I was agreeably surprised to see the largest congregation today, which I have seen since I landed. The congregations used to be large for three or four days, and then gradually to decline: but they have now continually increased from first to last. This also is a token for good.

Monday 8, As the weather continued extremely cold, I judged it best to visit the inland counties and the south of Ireland first. So to-day I rode to Eden-derry; but was con→ strained by the keen north wind to preach within. The case was the same at Tyrrel's-pass, on Tuesday 9, where I preached in the shell of the new house. Wednesday 10, I preached in the court-house at Molingar, to a serious and decent congregation; but they seemed quite unconcerned. Those who met in the court-house at Longford in the evening were of quite another spirit. They drank in every word, while I explained, Lord, are there few that be saved? Who can despair of doing good in any place? None in this kingdom seemed so barren as Longford, and that for many years: after nearly twenty years labour we sought fruit, but found none; but on a sudden the seed, so long hid, is sprung up, and promises a plentiful harvest.

Thursday 11, I preached at Loughan and Athlone: Friday 12, at Aughrim. Saturday 13, I rode back to Athlone, where there is now no opposition either from rich or poor. The consequence of this is, there is no zeal, while the people dwell at ease. O what state upon earth is exempt from danger! When persecution arises, how many are offended! When it does not arise, how many grow cold and leave their first love! Some perish by the storm, but far more by the calm. Lord, save, or we perish!

Sunday 14, I designed to preach abroad, but the storm drove us into the house. This house was built and given, with the ground on which it stands, by a single gentleman. In Cork one person, Mr. Thomas Janes, gave between three and four hundred pounds, toward the preaching-house. Towards that in Dublin Mr. Lunel gave four hundred. I know no such benefactors among the Methodists in England. Monday 15, I rode to Birr, through much hail and snow,

driven in our faces by a furious wind: so was the hail the next day, as we rode to Tullamore. Here likewise I lamented the want of zeal. So the society here also is no larger than it was two years ago.

On the following days I preached at Cooley-lough, Mountmellick, and Portarlington. Monday 22, I rode to Kilkenny: the new preaching-house was just finished, a neat and commodious building: but before we came to it in the evening it was filled from end to end: so it was the next evening. On Wednesday 24, I cheerfully commended them to the grace of God.

In the evening I knew not where to preach at Enniscorthy, the wind being very high and very cold. But I was in some measure sheltered by the side of a house; and the people standing close together sheltered one another. Only a few careless ones were blown away.

Thursday 25, Two of our brethren from Wexford earnestly intreated me to go thither. I preached in the markethouse at ten o'clock. The congregation was very large and very genteel, and yet as remarkably well behaved as any I have seen in the kingdom.

By hard riding we reached Waterford before six, where the house tolerably well contained the congregation: so it generally does the first night I am here. Friday 26, I laboured to calm the minds of some that had separated from their brethren: but it was labour lost. After two or three hours spent in fruitless altercation, I was thoroughly convinced that they would not, and ought not to be re-united to them.

Sunday 28, At eleven, and again in the afternoon, I went to the cathedral, where a young gentleman most valiantly encountered the grievous wolves, as he termed the Methodists. I never heard a man strike more wide of the mark. How ever, the shallow discourse did good; for it sent abundance of people, rich and poor, to hear and judge for themselves. So that the court, at the top of which I stood, was filled from end to end.

Monday 29, In the evening I preached in the market

place at Clonmel, to a listening multitude. Some seemed inclined to disturb; but the serious, well-behaved troopers kept them all in awe.

Tuesday 30, I rode to Cork, and on Wednesday, May 1, to Bandon; but the north-east wind forbade my preaching in the street. I was the less concerned at this, because my business now lay chiefly with the society. Those who had been scattered I laboured to gather up; those who were drowsy, to awaken; those that were dead, to quicken; and to unite all together in following after peace and holiness.

Sunday 5, I returned to Cork, and would fain have preached abroad, but the violent wind would not suffer it. Monday 6, I spake severally to the members of the society. Two years ago they were reduced to about a hundred and ninety. They are now only a hundred and seventy; and yet the work of God deepens in those that remain. I found many growing in grace; many rejoicing in the pure love of God; and many more, who were earnestly panting after the whole mind that was in Christ.

