Wesley Corpus

from Ashbourn piessed me much to call there ; which accordingly I die at seven in the morning, and preached to a deeply serious congregation. Seventeen or eighteen then desired to join in a society, to whom I spoke severally, and was well pleased to find that near half of them knew the pardoning love of God. One of the first I spoke to was Miss Beresford,--a sweet, but short-lived flower! Through much hail, rain, and wind, we got to Mr. B ’s, at Hayfield, about five in the after noon. His favourite daughter died some hours before we came ; such a child as is scarce heard of ina century. All the family informed me of many remarkable circumstances, which else would have seemed incredible. She spake exceeding plain, yet very seldom ; and then only a few words. She was scarce ever seen to laugh, or heard to utter a light or trifling word: she could not bear any that did, nor any one who behaved in a light or unserious manner. If any such offered to kiss or touch her, she would turn away and say, “I don’t like you.” If her bro- ther or sisters spoke angrily to each other, or behaved triflingly, she vither sharply reproved (when that seemed needful) or tenderly entreated them to give over. If she had spoke too sharply to any, she would humble herself to them, and not rest till they had forgiven her. After her health declined, she was particularly pleased with hearing that hymn sung, “Abba, Father ;” and would be frequently singing that line herself,-- Abba, Father, hear my cry ! On Monday, April 7, without any struggle, she fell asleep, having lived two years and six months. Wed. 9.--In the evening I preached at Manchester. The mob was tolerably quiet, as long as I was speaking, but immediately after, raged horribly. This, I find, has been their manner for some time. No wonder ; since the good justices encourage them. Thur. 10.--I rode to Hayfield again, to bury Mr. B ’s child. Abundance of people were gathered together, and I found uncommon liberty in preaching. Who would have looked for such a congregation as this in the Peak of Derbyshire? I returned to Manchester the next day, and had a quiet congregation both that evening and the following.