MAY 1, Sun.-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 Moorfields congregation, all quiet and attentive.

 

Mon. 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. Oh that it may not pass away as the morning dew!

 

Saturday 30

 

4.30 I Pet. iv. 18, tea, within; 7 chaise; 9 Knocklo[ng], tea, conversed; 10 chaise; 1 Ferry; 2 at Ja[mes] Deav[es’s], dinner, letters, within; 5 tea, conversed; 6 prayer, prayed; 6.30 Matt. xxii. 4! within, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30 on business; 9.45.

 

MAY 1, Sunday

 

4 Prayed, letters, Journal, tea; 8 Dan. ix. 24, Journal; 11 prayers, com­munion; 2 dinner, conversed; 3 at Dr Fell’s, together; 4 tea, conversed; 5 I Cor. xiii. 1, etc.; 6.30 lovefeast; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Monday 2

 

4 Prayed, Journal; 6 2 John 8, on business; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, visited many; 10 letters; 1 the children, dinner, conversed; 3 letter, prayed, tea, conversed, prayed; 6.30 Rev. xiv. 1, etc., supper; 9 prayer; 9.30

 

I took a solemn farewell 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.[1]

 

Tues. 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 Youghal 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.

 

Wed. 4.-At five in the morning the court-house was 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.

 

Thur. 5 -Before I came half-way to Cork, I was met by about thirty horsemen.[2] We dined at Middleton, and then rode

 

Tuesday 3

 

3.30 Prayed, tea, prayer; 4.30 chaise; 7.30 Kilmac Thomas, tea, conversed; 8.30 chaise; 11.15 Dungarvan, dinner; 1.15 chaise, walk, chaise; 6 Yough[al], on business, tea; 7 Matt xxii. 4! 8 supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

Wednesday 4

 

4 Prayed, Journal; 6 Matt. viii. 2! Journal; 8 tea, within, prayer; 10 Journal; 12 walk; 1 dinner, conversed; 2 letter; 3 read narrative, prayed; 5 tea, conversed, prayer; 6 read; 6.30 the Mall, Jo. y. 8; 7.30 society; 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 10.

 

Thursday 5

 

4 Prayed, read; 6 Eph. iv. I, etc., on business; 8 tea, conversed, prayer; 9 chaise; 11.30 Middleton, many, within, dinner; 1.30 chaise; 4 Cork, at brother Laffan’s, on business; 5.15 tea, conversed, prayed; 6 letters; 7 Isa. lxvi. 8! supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

on through a pleasant, well-cultivated country to Cork.[3] In the evening, many in the crowded congregation were much comforted.

 

Fri. 6.[4] - I made an exact inquiry 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 everyone and exhorting everyone; 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.

 

Sat. 7.-0n this day that venerable saint, Mr. Perronet, desired his granddaughter, Miss Briggs, who attended him day

 

Friday 6

 

4 Prayed, Ecc. ii. 2! letters; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, letters; 12 walk; 12.30 prayer; 2 dinner, conversed, prayer; 4 prayed; 5 tea, con­versed, prayer; 6.30 Matt. xxii. 37, select society, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

Saturday 7

 

4 Prayed, Matt. xxii. 39, letter, writ Journal; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, Journal; 12 within; 1 walk; 2 dinner, conversed, prayer; 4 prayed, tea, conversed, prayer; 6.30 Isa. lix. 1, 2; 8 supper, together, prayer on business; 9.45.

 

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 ecstasy; the tears running down his cheeks, from a deep sense of 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 anything was wanting; and, as she stood at the feet of the bed, he smiled, and broke out, ‘God bless thee, my dear child, and all that belong to thee! Yea, He will bless thee!’ Which he earnestly re­peated many times, till she left the room. When she went in, the next morning, Monday the 9th, his spirit was returned to God![5]

 

So ended the holy and happy life of Mr. Vincent Perronet, in the ninety-second year of his age. I follow hard after him in years, being now in the eighty-second year of my age. Oh that I may follow him in holiness, and that my last end may be like his! 

 

Sun. 8.-In the afternoon I stood in the vacant space near the preaching-house, capable of containing many thousands. An immense number assembled. There was no disturbance: the days of tumult here are over; and God has now of a long season made our enemies to be at peace with us.

