size of a small shot; which he supposed might be one cause of the disorder, by occasioning a conflux of humours to the part. Wednesday, 5. I was as perfectly easy, as if no operation had been performed.

Tues. 12.-I began at the east end of the town to visit the society from house to house. I know no branch of the pastoral office, which is of greater importance than this. But it is so grievous to flesh and blood, that I can prevail on few, even of our Preachers, to undertake it.

Sun. 23.-Mr. Pentycross assisted me at the chapel. O what a curse upon the poor sons of men is the confusion of opinions! Worse by many degrees than the curse of Babel, the confusion of tongues. What but this could prevent this amiable young man from joining heart and hand with us?

Mon. 24.-I was desired by Mrs. Wright, of New-York, to let her take my effigy in wax-work. She has that of Mr. Whitefield and many others; but none of them, I think, comes up to a well-drawn picture.

Fri. 28.-I buried the remains of that venerable mother in Israel, Bilhah Aspernell. She found peace with God in 1738; and soon after, purity of heart. From that time she walked in the light of God's countenance, day and night, without the least intermission. She was always in pain, yet always rejoicing, and going about doing good. Her desire was, that she might not live to be useless: And God granted her desire. On Sunday evening she met her class, as usual. The next day she sent for her old fellow-traveller, Sarah Clay, and said to her, “Sally, I am going." She asked, "Where are you going?" She cheerfully answered, "To my Jesus, to be sure!" and spoke no

more.

Saturday, 29, and several times in the following week, I had much conversation with Ralph Mather, a devoted young man, but almost driven out of his senses by Mystic Divinity. If he escapes out of this specious snare of the devil, he will be an instrument of much good.

Thur. FEBRUARY 10.-I was desired by that affectionate man, Mr. P————, to give him a sermon at Chelsea. Every corner of the room was throughly crowded; and all but two or three gentlewomen (so called) were deeply serious, while I strongly enforced, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life."

Mon. 14.-In my way to Dorking, I gave another reading to the "Life of Anna Maria Schurman:" Perhaps a woman of the strongest understanding that the world ever saw. And she was likewise deeply devoted to God. So was also Antoinette Bourignon, nearly her equal in sense, though not in learning; and equally devoted to God. In many things there was a surprising resemblance between them, particularly in severity of temper, leading them to separate from all the world, whom they seemed to give up to the devil without remorse; only with this difference, Madame Bourignon believed there were absolutely no children of God, but her and her three or four associates: Anna Schurman believed there were almost none, but her and her little community. No wonder that the world returned their love, by persecuting them in every country.

Thur. MARCH 3.-I preached at L. But O what a change is there! The society is shrunk to five or six members, and probably will soon shrink into nothing. And the family is not even a shadow of that which was for some years a pattern to all the kingdom!

Sun. 6.-In the evening I went to Brentford, and on Monday to Newbury. Tuesday, 8. Coming to Chippenham, I was informed that the floods had made the road by Marshfield impassable. So I went round by Bath, and came to Bristol just as my brother was giving out the hymn; and in time to beseech a crowded audience, not to receive "the grace of God in vain."

Sat. 12.-I went over to Kingswood, and put an end to some little misunderstandings which had crept into the family. At this I rejoiced; but I was grieved to find that Ralph Mather's falling into Mysticism and Quakerism had well nigh put an end to that uncommon awakening which he had before occasioned among the children. But the next day I found, the little maids at Publow, who found peace by his means, had retained all the life which they had received; and had indeed increased therein.

Tues. 15.-I began my northern journey, and went by Stroud, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury, to Worcester. Thursday, 17. I preached in the Town-Hall at Evesham, to a numerous and serious congregation. Friday, 18. I returned to Worcester. The society here continues walking together in love, and are not moved by all the efforts of those who would fain teach them another Gospel. I was much comforted by their steadfastness

and simplicity. Thus let them "silence the ignorance of foolish men!"

Sat. 19.-In the evening I preached at Birmingham, and at eight in the morning. At noon I preached on Bramwick-Heath; and, the Room being far too small, stood in Mr. Wiley's courtyard, notwithstanding the keen north-east wind. At Wednesbury, likewise, I was constrained by the multitude of people to preach abroad in the evening. I strongly enforced upon them the Apostle's words, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ?" If we do not " go on to perfection," how shall we escape lukewarmness, Antinomianism, hell-fire?

Mon. 21.-I preached at nine in Darlaston, and about noon at Wolverhampton. Here I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fletcher, and we took sweet counsel together. Tuesday, 22. At five I explained that important truth, that God trieth us every moment, weighs all our thoughts, words, and actions, and is pleased or displeased with us, according to our works. I see more and more clearly, that "there is a great gulf fixed" between us and all those who, by denying this, sap the very foundation both of inward and outward holiness.

