Wesley Corpus

forth !" In the evening I preached at Leicester. Here, like- wise, the people "walk in the fear ofthe Lord, and in the com- fort of the Holy Ghost." Sun. 27.-About noon I preached at Stapleford, six miles westfrom Nottingham. I stood in a meadow, because no house could contain the congregation. But it was nothing to that at Nottingham-Cross in the evening, the largest I have seen for many years, except at Gwennap. Monday, 28. About noon I preached at Donnington. It was a showery day, but the showers were suspended during the preaching. In the evening I preached at Derby, and had the satisfaction to observe an unusual seriousness in the congregation. Careless as they used to be, they seemed at length to know the day of their visitation. Tues. 29. About ten I preached in the market-place at 10 REV. J. WESLEY'S [April, 1774. Ashbourne to a large and tolerably serious congregation ; and some, I believe, felt the word ofGod quick and powerful, while I enforced, "God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." After dinner we went on to Newcastle-under-Lyne, (that is the proper name of the river,) where I was invited by the Mayor, a serious, sensible man,to lodge at his house. I was desired (our Room being but small) to preach in the market-place. Abundance of people were soon gathered toge- ther, who surprised me not a little, by mistaking the tune, and striking up the March in Judas Maccabeus. Many of them had admirable voices, and tolerable skill. I know not when I have heard so agreeable a sound : It was indeed the voice of melody. But we had one jarring string: A drunken gentle- man was a little noisy, till he was carried away. Wed. 29. I went on to Congleton, where I received letters, informing me that my presence was necessary at Bristol. So about one I took chaise, and reached Bristol about halfan hour after one the next day. Having done my business in about two hours, on Friday in the afternoon I reached Congleton again ; (about ahundred and forty miles from Bristol;) no more tired (blessed be God!) than when I left it. What achange is in this town ! The bitter enmity of the townsfolks to the Methodists is clean forgotten. So has the steady behaviour of