mountain. Rich and poor flocked together to it, whom I exhorted to Acquaint themselves with God, and be at peace. I found much liberty of spirit among them; and still more at Halifax in the evening, when it seemed, as if the windows of heaven were opened: as also at five in the morning, when I took a solemn leave of this affectionate people. Wednesday 30, About eleven the service began at Olney. After the Curate had read prayers to a large and serious congregation, I preached on It is appointed for all men once to die. I believe many felt as well as heard the word. About six I preached at Huthersfield, where our brethren are now all at peace and unity with each other. In the evening I went to our quiet and delightful retreat at Longwood-house. Thursday, May 1, The congregation at five was exceedingly large, coming from many miles round: but that at Shelly, a lone place, six or seven miles from Huthersfield, where I was constrained to preach in the open air at nine, was six or seven times larger: indeed, the largest I have seen since I left Manchester; and the power of God was eminently present, both to wound and to heal. I believe the congregation at Wakefield, in the evening, was larger even than this and the verdure of the trees, the smoothness of the meadow, the calmness of the evening, and the stillness of the whole congregation, made it a delightful sight. : Friday 2, I went on to Bradford. I feared the jars which had been here, would have lessened the congregation; but it was as large as ever I remember it on a week day, and as deeply attentive as ever. A large number attended again at five in the morning. In the afternoon I spent some hours with the trustees of Eccleshill-house; but I might as well have talked to so many posts. In the evening we had a lovely congregation again, to whom I explained the former part of the fourteenth of the Revelation. These had ears to hear and many of them rejoiced with joy full of glory. Sunday 4, It was not without extreme difficulty that we could get into the church; but it was worth all the labour. I strongly applied those words in the epistle for the day, The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. It seemed, as if the whole congregation was moved. I believe that hour will not soon be forgotten. The concourse of people at Birstal about four was greater than ever was seen there before: and the wind being very high, it was feared not half of them would be able to hear : but God was better to them than their fears: afterwards we found that all could hear distinctly; so, if they hear me no more, I am clear of their blood. I have declared to them the whole counsel of God. Monday 5, About nine I preached to the loving people at Moreley, on 1 Pet. i. 3, and then went forward to Leeds, where (Mr. Hey having sent me word, that "it was not convenient for him to receive me,") Mr. Floyd, and every one in his house received me with all gladness: we had a full house in the evening. I explained and applied James ii. 22, which I suppose was never more needful to be insisted upon than it is this day. Tuesday 6, About eleven I accepted the invitation of Mr. Stone, a truly pious and active man; and preached in his church at Rawdon, ten miles from Leeds, to a very serious congregation, on Mark i. 25, Repent ye, and believe the gospel. In the evening I preached at Otley to a lovely congregation, and at five in the morning. At four in the afternoon I preached at Pately-bridge, and setting out at four on Friday morning, reached Kendall that evening, (sixty-one miles,) and Whitehaven at five on Saturday the tenth. The congregation in the evening rejoiced much, as they had not seen me for four years: but scarcely any of the old standers are left; two and forty years have swept them away: let us, who are left, live to-day. Now is the day of salvation! May 11, Whitsunday, in the morning, while those words were applied, And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, his power was eminently present in the congregation; but much more in the evening. At noon Joseph Bradford preached in the market-place to a numerous congregation. And I am not without hope, that poor Whitehaven will lift up its head again. : Monday 12, About eight I began preaching in the markethouse at Cockermouth. I was surprised to find several of those that are called the best of the town there and they were one and all serious and attentive: so we had a solemn parting. Hence we went on to Carlisle. I never found this society so well united before. The preaching-house, begun three or four years ago, is now completely finished. It is neat, lightsome, and cheerful: but it was very ill able to contain the congregation. Several ministers were there; and so was the power of God in an uncommon degree. All that were under the roof seemed to be moved more or less and so they were in the morning, Tuesday 13, when I besought them to present themselves a living sacrifice to God. : To-day we went on through lovely roads to Dumfries. Indeed all the roads are wonderfully