Wesley Corpus

Mon. 3.--About noon I preached at Hillfarrance, three miles from Taunton. Three or four boors would have been rude if they durst ; but the odds against them was too great. At five I preached in Bridgewater to a well-behaved company, and then rode on to Middlesey. We rode from hence to Shaftesbury, where I preached, between six and seven, to a serious and quiet congregation. We had another happy opportunity at five in the morning, when abundance of people were present. I preached, at noon, in the most riotous part of the town, just where four ways met; but none made any noise, or spoke one word, while I called “the wicked to forsake his way.” As we walked back, one or two foul-mouthed women spoke unseemly ; but none regarded, or answered them a word. Soon after I was sat down, a constable came, and said, “Sir, the mayor discharges you from preaching in this borough any more.” I replied, “ While King George gives me leave to preach, I shall not ask leave of the mayor of Shaftesbury.” Thur. 6.--I rode to Salisbury, and preached, about noon, (a strange turn of providence !) in the chapel which formerly was Mr. Hall’s. One poor woman laboured much to interrupt; but, (how it was [ know not,) with all her endeavours, she could not get out one word. At length she set a dismal, inarticulate yell, and went away in all haste. I preached at Winterburn in the evening ; the next at Reading; and, on Saturday, 8, came to London. Here I had the following account from one of our preachers :-- “John Jane was never well after walking from Epworth to Hainton.on Sept. 1750.] REV. J. WESLEY'S JOURNAL. 499