short of money. However, I appointed him to call again in an hour He did so; but before he came, one from whom I expected nothing less, put twenty guineas into my hand. So I ordered him to be clothed from head to foot, and I sent him straight away to Dublin. Monday 10, and the four following days, I wrote a catalogue of the Society, now reduced from eight and twenty hundred to about two and twenty. Such is the fruit of George Bell's enthusiasm, and Thomas Maxfield's gratitude!

Monday 17, I preached at Sundon. And many looked as if they understood something of what was said. Tuesday 18, I went on to Bedford, and found James Glasbrook had just buried his wife, a woman of fine understanding and an excellent spirit, snatched away in the dawn of her usefulness. What thou dost, we know not now! We wonder and adore! The next day I rode over to Copley, where she died, and preached her funeral sermon. In the evening I preached at Bedford, and found God was there also.

And "where thy presence is display'd, is heaven."

Thursday 20, I preached at Hertford, and in the evening at Layton-stone. Friday 21, I preached at Old Ford, near Bow. Part of the congregation were deeply serious; the other part wild and stupid enough. But the bridle was in their mouth, so that they made no noise; nay, and were, in a manner, attentive.

Sunday 23, In the evening I went to Lewisham, and finished the Notes on the book of Job. About this time, one of Henry Jackson's daughters gave me the following letter from her sister.

"Newcastle, February 23, 1766.

"On Thursday, the 13th of this month, my honoured father looked so beautiful and comely, that we all wondered. At night, in his first sleep, he was taken very ill. On Friday morning I asked him, what he could take he answered, 'I am to eat no more.' His illness increased but he was still calm and composed, and resigned to the will of God. Indeed I always beheld in him such faith, love, and divine resignation, as I never saw in any other. On Sunday he said, 'Now my soul is prepared, and made ready to meet the Lord.' From this time he was filled with longing desires, to depart and to be with Christ; crying out, I cannot stay: I must go to my beloved, to be with him for ever.' Monday 17, he said, I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of glory, which the righteous Judge shall give me at that day.' Tuesday 18, after receiving the blessed Sacrament, he declared to the Minister, 'My anchor is cast within the veil, both sure and immovable.' And as long as he had his speech, he preached Christ to every one that came to see him. Indeed his whole life for many years was but one dedication of his body and soul to God, praying continually, and being lost in praise and thanksgiving to his adorable Saviour. In all the various dispensations of God's Providence towards him and his family, he was still magnifying and praising his holy name, always thankful, humble, loving, and obedient. Nothing was able to move

him one moment, or put him out of temper; but he received every thing from the hand of God, with faith, patience, and resignation. Before his speech failed, he blessed all his children, grand-children, and great-grand-children; and on Thursday morning, February 20, yielded up his soul to God, being ninety-nine years and five months old."

Saturday, March 1, I read Bishop Lowth's ingenious Lectures De Poesi Hebræa, far more satisfactory than any thing on that subject which I ever saw before. He shews clearly, that the noblest poetry may subsist, without being beholden either to rhyme or fixed mea

sures.

Thursday 6, Our brethren met once more, on account of the public debt. And they did not part, till more than the whole, (which was six hundred and ten pounds) was subscribed.

Sunday 9, In the evening I went to Knights-bridge, and in the morning, took the Machine for Bristol, where I preached (as I had appointed) on Tuesday evening, and met the Society. Wednesday 12, I rode over to Kingswood, and having told my whole mind to the masters and servants, spoke to the children in a far stronger manner, than ever I did before. I will kill or cure: I will have one or the other, a Christian School, or none at all.

Sunday 16, I preached in Princes-street at eight, on Awake, thou that sleepest: and at the square in the evening, to a listening multitude, on Come, Lord Jesus! At Kingswood we had such a congregation at ten, as has not been there for several years. And I had the satisfaction to find four of our children again rejoicing in the love of God.

Monday 17, I rode to Stroud, the sun shining as in May. Seventeen such days in the beginning of March, I suppose few men have known. But on Tuesday the weather entirely changed; and the piercing north-east wind, this and the two following days, was scarcely supportable. At seven I preached in the Room at Painswick, and about ten came to Cheltenham. Here I was in a strait: the house would not hold half the people; and the wind was keen enough. However, I thought this the less evil of the two, and so preached abroad, where we were tolerably sheltered. And I did not observe, that any, rich or poor, went away till I concluded.

