Imatges de pàgina
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if happily we may see such another prodigy as the late one at Paulton near Bath. Where there was a very swift work of God, and yet a year after, out of a hundred converted, there was not one backslider!

The number of children that are clearly converted to God is particularly remarkable. Thirteen or fourteen little maidens in one class, are rejoicing in God their Saviour. And are as serious and stayed in their whole behaviour, as if they were thirty or forty years old. I have much hope, that half of them will be steadfast in the grace of God which they now enjoy.

Sunday 17, We had such a number of communicants at the cathedral, as was scarcely ever seen there before. In the evening many were cut to the heart; and I believe not a few comforted. A love-feast followed; at which many spoke what God had done for their souls, with all plainness and simplicity.

Monday 18, I went through a delightful country to Prosperous, a little town begun five years ago, by Captain Brooke, just returned from the East-Indies. Here he introduced every branch of the cotton manufactory, on a most extensive plan. He built two rows of commodious houses, with all convenient appurtenances. And he now employs about two thousand men, women, and children, on the spot,

beside nearly the same number in other places.

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They had a very large room, but not nearly large enough for the congregation. All that got in, seemed much affected, as they did likewise at five in the morning. About fifty of them are already joined in a society. Fair blossoms! But what will the fruit be?

A remarkable circumstance, we were informed, occurred near this place, about three weeks before. A poor woman, who owed her landlord fourteen pounds, scraped seven together, which she brought him. But he absolutely refused to take less than the whole, yet detained her in talk till evening. She then set out on a car. When she was within a mile of home, she overtook a soldier, who said he was exceedingly tired, and earnestly intreated her, to let him ride

with her on the car, to which she at length consented. When they came to her house, finding there was no town within two miles, he begged he might sit by the fire-side till morning. She told him, she durst not suffer it, as her's was a lone house, and there was none in it but herself and her girl; but at last, she agreed, he should lie in the girl's bed, and she and the girl would lie together. At midnight two men, who had blackened their faces, broke into the house, and demanded her money. She said, "Then let me go into the next room and fetch it." Going in, she said to the soldier, "You have requited me well for my kindness, by bringing your comrades to rob my house." He asked, "Where are they?" She said, "In the next room." He started up, and ran thither. The men ran away with all speed. He fired after them, and shot one dead; who being examined, appeared to be her landlord! So that a soldier was sent to protect an innocent woman, and punish an hardened villain!

Tuesday 19, I preached at ten, to an uncommonly large and serious congregation at Eden-derry. In the evening I preached at Tyrrel's-Pass, where a small, dead society is all that now remains. Such another I found at Coolylough on Wednesday 20. Thursday 21, going to Athlone, I found the scene entirely changed: there has not been for many years so much life in the society. Many of the old, dead members are quickened again. Many are added to them; and there is no jar of any kind among them: they provoke one another only to love and to good works.

Friday 22, It is just seven years since I was here before; and I find little change in many, only that they are more dead to the world, and consequently more alive to God. And for a few that have left them, God has given them double, that are either alive to God, or athirst for him.

Sunday 24, In the afternoon I preached at the east end of the market-house. I scarcely ever saw so numerous a congregation at Athlone; and all were attentive: not a word was heard, and scarcely any motion was to be seen. I trust

the seed now sown will not wither away, but grow up into everlasting life.

Monday 25, Being desired to preach at Ballinasloe, in my way to Aughrim, I stood about eleven in the shade of a large house, and preached to a numerous congregation of Papists and Protestants equally attentive, on The kingdom of God is at hand. As I entered Aughrim, the rector, who was waiting at his gate, welcomed me into the country, and desired me to use his church, both now and whenever I pleased: I preached there at six. It was thoroughly filled with well-behaved hearers: but the society here, as well as that at Tyrrel's-Pass, is well-nigh shrunk into nothing! Such is the baleful influence of riches! The same effect we find in every place. The more men increase in goods, (very few excepted) the more they decrease in grace.

