Wesley Corpus

At eleven I preached my farewell sermon in the Hospital Square. I never saw such a congregation there before ; nor did I ever speak so searchingly. I could not conclude till one; and then both men, women, and children, hung upon me, so that I knew not which way to disengage myself. After some time, I got to the gate, and took horse ; but even then “a muckle woman” (as one called her, in great anger,) kept her hold, and ran by the horse’s side, through thick and thin, down to Sandgate. Jonathan Reeves rode with me. We reached Darlington that night, and Boroughbridge the next day. What encouragement have we to speak for God! At our inn we met an ancient man, who seemed by his conversation, never to have thought whether he had any soul or no. Before we set out, I spoke a few words concerning his cursing and idle conversation. ‘The man appeared quite broken in pieces: the tears started into his eyes; and he acknowledged (with abundance of thanks to me) his own guilt, and the goodness of God. Sat. January 1, 1743.--Between Doncaster and Epworth, I overtook one who immediately accosted me with so many and so impertinent questions, that I was quite amazed. In the midst of some of them, concerning my travels and my journey, I interrupted him, and asked, « Are you aware that we are on a longer journey; that we are travelling toward eternity?” He replied instantly, “O, I find you! I find you! I know where you are! Is not your name Wesley?’--’Tis pity! ’Tis great pity! Why could not your father’s religion serve you ? Why must you have a new religion?” I was going to reply; but he cut me short by crying out in triumph, “I am a Christian! I ama Christian! I am a Churchman! I am a Churchman! I am none of your Culamites;” as plain as he could speak; for he was so drunk, he could but just keep his seat. Having then clearly won the day, or, as his phrase was, ‘“‘put them all down,” he began kicking his horse on both sides, and rode off as fast as he could. In the evening I reached Epworth. Sunday, 2.--At five, I preached on, “ So is every one that is born of the Spirit.” About eight I preached