 

Mon. 9[6]-About noon I preached at Kinsale, in the old Bowling-green, which lies on the top of the hill, and commands a large prospect both by sea and land. All behaved well but

 

Sunday 8

 

4 Prayed, Journal, texts, tea; 8 Eph. iii. 14, etc., letters; 11 prayers, communion; 2 dinner, conversed, prayer; 3.30 sleep, prayed, tea, conversed; 5 I Pet. iv. 7, lovefeast; 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Monday 9

 

4 Prayed, Matt. xii. 43, letters; 8 tea, conversed, prayer; 8.45 chaise; 11.30 Kinsale; 12 I Kings xix. 13, dinner, conversed; 2.30 chaise; 4.30 Bandon, on business, tea, prayed; 6.30 Ecc. vii. 29! society, at Mrs. Barr., supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

a few officers, who walked up and down, and talked together during the whole service. The poor in Ireland in general are well-behaved; all the ill-breeding is among well-dressed people. In the evening I preached in the main street at Bandon, to a very numerous congregation. But some of them were better clothed than taught; for they laughed and talked great part of the time.

 

Such a transaction occurred here last week as has not occurred this century. A soldier, walking over the bridge, met a country­man, and, taking a fancy to his stick, strove to wrench it from him. His companion knocked the soldier down. News of this being carried to the barracks, a whole troop of soldiers marched down, and, without any provocation, fell upon the countrymen coming into the town, pursued them into the houses where they fled for shelter, and hacked and hewed them without mercy. Two-and-forty were wounded, several maimed, and two killed upon the spot.

 

Wed. 11.-I returned from Bandon to Cork, and, after endeavouring to confirm those that were much alive to God, on Friday the 13th, with some difficulty, I broke loose from my 

 

Tuesday 10

 

4 Prayed, Matt. xxii. 21, letters; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, letter; 12 visited many; 2 dinner, conversed; 4 sleep, prayed; 5.30 tea, conversed; 6.30 Jo. iv. 24! visited; 8.30 supper, within, prayer;10.

 

Wednesday 11

 

4 Prayer, Rom. xiii. 1, etc., Journal, tea, conversed, prayer; 8 visited, chaise; 11.30 Cork, letter; 2 dinner, conversed; 4 prayed, tea; 6.30 Col. i. 10, leaders; 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 10.

 

Thursday 12[7]

 

4 Prayed, Lu. xii, 7, Mag. [cipher]*; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, Mag.; 12 walk; 2 dinner, conversed, prayer; 4 prayed, tea, conversed; 6.30 Job xxii. 21! communion; 9 visited; 9.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 10.30.

 

Friday 13

 

4 Prayed, Lu. xx. 34, tea, conversed, prayer; 7 chaise; 10.45 Mallow, tea; 11.45 chaise; 3.45 Kilfinnane, at brother Upton’s, dinner, conversed, prayed; 5 tea; 6 Lu. x. 42, walk; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

affectionate friends, and in two long stages reached Kilfinane. It being too stormy to preach abroad, I preached in the Assembly Room. All the hearers were serious and well-behaved. I trust some will bring forth fruit with patience.

 

Afterwards I took a survey of the Danish mount[8] near the town; the first I have seen surrounded with a triple ditch; but it is not either so high or so large as that near Dundee. Is it not strange that the Irish, as well as the Scots, should so soon have driven out those merciless robbers who defied all the strength of England for so long a time?

 

Sat. 14--I found a far greater curiosity, a large Druidical temple. I judged by my eye that it was not less than a hundred yards in diameter; and it was, if I remember right, full as entire as Stonehenge, or that at Stanton Drew. How our ancestors could bring or even heave these enormous stones, what modern can comprehend?

 

In the evening we found many of our old friends at Limerick were removed to Abraham’s bosom.

 

Sun. 15 (being Whit Sunday). - The service at the cathedral began at eleven and lasted till three. It concluded a little sooner, by my assisting at the Lord’s Supper, at the request of the clergymen. Between five and six I took my stand near the custom-house, amidst an innumerable multitude of people; put they were

 

                                          Wild as the untaught Indian’s brood.[9]

 

Saturday 14

 

4 Prayed, Heb. ii. 3! tea, chaise; 8.30 Bruft, C. Har., etc., tea, con­versed; 9.30 chaise; 12.15 Limerick, on business, letters; 2 dinner, conversed, prayer, within; 4 prayed, tea, conversed; 6 Matt. viii. 13! Walk, supper, together; 9.30.

