Collumpton, about noon, and at Exeter in the evening. Saturday 28, I preached in the square at Plymouth-Dock, to a quieter congregation than usual. Sunday 26, between one and two, I began in the new house in Plymouth: the large congregation was all attention; and there seemed reason to hope, that even here we shall find some fruit of our labour. In the evening I preached again in the square, on the story of the pharisee and publican, to such a congregation for number and seriousness together, as I never saw there before.

Monday 27, I was desired to preach at Trenuth at noon, a little way (they said) out of the road. The little way proved six or seven miles, through a road ready to break our wheels in pieces. However, I just reached St. Austle time enough to preach: and God greatly comforted the hearts of his people.

Tuesday 28, Between nine and ten we had such a storm of rain, as I do not remember to have seen in Europe before. It seemed ready to beat in the windows of the chaise, and in three minutes drenched our horsemen from head to foot. We reached Truro, however, at the appointed time. I have not for many years seen a congregation so universally affected. One would have imagined, every one that was present had a desire to save his soul.

In the evening I preached in the High-street at Helston. I scarcely know a town in the whole county which is so totally changed. Not a spark of that bitter enmity to the Methodists appears, in which the people here for many years gloried above their fellows.

Going through Marazion, I was told that a large congre gation was waiting: so I stepped out of my chaise and began immediately; and we had a gracious shower: some were cut to the heart; but more rejoiced with joy unspeakable.

In the evening I preached in the market-place at Penzance. I designed afterwards to meet the society; but the people were so eager to hear all they could, that they quickly filled the house from end to end. This is another of the

towns wherein the whole stream of the people is turned, as it were, from east to west.

We had a happy season, both at St. Just on Thursday evening, and in the market-place at St. Ives on Friday.

Saturday, September 1, I made an end of that curious book, Dr. Parson's "Remains of Japhet." The very ingenious author has struck much light into some of the darkest parts of ancient history. And, although I cannot entirely subscribe to every proposition which he advances, yet I apprehend, he has sufficiently proved the main of his hypothesis: namely,

1, That, after the flood, Shem and his descendants peopled the greatest parts of Asia. 2, That Ham and his children peopled Africa. 3, That Europe was peopled by the two sons of Japhet, Gomer, and Magog: the southern and south-western, by Gomer and his children; and the north and the north-western, by the children of Magog. 4, That the former were called Gomerians, Cimmerians, Cimbrians; and afterwards Celtiæ, Galatæ, and Gauls: the latter were called by the general name of Scythians, Scuiti, Scots. 5, That the Gomerians spread swiftly through the north of Europe, as far as the Cimbrian Chersonesus, (including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and divers other countries,) and then into Ireland, where they multiplied, very early, into a considerable nation. 6, That some ages after, another part of them who had first settled in Spain, sailed to Ireland, under Milea, or Milesius; and, conquering the first inhabitants, took possession of the land. 7, That about the same time the Gomerians came to Ireland, the Magogians or Scythians came to Britain; so early, that both still spoke the same language, and well understood each other. 8, That the Irish spoke by the Gomerians, and the Welsh spoke by the Magogians, are one and the same language, expressed by the same seventeen letters, which were long after brought by a Gomerian Prince into Greece. 9, That all the languages of Europe, Greek and Latin in particular, are derived from this. 10, That the Antediluvian language, spoken by all till after the flood, and then continued in the

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family of Shem, was Hebrew; and from this [the Hebrew] tongue many of the Eastern languages are derived. The foregoing particulars this fine writer has made highly probable and these may be admitted, though we do not agree to his vehement panegyric on the Irish language; much less receive all the stories told by the Irish poets or chroniclers, as genuine, authentic history.

At eleven I preached in Cambourn church-town, and I believe the hearts of all the people were bowed down before the Lord. After the quarterly-meeting in Redruth, I preached in the market-place, on the first principle, Ye are saved through faith. It is also the last point: and it connects the first point of religion with the last.

Sunday 5, About five in the evening I preached at Gwenap: I believe two or three and twenty thousand were present. And I believe God enabled me so to speak, that even those who stood farthest off could hear distinctly: I think this is my ne plus ultra. I shall scarcely see a larger congregation, till we meet in the air.

