Friday 12, The congregation at St. Paul's was very large and very attentive. The Judge, immediately after sermon, sent me an invitation to dine with him: but having no time, I was obliged to send my excuse, and set out between one and two. The North-east wind was piercingly cold, and blowing exactly in our faces, soon brought a heavy shower of snow, then of sleet, and afterwards of hail. However, we reached Stilton at seven, about thirty miles from Bedford. Rest was now the more sweet, because both our horses were lame. However, resolving to reach Epworth at the time appointed, I set out in a post chaise between four and five in the morning but the frost made it so bad driving, that my companion came with the lame horses into Stamford, as soon as I. The next stage I went on horseback; but I was then obliged to leave my mare, and take another post-chaise. I came to Bawtry about six. Some from Epworth had come to meet me; but were gone half an hour before I came. I knew no chaise could go the rest of the road: so it remained only to hire horses and a guide. We set out about seven; but I soon found my guide knew no more of the way than myself. However, we got pretty well to Idle-stop, about four miles from Bawtry, where we had just light to discern the river at our side, and the Country covered with water. I had heard that one Richard Wright lived thereabouts, who knew the road over the Moor perfectly well. Hearing one speak, (for we could not see him,) I called, "Who is there?" He answered, "Richard Wright." I soon agreed with him, and he quickly mounted his horse and rode boldly forward. The North-east wind blew full in our faces: and I heard them say it was very cold! But neither my face, nor hands, nor feet were cold, till between nine and ten we came to Epworth. After travelling more than ninety miles, I was little more tired than when I rose in the morning.

Sunday 12, 1 was much comforted at Church, both morning and afternoon, by the serious behaviour of the whole congregation, so different from what it was formerly. After evening service I took my stand in the Market-place, with a multitude of people from all parts. Toward the end of the

sermon the rain was heavy; but it neither lessened nor disturbed the congregation. Monday 13, I preached in the shell of the new house, and then set out for York. The banks over which we crept along, were ready to swallow up man and beast. However, we came safe to York in the afternoon. After settling the little affairs, on Wednesday 15, I rode to Leeds, where, in the evening, a multitude of people were present. I never before saw things in so good order here, and took knowledge, the assistant had not been idle. I was apprehensive, having been at an uncommon expense, of being a little straitened for money: but after preaching, one with whom I had never exchanged a word, put a letter into my hand, in which was a bill for ten pounds. Is not the earth the Lord's, and the fulness thereof? Thursday 16, I rode through heavy rain to Manchester. I was scarcely set down, when Mr.

came from Bedford. If he come sincerely, (as I believe,) God will bless him: but if not, Ego in portu navigo. He can find out nothing with regard to me, I have no secrets. Friday 17, in riding from Manchester to Bolton, I read the Life of Theodore, King of Corsica: a great man, both as a General and as a Prince: and one who, if he had not been sacrificed to the French, might have made a shining figure in history. Saturday 18, we rode to Liverpool.

Thursday 23, I walked over to Mr. E.'s, a gentleman who had little thought of God, till his favourite child lay at the point of death. It then came into his mind to pray for his life. He did so, and the child recovered. This struck him to the heart, and he rested no more till his own soul was healed. I never saw the house so crowded as it was on Easter-day, March 26; especially with rich and genteel people, whom I did not at all spare. to flee from the wrath to come. member the warning.

They are now warned God grant they may re

Tuesday 28, We went on board and set sail for Dublin. The wind was fair, and the day extremely fine. Seven or eight miles from the town, a small boat overtook us, which brought me letters from London. Some of these earnestly

[APRIL 1758. pressed me to return to London, or however, "Not to go to Ireland." I consulted my friends, and just as we began our debate, the wind, which till then was fair and small, turned from East to West, and blew harder and harder. But the point was soon decided; for, upon enquiry, we found the boat was gone back, and no other was to be had. Presently after, the wind returned to the East, and we saw the hand of God. The Liverpool boat went away in such haste, that it left a young man, James Glazebrook, behind: so we were five in all. We had seven more cabin passengers, and many common ones. So good-natured a company I never met with in a ship before. The sea was as smooth as glass, the sun shone without a cloud, and the wind was quite fair, so we glided on, till about nine, I went to prayers with them, and then quietly lay down.

