Wesley Corpus

Mon. 6.--I preached, about twelve, at Bray: but neither the house nor the yard would contain the congregation; and all were serious ; the scoffers are vanished away. I scarce saw one in the county. I preached in the evening at Camborne to an equally serious congregation. I looked about for John Rogers, the champion, who had so often sworn, I should never more preach in that parish. But it seems, he had given up the cause, saying, “One may as well blow against the wind.” Tues. 7.--I preached at St. Ives; Wednesday, 8, at Sithney. On Thursday the stewards of all the societies met. I now diligently inquired what exhorters there were in each society ; whether they had gifts meet for the work; whether their lives were eminently holy ; and whether there appeared any fruit of their labour. I found, upon the whole, 1. That there were no less than eighteen exhorters in the county. 2. That three of these had no gifts at all for the work, neither natural mor supernatural. 3. That a fourth had neither gifts nor grace; but ‘was a dull, empty, self-conceited man. 4. That a fifth had considerable ‘gifts, but had evidently made shipwreck of the grace of God: these ‘therefore I determined immediately to set aside, and advise our societies not to hear them. 5. That J. B., A. L., and J. W., had gifts and -grace, and had been much blessed in the work. Lastly, that the rest might be helpful-when there was no preacher in their own or the neighdouring societies, provided they would take no step without the advice vof those who had more experience than themselves.