Sunday 12, I assisted at the funeral of Susannah Pilson. She was one of the first members of this society, and continued firm in the hottest of the persecution. Upwards of twenty years she adorned the gospel, steadily and uniformly walking with God. For great part of the time she was a living witness, that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. After a lingering illness, she calmly resigned her soul into the hands of her faithful Creator.

Monday 13, We had an agreeable ride to Kilfinane. I designed to preach under the court-house, but was offered the use of the room above, where the church service has been for these two years, as the church lies in ruins. In a very short time we had a large and attentive congregation. If the parish ministers were zealous for God, the Protestants in Ireland would soon out-number the Papists.

Tuesday 14, I rode on to Limerick, and told the congregation plainly, "If, as is your manner, you attend three days and then fall off, I can bestow my time better else where. But if you continue to come, I will stay with you

longer." They took me at my word; and continued to increase both morning and evening, as long as I stayed in the city.

Wednesday 15, A gentleman desired me to visit his daughter, I found a lovely, sensible woman, in the bloom of youth, scarcely one and twenty, in the last stage of a consumption. From that time I visited her every day. In two or three days she was considerably better: but, as I expected, when the hot weather came on, the sweet flower withered away.

Saturday 18, I dined at Mr.'s. Such another family I have not seen in the kingdom. He and Mrs. are in person, in understanding, and in temper, made for each other. And their ten children are in such order as I have not seen for many years. Indeed never since I left my father's house. May they never depart from the good way!

Sunday 19, (Whitsunday) The ground in the island being wet, I preached in the evening near the new custom-house, on If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. I was not a little refreshed, observing so many who seemed to thirst for the living water. I preached there again the following evening to nearly the same number of hearers. I should have thought it well worth while to have come to Limerick were it only for these two evenings.

Wednesday 22, After preaching at Balligarane, I rode to Askeyton. There are no ruins, I believe, in the kingdom of Ireland to be compared to these. The old Earl of Desmond's castle is very large, and has been exceedingly strong. Not far from this, and formerly communicating with it by a gallery, is his great hall or banquetting-room. The walls are still firm and entire; and these, with the fine carvings of the window-frames, all of polished marble, give some idea of what it was once.

Its last master lived like a prince for many years, and rebelled over and over against Queen Elizabeth. After his last rebellion, his army being totally routed, he fled into the woods with two or three hundred men. But the pursuit was

so hot, that these were soon scattered from him, and he crept alone into a small cabin. He was sitting there when a soldier came in and struck him. He rose and said, "I am the Earl of Desmond." The wretch, rejoicing that he had found so great a prize, cut off his head at once. Queen Elizabeth and King James allowed a pension to his relic for many years. I have seen a striking picture of her in her widow's weeds, said to be taken when she was an hundred and forty years old.

So

At a small distance from the castle stands the old abbey, the finest ruin of the kind in the kingdom. Not only the walls of the church, and many of the apartments, but the whole cloysters are entire. They are built of black marble exquisitely polished, and vaulted over with the same. that they are as firm now as when they were built, (perhaps seven or eight hundred years ago): and if not purposely destroyed, (as most of the ancient buildings in Ireland have been) may last these thousand years. But add these to the years they have stood already, and what is it to eternity? A moment!

Friday 24, I spoke severally to the members of the society in Limerick. I have found no society in Ireland, number for number, so rooted and grounded in love. We observed this as a day of fasting and prayer, and were much comforted together.

Sunday 26, The rain obliged me to preach within, at five in the evening. It was a season of solemn joy and sorrow, I took horse immediately after preaching, and rode through continued rain to Snugborough, about fourteen Irish miles from Limerick.

Monday 27, We pushed on through violent wind and rain, and reached Galway in the afternoon. About six I preached in the court-house, by far the neatest which I have seen in the kingdom. Abundance of the soldiers, who were to march for Dublin the next day, willingly attended: and not a few of the townsfolk; but, what is rarely seen in freland, five or six men to one woman. I was enabled to speak exceedingly close: and many were stunned, if not wounded.