Wesley Corpus

replied, “I say it is: and, beside, your preaching frightens people out of their wits.” ‘Sir, did you ever hear me preach?” “No.” “ How then can you judge of what you never heard?” “Sir, by common report.” ‘* Common report is not enough. Give me leave, sir, to ask, Is not your name Nash?” “My name is Nash.” “Sir, I dare not judge of you by common report: I think it not enough to judge by.” Here he paused awhile, and, having recovered himself, said, “ I desire to know what this people comes here for :”” on which one replied, “ Sir, leave him to me: let an old woman answer him. You, Mr. Nash, take care of your boay; we take care of our souls ; and for the food of our souls we come here.” He replied not a word, but walked away. As I returned, the street was full of people, hurrying to and fro, and speaking great words. But when any of them asked, “* Which is he ?” and I replied, “ Iam he,” they were immediately silent. .Several ladies following me into Mr. Merchant’s house, the servant told me there were some wanted to speak to me. I went to them, and said, “I June, 1739.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 137 believe, ladies, the maid mistook ; you only wanted to look at me.” I added, “I do not expect that the rich and great should want either to speak with me, or to hear me; for I speak the plain truth ;--a thing you hear little of, and do not desire to hear.” A few more words passed between us, and I retired. Thur. '7.--I preached at Priest Down, on, “‘ What must we do to be saved?” In the midst of the prayer after sermon, two men (hired, as we afterward understood, for that purpose) began singing a ballad. After a few mild words, (for I saw some that were angry,) used without effect, we all began singing a psalm, which put them utterly to silence. We then poured out our souls in prayer for them, and they appeared altogether confounded. O may this be a day much to be remembered by them, for the loving kindness of the Lord!