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Friday 13, I spent some time with poor Richard Henderson, deeply affected with the loss of his only son, who, with as great talents as most men in England, had lived two and thirty years, and done-just nothing. Saturday 14, in the evening I preached in Temple church, perhaps for the last time; as good Mr. Easterbrook was suddenly taken ill the next day. Well, whatever is, is best. Sunday 15, having Mr. Baddiley to assist me in the morning, I preached at Kingswood in the afternoon, and in the evening at the room. We concluded the day with a solemn and comfortable lovefeast.

Monday 16, We set out early and dined at Stroud, where I had proof, that either people or preachers, or both, had left their first love. I strongly exhorted them, to remember from whence they were fallen, and do the first works. God applied his word, and I suppose two hundred were present at five in the morning. Tuesday 17, many were present at Gloucester in the evening: but they seemed to be little affected. Wednesday 18, I preached in Tewkesbury at noon. The room was crowded, and all seemed to feel what they heard. I was informed that one who, two or three years ago, had carried all his family to America, in quest of golden mountains, had crept back again, being utterly beggared, and forced to leave his family behind him. In the evening the house at Worcester was thoroughly filled with a deeply affected congregation: but we were in great want of more room. In due time God will give us this also.

Friday 20, We went on to Birmingham, still increasing on every side. Hearing the cry of want of business, even in this, as well as most other trading towns in England, I considered what the meaning of it should be: and the case seems plainly this: Two or three years ago business poured into Birmingham, and consequently more hands were wanting; but when business returned into its usual! channel, they were wanted no longer. These men therefore certainly wanted business, and spread the cry over the town, The same must be the case at Manchester, Liverpool, and

all other towns where there is an extraordinary trade for a time it must subside again; and then arises the cry of "want of business."

Saturday 21, I had a day of rest, only preaching mórning and evening. Sunday 22, was appointed for my opening the house at the east end of the town. It would havé been crowded above measure, but that the friendly rain in terposed, so that we had only a moderate congregation. It was otherwise in the evening, when heaps upon heaps were obliged to go away. How white are these fields unto the harvest! Monday 23, the congregation at Dudley pretty well filled the new house. Thence we hastened to Madeley, where I found Mrs. Fletcher better than she had been for many years; and young Mr. Fletcher much alive to God, and swiftly growing up into the spirit of his uncle. I preached in the evening, after Mr. Horne had read prayers, to a deeply serious congregation, and again at nine in the morning, Wednesday 24, in the preaching-house she has lately fitted up. Going on to Shrewsbury, at six I preached in the preaching-house, on 1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2, 3. Several of the gentry, and several clergymen were there, and I believe not in vain. I had purposed to set out early in the morning, but was persuaded to stay another day, there being now a fairer prospect at Salop than had been before. I preached morning and evening. I have cast my bread upon the waters, and hope it will be found again, at least, after many days.

Thursday 26, We set out early, and taking post horses at Clowrust, reached Conway between eight and nine o'clock, having travelled seventy eight miles that day, twenty eight more than from Chester to Conway.

Friday 27, We went on to Holyhead, and at eight in the evening went on board the Claremont packet. The wind stood fair three or four hours: it then turned against us, and blew hard. I do not remember I was ever so sick at sea before: but this was little to the cramp which held me most of the night with little intermission. All Saturday we were beating to and fro, and gaining little ground: and I was se

ill throughout the day as to be fit for nothing: but I slept well in the night, and about eight in the morning, Sunday 29, came safe to Dublin Quay.

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I went straight up to the new room. We had a numerous congregation, and as serious as if we had been at West-street. I preached on the sickness and recovery of King Hezekiah and King George: and great was our rejoicing. I really took knowledge of the change which God has wrought in this congregation within a few years. A great part of them were light and airy: now almost all appear as serious as death. Monday 30, I began preaching at five in the morning, and the congregation both then and the following mornings, was far larger in proportion than those at London. Meantime I had letter upon letter concerning the Sunday service: but I could not give any answer till I had made a full enquiry both into the occasion and the effects of it. The occasion was this: About two years ago it was complained, that few of our society attended the church on Sunday; most of them either sitting at home, or going on Sunday morning to some dissenting meeting: hereby many of them were hurt, and inclined to separate from the church. To prevent this, it was proposed to have service at the room, which I consented to, on condition that they would attend St. Patrick's every first Sunday in the month. The effect was, 1, That they went no more to the meetings, 2, That three times more went to St. Patrick's (perhaps six times more) in six or twelve months, than had done for ten or twenty years before. Observe! this is not done to prepare for, but to prevent a separation from the church.

