speak of the deep things of God. And the new house held them tolerably well: but in the evening it was far too small. So I stood in a little ground adjoining to the house. Many tender ones sat within, but the bulk of the congregation stood in the meadow, and the gardens on each side. I have not seen in all the world a people so easy to be convinced or persuaded, as the Irish. What pity that these excellent propensities should not always be applied to the most excellent purposes ! Monday 3, I rode to Coolylough, (where was the Quar, terly-meeting) and preached at eleven; and in the evening. While we were singing, I was surprised to see the horses from all parts of the ground gathering about us. Is it true then that horses, as well as lions and tygers, have an ear for music ? Wednesday 5, I went on to Tyrrel's-pass. Thursday 6, at eleven, I preached in the Court-house at Molingar, to a very genteel, and yet serious audience. In the evening I preached at Tyrrel's-pass again; and on Friday 7, at Edenderry. Here I received from Joseph Fry, a particular ac count of his late wife, an Israelite indeed! He said, "She was a strict attendant on all the means of grace, and a sin cere lover of the people of God. She had a remarkably good understanding, and much knowledge of the things of God. Though she was of an exceedingly bashful temper, yet she was valiant for the truth; not sparing to speak very plainly in defence of it, before persons of all conditions. Two years ago she began to lose her health, and grew worse and worse, till September 29. On that day she was very restless. Observing her to have an unusual colour, I judged she could not continue long. She was sensible of it, and said, 'Do not go from me; for my time is short. O! it is a hard thing to die!' After a while, she said, "Dear Jesus, shall it be so with me as with the wicked?' I was deeply affected at seeing her in such a state: yet something told me, all will be well. I exhorted her with all my might, to lean on Jesus; and found myself unusually blest in so doing. But still she did not seem to receive it, till I observed her jaw was fallen. I was then concerned more than ever, lest she should die without hope. I spoke with more vehemence, while she lay speechless, with her eyes up to heaven. But on a sudden, she got her lips together again, and said with a loud voice, Now, my love, I experience what you have said. After all, my Jesus is mine! The devil is conquered: there, there you may see him going with shame.' She then praised God so loud, that one might hear her in the street; and added, Fine sport, my dear Joe, the devil is cast.' After rejoicing in God some time, she closed her eyes; but in a little while, she said, 'O, was it not very pretty, when the wise virgins went out in white, to meet their Lord? Yet what would their robes have signified without his righteousness?'-And died." The next day I went on to Dublin," and found all things as quiet as I left them. Wednesday 12, I rode through a lovely country to Ballymore, in the county of Wexford. Nearly twenty years ago, all this country was moved by the preaching of James Morris. Thousands flocked to hear : but one false step of his quite scattered them again. The house would not nearly contain the people; so I stood abroad, in a fair, mild evening. And once more God has given them a loud call, to turn unto Him, that they may save their souls alive. Thursday 13, I rode on to Inniscorthy, and preached, on Is there no balm in Gilead? To-day I saw one of the most lively and sensible children, that I have met with in the kingdom. What a miracle will it be, if she save her soul! If general admiration does not destroy her! Th Hence I rode to Bunklody, a little, ugly, scattered town, but delightfully situated. I did not find that five persons in the town would come a bow-shot to hear. So I ordered a table to be set in the street, and a few slowly crept together. They were as quiet, and seemed as much affected as the trees. Thence I rode on to Carlow. The UnderSheriff had promised the use of the Town-hall. But the : : High-Sheriff coming to town, would not suffer it. I thank him for by this means I was driven to the Barrack-field, where were twice as many as the Hall could have contained: over and above many of the poor Papists, who durst not have come into it. Afterwards I met the little Society. I used to wonder they did not increase. Now I should wonder if they did; so exquisitely bitter are the chief of them against the Church. I solemnly warned them against this evil: and some of them had ears to hear. Friday 14, At noon I preached at Baltinglass, to a handful of serious people: and in the evening, at Donard, to a much more numerous, but not more serious congregation. I could not but observe one pretty kind of a woman, with a child in her arms. She stood awhile; then walked to and fro: then stood: then walked again; and appeared as perfectly unconcerned as some pretty calves, which stood behind her. Saturday 15, I crossed the country to my old pupil, Mr. Morgans, and in the afternoon returned to