AN EXTRACT OF THE REV. MR. JOHN WESLEY'S JOURNAL. FROM AUGUST 9, 1779, TO SEPTEMBER 3, 1792 JOURNAL.—No. XIX. MONDAY, August 9.-I set out for Wales, with my brother and his family. In the evening I preached at Oxford; the next at Witney. Wednesday, 11.-We went on to Gloucester, where I preached with much satisfaction to a crowded audience. Thursday, 12.-We went on to Monmouth, where the late storm is blown over. I preached at six in the evening, but did not observe one inattentive person then, any more than at five in the morning. Fri. 13.-As I was going down a steep pair of stairs, my foot slipped, and I fell down several steps. Falling on the edge of one of them, it broke the case of an almanack, which was in my pocket, all to pieces. The edge of another stair met my right buckle, and snapped the steel chape of it in two; but I was not hurt. So doth our good Master give his angels charge over us! In the evening I preached at Brecknock; and, leaving my brother there, on Saturday, 14, went forward to Carmarthen. This evening, and in the morning, Sunday, 15, the new preaching house contained the congregation; but in the afternoon we had, I think, the largest congregation I ever saw in Wales. I preached on the Gospel for the day, the story of the Pharisee and the Publican; and I believe many were constrained to cry out, for the present, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Mon. 16.-In the evening I preached in the market place again, to a very serious congregation; many of whom were in tears, and felt the word of God to be sharper than a two-edged sword. Tuesday, 17.Having some steep mountains to climb, I took a pair of post-horses. About four miles from the town, one of them began to kick and flounce, without any visible cause, till he got one of his legs over the pole. Mr. Broadbent and I then came out of the chaise and walked forward. While the drivers were setting the chaise right, the horses ran back almost to the town; so that we did not reach Llyngwair till between two and three o'clock. Mr. Bowen was not returned from a journey to Glasgow. However, I spent a very comfortable evening with Mrs. Bowen and the rest of the family. Wed. 18.-I preached about ten in Newport church; and then we went on to Haverfordwest. Here we had a very different congregation, both as to number and spirit; and we found the society striving together for the hope of the Gospel. Thursday, 19.-We went over to Fracoon, one of the loveliest places in Great Britain. The house stands in a deep valley, surrounded with tall woods, and them with lofty mountains. But as Admiral Vaughan was never married, this ancient family will soon come to an end. At two I preached in Newcastle church, and in the evening at Haverford. Fri. 20.-Many of us met at noon, and spent a solemn hour in intercession for our king and country. In the evening the house was thoroughly filled with people of all denominations. I believe they all felt that God was there, and that he was no respecter of persons. Sat. 21.-I went to Pembroke. Understanding that a large number of American prisoners were here, in the evening I took my stand over against the place where they were confined; so that they all could hear distinctly. Many of them seemed much affected. O that God may set their souls at liberty! Sun. 22.-Mr. Rees, a neighbouring clergyman, assisting me, I began at St. Daniel's between nine and ten. The congregation came from many miles round; and many of them were greatly refreshed. While we rode to Haverford after dinner, I think it was full as hot as it uses to be in Georgia; till about five o'clock a violent shower exceedingly cooled the air; but it ceased in half an hour, and we had then such a congregation as was scarce ever seen here before; and though many of the gentry were there, yet a solemn awe spread over the whole assembly. Mon. 23.-I came once more to Carmarthen. Finding the people here (as indeed in every place) under a deep consternation through the terrible reports which flew on every side, I cried aloud in the market place, Say ye unto the righteous, it shall be well with him." God made it a word in season to them, and many were no longer afraid. Tues. 24.-Setting out immediately after preaching, about eight I preached at Kidwelly, about nine miles from Carmarthen, to a very civil and unaffected congregation. At eleven, though the sun was intensely hot, I stood at the end of the church yard in Llanelly, and took occasion from a passing-bell, strongly to enforce those words, "It is appointed unto men once to die." About six I preached at Swansea to a large congregation, without feeling any weariness. Wed. 25.I preached at five; and about eight in the Town Hall at Neath. ln the afternoon I preached in the church near Bridge End, to a larger congregation than I ever saw there before; and at six, in the Town Hall at Cowbridge, much crowded, and hot enough. The heat made it a little more difficult to speak; but, by the mercy of God, I was no more tired when I had done, than when I rose in the morning. Thur. 26.