Wesley Corpus

found the society in peace ; but nearly at one stay. I endea- voured to stir up both them and the congregation, in the even- ing, to go on to perfection. Tuesday, DECEMBER 1. I called on Mr. Dornford, and found he kept his bed, being ill of a stubborn ague ; but it came no more. At noon I preached in the new preaching-house at Mitcham ; and examined the little earnest society, almost all rejoicing in the love of God. I then retired to the lovely family at Balham. [Dec. 1789. Here I had leisure on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, to consider throughly the account of the Pelew Islands. It is ingenious ; but I esteem it a dangerous book, which I cannot believe, if I believe the Bible ; for the direct tendency of it is to show, that the Bible is quite needless ; since if menmay be as virtuous without revelation as with it, then it is quite super- fluous ; then the fable of Jesus Christ, and that of Mahomet, are equally valuable. I do not say that Mr. Keate, much less Captain Wilson, designed to inculcate this consequence ; but it necessarily follows, ifyou believe the premises. I cannot believe there is such a Heathen on earth as Abba Thulle ; much less such a heathen nation as are here painted. But what do you think of Prince Lee Boo ? I think he was a good-natured, sensible young man, who came to England with CaptainWilson, and had learned his lesson well ; butwasjust as much a Prince, as Tomo Chachi was a King. Mon. DECEMBER 7.-I went to Chatham, and preached, as usual, to far more than the House could contain : And it is no wonder, considering that the spirit and behaviour of the people confirm the doctrine they hear. Tuesday, 8. We took a walk in the dock-yard. In the evening I preached in the elegant House at Brompton ; but it is already far too small. The peo- ple flock in on every side, to hear peacefully the Gospel. Thur. 10. I returned to London, and preached at the new chapel. Sun. 13.-Feeling much concern for poor backsliders, I endeavoured to explain and apply the concluding words of the parable ofthe Prodigal Son : " This thy brotherwas dead, and