At ten I preached at Dudley, and in the afternoon spent some time in viewing Mr. Bolton's works, wonderfully ingenious, but the greater part of them wonderfully useless. Wednesday, 23. I preached at Ashby-de-la-Zouch; and Thursday, 24, went on to Markfield. The church was quickly filled. I preached on those words in the Second Lesson, "Lazarus, come forth!" In the evening I preached at Leicester. Here, likewise, the people "walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost."

Sun. 27.-About noon I preached at Stapleford, six miles west from Nottingham. I stood in a meadow, because no house could contain the congregation. But it was nothing to that at Nottingham-Cross in the evening, the largest I have seen for many years, except at Gwennap. Monday, 28. About noon I preached at Donnington. It was a showery day, but the showers were suspended during the preaching. In the evening I preached at Derby, and had the satisfaction to observe an unusual seriousness in the congregation. Careless as they used to be, they seemed at length to know the day of their visitation.

Tues. 29.-About ten I preached in the market-place at

I

Ashbourne to a large and tolerably serious congregation; and some, I believe, felt the word of God quick and powerful, while I enforced, "God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." After dinner we went on to Newcastle-under-Lyne, (that is the proper name of the river,) where I was invited by the Mayor, a serious, sensible man, to lodge at his house. was desired (our Room being but small) to preach in the market-place. Abundance of people were soon gathered together, who surprised me not a little, by mistaking the tune, and striking up the March in Judas Maccabeus. Many of them had admirable voices, and tolerable skill. I know not when I have heard so agreeable a sound: It was indeed the voice of melody. But we had one jarring string: A drunken gentleman was a little noisy, till he was carried away.

Wed. 29.-I went on to Congleton, where I received letters, informing me that my presence was necessary at Bristol. So about one I took chaise, and reached Bristol about half an hour after one the next day. Having done my business in about two hours, on Friday in the afternoon I reached Congleton again; (about a hundred and forty miles from Bristol ;) no more tired (blessed be God!) than when I left it. What a change is in this town! The bitter enmity of the townsfolks to the Methodists is clean forgotten. So has the steady behaviour of the little flock turned the hearts of their opposers.

APRIL 3.-(Being Easter Day.) I went on to Macclesfield, and came just in time (so is the scene changed here also) to walk to the old church, with the Mayor and the two Ministers. The rain drove us into the House in the evening; that is, as many as could squeeze in; and we had a season of strong consolation, both at the preaching, and at the meeting of the society.

Mon. 4.-I went on to Manchester, where the work of God appears to be still increasing. Tuesday, 5. About noon I preached at New-Mills, to an earnest, artless, loving people; and in the evening, at poor, dull, dead Stockport, not without hopes that God would raise the dead. As one means of this, I determined to restore the morning preaching, which had been discontinued for many years. So I walked over from Portwood in the morning, and found the House well filled at five o'clock. Wednesday, 6. I preached at Pendleton-pole, two miles from Manchester, in a new chapel designed for a Church Minister, which was filled from end to end.

Thur. 7.-I preached about noon at Northwich, now as quiet as Manchester: And in the evening at that lovely spot, Little, Leigh. Friday, 8. I went on to Chester. Saturday, 9. I visited our old friends at Alpraham; many of whom are now well nigh worn out, and just ready for the Bridegroom.

Mon. 11.-I preached about noon at Warrington, and in the evening at Liverpool. Thursday, 14. I preached in Wigan at noon, where all tumult is now at an end: The lives of the Christians having quite put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. In the evening I preached at Bolton, to the most lively and most steady people in all these parts.

Fri. 15.-I preached at a preaching-house just built at Chowbent, which was lately a den of lions; but they are all now quiet as lambs. So they were the next day at the new House, near Bury. Friday, 16. At noon I preached in Rochdale; and in the evening near the church in Huddersfield. The wind was high, and very sharp; but the people little regarded it, while I strongly enforced those words, "What doest thou here, Elijah ?"

Sun. 17.-I rode to Halifax. Such a country church I never saw before. I suppose, except York Minster, there is none in the county so large. Yet it would not near contain the congregation. I was afraid it would be impossible for all to hear; but God gave me a voice for the occasion: So that I believe all heard and many felt the application of those words, (part of the First Lesson,) "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his !"

While I was at dinner at Dr. Leigh's, one came from Huddersfield to tell me the Vicar was willing I should preach in the church. Dr. Leigh lending me his servant and his horse, I set out immediately; and, riding fast, came into the church while the Vicar was reading the Psalms. It was well the people had no notice of my preaching, till I came into the town: They quickly filled the church. I did not spare them, but fully delivered my own soul.

Mon. 18.-The Minister of Heptonstall sent me word that I was welcome to preach in his church. It was with difficulty we got up the steep mountain; and when we were upon it, the wind was ready to bear us away. The church was filled, not No others would face so

with curious but serious hearers.

furious a storm. At the Ewood, in the evening, we had the usual blessing.