it was all at an end: and I have seen nothing since."

In the evening I preached near the Preaching-house at Paddiham, and strongly insisted on communion with God, as the only religion that would avail us. At the close of the sermon came Mr. M. His long, white beard, shewed that his present disorder was of some continuance. In all other respects, he was quite sensible: but he told me, with much concern, "You can have no place in heaven without-a beard! therefore, I beg, let your's grow immediately."

Wednesday 30, I rode to Rosendale, which, notwithstanding its name, is little else than a chain of mountains. The rain in the evening obliged me to preach in the new house, near a village called New Church. As many as could, crowded in, and many more stood at the door. But many were constrained to go away. Thursday 31, I preached at Bacup, and then rode on to Heptonstall. The tall mountain, on which it stands, is quite steep and abrupt, only where the roads are made: and the deep valleys that surround it, as well as the sides of the mountains beyond, are well clothed with grass, corn, and trees. I preached with great enlargement of heart, on Now is the day of salvation. The renegade Methodists, first turning Calvinists, then Anabaptists, made much confusion here for a season. But, as they now have taken themselves away, the poor people are in peace again.

Friday, August 1, I rode to Ewood. The last time I was here, young Mr. Grimshaw received us in the same hearty manner as his father used to do. But he too is now gone into eternity! So in a few years the family is extinct! I preached at one in a meadow near the house, to a numerous congregation and we sang with one heart,

"Let sickness blast, and death devour,

If heaven will recompence our pains:
Perish the grass and fade the flower,

Since firm the Word of God remains."

In the evening I preached at Halifax. When I began, the sun was intensely hot: but quickly the clouds covered

it.

Sunday 3, When the prayers at Haworth were ended, I preached from a little scaffold on the south side of the Church, on those words in the Gospel, O that thou hadst known the things that belong unto thy peace! The commu nicants alone (a sight which has not been seen since Mr. Grimshaw's death) filled the Church. In the afternoon, the congregation was supposed to be the largest which had ever been there but strength was given me in proportion, so that, I believe, all could hear.

Monday 4, At one I preached at Bingley, but with a heavy heart, finding so many of the Methodists here, as well as at Haworth, perverted by the Anabaptists. I see, more and more clearly, none will keep to us, unless they keep to the Church. Whoever separate from the Church, will separate from the Methodists. In the afternoon I went to Otley; but the town seemed to be run mad. Such noise, hurry, drunkenness, rioting, confusion, I know not when I have met with before. It was their feast-day! A feast of Bacchus, or Venus, or Belial? O shame to a Christian country! However, both the small and great rabble were so engaged, that they had no leisure to molest us: so that I preached to a large congregation under the hill, with per fect quietness.

Tuesday 5, I rode to Bradford. Wednesday 6, I preached at one in Great Gummersal; in the evening at Dewsbury. The congregation was as large as at Bradford, and as attentive; although a few years since, the people of Daw, green were as eminently savage and irreligious, as even the colliers of Kingswood. Thursday 7, we had as hot a day as most I have known in Georgia. However, about noon I rode to Horbury: but it was impracticable to preach abroad: so we retired into the new house; but this too was as hot as an oven. Some of the people behaved exceedingly ill at first; but it was soon over. In a few minutes, the whole congregation was as serious and attentive as that at Daw. Green.

Friday 8, I rode over to Huddersfield. The Church, though large, was exceedingly hot, through the multitude of

people: on whom I enforced St. Paul's words, God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. How we should have rode back I know not: but the wind which was in our face as we came, was again in our faces as we returned. At Birstal we found many of our brethren from various parts. One of them was mentioning a remarkable case, David Prince, of Thorner, near Leeds, had been stone blind for many years, and was without God in the world, till past fourscore. At about eighty-one he received remission of sins, and from that hour he never lost the sense of it. When he was asked, how he did; his answer was, "Happier and happier." In the eighty-fifth year of his age, his spirit returned to God.

