Wesley Corpus

“On Saturday, the 23d of July last, there fell for about three hours, in and about Hayfield, in Derbyshire, a very heavy rain, which caused such a flood as had not been seen by any now living in those parts. The rocks were loosened from the mountains: one field was covered with huge stones from side to side. Several water mills were clean swept away, without leaving any remains. The trees were torn up by the roots, and whirled away like stubble. Two women of a loose character were swept away from their own door and drowned. One of them was found near the place; the other was carried seven or eight miles. Hayfield church yard was all torn up, and the dead bodies swept out of their graves. When the flood abated, they were found in several places. Some were hanging on trees; others left in meadows or grounds; some partly 2aten by dogs, or wanting one or more of their members.” Wed. 31.--John Bennet showed me a gentleman’s house, who was, a few years since, utterly without God in the world. But two or three years ago, God laid his hand both upon his body and soul. His sins dropped off He lived holy and unblamable in all things. And not being able to go about doing good, he resolved to do what good he could at home. ‘To this end he invited his neighbours to his house, every Sunday morning and evening, (not being near any church,) to whom he read the prayers of the Church and a sermon. Sometimes he’ had a hundred and fifty, or two hundred of them at once. At Bongs I received an invitation from him; so John Bennet and I rode down together, and found him rejoicing under the hand of Go., and praising him for all ais pam and weakness. In the evening I preached at Chinley ; Thursday, September 1, near a ep ee ee 438 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Sept. 1748.