Wesley Corpus

Sun. 31. From those words of Isaiah to Hezekiah, “ Set thy house in order," I strongly exhorted all who had not done it already, to settle their temporal affairs without delay. It is a strange madness which still possesses many, that are in other respects men of understanding, who put this off from day to day, till death comes in an hour when they looked not for it. Mon. JANUARY 1, 1787.-We began the service at four in the morning, to an unusually large congregation. We had another comfortable opportunity at the new chapel at the usual hour, and a third in the evening at West-Street. Tuesday, 2. Iwent over to Deptford; but it seemed, I was got into a den of lions. Most of the leading men of the society were mad for separating from the Church. I endeavoured to reason withthem, but in vain ; they had neither sense nor even good manners left. At length, after meeting the whole society, I told them, " If you are resolved, you may have your service in church-hours ; ” but, remember, from that time you will see my face no more. This struck deep; and from that hour I have heard no more of separating from the Church. Friday, 5, and in the vacant hours of the following days, I read Dr. Hunter's Lectures. They are very lively and ingenious. The language is good, and the thoughts generally just. 358 REV. J. WESLEY'S [Feb. 1787. But they do not at all suit my taste. I do not admire that florid way ofwriting. Good sense does not need to be so studiously adorned. I love St. John's style, as well as matter. Sun. 7-. At the desire ofmany of our friends, we began that : solemn work of renewing our covenant with God at three in the afternoon, two hours earlier than usual. Monday, 8, and the four following days, I went a begging for the poor. I hoped to be able to provide food and raiment for those of the society whowere in pressingwant,yet hadnoweekly allowance : These were about two hundred: But I was much disappointed. Six or seven, indeed, of our brethren, gave ten pounds apiece. If forty or fifty had done this, I could have carried my design into execution. However, much good was done with two hundred pounds, and many sorrowful hearts madeglad.