Wesley Corpus

Sun. May 1.--Great part of the town was present at five, and, I found, began to feel what was spoken. Yet still the impression is not made, as in other places, on one here and there only; but the main body of the hearers seem to go on together with an even pace. About two I preached on the Connaught side of the bridge, to an attentive multitude both of Protestants and Papists, whose priest, perceiving he profited nothing, at five came himself. I preached on, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” and could not help applying to the Papists in particular. I am satisfied many of them were almost persuaded to give themselves up to the great Physician of souls. ‘ues. 3.--I rode to Birr, twenty miles from Athlone, and, the key of the sessions house not being to be found, declared “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” in the street, to a dull, rude, senseless multitude. Many laughed the greater part of the time. Some went away just in the middle of a sentence. And yet when one cried out, (a Carmelite friar, clerk to the priest,) ‘‘ You lie! you lie!” the zealous Protestants cried out, * Knock him down :” and it was no sooner said than done. I saw some bustle, but knew not what was the matter, till the whole was over. In the evening we rode to Balliboy. There being no house that could contain the congregation, I preached here also in the street. I was atraid, in a new place, there would be but few in the morning ; but there May, 1748. ] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 425 was a considerable number, and such a blessing as I had scarce found since I landed in Ireland. Wed. 4.--I rode to Clara, and preached to a small company, who were not afraid of a stormy day. I spent half an hour after sermon with a few serious people, and then rode to Tullamore. One who looks on the common Irish cabins, might imagine Saturn stili reigned here :--- Cum frigida parvas Preberet spelunca domos ; ignemque laremque, Et pecus et dominos, communi clauderet wmbra. (The narrow cave a cold retreat affords, And beasts and men screens with one common shade.)