Here also the but the people

Tuesday 26, I went on to Eyre-court. minister gave me the use of his church; seemed to understand little of the matter. As I had not this privilege at Birr, I went to the square, where the owner of a large house invited me to preach before it. The congregation was exceedingly large; but many of them wild as colts untamed: however, the far greater part of them were seriously attentive. I am in hopes the work of God will revive here also; the rather because he has fully restored one of the most eminent backsliders in the kingdom.

When I came to Tullamore, the minister was willing that I should preach in the church; where both the soldiers and all the officers attended. And our great Captain was present also.

Thursday 28, I supposed the house at Portarlington would have more than contained the congregation; but it would scarcely contain a third part of them. So I removed to the market-house, and preached on the General judgment. The word was quick and powerful, so that very few appeared to be unaffected.

In the evening I preached in the church at Mount-Mellick. Perhaps such a congregation was never there before but

the greater part of them seemed to be of Gallio's mind, to care for none of these things.

Friday 29, I preached in our own house at Killkenny, to just such another congregation: but those that attended in the morning were of a nobler spirit, and I found uncommon liberty among them. Saturday 30, I preached at Waterford in the court-house, one of the largest in the kingdom. A multitude of people quickly ran together, which occasioned some tumult at first; but it was quickly over, and all were deeply attentive. Surely God will have much people in this city.

Sunday, May 1, At eight I preached in the court-house to a larger congregation than before. At eleven I went to the cathedral, one of the most elegant churches in Ireland. The whole service was performed with the utmost solemnity. After service, the senior prebend, Dr. Fall, invited me to dinner, and desired, "when I came again, I would take a bed at his house." I doubt, that will never be!

At four I preached at the head of the Mall, to a Moorfield's congregation, all quiet and attentive. Monday 2, the congregation at five in the morning was larger than that on Saturday evening; and all of them appeared to have (for the present at least) a real concern for their salvation: O that it may not pass away as the morning dew! I took a solemn farewel of this affectionate people, concluding with those awful words:

"Now on the brink of death we stand;

And if I pass before;

You all may safe escape to land,

And hail me on the shore."

Tuesday 3, We set out for Dungarvan-ferry: but in spite of all the speed we could make, the road was so horrible that we could not reach Youghall before six in the evening: at seven, the court-house was filled from end to end. And such was the attention of all, high and low, that I hope many of them will bring forth fruit to perfection.

Wednesday 4, At five in the morning the court-house was

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thoroughly filled: so in the evening I preached in the Mall; where the congregation was much the same as the last at Waterford; only that they were in general Protestants, as are most in the town; who are also some of the most courteous and quiet people in the kingdom.

Thursday 5, Before I came half way to Cork, I was met by about thirty horsemen. We dined at Middleton, and then rode on through a pleasant, well cultivated country to Cork. In the evening, many in the crowded congregation were much comforted. Friday 6, I made an exact enquiry into the state of the society. I found the number was about four hundred, many of whom were greatly in earnest. Many children, chiefly girls, were indisputably justified: some of them were likewise sanctified, and were patterns of all holiness.

But how shall we keep up the flame that is now kindled, not only in Cork, but in many parts of the nation? Not by sitting still, but by stirring up the gift of God that is in them; by uninterrupted watchfulness; by warning every one, and exhorting every one; by besieging the throne with all the powers of prayer; and, after all, some will, and some will not improve the grace which they have received: therefore, there must be a falling away: we are not to be discouraged at this, but to do all that in us lies to-day, leaving the morrow to God.

Saturday 7, On this day that venerable saint, Mr. Perronet, desired his grand-daughter, Miss Briggs, who attended him day and night, to go out into the garden, and take a little air. He was reading and hearing her read the three last chapters of Isaiah. When she returned, he was in a kind of ecstacy, the tears running down his cheeks, from a deep sense of the glorious things which were shortly to come to pass. He continued unspeakably happy that day, and on Sunday was, if possible, happier still: and indeed heaven seemed to be as it were opened, to all that were round about him. When he was in bed, she went into his room to see if any thing was wanting; and, as she stood at the feet of the bed, he smiled and broke out, "God bless

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