Wesley Corpus

as never appeared in the world before, and, one would hope, never will again. O who, that is not himself out of his senses, cancompareAriosto with Tasso ! Mon. MARCH 1.-I went to Newbury, and preached in the evening to a large and deeply affected congregation. Tuesday, 2, and Wednesday, 3, I preached at Bath, and on Thursday, 4, went on to Bristol. Friday, 5. I talked at large with our Masters in Kingswood School, who arenow just such as I wished for. Atlength the Rules of the House are punctually observed, and the children are all in good order. Sat. 6.-I spent a few melancholy minutes at Mr. Hender- March, 1784.1 267 son's, with the lost Louisa. She is now in a far more deplorable case than ever. She used to be mild, though silly : But now she is quite furious. I doubt the poor machine cannot be repaired in this life. The next week I visited the classes at Bristol. Friday, 12, being at Samuel Rayner's, in Bradford, I was convinced of two vulgar errors ; the one, that nightingales will not live in cages ; the other that they only sing amonth or two in the year. He has now three nightingales in cages ; and they sing almost all day long, from November to August. Saturday, 13. About nine I preached at Trowbridge, where a large congregation quietly attended. Returning to Bristol, I lodged once more at E-J's, a genuine old Methodist. Godhas latelytaken awayher only brother, as well as her beloved sister. But she was still able to say, " It is the Lord : Let him do what seemeth him good." Mon. 15. Leaving Bristol after preaching at five, in the evening I preached at Stroud; where, to my surprise, I found the morning preaching was given up, as also in the neighbour- ing places. If this be the case while I am alive, what must it bewhen I am gone ? Give up this, and Methodism too will degenerate into a mere sect, only distinguished by some opinions and modes ofworship. Tues. 16. I preached in Painswick atnoon,and at Glou- cester in the evening. The Room was full at five in the morn- ing, andboth the Preachers and people promised to neglect the early preaching no more. Wednesday, 17. We went to Chel-