Wesley Corpus

children, even while all the waves and storms went over him. Hedied, as he lived, in the full assurance of faith, praisingGod with his latest breath. Tues. 17.-I preached in the market-place at Chesterfield, on, " It is appointed unto men once to die." Although the con- gregation was numerous, yet I did not observe any either trifling or inattentive hearers. In the evening I preached at Derby. It was supposed the people would be afraid to come, as part of the roof had lately fallen in. (Indeed it fell an hour before the congregation met : Otherwise many must have been hurt.) But they were not afraid : The House was well filled : And even the rich attended with seriousness . Wed. 18. I preached at Nottingham, to a serious, loving congregation. There is something in the people of this town, which I cannot but much approve of; although most of our society are of the lower class, chiefly employed in the stocking- manufacture, yet there is generally an uncommongentleness and sweetness in their temper, and something of elegance in their behaviour, which, when added to solid, vital religion, makethem an ornament to their profession. Thur. 19-. 1 did not reach Leicester till the congregation had waited some time: So I began immediately to enforce, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." I had designed not to call here at all, supposing it would be lost labour. But the behaviour ofthe whole congregation convinced July, 1777.1 me that I hadjudgedwrong. They filled the House at five in the morning, and seemed determined to " stir up the gift of Godwhichwas in them." Saturday, 21. I returned to London. Wed. 25. I saw Dr. Dodd for the last time. He was in exactly such a temper as I wished. He never at any time expressed the least murmuring or resentment at any one ; but entirely and calmly gave himself up to the will of God. Such aprisoner I scarce ever saw before, much less such acondemned malefactor. I should think, none could converse with him without acknowledging thatGod is with him. Thur. 26. I read the truly wonderful performance of Mr. RowlandHill. I stood amazed ! Compared to him,Mr. Toplady himself is a very civil, fair-spoken gentleman ! Friday, 27. I