Wesley Corpus

Being invited by the Minister of Mary-Week to preach in his church, I crossed over the country, and came thither about four in the afternoon. The congregation was large, considering the weather, and quite attentive and uncon cerned. Hence I rode on to Mill-House, and the next day to Collumpton; where, finding the congregation waiting, I began preaching without delay, and felt no weariness or want of strength till I had delivered my message to them. Wed. OCTOBER 1. After preaching at five, I examined the society, and found them more alive to God than I had done for many years. About one I preached at Halberton, and at Tiverton in the evening. The next morning I rode to Maiden-Down, where the congregation was waiting for me. About noon I preached at Taunton. The rain lessened the congregation at Bridgewater; a dead, uncomfortable place, at best. About seven we set out thence for Baderipp, in as dark a night as I ever saw : But God gave his angels charge over us, and we dashed not our foot against a stone. I was surprised to see a congregation at five in the morning, to whom I spoke with much enlargement of heart. About one I preached at Shepton-Mallet, and about seven in the evening at Bristol. I perceived, by the liveliness of the people, that Mr. Gilbert's labour had not been in vain. But I found some exercise too: And this is always to be expected among a large body of people; it being certain that as "all men have not faith," so all believers have not wisdom. I visited the classes at Kingswood. Here only Nov. 1760. JOURNAL, 23 there is no increase; and yet, where was there such a prospect, till that weak man, John Cennick, confounded the poor people with strange doctrines? O what mischief may be done by one that means well! We see no end of it to this day. In the afternoon I had appointed the children to meet at Bristol, whose parents were of the society. Thirty of them came to-day, and above fifty more on the Sunday and Thursday following. About half of these I divided into four classes, two of boys, and two of girls; and appointed proper Leaders to meet them separate.