Wesley Corpus

Fri. 25.--I preached in Marlborough-street at five, to the largest congregation I have yet seen in a morning. At two I began in Shipstreet, where were many of the rich and genteel. I was exceeding weak in body, having been examining classes all the day; but I felt it not after I had spoke two sentences. I was strengthened both in body and soul. I finished the classes the next day, and found them just as [ expected. I left three hundred and ninety-four persons united together in August; I had now admitted between twenty and thirty, who had offered themselves since my return to Dublin; and the whole number was neither more nor less than’ three hundred and ninety-six. 420 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ April, 1748. Sun. 27.--It rained most of the day, so that I was constrained to preach in the house only; viz. at our own house, morning and evening, and at Marlborough-street in the afternoon. Tues. 29.--I preached in Skinner’s-alley, at five, to a large and quiet congregation. I preached in Newgate at two, in the common hall, the jailor refusmg us the room where we used to preach. But that is not the worst :--I see no fruit of our labour... Wed. 30.--I rode to Philip’s Town, the shire town of the King’s county. I was obliged to go into the street, which was soon filled with those who flocked from every side; to whom I declared Jesus Christ, our “ wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Thur. 31.--One would have dissuaded me from preaching at five, being sure none would rise so soon. But I kept my hour, and had a large and serious congregation. After preaching I spoke severally to those of the society, of whom forty were troopers. At noon I preached to (I think) the largest congregation I had seen since I came from Builth. God did then make a clear offer of eternal life to all the inhabitants of Philip’s Town. But how few retained these good impressions one week ; or would effectually come to him that they might have life! In the evening I preached at Tullamore, to most of the inhabitants of the town. Abundance of them came again at five in the morning. But ‘he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”