Wesley Corpus

How does this agree with Scripture? “All my delight is in the saints that are on the earth, and with them that excel in virtue!” How far was the experience of Jane Cooper, or Elizabeth Harper, preferable to that of such a solitary ! Sat. 4.--I went on to Bath, and preached in the evening to a serious, but small congregation, for want of notice. Sunday, 5. At ten we had a numerous congregation, and Sept. 1790.] JOURNAL. 493 more communicants than ever I saw here before. This day I cut off that vile custom, I know not when or how it began, of preaching three times a day by the same Preacher, to the same congregation; enough to weary out both the bodies and minds of the speaker, as well as his hearers. Surely God is returning to this society | They are now in earnest to make their calling and election sure. Mon. 6.--This evening the congregation was almost as large as it was the night before; and the power of God was mightily present: And so it was on Tuesday and Wednesday evening at Bristol. Thursday, 9. I read over the experience of Joseph Humphrys; the first Lay Preacher that assisted me in England, in the year 1738. From his own mouth I learn, that he was perfected in love, and so continued for at least a twelvemonth. Afterwards he turned Calvinist, and joined Mr. Whitefield, and published an invective against my brother and me in the newspaper. In a while he renounced Mr. Whitefield, and was ordained a Presbyterian Minister. At last he received Episcopal ordination. He then scoffed at inward religion; and when reminded of his own experience, replied, “That was one of the foolish things which I wrote in the time of my madness l’” Fri. 10.--I preached to a large congregation at Chew-Stoke, nine miles from Bristol on those words in the Second Lesson, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden;” and in the evening at Mrs. Griffith's house. Sun. 12.-I intended to preach abroad ; but the weather would not permit. Monday, 13, and the three following days, I met the classes of the society, which contains nine hundred and forty-four members. Still I complain of false musters.