Wesley Corpus

Thur. 25.--I rode with Mr. Grimshaw to Roughlee, where T. Colbeck, of Keighley, was to meet us. We were stopped again and again, and begged not to go on; for a large mob from Colne was gone before us. Coming a little further, we understood they had not yet reached Roughlee. So we hastened on, that we might be there befote them. All was quiet when we came. I was ailittle afraid for Mr. Grimshaw: but it needed not: he was ready to go to prison or death for Christ’s sake. At half-hour after twelve I began to preach. I had about half finished my discourse, when the mob came pouring down the hill like a torrent. After exchanging a few words with their captain, to prevent any contest, I went with him as he required. When we came to Barrowford, two miles off, the whole army drew up in battle array before the house into which I was carried, with two or three ot my friends. After I had been detained above an hour, their captain went out and I followed him, and desired him to conduct me whence I came. He said, he would: but the mob soon followed after ; at which he was so enraged, that he must needs turn back to fight them, and so left me alone. A further account is contained in the following letter, which I wrote the next morning :-- Widdop, Aug. 26, 1748. “ Sir,-- Yesterday, between twelve and one o’clock, while I was speaking to some quiet people, without any noise or tumult, a drunken rabble came, with clubs and staves, in a tumultuous and riotous manner, the captain of whom, Richard B., by name, said he was a deputy constable, and that he was come to bring me to you. I went with him; but I had scarce gone ten yards, when a man of his company struck me with his fist in the face with all his might; quickly after, another threw his stick at my head: I then made a little stand; but another of your champions, cursing, and swearing in the most shocking manner, and flourishing Aug. 1748.] REV. J WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 435