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AN

EXTRACT

OF THE

REV. JOHN WESLEY'S

JOURNAL,

No. XX.

(Continued from Vol. V.)

FROM SEPTEMBER 4, 1782, TO JUNE 28, 1786.

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UESDAY, August 3, 1784, Our Conference being concluded, I left Leeds this evening, and, lodging at Halifax, went on the next day to Manchester. Thursday 5, we set out early, but being obliged to go round about, could not reach Shrewsbury till half past seven. I began preaching immediately, in memory of good John Appleton, lately called away, on Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest. Friday 6, I preached at Birmingham, and on Saturday 7, at Worcester.

Sunday 8, I preached in the afternoon in St. Andrew's church, and was agreeably surprised to observe the congregation deeply attentive, while I applied the story of Dives and Lazarus. Monday 9, I rode over Malvern-hills, which afford one of the finest prospects in the kingdom, to Ledbury; then through miserable roads to Ross. I preached in the evening at Monmouth, to a very quiet and civil conVOL. VI.

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gregation. Tumults were now at an end, as I lodged at the house of a gentleman, whom none cared to oppose. And even in the morning we had a large congregation, both of rich and poor.

Tuesday 10, I took a walk to what is called the Bowlinggreen-house, not a mile from the town. I have hardly seen such a place before. A gravel walk leads through the most beautiful meadows, surrounded on all sides by fruitful hills, to a gently-rising ground, on the top of which is a smooth green, on which the gentry of the town frequently spend the evening in dancing. From hence spread various walks bordered with flowers, one of which leads down to the river; on the back of which runs another walk, whose artless shades are not penetrated by the sun. These are full as beautiful, in their kind, as even the hanging-woods at Brecknock. Wednesday 11, it was with some difficulty that I broke from this affectionate people, and went on through a most lovely country to Brecon.

Thursday 12, I found the little flock were in great peace, and increasing in number as well as in strength. I preached in the town-hall. I never saw such a congregation in Breck-nock before; no, not even when I preached abroad. And I scarcely ever found the power of God so present: it seemed as if every one must know the Lord, from the least to the greatest.

Friday 13, We went on to Caermarthen. After preaching, I advised all the audience to copy after the decent behaviour of the Hollanders, in and after public worship. They all took my advice: none opened their lips till they came into the open air.

Saturday 14, Was the hottest day we have had this summer. We reached Tenby soon after one. After dinner we took a walk through the town. I think there is not such a town in England. It is the Killmallock of Great-Britain. Two thirds of the ancient town are either in ruins, or vanished away. In the evening I preached in the street, to a large congregation of rich and poor, all quiet and attentive. I cannot but think, salvation is at length come to this town

also. I preached again in the morning, Sunday 15, and the word seemed to sink into the hearts of the bearers. Thence we went by Pembroke to St. Daniel's. It was a comfortable season. We had such another at Pembroke in the evening. Many mourned after God, and many rejoiced with joy unspeakable.

Monday 16, I preached at Haverford-West. Tuesday 17, we rode over to Roach, eight miles from Haverford. The new preaching-house was pretty well filled: and I was glad to find that a little ride did me no harm. Wednesday 18, I went to Admiral Vaughan's at Tracoon, one of the pleasantest seats in Great-Britain. The house is embosomed in lofty woods, and does not appear till you drop down upon it. The admiral governs his family, as he did in his ship, with the utmost punctuality: the bell rings, and all attend without delay, whether at meals, or at morning and evening prayer. I preached at seven, on Phil. iii. 8, and spent the evening in serious conversation.

Thursday 19, I went on to Mr. Bowen's at Llynguair, another most agreeable place; the more so because of the company, Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, his brother, and six of their eleven children, two of whom are lately come from the University. Friday 20, about eight I preached in the church at Newport, and spoke strong words, if happily some might awake out of sleep. Thence we went to HaverfordWest, it being the day when the bishop held his visitation. As I was returning in the afternoon from visiting some of the poor people, a carriage in the street obliged me to walk very near a clergyman, who made me a low bow: I did the same to him; though I did not then know the bishop, who has, indeed, won the hearts of the people in general, by his courteous and obliging behaviour.

Sunday 22, I heard a good sermon in the church at Caermarthen, being the Assize sermon, on There is no power but of God. In the evening I preached in the mar ket-place, to, I think, the largest congregation I ever saw in Wales. Thursday 26, on the road I read over Voltaire's "Memoirs of himself." Certainly, never was a more con

summate coxcomb: but even his character is less horrid than that of his royal hero. Surely, so unnatural a brute never disgraced a throne before!

Credite, Romani: Credite, Graii! A monster, that made it a fixed rule, to let no woman and no priest enter his palace; that not only gloried in the constant practice of sodomy himself, but made it free for all his subjects. What a pity that his father had not beheaded him in his youth, and saved him from all this sin and shame.

In the evening I preached in the town-hall at Cardiff, and shewed the scriptural meaning of that much mistaken word, A Christian. Friday 27, 1 preached at Newport. I hardly know such another place. The people hear and hear; and are as much moved as the benches they sit upon. I spoke ás strongly as I possibly could, on Awake, thou that sleepest! and I judged, from the number who attended at five in the morning, that it was not all lost labour.

Saturday 28, Being informed the boat would pass at eight, we hastened to the New Passage: but we were time enough; for it did not set out till past six in the evening : however, we got into the boat about seven, and before nine reached Bristol. Tuesday 31, Dr. Coke, Mr. Whatcoat, and Mr. Vasey came down from London, in order to embark for America.

Wednesday, September 1, Being now clear in my own mind, I took a step which I had long weighed in my mind, and appointed Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey to go and serve the desolate sheep in America. Friday 3, I preached at Guinea-street, and the word of God was with power, in consequence of which there was a large congregation at five in the morning, although they had not been accustomed before to any service at that hour. Saturday 4, in the evening I preached at Bath. Sunday 5, I read prayers, preached, and administered the sacrament to a large congregation: but it was larger in the afternoon, and largest of all in the evening, when I opened and applied, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: and many were laid in the balance,

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