Grandchester; where ten more persons were cut to the heart, in singing hymns among themselves; and the little child be fore mentioned, continues to astonish all the neighbourhood. A noted physician came some time ago, and closely examined her. The result was, he confessed It was no distemper of mind, but the hand of God.'

"I sought for Thomas Skinner after morning-service, and found him with many more, singing hymns under a tree. When they stopped, I asked, "How do you find your mind now?' Instead of speaking, he looked upon me with great steadiness, fetched a deep sigh, burst out into tears and prayers, and throwing himself along on the ground, fell into more and more agony, till he roared aloud. I told him how great a sinner I had been: but the more I spoke, the more was he distressed. Wherefore John Dennis and I went to prayer for him: but his deliverance was not yet. Make him, O Lord, a greater champion for thy truth, than ever he was against it.

"Mr. B. preached in his Close this afternoon, though in great bodily weakness. But when he is weakest, God so strengthens him, that it is surprising to what a distance his voice reaches. I have heard Mr. Whitefield speak as loud, but not with such a continued, strong, unbroken tenor.

"Monday 23, Mr. Keeling and 1 walked to Barford. I was relating there, how God had plucked such a brand as me out of the burning; but my voice was quickly stopped by rejoicing and I have often found, that nothing I can say, makes so much impression on myself or others, as thus repeating my own conversion.

"The first time I saw Mr. B., was June 2, 1758: but I scarcely thought of him again till June 7, as I was walking up to Luton-Down. There an awful sense of God's presence fell upon me, and my voice grew louder and louder, in proportion to the joy of my soul, with a strong impulse, to pray for the success of Mr. B.'s labours; and such a foresight did the Lord give me, of what he was bringing to pass through his ministry, that I was quite overwhelmed for nearly an hour, till my voice was lost and only tears re

mained. And, O! how graciously has the God of truth accomplished all those things! With what delight hast thou since enabled me to walk round the walls of thy Sion, to mark well her bulwarks, and count the towers thereof!"

Wednesday, August 1, A few of us spoke freely and largely to a brother who had been overtaken in a fault, and endeavoured to restore him in the spirit of meekness: and we were much comforted over him; having great hope, that God would restore his usefulness as well as his strength.

Thursday 2, I rode to Sheffield, and preached at one to a large and quiet congregation. I was afterwards desired to visit Mr. Dodge, Curate of the new Church. I found him on the brink of eternity, rejoicing in God his Saviour. Thence I went on to Rotherham, and talked with five menand six women, (as I had done with many others before in various places) who believe they are saved from sin. And this fact I believe, that they rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks: I believe, they feel nothing but love now. What they will do, I leave to God.

Friday 3, I preached at Gainsborough, in Sir Nevil Hickman's great Hall. It is fully as large as the Weavers' Hall in Bristol. At two it was filled with a rude, wild multude, a few of a better spirit excepted. Yet all but two or three gentlemen were attentive, while I enforced our Lord's words, What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? I was walking back through a gaping, staring crowd, when Sir Nevil came and thanked me for my sermon, to the no small amazement of his neighbours, who shrunk back as if they had seen a ghost. Thence I rode to North-Scarle, the last Village in Lincolnshire, ten miles short of Newark. Here a great multitude assembled from various parts, most of them wholly unacquainted with the ways of God: indeed to such a degree, that though I spoke as plainly as I could on the first principles of religion, yet it seemed very many understood D d

VOL. III.

me no more, than if I had been talking Greek. O what condition is the bulk of reformed Christians in to this day!

Saturday 4, As we took horse, the rain began, and accompanied us till we alighted in the evening. Sunday 5, between eight and nine, I reached Everton, faint and weary enough. During the prayers, as also during the sermon and the administration of the Sacrament, a few persons cried aloud: but it was not from sorrow or fear, but love and joy. The same I observed in several parts of the afternoon service. In the evening I preached in Mr. Hicks' Church. Two or three persons fell to the ground, and were extremely convulsed; but none cried out. One or two were filled with strong consolation.

