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ten the storm was just over the town; and both the burst of thunder and lightning, or rather sheets of flame, were without intermission. Those that were asleep in the town were waked, and many thought the day of judgment was come. Men, women, and children, flocked out of their houses, and kneeled down together in the streets. With the flames, the grace of God came down also in a manner never known before and, as the impression was general, so it was lasting it did not pass away with the storm; but the spirit of seriousness, with that of grace and supplication, continued. A prayer-meeting being appointed on Saturday evening, the people flocked together, so that the preaching-house was more than filled, and many were constrained to stand without the door and windows. On Sunday morning, before the usual time of service, the church was quite filled. Such a sight was never seen in that church before. The rector himself was greatly moved, and delivered a pressing, close sermon, with uncommon earnestness. When I came on Wednesday, the same seriousness remained on the generality of the people. I preached in the evening at Wood-Green, where a multitude flocked together, on the Son of man coming in his glory. The word fell heavy upon them, and many of their hearts were as melting wax. Thursday 17, at five, they were still so eager to hear, that the preachinghouse would not nearly contain the congregation. After preaching, four and thirty persons desired admission into the society; every one of whom was, for the present at least, under very serious impressions; and most of them, there is reason to hope, will bring forth fruit with patience. In the evening I preached to a lovely congregation at Stroud, and on Friday afternoon came to Bristol.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 1 spent at Bath. Thursday 24, I went with a few friends to Blase-Castle. The woods on the side of the hill, cut through various directions, are the pleasantest I ever saw, little inferior to the Leasows, and, by the beautiful prospects, far superior to Stow gardens. Afterwards we took a view of Lord Clifford's woods at King's-Weston. They are amazingly beautiful:

I have seen nothing equal to them in the West of England, and very few in any other parts. In the evening I read to the congregation an account of our brethren in Holland, and many thanksgivings were rendered to God on their

account.

Tuesday 29, Our Conference began, at which two important points we considered, first, The case of BirstalHouse, and secondly, The state of Kingswood school. With regard to the former, our brethren earnestly desired, that I would go to Birstal myself, believing this would be the most effectual way of bringing the trustees to reason. With regard to the latter, we all agreed, that either the school should cease, or the rules of it be particularly observed: particularly, that the children should never play; and that a master should be always present with them.

Tuesday, August 5, Early in the morning I was seized with a most impetuous flux. In a few hours it was joined by a violent and almost continual cramp: first, in my feet, legs, thighs; then in my side and my throat. The case being judged extreme, a grain and a half of opium was given me in three doses: this speedily stopped the cramp, but, at the same time, took away my speech, hearing, and power of motion, and locked me up from head to foot, so that I lay a mere log. I then sent for Dr. Drummond, who, from that time, attended me twice a day. For some days I was worse and worse, till on Friday I was removed to Mr. Castleman's. Still my head was not affected, and I had no pain, although in a continual fever: but I continued slowly to recover, so that I could read or write an hour or two at a time. On Wednesday 12, I took a vomit, which almost shook me to pieces, but however did me good. Sunday 17, and all the following week, my fever gradually abated; but I had a continual thirst, and little or no increase of strength: nevertheless, being unwilling to be idle, on Saturday 23, I spent half an hour with the penitents; and, finding myself no worse, on Sunday 24, I preached at the new room, morning and afternoon. Finding my strength was now in some measure restored, I determined

to delay no longer; but, setting out on Monday 25, reached Gloucester in the afternoon. In the evening I preached in the town-hall, I believe, not in vain. Tuesday 26, I went on to Worcester, where many young people are just setting out in the ways of God. I joined fifteen of them this afternoon to the society, all of them, I believe, athirst for salvation. Wednesday 27, I preached at Birmingham, and had a comfortable season. Thursday 28, I paid another visit to the amiable family at Hilton-hall. Friday 29, about ten, I preached, for the first time, at Stafford, to a large and deeply attentive congregation. It is now the day of small things here: but the grain of mustard-seed may grow into a great tree.

Hence I rode to Congleton. I had received abundance of complaints against the assistant of this circuit, James Rogers. Saturday 30, I heard all the parties face to face, and encouraged them all to speak their whole minds. I was surprised: so much prejudice, anger, and bitterness, on so slight occasions I never saw: however, after they had had it out, they were much softened, if not quite reconciled. Sunday 31, I preached in the new church at Macclesfield, both morning and afternoon. I believe, we had seven hundred communicants.

