Wesley Corpus

I and several more people were wet to the skin. I lodged in Joseph Taylor's house, at Gomersal, who labours for peace, and would fain reconcile Christ and Belial. In this journey I employed some part of my leisure time in reading Mr. Forster’s “Voyage round the World.” In many parts of this, one would think he was almost persuaded to be a Christian. But how is it, then, that he says, (vol. i., p. 136) “We listened to our boat’s crew, who recited a number of dull stories, intermixed with hearty curses, oaths, and indecent ex pressions, &c., (obscenity,) but seldom without real humour?” Now, what need of mentioning these “hearty curses and oaths,” with such profound indifference, if it were not to screen himself from the imputation of believing the Bible? Sun. 26.--I preached at noon in Birstal House, to as lively a congregation as ever was seen there; and at five preached on the education of children. Mon. 27.--Being not well able to preach in the morning, through the heat and dryness of my mouth, in the evening I preached on 1 Tim. vi. 20. Tuesday, 28. The Conference began : About a hundred Preachers were present, and never was our Master more eminently present with us. The case of separation from the Church was largely considered, and we were all unanimous against it. Saturday, AUGUST 1. We considered the case of Dewsbury House, which the self elected Trustees have robbed us of. The point they con tended for was this, that they should have a right of reject ing any Preachers they disapproved of. But this, we saw, would destroy itinerancy. So they chose J. A. for a Preacher, who adopted W. E. for his Curate. Nothing remained but to build another preaching-house, toward which we subscribed two hundred and six pounds on the spot. Sun. 2.-Knowing the church would not contain half of our congregation added to its own, we began at our Room, at half an hour past nine. After preaching, with the assistance of three other Clergymen, I administered the sacrament to fifteen or sixteen hundred persons; I hope, all desirous to be inward Christians. Tuesday, 4. Having before preached to the people Aug. 1789.] JOURNAL.