APRIL 1, Tues.-We went on to Burslem, where the work of God still prospers exceedingly. Sinners-men, women, and children-are still convinced, and converted to God every day; and there are exceeding few that draw back, as they are much united in affection, and watch over each other in love.

 

In the evening, before the time of preaching came, the preaching-house was more than filled. Finding it could not contain one half of the people, I ordered a table to be placed in the yard, where they stood very patiently, though the wind was very high and very cold. Afterwards I spent a comfortable hour with the society, who completely filled the house.

 

Wed. 2. - This morning I finished Mr. Weston’s ingenious Dissertations on the Wonders of Antiquity,[1] particularly the Darkness at our Lord’s death, and the Pool of Bethesda. And I quite agree with him that the chief reason why these and many other miracles were not even mentioned by the heathen historians is, their utter contempt of the Christians, and their being so accustomed to the ‘lying wonders’ which were so common in the heathen world; whence they naturally supposed all the Christian miracles to be of the same sort.

 

APRIL 1, Tuesday

 

4 Prayed, Weston, Journal; 8 tea, conversed, in talk, Weston; 10.45 chaise; 12.15 at brother Wo[o]d’s, prayer; 1 dinner; 2.30 Borslem, Weston, prayed, tea, conversed; 6 1 J[o]. v. 7! society, supper, 

 

        conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Wednesday 2

 

4 Prayed, Lu. i. 70, Weston; 8 tea, prayer, read narrative; 12.30 the leaders; 1 dinner, within, prayer; 2 chaise; 3 Newc[astle], read narrative, tea, together; 5 prayed, tea; 6 1 Jo. iv. 19! 7 society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

In the evening I preached to a crowded congregation at Newcastle[-under-Lyme]; and God was in the midst of them.

 

Thur. 3. -I crossed over to Leek,[2] where for many years we seemed to be ploughing upon the sand; but, at length, the fruit appears. Their new house would very hardly contain the congregation, although it blew a storm, so that many of the women could hardly bear up against the wind. In the evening I preached at Congleton. Part of the congregation were the minister[3] and the mayor, with several aldermen. But they seemed astonished while I opened and strongly applied, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.’

 

Fri. 4.[4]-We had another violent storm in going to Maccles­field.

 

Thursday 3

 

4 Prayed, letter, read narrative; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, chaise; 12 Leek, Jo. iv. 24! dinner; 2.15 chaise; 4 Congleton, sermon, tea, conversed; 6 Deut. v. 7, society, sermon, supper; 9 prayer; 9.30.

 

Friday 4

 

4 Prayed, 2 Cor. iv. 7, sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 1 dinner, within; 2 chaise, storm; 4 Macclesf[ield], letters, tea; 6 Jo. ix. 4! within to A[lexander] Mather; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

But there all is calm; their little feuds are removed, and the work of God steadily goes on.

 

Sun. 6.[5] - The new church[6] was half filled in the morning, but thoroughly in the afternoon; and great was our rejoicing in the Lord, both then and at six in the evening.

 

I took a solemn leave of them at five in the morning, Monday, the 7th, and with a deal of difficulty got to New Mills, the roads over the mountains being scarce passable; but the earnestness of the congregation made amends for the difficulty of the journey. They are all athirst for God.

 

Wed. 9. -At noon I preached in the chapel at Bullock

 

Saturday 5

 

4 Prayed, Psa, xc. 12, letters; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 1 dinner, conversed; 2 on business, sermon; 5 tea, prayed; 6.15 Heb. x. 31, writ narrative, supper, conversed, prayer, on business; 9.30.

 

Sunday 6

 

4 Prayed, letters, sermon, tea, sermon, writ narrative; 10 prayers, Numb. xxiii. 10, on business, dinner,   

 

         letter, sleep; 2 prayers, Heb. viii. 10,sermon, tea, prayed; 5.30 Psa, xxxiii. I! [-], society, supper,     

 

         conversed; 9 prayer; 9.30.

 

Monday 7

 

4 Prayed, Isa. lix. 1, 2, writ narrative; 7 [--], tea, conversed, prayer; 8 chaise; 11.30 New Mills, sermon; 1   

 

        dinner, conversed, writ narrative; 3 prayed; 4 2 Cor. v. 19, society; 5.15 tea, sermon, read narrative;    

 

        8.15 supper, conversed, together; 9.45.