I reached Evesham about five in the evening, and preached about six with tolerable quiet. But as we returned, the mob, encouraged by the wretched Magistrate, were rude and noisy enough. Yet as they neither saluted us with stones, nor dirt, we were well contented.

Wednesday 19, We called at the little Inn, about sixteen miles from Evesham. But as Duncan Wright and I had our hoods on, the good woman was frighted, and did not care to take us in. So we rode a mile or two farther to another house, where we came in season. After a little talk, the woman of the house said, "I fear, it is not so well with me as it was once. Before I married, I used to kneel down in the cow-house, to pray to God for all I wanted. But now I am encumbered with worldly cares; and yet God has not forgotten me. Last winter, when my husband had lost the use of all his

limbs, I prayed to God for him, and he was well." This woman knew nothing about the Methodists; but God is nigh to all that call upon him.

In the evening I preached at Birmingham. Towards the close, the mob gathered, but they were restrained till I had concluded. Thursday 20, it was as much as we could do, to bear the cold before sun-rise. However, we came well to Burton before eleven, where I preached to an exceedingly serious congregation. In the evening I preached at Nottingham, in the new house, thoroughly filled with serious hearers. Indeed there is never any disturbance here. And there could be none any where, if the Magistrates were lovers of peace, and exerted themselves in the defence of it.

Sunday 23, I had thoughts of preaching in the Market place. But the snow which fell in the night made it impracticable. In the morning the house contained the congregation: but in the evening many were constrained to go away. There seems to be now, (what never was before) a general call to the town.

Monday 24, We rode to Derby. I never saw this house full before, the people in general being profoundly careless. I endeavoured to show them their picture, by enlarging on those words, Gallio cared for none of these things.

Tuesday 25, At ten, I preached in their new house at Creitch, about twelve miles from Derby, to a loving, simple-hearted people, many of whom felt what I spoke of fellowship with the Father, and with the Son. Thence we rode on through several heavy showers of snow to Sheffield, where at six, we had a numerous congregaThere has been much disturbance here this winter. But to night all was peace.

Thursday 27, I preached in the morning at a little village, near Eyam, in the High-Peak. The eagerness with which the poor people devoured the word, made me amends for the cold ride over the snowy mountains. The same earnestness I observed in the congregation at Macclesfield: and yet hardly a third part of those I formerly examined, now retain the glorious liberty which they then enjoyed.

March 28, being Good-Friday, as soon as we came from Church, I began at Stockport, on We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness. At six in the evening I preached at Manchester, and on Saturday and Easter-day. In the evening I explained to the Society, the nature of the yearly subscription. On this one sent me the following letter:

"GOOD SIR,

March 31, 1766.

"I thought proper to send you a few lines, concerning what you spoke of last night. How good it was, that you put us all together as one family! That each might do his utmost to help all his brethren! Had you spoke of this sooner, and opened your mind freely as you did yesterday, where I have given one shilling, I would have given one pound. My heart was rejoiced at the good news, so as my tongue cannot express. I was ready to cry out with Zaccheus, Lo, the half of my goods I give to the poor. I have sent you two guineas, towards carrying on the work of the Lord. And may the blessing of

the Lord go with it: for I give it freely: I would rather it had been

two score.

"W. N."

Tuesday, April 1, On a close examination, out of more than fifty persons, who two or three years ago were filled with the love of God, I did not find above a third part who had not suffered loss. But almost all were deeply sensible of their loss, and eternally groaning for what they once enjoyed.

Wednesday 2, We rode through heavy rain to Chester. Friday 4, I visited a poor woman, who has been ill eight years, and is not yet weary or faint in her mind. A heavy-laden sinner desired to receive tho Sacrament with her, and found rest to her soul; and from that hour increased every day in the knowledge and love of God.

Monday 7, I preached at Warrington about noon, to a large congregation, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. I never spoke more plainly nor have I ever seen a congregation listen with more attention. Thence I rode to Liverpool, and thoroughly regulated the Society, which had great need of it. Wednesday 9, I took much pains with a sensible woman, who had taken several imprudent steps: but it was labour lost: neither argument nor persuasion made the least impression. O what power less than Almighty can convince a thorough-paced enthusiast!

