Wesley Corpus

“In the beginning of the year 1755, we had preaching near Ashbourn This I had wished for long; and now 1 was honoured with suffering a little for the name of Christ. At first I was rather ashamed, but the Lord strengthened me; and so great a blessing did I find by conversing with these dear people, that I feared none of those things which I did or might suffer. My acquaintance were now less fond of my company, and they that looked upon me shaked their heads. This proved an unspeakable blessing: for often had I cause to fear the love of men. “ From the time of my becoming serious, or rather beginning to aim at it, my health visibly declined. ‘This at first occasioned me some trouble, because all cried out, it was being too religious; but afterward I saw great mercy in this chastisement, and the consequences of it; one of which was, that I had a just excuse, even in the judgment of others, for refrain ing from many things which in my circumstances could not otherwise have been avoided, without great opposition from those who were near and dear unto me. Not that I ever fasted: God knows I have been dvficient in this as well as every other duty: but I had a happy liberty of using some little self denial ; for which the Lord be praised! ie J Ae ae many eon ee ee 630 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ May, 1757. “Q how has he led me and carried me in his bosom! Is it not won- | derful? And yet I have not told you a tenth part; but the time fails, and my strength fails. Praise God with me, and let us magnify his name together. “ October 1, 1'756.” I believe this was one of the last letters she wrote: shortly after she was called hence. So unaffected, so composed a mind, So firm yet soft, so strong yet so refined, Heaven, as its purest gold, with torture tried : The saint sustain’d it,--but the woman died. An account of a widely different nature I received about this time from Ireland :--