-I preached at five, and again at eleven. I think this was the happiest time of all. The poor and the rich seemed to be equally affected. O how are the times changed at Cowbridge, since the people compassed the house where I was, and poured in stones from every quarter! But my strength was then according to my day; and (blessed be God!) so it is still. In the evening I preached in the large hall at Mr. Matthews's in Llandaff. And will the rich also hear the words of eternal life?" With God all things are possible." Fri. 27.-I preached at Cardiff about noon, and at six in the even ing. We then went on to Newport; and setting out early in the morning, reached Bristol in the afternoon. Sunday, 29.--I had a very large · number of communicants. It was one of the hottest days I have known in England. The thermometer rose to eighty degrees;-as high as it usually rises in Jamaica. Being desired to visit a dying man on Kingsdown, I had no time but at two o'clock. The sun shone without a cloud; so that I had a warm journey. But I was well repaid; for the poor sinner found peace. At five I preached to an immense multitude in the Square; and God comforted many drooping souls. Mon. 30.-I set out for the west, and in the evening preached at Taunton, on, "Walk worthy of the Lord." Tues. 31.-After preaching at Collumpton about noon, in the evening I preached at Exeter, in a convenient room, lately a school; I suppose formerly a chapel. It is both neat and solemn, and is believed to contain four or five hundred people. Many were present again at five in the morning, September 1, and found it a comfortable opportunity. Here a gentleman, just come from Plymouth, gave us a very remarkable account:-"For two days the combined fleets of France and Spain lay at the mouth of the harbour. They might have entered it with perfect ease. The wind was fair; there was no fleet to oppose them; and the island, which is the grand security of the place, being incapable of giving them any hinderance; for there was scarce any garrison, and the few men that were there had no wadding at all, and but two rounds of powder." But had they not cannon? Yes, in abundance; but only two of them were mounted! Why then did they not go in, destroy the dock, and burn, or at least plunder, the town? I believe they could hardly tell themselves.-The plain reason was, the bridle of God was in their teeth; and he had said, "Hitherto shall ye come and no further." After preaching at Tiverton, Halberton, Taunton, and South Brent, in the way, on Saturday, 4, I returned to Bristol. Sun. 5.-Being willing to make the best of the fine weather, I preached at eight on the quay, on, "The Lord sitteth above the water-flood: and the Lord remaineth a King for ever." At ten I began the service at Kingswood; and in the afternoon preached in the avenue, to a multitude of people. But we had five or six times as many at King's Square; and great was our rejoicing in the Lord. Mon. 6.-I preached on David's prayer, "Lord, turn the counsel of Ahithophol into foolishness." And how remarkably has he heard this prayer with regard to the French Ahithophels! Wed. 8.-I preached at Paulton, where the people are still all alive, and the society is still as one family; consequently it increases both in grace and number. At six I preached at Pensford, and spent a pleasant evening with the lovely family at Publow. Where is there such another? I cannot tell: I doubt, not in Great Britain or Ireland. Sun. 12.-I found it work enough to read prayers, and preach, and administer the sacrament to several hundred people. But it was comfortable work; and I was no more tired at the end than at the beginning. Monday, 13.-I preached at Bath and Bradford; on Tuesday, at the end of the new house, in Frome. Wednesday, 15.-I preached at Malcolm and Shaftesbury; Thursday, 16, at Shepton Mallet. Here also, as well as at Paulton, (the two most unlikely places in the circuit,) a spreading flame is kindled. I preached at Coleford in the evening. Among this plain, simple people, the power of God is always present. Sun. 19. The rain would not suffer me to preach abroad. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I examined the society, and found a large number had been called home this year. A few are still tottering over the grave; but death hath lost its sting. Thur. 23.-I preached in the afternoon near the fish ponds. The people here had been remarkably dead for many years; but since that saint of God, Bathsheba Hall, with her husband came among them, a flame is broke out. The people flock together in troops, and are athirst for all the promises of God. In the evening one sat behind me in the pulpit at Bristol, who was one of our first masters at Kingswood. A little after he left the school, he likewise left the society. Riches then flowed in upon him; with which, having no relations, Mr. Spencer designed to do much good, -after his death. “But God said unto him, Thou fool!" Two hours after, he died intestate, and left all his money to-be scrambled for!Reader, if you have not done it already, make your will before you sleep! 66 Fri. 24.