and found wanting, even of those who had often appealed to this very rule. Wednesday 8, I preached at Kendalshire, where I do not remember to have been for nearly forty years. On the two following days, I preached at Chelton and Coleford. After preaching to an earnest congregation at Coleford, I met the society. They contained themselves pretty well, during the exhortation, but when I began to pray, the flame broke out. Many cried aloud: many sunk to the ground: many trembled exceedingly: but all seemed to be quite athirst for God, and penetrated by the presence of his power. Sunday 12, Dr. Coke read prayers, and I preached in the new room. Afterward I hastened to Kingswood, and preached under the shade of that double row of trees, which I planted about forty years ago. How little did any one then think that they would answer such an intention. The sun shone as hot as it used to do even in Georgia: but his rays could not pierce our canopy: and our Lord mean time shone upon many souls, and refreshed them that were weary. Monday 13, I visited one that was confined to her bed, and in much pain, yet unspeakably happy, rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, and in every thing giving thanks: yea, and testifying that she had enjoyed the same. happiness, without any intermission, for two and twenty years. Tuesday 14, I preached at Bath and Bradford: Wednesday 15, at Trowbridge and Frome. Thursday 16, I went to Ditcheat, a village near Castle-Cary, where I found a friendly, hospitable family: I preached in the evening to a numerous and earnest congregation. Friday 17, the house would not contain half the people. Hence we passed through a delightful country to the Nunnery, a mere elegant trifle, near King Alfred's tower, a lofty, triangular building, standing in the highest part of the country, on the very spot, as is supposed, where he drew up his army against the Danes. About eleven I preached at Castle-Cary, 1 to a quiet and attentive multitude. In the evening I preached at Shepton-Mallet, where the people at length know the day of their visitation. Saturday 18, I preached in the neat, cheerful church at Midsummer-Norton. Monday 20, Tuesday and Wednesday I met the classes, but found no increase in the society. No wonder, for discipline had been quite neglected; and without this, little good can be done among the Methodists. Thursday 23, I preached at Paulton about one, and at Pensford in the evening. The gentlemen at Chew-Magna having sent me word, "I was welcome to preach in the church," I went thither the next morning but they now sent me word "they had changed their minds:" so I preached in our own preaching-house, on If we let him alone, all men will believe on him. : Thursday 30, I had a long conversation with John M'Geary, one of our American preachers, just come to England. He gave a pleasing account of the work of God there, continually increasing, and vehemently importuned me to pay one more visit to America before I die. Nay, I shall pay no more visits to new worlds, till I go to the world of spirits. Saturday, October 2, It pleased God once more to pour out his Spirit on the family at Kingswood. Many of the children were much affected: I talked particularly with some who desired to partake of the Lord's-Supper. They did so the next morning. Afterwards I spent a little time with all the children; and easily observed an uncommon awe resting upon them all. In the evening we renewed our covenant with God, in the new room at Bristol. It was supposed, we had a thousand communicants, and, I believe, none went empty away. Monday 4, I set out for London. About eleven I preached at the Devizes, and in the evening at Sarum. A grievous stumbling-block was lately thrown in the way of this people. A young gentlewoman, after being deeply convinced of sin, found peace with God in a glorious manner. She was unspeakably happy: but not long after, suddenly fell into black despair, and afterwards into melancholy madness, wherein she continued about two years. Here was an occasion of offence, for them that sought occasion, which they took care to improve. Wednesday 6, About eleven I preached at Winchester, and in the evening at Portsmouth-Common. Those who could not get in, at first made a little noise, but in a short time all was quiet. Thursday 7, I crossed over to the Isle of Wight. In the afternoon I preached at Newtown, once the largest town in the isle; but now not having six houses together. In the evening all the ministers, and most of the gentry at Newport attended the preaching. Who hath warned them to flee from the wrath to come? O may many bring forth fruit with patience! Friday 8, we returned to Portsmouth-Common, and Saturday 9, to London. Monday 18, I set out for Oxfordshire, and in the evening preached at Wallingford. Tuesday 19, I spent an hour at Lord Harcourt's seat, near Nuneham, one of the pleasantest spots I have seen. It stands on a gently-rising hill, and commands a most delightful prospect. The rooms are not so grand as some, but elegant in the highest degree. So is also