 

Whit Sunday 15

 

4 Prayed, sermon; 7 tea, conversed, prayer; 8 Acts ii. 4, sermon; 11 prayers, communion; 3 dinner, conversed, sleep, prayed; 5 tea; 5.30 John vii. 37; 7 the lovefeast; 8.30 at Mr. Bean’s, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

They made such a wonderful noise that I judged it best to give them the ground, and retire to our own house.

 

Mon. 16.-I restored the select society, which had been quite neglected. In the evening I earnestly exhorted all our brethren to set out again in the good old way, and to run with patience the race that is set before them.

 

Tues. 17.- In my way to Gort I was met by some of our brethren of Kilchreest, a vi1lage eight miles beyond it, giving me an invitation from Colonel Pearse[10]  to lodge at his house. He sent me to Kilchreest in one of his own carriages. There I found a large number of plain people, to whom I preached in the yard. Thence I returned to the Colonel’s, but the house being full of genteel company, I was as out of my element, there being no room to talk upon the only subject which deserves the attention of a rational creature.

 

Wed. 18-Learning that a little girl[11] had sat up all night,   and then walked two miles to see me, I took her into the

 

Monday 16

 

4 Prayed, sermon; 7 tea, conversed, prayer; 8 Gal. V. 22! select society; 10 sermon, visited; 2.15 dinner, together; 3.15 prayed, visited, tea; 6 Heb. i., society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Tuesday 17

 

4 Prayed, Isa. lvii. 1, 2! tea, prayer; 6.30 chaise; 10 at Mr. Blood’s, tea, conversed, prayer; 11 chaise; 1 Crusheen, dinner; 2 chaise; 4 Gort, tea; 4.45 chaise; 6.45 Roxbro[ugh]; 8 within, chaise,     Kilchrist, Prov. iii. 17, Ro[xbrough] in talk, supper; 10.30.

 

Wednesday 18

 

4.30 On business, chaise, Kil[chreest], tea, conversed, prayer; 6 chaise, Athenry, tea; 9 chaise; 12 Carmorris, dinner; 1 chaise, prayed; 4 Ballinrobe, conversed, sermon, tea; 6.30 Isa. i. 3! sermon; 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.

 

chaise, and was surprised to find her continually rejoicing in God. The person with whom the preachers lodge informed me that she has been two years possessed of His pure love. We breakfasted at Athenry, once a populous city.[12] But now seges est ubi Troja fuit[13].  In the afternoon we went on to Ballinrobe.

 

Having heard a remarkable account of the Charter School here, I resolved to see it with my own eyes. I went thither about five in the afternoon, but found no master or mistress. Seven or eight boys, and nine or ten girls (the rest being rambling abroad), dirty and ragged enough, were left to the care of a girl half the head taller than the rest. She led us through the house. I observed first the school-room, not much bigger than a small closet. Twenty children could not be taught there at once with any convenience. When we came into the bed-chamber, I inquired, ‘How many children now lodge in the house?’ and was answered, ‘Fourteen or fifteen boys, and nineteen girls.’ For these boys there were three beds, and five for the nineteen girls. For food, I was informed, the master was allowed a penny-farthing a day for each! Thus they are clothed, lodged, and fed. But what are they taught? As far as I could learn, just nothing! Of these things I informed the Commissioners for these schools in Dublin. But I do not hear of any alteration. If this be a sample of the Irish Charter Schools,[14] what good can we expect from them?

 

In my way from Limerick hither, I read and carefully considered

 

­

 

Thursday 19

 

4 Prayed, sermon, tea; 8 Matt. vii. 24! sermon, Journal; 1 walk; 2.45 dinner, conversed, Journal; 5.30 tea, visited; 6.15 Matt. xxv. 31, prayed, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.

