Wesley Corpus

Wed. 16.--I rode over to Newmarket, and preached to an earnest congregation of poor people. In the morning, at the request of some of the neighbouring gentry, I deferred preaching till ten o’clock. Many of them were then present, and seemed not a little astonished : perhaps they may remember it--a week. In the afternoon I rode to Ballygarrane, a town of Palatines, who came over in Queen Anne’s time. They retain much of the temper and manners of their own country, having no resemblance of those among whom they live. I found much life among this plain, artless, serious people. ‘The whole town came together in the evening, and praised God for the consolation. Many of those who are not outwardly joined with us, walk in the light of God’s countenance; yea, and have divided themselves into classes, in imitation of our brethren, with whom they live in perfect harmony. Fri. 18.--In examining the society I was obliged to pause several times. The words of the plain, honest people came with so much weight, as frequently to stop me for a while, and raise a general cry among the hearers. I rode back through Adair, once a strong and flourishing town, well walled, and full of people; now, without walls and almost without inhabitants, only a few poor huts remain. Ata small distance from these are the ample ruins of three or four convents, delightfully situated by the river, which runs through a most fruitful vale. Mon. 21.--I talked with one who was in deep distress. She had been represented to me as in despair; but I soon found her disorder (natural or preternatural) had nothing to do with religion. She was greatly troubled, but knew not why ; not for her sins, they scarce came into her mind. I know not that prayer will avail for her, till she is troubled in quite another manner; till she cries out from her inmost soul, God be merciful to me a sinner !” Tues. 22.--I called on Mrs. F., whom I saw some years since in despair of quite another kind. Between nine and ten years ago her daughter married without her consent: this was followed by other distressing circumstances, in the midst of which she cried out, “ Gad has hn a A / , ’ \ 608 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [June, 1756.