Wesley Corpus

Mon. 3.--I returned to Bristol, and employed several days in examining and purging the society, which still consisted (after many were put away) of more than seven hundred persons. The next week | examined the society in Kingswood; in which I found but a few things to reprove. Sat. 15.--The leaders brought in what had been contributed, in their several classes, toward the public debt: and we found it was sufficient to discharge it ; which was therefore done without delay. Mon. 17.--I left Bristol, and preached in the evening, to a very civil congregation, at Painswick. Tuesday, 18.--I preached to a little earnest company, at Gutherton, near Tewksbury ; and in the evening, at Evesham, on the happiness of him ‘ whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Wed. 19.--I called on Mr. Taylor, at Quinton, six or seven miles north of Evesham. About eleven I preached in his church, to a thin, dull congregation ; and then rode on to Birmingham. Thur. 20.--After preaching to a small, attentive congregation, I rode to Wednesbury. At twelve I preached in a ground near the middle of the town, to a far larger congregation than was expected, on, “ Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” I believe every one present felt 296 _ REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ Oct. 1743.. the power cf God; and no creature offered to molest us, either going, or coming ; but the Lord fought for us, and we held our peace. I was writing at Francis Ward’s, in the afternoon, when the cry arose, _ that the mob had beset the house. We prayed that God would disperse them ; and it was so: one went this way, and another that; so that, in half an hour, not a man was left. I told our brethren, *“ Now is the time for us to go ;” but they pressed me exceedingly to stay. So, that I might not offend them, I sat down, though I foresaw what would follow. Before five the mob surrounded the house again, in greater © numbers than ever. The cry of one and all was, “ Bring out the min-