Captain Cabot, the master of a Guernsey sloop, called upon us early in the morning, and told us, if we chose to go that way, he would set out between five and six. But the wind being quite contrary, we judged it best to wait a little 396 REv. J. Wesley’s [Aug. 1787. longer. In the evening, being appointed to preach at seven, I was obliged to preach within. We were extremely crowded; but the power of God was so manifested while I declared, “We preach Jesus Christ, and him crucified,” that we soon forgot the heat, and were glad of being detained a little longer than we intended. I thought when I left Southampton, to have been there again as this day; but God’s thoughts were not as my thoughts. Here we are shut up in Jersey; for how long we cannot tell. But it is all well; for thou, Lord, hast done it. It is my part to improve the time, as it is not likely I shall ever have another opportunity of visiting these islands. Tues. 28.--Being still detained by contrary winds, I preached at six in the evening to a larger congregation than ever, in the assembly-room. It conveniently contains five or six hundred people. Most of the Gentry were present; and I believe felt that God was there in an uncommon degree. Being still detained, I preached there again the next evening, to a larger congregation than ever. I now judged, I had fully delivered my own soul: And in the morning, the wind serving for Guernsey, and not for Southampton, I returned thither not unwillingly; since it was not by my choice, but by the clear providence of God; for in the afternoon I was offered the use of the assembly-room; a spacious chamber in the market-place, which would contain at least thrice as many as our former Room.