Wesley Corpus

Iknow no one that is so changed for the better in a few years, even in her manner of speaking. It is now smooth, easy, and natural, even when the sense is deep and strong. Mon. 19. I left Bristol withmuch satisfaction, expecting to March, 1787.1 JOURNAL. 363 hear of a plentiful harvest there ; and in the evening preached at Stroud. The House was unusually filled, both with people and with the power of God. Tuesday, 20. We had a large congregation at five. Afterwards I met the select society, many of them enjoying the pure love of God, and constantly walking in the light of his countenance. We then visited one that was always sick and in pain, and always rejoicing in God. Another man we found nearly in the same condition, always afflicted, and always happy. Mrs. Wathen, a few doors from them, left by a most affectionate husband with six children, is a pattern to all about her. Iwalked from hence through one ofthe loveliest valleys I ever saw, running, with a clear stream in the midst of it, between two lofty and fruitful mountains, sprinkled all over with little white houses. Between eleven and twelve I reached Cirencester; and,nolargerplace being to be procured,I preached at one in our ownRoom, to as many as could hear, either in or near it. And the labour was not lost: They all drunk in the word, as the thirsty earth the showers. In the evening I preached to a multitude of people, in the Tolbooth, at Gloucester. Highand low, richand poor, behaved well. I trust a good blessing is coming to Gloucester also. Wed. 21. We had a numerous congregation at six, onwhom I strongly enforced the great salvation. About eleven I had the satisfaction of spending an hourwith theBishop ; a sensible, candid, and, I hope, pious man. The palace in which he lives (once the Priory) is a venerable place, quite retired and elegant, though not splendid; the chapel, in particular, fitted up by good Bishop Benson. The hall is noble ; as are also two or three of the bedchambers. But how soonmust all these change their possessor ! Finding prejudice was now laid asleep, the tide running the contraryway, our friends thought it time to prepare for building their preaching-house ; and a hundred pounds are already sub-