 

Major Vallancey’s[15] Irish Grammar, allowed to be the best extant. And, supposing him to give a true account of the Irish language, it is not only beyond all comparison worse than any ancient language I know anything of; but below English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or any other modern language. The difficulty of reading it is intolerable, occasioned chiefly by the insufferable number of mute letters, both of vowels and conso­nants; the like of which is not to be found in any language under heaven. The number of pronouns, and the irregular for­mation of the verbs, is equally insufferable. But nothing is so insufferable as their poetry; the whole construction of which is so trifling and childish, and yet requires more pains to write than either the modern rhyme or the ancient attention to long and short syllables.

 

Fri. 20.—I went to Castlebar. Here I generally find a welcome reception. Almost all the inhabitants here love us well, and believe the Methodists are good men.[16]

 

Sat. 21.—Mr. Brown, of Raheens,[17] about three miles from

 

Friday 20

 

4  Prayed, letters, tea; 8 I Sam. xxi. 8, chaise; 12.15 Castlebar; 1 writ texts; 2 dinner, within; 330 prayed, walk; 5 tea, conversed; 6 Matt. vii. 16; 7 at Jo[hn] Carr, in talk; 8 at Jo[hn] Langs., supper, conversed, prayed; 9.30.

 

Saturday 21

 

4 Prayed, I Pet. iii. 8, texts; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, laid the [? stone]; 10 texts; 1.30 chaise, Rehins, within, dinner, conversed; 4.30 chaise, tea, conversed, prayed; 6.30 2 Cor. iv. 18! society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

I Pet. iii. 8.

 

chaise, and was surprised to find her continually rejoicing in God. The person with whom the preachers lodge informed me that she has been two years possessed of His pure love. We breakfasted at Athenry, once a populous city.[18] But now seges est ubi Troja fuit[19].  In the afternoon we went on to Ballinrobe.

 

Having heard a remarkable account of the Charter School here, I resolved to see it with my own eyes. I went thither about five in the afternoon, but found no master or mistress. Seven or eight boys, and nine or ten girls (the rest being rambling abroad), dirty and ragged enough, were left to the care of a girl half the head taller than the rest. She led us through the house. I observed first the school-room, not much bigger than a small closet. Twenty children could not be taught there at once with any convenience. When we came into the bed-chamber, I inquired, ‘How many children now lodge in the house?’ and was answered, ‘Fourteen or fifteen boys, and nineteen girls.’ For these boys there were three beds, and five for the nineteen girls. For food, I was informed, the master was allowed a penny-farthing a day for each! Thus they are clothed, lodged, and fed. But what are they taught? As far as I could learn, just nothing! Of these things I informed the Commissioners for these schools in Dublin. But I do not hear of any alteration. If this be a sample of the Irish Charter Schools,[20] what good can we expect from them?

 

In my way from Limerick hither, I read and carefully considered

 

­

 

Thursday 19

 

4 Prayed, sermon, tea; 8 Matt. vii. 24! sermon, Journal; 1 walk; 2.45 dinner, conversed, Journal; 5.30 tea, visited; 6.15 Matt. xxv. 31, prayed, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.

 

Major Vallancey’s[21] Irish Grammar, allowed to be the best extant. And, supposing him to give a true account of the Irish language, it is not only beyond all comparison worse than any ancient language I know anything of; but below English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or any other modern language. The difficulty of reading it is intolerable, occasioned chiefly by the insufferable number of mute letters, both of vowels and conso­nants; the like of which is not to be found in any language under heaven. The number of pronouns, and the irregular for­mation of the verbs, is equally insufferable. But nothing is so insufferable as their poetry; the whole construction of which is so trifling and childish, and yet requires more pains to write than either the modern rhyme or the ancient attention to long and short syllables.

 

Fri. 20.—I went to Castlebar. Here I generally find a welcome reception. Almost all the inhabitants here love us well, and believe the Methodists are good men.[22]

 

Sat. 21.—Mr. Brown, of Raheens,[23] about three miles from

 

Friday 20

 

4  Prayed, letters, tea; 8 I Sam. xxi. 8, chaise; 12.15 Castlebar; 1 writ texts; 2 dinner, within; 330 prayed, walk; 5 tea, conversed; 6 Matt. vii. 16; 7 at Jo[hn] Carr, in talk; 8 at Jo[hn] Langs., supper, conversed, prayed; 9.30.

 

Saturday 21

 

4 Prayed, I Pet. iii. 8, texts; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, laid the [? stone]; 10 texts; 1.30 chaise, Rehins, within, dinner, conversed; 4.30 chaise, tea, conversed, prayed; 6.30 2 Cor. iv. 18! society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

I Pet. iii. 8.