Thursday 10, I looked over the wonderful deed, which was lately made here: on which I observed, 1, It takes up three large skins of parchment, and so could not cost less than six guineas: whereas our own Deed, transcribed by a friend, would not have cost six shillings. 2, It is verbose beyond all sense and reason, and withal, so ambiguously worded, that one passage only might find matter for a suit of ten or twelve years in Chancery. 3, It every where calls the House a Meeting-house, a name which I particularly object to. 4, It leaves no power either to the Assistant or me, so much as to place or displace a steward. 5, Neither I, nor all the Conference have power to send the same Preacher two years together. To crown all, 6, If a Preacher be not appointed at the Conference, the Trustees and the congregation are to choose one by most votes! And can any one wonder I dislike this Deed which tears the Methodist discipline up by the roots? Is it not strange, that any who have the least regard either for me or our discipline, should scruple to alter this uncouth deed!

Friday 11, I preached near Wigan to a large number of serious, well behaved people, mixed with a few as stupidly insolent creatures, as I ever saw. Finding them proof both against reason and persuasion, at length I rebuked them sharply. This they understood, and quickly retired. So I concluded in peace.

Saturday 12, 1 was desired to preach at Brinsly, three or four miles from Wigan. The sun shone hot, but I had some shelter: and the artless people drank in every word. About six I began in the street at Bolton. The wind was then high and cold enough. But I soon forgot it, and so did most of the people, being almost as thirsty as those at Brinsly. When I began on Sunday in the afternoon, the

wind was exceedingly sharp; but it fell in a few moments, and we had a mild, agreeable summer evening.

Monday 14, I preached at Middleton, six miles from Manchester. A sharp shower of hail began in the middle of the sermon; but scarcely any went away. Tuesday 15, we rode to Chapel-en-le-Firth. We had a rough salutation in riding through the town: at the end of which a multitude of people gathered together, in a convenient meadow. I preached on, By grace ye are saved, through faith. God spoke in his word. It was an acceptable time, and few went empty away.

In riding over the dreary mountains of the High-Peak, we met with several storms. But we were no worse when we came to Rotherham, where I preached in the evening. The spirit of the congregation was able to enliven the dullest preacher. Indeed it was good to be here. Wednesday 16, about two in the afternoon, I had another kind of congregation at Doncaster, wild and stupid enough. Yet all were tolerably civil, many attentive, and some affected. Thence we hasted to Epworth. Here I took knowledge of the same spirit as at Rotherham. What a blessing is it to be with those who are alive to God! But how few duly value this blessing!

Friday 18, I set out for the eastern part of Lincolnshire, and after preaching at Awkborough and Barrow in the way, came the next day to our old friends at Grimsby. It put me in mind of Purrysburg in Georgia. It was one of the largest towns in the Country. It is now no bigger than a middling village, containing a small number of half-starved inhabitants, without any trade, either foreign or domestic. But this they have; they love the Gospel, hardly six families excepted. And a large proportion of them has found, it is the power of God unto salvation.

Monday 21, Between nine and ten I began preaching in an open place at Lowth. The mob here used to be exceedingly boisterous; but none now opened his mouth. How easily, when it seems Him good, does God still the madness of the people!

Hence we rode to Trustthorpe in the Marsh, where a multitude of plain, simple-hearted people assembled. When I met the Society after preaching, abundance of them crowded in: many of whom, while we were wrestling with God in prayer, cried out with a loud and bitter cry. But it was not long before some of them rejoiced with joy unspeakable.

Tuesday 22, I preached to a congregation of a very different kind, at Horncastle. John Hill has done more mischief here than a man of far greater talents can do good. By that unhappy division of the Society, he has opened the mouths of all the gainsayers: and to complete the scandal, he and six and twenty more have been dipped! Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel!

Wednesday 23, I preached at five; in Torrington at nine, and about two, at Scotter, where the poor people now enjoy great quietness by means of Sir N. H. About six I preached at Ferry. I do not choose to preach above twice or thrice in a day. But when I am called to do more, it is all one. I find strength according to my need.