ness I have not found any where else in the kingdom; no, not even in Ireland.

Sunday 18, The chapel was full enough, both in the afternoon and the evening: I declared to them the whole counsel of God, and on Monday returned to London.

Wednesday 21, Being the National Fast, I preached at the new chapel in the morning, and at West-street in the afternoon. At this, as well as the two last public fasts, all places of public worship were crowded: all shops were shut up: all was quiet in the streets, and seriousness seemed to spread through the whole city. And one may hope even this outward acknowledgment of God is in a measure acceptable to him.

Sunday 25, My brother, Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Buckingham being ill, I went through the service at Spitalfields alone. The congregation was much larger than usual; but my strength was as my day, both here, the new chapel, and afterwards at St. Antholin's church; the service lasted till nearly nine; but I was no more tired than at nine in the morning.

Friday, March 2, We had our general quarterly meeting, and found the money subscribed this year, for the payment of the public debt, was between fourteen and fifteen hundred pounds..

Sunday 4, At eight in the evening I took coach for Bristol, with Mr. Rankin and two other friends. We drove with two horses as far as Reading. Two more were then added, with a postillion, who knowing little of his business, instead of going forward, turned quite round on a sloping ground, so that we expected the coach to overturn every moment: so it must have done, but that the coachman instantly leaped off, and with some other men held it up, till we got out at the opposite door. The coach was then soon set right, and we went on without let or hindrance.

After spending two or three days at Bath, on Thursday 8, I went forward to Bristol. On Monday the 12th, and the following days, I visited the society, but was surprised to

find no greater increase considering what preachers they had had.

Sunday 18, I preached morning and evening at the room: in the afternoon at Temple-church. The congregation here is remarkably well behaved; indeed so are the parishioners in general; and no wonder, since they have had such a succession of rectors, as few parishes in England have had. The present incumbent truly fears God: so did his predecessor Mr. Catcott, who was indeed as eminent for piety as most clergymen in England. He succeeded his father, a man of the same spirit, who, I suppose, succeeded Mr. Arthur Bedford, a person greatly esteemed fifty or sixty years ago, for piety as well as learning.

Monday 19, For several years the severe weather has begun the very day I set out from Bristol: but the mild weather now continued seven or eight days longer. This evening I preached at Stroud. Tuesday 20, at Stroud, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, and Worcester. Wednesday 21, at noon, I preached in Bewdly, and at Worcester in the evening. Thursday 23, I preached in Bengeworth-church, and had some conversation with that amiable man, Mr. B. I preached in the evening at Pebworth-church, on those words in the Lesson, Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Saturday 24, I was invited to preach at Quinton, five miles from Birmingham. I preached there at noon in the open air to a serious and attentive congregation. Some of them appeared to be very deeply affected. Who knows but it may continue? In the evening I had another comfortable opportunity with our friends at Birmingham.

Sunday 25, I preached at Birmingham, Dudley, and Wednesbury. Monday 26, I preached at noon in Mr. Barker's large parlour, at Congreve, near Penkridge. Many stood in the next room, and many in the garden, near the windows: and I believe all could hear. I brought strange things to the ears of those that had been used to softer doctrines; and I believe not in vain. They seemed to receive the truth in the love thereof.

In the evening I preached at Newcastle-under-Lyme. Mr. Scot, and two or three of his preachers were present: they have lately begun to preach both here and at Burslem. If they would go and break up fresh ground we should rejoice: but we cannot commend them for breaking in upon our labours after we have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Tuesday 27, I went a little out of my way in order to open the new preaching-house at Shrewsbury. I did not so much wonder at the largeness, as at the seriousness of the congregation. So still, and deeply attentive a congregation I did not expect to see here. How apt are we to forget that important truth, that all things are possible with God.