After preaching at Bodmin, Launceston, Tiverton, and Halberton, on Wednesday 5, about noon, I preached at Taunton. I believe it my duty to relate here what some will esteem a most notable instance of enthusiasm. Be it so or not, I aver the plain fact. In an hour after we left Taunton, one of the chaise horses was on a sudden so lame, that he could hardly set his foot to the ground. It being impossible to procure any human help, I knew of no remedy but prayer. Immediately the lameness was gone, and he went just as he did before. In the evening I preached at SouthBrent, and the next day went on to Bristol.

Friday 8, I went over to Kingswood, and made a particular enquiry into the management of the school. I found some of the rules had not been observed at all, particularly that of rising in the morning: surely Satan has a peculiar spite at this school! What trouble has it cost me for above these thirty years! I can plan, but who will execute! I know not; God, help me!

Sunday 9, In the calm, sun-shiny evening, I preached

near King's-square: I know nothing more solemn, than such a congregation, praising God with one heart and one voice. Surely, they who talk of the indecency of field-preaching never saw such a sight as this.

Monday 10, I preached at Paulton and Shepton-Mallet, to a lively, increasing people in each place. Tuesday 11, I found the same cause of rejoicing at Coleford, and the next evening at Frome. Thursday 13, I preached at Road and at Bradford. Friday 14, after an interval of thirty years, I preached again in Trowbridge. About two I preached near the church in Freshford, and then spent a day or two at Bath.

On Monday 17, I preached at Chew Magna and Stoke ; on Tuesday at Clutton and Pensford: but Pensford is now a dull, dreary place, the flower of the congregation being gone. Thursday 20, I went over to Mangots'-field, a place famous for all manner of wickedness, and the only one in the neighbourhood of Kingswood, which we had totally neglected: but, on a sudden, light is sprung up even in this thick darkness. Many enquire, What they must do to be saved. Many of these have broken off outward sin, and are earnestly calling for an inward Saviour. I preached in the main street, to almost all the inhabitants of the town, on Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Friday 21, I preached at Thornbury, where I had not been before for nearly forty years. It seems as if good might at length be done here also; as an entire new generation is now come up, in the room of the dry, stupid stocks that were there before.

On Monday 24, And the following days, I met the classes at Bristol, and was not a little surprised to find that the society is still decreasing. Certainly we have all need to stir the gift of God that is in us, and with all possible care, to strengthen the things that remain.

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Thursday 27, I preached at Bath and Bradford, and on Friday at Trowbridge. How long did we toil here and take nothing! At length, it seems, the answer of many prayers is come. Friday 28, about noon I preached at Keynsham,

and not without hopes of doing good even here. Since Miss Owen has removed from Publow, Miss Bishop has set up a school here; and it is worthy to be called a Christian school: it is what the school at Publow was!

Saturday 29, I spent an hour with Mr. Henderson at Hanham, and particularly enquired into his whole method. And I am persuaded, there is not such another house for lunatics in the three kingdoms: he has a peculiar art of governing his patients, not by fear but by love: the consequence is, many of them speedily recover, and love him ever after.

Thursday, October 4, I was importuned to preach the sermon to the condemned at Bristol; I did so, though with little hope of doing good, the criminals being eminently impenitent: yet they were for the present melted into tears; and they were not out of God's reach. Sunday 7, I took my leave of the congregation in the new square, in a calm, de lightful evening. Monday 8, I preached at the Devizes about eleven; at Sarum in the evening.

Tuesday 9, I preached at Winchester, whither I went, with great expectation, to see that celebrated painting in the cathedral, The raising of Lazarus but I was disappointed. I observed, 1, There was such a huddle of figures, that had I not been told, I should not ever have guessed what they meant. 2, The colours in general were far too glaring, such as neither Christ nor his followers ever wore. When will painters have common sense!

Wednesday 10, I opened the new preaching-house just finished at Newport, in the Isle of Wight. After preaching I explained the nature of a Methodist Society, of which few had before the least conception. Friday 11, I came to London, and was informed, that my wife died on Monday. This evening she was buried, though I was not informed of it till a day or two after.

Monday 15, I set out for Oxfordshire, and spent five days with much satisfaction among the societies. I found no of fences among them at all, but they appeared to walk in love. On Friday 19, I returned to London.