Wesley Corpus

Mon. 13.--In the evening I preached at Sheffield, in the shell of the new house. All is peace here now, since the trial at York, at which the magistrates were sentenced to rebuild the house which the mob had pulled down. Surely the magistrate has been the minister of God to us for good! Tues. 14.--I went to B » whence the vicar, Mr. Drake, had sent a messenger on purpose to desire he might see me. I found him in deep distress for the loss of his wife, mixed with strong desires after God. Hearing I was going to preach at Rotherham, he offered to go with me. He seemed to stagger at nothing; though as yet his understanding is not opened. O that he may not rest till it is ! Wed. 15.--I rode on toward Epworth. But I was nigh shipwrecked in sight of the port. Attempting to ride over the common the nearest way, my mare was quickly imbogged. But being lively and strong, she made a shift to get out, and I was glad to go round by Torne Bank. Thur. 16.--I walked over to Burnham. I had no thought of preachang there, doubting if my strength would allow of preaching always thrice a day, as I had done most days since I came from Evesham. But finding a house full of people, I could not refrain. Still the more { use my strength, the more I have. I am often much tired the first ‘time I preach in a day; alittle the second time; but after the third or fourth, I rarely feel either weakness or weariness. Fri. 17.--I called on the gentleman who told me he was “ sinn<1 enough,” when I preached first at Epworth on my father’s tomb; and ‘was agreeably surprised, to find him strong in faith, though exceeding weak in body. For some years, he told me, he had been rejoicing in ‘God, without either doubt or fear ; and was now waiting for the welcome lhour, when he should “depart and be with Christ.” Sat. 1S.--I preached at Belton, and felt an uncommon degree of the presence of God among a handful of poor, despised people. O how precious is the least of these in His sight, who bought them with his own blood!