Wesley Corpus

The rain was heavy; yet many of the poor people made their way through it; so that the church (they said) has scarce ever been so filled before. After the Service many stayed in the church, because of the rain: So I spent some time with Oct. 1789.] JOURNAL, 473 them in singing and prayer; and our hearts were much com forted together. Thur. October 1.-I went over to Bath, and preached once more to a very large congregation, on 1 Pet. i. 14. Fri day, 2. We had a solemn watch-night at Kingswood, and most of the people stayed to the end. Sunday, 4. I pur posed preaching abroad once more in the afternoon; but just before five the rain began; so I could only enforce in the Room those solemn words, in the first Lesson for the day, “Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways,” &c. Mon. 5.--We set out at four, and, hiring post-horses, reached Mr. Whitchurch's, at Sarum, before dinner. In the evening the House was crowded extremely, and the voice of God was heard among them ; especially in the meeting of the society, to whom I delivered my own soul once for all. Tues day, 6. About nine I spoke full as plain at Winchester, I think, to the largest congregation I have seen there ; and it seemed the most serious; on that awful subject, Mark ix. 44. The audience at Portsmouth-Common, in the evening, were of another kind; to whom, therefore, I spake in quite another manner, from Eph. iii. 14, &c. Wednesday, 7. About one I preached to another very serious congregation in the town; whom, therefore, I exhorted to leave the first principles, and go on to perfection. Thursday,8. I set out early, and in the afternoon we were brought to London. I am now as well, by the good providence of God, as I am likely to be while I live. My sight is so decayed that I can not well read by candle-light; but I can write as well as ever: And my strength is much lessened, so that I cannot easily preach above twice a day. But, I bless God, my memory is not much decayed; and my understanding is as clear as it has been these fifty years. Sun.