Wesley Corpus

Tues. 29.--I inquired concerning Richard Hutchinson, of whom 1 had heard many speak. His mother informed me, “It was about August last, being then above four years old, that he began to talk much of God, and to ask abundance of questions concerning him. From that time he never played nor laughed, but was as serious as one of threescore. He constantly reproved any that cursed or swore, or spoke indecently in his hearing, and frequently mourned over his brother, who was two or three years older, saying, ‘ I fear my brother will go to hell ; for he does not love God.’ About Christmas I cut off his hair ; on which he said, ‘ You cut off my hair, because you are afraid I shall have the small-pox ; but Il am not afraid; I am not afraid to die; for I love God.’ About three weeks ago he sent for all of the society whom he knew, saying he must take his leave of them; which he did, speaking to them, one by one, in the most tender and affectionate manner. Four days after he fell ill of the small-pox, and was light-headed almost as soon as he was taken: but all his incoherent sentences were either exhortation, or pieces of hymns, or prayer. The worse he was, the more earnest he was to die, saying, ‘1 must go home; I will go home.’ One said, ‘ You are athome.’ He earnestly replied, ‘ No; this is not my home; I will go to heaven.’ On the tenth day of his illness, he raised himself up, and said, ‘ Let me go; let me go to my Father; I will go home: now, now I will go to my Father.’ After which he lay down and died.” Wed. 30.--I rode to Cork. By talking with Captain , I found there was no depending on the good offices of the colonel. He had told the captain with great openness, “If Mr. Wesley preached in the garracks, and the mob were to come and break the windows, I might 488 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [June, 1750. have a long bill from the barrack master.” Break the windows! Nay, it is well if they had not broken the bones of all the soldiers.