them was hurt; yet it occasioned a general panic at first: but in a few minutes all was quiet.

Wed. 11.-I read prayers and preached in the church at Darlaston, and in the evening returned to Birmingham. Fri. 12.-I walked through Mr. Bolton's curious works. He has carried every thing which he takes in hand to a high degree of perfection, and employs in the house about five hundred men, women and children. His gardens, running along the side of a hill, are delightful indeed; having a large piece of water at the bottom, in which are two well-wooded islands. If faith and love dwell here, then there may be happiness too. Otherwise all these beautiful things are as unsatisfactory as straws and feathers. Sat. 13.-I spent an hour in Hagley Park; I suppose inferior to few, if any, in England. But we were straitened for time. To take Afterward I went

a proper view of it would require five or six hours. to the Leasowes, a farm so called, four or five miles from Hagley. I never was so surprised. I have seen nothing in all England to be compared with it. It is beautiful and elegant all over. There is no thing grand, nothing costly; no temples, so called; no statues; (except two or three, which had better have been spared ;) but such walks, such shades, such hills and dales, such lawns, such artless cascades, such waving woods, with water intermixed, as exceed all imagination! On the upper side, from the openings of a shady walk, is a most beautiful and extensive prospect. And all this is comprised in the compass of three miles! I doubt if it be exceeded by any thing in Europe. The father of Mr. Shenstone was a gentleman farmer, who bred him at the University, and left him a small estate. This he wholly laid out in improving the Leasowes, living in hopes of great preferment, grounded on the promises of many rich and great friends. But nothing was performed, till he died at forty-eight; probably of a broken heart!

Sun. 14.-I heard a sermon in the old church, at Birminghamı, which the preacher uttered with great vehemence against these "hairbrained, itinerant enthusiasts." But he totally missed his mark; having not the least conception of the persons whom he undertook to describe. Mon. 15.-Leaving Birmingham early in the morning, I preached at nine in a large school room at Coventry. About noon I preached to a multitude of people, in the brick yard, at Bedworth. A few of them seemed to be much affected. In the evening I preached at Hinckley, one of the civilest towns I have seen.

Wed. 17.-I went on to Leicester; Thursday, 18, to Northampton; and Friday, 19, to Hinxworth, in Hertfordshire. Adjoining to Miss Harvey's house is a pleasant garden; and she has made a shady walk round the neighbouring meadows. How gladiy could I repose awhile here! But repose is not for me in this world. In the evening many of the villagers flocked together, so that her great hall was well filled. I would fain hope, some of them received the seed in good ground, and will bring forth fruit with patience.

Sat. 20.-We reached London. All the following week the congregations were uncommonly large. Wed. 24.-My brother and I paid our last visit to Lewisham, and spent a few pensive hours with the relict of our good friend, Mr. Blackwell. We took one more walk round the garden and meadow, which he took so much pains to im

prove. Upward of forty years this has been my place of retirement when I could spare two or three days from London. In that time, first Mrs. Sparrow went to rest; then Mrs. Dewall; then good Mrs. Blackwell; now Mr. Blackwell himself. Who can tell how soon we may follow them? Mon. 29.-I preached at West-street, on the ministry of angels; and many were greatly refreshed in considering the office of those spirits that continually attend on the heirs of salvation.

Friday, August 2, we observed as a day of fasting and prayer for a blessing on the ensuing conference; and I believe God clothed his word with power in an uncommon manner throughout the week; so that, were it only on this account, the preachers, who came from all parts, found their labour was not in vain. Tues. 13.-Being obliged to leave London a little sooner than I intended, I concluded the conference to-day; and desired all our brethren to observe it as a day of solemn thanksgiving. At three in the afternoon I took coach. About one on Wednesday morning we were informed that three highwaymen were on the road before us, and had robbed all the coaches that had passed, some of them within an hour or two. I felt no uneasiness on the account, knowing that God would take care of us: and he did so; for, before we came to the spot, all the highwaymen were taken; so we went on unmolested, and early in the afternoon came safe to Bristol. Thur. 15.-I set out for the west; preached at Taunton in the evening; Friday noon, at Collumpton; and in the evening, at Exeter. Here poor Hugh Saunderson has pitched his standard, and declared open war. Part of the society have joined him; the rest go on their way quietly, to make their calling and election sure.

