Wesley Corpus

Thus are “those that look out at the windows darkened;” one of the marks of old age. But I bless God, “the grasshopper is” not “a burden.” I am still capable of travelling; and my memory is much the same as ever it was; and so, I think, is my understanding. This week I dedicated to the reading over my brother's works. They are short poems on the Psalms, the four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. Some are bad; some mean; some most excellently good: They give the true sense of Scrip ture, always in good English, generally in good verse; many of them are equal to most, if not to any, he ever wrote; but some still savour of that poisonous mysticism, with which we were both not a little tainted before we went to America. This gave a gloomy cast, first to his mind, and then to many Jan. 1789.] JOURNAL. 443 of his verses: This made him frequently describe religion as a melancholy thing: This so often sounded in his ears, “To the desert;” and strongly persuaded in favour of solitude. Thur. 25.--(Being Christmas-Day.) We began the service, as usual, at four in the new chapel. Notwithstanding the severe frost which had now lasted a month, the congregation was uncommonly large. I preached here again in the evening; about eleven, in the chapel at West-Street. This was a comfortable day, as were also the two following. Sun. 28.--I preached at Allhallows church, on those words in the Service, “His commandments are not grievous.” The congregation was exceeding large, and seemed to taste the good word. Tues. 30.-The frost continued severe; yet the congregation was uncommonly large in the evening, and God warmed many hearts. Wed. 31.--A numerous company concluded the old year with a very solemn watch-night. Hitherto God hath helped us, and we neither see nor feel any of those terrible judgments which it was said God would pour out upon the nation about the conclusion of the year. For near seventy years I have observed, that before any war or public calamity, England abounds with prophets, who confi dently foretell many terrible things. They generally believe themselves, but are carried away by a vain imagination. And they are seldom undeceived, even by the failure of their predic tions; but still believe they will be fulfilled some time or other. Thur.