Wesley Corpus

seven and eight, and took up our abode with William Ferguson , who continued to lodge us all with tolerable convenience . Wed. 16. I spent the day very quietly in writing, and visit- ing a few friends, who knew not how to be affectionate enough. In the evening I spoke to a little company at my own lodgings, on, " It is appointed unto men once to die." Thur. 17.-I breakfasted with a little company of truly pious people, and afterwards went to see the manner wherein the Deacons of Amsterdam relieve their poor weekly. I suppose there were two or three hundred poor, but the whole was trans- acted with the utmost stillness and decency. [Aug. 1786. To-day likewise I visited more ofmy friends,who showed all possible affection. Friday, 18. We went to Haerlem, and spent an agreeable day with a few agreeable friends. We i lodged at Mr. Vancampen's, a florist, and were perfectly at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vancampen seemed deeply devoted to God, as much as any I have seen in Holland. In the afternoon we met a little company inthe town, who seemed to be truly alive toGod : One Miss Rouquet in particu- lar, whose least recommendation was, that she could speak both Dutch, French, and English. She spent the evening at Miss Falconberg's, the chief gentlewoman in the town. Here we supped. The manner was particular : No table-clothwasused, but plates, with knives and forks, and napkins, to each person, and fifteen or sixteen small ones ; on which were bread, butter, cheese, slices ofhung beef, cakes, pancakes, and fruit ofvarious kinds. To these were added music upon an excellent organ, one of the sweetest tones I ever heard. Sat. 19. We took a walk in Haerlem wood. So delightful aplace I scarce ever saw before. I judged it to be about a mile broad, and two or three miles deep. This is divided into almost innumerable walks, some broad and some narrow, but diversified in a wonderful manner, and skirted with elegant houses on both sides. In the afternoon we returned to Amster- dam. Inthe evening Mr. Shranten, abookseller, (whose daugh- ter had comewith us in the boat to Amsterdam,) an Elder of the Holland's church, invited us to supper, and desired me to expound a portion of Scripture, which Idid with liberty of spirit.