-James Gerrish, jun., of Roade, near Frome, was for several years zealous for God: but he too grew rich, and grew lukewarm, till he was seized with a consumption. At the approach of death he was horribly afraid;" he was in the lowest darkness, and in the deep." But "he cried unto God in his trouble," and was "delivered out of his distress." He was filled with peace and joy unspeakable, and so continued till he went to God. His father desired I would preach his funeral sermon; which I accordingly did this day, at Roade. I concluded the busy day with a comfortable watch-night at Kingswood. Mon. 27.-I preached at Pill. On Wednesday I opened the new chapel in Guinea-street. Thursday, 30.-I preached at Amesbury, on Communion with God, while deep awe sat on the face of all the people. Friday, October 1.—I took a solemn leave of the children at Kingswood. Several of them have been convinced of sin again and again; but they soon trifled their convictions away. Sun. 3.-I preached once more in the Square, to a multitude of people; and afterward spent a solemn hour with the society, in renewing our covenant with God. Mon. 4.-I left Bristol, preached at the Devizes at eleven, and in the evening at Sarum. Tuesday, 5.-I preached at Whitchurch, where many, even of the rich, attended, and behaved with much seriousness. Wednesday, 6.-At eleven I preached in Winchester, where there are four thousand five hundred French prisoners. I was glad to find they have plenty of wholesome food; and are treated, in all respects, with great humanity. In the evening I preached at Portsmouth Common. Thursday, 7.-I took a view of the camp adjoining to the town, and wondered to find it as clean and neat as a gentleman's garden. But there was no chaplain. The English soldiers of this age have nothing to do with God! Fri. 8. We took chaise, as usual, at two, and about eleven came to Cobham. Having a little leisure, I thought I could not employ it better than in taking a walk through the gardens. They are said to take up four hundred acres, and are admirably well laid out. They far exceed the celebrated gardens at Stow; and that in several respects :-]. In situation; lying on a much higher hill, and having a finer prospect from the house. 2. In having a natural river, clear as crystal, running beneath and through them. 3. In the buildings therein; which are fewer indeed, but far more elegant; yea, and far better kept, being nicely clean which is sadly wanting at Stow. And, lastly, In the rock work; to which nothing of the kind at Stow is to be compared. This night I lodged in the new house at London. How many more nights have I to spend there? Mon. 11.-I began my little tour into Northamptonshire. In the evening I preached at Stony Stratford; the next day at Honslip, and at Morton, a little mile from Buckingham. Wednesday, 13.-Having so lately seen Stourhead and Cobham gardens, I was now desired to take a view of the much more celebrated gardens at Stow. The first thing I observed was the beautiful water which runs through the gardens, to the front of the house. The tufts of trees, placed on each side of this, are wonderfully pleasant; and so are many of the walks and glades through the woods, which are disposed with a fine variety. The large pieces of water interspersed give a fresh beauty to the whole. Yet there are several things which must give disgust to any person of common sense:-1. The buildings called temples, are most miserable, many of them both within and without. Sir John Vanbrugh's is an ugly, clumsy lump, hardly fit for a gentleman's stable. 2. The temples of Venus and Bacchus, though large, have nothing elegant in the structure; and the paintings in the former representing a lewd story, are neither well designed nor executed. Those in the latter are quite faded, and most of the inscriptions vanished away. 3. The statues are full as coarse as the paintings; particularly those of Apollo and the muses, whom a person, not otherwise informed, might take to be nine cookmaids. 4. Most of the water in the ponds is dirty, and thick as puddle. 5. It is childish affectation to call things here by Greek or Latin names, as Styx, and the Elysian Fields. 6. It was ominous for My Lord to entertain himself and his noble company in a grotto built on the bank of Styx; that is, on the brink of hell. 7. The river on which it stands is a black, filthy puddle, exactly resembling a common sewer. 8. One of the stateliest monuments is taken down,-the Egyptian Pyramid; und no wonder, considering the two inscriptions, which are still legible; the one, Linquenda tellus, et domus, et placens Uxor: Neque harum, quas colis, arborum Te, præter invisas cupressos, Ulla brevem dominum sequetur. The other, [See vol. iii, p. 609.] Lusisti satis, edisti satis, atque bibisti: Tempus abire tibi est; ne potum largius æquo You have eaten, and drunk, and played enough: it is time for you to depart; lest, having drunk too freely, you be mocked and beaten by those of an age which sportive ness better becomes.] Upon the whole, I cannot but prefer Cobham gardens to those at Stow: for, 1. The river at Cobham shames all the ponds at Stow. 2. There is nothing at Stow comparable to the walk near the wheel which runs |