Wesley Corpus

I never before saw this House so filled, much less crowded; and it was, in a manner I never knew before, filled with the presence of God, while I earnestly enforced that advice, “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.” One fruit of this was, that the congregation at five in the morning was larger than it ever was before in the evening; and God again made bare his arm, and uttered his voice, yea, and that a mighty voice. Surely those who now heard will be without excuse, if they do not know the day of their visitation We were much distressed at Rotherham for want of room, the rain driving us into the House. However, we stowed in it as many as we possibly could; and God bore witness to his word. Wednesday, 9. After dining with that lovely old man, Mr. Sparrow, I went on to Sheffield. The House was much crowded, though one of the largest in England; but all could hear distinctly. In the morning, Thursday, 10, at five we had an evening congregation; and the people seemed to devour the word. Here and at Hull are the two largest morning congregations which I have seen in the kingdom. Fri. 11.--We set out early for Derby. About nine, within about a mile of the Peacock, suddenly the axletree of my chaise snapped asunder, and the carriage overturned. The horses stood still till Jenny Smith and I crept out at the fore-windows. The broken glass cut one of my gloves a little, but did us no other damage. I soon procured another chaise, and went on to Derby, where I preached in the evening; and at five in the morning on Saturday, 12; and then went on to Nottingham. Sun. 13.--I began the service at ten; but I knew not how I should get to the end, being almost exhausted when I had finished my sermon; when Mr. Dodwell came, who, though very weak through the ague, assisted me in administering the Lord's supper to a very large number of communicants. After 4.32 REv. J. WESLEY’s [Aug. 1788. preaching in the evening, I made a collection for Kingswood School. To-day I had just as much work as I could do. Mon.