Wesley Corpus

the evening I preached at Stockport, where I received a strange account of poor William Hamilton, who left us to join the Quakers, and is as miserable as he can live, afraid to see any man lest he should kill him. O what a poor exchange has this unhappy man made ! Fri. 2.-About one I opened the new chapel at Davyhulme. APRIL 4, (being Easter-Day,) was a solemn festival. In the afternoon I preached at Oldham, to such acongregation as I have not seen since I was in the Cornish amphitheatre. And all, beside a few giddy children, were seriously attentive. Mon. 5. I preached at Northwich. I used to go on from hence to Little-Leigh ; but since Mr. Barker is gone hence, that place knows us no more. I cannot but wonder at the infatua- tion of men that really love and fear God, and yet leave great part of, if not all, their substance to men that neither love nor April, 1779. ] 147 fear him ! Surely if I did little goodwith my money while I lived, I would, at least, do good with it when I could live no longer. Tues. 6. I went to Mr. S's at Nantwich, a nephew of Mr. Matthew S-; who was, fifty years ago, one ofour little company at Oxford, and was then both in person, in natural temper, and in piety, one of the loveliest young men I knew. Mr. Joseph S was then unborn, and was for many years without God in the world. But he is now as zealous in the works of God, as he was once in the works of the devil. While Ipreached itwas a season of strong consolation ; but one young gentlewoman refused to be comforted. She followed me into Mr. S's all in tears ; but would neither touch meat nor drink. After I had spent a little time in prayer, she broke out into prayer herself; and she did not cease, till God turned her sorrow intojoy unspeakable. After preaching at Alpraham and Chester, on Wednesday I went on to Warrington. The proprietor ofthe new chapel had sent me word, that I was welcome to preach in it ; but he had now altered his mind : So I preached in our own ; and I saw not one inattentive hearer.