Wednesday 29, We were even with the great Welsh mountain, Penmenmaur, at five in the morning. But it then fell calm, so that we were scarcely abreast of Holyhead in the evening. This gave us much time to speak to all our fellow-passengers; and some fruit quickly appeared. For no oath, no immodest, or passionate word, was any more heard in the ship while we were on board.

Thursday 30, Having no wind still, I desired our brethren to come on the quarter-deck; where we no sooner began singing a hymn, than both passengers and people gladly assembled. The wind sprung up almost as soon as I began, and about nine the next day we entered Dublin. Bay, after so pleasant a passage as the Captain declared he had not had, at that time of the year, for forty years. Considering the shortness of the warning, we had a large congregation in the evening; but a very small one in the morning, April 1. At this I did not wonder when I was informed, that the preaching at five had been discontinued for nearly a year and a half. At eight, likewise, Sunday 2, the congregation was small. I took knowledge that the people of Dublin, had neither seen nor heard any thing of self-denial, since T. Walsh left the kingdom.

All the evenings of the following week we had numerous

congregations. Nothing is wanting here but rigorous discipline; which is more needful in this than in any other nation: The people, in general, being so soft and delicate, that the least slackness utterly destroys them. Thursday 6, we walked round the College, and saw what was accounted most worthy of observation. The new front is exceedingly grand; and the whole square (about as large as Peckwater in Christ-Church) would be beautiful, were not the windows too small, as every one will see, when the present fashion is out of date. Friday 7, I preached in the evening on Reuben's character, Unstable as water, so applicable to most of this nation. Some were deeply convinced and resolved not to rest, till they were established in grace.

Sunday 9, I exhorted the Society to follow the example of their English brethren, by jointly renewing their covenant with God. On Tuesday evening I read the letters; by one of which a poor backslider, who had been wandering nearly eleven years, was cut to the heart, and determined to return to him from whom he had so deeply revolted. Thursday 13, I explained at large the nature and manner of entering into covenant with God, and desired all who were purposed so to do, to set Friday apart, for solemn fasting and prayer. Many did so, and met both at five in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.

Sunday 16, I was much grieved, at St. Peter's Church, at such a sight as I never saw in England, communicants as well as others, behaving in a manner that shocked common sense, as well as religion. O, who has the courage to speak plainly to these rich and honourable sinners? If they perish in their iniquity, will not their blood be on the watchman's head?

Monday 17, We met in the evening to renew our covenant with God. It was a glorious season. I believe all that were present found that God was there.

Tuesday 18, Among the letters I read in public last week, was one from Mr. Gillies, giving an account of a Society lately formed at Glasgow, for promoting Christian Know

ledge among the poor, chiefly by distributing Bibles among them, and other religious books. I could not then help expressing my amazement, that nothing of this kind had been attempted in Ireland: and enquiring, if it were not high time, that such a Society should be formed in Dublin. This morning Dr. Tisdale shewed me a paper, which the Archbishop had just sent to each of his Clergy: Exhorting them to "Erect a Society, for the distribution of Books among the poor." Thanks be to God for this! Whether we or they, it is all one, so God be known, loved, and obeyed.

Thursday 20, In the evening I met all the married men and women of the Society. I believe it was high time. For many of them seemed to know very little of relative duties. So that I brought strange things to their ears, when I enlarged on the duties of husbands, and wives, and parents. Friday 21, I dined at Lady. We need great grace to converse with great people! From which, therefore, (unless in some rare instances) I am glad to be excused. Hora fugiunt & imputantur! Of these two hours I can give no good account.

Sunday 23, I was much concerned to see two gentlemen, who were close to me at St. Patrick's Church,. fall a talking together, in the most trifling manner, immediately after they had received the Lord's-Supper. Indeed one who sat by could not but reprove them, whom I seconded in strong terms. And so far (at least) we gained: They talked no more, till the service was ended.

Monday 24, I left Dublin: but our chaise-horse tired, before we had dròve eight miles. So I went into another chaise, and reached Killcock between eleven and twelve. We were greatly surprised to hear the maid of the inn singing one of our hymns, and to find, that her mistress had the evening before been at the preaching in Dublin. This accounted for the profound civility, with which all the servants behaved. About one I took horse and rode on with Robert Swindells to Eden-derry. On the road, I read Mr.. Walker's account of the siege of Londonderry, and the relation of that of Drogheda, by Dr. Barnard, a vain, childish, affected writer. Sir Henry Titchburn's account of that siege,