 

Castlebar, invited us to his house. It is one of the pleasantest places I have seen in the kingdom. But it was not so pleasant as when I was there first. For his lovely wife, and an amiable daughter, are both gone into a better country.

 

Sun. 22 (being Trinity Sunday).-I preached in the morning on ‘There are three that bear record in heaven.’[24]  The congre­gation at church were remarkably well-behaved, and the rector preached a sound, useful sermon. At five I preached to an exceeding numerous congregation, and afterwards administered the sacrament to the society. Two clergymen were with us, the curate of Castlebar and the curate of a neighbouring parish; one of whom already enjoys the peace of God, and the other was earnestly seeking it.

 

Mon. 23.-After a long day’s journey, I preached in the new court-house at Sligo, to far the worst congregation that I have seen since I came into the kingdom. Some (miscalled gentry) laughed and talked without fear or shame, till I openly reproved them; and the rabble were equally rude near the door. In the morning I preached in our own preaching-house, chiefly for the sake of Mrs. Simpson, a mother in Israel, who has been long confined to her room. Walking, about noon, I was catched in a heavy shower, and contracted a severe cold. However, I preached in the evening to a far civiller congregation than the night before. So I think my labour here was not quite in vain.

 

Sunday 22

 

4 Prayed, texts; 7 tea, conversed; 8 I Jo. v. 7, Journal, [cipher] *; 11 prayers, visited; 2 dinner, within, prayer; 3 prayed; 4 tea, conversed; 5 Gen. i. 27, society, communion; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.15.

 

Monday 23

 

4 Prayed, 2 Cor. v. I, etc., tea, prayer; 6.15 chaise; 9 Swineford, tea; 10 chaise; 12.30 Tubber[curry], dinner; 1.30chaise; 5 Sligo, prayed, tea, on business; 7 Acts xi. 26! supper, together, prayer; 9.30 lay down; 11.

 

Tuesday 24

 

4 Prayed, Isa. xxxviii. 5, sermon; 7.30 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 1 dinner, sermon, conversed; 4 walk, tea, conversed; 6 I Cor. xiii. I, etc., society, communion; 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.

 

Wed. 25.-I preached about ten in the court-house at Manor­ Hamilton,[25] and then rode over the Black Mountain, now clothed with green, and through a delightful road, to Mount Florence. Here I observed the party-coloured gates (as they were some years since) to be painted plain red. The wind was high and piercing cold; yet the multitude of people obliged me to preach in the open air.

 

Thur. 26.-I preached in the assembly-room at Swanlinbar,[26] but not without difficulty, my cold being so increased that I could not sing, nor speak, but just in one key. However, I made shift to preach in the church at Ballyconnell in the evening, though it was very full, and consequently very hot.

 

Fri. 27.-Feeling myself much as I was eleven years ago, and not knowing how short my time of working might be, I resolved to do a little while I could. So I began at five; and though I could scarce be heard at first, yet the more I spoke the more my voice was strengthened. Before I had half done, everyone could hear. To God be all the glory!

 

Wednesday 25

 

4 Prayed, I Cor. xv. 58, tea, prayer; 7 chaise; 9.30 Mannor H[amiIton], tea; 10 2 Cor. v. 17, chaise; 3.45 M[oun]t Florence [Florence Court is the seat of the Earl of Enniskillen], dinner, conversed, on business; 5 tea, prayed; 6 Heb. iv. 13, sermon; 7.30 conversed, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

Thursday 26

 

4 Prayed, Matt. v. 6, Journal; 7 tea, conversed, prayer; 8 chaise, Swad­l[in]bar; 9.30 Matt. iv. 10, chaise; 12.30 Ballyconnel, Journal, within to many; 2 dinner, Journal, walk, tea; 16 Jer. vi. 16, society, prayed, supper, prayer; 9.45.

