Wesley Corpus

three times adayby the same Preacher, to the same congrega- tion ; enough to weary out both the bodies and minds of the speaker, as well as his hearers. Surely God is returning to this society ! They are now in earnest to make their calling and election sure. Mon. 6. This evening the congregation was almost as large as it was the night before ; and the power of God was mightily present : And so it was on Tuesday and Wednesday evening at Bristol. Thursday, 9. I read over the experience of Joseph Humphrys ; the first Lay Preacher that assistedme inEngland, in the year 1738. From his own mouth I learn, that he was perfected in love, and so continued for at least a twelvemonth. Afterwards he turned Calvinist, andjoinedMr. Whitefield, and published an invective against my brother and me in the news- paper. In a while he renounced Mr. Whitefield, and was ordained a Presbyterian Minister. At lasthe received Episco- pal ordination. He then scoffed at inward religion ; and when reminded of hisown experience, replied, " That was one of the foolish things which I wrote in the time ofmy madness !" Fri. 10. I preached to a large congregation at Chew-Stoke, nine miles from Bristol on those words in the Second Lesson, " Come unto me,all ye that are weary and heavy laden;" and in the evening at Mrs. Griffith's house. Sun. 12.-I intended to preach abroad ; but the weather would not permit. Monday, 13, andthe three following days, I met the classes of the society, which contains nine hundred and forty-four members. Still I complain offalse musters. It was told in London that this society contained above a thousand members ; and yet it falls so far short of a thousand. There is altogether a fault in this matter. Thur. 16. I was desired to see amonster properly speaking. Hewas as large as the largest lion in the tower ; but covered with rough hair, ofabrown colour ; has the head ofa swine, and feet like a mole. It is plain to me, it was begotten between a bear and a wild boar. He lives on fruit andbread, chiefly the latter. The keeper handles him as he pleases, puttinghis hand in his mouth, and taking hold ofhis tongue ; but he has a horri- ble roar, between that ofa lion and ofabull.