 

Tuesday 8[7]

 

4 Prayed, sermon, Bishop Newcom[e] [Archbishop Newcome of Armagh]; 8.15 tea, prayer; 9.45 chaise; 11.45 Bullock [Smithy], Psa. cxlvii. 3, chaise, Stock[port]; 2 dinner, letters, prayed, tea; 6 Isa. lvii. 1, 2, chaise, letters, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

Wednesday 9

 

4 Prayed, sermon, letters; 8 tea, conversed, sermon; 12 walk, on business; 1.30 dinner, conversed, sermon; 4    

 

         prayed, tea; 6 Rom. i. 16, society, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Smithy,[8] one of the most famous villages in the county for all manner of wickedness. But there is a change for the better already, and a fair prospect of a much greater. In the evening, as well as on the next, the house at Stock port[9] was thoroughly filled with people ready prepared for the Lord, and adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour.

 

Thur. 10. -About noon I preached at Ashton to a loving and lively people, and thence went on to Oldham. But what could be done here? I suppose the children alone would have filled the preaching-house from end to end. We kept the door locked till a little before the appointed time. Then I went in, and to as many as the house would hold explained ‘the rest’ that ‘remaineth for the people of God’; and indeed they had ears to hear. Afterward, leaving one to preach again, after an hour’s respite I went on to Manchester.

 

Fri. 11. - The house was well filled in the evening. I explained and enforced the words of St. James, ‘Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ‘I did not hear that any were offended; for the bulk of these are an understanding people.

 

Sat. 12.[10]-I took a view of the Public Library,[11] preferable to most in England.

 

Thursday 10

 

4 Prayed, sermon! 8 tea, conversed, prayer, on business; 9.30 chaise; 11.30 Ashton, Rom. vi. 4; 1 dinner, within, chaise; 3.30 Oldham, read, prayed; 5 prayed, conversed; 5.30 Heb. iv. 9, society; 6,30 chaise; 7.30 Manch[ester], prayed, supper, prayer; 9.30

 

Friday 11

 

4 Prayed, letters; 9 the preachers; 12 on business; 1.15 dinner, within; 2 writ narrative; 4 letter; 5 tea, conversed, prayed; 6.30 Jam. ii. 22! on business; 8 supper, conversed! prayer; 9.30.

 

Saturday 12

 

4 Prayed, letter, writ narrative; 8 tea, conversed, on business, visited; 9.30 letters; 12.15 visited; 1 dinner, conversed, prayer; 2.30 Library; 3.30 on business, prayed, tea; 6 I Pet. i. 3, the bands; 8 supper, conversed, prayer, on business; 9.30.

 

­

 

It is annexed to the Blue-coat School, wherein fourscore children are provided with all things; and all by the munificence of one man, who expressly forbade any one to add thereto.

 

Sun. 13. -Mr. Simpson[12] assisting, we dealt very well with a crowded congregation. I suppose we had about a thousand communicants; and surely God was among them: and so He was in the evening, while I applied ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.’

 

Mon. 14. -At noon I preached at Northwich to such a congregation as scarce ever was seen there before; and had a good hope that, after all the storms, good will be done here also. In the evening I preached to the affectionate congregation at Chester, who want nothing but more life and fire.

 

Tues. 15.[13]-I was desired to preach upon the Trinity. The chapel was sufficiently crowded, and surely God answered for Himself to all candid hearers.

 

Sunday 13

 

4 Prayed, read narrative; 8 tea, conversed, on business; 9.30 prayers, I Pet. ii. 11! communion; 1.30 dinner; 2.30 sleep, letters, prayed, tea; 5.15 Deut. v. 7! society, writ narrative; 8 supper together; 9 prayer; 9.30.

 

Monday 14

 

4 Prayed, I Jo. v. 7, tea; 6.15 chaise; 8.30 Buck[ley] hill [now Knuts­ford]; tea, chaise; 11.15 Northwich, letter; 12 Mic. vi. 10, dinner; 2.15 chaise; 5 Chester, Psa. xc. 12! supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Tuesday 15

 

4 Prayed, 2 Pet. i. 4! Sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 1 dinner, conversed, prayer; 2.30 letters; 3 sermon, prayed; 5 tea, conversed, prayer; 6 I John v. 7! society; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Wed. 16.[14]-I preached about eleven at Warrington (a cold, uncomfortable place),[15] and in the evening at Liverpool. The house was extremely crowded, and I found great liberty of spirit; but still more the next evening, while I was opening and applying the parable of the Sower. How much seed has been sown in this town! And, blessed be God, all is not lost. Some has brought forth thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold.

 

Fri. 18. -Notice having been given at Wigan of my preaching a sermon for the Sunday schools, the people flocked from all quarters in such a manner as never was seen before. I spoke with all possible plainness on ‘Repent ye, and believe the gospel’; and it seemed to sink deep into the hearts of the hearers. Surely ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

 

Sat. 19. -We went on to Bolton,[16] where I preached in the evening in one of the most elegant houses in the kingdom, and to one of the liveliest congregations.