 

Friday 27

 

4 Prayed, Heb. xii. 6, tea, within, prayer; 7 chaise; 8.15 Killishandra, tea, conversed; 9.30 Matt. viii. 2! within to many; 12.30 chaise; 1.45 Kilmore, dinner, together; 4 walk, prayed, tea; 6 Mark xvi 16, society, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

About ten I preached at Killashandra,[27] to a multitude of people; but my voice was now so strengthened that everyone could hear. In the evening, there being no house at Kilmore that could contain half the congregation, I was obliged again to preach abroad. There were several sharp showers; but none went away; for it pleased the Lord to send therewith gracious rain on the souls of them that feared Him.

 

Sat. 28.-At five, though I had not quite recovered my voice, I judged it best to speak as I could. So I preached in Mr. Creighton’s barn, and at seven in the ball-room at Cavan. I had designed to go straight from hence to Clones; but a friend sending me word that Mr. Sanderson was willing I should preach in his church at Ballyhaise, I altered my purpose and went thither. Abundance of people were waiting for me; but, Mr. Sanderson having changed his mind, I preached in the inn­yard, to a very well-behaved congregation of rich as well as poor. Hence I went on to Clones, where I found such a society as I had hardly seen in Ireland, making it a point of conscience to conform to all our Rules, great and small. The new preach­ing-house was exceeding neat, but far too small to contain the congregation. The first time I preached to-day was with diffi­culty; the second and third with less; the fourth with none at all.

 

Sun. 29. - The morning service, so called, began between twelve and one. At five the storm was so high that I could not preach in the market-place, as I first designed. At length we pitched upon a sloping meadow near the town, where we were

 

Saturday 28

 

4 Prayed, Gal. v. 5, chaise; 7 Cavan, Mic. ii. 10, chaise; 8.30 Ballihay, tea, Jo. xvii. 3, chaise; 1 Clones, writ narrative; 2 dinner, con­versed; 3 Journal, prayed, tea; 5 prayed; 6 Isai. xxxvii. 3, in talk, supper, prayer; 9.45.

 

Sunday 29

 

4 Prayed, Journal; 7 tea, conversed; 8 I Jo. iv. 19, writ Conf[erence]; 12 prayers; 2 dinner, within; 3.45 sleep, prayed, Lu. xvi. 32, communion; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.45.

 

­perfectly sheltered by the hill. I suppose the congregation[28] would have filled the house at Dublin more than twice over. We had several showers; but the people regarded them not, being wholly taken up with better things.

 

Mon. 30.-We went on to Caledon.[29] A convenient preach­ing-house is just but here, which (after the forms were removed) just contained the congregation. . The power of God was very unusually present among them. Many were cut to the heart, and refused to be comforted till God spoke peace to their souls; and many did already rejoice with joy unspeakable.

 

When we came to Armagh on Tuesday, the wind was extremely high, and the air as cold as it used to be in Decem­ber. However, we had no place that could contain the con­gregation but Mr. M’Geough’s avenue. And here the people, crowding close together, did not seem to regard either cold or wind.

 

Tues. 31. - W e took a walk to the Primate’s palace, and had a full view of the house. It is elegant in the highest degree, and yet not splendid; and it is furnished throughout in a hand­some though not in a costly manner. Since I was here before he has added an obelisk[30] a hundred feet high, and dairy-house, with many other conveniences; and a chapel, never yet used.

 

Monday 30

 

4 Tea, prayer; 4.45 chaise; 8.30 Caladon, tea, conversed, letters; 11 Heb, viii. 11; 12 society; 1 dinner; 2.15 chaise; 3.45 Armagh, walk, tea, conversed; 5.30 6 Matt. vii. 16, visited; 8 supper, conversed,  

 

        prayer; 9.30.

 

Tuesday 31

 

4 Prayed, texts; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, walk; 10 read narrative; 11 Isai. lix. [-]; 12 read narrative; 2 dinner, conversed, prayer; 4 tea, conversed, prayer; 6 Acts" xvi. 31, society; 8 within, supper prayer; 9.30.

 

But we were informed he designs to do many things more! How well, then, may it be said to him:

 

                        Tu secanda marmora

 

                    Locas sub ipsum funus, et sepulchri

 

                        Immemor struis domos![31] 

 

At eleven I preached in the avenue again. It rained all the time, yet the congregation was large and attentive. After­wards a decent woman, whom I never saw either before or since, desired to speak with me; and said, ‘I met you at Caledon. I had then a violent pain in my head for four weeks; but was fully persuaded I should be well if you would lay your hand on my cheek; which I begged you to do. From that moment I have been perfectly well.’ If so, give God the glory. In the evening the rain drove us into the market-house, where we were a little disturbed by two or three drunken men; but all the rest, [a] numerous congregation, behaved with deep seriousness.

