Sunday 19, Mr. S., one of the Curates, preached an excellent sermon, on Receiving the Holy Ghost. I afterwards accepted his invitation to dinner, and found a well-natured, sensible man, and one well acquainted with every branch of learning, which we had occasion to touch upon. At seven I preached, on God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. And truly the people of this place will bear sound doctrine. Wednesday 22, I exhorted the little Society, to avoid sloth, prodigality, and sluttishness; and on the contrary, to be patterns of diligence, frugality, and cleanliness.

Thursday 23, Lighting on a volume of Mr. Seed's sermons, I was utterly surprised. Where did this man lie hid, that I never heard of him all the time I was at Oxford? His language is pure in the highest degree; his apprehension clear, his judgment strong: and for true, manly wit, and exquisite turns of thought, I know not if this century has produced his equal.

Saturday 25, Both in the morning and evening, I spoke as closely and sharply as I could. But yet I cannot find the way to wound the people. They are neither offended nor convinced.

Ever since I came hither, I have been amazed at the honesty which runs through this City. None scruples to leave his house open all day, and the door only on the latch at night. Such a thing as theft is scarcely heard of at Derry no one has the least suspicion of it. No wonder, therefore, that the inhabitants never suspect themselves to be sinners. O what pity that honesty should be a bar to salvation! Yet so it is, if a man put it in the place of Christ.

VOL. IV.

AN

EXTRACT

OF THE

REV. JOHN WESLEY'S

JOURNAL,

No. XIV.

FROM MAY 27, 1765, TO MAY 18, 1768.

MON

ONDAY, May 27, 1765, I took my leave of Londonderry. Mr. Knox sent his servant to conduct me to Sligo, being now as affectionate as Mr. P., of Sligo, was the first time I was there. Keeping a steady pace, we rode fifteen miles, so called, in four hours and a half, and came at noon to Ballimasy. Here we were shewn into a room, where lay a young man, brought near death by a vomiting of blood. Perhaps we were brought into this room, at this time, to save a poor man's life. As we were riding through the mountains in the afternoon, we overtook one who was just come from Derry, and heard me preach all the time I was there, both in the evening and the morning. I talked plainly both to her and her husband, and they expressed all possible thankfulness.

At five we reached Donegall, the county town. What a wonderful set of county towns are in this kingdom! Donegall, and five more, would not, all together, make up such a town as Islington. Some have twenty houses in them. Mayo three, and Letrim, I think, not one. Is not this owing in part to the fickleness of the nation, who seldom

like any thing long, and so are continually seeking new habitations, as well as new fashions, and new trifles of every kind?

Tuesday 28, We breakfasted at Ballyshannon, I believe, the largest and pleasantest town in the county. Beyond it, a good-natured man overtook me, with whom I talked largely and closely. He seemed much affected; if it continues, well: if not, I am clear of his blood. About twelve we stopped at a little house: but a cloud of smoke soon drove us out of the first room, into another where the landlord lay, with a grievously bruised and swelled leg. I directed him how to cure it, and thence took occasion to give him some farther advice. Several eagerly listened as well as himself: perhaps some will remember it.

In the evening I took my usual stand in the Market-house at Sligo. But here, how was the scene changed! I have seen nothing like this since my entrance into the kingdom. Such a total want of good sense, of good manners, yea, of common decency, was shewn by not a few of the hearers! It is good to visit Sligo after Londonderry: honour and dishonour balance each other. Have we done nothing here yet? Then it is high time to begin, and try, if something can be done now. In the two following days I spoke as strongly as I could and my labour was not in vain. The congre gation increased very considerably, and appeared to be of another spirit. They behaved better the second night than the first, and far better the third night than the second. Many of them, I believe, had a fresh call from God: and at the meeting of the Society he was eminently present. So that, notwithstanding their decay, I could not but hope there will be a blessing in the remnant.

I expected one to meet me at Sligo : but none appearing, I set out alone at five in the morning, June 1, purposing to ride the new road to Castlebar. But on second thoughts I rode straight on to Foxford. At the entrance of the town I met three gentlewomen, one of them turned and cried out, "Is not that Mr. Wesley?" I thought it odd, but rode

on. At the other end of the town a gentleman met me, and taking hold of my bridle, said, "Sir, I must beg you to turn back, and dine with me at the barracks. There is a lady whom you know, and who will be very glad to see you." I went back, and found one whom I had wished to see, more than most persons in the nation, but scarcely ever expected to see more: it was Miss B-n, of Sligo. And I found Mrs. Sn (now a widow) just the same amiable woman that Miss B- -n was. I spent an hour or two in close, serious conversation, admiring the good Providence of God! So I could not go the new road, which misses Foxford, because God had work for me to do there.

About seven I preached at Castlebar, on the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I found another kind of people here than at Sligo, and was much refreshed among them. Sunday 2, most of the gentry in the town. being at the Court-house in the evening, my text was, We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness. I know not that ever I spake more plainly, though I supposed many would be offended but I was mistaken; high and low seemed to approve. Some, I hope, profited.

Monday 3, I rode to Newport, and preached at one, to the largest congregation I remember to have seen there : and on Tuesday evening I took a solemn leave of the congregation at Castlebar.

Wednesday 5, At five I took horse with a friend, who undertook to bear me company to Galway. We faced the şun all the day; but light clouds and a small breeze made the heat tolerable. After resting an hour at Hollymount, (where the gardens, water-works, and once lovely walks, swiftly running to ruin, give a striking proof, that the fashion of this world passeth away,) we rode on to Mr. Lambert's, near Hedford, (a plain, open, hospitable man) and thence to Galway, one of the largest towns I have seen since I left Glasgow. Our Room being small, some of our well-meaning friends were earnest for my preaching in the Exchange. Because I would not disoblige them, I be

gan at seven; and was suffered to go on for a full quarter of an bour! The beasts of the people (just as I expected) then roaring louder and louder, I walked through them without any hindrance or affront, and returned quietly to my lodgings. A large retinue attended me to the door; but it was only to gape and stare; none taking the pains either to lift up a hand, or to say any thing, bad or good.

Thursday 6, I was brought on my way by Lieutenant Cook, who was in all the actions at Fort William-Henry, at Louisbourg, Quebec, Martinico, and the Havannah, and gave a more distinct account of those eminent scenes of Providence than ever I heard before. Although he was so often in the front of the battle, both against Indians, French, and Spaniards, and in the hottest fire, both advancing and retreating, he never received one wound. So true is the odd saying of King William, that "every bullet has its billet." Between five and six we reached Ennis, after a warm day, which much exhausted my strength: but it was soon repaired; and the serious, well-behaved congregation (though many of them were people of fortune) made amends for the turbulent one at Galway. Such is the chequerwork of life!

Friday 7, I rested at Ennis; and it was well I did for even in the house the heat was scarcely supportable. Saturday 8, I rode to Limerick, and found the Preachinghouse just finished. I liked it the best of any in the kingdom, being neat, yea, elegant, yet not gaudy. Sunday 9, in the evening I preached at Mardyke. The heat was violent, even at six: nevertheless there was a numerous congregation, both of Protestants and Papists. Some of the latter behaved with remarkable indecency, talking and laughing, as at a play. I turned and reproved them: they took it well, and neither laughed nor talked any more. the following week I spoke to each member of the Society, and had much satisfaction among them. Concerning several of them, there is all reasonable proof, that they have given God all their heart. Many others are groaning after full salvation, and all the rest are free from outward blame.

In