Wesley Center Online
March 1785
MARCH 2, Wed.-We went on to Plymouth Dock, and found all that we had heard confirmed. But I verily believe we are better without William Moore than with him, as his heart is not right with God.
To quiet the minds of many well-meaning persons, I preached on those comfortable words, ‘Even the hairs of your head are all numbered’; and in the morning on ‘Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.’
Thur. 3.[1]—In the evening I read to the whole congregation a plain statement of the case with regard to the Deed of Declaration, which William Moore had so wonderfully misrepresented, and I believe they were all fully satisfied.
Monday 28
4 Prayed, on business, tea; 6 Dilig[ence]; 10 tea, Dil[igence]; 3 Overton dinner, Dilig[ence]; 8 Sarum, at Mr. Giff[ord’s], supper, conversed; 9 Dilig[ence], very cold ; 12.
I Thess. iv. 3; Psa. ci. 2; Gal. iv. 3, etc.; Psa. ci. 2.
MARCH 1, Tuesday
5 Sleep; 6 Mag. [-]; 9 Bridport, tea, Dil[igence]; 2 Honiton, dinner Dil[igence]; 5.30 Exon [exeter. He usually calls cathedral cities b their ecclesiastical names-Exon, Sarum, Winton, etc.], at brother Eastlake’s, tea, prayed, writ narrative; 7 Job xxii. 21! supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30; ill.
Wednesday 2
5 Prayed, tea; 6.30 Dil[igence], Ash[b]urto[n], tea, Dil[igence]; 3.30 the Dock, dinner, within; 5 tea, prayed; 6.30 Lu. xii. 7! at brother Walter’s, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Thursday 3
4 Prayed, Heb. xii. 7, writ Journal; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, writ Thoughts on the Deed [i.e. the deed poll, or deed of declaration]; 12 walk; 1 dinner, conversed, Journal ; 2 in the Dock; 3 Journal; 4 prayed, tea, conversed, prayer; 6.30 Jo. iv. 24, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Fri. 4.—I took a walk through the Royal Hospital for sick and wounded sailors. I never saw anything of the kind so complete; every part is so convenient, and so admirably neat. But there is nothing superfluous, and nothing purely ornamental, either within or without. There seems to be nothing wanting but a man full of faith and zeal to watch over the souls of the poor patients, and teach them to improve their affliction.
In the evening I preached to a large congregation at Plymouth; and it pleased God to give me uncommon liberty in describing the power of faith. What a blessed proof of this has there been here since I was in the town before!
[Sat. 5.]-Preaching at the Dock in the evening, I besought all serious people not to ‘grieve the Holy Spirit of God,’ but to ‘put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking.’ I exhorted them, in particular, not to talk about Mr. Moore at all, but to give him up to God.
Sun. 6.—I preached at the Dock at seven. Between one and two I began at Plymouth; and as many as could get in seemed to be deeply affected with the application of those words, ‘Go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.’
In the afternoon I accepted of an invitation from Dr. Gench, the physician of the Hospital, and passed an agreeable hour with
Friday 4
4 Prayed, Eph. iv. 1-6, sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 12 Trustees ; 12.30 at sister Mitch[ell’s], dinner, conversed, prayer; 2.15 Journal; 3 prayed, walk, R[oyal] Hosp[ital], tea, conversed, prayer;5.30 Plymo[uth], supper; 6.30 Matt. xxi. 21, lovefeast, supper, prayer; 9.30.
Saturday 5
4 Prayed, Isa. lix. 1, 2, sermon, tea, conversed, prayer; 7.30 walk; 8.30 Dock, sermon; 1 at brother Hoar’s, dinner, conversed, prayer; 3 on business; 4 prayed, tea, conversed, prayer, prayed ; 6.30
Eph. iv. 30! 7.30 society, supper, conversed, prayer; 10.
