Wesley Corpus

Sat. 29.--I preached in the market place at Mount Mellick in the evening, and at eight in the morning. At eleven I went to Church. Soon after, seven or eight troopers came into the same pew. Several were in the next pew, and others scattered up and down the church. n the middle of the service a person came in, and whispered to one of them in our pew: soon after another person came in and whispered to the corporal. Several of them then whispered together ; after which four went out, but quickly returned with many swords and pistols. After whispering together again, they all rose up from all parts, and went out of the church ina body. This put the whole congregation in an uproar, and many ran out in all hasce. Afterward the secret appeared to be this :--Three weeks ago a man of the town grossly abused a trooper, whose patience at length being worn out, he gave him a cut across the head. A report now came that the man was dead. On this the mob gathered to seize the trooper; but the others resolved not to give him up to a mob, but to the peace officer. I suppose most of the Protestants in the town were present at the evening sermon. Many Papists also stood in the skirts of the congregation, though liable to heavy penance for it. I preached much longer than I am accustomed, finding it an acceptable time. Well might Kempis say, “ He rides easily, whom the grace of God carries.” Mon. May 1.--I strove to put an end to the bitter contentions which had well nigh torn the society in pieces. I heard the contending parties face to face, and desired them to speak at large. God gave his blessing therewith ; the snare was broken, and they were cordially reconciled. Only one person was out of all patience, and formally renounced us all. But within an hour God broke her heart also, and she asked pardon with many tears. So there is reason to hope they will, for the time to come, ‘*bear one another’s burdens.” In the evening I preached at Tullamore, not only to a large number of Protestants, but to many Papists, and almost all the troopers in the town.