Wesley Corpus

Perronet, the last of the six sons, and nearly worn out, and just tottering over the grave. In the evening we had another numerous congregation, and all deeply serious. Friday, 18. We returned to London. Mon. 21,-I went to Sevenoaks, where the work of God has been at a stand for many years. It was a rainy night; notwithstanding which, the chapel was crowded from end to end : God seemed to rest in an uncommon degree upon the whole congregation. I was still more surprised to see the House filled in a very dark, rainy morning; a sight which has not been for many years. Surely God is about to give this poor, dead people yet another gracious visitation. Fri. 25.--(Being Christmas-Day.) We began the service in the new chapel at four o'clock, as usual; where I preached again in the evening, after having officiated in West-Street at the common hour. Saturday, 26. We had a very uncommon congregation in the evening, with a very uncommon blessing. Sunday, 27. I preached in St. Luke's, our parish church, in the afternoon, to a very numerous congregation, on, “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come.” So are the tables turned, that I have now more invitations to preach in churches than I can accept of. Mon. 28.--I retired to Peckham ; and at leisure hours read part of a very pretty trifle, the Life of Mrs. Bellamy. Surely never did any, since John Dryden, study more To make vice pleasing, and damnation shine, than this lively and elegant writer. She has a fine imagina tion; a strong understanding; an easy style, improved by much reading; a fine, benevolent temper; and every qualifi cation that could consist with a total ignorance of God. But God was not in all her thoughts. Abundance of anecdotes she inserts, which may be true or false. One of them, concerning Mr. Garrick, is curious. She says, “When he was taking 478 REv. J. wesley’s [Jan. 1790. ship for England, a lady presented him with a parcel, which she desired him not to open till he was at sea. When he did he found Wesley’s Hymns, which he immediately threw over board.” I cannot believe it. I think Mr. G. had more sense. He knew my brother well; and he knew him to be not only far superior in learning, but in poetry, to Mr.