Sunday 6
4 Prayed, sermon; 7 Matt. xxii. 37! visited, tea, conversed, walk, Plymou[th]; 10.30 prayers; 12 dinner, sermon; 1.30 Matt. viii. 13, sermon; 3.30 at Dr. Gench’s, conversed! walk, tea; 5 2 Tim. ii. 5, Communion, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.
a man of sense, and, it seems, of considerable learning. At five I preached in the shell of the new house, on the form and power of godliness. In the evening I met the society once more confirmed in the truth more than ever, and more determined to walk in the good old way wherein they had continued from the beginning.
Mon. 7.- We had a pleasant journey to Exeter, and on Tuesday to Bath. But the coach did not come in soon enough for me to preach in the evening. Nevertheless, we had a large congregation in the morning.
Wed. 9.- This society, too,[2] is much improved since I was here last. Many stumbling-blocks are removed out of the way and brotherly love is increased.
Thur.10.- After spending a day or two at Bristol, on Saturday the 12th I returned to Bath, and preached to a numerous congregation. Great part of them were present again at six in the morning.
Monday 7
4 Prayed, tea, prayer; 6 Dilig[ence]; 10.30 Ashburton, tea, Dil[igence]; 3 Exon, dinner, within; 4.30 prayed; 5 tea, conversed, prayer, prayed; 6.30 Jo. iv. 24! supper, prayed; 9.30.
Tuesday 8
4 Prayed, tea; 5 coach; Mr. Cum[m]in’s! Collins, tea, coach ; 1.30 Pips Inn; 2 dinner; 2.45 coach, together; 7.30 Bath, at brother Towl., on business, supper, prayer; 9.30.
Wednesday 9
4 Prayed, I Cor. xvi. 13, within, writ sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer; 9.30 sermon, visited some; 1.30 at brother Webb’s, dinner, converse prayer, in talk to Mr. Collins, sermon, prayed; 5 tea, conversed, prayer; 6.30 I Thess. iv. 3, society, supper; conversed, prayer; 9.30
Thursday 10
4 Prayed, Jo. i. 47! sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, visited, chaise; 11.30 at the R[oom], on business; at sister Jo[hnson’s], dinner, conversed, prayer, letters; 5 tea, prayer, prayed; 6.30 Gal. iv. 3,etc., the bands; 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer, on business; 9.45.
Friday 11
4 Prayed, letters, tea, prayer, letters; 12 females; I prayer; 2 at Ca[stleman’s], dinner, conversed, prayer; 3.30 letters, prayed; 5 conversed, prayer, prayed, on business; 7 I Tim. i. 5, at Sister Jo[hnson’s], supper, prayer; 9.30.
Jo. i. 47! Gal. iv. 3, etc.; Psa. ciii. 14.
Saturday 12
4 Prayed, letters, tea, prayer, letters, sermon; 1 at Jo[hn] Ell[ison’s],[3]
dinner, together; 2.30 on business; 3 chaise; 5 Bath, tea, conversed, prayer; 7 Matt. xxi. 21, supper, prayer; 9.30.
Sunday 13
4 Prayed, tea; 6 Heb. xii. 5! chaise, tea; 9.30 read prayers, Psa. lxviii. 1, 2; 11.30 communion; 1 dinner, conversed, prayer; 2.30 sleep, letters, tea, prayed; 5 I Thess. iv. II, etc.; 7 society, the singers; 8 at Mr. Ca[stleman’s], supper, prayer; 9.30.
Monday 14
4 prayed, Jo. i. 47, letter; 7 class, tea, class; 1 dinner, within, prayer; 2 class ; 4 writ narrative; 7 John i. 47! class, at Mr. Jo[hnson’s], supper, within, prayer; 10.
