spoke to each member of the society. They surprised me much. So lively and tender-hearted a people I have not lately seen. After spending an hour with a few friends in Truro, I rode forward to Grampound, a mean, inconsiderable, dirty village. However it is a borough town! Between twelve and one I began preaching in a meadow, to a numerous congregation. While we were singing, I observed a person in black on the far side of the meadow, who said, " Come down; you have no business there." Some boys who were on a wall, taking it for granted that he spoke to them, got down in all haste. I went on, and he walked away. I afterward understood that he was the minister and the mayor of Grampound. Soon after two constables came, and said, "Sir, the mayor says you shall not preach within his borough." I answered, "The mayor has no authority to hinder me. But it is a point not worth contesting." So I went about a musket shot further, and left the borough to Mr. Mayor's disposal. A large congregation was at St. Ewe in the evening, many of whom were in Mr. Walker's societies. Some of them came from St. Columb, twelve miles off. And they did not come in vain. The flame of love ran from heart to heart; and scarce any remained unmoved.

Thur. 22.—I rode to Mevagissey, which lies on the south sea, just opposite to Port Isaac on the north. When I was here last, we had no place in the town: I could only preach about half a mile from it. But things are altered now: I preached just over the town, to almost all the inhabitants; and all were still as night. The next evening a drunken man made some noise behind me. But after a few words were spoken to him, he quietly listened to the rest of the discourse. On the south side of the town, there is an extremely fine walk, broad and smooth, over the top of high rocks, from whence is a view of the main sea at a vast distance below, and all the coast, east and west.

Sat. 24. At half-hour after twelve, I preached once more, and took my leave of them. All the time I stayed, the wind blew from the sea, so that no boat could stir out. By this means all the fishermen (who are the chief part of the town) had opportunity of hearing. At six I preached at St. Austle, a neat little town on the side of a fruitful hill.

Sun. 25. The whole Church service was performed by a clergyman, above ninety years of age. His name is Stephen Hugo. He has been vicar of St. Austle between sixty and seventy years. O what might a man full of faith and zeal have done for God in such a course of time! At two I preached in St. Stephens, near a lone house, on the side of a barren mountain; but neither the house nor the court could contain the people; so we went into a meadow, where all might kneel, (which they generally do in Cornwall,) as well as stand and hear. And they did hear, and sing, and pray, as for life. I saw none careless or inattentive among them. About five I preached at St. Austle to an exceeding civil people. But when will they be wounded, that they may be healed? Mon. 26.—I rode to Medros, in Luxulian parish. I have not seen so stately a room in Cornwall, as either this hall, or the chamber over it. The place likewise where the gardens were, the remains of the terrace walk, the stately trees still left, with many other tokens, show that grand men lived here once. But they are vanished like smoke, their estates torn in pieces, and well nigh their memory perished.

Tues. 27.-We rode to Liskeard, I think one of the largest and pleasantest towns in Cornwall. I preached about the middle of the town, in a broad, convenient place. No person made any noise at all. At six in the morning I had nearly the same congregation. Afterward

I examined the society, and was agreeably surprised to hear that every one of them had found peace with God; and (what was still more remarkable) that none of them has left their first love; that at this day, not one is in darkness! Wed. 28.-We rode on to the Dock, which gave us a very different prospect. Of those whom I joined several years ago, hardly one half remained. Such is the fruit of disputing! And yet the congregations are more numerous than ever; and as deeply attentive as any in the kingdom. So there is hope God will yet revive

his work.

Sat. October 1.-I preached at Launceston. Sun. 2.-I rode to Mary Week. A large congregation was gathered there, many of whom came seven or eight miles. The house stands in the midst of orchards and meadows, surrounded by gently-rising hills. I preached on the side of a meadow newly mown, to a deeply attentive people.

Mon. 3.—I rode to Bideford; but did not reach it till after five, the hour appointed for my preaching. So I began without delay, in an open part of the street, where we alighted. One man made a little noise at first; but he was easily silenced: all the rest (a large number) quietly attended, though the wind was piercing cold, while I opened and applied, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

the afternoon.

Tues. 4.—Between twelve and one I reached North Moulton, and, finding the congregation ready, began immediately. There have been great tumults here since I saw them before; but God has now rebuked the storm. When the gentry would neither head nor pay the mob any more, the poor rabble were quiet as lambs. We rode on to Tiverton in On the three following days I saw as many of the societies as I could. Sat. 8.-We had heavy rain for some miles; then it cleared up, and we had a pleasant ride to Bristol. Mon. 10.-Irose at my usual hour; but the soreness and swelling of my face, occasioned by my taking cold on Saturday, made it impracticable for me to preach. In the evening I applied boiled nettles: they took away the pain in a moment; and the swelling in a few hours.

