Wesley Corpus

Sun. 8.--In the evening I preached at Tiverton, in the garden which adjoins to the preaching house. It was arefreshing season. Mon. 9.-- I preached at Charlton, a village six miles from Taunton, to a large congregation gathered from the towns and country for many miles round. All the farmers here had some time before entered into a joint engagement to turn all out of their service, and give no work to any, who went to hear a Methodist preacher. But there is no counsel against the Lord. One of the chief of them, Mr. G » was not long after convinced of the truth, and desired those very men to preach at his house. Many of the other confederates came to hear, whom their servants and labourers gladly followed. So the whole device of Satan fell to the ground; and the word of God grew and prevailed. Tues. 10.--I rode to Dr. Robertson’s, at Pitcomb ; and after spending a few agreeable and useful hours in that delightful recess, went forward, about four miles, to Westcomb. I preached on a green place in the town about eight in the morning, to a deeply attentive congregation; and came in the afternoon to Bristol, at least as well as when I set out. Tues. 17.--I rode to Trowbridge, where one who found peace with God while he was a soldier in Flanders, and has been much prospered in business since his discharge, has built a preaching house at his own expense. He had a great desire that I should be the first who preached in it; but before I had finished the hymn, it was so crowded, and consequently so hot, that I was obliged to go out and stand at the door: there was a multitude of hearers, rich and poor. O that they may not all hear in vain! Fri. 2'7.--I thought I had strength enough to keep a watch-night, which I had not done before for eleven months. But though I broke off at eleven, I almost lost my voice ; and the next evening at Weaver’s Hall it entirely failed, so that I had much difficulty to conclude my sermon. Mon. 30.--i preached at Coleford, our other Kingswood, where also the lions are become lambs. On Tuesday we went on to Salisbury.