Wesley Corpus

very many were obliged to go away. After preaching at several other places onMonday and Tues- day, Wednesday, 26, I preached in Heptonstall church, well filled with serious hearers. In the evening I preached near Todmorden, in the heart of the mountains. One would won- der where all the people came from. Thursday, 27. I preached in Todmorden church, with great enlargement of heart. In the afternoon we went on to Blackburn. It seemed, the whole townwas moved. But the question was,where to put the con gregation. We could not stand abroad because of the sun : So as many as could, squeezed into the preaching-house. All the May, 1780.] 179 chief men of the town were there. It seems as if the last will befirst. Sun. 30. We had alovely congregation at Colne ; but a much larger at one and at five. Many of them came ten or twelve miles; but I believe not invain: God gavethem agood reward for their labour. Mon. MAY 1.-We reached Grassington about ten. The multitude of people constrained me to preach abroad. It was fair all the time I was preaching; but afterwards rained much. At Pateley-Bridge, the Vicar offered me the use of his church. Though it was more than twice as large as our preaching-house, it was not near large enough to contain thecongregation. How vast is the increase of the work of God ! Particularly in the most rugged and uncultivated places ! How does he" send the springs " ofgrace also " into the valleys, that run among the hills". Tues. 2.-We came to Ripon, and observed a remarkable turn of Providence : The great hinderance of the work of God in this place has suddenly disappeared ; and the poor people, beingdelivered from their fear, gladly flock together to hear His word. The new preaching-house was quickly more than filled. Surely some of them will not be forgetful hearers ! In the afternoonwe travelled through a delightful country ; themore so when contrasted with the horrid mountains. The immense ruins ofGarvaix Abbey show what a stately pile it was once. Though we were at a lone house, a numerous congrega- tion assembled in the evening ; on whom I enforced, " This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent."