Wesley Corpus

Thur. 19.--The frost was not so sharp, so that we had little difliculty till we came to Haxey Car ; but here the ice which covered the dykes, and great part of the common, would not bear, nor readily break , nor did we know (there being no track of man or beast) what parts of the dykes were fordable. However, we committed ourselves to Goc and went on. We hit all our fords exactly ; and, without any fall, or considerable hinderance, came to Epworth in two hours, full as well as when we left London. Sun. 22.--I preached at five and at eight in the Room; after Evening prayers, at the Cross. I suppose most of the grown people in the town were present. A poor drunkard made a noise for some time, till Mr. Maw (the chief gentleman of the town) took him in hand and quieted him at once. Mon. 23.--Leaving Mr. Meyrick here, I set out with Mr. Larwood and a friend from Grimsby. At two I preached at Laseby in the way, to a quiet and serious congregation. We reached Grimsby by five, and spoke to as many of the society as could conveniently come at that time. About seven I would have preached to a very large audience, but a young gentleman, with his companions, quite drowned my voice, till a poor woman took up the cause, and, by reciting a few passages of his life, wittily and keenly enough, turned the laugh of all his companions full upon him. He could not stand it; but hastened away. When he was gone, I went on with little interruption. 390 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ Feb. 1747.