Wesley Corpus

He knew my brother well; and he knew him to be not only far superior in learning, but in poetry, to Mr. Thomson, and all his theatrical writers put together: None of them can equal him, either in strong, nervous sense, or purity and elegance of language. The musical compositions of his sons are not more excellent than the poetical ones of their father. In the evening I preached to a crowded congregation, some of whom seemed a good deal affected. Thursday, 31. I preached at the new chapel; but, to avoid the cramp, went to bed at ten o’clock. I was well served. I know not that I ever before felt so much of it in one night. Fri. JANUARY 1, 1790.--I am now an old man, decayed from head to foot. My eyes are dim; my right hand shakes much; my mouth is hot and dry every morning; I have a lingering fever almost every day; my motion is weak and slow. However, blessed be God, I do not slack my labour: I can preach and write still. Sat. 2.-I preached at Snowsfields, to the largest congrega tion I have seen there this year, on, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” Sunday, 3. I suppose near two thousand met at the new chapel to renew their covenant with God; a scriptural means of grace which is now almost every where forgotten except among the Methodists. Tues. 5.-I paid a visit to my old friend Mark Davis; and in the evening I preached to a small audience at Leytonstone. Wednesday, 6. I preached to a larger and more awakened con gregation at Stratford. Tuesday, 12. I retired to Highbury Place to answer my letters. Sunday, 17. I buried Mrs. Dorn ford, (a good woman,) and preached her funeral sermon. In the afternoon, I preached in Great St. Helen's, to a large congregation. It is, I believe, fifty years since I preached there before. What has God wrought since that time ! Thur. 21.--I paid a visit to an eminent sister, of whom every one despaired. She resolved to set out once more. May God uphold her with his right hand! Sunday, 24. We had a love-feast for all the society, at which many spoke their experience with much simplicity. Monday, 25. I went to Feb. 1790.] JOURNAL.