Tuesday 15
4 Prayed, letters; 6 class; 8 tea, conversed; 9 class; 1 dinner, conversed, prayer; 2 class; 4 visited many; 5 tea, at sister Callow’s, tea, conversed, prayer; 6 prayed; 6.30 I Thess. iv. 3! the leaders, at Mr. Ca[stleman’s], supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Wednesday 16
4 Prayed, letter; 6 class; 7 letter; 8 tea, conversed, class; 1 at brother Hopkins’, dinner, class; 4 at sister Kni[ght’s], tea, conversed, prayer; 5 Mic. ii.10, chaise, at home ; 8 at sister Johns[on’s], tea, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Thursday 17
4 Prayed, Journal; 8.15 tea, conversed, prayer; 9 visited many; 1 at sister Ewer’s, dinner, conversed, prayer; 2 visited many; 4.30 tea, conversed, prayer, prayed; 6.30 read the letters, class; 8.30 at sister Jo[hnson’s]; 9 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Friday 18
4 Prayed, accounts, prayer, sermon; 12 the females ; 1 prayer; 2.30 at brother Rober[ts’] ; 3 dinner; 3.45 chaise, at the School [Kingswood], within, prayer, tea; 6 prayed, letters, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Saturday 19
4 Prayed, the leaders, letters, chaise; 8 at brother Robin’s, tea, conversed, prayer, christened; 9 on business; 10 letters, on business, visited; 1 at brother Stocks’, dinner, conversed, prayer, visited many; 5 tea, conversed; 6 I Pet. i. 18, Pen[ray], at Mr. Ca[stleman’s], supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.
Sun. 20.[4]-I went over to Kingswood, and preached the funeral sermon of Ann Noble, an old member of the society, who, having adorned the gospel above forty years, died in the full triumph of faith.
Mon. 21. -I set out early, and dined at Stroud. The death of Mr. Willis, snatched away in the midst of his years, but a few days before, brought abundance of people to the preaching-house, and most of them were deeply serious; so that we had a very solemn hour.
Tues. 22.-I preached in Painswick at noon, and at six in the court-house at Gloucester. A multitude of people flocked together, many of whom were of the better sort; and most of them appeared to be, for the present, almost persuaded to be, Christians.
Wed. 23.-About eleven I preached at Tewkesbury, and in the evening at Worcester.
Sunday 20
4 Prayed, ill, sleep, prayed, tea, prayer; 9.30 prayers, Psa. ciii. 14, communion, chaise; 1.30 at the School; 2 dinner, Psa. xc. 12, society chaise; 4 tea, prayed; 5 I Tim. iv. 8! Society! 7 conversed; supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.
Monday 21
4 Prayed, tea; 5 chaise; 8 Newport [near Berkeley], tea, conversed; 9 chaise, read Mills on Bees [An Essay on the Management of Bees, by John Mills, F.R.S., London, 1766]; 11 Stroud, writ texts; 2 dinner conversed, prayer; 3 texts, prayed; 5 tea, conversed, prayer, prayed; 6.30 Lu. xx. 3, 4, society, supper, prayer; 9.30.
Tuesday 22
5 Heb. xii. 5, writ texts; 8 at sister Willis’s, tea, conversed, prayer, texts; 10.15 chaise; 11.30 Painsw[ick], read; 12 Jo. vi. 28! dinner; 2.15 chaise; 3.30 Gloster, prayed, tea, conversed ; 6 Jo. xvii. 3! Society, supper, prayer; 9.45.
Wednesday 23
4 Prayed, writ narrative; 6 Job. xxii. 21! tea, within, prayer; 8.45 chaise; 10.30 Tewkesbu[ry]; 11 Matt. iv. 10! within, dinner; 1.45 chaise; 4 Worc[este]r, prayed, tea, within; 6.30 Prov. iii. 17! society, supper, together, prayer; 9.30.
Thur. 24.-I breakfasted at Mrs. Price’s, a Quaker, who keeps a boarding-school. I was much pleased with her children, so elegantly plain in their behaviour, as well as apparel. I was led, I know not how, to speak to them largely; then to pray; and we were all much comforted. The society is in great peace, and striving together for the hope of the gospel. I have not seen greater earnestness and simplicity in any society since we left London.
I was now considering how strangely the grain of mustard-seed, planted about fifty years ago, has grown up. It has spread through all Great Britain and Ireland; the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man; then to America from the Leeward Islands, through the whole continent, into Canada and Newfoundland. And the societies, in all these parts, walk by one rule, knowing religion is holy tempers; and striving to worship God, not in form only, but likewise ‘in spirit and in truth.’
