! the North side of the Church. The Curate, who buried him, sickening the same week, insisted that the Methodists should not be kept from him. About ten days after, he died, and according to his desire, was about the same hour carried also by eight poor men, and laid in a grave close to that of Mr. R Saturday 11, I preached at Ronce a place of furiout riot and persecution, but quiet and calm, since the bitter Rector is gone, to give an account of himself to God. Sunday 12, I came to Wakefield, as the bells were ringing in, and went directly to Mr. W- in the Vestry ; the behaviour of the congregation surprised me. I saw none light, none careless or unaffected, while I enforced, What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Hath not God the hearts of all men in his hand: Who would have expected to see me preaching in Wakefield Church, to so attentive a congregation, a few years ago, when all the people were as roaring lions, and the honest man did not dare to let me preach in his yard, lest the mob should pull down his houses ? Monday 13, In the evening I preached at Sheffield, in the shell of the now house. All is All is peace here now, since the trial at York. Surely the Magistrate has been the Minister of God to us for good ! Tuesday 14, I went to B, whence the Vicar, Mr. Dhad sent a messenger on purpose, to desire he might see me. I found him in deep distress for the loss of his wife, mixed with strong desires after God. Hearing I was going to preach at Rotherham, he offered to go with He seemed to stagger at nothing ; though, as yet, his understanding is not opened. Othat he may not rest till it is! Wednesday 15, I rode on towards Epworth. But I was nigh shipwrecked in sight of the port. Attempting to ride over the Common the nearest way, my mare was quickly imbogged. But being lively and strong, she made a shift to get out, and I was glad to go round by Torne Bank. me. Thursday 16, I walked over to Burnham. I had no thought of preaching there, doubting if my strength would allow of preaching always thrice a day, as I had done most days since I came from Evesham. But finding a house full of people, I could not refrain. Still the more I use my strength, the more I have. I am often much tired, the first time I preach in a day; a little the second time: but after the third or fourth, I rarely feel either weakness or weariness. Friday 17, I called on the gentleman, who told me he was “ sinner enough,” when I preached first at Epworth, on my father's tomb; and was agreeably surprised, to find him strong in faith, though exceedingly weak in body. For some years, he told me, he had been rejoicing in God, without either doubt or fear, and was now waiting for the welcome hour, when he should depart and be with Christ. Saturday 18, I preached at Belton, and felt an uncommon degree of the presence of God, among a handful of poor despised people. O how precious is the least of these in his sight, who bought them with his own blood ! Sunday 19, At eight, I preached at Clayworth, where a year ago, the mob carried all before them. But a honest Justice quelled them at once, so that they are now glad to be quiet, and mind their own business. At one I preached at Misterton, to a deeply attentive congregation, assembled from all parts ; and between four and five at Epworth-Cross. The congregarion here was somewhat lessened, by a burial at Belton, that of poor Mr. RP-emphatically poor, though while he lived, he possessed (not enjoyed) at least a thousand pounds a year. Monday 20, I rode by Hainton, to Coningsby. The next day, I preached at Rangdale, where we expected some disturbance, but found none. The light punishment inflicted on the late rioters, (though their expense was not great, as they submitted before the trial ) has secured peace ever since. Such a mercy it is, to execute the penalty of the 1 66 law, on those who will not regard its precepts ! So many inconveniencies to the innocent does it prevent, and so much sin in the guilty. Wednesday 22, I rode to Grimsby. The crowd was so great in the evening, that the room was like an oven. The next night I preached at the end of the town, whither almost all the people, rich and poor, followed me : and I had a fair opportunity of closely applying that weighty question, Lord, are there fow that shall be saved ? Friday 24, We rode by a fine seat : the owner of which (not much above fourscore years old,) says, “He desires only. to live thirty years longer; ten to hunt, ten to get money, having at present but twenty thousand pounds a year, ) and ten years to repent.” O that God may not say unto him, Thou fool! This night shall thy soul be required of thee! When I landed at the quay in Hull, it was covered with people, enquiring, which is be ? which is he? But they only stared and laughed ; and we walked unmolested to Mr. A—'s house. I was quite surprised at the miserable condition of the fortifications, far more ruinous and decayed, than