 

Wednesday 16

 

4 Prayed, Psa. 1. 23! tea; 6.15 chaise; 8 Frods[ham], tea; 8.45 chaise with [-] Blair, Brisco; 10.15 Warr[ington]; 11.15 Heb. x. 31! dinner, prayer, chaise; 5 Liv[erpoo]l, tea, Jo. ii. 24, within, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

Thursday 17

 

4 Prayed, sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 1 dinner, together, prayer; 2.30 letters; 4 prayed; 5 tea, conversed, prayer; 6 Mark iv. 3! society, leaders; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Friday 18

 

4 Prayed, I Cor. ix. 24, on business; 7 tea, conversed, prayer; 9 chaise; 12.30 Wigan, read letters; 1.15 dinner, conversed, letter, Mag., prayed, tea; 6 Mark i. 19; 8 society! 8.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 

 

And this I must avow, there is not such a set of singers in any of the Methodist congre­gations in the three kingdoms. There cannot be; for we have near a hundred such trebles, boys and girls, selected out of our Sunday schools, and accurately taught, as are not found to­gether in any chapel, cathedral, or music-room within the four seas. Besides, the spirit with which they all sing, and the beauty of many of them, so suits the melody, that I defy any to exceed it; except the singing of angels in our Father’s house.

 

Sun. 20. -At eight, and at one, the house was thoroughly filled. About three I met between nine hundred and a thousand of the children belonging to our Sunday schools.[17] I never saw such a sight before. They were all exactly clean, as well as plain, in their apparel. All were serious and well-behaved.

 

Saturday 19

 

4 Prayed, Matt. xx. 16, sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer, chaise; 12 Bolto[n], sermon; 2 dinner, sermon; 4 prayed, tea; 6 I Jo. iv. 19, the leaders, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

Sunday 20

 

4 Prayed, sermon, tea; 8 Heb. ii. I, sermon; 10 prayers, dinner; Psa. ciii. 14; 2 sleep, letters, the children,! tea; 4.30 prayed, Acts xvii. 3! Society! 7.30 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Many, both boys and girls, had as beautiful faces as, I believe England or Europe can afford. When they all sung together, and none of them out of tune, the melody was beyond that of any theatre; and, what is best of all, many of them truly fear God, and some rejoice in His salvation. These are a pattern to all the town. Their usual diversion is to visit the poor that are sick (sometimes six, or eight, or ten together), to exhort, comfort, and pray with them. Frequently ten or more of them get together to sing and pray by themselves; sometimes thirty or forty; and are so earnestly engaged, alternately singing, praying, and crying, that they know not how to part. You children that hear this, why should not you go and do likewise? Is not God here as well as at Bolton? Let God arise and maintain His own cause, even ‘out of the mouths of babes and sucklings’!

 

Mon. 21.[18] -I went on, through miserable roads, to Black­burn, where, notwithstanding the continued rain, the new preaching-house[19] was thoroughly filled with serious, well behaved people.

 

Tues. 22. - Through equally good roads we got on to Padi­ham. I preached at eleven to as quiet a congregation, though not so lively, as that at Bolton. From hence we went in the afternoon, through still more wonderful roads, to Haslingden. They were sufficient to lame any horses, and shake any carriage

 

Monday 21

 

4 Prayed, I Pet. iv. II! letters; 7 chaise, tea, prayer, conversed; 8.45 chaise; 11.45 Blackb[urn]; 12 letters; 12.30 dinner; 1.30 letters, prayed, tea, conversed; 6 Mark i. 19, society; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Tuesday 22

 

4 Prayed, sermon, tea, conversed, prayer; 8 chaise; 10 Paddiham, sermon; 11 Mat. xi. 30! 12.30 dinner; 1 chaise; 3.15 Haslinden, sermon, prayed, tea, conversed, 6 Rom. viii. 3, 4! society, sermon; 8 supper, conversed, prayer, on business; 9.30.

 

in pieces.-N .B. I will never attempt to travel these roads again till they are effectually mended![20] 

 

A gentleman,[21] no way connected with us, has built us a neat preaching-house here, desiring only three per cent for what he has laid out (about eight hundred pounds), provided the seats let for so much, of which there is little doubt. It was well filled in the evening with serious people, lying in the midst of many societies.[22]

 

Wed. 23. -We hobbled on to Bury, through roads equally deplorable; but we met a lively congregation, which made us forget our labour.