      

---

 

[1] Part of verse 5, slightly altered, of C. Wesley’s famous funeral hymn commencing, ‘How happy every child of grace,’ No. 947 in the collection of 1875 ­but omitted from the hymn (618) in that of 1904. 

 

[2] Led by George Howe, who had been a member of the society for about thirty five years. He died Feb. 1830, aged eighty-six. He first heard a Methodist preacher when he was a little boy. He was one of Wesley’s confidential friends, and intimate with Dr. Coke and all the preachers stationed in Cork. He was a highly successful visitor of prisons and the sick. A cheerful Christian with an arresting fashion of speech, he was for many years one of the most influential Methodists in Cork. See Meth. Mag. 1831, p. 207. The Rev. J. A. Duke, to whose zeal for Methodist history Irish Methodists owe much, says that George Rowe was not only a class-leader in Cork for many years, but one of the original trustees to whom the site of the chapel in Patrick Street was assigned. See Irish Christian Advocate, May 9, 1913, p. 224. One of the horsemen who met Wesley was William Seymour, who died in 1863, aged ninety-seven. Whilst in Cork, Wesley appointed Andrew Laffan, George Howe, and James John­son stewards. See ibid. 1883, p. 301.

 

[3] In the Cork Stewards’ Book for May 1785 payments are entered for Wesley's travelling expenses, the repairs of his carriage, and other items. See W.H.S. vol. ix. p. 61.

 

[4] He wrote from Cork to T. Carlill (W.H.S. vol. vi. p. 92).                         

 

[5] See above, vol. iii. pp. 145, 265.

 

[6] He wrote from Cork to Jasper Winscom (see new ed. Wesley Letters).

 

[7] On May 12 he wrote from Cork to his brother Charles: ‘We have been humbugged by the patriots. There is no more danger from Ireland than from the Isle of Man.’ A remarkable letter. (Works, vol. xii. p. 152.)

 

[8] The Danes’ Fort, a mound fifty feet in diameter at the base, with ramparts. But these mounts, found throughout Ireland, are not held to be of Danish origin, but, like the kraals of South Africa, pre­historic. See above, vol. vi. p. 64.

 

[9] From Charles Wesley’s Redemption Hymns, No. xxxi. v. 3. J. W. Thomas (W.M. Mag. 1872, p. 611) suggests that this hymn is ‘a condensation and adapta­tion in much more gentle and general terms’ of a  hymn for the Roman Catholics island’ written by C. Wesley (Journal, vol. ii. pp. 27-28), when journeying from Cork to Brandon. In the Meth. Hymn –book (1904) five verses only of this hymn (282) are published. In the original there are eight verses; the third reads thus: Wild as the untaught Indian’s brood

 

    The Christian savages remain

 

Strangers and enemies to God

 

    They make Thee shed thy blood in Vain.  

 

[10] The name is given as Persse in Taylor and Skinner’s Road Maps of Ireland, 1783. Probably the Colonel was connected with Mrs. Persse, whom Wesley met at Castleboy May 18, 1787.

 

[11]  Her name was Mary Brooke. Con­verted about twelve years of age, she was a consistent member of the society in Dublin for more than sixty years. See W.N. Mag. 1845, p. 401.

 

[12] It was a fortified town at a remote period. A large Dominican monastery was founded there in the reign of John, which grew in wealth and importance. Earls of Ulster and other nobles made this their burial-place. But Athenry never recovered its double capture and sack in 1577 and 1590. It lost its representative at the union, and ceased to be a borough under the municipal reform act. See below, p.278

 

[13] ‘The sycythe now reaps the corn where Llion stood,

 

And the fields are flattened with the Trojan’s blood.’

 

Ovid, Heroides (W.H.S. vol. V. p 90) 

 

[14] See above, vol. V. p. 506, and Crookshank’s Meth. in Ireland, vol. i. p.10

   

[15] Afterwards General, born 1721. While residing in Ireland he devoted himself to the language, topography, and antiquities of the country, made a survey of the island, and wrote a Grammar and Dictionary of the Irish language (Col­lectanea de Rebus Hibernicis), &c.