Monday, September 1, We clambered over the mountains to Buxton. In the afternoon I preached in Fairfield church about half a mile from the town: it was thoroughly filled with serious and attentive bearers. Tuesday 2, we went to Leeds, where I was glad to find several preachers.

Wednesday 3, I consulted the preachers, how it was best to proceed with the trustees of Birstal-House, to prevail upon them to settle it on the Methodist-Plan. They all advised me to begin by preaching there: accordingly I preached on Thursday evening, and met the society. I preached again in the morning. Friday 5, about nine, I met the nineteen trustees, and, after exhorting them to peace and love, said, "All that 1 desire is, that this house may be settled on the Methodist Plan; and the same clause may be inserted in your deed, which is inserted in the deed-of

the new chapel in London: viz. In case the doctrine or practice of any preacher should, in the opinion of the major part of the trustees, be not conformable to Mr. W.'s Sermons, and Notes on the New Testament; on representing this to the nearest assistants, after a proper hearing, another preacher shall be sent within three months.'"

Five of the trustees were willing to accept of our first proposals: the rest were not willing.

Although I could not obtain the end proposed, and in that respect had only my labour for my pains, yet I do not at all repent of my journey: I have done my part; let others bear their own burden. Going back nearly the same way I came, on Saturday 13, I reached Bristol. I had, likewise, good reward for my labour, in the recovery of my health, by a journey of five or six hundred miles.

On Wednesday 17, and the two following days, I visited several of the country societies; and found most of them, not only increasing in number, but in the knowledge and love of God.

Friday 26, Observing the deep poverty of many of our brethren, I determined to do what I could for their relief. I spoke severally to some that were in good circumstances, and received about forty pounds: next I enquired, who were in the most pressing want, and visited them at their own houses. I was surprised to find no murmuring spirits among them, but many that were truly happy in God: and all of them appeared to be exceedingly thankful for the scanty relief which they received.

Sunday 28, It being a fair day, I snatched the opportunity of preaching abroad to twice or thrice as many as the room would have contained. Wednesday, October 1, I preached at Bath to such a congregation as I have not seen there for a long season. All my leisure hours this week I employed in visiting the remaining poor, and in begging for them. Having collected about fifty pounds more, I was enabled to relieve most of those that were in pressing distress.

Monday, October 6, Leaving the society in a more pros

perous way than it had been for several years, I preached in the Devizes about noon, and at Sarum in the evening. Captain Webb lately kindled a flame here, and it is not yet gone out. Several persons were still rejoicing in God, and the people, in general, were much quickened. Tuesday 7, I found his preaching in the street at Winchester had been blest greatly: many were more or less convinced of sin, and several had found peace with God. I never saw the preaching-house so crowded before, with serious and attentive hearers so was that at Portsmouth also. Wednesday 8, we took a wherry for the Isle of Wight. Before we were half over, the sea rose, and the water washed over us: however we got safe to Wotten-bridge, and then walked on to Newport. There is much life among the people here, and they walk worthy of their profession.

Thursday 9, I went to Newtown, (two miles from Newport,) supposed to be the oldest town in the isle: but its glory is past the church lies in ruins, and the town has scarcely six houses remaining: however, the preachinghouse was thoroughly filled, and the people appeared to be all of one rank, none rich and none extremely poor; but all were extremely serious and attentive.

Friday 10, I crossed over to Southampton, and found two or three there also who feared and loved God. Then I went to Winchester, and had the pleasure of dining with Mr. Lowth, and supping with Mrs. Blackwell. Her six lovely children are in admirable order: it is a pleasure to see them. A clergyman having offered me his church, I purposed beginning at five; but the key was not to be found: so I made a virtue of necessity, and preached near the Cross-street, probably, to double the congregation which would have been in the church.

Many of the Dutch prisoners remaining here, I paid them a short visit. When they were brought hither first, one of them prayed with as many as desired it, and gave them a word of exhortation. Presently one found peace with God, and joined him in that labour of love. These increased, so that they have now five exhorters: many are justified, and VOL. V. Dd