Wesley Corpus

Shewell's funeral sermon, at Barnet, on Friday evening; and as we had only two light persons in the diligence, and no baggage, I hoped we should have come in time. But they were vain hopes: We did not reach Hoddesdon till after sunset. I them took a post-chaise; for the diligence went the other road. But as we had a rough by-road across the country, without either moon or stars, we could not reach the chapel till half an hour after seven. About half the congregation were gone away; an officious man having informed them I would not come. With the other half, which pretty well filled the house, we had a solemn opportunity. So I have lived to see the large family at Hadley, two brothers and three sisters, all removed. So does "the earth drop its inhabitants, as the tree its leaves." Oct. 1786. JOURNAL. 353 I went to Hinxworth, and preached in the evening to a more numerous congregation than I ever had seen there before. At length Miss Harvey sees some fruit of all the pains she has taken. Tuesday, 17. I met her poor children in the morning, twenty of whom she keeps at school in the village, as she is unwearied in doing good. In the evening I preached in Mr. Hicks's church, at Wrestling worth. I have not seen such a congregation there for many years: Neither have I found so much of the power of God. Surely all our labour here will not be in vain. I returned to London. In this journey I had a full sight of Lord Salisbury's seat, at Hatfield. The park is delightful. Both the fronts of the house are very hand some, though antique. The hall, the assembly-room, and the gallery, are grand and beautiful. The chapel is ex tremely pretty; but the furniture in general (excepting the pictures, many of which are originals) is just such as I should expect in a gentleman's house of five hundred a year. I preached at West-Street, morning and after noon, and at Allhallows church in the evening. It was much crowded; and God gave us so remarkable a blessing, as I scarce ever found at that church. Tuesday, 24.