Wesley Corpus

topreach there again in the morning; but soon after, the sex- ton sent me word, it must not be ; for the crowds had damaged the House, and some of them had broke off and carried away the silver which was on the Bible in the pulpit: So I desired one of our Preachers to preach in our little House, and left Belfast early in the morning. Tues. 9.-About eight I came once more to Newtown, where I had not been for eleven years, and preached at nine to a mul- titude of people, in the Presbyterian meeting-house. All of them seemed to be not a little affected. God grant the impres- sion may continue ! From hence we had a pleasant ride to Portaferry, a pretty large sea-port town, and one of the quietest I ever saw, either in England, Scotland, or Ireland. Here likewise I preached in a large meeting-house, to a serious and well-behaved congregation, on, " Stand ye in the old paths ;" andmany seemed determined to " walk therein." Wed. 10. We had twice or thrice as many people in the morning as our House would have contained. We had then a lovely passage to Strangford ; but the question was, where to preach. I was inclined to preach in the open air, as I did eleven years ago, till the Vicar called upon me, and, after a little friendly conversation, asked me if I would not preach in the chapel. As 462 REV. J. WESLEY'S [June,1789. wewalked together through the street,the people gathered from every quarter : So that the church was over filled ; many being constrained to stand without the door ; and greatly was the mighty power ofGod displayed in the midst of them. We came to Downpatrick before one. Inthe afternoon we viewed the venerable ruins of the Abbey. Great men have talked of rebuilding it for many years ; but none moves a hand towards it. At six I preached to a numerous congregation in the Grove, on, " How long halt ye between two opinions ?" Afterwards I met the society, now well established, and still increasing both in number and strength. Thursday, 11. I preached in Rathfriland about noon ; and before two, set out for Tanderagee : But in about half an hour, the iron part of my