those at Newcastle, even before the Rebellion. It is well there is no enemy near. I went to prayers at three in the old Church, a grand and.venerable structure. Between five and six, the coach called, and took me to Mighton-Car, about half a mile from the town. A huge multitude rich and poor, horse and foot, with several coaches, were soon gathered together ; to whom I cried with a loud voice and a composed spirit, What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.2 Some thousands of the people seriously attended : but many behaved as if possessed by Moloch. Clods and stones flew about on every side : but they neither touched nor disturbed me. When I had finished my discourse, I went to take coach. But the coachman had driven clear away. We were at a loss, till a gentlewoman invited my wife and me, to come into her coach. а a She brought some inconveniences on herself thereby : not only as there were nine of us in the coach, three on each side, and three in the middle; but also as the mob closely attended us, throwing in at the windows ( which we did not think it prudent to shut ) whatever came next to hand. But a large gentlewoman who sat in my lap, screened me, so that nothing came near me. The mob, which was increased to several thousands, when I stepped out of the coach into Mr. A—'s house, perceiving I was escaped out of their hands, avenged themselves on the windows, with many showers of stones, which they poured in, even into the rooms four stories high. Mr. A— walked through them to the Mayor's house, who gave him fair words, but no assistance ; probably not knowing, that he himself ( the Mayor ) might be compelled to make good all the damage which should be done. He then went in quest of Constables, and brought two with him about nine o'clock. With their help, he so thoroughly dispersed the mob, that no two of them were left together, But they rallied about twelve, and gave one charge more, with oaths and curses, and bricks and stones. After this, all was calm, and I slept sound till near four in the morning: About five, Saturday 25, we took horse, and made to Pocklington. I was sorry, when I found it was the Fairday, that notice had been given of my preaching ; especially when I heard, there was no Society, and scarcely any one awakened in the town. The unusual bitterness of several who met us in the street, made the prospect still more unpromising. However, I went to see the room provided for preaching, but found it was not above five yards square. I then looked at a yard which was proposed; but one circumstance of this I did not like. It was plentifully furnished with stones ; artillery ready at hand, for the devil's drunken champions. Just then it began to rain, upon which a gentleman offered a large commodious barn. Thither I went without delay, and began preaching to a few, who increased continually. I have known no such time since we left London. Their tears fell as the rain. None opposed or mocked : so that these made full amends for the behaviour of those at Hull. The man and his wife at whose house we dined, had been bitterly persecuted, both by his and her mother. These were some of the first whose hearts were touched. Immedi. ately after preaching they came up into the room where we were, and confessed with many tears, how eagerly they had opposed the truth of God, and troubled their children for adhering to it. How wise are all the ways of God! Had it not been Fair day, these had not been here. Yet some of our company had dreadful forebodings of what was to be at York. A worthy Justice of the Peace (doubtless to quiet the mob there) had just caused to be cried about the streets, stuck up in public places, and even thrown into many houses, part of the “ Comparison between the Papists and Methodists.” Perhaps this might be the occa. sion of some bitter curses which were given us, almost as soon as we entered the gates. But the vain words of those Rabshakehs, returned into their own bosoms. preaching at six. The Chapel was filled with hearers, and with the presence of God. The opposers opened not their mouths. The mourners blessed God for the consolation. Sunday 26, At seven, God was with us as before, and his word brake the rocks in pieces. We left York, about nine, as quietly as we came, and rode to Acomb. Monday 27, We reached Osmotherly. After preaching in the evening, I was desired to visit a person, who had been an eminent scoffer at all religion, but was now, they said, “ in a strange way." I found her in a strange way indeed : either raving mad, or possessed by the devil. The woman herself affirmed, “ That the devil had appeared to her the day before, and after talking some time, leaped upon, and grievously tormented her ever since.” We prayed with her; her agonies ceased. She fell asleep, and awaked in the morning calm and easy. Tuesday 28, About noon we reached Stokesley, where, I found, none had ever yet preached abroad. Samuel Lar I began |