Wesley Corpus

years ago there was but one house here; now there are two or three streets ; and, as the trade swiftly increases, it will probably grow into aconsiderable town. A few years since Mr. Cowell largely contributed to the building ofa preaching-house here, in which both Calvinists and Arminians might preach : But when it was finished, the Arminian Preachers were totally excluded. Rather than go to law, Mr. Cowell built another House, both larger and more convenient. I preached there at noon to a large congregation, but to amuch largerin the evening. Several March,1788. Clergymen were present, and were as attentive as any of the people. Probably there will be a deep work of God at this place. -I breakfasted at Mr. Lister's, in Kidderminster, with a few very serious and pious friends. In the evening we had a Sunday congregation at Birmingham . Here there is a glorious increase of the work of God. The society is risen to above eight hundred; so that it is at pre- sent inferior to none inEngland, except those in London and Bristol . -We were greatly straitened for room, manybeing obliged to go away. But I believe all that could squeeze in found it good to be there ; for, both in the morning and after- noon, the power ofGod was present to heal. And so indeed it was on the two following days; particularly on Tuesday even- ing, while I explained, " Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect ? " I went on to Wednesbury, the mother-society of Staffordshire. But few of the old standers are left : I think but three, out of three hundred and fifteen. However, anew gene- ration is sprung up, though hardly equal to the former. -About noon I preached at Dudley, and with much liberty of spirit ; but with far more at Wolverhampton in the evening ; the new House being sufficiently crowded. What aden of lions was this town for manyyears ! Butnow, itseems, the last will be first. Friday, 28. We came to our dearfriends at Madeley. Mrs. Fletcher's health is surprisingly mended ; and one might take her nephew for a believer of seven years' standing ; he seems so well established in the faith ofthe Gospel. The congregation was surprisingly large in the even-