Wednesday 28, I returned to Burslem. How is the whole face of this country changed in about twenty years!" Since the potteries were introduced, inhabitants have continually flowed in from every side. Hence the wilderness is literally become a fruitful field. Houses, villages, towns have sprung up. And the country is not more improved than the people. The word of God has had free course among them. Sinners are daily awakened and converted to God, and believers grow in the knowledge of Christ. In the evening the house was filled with people, and with the presence of God. This constrained me to extend the service a good deal longer than I am accustomed to do. Likewise at the meeting of the society, many were filled with strong consolation. After preaching at Congleton, Macclesfield, and Stockport, in my way, on Friday the 30th, I opened the new chapel at Manchester, about the size of that in London. The whole congregation behaved with the utmost seriousness. I trust much good will be done in this place.

Sunday, April 1, I began reading prayers at ten o'clock. Our country friends flocked in from all sides. At the communion was such a sight as I am persuaded was never seen at Manchester before: eleven or twelve hundred communicants at once; and all of them fearing God.

Tuesday 3, I took a solemn leave of our affectionate friends

here, and went on to Bolton. The society here are true, original Methodists. They are not conformed to the world, either in its maxims, its spirit, or its fashions; but are simple followers of the Lamb: consequently they increase both in grace and number.

Wednesday 4, I went over to Wigan, and preached a funeral sermon for Betty Brown, one of the first members of this society: one of whom, John Layland, gave me the following artless account of her. "She met with us in a class about twenty years, even to the Sunday before her death, which was on Friday, March 2. Going to market that day in good health, she returned (as she often did) without her husband, ate her supper and went to bed. About midnight he came and found her body; but the spirit was fled! Her love for God, for his cause, and for her brethren and sisters, was truly remarkable: so was her pity for backsliders. At home and abroad she was continually intent on one thing. We cannot forget her tears and prayers, which we doubt not the Lord hath beard.

"A little before her death, sitting with my sisters, she seemed in deep thought, and broke out, I will go to God!' One of them being surprised, said, 'Pray, Betty, what do you mean?' She only replied, I will go to God.' So that, if I think right, she was the beloved of God, the delight of his children, a dread to wicked men, and a torment to devils."

Thursday 5, I went to Chester. The house was well filled with deeply attentive hearers. I perceived God had exceedingly blest the labours of the preachers. The congregations were much larger than they used to be. The society was increased; and they were not only agreed among themselves, but in peace with all round about them.

Friday 6, I went to Alpringham, and preached the funeral sermon of good old sister Cawley. She has been indeed a mother in Israel; a pattern of all good works. Saturday 7, at noon, I preached at Preston-on-the-Hill, and in the evening at Warrington. Sunday 8, the service was at the usual hours. I came just in time to put a stop to a bad custom,

which was creeping in here. Al few men who had fine voices sang a psalm which no one knew, in a tune fit for an Opera, wherein three, four, or five persons sung different words at the same time! What an insult upon common sense! What a burlesque upon public worship! No custom can excuse such a mixture of profaneness and absurdity.

Monday 9, Desiring to be in Ireland as soon as possible, I hastened to Liverpool, and found a ship ready to sail; but the wind was contrary, till on Thursday morning the Captain came in haste, and told us, the wind was come quite fair. So Mr. Floyde, Snowden, Joseph Bradford, and I, with two of our sisters, went on board: but scarcely were we out at sea, when the wind turned quite foul, and rose higher and higher. In an hour I was so affected, as I had not been for forty years before. For two days I could not swallow the quantity of a pea of any thing solid, and very little of any liquid. I was bruised and sore from head to foot, and ill able to turn me on the bed. All Friday, thẻ * storm increasing, the sea of consequence was rougher and rougher. Early on Saturday morning the hatches were closed, which, together with the violent motion, made our. horses so turbulent, that I was afraid we must have killed them, lest they should damage the ship. Mrs. Snow crept to me, threw her arms over me, and said, "O Sir, we will die together!" We had by this time three feet water in the hold, though it was an exceeding light vessel. Mean time we were furiously driving on a lee shore; and when the Captain cried," Helm a-lee," she would not obey the helm. I called our brethren to prayers; and we found free access to the throne of grace. Soon after we got, I know not how, into Holyhead harbour, after being suffici ently buffetted by the winds and waves, for two days and two nights.

The more I considered, the more I was convinced, it was not the will of God I should go to Ireland at this time. So we went into the stage-coach without delay, and the next evening came to Chester.

I now considered, in what place I could spend a few days