Sun. 18.-I was much pleased with the decent behaviour of the whole congregation at the cathedral; as also with the solemn music at the post-communion, one of the finest compositions I ever heard. The bishop inviting me to dinner, I could not but observe, 1. The lovely situation of the palace, covered with trees, and as rural and retired as if it was quite in the country. 2. The plainness of the furniture, not costly or showy, but just fit for a Christian bishop. 3. The dinner sufficient, but not redundant; plain and good, but not delicate. 4. The propriety of the company,-five clergymen and four of the aldermen ; and, 5. The genuine, unaffected courtesy of the bishop, who, I hope, will be a blessing to his whole diocess. We set out early in the morning, Monday, 19, and in the afternoon came to Plymouth. I preached in the evening, and at five and twelve on Tuesday, purposing to preach in the square at the Dock in the evening; but the rain prevented. However, I did so on Wednesday evening. A little before I concluded, the commanding officer came into the square with his regiment; but he immediately stopped the drums, and drew up all his men in order on the high side of the square. They were all still as night; nor did any of them stir, till I had pronounced the blessing.

Thur. 22.-I preached at St. Austle; Friday, 23, at Truro, and in the street at Helstone. Sat. 24.-I preached in Marazion, at eleven; in the evening, at Penzance. Sun. 25.-We prayed that God would "stay the bottles of heaven;" and he heard our prayer. I preached at Mousehole about nine, to a large congregation; to a larger at Buryan, about two: but that at St. Just in the evening exceeded both of them

put together. After visiting the other societies, I came to Redruth on Saturday, 31. I preached there in the evening, and at noon on Sunday, September 1. Afterward I expounded the parable of the sower at Gwennap, to how many thousands I know not. But all (I was informed) could hear distinctly. "This is the Lord's doing."

Mon. 2.-I went on to Port Isaac. Tues. 3.-I preached in the street at Camelford. Being informed here, that my old friend, Mr. Thompson, rector of St. Gennis, was near death, and had expressed a particular desire to see me, I judged no time was to be lost. So, borrowing the best horse I could find, I set out, and rode as fast as I could. On the way, I met with a white-headed old man, who caught me by the hand, and said, "Sir, do you not know me?" I answered, "No." He said," My father, my father! I am poor John Trembath." I desired him to speak to me in the evening at Launceston; which he did. was for some time reduced to extreme poverty, so as to hedge and ditch for bread; but in his distress he cried to God, who sent him an answer of peace. He likewise enabled him to cure a gentleman that was desperately ill, and afterward several others; so that he grew into reputation, and gained a competent livelihood. "And now," said he, "I want for nothing; I am happier than ever I was in my life."

He

I found Mr. Thompson just alive, but quite sensible. It seemed to me as if none in the house but himself was very glad to see me. He had many doubts concerning his final state, and rather feared, than desired, to die; so that my whole business was to comfort him, and to increase and confirm his confidence in God. He desired me to administer the Lord's Supper, which I willingly did; and I left him much happier than I found him, calmly waiting till his change should

come.

NEWINGTON, January 19, 1786.

AN EXTRACT

OF THE

REV. MR. JOHN WESLEY'S JOURNAL.

FROM SEPTEMBER 4, 1782, TO JUNE 28, 1786.

JOURNAL.-No. XX.

WEDNESDAY, September 4, 1782.-I preached in the market house at Tiverton; Thursday, 5, at Halberton, Taunton, and South Brent. Fri. 6.-About ten I preached at Shipham, a little town on the side of Mendiff, almost wholly inhabited by miners, who dig up lapis calaminaris, [a stone used in the composition of brass.] I was surprised to see such a congregation at so short a warning; and their deep and serious attention seemed to be a presage, that some of them will profit by what they hear. In the afternoon we went on to Bristol.

Sun. 8.-My brother read prayers, and I preached to a very uncommon congregation. But a far more numerous one met near King's Square in the evening, on whom I strongly enforced, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Permit me to observe here, how you may distinguish a genuine small Field's Bible from a spurious one: the genuine reads here, "Ye can serve God and mammon.' In the spurious, the "not" is supplied.

