Wesley Corpus

But it was not large enough to contain them in the evening, to whom I explained that solemn passage in the Reve lation, “I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.” They seemed to be all serious and attentive as long as I was speaking; but the moment Iceased, fourscore or one hundred began talking all at once. I do not remember ever to have been present at such a scene before. This must be amended; otherwise (if I should live) I will see Stourport no more. Fri. 19.--About eleven, coming to Quinton, I found a congregation waiting for me. So, that I might not disappoint them, I preached immediately, on, “We love him, because he first loved us;” and then went on to Birmingham, which I think is thrice as large as when I saw it fifty years ago. The congregation in the evening were well squeezed together, and most of them got in. The behaviour of the rich and poor is such, as does honour to their profession; so decent, so serious, so devout, from the beginning to the end It was the same the next evening. Sunday, 21. The Prayers began at the new House about half an hour after ten. It is a little larger than the new House at Brompton, and admirably well constructed. But several hundreds, I suppose, could not get in. I think all who did, found that God was there. The great House likewise in the evening was utterly insufficient to contain the congregation. But God is able to supply this want also; and his time is best. March, 1790.] JOURNAL. 483 Mon. 22.--I went on to our old friends at Wednesbury, where the work of God greatly revives. Business has exceed ingly decreased, and most of them have left the town. So much the more have the poor grown in grace, and laid up treasure in heaven. But we were at a great loss in the evening. I could not preach abroad after sunset, and the House would not near contain the people. However, as many as possibly could squeezed in ; and their labour was not in vain. Tues. 23.--About one I preached in the new House at Dudley; one of the neatest in England. It was a profitable season, where two persons, they informed me, found peace with God. We had a pleasant ride to Wolverhampton.