Fri. 25[5] (being Good Friday).—I hastened to reach Birmingham before the church service began. A sharper frost I
Thursday 24
4 Prayed, Matt. v. 6, writ texts; 9 at sister Howto[n’s], tea, conversed, prayer; texts; 1.30 dinner, conversed, texts[6]; 4.15 prayed, tea, conversed, prayer; 6.30 John v. 8! the bands; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.
Good Friday 25
4 Prayed, tea, prayer; 5 chaise, tea, chaise; 10.30 Birm[ingham], writ letters ; 2 dinner, letters, prayed ; 5 at sister Kempson’s, tea, conversed, prayer; 6 Heb. ix. 13; society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
never knew. But indeed our house was hot enough in the evening; and I have not seen a more earnest people. Such an advantage it is to be fully employed. In every place we find labouring men most susceptible of religion. Such a blessing results from that curse, ‘In the sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat bread.’
Sat. 26.[7]-I had designed to rest; but notice had been given of my preaching at Quinton[8] at noon. As the house would not hold the people, I was constrained, cold as it was, to preach abroad; and they all seemed to feel that solemn question, ‘How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?’ In the evening my heart was enlarged in such a manner as I have I seldom known; so that I detained the congregation considerably longer than I am accustomed to; and all the people seemed determined to ‘glorify God with their body and their spirit.’
Sun. 27 (being Easter Day).-I preached at seven, on ‘The Lord is risen indeed,’ with an uncommon degree of freedom;’ and then met the local preachers, several of whom seemed to have caught the fashionable disease—desire of independency. They were at first very warm; but at length agreed to act by the Rules laid down in the Minutes of the Conference.
The weather now changed. Small rain fell some hours, and then turned into snow. This made it very dirty; however, the poor people got through, and filled Darlaston church. Hence I returned to Wednesbury; but could not preach abroad,
Saturday 26
4 Prayed, Rev. ii. 5, texts; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, Journal; 10.30 coach Quinton, within; 12 Heb. ii. 3! dinner, conversed, coach; 3.30 at home, read narrative; 5 tea, conversed, prayer; 6 I Cor. vi. 19! 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 10.30.
Easter Day 27
4.30 Prayed, texts, tea; 8 Lu. xxiv. 34! the preachers, chaise; 11.30 Wednesb[ur]y, letters, dinner, chaise; 2 Darlaston, read prayers, Rom. Viii 33; 3.30 chaise, Wedn[esbury], tea, conversed; 5 Lu. xxiv. 26, lovefeast! supper, prayer; 9.30.
the ground being covered with snow. As many as could crowded into the house. A lovefeast followed, at which many plain people spoke without reserve. The artless propriety with which they spoke must be truly astonishing to all who do not consider that promise, ‘They shall be all taught of God.’
Mon. 28.[9]-I preached a kind of funeral sermon on Sarah Wood,[10] one of the first members of the society, For above fifty years she adorned the gospel, being a pattern of all holiness. She was confined to her bed for several months. Being asked if time did not hang upon her hands, she answered, ‘No; the Bible is my delight.’ ‘How can that be,’ said her friend, ‘when you cannot see?’ ‘Very well,’ said she ‘for the Lord brings it to my remembrance.’ So, without doubt or fear, she delivered up her soul to her merciful and faithful Creator. About eleven I preached at Wolverhampton, and spent the afternoon with the amiable family at Hilton Park.[11]
Tues. 29.-At noon I preached in the room at Stafford,[12] to a deeply affected congregation. This was the more strange, because there are few towns in England less infected with religion than Stafford. In the evening I preached at Newcastle to a very serious and much affected congregation.
Monday 28
4 Prayed, letter, tea; 7 Rev. xiv. I, etc., chaise, Wolv[er]h[ampton], tea, conversed, prayer; 11 Lu. xii. 7, chaise; 1.15 Hilton [Park], together; 3 dinner, together; 5 prayed, read; 6.15 tea, within; 9 supper, together; 10.30 prayer; 11
Tuesday 29
6 Prayed, Journal; 8.15 tea, together; 9 chaise; with Miss G[ibbes], conversed; 10 read; 11.15 Staff[ord]; 12 within, I Cor. i. 23, dinner; 2 chaise; 4.30 Newcastle; 5 tea, prayed; 6 society, supper, prayer;
Wed. 30.-We found a difficulty at Lane End.[13] Even at noon the house contained not a third of the congregation. The wind was piercing cold; nevertheless, I preached abroad, and God warmed our hearts. In the evening I was greatly comforted among our brethren at Burslem, well established in grace; and such another congregation I met with, Thursday the 31st, at Congleton.
