Wesley Corpus

“They went out to consult what to do, and soon returned with great staves, wherewith they beat down several that stood in their way; but still they could not make their passage through, till Mr. Maw came, (the chief gentleman in the town,) and sent for me into the house. There we prayed and sung hymns, till about eleven o’clock. He then advised me to go out of the tewn. So, many of our brethren went with me to Robert Taylor’s house, at Burnham; where we continued praying and praising God, till about four o’clock in the morning. I then rode back to Norton, and from thence, by Leeds, Birstal, and Barley Hall, to Sheffield. “On Wednesday evening, June 12, as I was privately conversing with a few of the people, the constables and churchwardens came up, and dragged me down stairs. But quickly one of them listened a little, and cried out, ‘ They are at prayers; I will have nothing to do in this matter.’ The rest began to took at one another, took their hands off me, and went their way. I went from Sheffield through Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire, to Birmingham; and so on by Evesham and Stanley. In most places I was threatened; but out of all dangers the Lord delivered me. “J remain your child and servant in Christ, Ricuarp Moss.” “* London, July 10, 1745. “ Dear Srr,--The faith you mention I have experienced much of, though not continually: but am groaning for all the glorious privileges of the children of God; and I really believe the greater part of us are earnestly seeking, and patiently aspiring after, this full redemption.-- Heavenly meetings we have had on Wednesday evenings, since we have eyened our minds freely to each other. No one speaks, but in the fear of 348 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Sept. 1745. God; so that what is spoke by any is felt by all the rest. And if any one begins to tell an unprofitable tale, there is a stop put to it, without offence: so that, since I have belonged to the society, I never found so great love and unity in this meeting. Indeed so awful it sometimes is, that' I seem to be little less than a spirit, casting down my crown before the throne.