Wesley Corpus

Fri. 10.--I preached at Dewsbury, where the case of the vicar and his curate will not soon be forgotten. After a conversation I had with the vicar, above three years ago, he was deeply serious, till he conversed again with rich and honourable men, who soon cured him of that distraction. Yet in a while he relapsed, and was more serious than ever, till he was taken ill. The physician made light of his illness, and said, he would do well enough, if they did but keep those Methodists from him. They did so: however, in a few days he died, and, according to his own express order, was carried to the grave, at seven in the morning, by eight poor men, (whom he had named,) and buried on the north side of the church. The curate who buried him, sickening the same week, insisted that the Methodists should not be kept from him. About ten days after, he died; and, according to his desire, was, about the same hour, carried also by eight poor men, and laid in a grave close to that of Mr. Robson. Sat. 11.--I preached at R , once a place of furious riot and persecution ; but quiet and calm, since the bitter rector is gone to give an account of himself to God. Sun. 12.--I came to Wakefield, as the bells were ringing in, and went directly to Mr. W. , in the vestry. The behaviour of the congregation surprised me. I saw none light, none careless or unaffected, while I enforced, ‘ What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Hath not God the hearts of all men 530 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ April, 1752 in his hand? Who would have expected to see me preaching in Wakefield church, to so attentive a congregation, a few years ago, when al? the people were as roaring lions; and the honest man did not dare to iet me preach in his yard, lest the mob-should pull down his houses !