Wesley Corpus

is likewise a little society ; but I did not find any among them whoknew in whomtheyhad believed. In the evening I preached inameadow, near Swanage, to a still larger congregation. And here at length I found three or four persons, and all ofone family, who seemed really to enjoy the faith of the Gospel. Few others of the society (between thirty and forty in number) appeared to be convinced of sin. I fear the Preachers have been more studious to please than to awaken, or there would have been a deeper work . The Isle (or properly Peninsula) of Purbeck is nine or ten miles broad, and perhaps twenty long, running nearly from north-east to south-west. Two mountains run almost the whole length, with valleys both between them and on each side, but poorly cultivated. The people in general are plain, artless , good-natured, and well-behaved. If the labourers here are zealous and active, they will surely have a plentiful harvest. Thur. 13. I set out early, and reached Gosport, (seventy- two miles,) not long after six. Finding a boat ready, I crossed, and went straight to the Room. It was full enough ; so I began without delay, and enforced our Lord's words, (one ofmy . 31 Oct. 1774.] JOURNAL favourite subjects,) " Myyoke is easy, andmyburden is light." Friday, 14. I visited as many as I could, sick or well, and endeavoured to settle those that had been shaken by those bigots who are continually waiting to receive the weak " unto doubtful disputations." I had intended, after preaching in the evening, to meet the society alone; but the eagerness of the people to stay, induced me to suffer a great part of them. Yet itwas little to their satisfaction ; for when I warned our brethren not to have " itching ears," they ran away in all haste. Sat. 15-. Setting out (as usual) at two, I reached London early in the evening. Monday, 17. I set out for Oxfordshire, and preached at Wallingford in the evening. Tuesday, 18. About nine I preached at Newnham; at noon, in the garden at Oxford; and in the evening, at Finstock, (a village near Carn- bury-house, built by the great Earl of Clarendon, but not inha- bited by any of his descendants ! ) to a plain, artless people.