mended since I last travelled this way. Dumfries is beautifully situated; but, as to wood and water, and gently-rising hills, &c. is, I think, the neatest, as well as the most civilised town, that I have seen in the kingdom. Robert Dall soon found me out: he has behaved exceedingly well, and done much good here: but he is a bold man. He has begun building a preaching-house larger than any in Scotland, except those in Glasgow and Edinburgh! In the evening I preached abroad in a convenient street, on one side of the town. Rich and poor attended from every quarter, of whatever denomination: and every one seemed to hear for life. Surely the Scots are the best hearers in Europe! Wednesday 14, At five I was importuned to preach in the preaching-house: but such a one I never saw before! It had no windows at all; so that, although the sun shone bright, we could see nothing without candles: but I believe our Lord shone on many hearts, while I was applying those words, I will; be thou clean. I breakfasted with poor Mr. Ashton, many years ago a member of our society in London; but far happier now in his little cottage than ever he was in his prosperity. When I was in Scotland first, even at a nobleman's table, we had only flesh meat of one kind, but no vegetables of any kind; but now they are as plentiful here as in England. Near Dumfries there are five very large public gardens, which furnish the town with greens and fruit in abundance. The congregation in the evening was nearly double to that we had the last; and, if it were possible, more attentive. Indeed, one or two gentlemen, so called, laughed at first, but they quickly disappeared, and all were still, while I explained, The worship of God in spirit and in truth. Two of the clergy followed me to my lodging, and gave me a pressing invitation to their houses: several others intended, it seems, to do the same; but, having a long journey before me, I left Dumfries earlier in the morning than they expected. We set out Thursday the 15th at four, and reached Glasgow, Friday 16, before noon. Much of the country, as we came, is now well improved, and the wilderness become a fruitful field. Our new preaching-house will, I believe, contain about as many as the chapel at Bath: but, O the difference! It has the pulpit on one side, and has exactly the look of a Presbyterian meeting-house. It is the very sister of our house at Brentford: perhaps an omen of what will be when I am gone! I preached at seven to a tolerably large congregation, and to many of them at five in the morning. At six in the evening they were increased four-fold: but still I could not find the way to their hearts. Sun. 18, I preached at eleven on the parable of the sower ; at half past two, on Psalm 1. 23: and in the evening, on Now abideth these three, faith, hope, love. I subjoined a short account of Methodism; particularly insisting on the following circumstances. There is no other religious society under heaven, which requires nothing of men in order to their admission into it, but a desire to save their souls. Look all around you, you cannot be admitted into the Church, or society of the Presbyterians, Anabaptists, Quakers, or any others, unless you hold the same opinions with them, and adhere to the same mode of worship. The Methodists alone do not insist on your holding this or that opinion, but they think and let think. Neither do they impose any particular mode of worship, but you may continue to worship in your former manner, be it what it may. Now I do not know any other religious society, either ancient or modern, wherein such liberty of conscience is now allowed, or has been allowed since the age of the Apostles! Here is our glorying. And a glorying peculiar to us! What society shares it with us? Monday 19, I went to Edinburgh, and preached to a much larger congregation than I used to see here on a week day. I still find a frankness and openness in the people of Edinburgh which I find in few other parts of the kingdom. I spent two days among them with much satisfaction: and I was not at all disappointed in finding no such increase, either in the congregation or the society, as many expected from their leaving the kirk. Thursday 22, The house at Dalkeith being far too small, even at eight in the morning, to contain the congregation, I preached in a garden, on Seek ye the Lord while he may be found: and, from the eager attention of the people, I could not but hope that some of them would receive the truth in love. In the evening I preached in the house at Dunbar, tolerably well filled, on Job xxii. 2, 3. I believe with "The spirit of convincing speech :' but much more, at five in the morning, Friday 23. And will God manifest his power among these dry bones also? Immediately after preaching we set out. How is the face of this country changed in a few years! It was twenty years ago dreary enough, but is now as a pleasant garden: but what is most remarkable, is, the bridge which connects the two mountains, The Peas, together; one of the noblest |