Wesley Corpus

26.--I went on to Wednesbury, the mother-society of Staffordshire. But few of the old standers are left: I think but three, out of three hundred and fifteen. However, a new generation is sprung up, though hardly equal to the former. Thur. 27.--About noon I preached at Dudley, and with much liberty of spirit; but with far more at Wolverhampton in the evening; the new House being sufficiently crowded. What a den of lions was this town for many years But now, it seems, the last will be first. Friday, 28. We came to our dear friends at Madeley. Mrs. Fletcher's health is surprisingly mended; and one might take her nephew for a believer of seven years’ standing; he seems so well established in the faith of the Gospel. The congregation was surprisingly large in the evening; and great was their solemn joy, while I applied, “When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Sat. 29.-Having no other time, I went over to Salop, and spent an afternoon very agreeably. The Room was so crowded in the evening as I never saw it before; perhaps the more, April, 1788.] JOURNAL. 411 by reason of two poor wretches who were executed in the afternoon. It was given me to speak strong words, such as made the stout-hearted tremble. Surely there is now, if there never was before, a day of salvation to this town also. Sun. 30.--I returned to Madeley; but we were distressed by the large concourse of people. It was too cold to stand abroad; and the church could in mowise contain the congrega tion. But we could not help it: So as many as could got in ; the rest stood without, or went away. The epistle led me to preach on the “Three that bear record in heaven,” which proved seasonable for Mrs. Fletcher. In the afternoon, I preached on, “This is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” Mon. 31.--About noon I preached at Stafford, to a large and serious congregation; and about six in the evening, at Lane End. Our chapel not being able to contain one-third of the congregation, they stood at the front of Mr.