Sun. 16.-I began visiting the classes at Kingswood; steady, but not zealous. It is impossible they should stand here long; they must go on, or go back. Mon. 17.-About two I preached at Paulton; but no house could contain us: so that I was forced to stand in the open air, though the wind was very high and very cold. Thence we rode to the honest colliers at Coleford. These have the zeal which their brethren at Kingswood want; in consequence of which, they are the most numerous, as well as the most lively, society in Somersetshire.

Tues. 18.-I preached to a very different congregation at Bradford, well dressed, and well bred: and yet of the very same spirit, hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

Wed. 19. After preaching at Freshford, I rode on to Kingswood. Fri. 21.-Being at dinner, in a moment I felt as if a small bone had stuck in the palate of my mouth. Nothing was to be seen; but the

swelling and inflammation increased till toward evening, (notwithstanding all means that could be used,) and then spread to both the tonsils. In the morning I was rather worse than better, till about half an hour after eight. Then, as the disorder came in a moment, it went in a moment, and I was as well as ever. Mon. 24.-I preached about noon

at Bath, and in the evening at Escot, near Lavington.

Tues. 25.-In my return a man met me near Hannam, and told me the school house at Kingswood was burned down. I felt not one moment's pain, knowing that God does all things well. When I came thither, I received a fuller account: about eight on Monday evening. two or three boys went into the gallery, up two pair of stairs. One of them heard a strange crackling in the room above. Opening the staircase door, he was beat back by smoke, on which he cried out, "Fire! Murder! Fire!" Mr. Baynes, hearing this, ran immediately down, and brought up a pail of water. But when he went into the room, and saw the blaze, he had not presence of mind to go up to it, but threw the water upon the floor. Meantime one of the boys rung the bell; another called John Maddern from the next house, who ran up, as did James Burges quickly after, and found the room all in a flame. The deal partitions took fire immediately, which spread to the roof of the house. Plenty of water was now brought; but they could not come nigh the place where it was wanted, the room being so filled with flame and smoke, that none could go into it. At last a long ladder, which lay in the garden, was reared up against the wall of the house. But it was then observed, that one of the sides of it was broke in two, and the other quite rotten. However, John How (a young man, who lived next door) ran up it, with an axe in his hand. But he then found the ladder was so short, that, as he stood on the top of it, he could but just lay one hand over the battlements. How he got over to the leads none can tell: but he did so, and quickly broke through the roof, on which a vent being made, the smoke and flame issued out as from a furnace: those who were at the foot of the stairs with water, being able to go no further, then went through the smoke to the door of the leads, and poured it down through the tiling. By this means the fire was quickly quenched, having only consumed a part of the partition, with a box of clothes, and a little damaged the roof, and the floor beneath.

It is amazing that so little hurt was done; for the fire, which began in the middle of the long room, (none can imagine how; for no person had been there for several hours before,) was so violent, that it broke every pane of glass but two, in the window, both at the east and west end. What was more amazing still, was, that it did not hurt either the beds, (which, when James Burges came in, seemed all covered with flame,) nor the deal partitions on the other side of the room, though it beat against them for a considerable time. What can we say to these things, but that God had fixed the bounds which it could not pass?

We observed Friday, the 28th, as a solemn fast: and from this time the work of God revived in Bristol. We were indeed brought very low. A society of nine hundred members was shrunk to little more than half the number. But God now began to turn our captivity, and put a new song in our mouth.

Thur. November 3.—I preached in the new preaching house at Pill.

How is the face of things changed here! Such a sink of sin was scarce to be found: and now how many are rejoicing in God their Saviour! Mon. 7.-Leaving the flame just kindling in Bristol, I rode to Newbury; and on Tuesday to London. I found the same fire kindled here also, and increasing more and more.

Mon. 14.-I rode to Bedford, and talked largely with Mr. whom God had well nigh set at liberty: but his feet are again in the net. He did not indeed deny, nor much extenuate, any of the things he had often related: but at length he told me in terms, "There are such things among the Brethren, that I can never join them more: yet I dare not speak against them, and join any other people, for fear of grieving the Saviour." O Lord, when shall this witchcraft come to an end? When wilt thou maintain thine own cause? Wed. 16.-We rode to Newmarket, and the next day to Norwich; where I now found a prospect of doing good. The congregation daily increased, and grew more and more serious. I spoke to many who were deeply convinced of sin, and some who were rejoicing in God, and walking in the light of his countenance.

