Wesley Corpus

Mon. 4.--At his earnest request, I began examining those that are called W. D.’s societies. At three I preached at Great Harding; mn the evening at Roughlee, where there was a large society. But since the men of smooth tongue broke in upon them, they are every man afraid of his brother ; half of them ringing continually in the ears of the rest, “* No works, no law, no bondage.” However, we gathered above forty of the scattered sheep, who are still minded to stand in the old paths. Tues. 5.--I preached at Roughlee at five ; about eleven at Hinden, and about three at Widdap, a little village in the midst of huge, barren | 2 May, 1747. ] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 397 mountains, where also there was a society. But Mr. B. had effectually dispersed them, so that I found but three members left. We rode thence about five miles to Stonesey-gate, which lies in a far more fruitful country. Here was a larger congregation at six o’clock than I had seen since my leaving Birstal. They filled both the yard and the road to a considerable distance, and many were seated on a long wall adjoinmg, which, being built of loose:stones, in the middle of the sermon, all fell down at once. I never saw, heard, nor read of such a thing before. The whole wall, and the persons sitting upon it, sunk down together, none of them screaming out, and very few altering their posture: and not one was hurt at all; but they appeared sitting at the bottom just as they sat at the top. Nor was there any interruption either of my speaking, or of the attention of the hearers. Wed. 6.--I rode to Shore, four miles south from Stonesey, lying about half way down a huge, steep mountain. Here I preached at - twelve to a loving, simple-hearted people. We then climbed up to Todmorden Edge, the brow of a long chain of mountains, where I called a serious people to “repent and believe the Gospel.” Thur. 7. --wWe left the mountains, and came down to the fruitful valley of Rosendale. Here I preached to a large congregation of wild men; but it pleased God'to hold them in chains. So that even when I had done, none offered any rudeness, but all went quietly away.