 

Wednesday 23

 

4 Prayed, sermon; 8 tea, conversed, prayer; 9 chaise; 11.15 Bury, on business; 12 I Cor. i. 30! dinner; 1.45 chaise; 3.15 Rochdale, sermon, prayed, tea; 6 I Cor. i. 30! society; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

In the evening I preached to another lively congregation at Rochdale. Formerly we had much trouble here; but it is past, and they now hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

Thur. 24. -About ten we began the service in the church at Todmorden, crowded sufficiently. I found uncommon liberty among these poor mountaineers. We had a pleasant road from hence to Burnley, where a multitude of people were waiting; but we had no house that could contain them. Just then the rain ceased, so we went into the inn-yard,[23] which contained them well; and it was an acceptable season, as indeed it was both the times[24] before when I preached at Burnley.

 

Fri. 25.[25]-In the evening I preached at Colne. This is the fifth rainy day we have had. However, the house was pretty well filled, and I strongly exhorted them that had left their first love to remember from whence they had fallen, to repent, and to do their first works.

 

Thursday 24

 

4 Prayed, letters, tea, conversed; 8.30 chaise; 10 Todmorden, within; 10.30 prayers, Acts xx. 20! 1 at brother Crosby’s, dinner, within, chaise; 3.45 Burnley, Jer. viii. 22! 5.30 chaise; 7 S[outh]field, prayed, in talk; 8 supper, conversed, prayer, on business; 10.

 

Friday 25

 

 4 Prayed, letters; 12.30 dinner, conversed; I Jo. iii. 7! letter, chaise, Colne, tea, conversed, prayed; 5.30 

 

         Rev. ii. 4! chaise; 8 Southfield, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Saturday 26

 

4 Prayed, letters; 8 tea, conversed, prayer; 9 chaise, [cipher]*; 12 Keighley, letters; 1 dinner, conversed; 2 letters; 4.15 prayed, tea, conversed; 6 Rev. ii. 4! society; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Sun. 27. -I preached at Haworth church in the morning, crowded sufficiently; as was Bingley church in the afternoon: but, as very many could not get in, Mr. Wrigley[26] preached to them in the street; so that they did not come in vain. In the evening we went on to Halifax.

 

Mon. 28. -The house in the evening was thoroughly filled with hearers that devoured the word.

 

Tues. 29.[27] -I was desired to preach in the church at Somersby,[28] four miles from Halifax. It stands on the brow of a high and steep mountain. Rich and poor flocked together to it, whom; exhorted to acquaint themselves with God, and be at peace.[29]

 

Sunday 27

 

4 Prayed, letters, tea, conversed; 8 chaise; 9 Haworth, within; 10 prayers, Jo. xvi. 27; 12 communion; 12.45 dinner, conversed; 2 chaise; 3 Bingley; 3.30 prayers, 1 Jo. iii. 8! 5 tea, conversed; 5.30 chaise; 7.30 Halifax, prayed, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Monday 28

 

     4 Prayed, letters, Journal; 7.30 tea, conversed, prayer, Journal; 12 walk; 1 dinner, conversed, texts; 4 

 

              prayed; 5 tea, conversed; 6 Mark iii. 35! society, on business; 8 supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

 

Tuesday 29

 

4 Prayed, sermon; 7.30 tea, conversed, prayer, sermon; 9 chaise; 10 at Mr. Stansfield’s, communion, Sowerby, prayers, Job xxiv. 21, chaise; 1.30 dinner, on business; 3.30 sermon, tea, prayed; 6 prayed, Isa. Iv. 6, society, supper, prayer; 9.30.

 

.

 

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.

 

Wed.30. -About eleven the service began at Honley.[30]  After the curate had read prayers to a large and serious congregation, I preached on ‘It is appointed unto men once to die.’ I believe many felt as well as heard the word. About six I preached at Huddersfield, 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.[31]

 

Wednesday 30

 

4 Prayed, Psa. xlvi. 3, 4, sermon, tea, prayer; 8.45 chaise; 11 [H]onley, sermon, prayers; I Heb. ix. 27, dinner, conversed, prayer; 3 chaise; 4 Hud[dersfield], sermon, prayed, tea; 6 Isai. !ix. 1, 2, society, chaise, Lo[ngwoo]d House, supper, conversed, prayer; 9.30.

---

 

[1] The Rev. William Weston. He was admitted sizar at St. John’s College, Cambridge, in 1728, and became a Fellow in 1735. He succeeded his father, Nathaniel Weston, as vicar of Empringham, Rutland, in the same year. In 1743 he became vicar of Campden, Glos, and held the living till his death in1791. The Dissertations was published in 1748, and was a sequel to his Enquiry into the Rejection of the Christian Miracles by the Heathens. See above, vol. vi. p. 99; W.H.S. vol. iv. 237; and Warburton's Letters, p. 280. We owe most of these particulars to the courtesy of the Master of St. John’s College, Cambridge.