Wednesday 30
4 Prayed, Cor. iii. 1-4, sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon, [cipher]*; 10 chaise; 11.15 Lane End, read narrative; 12 Matt. xxii. 4! dinner, conversed, prayer; 2 chaise; 4.30 Borslem, tea, conversed. prayer, prayed; 6 Mal. iv. 3, etc.; 6 society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.
Thursday 31
4 Prayed, Rom. xiii. 11 Mag.; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, on business; 9.30 chaise; 11.30 Con[gleton], writ sermon; 1 dinner, in talk; 2 sermon; 4.30 prayed, tea, conversed; 6 I Pet. i. 9; 7 society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.
[1] Whilst in Plymouth dock he wrote (March 3) Thoughts upon some late occurrences. In dealing with William Moore’s case, it was judged wise to publish a clear explanation of the circumstances leading to the Deed, and explaining why it was necessary, and why the number of names was limited. See Works, vol. xiii p.248
[2]. Plymouth Dock, and other societies shaken by the disputants, but restored personal visits, were in his mind
[3] John Ellison was his nephew, his and Sister Susanna’s son, for whom, at Wesley’s request, Pitt found a situation in the Customs. See above, p. 18. One his daughters, Patience, married Mr. Whereat, of Old Market Street, and grieved her great uncle by becoming a Calvinist. The Whereats were members and deacons at Castle Green Chapel until far on in the nineteenth century.
[4] On March 17 he wrote from Bristol to his brother Charles on the loud call from the ‘gracious dispensation of God to all under your roof.’ It is a solemn appeal to his brother’s household to ‘stir themselves up and be instant in prayer.’ Only thus, he believes, can his brother’s life be spared. (New ed. Wesley Letters,
[5] He wrote to ‘dear Barnabas’ (new ed. Wesley Letters). We may identify Wesley’s correspondent as Barnabas Thomas, who entered the itinerancy in 1765 and ceased to travel in 1781. In this letter he restates his views on a presbyter’s right to ordain. ‘I know myself to be as real a Christian bishop as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Yet I always resolved, and am so still, never to act as such except in case of necessity. . . . In America it did exist. This I made known to the Bishop of London, and desired his help. But he peremptorily refused it. All the other bishops were of the same mind. This rather because they said they had nothing to do with America. Then I saw my way clear.’
[6] These may have been texts for the class or band tickets. Charles Wesley wrote many texts for his ‘Scripture Cards,’ which filled up a pleasant hour for some of his friends. Ald. Sir Charles Wakefield, Lord Mayor of London 191- 16, has two sets of the latter, one in a dainty little green case, with texts, and on the reverse verses, in Charles Wesley’s handwriting. Each card is gilt-edged and numbered. See facsimile opposite, and, for ‘Scripture playing-cards,’ W.H.S. vol. i. p.15.
[7] He wrote from Birmingham to Mrs. Pawson, thanking her for a circumstantial account
other justification and sanctification. This was the second Mrs. Pawson,
formerly Mrs. Wren, of York. (New ed Wesley Letters.)
[8] See above, vol. vi. p. 487.
[9] He wrote from Wednesbury to Miss Bolton (Works, vol. xii. p. 485).
[10] A relative of John Wood, who took so prominent a part in opposition to Methodism during the riots
of 1743 and 1744. So that Wesley found supporters even amongst the households of his enemies.
(Meth. Rec. April 25. 1901.)
[11] See above, vol. vi. p. 401.
[12] Acquired earlier in the year, superseding the stable of Aug. 29, 1783. Other changes were made
later, including the occasional use of the Presbyterian chapel, with which Matthew Henry had been
associated; but it was not until 1811 that a chapel was erected. (Meth. Rec. April 30, 1908.)
[13] Longton.