Wesley Corpus

I returned to Bristol, and employed several days in examining and purging the society, which still consisted (after many were put away) of more than seven hundred persons. The next week examined the society in Kingswood; in which I found but a few things to reprove. The leaders brought in what had been contributed, in their several classes, toward the public debt: and we found it was sufficient to discharge it ; which was therefore done without delay. I left Bristol, and preached in the evening, to a very civil congregation, at Painswick. Tuesday, 18. I preached to a little earnest company, at Gutherton, near Tewksbury ; and in the evening, at Evesham, on the happiness of him ' whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." I called on Mr. Taylor, at Quinton, six or seven miles north of Evesham. About eleven I preached in his church, to a thin, dull congregation ; and then rode on to Birmingham. After preaching to a small, attentive congregation, I rode to Wednesbury. At twelve I preached in a ground near the middle of the town, to a far larger congregation than was expected, on, " Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." I believe every one present felt 296 _ REV. J. WESLEY'S JOURNAL. Oct. 1743.. the power cf God; and no creature offered to molest us, either going, or coming ; but the Lord fought for us, and we held our peace. I was writing at Francis Ward's, in the afternoon, when the cry arose, _ that the mob had beset the house. We prayed that God would disperse them ; and it was so: one went this way, and another that; so that, in half an hour, not a man was left. I told our brethren, " Now is the time for us to go ;" but they pressed me exceedingly to stay. So, that I might not offend them, I sat down, though I foresaw what would follow. Before five the mob surrounded the house again, in greater © numbers than ever. The cry of one and all was, " Bring out the min-