the front of the house, and what is called the flower garden, a small enclosure, surrounded by lofty trees, and filled with all the beauties that nature and art can give. The house at Oxford was thoroughly filled, and students as well as townsmen were deeply serious. Thursday 21, I preached at Witney, on As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. We had a large congregation at five in the morning at twelve I met the children, and was pleased to find that the impression which was made on them by the storm last year, is not yet worn out and the whole society, still double to what it was, appears to be much in earnest. : : After preaching in the evening, I met the select society, and found many of them who for several years have lost nothing of what they had received, but do still love God with all their heart, and in consequence, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks. Friday 22, I preached at High Wycombe about noon, and in the afternoon went on to London. Sunday 24, I preached at Shadwell church, which was exceedingly crowded with rich and poor, who all seemed to receive the truth in love. In the evening I took coach, and the next evening preached at Norwich: afterwards I advised the people to go away in silence; and they did so; neither man nor woman spoke till they were out of the house. The following days I visited the other societies in the Circuit, and on Monday, November 1, returned to London. Friday 5, We had a solemn watch-night. Saturday 6, I was an hour or two in conversation with that truly great man, Pascal Paoli; who is a tall, well-made, graceful man, about sixty years of age; but he does not look to be above forty. He appears to have a real regard for the public good, and much of the fear of God. He has a strong understanding, and seemed to be acquainted with every branch of polite literature. On my saying, "He had met with much the same treatment with that of an ancient lover of his country, Hannibal:" he immediately answered, “But I have never yet met with a King of Bithynia.' Monday 8, This week I visited the societies near London, a very heavy but necessary work. Thursday 18, I visited two persons in Newgate, who were under sentence of death: they seemed to be in an excellent temper, calmly resigned to the will of God. But how much stress can be reasonably laid on such impressions, it is hard to say. So often have I known them vanish away, as soon as ever the expectation of death was removed. Saturday 20, At three in the morning two or three men broke into our house, through the kitchen-window. Thence they came up into the parlour, and broke open Mr. Moore's bureau,, where they found two or three pounds: the night before I had prevented his leaving there seventy pounds, which he had just received. They next broke open the cupboard, and took away some silver spoons. Just at this time the alarum, which Mr. Moore, by mistake, had set for half past three, instead of four, went off, as it usually did, with a thundering noise. At this the thieves ran away with 5 all speed, though their work was not half done; and the whole damage which we sustained, scarcely amounted to six pounds. Monday 22, I preached at Northampton, and on Tuesday 23, at Whittlebury. Here my servant was seized with a fever, attended with eruptions all over, as big as peppercorns. I took knowledge of the prickley heat, as we called it in Georgia, termed by Dr. Heburden, the nettle rash, and assured him he would be well in four-and-twenty hours: he was so, and drove us on to Banbury, where, on Wednesday 24, I met with a hearty welcome from Mr. George, formerly a member of the London Society. The Presbyterian minister offering me the use of his meeting, I willingly accepted his offer. It was, I believe, capable of containing nearly as many people as the chapel at West-street: but it would not nearly contain the congregation, And God uttered his voice, yea, and that a mighty voice: neither the sorrow, nor the joy, which was felt that night, will quickly be forgotten. Thursday 25, I desired the people would sit below in the morning, supposing not many would be present. But I was much mistaken; notwithstanding the darkness and rain, the house was filled both above and below: and never did I see a people who appeared more ready prepared for the Lord. Returning through Brackley, I was informed, that notice had been given of my preaching there at nine in the town-hall. So I began without delay: the congregation was large and attentive, but seemed to understand me no more than if I had been talking Greek. But the society seemed alive to God, and striving to enter in at the strait gate. In the evening I preached at poor, dead Towcester. But is not God able to raise the dead? There was a considerable shaking among the dry bones. And who knows but these dry bones may live. Friday 26, I returned to London. Sunday 28, I preached a charity sermon at St. Paul's, Covent Garden. It is the largest and the best constructed parish church that I have preached in for several years: yet some hundreds were |