Wesley Corpus

has been successful. Two Sundays ago I had the pleasure of seeing forty of their black faces at the Lord’s table, several of whom give unusual evidence of their sincerity in religion. Last Sunday I baptized seven or eight, who had been catechised for some time. Indeed many of them appear determined to press into the kingdom, and I am persuaded will find an abundant entrance, when many of the children of the kingdom are shut out. “T have distributed some of the books among the poor white people, with a charge to circulate them among such of their neighbours as would seriously read them; that they might be as extensively serviceable as possible: and some of them have since discovered to me what solemn impressions they received in reading them. “ I sent a few of each sort to my friend Mr. Wright, minister of Cumberland, about ninety miles hence; where there are not a few negroes thoughtful about Christianity, and sundry real converts: and, he informs me, they have met with a very agreeable and promising reception. He takes much pains in instructing them, and has set up two or three schools among them; where they attend on Sundays, before and after sermon: for they have no other leisure time.” Wed. 3.--I found Bristol all in a flame ; voters and non-voters being ready to tear each other in pieces. I had not recovered my voice, so as either to preach, or speak to the whole society: but I desired those members who were freemen to meet me by themselves ; whom I mildly and lovingly informed how they ought to act in this hour of temptation : and I believe the far greater part of them received and profited by the advice. Thur. 11.--I rode to Pill, and preached to a large and attentive congregation. A great part of them were sea-faring men. In the middle of my discourse, a press gang landed from a man-of-war, March, 1756.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 597 and came up to the place: but after they had listened a while, they went quietly by, and molested nobody.