Wesley Corpus

Mon. 31.----One writing to desire that I would preach on Isaiah lviii, I willingly complied with his request in the evening. A day or two after, I received a letter from a girl of sixteen or seventeen, whom I had often observed, as being, in an eminent degree, of a meek and lowly spirit. Some of her words were: “I do not think, there were above six or seven words of the true Gospel in your whole sermon. I think nothing ought to concern you, but the errand which the Lord gave you. But how far are you from this? You preach more the Law than the Gospel!’ Ah, my poor sézll sister! thou art an apt scholar indeed! I did not expect this quite so soon. Wed. February 2.--My brother and I began visiting the society together, which employed us from six in the morning every day, till near six in the evening. Sunday, 6.--I preached in the morning, on, “‘ While we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men ;” and in the afternoon, on, “ By manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” So rough a charity sermon was scarce ever heard. But God gave it his blessing ; insomuch that fifty pounds were contributed, toward finishing the house at Newcastle. ri. 11.--I called on poor Joseph Hodges, who, after so long withstanding all the wiles of the enemy, has been at last induced, by his fatal regard for Mr. Hall, to renounce my brother and me, in form. But he had perfectly learned the exercise of his arms. He was so happy, so poor a sinner, that to produce either Scripture or reason against him, was mere beating of the air. Mon. 14.--I left London, and (riding early and late) the next evening came to Newark. Here I met with a few who had tasted the good word: one of whom received me gladly, and desired me, whenever I 280 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ March, 1743. caine to Newark, to make his house my home. Wed. 16.--I reached Epworth. I was to preach at six. But the house not being able to contain half the congregation, I went out and declared, ‘ We love him because he first loved us.” In the morning, Thursday, 17, I largely