Wesley Corpus

dential storm of thunderand lightning, is not extinguished; but has continued ever since,with no discernible intermission. The preaching-house is still too small for the congregation. Thurs Oct. 1783.1 day, 16. I preached at High-Wycomb ; and on Friday returned to London. Sun. 19. I took the diligence for Norwich, and preached there the next evening, to more than the House would contain ; and both this night and the following, we sensibly felt that Godwas in the midst of us. Wednesday, 22. I went to Yarmouth. Often this poor society had been well nigh shattered in pieces ; first, by Benjamin Worship, then a furious Calvinist, tearing away near half ofthem; next, by John Simpson, turningAnti- nomian, andscattering most that were left. It has pleased God, contrary to allhuman probability, to raise a new society out of the dust ; nay, and to give them courage to build a new preaching-house, which is well finished, and contains about five hundred persons. I opened it this evening ; and as many as could get in, seemed to be deeply affected. Who knows but God is about to repair the waste places, and to gather a people that shall be scattered no more ? Thur. 23-. We went to Lowestoft, where the people have stood firm from the beginning. Observing in the evening, that forty or fifty people were talking together, as soon as the service was over, (amiserable custom that prevails in most places of public worship, throughout England and Ireland,) I strongly warned the congregation against it ; as I had done those at Norwich and Yarmouth. They received it in love ; and the next evening, allwent silently away. But this warning must be givenagainand again in every place, or it will not be effectual. Sat. 25. I preached in Lowestoft at five ; at eight to an earnest, lively people at Cove; and at one to a more numerous, but notmore lively, congregationat Loddon. The most numer- ouswas that at Norwich in the evening, many ofwhom were truly alive to God. Sun. 26. I gave the sacrament at seven ; at nine I preached at Bear-Street, where I am in hopes considerable good will be done. The most serious congregation in our House we had at two ; but the most numerous at six ; though not above half of