Wesley Corpus

Sun. 15.--At five the house contained the congregation, but at eight they covered the plain adjoining to it. The sun was hot, till the clouds interposed ; it was a solemn and comfortable season. As soon as the service of the church was ended, I began at the end of the house again, and exhorted a willing multitude to “follow after charity.” A shower of rain and hail fell as I drew to a conclusion, but it did not disturb the congregation. Soon after I took horse for Birstal. The congregation here was treble to that at Bradford; but as they stood one above anuther, on the circular slope of the hill, my voice commanded them all. Though I spoke longer than I usually do, I found no weariness or weakavss. Shall not “they that trust in the Lord renew their strength ?” Yea, as long as the sun and moon endureth. On Monday and Tuesday 1 preached in the neighbouring towns. May, 1757. ] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 631 Wed. 18.--I rode, in the afternoon, from Halifax, over the huge, but extremely pleasant and fruitful, mountains to Heptonstal. A large congregation was waiting for us, not only on the ground, but on the side and tops of the neighbouring houses. But no sc ffer 1r trifler was seen among them. It rained in the adjoining valley all or most of the time that I was preaching; but it was fair with us, on the top of the mountain. What an emblem of God’s taking up his people into a place of safety, while the storm falls on all below! Here I was informed of the earthquake the day before. On Tuesday, May 17, many persons in several parts, within five or six miles, heard a strange noise under the ground, which some compared to thunder, others to the rumbling of carts. Quickly after they felt the earth rock under them, and wave to and fro. Many who were within doors heard their pewter and glass clatter; many in the fields felt the ground shake under their feet; and all agreed as to the time, though they knew nothing of each other’s account.