Dublin. All the following week we had a remarkable blessing both at the morning and evening service. On Wednesday and Thursday, we had our little Conference, at which most of the preachers in the kingdom were present. We agreed to set apart Friday 21, for a day of fasting and prayer. At every meeting, particularly the last, our Lord refreshed us in an uncommon manner. About ten I was a little tired; but before it struck twelve, my weariness was all gone. It seemed to be the same with all the congregation, and prayer was swallowed up in praise. Sunday 23, at nine I preached in the Royal Square at the Barracks, on The dead small and great, standing before God. A huge multitude soon gathered together, and listened with deep attention. Many of the soldiers were among them. By what means but fieldpreaching, could we have reached these poor souls ? Monday 24, After preaching in the evening, I went on board the pacquet, and the next afternoon, landed at Holyhead. We reached Chester on Thursday morning. Here I finished Dr. Warner's History of the Irish Rebellion. I 鼠 never saw before so impartial an account of the transactions of those times. He really seems to be of no side, but to speak the naked truth of all, according to the best light he could procure. Friday 28, I rode to Manchester. As we were pretty well tired, our friends there insisted on my going on in a chaise. So in the morning, Saturday 29, we set out. When we were on the brow of the hill above Rippondale, suddenly the saddle-horse fell, with the driver under him, and both lay without motion. The shaft-horse then boggled and turned short, toward the edge of the precipice. But presently the driver and the horse rose up unhurt, and we went on safely to Leeds. Sunday 30, Mr. Crook being out of order, I read prayers and preached in Hunslet Church, both morning and afternoon. At five I preached at Leeds, and on Monday 31, prepared all things for the ensuing Conference. Tuesday, August 1, It began, and a more loving one we never had. On Thursday I mentioned the case of our Brethren at New York, who had built the first Methodist preaching-house in America, and were in great want of money, but much more of preachers. Two of our Preachers, Richard Boardman, and Joseph Pilmoor, willingly offered themselves for the service; by whom we determined to send them fifty pounds, as a token of our brotherly love. Saturday 5, In the evening I preached at Bradford, to an extremely crowded audience. The heat was hardly supportable. Such a day I had seldom, if ever, known in England. It was nearly as hot at four in the morning, Sunday 5. But the rain began before five, and in three or four hours quite cooled the air. At one we had the usual congregation on the side of Birstall-hill. But it was nearly doubled at Leeds in the evening. Monday 7, I returned to Manchester; and on Tuesday 3, went on to Shrewsbury. I preached at five: and soon after, receiving an invitation from Mr. Powis, at Berwick, I went over directly, gave a short exhortation, and returned to Salop. Wednesday 9, We reached Welchpool before nine, where notice had been given of my preaching, the Bailiff having granted the use of the Town-hall. But he had now changed his mind. So I rode on to New Town, and at one we went to the Market-house. But in a few minutes, a poor wretch, exceedingly drunk, came in cursing and blaspheming, and striking all that stood in his way. His stick was soon taken from him; but the noise increasing, I removed to the Brynn, and quietly finished my discourse. At six in the evening I preached at the Tuffin, the next morning at Lanidlos, and in the evening at the Abbey. Friday 11, I reached Caermarthen: the rain continuing, Mr. Peter Williams offered me his preaching-house, in which I enforced, God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Saturday 12, I preached at Haverford-West. Sunday 13, I went to St. Daniel's, and after reading prayers, preached on those words in the second lesson, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. The bigots of all sides seemed ashamed before God, and I trust will not soon forget this day. In the afternoon I read prayers, and preached again. I then met the Society in Pembroke. Once more their little jars are laid asleep; God grant they may rise no more! Monday 14, I preached in the Town-hall, to almost all the gentry in Pembroke. And I think, whatever they had before, they had then a clear call from God. Tuesday 15, in the evening, although the wind was high, yet the largeness of the congregation obliged me to stand on the outside of the house at Haverford-West. Wednesday 16, I examined the members of the Society, now the most lively one in Wales. Many of them are rejoicing in the love of God; and many groaning for full redemption. To-day I gave a second reading to that lively book, Mr. Newton's Account of his Own Experience. There is something very extraordinary therein; but one may account for it without a jot of predestination. I doubt not but his conversion (as well as Col. Gardiner's conversion) was an answer to his mother's prayers. |