Wesley Corpus

nation, any more than it is invention. If we mean by it a quality ofthe soul, it is, in its widest acceptation, an extraordi- nary capacity, either for some particular art or science, or for all ; for whatever may be undertaken. So Euclid had a genius for mathematics ; Tully, for oratory : Aristotle and LordBacon had an universal genius, applicable to every thing. The congregation was, as usual, large and serious. But there is no increase in the society. So that we have profited nothing 1 by having our service in the church hours, which some imagined would have done wonders. I do not know that it has donemore good anywhere in England ; in Scotland I believe it has. Tues. 6. I preached about noon at Mitcham. We preached here many years ago for some time ; but despairing of doing any good there, totally left the place. A year or two ago a spark fell upon it, which is now kindled into a flame. So that the work of God is more lively here, than in any society near London. I found more life than I expected, in the evening, among the poor people at Wandsworth, who have been long swallowed up in the cares of this world. But as theyhave a little more business, so they have more ease for their souls ; and seem determined to recover the ground they had lost. Fri. 9-. A friend offering to bear my expenses, I set out in the evening, and on Saturday, 10, dined at Nottingham. The preaching-house (one of the mostelegant inEngland)was pretty well filled in the evening. Sunday, 11. At ten we had a lovely congregation ; and a very numerous one in the afternoon. But, I believe, the House would hardly contain one half ofthose that came to it. I preached a charity sermon for the Infirmary, which was the design ofmy coming. This is not a County Infirmary, but is open to all England ; yea, to all the world ; and everything about it is so neat, so convenient, and so well ordered, that I have seen none like it in the threekingdoms. Monday, 12. In the afternoon we took coach again, and on Tuesday returnedto London. : Dec. 1787.] -Thur. 15. Even at Poplar I found a remarkable revivalof the work ofGod. I never saw the preaching-house so filled