Wesley Corpus

Sun. 30.--Our service began at ten. The rain prevented the chapel being too much crowded. In the evening I preached at Plymouth, on the words in the First Lesson, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” It was an awful season. After wards I spent a comfortable evening with a few of our serious brethren. The jars both here and at the Dock seem now to be over, and the contending parties are willing to live in peace. Mon. 31.--We set out at three, in a lovely morning, and reached Exeter between twelve and one. Here the scene was much changed: Many of the people were scattered, and the rest faint and dead enough. The preaching-house was swiftly running to ruin, the rain running through the roof into it amain ; and five or six tenants living in the house were noisy enough, having none to control them. We called earnestly upon God to arise, and maintain his own cause: He did so in the evening congregation, (which was much larger than usual,) while I strongly enforced the parable of the Sower; and the dread of God seemed to rest on the whole congregation. Tues. SEPTEMBER 1.--We went through a delightful coun try to Tiverton. In the evening, the Independent Minister offering the use of his meeting-house, far larger than ours, I willingly accepted his offer. The congregation was far the largest I have seen in Tiverton for many years. I preached on Mark iii. 25; and it seemed all had ears to hear. Sept. 1789.] JOURNAL. 471 Wed. 2.--I preached at Halberton. I spoke here before in the open air; but the rain prevented it now. So as many as could, conveniently, got into the House. When we set out, one of my horses was quite lame; so that it was with great difficulty I could get to Taunton. In the evening, we had such a congregation, as, I suppose, was never in that House before. Surely the ancient work will some time revive, and the prayers of that blessed man, Joseph Alleine, be answered. Thur. 3.--Being obliged to take post-horses at Taunton, we went on to Castle-Carey. Here we found a little company of lively Christians. We found such another, Friday, 4, at Dit cheat; but the rain drove us into the House, where as many as could squeeze in seemed to be much affected.