 

[16] At this visit Wesley laid the founda­tion of the chapel, which is still in use.

 

[17] Wesley’s attachment to the place was more than equalled by that to the family. See his ardent references in vol. V. pp 414 and 506, and vol. vi. P. 63. The traditions and mementoes of his visits are treasured by Mr. Brown’s great-grandson, Judge Brown who states that Wesley preached under the grove of lime trees opposite the house. His honor spells the name as in his note, and the place Rahins, one of the numerous forms of foundation of which is Raheen (little fort) pl. Raheens. See Joyce’s Irish place-names, and Ordnance survey; also W.H.S Vol. ix  pp.139-40 

 

[18] It was a fortified town at a remote period. A large Dominican monastery was founded there in the reign of John, which grew in wealth and importance. Earls of Ulster and other nobles made this their burial-place. But Athenry never recovered its double capture and sack in 1577 and 1590. It lost its representative at the union, and ceased to be a borough under the municipal reform act. See below, p.278

 

[19] ‘The sycythe now reaps the corn where Llion stood,

 

And the fields are flattened with the Trojan’s blood.’

 

Ovid, Heroides (W.H.S. vol. V. p 90) 

 

[20] See above, vol. V. p. 506, and Crookshank’s Meth. in Ireland, vol. i. p.10

   

[21] Afterwards General, born 1721. While residing in Ireland he devoted himself to the language, topography, and antiquities of the country, made a survey of the island, and wrote a Grammar and Dictionary of the Irish language (Col­lectanea de Rebus Hibernicis), &c.

 

[22] At this visit Wesley laid the founda­tion of the chapel, which is still in use.

 

[23] Wesley’s attachment to the place was more than equalled by that to the family. See his ardent references in vol. V. pp 414 and 506, and vol. Vi. P. 63. The traditions and mementoes of his visits are treasured by Mr. Brown’s great-grandson, Judge Brown who states that Wesley preached under the grove of lime trees opposite the house. His honor spells the name as in his note, and the place Rahins, one of the numerous forms of foundation of which is Raheen (little fort) pl. Raheens. See Joyce’s Irish place-names, and Ordnance survey; also W.H.S Vol. ix  pp.139-40 

 

[24] He had preached on this text by request at Cork, May 8, 1775. See Sermon LV.

 

[25] Here he was the guest of Mr. Brad­ham, one of the earliest and most influential Methodists in this neighbourhood (W.M. Mag. 1833, p. 822).

 

[26] At the close of the service he was invited to the house of Mr. Pollock, where he ‘sowed the seed of eternal life in the family, the fruit of which appears to the present day.’ See Irish Evangelist, 1876, p. 90.

 

[27] Here he was the guest of Robert Creighton, brother of the Rev. James Creighton, for whom see below, p. 205.

 

[28] There were about two thousand present. Amongst them was a lad named Charles Mayne, who had not been present previously at a service out of a church, His father, a gentleman of respectability and influence, resided near Cootehill, and his eldest brother subsequently rose to be one of the judges on the Irish bench. The youth, who was greatly charmed with the heavenly appearance of the preacher, which he never afterwards forgot, was induced to return to the Methodist services, and then was led to give his heart to God, and subsequently to enter the itinerancy. (Irish Evangelist, 1861, p. 193.)

 

[29] See above, vol. v. p. 420. 

 

[30] Which may still be seen. 

 

[31] Horace, Odes, ii. 18, 17-19. The whole passage reads as follows:

 

  Truditur dies die,

 

     Novaeque pergunt interire lunae;

 

 Tu secanda marmora

 

     Locas sub ipsum funus, et sepulchri

 

Immemor struis domos. 

 

,Suns are hurrying suns a-west, 

 

And new-born moons make speed to meet

 

their end. 

 

You have hands to square and hew vast marble blocks, hard on your day of doom,

 

Ever building mansions new,

 

Nor thinking of the mansion of the tomb.’ 

 

                                                 CONINGTON.

 

Wesley was struck by the verbal appositeness of the quotation, and the lines must not be applied too strictly. Horace, of course, is rebuking the materialism which persistently ignores the transience of human life. See, for another rendering, W.H.S. vol. v. p.90.