Wesley Corpus

length this wilderness, too, as it has long appeared to be, begins to blossom and bud as the rose. About two o'clock, Friday, 12, I preached in the preaching. house yard, at Trowbridge, where, notwithstanding the harvest, we had an unusually large congregation, who listened with deep attention ; in the evening, at Bradford, to as many as the Sept. 1788. ] 437 House would contain. But I did not find good Mrs. Ballard there. After long struggling with a deep nervous disorder, which for a time depressed the mind as well as the body, the cloud removed ; herload fell off, and her spirit joyfully returned toGod. Sat. 13.-I found the society at Bath in a more flourishing state than it had been for many years ; and the congregation in the evening was unusually large, and, as usual, seriously attentive. Sun. 14. We had twice as many communicants as I ever remember here. Just before service Mr. Shepherd came, and offered me his service. It could not have been more seasonable. I had much liberty of spirit the first time I preached to-day ; but greater at half-hour past two, and the greatest of all in the evening ; when I vehemently enforced those awful words, " Why will ye die, O house of Israel ? " Mon. 15. I returned to Bristol, and on the four following days was sufficiently employed in meeting the classes. At each end of the town, the society increases greatly. It does not decrease in any part. Glory be to God ! Fri. 19. Being pressed to preach to the poor people in George-Street, and knowing the House would not contain half the congregation in the evening, I began atfive ; by which means wehad room for all that could attend at so early an hour. O what an advantage have the poor over the rich ! These are not wise in their own eyes, but all receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save their souls. Sat. 20.-I met the Trustees for the new Room ; who were all willing to add a codicil to the Deed of Trust, in order to ascertain to the Conference (after me) the sole right of appoint- ing the Preachers in it. Sun. 21. I preached morning and afternoon at the Room ;