Wesley Corpus

appeared to me ; that I fell at his feet, and he laid his headupon my right eye. Immediately I waked, and from that moment have seen as well with that eye as with the other." I applied, to a very large congregation, the case of the Rechab- ites . (Jer. xxxv.) I asked, 1. Does it appear that these owed to Jonadab more than the Methodists owe to me? 2. Are they as observant of my advices (although both scriptural and rational ; to instance only in dress and rising early) as the Rechabites were ofhis advices ? (Ofdrinking nowine, and living in tents ; which had neither Scripture nor reason to support them!) I think every member of the society at Bolton does take my advice, with respect to other things, as well as with respect to dress and rising early; in consequence of which they are con- tinually increasing in number as well as in grace. Fri. 16. I preached about ten at Wingate, a village five or six miles from Bolton. I was constrained, by the multitude of people, to preach abroad, though it was exceeding cold, on, "All things are ready; come unto the marriage." Truly the people were ready too. They drank in every word. In the evening we had a very uncommon congregation at Wigan. Only one gentlewoman behaved " as she used to do at church ; " (so several afterwards informed me;) talking all the time, though no one answered her ! But the rest were deeply attentive ; and, I trust, will not be forgetful hearers. I had designed to go from hence to Blackburn ; but hearing that April, 1784. ] 271 one of our society, near Preston, was at the point of death, I turned a little out of myway, to spend half an hour with her. I found Mrs. Nuttal, alovely, patient creature, praising God continually, though worn away with pining sickness and long- continued pain. Having paid the last office of friendship here, Iwent to Preston, and preached to a serious congregation. In the evening I preached at Blackburn, where also the society is lively, and continually increasing. Sun. 18. After preaching at five to a numerous congrega- tion, (but not one rich or well-dressed person among them, either morning or evening ! Poor Blackburn !) I hastened on