Wesley Corpus

Fri. 26.--Between twelve and one, I preached in a convenient ground at Whickham, two or three miles from Newcastle. I spoke strong rough words ; but I did not perceive that any regarded what was spoken. The people indeed were exceeding quiet, and the cold kept them from falling asleep ; till (before two) I left them, very well satisfied with the preacher, and with themselves. Sun. 28.----I preached, both at five in in the room, and at eight in the hospital, on, “ Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins.” We then walked over to Tanfield Leigh ; about seven miles from Newcastle. Here a large company of people were gathered together from all the country round about : to whom I expounded the former part of the fifth chapter to the Romans. But so dead, senseless, unaffected a congregation, have I scarce seen, except at Whickham. Whether the Gospel or Law, or English or Greek, seemed all one to them! Yet the seed sown even here was not quite lost; for on Thursday morning, between four and five, John Brown, then of Tanfield Leigh, was waked out of sleep by the voice that raiseth the dead; and ever since he has been full of love, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. At four I preached in the Hospital Square, to the largest congregation I had seen since we left London, on, “ Jesus Christ,” our “ wisdom, rightcousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Wed. December 1.--We had several places offered, on which to build a room for the society; but none was such as we wanted. And perhaps there was a providence in our not finding any as yet; for, by this means, I was kept. at Newcastle whether I would orno. Sat. 4.--] was both surprised and grieved at a genuine instance of enthusiasm. 274 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ Dec. 1742