Wesley Corpus

We went on board the Duke of Leinster, and fell down the river with a small side-wind : But in the morn ing, after a dead calm, a contrary wind arose, and blew exceeding hard. Wednesday, APRIL 1. The sea was rough enough. However, I went to sleep about my usual time, and in the morning found myself in Dublin Bay; and about seven we landed at the quay. I was soon informed, that one of our friends, a strong, lively, healthy man, Mr. Ham, had died the day before. From the time he was taken ill, he was a mere self-condemned sinner, deeply convinced of his unfaithfulness to God, and declaring, I give up ev'ry plea beside, Lord, I am damn'd; but thou hast died. "When my wife dies," said he, "let her be carried to the Room. She has been an honour to her profession. But I will not; I am not worthy; I have been no credit to you." He continued full of self-condemnation, till, after a week's illness, his spirit returned to God. I daily conversed with many of the society, and had the satisfaction to find them both more united together, and more 118 REv. J. Wesley's April, 1778. alive to God, than they had been for some years. Saturday. I began meeting the classes, and was agreeably surprised. I had heard, that near a hundred persons had left the society: On strict inquiry, I found about forty were wanting; the present number being about four hundred and sixty; and therefore were more loving and unanimous than I ever knew them before. -Meeting the society in the evening, I largely explained the reasons of the late separation, and strongly exhorted all our brethren not to "render railing for railing." I set out for the country, and reached Tyrrel's Pass. It being a mild evening, I preached to a numerous congregation. The next evening it was larger still ; and the power of the Lord was present to heal. Between eight and nine I preached in the Court-House at Mullingar, to a more serious congregation than I ever saw there before. In the evening I preached in the Court-House at Longford, to a far more numerous, and equally serious, congregation. About eleven I preached at Abydarrig; and before one set out for Athlone.