Wed. 23.-I was shown Dr. Taylor's new meeting house, perhaps the most elegant one in Europe. It is eight-square, built of the finest brick, with sixteen sash windows below, as many above, and eight skylights in the dome; which, indeed, are purely ornamental. The inside is finished in the highest taste, and is as clean as any nobleman's saloon. The communion table is fine mahogany; the very latches of the pew doors are polished brass. How can it be thought that the old, coarse Gospel should find admission here?

Thur. 24.-A man had spoken to me the last week, as I was going through Thetford, and desired me to preach at Lakenheath, near Mildenhall, in Suffolk: I now purposed so to do, and rode thither from Thetford. One Mr. Evans had lately built a large and convenient preaching house there, at his own expense. It was more than filled at six o'clock, many standing at the door. At five in the morning (as uncommon a thing as this was in those parts) the house was nearly filled again with earnest, loving, simple people. Several of them came in to Mr. E.'s house afterward, stood a while, and then burst into tears: I promised to call upon them again, and left them much comforted.

Sat. 26.-I returned to London. Much confusion had been in my absence, occasioned by some imprudent words spoken by one who seemed to be strong in the faith. Mon. 28.-I heard all who were concerned face to face; but was utterly unable to judge whether there was wilful sin, lying, on either side, or only human infirmity. For the present I leave it to the Searcher of hearts, who will bring all things to light in due season. Wed. 30.-I had another long hearing of the same intricate cause; but with no more success one side flatly affirmed; the other flatly denied. This is strange: but it is more strange that those who seem so strong in faith should have no union of spirit with each other.

Fri. December 5.-I baptized Henriquez Judah Seniore, a Portuguese Jew, more than sixty years of age. He seemed to have no confidence in himself, but to be waiting for "the consolation of Israel."

Sun. 11.-In the evening I retired to Lewisham, and spent the fol

lowing days in finishing "A Preservative against Unsettled Notions in Religion;" designed for the use of all those who are under my care, but chiefly of the young preachers.

Sun. 18.-I had an opportunity (which I had long desired) of spending an hour or two with the Rev. Mr. I would have appointed a time for our meeting weekly; but he declined it: why, I cannot tell. Fri. 23. John Nelson wrote me a letter, part of which I have subJoined:

:

"We have had four triumphant deaths lately, of three men and one woman. The woman was Hannah Richardson, of Brestfield. When Enoch Williams preached there, she was the bitterest persecutor in the town, and vowed, if ever he preached there again, she would help to stone him to death. But he never went to try. The only one of 'this way' in the town was Ruth Blacker. Against her she was violently enraged, till Ruth went to her house, reasoned the case, and at length persuaded her to go to Dewsbury to hear Mr. Charles Wesley. That day God begot her by his word, so that she could never rest till she found Christ in her own heart: and for two years she has been a steady follower of him. By her zeal and circumspect walking many have been since stirred up to seek the Lord. As soon as she was taken ill, she began to praise God more than ever, for the work he had wrought in her soul. She said, 'At first I thought I had no will, and that God's love was all that was in my heart but when my little child gave a sudden shriek, I found my heart was not free; and it damped the love of God in my soul for two hours. But the Lord is come again, and now I am fully assured he does take up all the room in my heart. He has sanctified me throughout, body, soul, and spirit. I am a witness for Jesus Christ, that he is a greater Saviour than Adam was a sinner. O watch and pray, and ye shall not be overcome in the hour of temptation! Keep close to your meetings, and the Lord will meet you. If you neglect these, or private prayer, you will become barren in your own souls, and the god of this world will get an advantage over you. But if you keep close to God and one another, you will find Jesus a Saviour to the uttermost, as I, the most unworthy of mankind, do.' For some time before she died, her prayer was turned into praise. All her prayer then was, 'Thy will be done.' We have one by us that we think will hardly live till to-morrow, who is above seventy, and is as a shock of corn full ripe, crying out, 'Come, Lord Jesus!"

In the Christmas week I rode down to Bristol; where, Sunday, January 1, 1758, we began the year with the great congregation at four, rejoicing and praising God. Tues. 3.-At the request of several of my friends, I wrote "A letter to a Gentleman of Bristol ;" in order to guard them from seeking salvation by works on one hand, and Antinomianism on the other. From those who lean to either extreme, I shall have no thanks: but "wisdom is justified of her children." Wed. 4.-I rode to Kingswood, and rejoiced over the school, which is at length what I have so long wished it to be,-a blessing to all that are therein, and an honour to the whole body of Methodists.

Mon. 9.-I began a letter to Mr. Towgood, author of "The Dissenting Gentleman's Reasons;" I think the most saucy and virulent satire on the Church of England, that ever my eyes beheld. How much rather would I write practically than controversially! But even this talent I dare not bury in the earth. Fri. 13.-Having ended my business at Bristol, I rode to Newbury, and the next day to London.