Monday 6, I talked largely with Ann Thorn, and two others who had been several times in trances. What they all agreed in was, 1, That when they went away, as they termed it, it was always at the time they were fullest of the love of God: 2, That it came upon them in a moment, without any previous notice, and took away all their senses and strength: 3, That there were some exceptions; but generally from that moment, they were in another world, knowing nothing of what was done or said, by any that were round about them.

About five in the afternoon, I heard them singing hymns. Soon after, Mr. B. came up, and told me, Alice Miller (fifteen years old) was fallen into a trance. I went down immediately, and found her sitting on a stool and leaning against the wall, with her eyes open and fixed upward. I made a motion as if going to strike; but they continued immovable. Her face shewed an unspeakable mixture of reverence and love, while silent tears stole down her cheeks. Her lips were a little open, and sometimes moved; but not enough to cause any sound. I do not know whether I ever saw a human face look so beautiful. Sometimes it was covered with a smile, as from joy mixed with love and reverence: but the tears fell still, though not so fast. Her pulse was quite regular. In about half an hour I observed her countenance change into the form of fear, pity, and

distress. Then she burst into a flood of tears, and cried out, "Dear Lord! they will be all damned!" But in about five minutes her smiles returned, and only love and joy appeared in her face. About half an hour after six, I observed distress take place again; and soon after she wept bitterly, and cried out, “Dear Lord, they will go to hell! The world will go to hell!" Soon after, she said, "Cry aloud! Spare not!" And in a few moments her look was composed again, and spoke a mixture of reverence, joy, and love. Then she said aloud, "Give God the glory." About seven her senses returned. I asked, "Where have you been?" "I have been with my Saviour." In heaven, or on earth? "I cannot tell: but I was in glory!" "Why then did you cry? "Not for myself; but for the world: for I saw they were on the brink of hell." "Whom did you desire to give the glory to God?" "Ministers that cry aloud to the world; else they will be proud: and then God will leave them, and they will lose their own souls."

I preached at eight on, The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the people that forget God. The whole congregation were earnestly attentive: but not above one or two cried out; and I did not observe any that fainted away, either then or in the morning. I have generally observed more or less of these outward symptoms, to attend the beginning of a general work of God. So it was in New England, Scotland, Holland, Ireland, and many parts of England but after a time they gradually decrease, and the work goes on more quietly and silently. Those whom it pleases God to employ in his work, ought to be quite passive in this respect. They should choose nothing: but leave entirely to him, all the circumstances of his own work.

Tuesday 7, After preaching at four, (because of the harvest) I took horse and rode easily to London. Indeed I wanted a little rest; having rode, in seven months, above four and twenty hundred miles.

Wednesday 8, Our Conference began, the time of which was almost entirely employed, in examining whether the spirit and lives of our Preachers were suitable to their profession. On Saturday in the afternoon, we concluded. Great was the unanimity and love that reigned among us. And if there were any who hoped or feared the contrary, they were happily disappointed.

Sunday 12, I was afraid to look forward to the work of the day, knowing my strength was not sufficient for it: but God looked to that; for though I was exceedingly weak at Snows-fields in the morning, I was stronger at noon and after preaching in the afternoon in the fields, and meeting the Society, I felt no weakness at all.

Monday 13, I took a little ride to Croydon, one of the seats of the Archbishops of Canterbury. Was it one of these who ordered many years ago (for the characters are of old standing) that dreadful inscription to be placed over the Communion-Table? And now ye Priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord, I will even send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts, and one shall take you away with it.

The Archbishop's palace is an ancient, venerable pile, and the gardens are extremely pleasant. The late Archbishop had improved them at a large expense; but continual illness prevented his enjoying them, till after four years constant pain, he was called away, one may hope, to the garden of God.

I dined at Mr. B.'s, in Epsom, whose house and gardens lie in what was once a chalk-pit. It is the most elegant spot I ever saw with my eyes; every thing within doors and without, being finished in the most exquisite taste. Surely nothing on earth can be more delightful. O what will the possessor feel, when he cries out,