Wesley Corpus

Mon. 6.--I met a few people at Durham, in.my way, and then rode on to Stockton. Some angry people set up a dismal scream, as we entered the town; but they could go no further. By means of a plain, rough exhorter, who lived in the town, the society was more than doubled since I was here before ; and most of them were rejoicing greatly: only poor R M still went on heavily, being unequally yoked with one who was a bitter enemy to all spiritual religion. I preached in the main street, near the market place. When I had done, R M s wife followed me into the house. I desired we might go to prayer. God breke her heart in pieces ; and she determined to go on hand in hand with her husband. . 514 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [May, 1751. Tues. '7.--I preached at Acomb, near York. The next day I rode on to Epworth; and on Thursday preached at Hainton about noon, and at Coningsby in the evening. ‘The wind was as the piercing of a sword; but the congregation regarded it not. Fri. 10.--We rode to Lorborough. The minister’s son, and two more, made a little disturbance for a while: however, J permitted them to be present when I met the society. They seemed utterly astonished, and I believe will not lightly speak evil of us again. It rained incessantly as we rode to (xrimsby, where I preached to a mixed congregation, some of whom (the greater part) were exceeding serious, and some exceeding drunk. The society, I found, was much alive to God. Sat. 11.--We returned to Epworth, to a poor, dead, senseless people: at which I did not wonder, when I was informed, 1. That some of our preachers there had diligently gleaned up and retailed all the evil they could hear of me: 2. That some of them had quite laid aside our hymns, as well as the doctrine they formerly preached: 3. That one of them had frequently spoke against our rules, and the others quite neglected them. Nothing, therefore, but the mighty power of God could have kept the people so well as they were.