Sunday 10, After Mr. Eastwood had read prayers, I came out into the Church-yard, and preached to four times as many as the Church could contain, on Are not Abana and Pharpar better than all the waters of Israel? About one I preached at Daw-Green. I judged the congregation closely wedged together, to extend forty yards one way, and about a hundred the other. Now suppose five to stand in a yard square, they would amount to twenty thousand people. I began preaching at Leeds between five and six, to just such another congregation. This was the hardest day's work I have had since I left London; being obliged to speak at each place, from the beginning to the end, to the utmost extent of my voice. But my strength was as my day.

Tuesday 12, Our Conference began, and ended on Friday evening. A happier Conference we never had, nor a more profitable one. It was both begun and ended in love, and with a solemn sense of the presence of God.

Sunday 17, After preaching in Leeds at seven, I rode to Birstal, and heard a sound, useful sermon, on Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden. At one I preached to an immense multitude, on Come, Lord Jesus! I then set out for Rotherham. But the next day I turned off from the road I had designed to take, and going on to Leicester that night, on Wednesday reached London.

It was at the earnest request of -, whose heart God has turned again, without any expectation of mine, that I came hither so suddenly. And if no other good result from it, but our firm union with Mr. Whitefield, it is an abundant recompence for my labour. My brother and I conferred with him every day: and let the honourable men do what they please, we resolved, by the grace of God, to go on, hand in hand, through honour and dishonour.

Sunday 24, The Chapel was sufficiently crowded, both morning and afternoon; and God was eminently present. In the evening I went to Brentford, and saw a remarkable monument of mercy: A man, who, in the full career of sin, was so hurt by a fall, that there was no hope of his life. But after deep repentance, God broke in upon his soul, and gave him a better hope. So that he is now little concerned about life or death, but praises God all the day long. Monday 25, we set out early from Brentford, and reached Bath on Tuesday in the afternoon.

Many were not a little surprised in the evening, at seeing me in the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel. The congregation was not only large but serious: and I fully delivered my own soul. So I am in no concern, whether I preach there again or not. I have no choice concerning it. Wednesday 27, I rode to Bristol, and the next day delivered the management of Kingswood-house, to Stewards on whom I could depend. So I have cast a heavy load off my shoulders. Blessed be God for able and faithful men, who will do his work, without any temporal reward.

7

Friday 29, In my way to Cornwall, I preached at Shepton-Mallet at nine; in Wincaunton, at one. I was thoroughly tired before we came to Shaftsbury: however, at six I preached in the new house, filled within and without, to the no small astonishment, it seemed, of most of the hearers. But it was a time of consolation, as well as conviction. I trust, many will experience both, in this house.

Saturday 30, We rode to Stallbridge, long the seat of war, by a senseless, insolent mob, encouraged by their betters, so called, to outrage their quiet neighbours. For what?

VOL. IV.

"Why, they were mad: they were Methodists." So to bring them to their senses, they would beat their brains out. They broke their windows, leaving not one whole pane of glass, spoiled their goods, and assaulted their persons, with dirt, and rotten eggs, and stones, whenever they appeared in the street. But no Magistrate, though they applied to several, would shew them either mercy or justice. At length they wrote to me. I ordered a Lawyer, to write to the rioters he did so ; but they set him at nought. We then moved the Court of King's-bench. By various artifices, they got the trial put off, from one time of the Assizes to another for eighteen months. But it fell so much the heavier on themselves, when they were found guilty. And from that time, finding "there is law for Methodists," they have suffered them to be at peace.

I preached near the main-street, without the least disturb ance, to a large and attentive congregation. Thence we rode on to Axminster, but were thoroughly wet, before we came thither. The rain obliged me to preach within at six. But at seven on Sunday morning, I cried in the Marketplace, The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.

In the evening I preached in the street at Ashburton. Many behaved with decency; but the rest, with such stupid rudeness as I have not seen for a long time in any part of England.

Monday, September 1, I came to Plymouth-Dock, where, after heavy storms, there is now a calm. The house, notwithstanding the new galleries, was extremely crowded in the evening. I strongly exhorted the backsliders to return to God. And I believe many received the word of exhortation.

Tuesday 2, Being invited to preach in the Tabernacle at Plymouth, I began, about two in the afternoon. In the evening I was offered the use of Mr. Whitefield's Room at the Dock: but, large as it is, it would not contain the congregation. At the close of the sermon, a large stone was thrown in at one of the windows, which came just behind