Wesley Corpus

“Instructions for Children.” Sun. 10.--1 preached at eight on Chow- den Fell, on, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?’ Ever since I came to Newcastle the first time, my spirit had been moved within me, at the crowds of poor wretches, who were every Sunday, in the afternoon, sauntering to and fro on the Sandhill. I resolved, if possible, to find them a better employ; and as soon as the service at All Saints was over, walked straight from the church to the Sandhill, and gave out a verse of a psalm. In a few minutes I had company enough; thousands upon thousands crowding together. But the prince of this world fought with all his might, lest his kingdom should be overthrown. Indeed, the very mob of Newcastle, in the height of their rudeness, have commonly some numanity left. I scarce observed that they threw any thing at all; neither did I receive the least personal hurt: but they continued thrusting one another to and fro, and making such a noise, that my voice could not be heard: so that after spending near an hour in singing and prayer, I thought it best to adjourn to our own house. Mon. 11.--I had almost such another congregation, in the Highstreet, at Sunderland: but the tumult subsided in a short time; so that I explained, without any interruption, the one true religion, “ righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Thur. 14.--I preached at the Lower Spen, seven or eight (northern) miles from Newcastle. John Brown had been obliged to remove hither from Tanfield Leigh, I believe by the peculiar providence of God. By his rough and strong, though artless, words, many of his neighbours had been much convinced; and began to search the Scriptures as they never had done before; so that they did not seem at all surprised when I declared, *‘ He that believeth hath everlasting life.”