rough; about noon at Griffy-dam; and in the evening at Ashby. Tuesday 20, I preached in Markfield church about noon, and in the evening at Leicester, where we had an exceeding solemn time, while I described the Son of Man coming in his glory.

Wednesday 21, The house was filled at five, and we had another solemn opportunity. About eight, calling at Hinckley, I was desired to preach; as also at Forcell, ten or twelve miles farther. When I came to Coventry I found notice had been given for my preaching in the park, but the heavy rain prevented. I sent to the mayor, desiring the use of the town-hall: he refused, but the same day gave the use of it to a dancing-master. I then went to the womens'market. Many soon gathered together, and listened with all seriousness. I preached there again the next morning, Thursday 22, and again in the evening: then I took coach for London: I was nobly attended: behind the coach were ten convicted felons, loudly blaspheming and rattling their chains: by my side sat a man with a loaded blunderbuss, and another upon the coach.

Sunday 25, Both the chapels were full enongh. On Monday I retired to Lewisham to write.

began, which conSunday 8, I was at

Tuesday, August 3, Our Conference tinued and ended in peace and love. West-street in the morning, and at the new chapel in the evening, when I took a solemn leave of the affectionate congregation. This was the last night which I spent at the Foundry. What hath God wrought there in one and forty years!

288

AN

EXTRACT

OF THE

REV. JOHN WESLEY'S

JOURNAL,

No. XIX.

FROM AUGUST 9, 1779, TO SEPTEMBER 3, 1782.

M

ONDAY, August 9, I set out for Wales, with my brother and his family. In the evening I preached at Oxford; the next at Witney. Wednesday, we went on to Gloucester, where I preached with much satisfaction to a crowded audience. Thursday 12, we went on to Monmouth, where the late storm is blown over. 1 preached at six in the evening; but did not observe one inattentive person then, any more than at five in the morning.

Friday 13, As I was going down a steep pair of stairs, my foot slipped, and I fell down several steps: falling on the edge of one of them, it broke the case of an almanack, which was in my pocket, all to pieces: the edge of another stair met my right buckle, and snapt the steel chape of it in two; but I was not hurt. So doth our good Master give his angels charge over us! In the evening I preached at Brecknock, and, leaving my brother there, on Saturday 14, went forward to Caermarthen.

This evening, and in the morning, Sunday 15, the new preaching-house contained the congregation: but, in the afternoon, we had, I think, the largest congregation I ever

saw in Wales. I preached on the Gospel for the day, the story of the Pharisee and the Publican; and, I believe, many were constrained to cry out for the present, God, be merciful to me a sinner!

Monday 16, In the evening I preached in the marketplace again to a very serious congregation, many of whom were in tears, and felt the word of God to be sharper than a two-edged sword..

Tuesday 17, Having some steep mountains to climb, I took a pair of post-horses. About four miles from the town, one of them began to kick and flounce, without any visible cause, till he got one of his legs over the pole. Mr. Broadbent and I then came out of the chaise, and walked forward. While the drivers were setting the chaise right, the horses ran back almost to the town; so that we did not reach Llynguare till between two and three o'clock. Mr. Bowen was not returned from a journey to Glasgow; however, I spent a very comfortable evening with Mrs. Bowen and the rest of the family.

Wednesday 18, I preached about ten in Newport church, and then we went on to Haverford-West. Here we had a very different congregation, both as to number and spirit; and we found the society striving together for the hope of the gospel. Thursday 19, we went over to Fracoon, one of the loveliest places in Great-Britain. The house stands in a deep valley, surrounded with tall woods, and them with lofty mountains: but as Admiral Vaughan was never married, this ancient family will soon come to an end. At two I preached in Newport church, and in the evening at Haverford.

Friday 20, Many of us met at noon, and spent a solemn hour in intercession for our king and country. In the evening, the house was throughly filled with people of all denominations. I believe, they all felt that God was there, and that he was no respecter of persons.

Saturday 21, I went to Pembroke. Understanding that a large number of American prisoners were here, in the evening I took my stand over against the place where they were VOL. V.

U

confined, so that they all could hear distinctly. Many of them seemed much affected. O that God may set their souls at liberty!

Sunday 22, Mr. Rees, a neighbouring clergyman, assisting me, I began at St. Daniel's between nine and ten. The congregation came from many miles round, and many of them were greatly refreshed. While we rode to Haverford after dinner, 1 think it was full as hot as it uses to be in Georgia, till, about five o'clock, a violent shower exceedingly cooled the air: but it ceased in half an hour, and we had then such a congregation as was scarcely ever seen here before and though many of the gentry were there, yet a solemn awe spread over the whole assembly.

Monday 23, I came once more to Caermarthen. Finding the people here, (as indeed in every place,) under a deep consternation, through the terrible reports which flew on every side, I cried aloud in the market-place, Say ye unto the righteous, it shall be well with him. God made it a word in season to them, and many were no longer afraid.

Tuesday 24, Setting out immediately after preaching, about eight I preached at Kidwelly, about hine miles from Caermarthen, to a very civil and unaffected congregation. At eleven, though the sun was intensely hot, I stood at the end of the church-yard in Llanelly, and took occasion, from a passing-bell, strongly to enforce those words, 'It is appointed unto men once to die. About six I preached at Swansey to a large congregation, without feeling any Weariness.

Wednesday 25, I preached at five, and about eight in the town-hall at Neath. In the afternoon I preached in the church near Bridge-end, to a larger congregation than I ever saw there before; and at six in the town-hall at Cowbridge, much crowded, and hot enough. The heat made it a little more difficult to speak; but, by the mercy of God, I was no more tired when I had done, than when I rose in the morning.

Thursday 26, I preached at five, and again at eleven.

I think this was the happiest time of all: the poor and the rich seemed to be equally affected. Oh! how are the times changed at Cowbridge, since the people compassed the house where I was, and poured in stones from every quar ter: but my strength was then according to my day, and, (blessed be God!) so it is still.

In the evening I preached in the large hall at Mr. Matthews' in Landaff. And will the rich also hear the words of eternal life! With God all things are possible.

Friday 27, I preached at Cardiff about noon, and at six in the evening. We then went on to Newport, and setting out early in the morning, reached Bristol in the afternoon. Sunday 29, I had a very large number of communicants. It was one of the hottest days I have known in England. The thermometer rose to eighty degrees: as high as it usually rises in Jamaica.

Being desired to visit a dying man on Kingsdown, I had no time but at two o'clock. The sun shone without a cloud, so that I had a warm journey: but I was well repaid; for the poor sinner found peace. At five I preached to an immense multitude in the square: and God comforted many drooping souls.

Monday 30, I set out for the West, and in the evening preached at Taunton, on Walk worthy of the Lord. Tuesday 31, after preaching at Collumpton about noon, in the evening I preached at Exeter, in a convenient room, lately a school: I suppose, formerly a chapel. It is both neat and solemn, and is believed to contain four or five hundred people. Many were present again at five in the morning, September 1, and found it a comfortable opportunity. Here a gentleman, just come from Plymouth, gave us a very remarkable account. "For two days the combined fleets of France and Spain lay at the mouth of the harbour. They might have entered it with perfect ease. The wind was fair: there was no fleet to oppose them: and the island, which is the grand security of the place, being incapable of giving them any hinderance: for there was scarcely any