Journal Vol4 7
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | journal |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-journal-vol4-7-444 |
| Words | 398 |
the Scots are the best hearers in Europe !
Wed. 14.-At five I wasimportuned to preachinthepreaching-
house; but such a one I never saw before. It had no windows
at all : So that although the sun shone bright, we could see
nothing without candles. But I believe our Lord shone onmany
hearts, while I was applying those words, " I will, be thou
clean." I breakfasted with poor Mr. Ashton, manyyears ago
amember of our society inLondon ; but far happier now in his
little cottage, than ever he was in his prosperity.
When I was in Scotland first, even at a Nobleman's table, we
had only flesh meat ofonekind,but no vegetables of any kind ;
butnow they areas plentiful here as inEngland. NearDum-
fries there are five very large public gardens, which furnish the
town with greens and fruit in abundance.
The congregation in the evening was nearly double to that
we had the last ; and, if it was possible, more attentive. Indeed
one or two gentlemen, so called, laughed at first ; but they
quickly disappeared ; and all were still while I explained the
worship of God in spirit and in truth. Two of the Clergy fol-
lowed me tomy lodging,and gavemeapressing invitation to
their houses. Several others intended,it seems, to do the same;
but having a long journey before me, I left Dumfries earlier in
themorning than they expected. We set out on Thursday, 15,
at four ; and reached Glasgow, Friday, 16, before noon. Much
of the country, as we came, is now well improved ; and the wild-
erness become a fruitful field.
Our new preaching-house will, I believe, contain about as
many as the chapel at Bath. But O the difference ! It has the
pulpit on one side; and has exactly the look of a Presbyterian
meeting-house. It is the very sister of our House at Brentford.
Perhaps an omen ofwhat willbe when I am gone. I preached
at seven to a tolerably large congregation, and to many ofthem
at five in the morning. At six in the evening they were
increased fourfold; but still I could not find theway to their
hearts.
Sun. 18-. I preached at eleven on the parable ofthe Sower;
at half-past two on Psalm 1.23 ; and in the evening on, " Now
abideth faith, hope, love; these three." I subjoined a short