Wesley Corpus

Tues. 28.--I rode to Evesham, and exhorted them to “strengthen the things that remained, which were ready to die.” Wednesday, 29. --We took horse at four, and calling at Studley, found a woman of a broken heart, mourning continually after God, and scarce able to speak without tears. About one I began preaching in the open air at Birmingham. At the same time it began raining violently, which continued about a quarter of an hour; but did not disturb either me or the congregation. At half an hour after six, I preached at Wednesbury, to an exceeding large congregation; and every man, woman, and child, behaved in a manner becoming the Gospel. Thur. 30.--We set out between three and four, and reached Nottingham in the afternoon. Friday, July 1.--I rode to Sheffield, and preached in the evening, at the end of the house, to a quiet congregation. Sat. 2.--I rode to Epworth, and preached to a large congregation, many of them established in the grace of God. Sun. 3.--I preached in the room at five, but at nine on my usual stand, at the Cross. The clouds came just in time (it being a warm, sunshiny morning) to shade me and the congregation: but at the same tine both the light and power of the Most High were upon many of their souls. I was quite surprised when I heard Mr. R. preach. That soft, smooth, tuneful voice, which he so often employed to blas- oy eee July, 1748. | REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 429 pheme the work of God, was lost, without hope of recovery: all means had been tried, but none took place. He now spoke in a manner shocking to hear, and impossible to be heard distinctly by one quarter of the congregation.