Mon. 9.-About nine I preached at Paulton, where the flame is abated, but not quenched. The same is the case at Shepton Mallet, where I preached in the evening. Tues. 10.-I went on to the simplehearted colliers, at Coleford, abundance of whom met at six in the evening, in a green meadow, which was delightfully gilded by the rays of the setting sun. Wed. 11.-I preached to a large and serious congregation at the end of the preaching house at Frome. After preaching at Roade, Pensford, Trowbridge and Freshford, on Friday, 13, I preached at Bath. Sun. 15.-I had a far greater number of communicants than usual. Both at this time, and in the afternoon and the evening service, we had no common blessing.

On Monday and Tuesday I preached at Chew Magna, at Sutton, Stoke, and Clutton: in my way thither, I saw a famous monument of antiquity, at Stanton Drew; supposed to have remained there between two and three thousand years. It was undoubtedly a Druid's temple, consisting of a smaller and a larger circle of huge stones set on end, one would think by some power more than human. Indeed such stones have been used for divine worship, nearly, if not quite, from the time of the flood. On the following days I preached at many other little places. Sun. 22.-After the service at Bristol, I hastened to Kingswood, and

preached a funeral sermon on Jenny Hall; a lovely young woman, who died in full triumph, and desired a sermon might be preached on Rev. vii, 13, and following verses. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I visited the classes; and was concerned to find, that, for these two last years, the society has been continually decreasing. Thursday, 26, and the following days, I visited the rest of the country societies. For a day or two I was not well, but I went on with my work till Sunday, when I preached morning and evening at the new room, and in the afternoon in Temple church.

Tues. October 1.-I read among the letters, in the evening, the striking account of Robert Roe's death; a burning and a shining light while alive, but early numbered with the dead. Sat. 5.-I visited several that are yet in the body, but longing to depart and to be with Christ. But many have this year stepped before them. For forty years I do not know that so many have, in the space of one year, been removed to Abraham's bosom. Sunday, 6.-I preached in Temple church, between our own morning and evening service; and I now found how to speak here, so as to be heard by every one: direct your voice to the middle of the pillar fronting the pulpit.

Mon. 7.-I left Bristol with much satisfaction, firmly believing that God will revive his work there. I preached at the Devizes about eleven; and in the evening at Sarum; Tuesday, 8, at Winchester, and at Portsmouth Common. Wed. 9.-We took a wherry for the Isle of Wight. There was sea enough, which now and then washed over our boat. However, in about an hour we landed safe, and walked on to Newport. This place seems now ripe for the Gospel: opposition is at an end. Only let our preachers be men of faith and love, and they will see the fruit of their labours. Fri. 11.-I returned to Portsmouth; took chaise at two the next morning, and in the afternoon came to London. Mon. 14.-I went to Wallingford. The house was filled in the evening with much affected hearers. Shall all our labour here be in vain? Lord, thou knowest! Tues. 15.-About noon I preached at Oxford. I have seen no such prospect here for many years. The congregation was large and still as night, although many gentlemen were among them. The next evening the house would not contain the congregation; yet all were quiet, even those that could not come in: and I believe God not only opened their understandings, but began a good work in some of their hearts.

Wed. 16.-I preached at Witney, one of the liveliest places in the circuit, where I always find my own soul refreshed. I saw such a garden at Oxford as I verily believe all England cannot parallel. It is three square; and, I conjecture, contains about an acre of ground: it is filled with fruit trees of various sorts, and all excellent in their kinds. But it is odd beyond all description; superlatively whimsical. The owner has crowded together pictures, statues, urns, antiques of various kinds: for all which why should not Mr. Badcock's name, as well as Mr. Roberts's, be consigned to posterity? Thur. 17.-I preached at Thame; this evening and the next, at High Wycomb; and on Saturday, returned to London.

Mon. 21.-I preached at Tunbridge Wells; Tuesday, 22, at Seven oaks. Wed. 23.-I visited the house of mourning at Shorchain, and