On the mornings of this and the following week I expounded the thirteenth chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians: such a compendium of true religion as none but the author of it can give. The evening congregations were exceedingly large, as well as deeply attentive. Friday, April 3, I preached at Bethesda, and with much liberty of spirit. Saturday 4, I preached in Gravel-walk house, so filled as I never saw it before; and they all seemed to hear as for life: it was a comfortable night.

Sunday 5, I preached in the new room at seven. At eleven I went to the cathedral. I desired that those of our society, who did not go to their parish churches, would go with me to St. Patrick's: many of them did so. It was said, the number of communicants was about five hundred. More than went there in the whole year, before Methodists were known in Ireland.

Monday 6, To-day, and for some days following, I was so overborne with letters that I had hardly time to do any thing but to read and answer them. Wednesday 8, I visited and administered the sacrament to our poor widows, four and twenty of whom are tolerably provided for in our widow's house. The frowardness and stubbornness of some of these, was, for a time, a grievous trial to the rest: but this past. They are all now of a better spirit, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. ⠀

Thursday 9, In the evening I met, for the second time, the bands: I admired them much; they are more open than those either in London or Bristol; and I think here is a greater number of those that are now clearly perfected in love than I now find even in London itself.

Friday 10, Being Good-Friday, I accepted of the pressing invitation of Mr. Smyth, and preached at Bethesda both morning and evening in the morning, on the new covenant, as it is now given to the Israel of God; and in the evening on Heb. ix. 13, 14, If the blood of bulls, &c. At both times we had a brilliant congregation, among whom were honourable and right honourable persons. But I felt they were all given into my hands; for God was in the midst. What a mercy is it, what a marvellous condescension in God to provide such places as Bethesda, and Lady Huntingdon's chapels, for these delicate hearers, who could not bear sound doctrine if it were not set off with these pretty trifles!

Sunday 12, (Easter-Day) We had a solemn assembly indeed, many hundred communicants in the morning and in the afternoon, far more hearers than our room would contain, though it is now considerably enlarged. Afterwards I

met the society, and explained to them, at large, the original design of the Methodists, viz. Not to be a distinct party, but to stir up all parties, Christians or Heathens, to worship God in spirit and in truth; but the Church of England in particular, to which they belonged from the beginning. With this view, I have uniformly gone on for fifty years, never varying from the doctrine of the Church at all; nor from her discipline, of choice, but of necessity. So, in a course of years, necessity was laid upon me, (as I have proved elsewhere,) 1, To preach in the open air: 2, To pray extempore: 3, To form societies: 4, To accept of the assistance of lay preachers; and, in a few other instances, to use such means as occurred, to prevent or remove evils that we either felt or feared.

We set out early on Monday 13, and about twelve reached Clonard, five and twenty Irish miles from Dublin. Three or four times as many as the house could contain," met together at five o'clock: the power of God was remarkably present, when divers were cut to the heart; and perhaps none more so than the master of the house. We had another good opportunity at seven in the morning, Tuesday 14, which we closed with a serious, pointed conversation, and then went on to Tyrrel's-pass. Though the wind was piercingly cold, the multitude of people obliged me to preach abroad in the evening: after which I gave them all a plain account of the design of Methodism; namely, not to separate from the church, but to unite together all the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Wednesday 15, About ten I preached to a small congregation in the court-house in Molingar. We had a far different congregation, both as to number and spirit, in Longford court-house in the evening: it was a beautiful sight. Great part of them came again at seven in the morning, and seemed to relish those words, He that doth the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Thursday 16, Heavy rain came on in the evening; yet the preaching-house at Kenagh would not contain the ple. Friday 17, I came to my old friends at Athlone: but,

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