Wesley Corpus

"The Lord is risen indeed," with an uncommon degree of free- dom; andthenmet the LocalPreachers, several ofwhom seemed tohave caught the fashionable disease,-desire of independency. Theywere at first very warm ; but at length agreed to act by the Rules laid down in the Minutes of the Conference. The weather now changed. Small rain fell some hours, and then turned into snow. This made it very dirty : However, the poor people got through, and filled Darlaston church. Hence I returned to Wednesbury ; but could not preach abroad, the ground being covered with snow. As many as could crowded into the House. A love-feast followed, at which many plain people spoke without reserve. The artless propriety with which they spoke must be truly astonishing to all who do not consider that promise, " They shall be all taught of God." Mon. 28. I preached a kind of funeral sermon on Sarah Wood, one of the first membersof the society. For above fifty years she adorned the Gospel, being a pattern of all holiness. She was confined to her bed for several months. Being asked if time did not hang upon her hands, she answered, " No ; the Bible is my delight." "How can that be," said her friend, [April, 1785. "when you cannot see ? " " Very well," said she ; " for the Lord brings it to my remembrance." So,without doubt or fear, she delivered up her soul to her merciful and faithful Creator. About eleven I preached at Wolverhampton, and spent the afternoon with the amiable family at Hilton-Park. Tuesday, 29. At noon I preached in the Room at Stafford, to a deeply affected congregation . This was the more strange, because there are few towns in England less infected with religion than Stafford. In the evening I preached at Newcastle, to a very serious and much affected congregation. Wednesday, 30. We found a difficulty at Lane-End. Even at noon the House con- tained not a third of the congregation. The wind was piercing cold ; nevertheless, I preached abroad, and God warmed our hearts. In the evening I was greatly comforted among our brethren at Burslem, well established in grace ; and such another congregation I met with, Thursday, 31 , at Congleton. Fri. APRIL 1.--I came to Macclesfield, where Mr. Simpson had given notice ofmy preaching in his church. Here I fully