 

.

 

[2] See Meth. Rec. Feb. 28, 1901.

 

[3] Of St. Peter’s. At the close of the public service a society meeting was held. Wesley’s address to the members has been preserved, at least in part:

 

I would advise you not to layout your money in superfluities. Get all you can, save all you can, but give all you can.

 

This advice he applied to his own financial affairs, quoting these words twice in his last account. book :

 

I used [said he] to be fond of pictures, containing Scripture pieces. At that time, I was one day walking in the streets of London, when I met an old servant. I was distressed to see her in such poor attire, Knowing I had put half a guinea in, my pocket, I put my hand in, intending to give it to her, that she might buy a new gown; but it was gone. Then I recollected that I had called at the stationer’s and laid it out in pictures. How much more good should I have done if I had given it to that needy woman!

 

Dyson’s  Meth. in Congleton, p. 105; also Hist. of Meth. in Macclesfield, p. 205.

 

[4]On April 4 he wrote from Maccles­field to Mrs. Charles Wesley a sym­pathetic letter explaining his absence at the time of his brother’s death, and his silence for eleven or twelve days: ‘To serve you, or your dear family, in anything that is in my power, will always be a pleasure’ (Tyerman’s Life of Wesley, vol. Hi. p. 527).

 

[5] He wrote from Macclesfield to Henry Moore in Dublin on ‘more pains’ with the soldiers; on the work which will not decay ‘if the people continue genuine Methodists’; on additional work since his brother’s death: ‘I have been threatened with blindness, but still you and I have two good eyes between us.’

 

In a postscript he adds: ‘My brother fell asleep so quietly that they who sat by him did not know when he died.’ (New ed. Wesley Letters.)

 

[6] Built for the Rev. David Simpson.

 

[7] On the 8th he wrote to Rev, Peard Dickinson from near Stockport (new ed. Wesley Letters).

 

[8] See above, July 17, 1787.

 

[9] Hill Gate.

 

[10] He wrote from Manchester to Mrs. Charles Wesley, advising her now to contract her acquaintance, retaining only a small and select number; also to Sally thanking her for an account of her father’s death ‘full and satisfactory.’ (New ed. Wesley Letters.)

 

[11] The Chetham Hospital and Library. Founded in the middle of the seventeenth century by Humphrey Chetham, its domicile, acquired by his executors, was the ancient hall of the Barons of Man­chester. The Library was the first free library in England.

 

[12] Rev. David Simpson of Macclesfield.

 

[13] He wrote to his nephew, Charles Wesley. See new ed. Wesley Letters. On the same day he wrote from Chester to Mr. Atlay. ‘My brother,’ he says, ‘never knew the value of Dr. Coke . . . . I have little fear for Sally; much hope for Charles, and some for Sammy. He certainly fears God. . . . Pray con­sult with T. Olivers where the additional sermons may be inserted’ (Meth. Rec. 1873, P. 31).

 

[14] On April 17 he wrote to Adam Clarke (Wesleyan Times, 1866).

 

[15] For Wesley in Warrington, see W.H.S. vol. viii. PP. 57 and 81, where in two articles the careful investigations of Mr. Arthur Mounfield, editor of the Independent Methodist Churches, are, with his permission, summarized.

 

[16]  It was on this occasion that the touching scene occurred which has been described by Jackson, Tyerman, and other writers. Wesley attempted to give out, as his second hymn,

 

Come, 0 thou Traveller unknown;

 

but when he came to the lines­-

 

My company before is gone,

 

                       And I am left alone with Thee,

 

the bereaved old man sank beneath emotion which was uncontrollable, burst into a flood of tears, sat down in the pulpit, and hid his face with his hands. The crowded congregation knew the cause. The singing ceased, and the chapel became a Bochim. At length Wesley rose again, and went through the service, which was never forgotten. (Tyerman’s Life of Wesley, vol. iii. p. 527). For the hymn as an exposition of a dramatic episode in Jacob’s life see Stanley’s Lectures on the Jewish Church, vol. i. p. 58. Charles Wesley’s obituary in the Minutes is remarkable. He takes his place as No. 5 in a little company of seven preachers who have entered into rest.

 

Mr. Charles Wesley, who, after spending four score years with much sorrow and pain, quietly retired into Abraham’s bosom. He had no disease; but, after a gradual decay of some months

 

‘The weary wheels of life stood still at last.’

 

His least praise was his talent for poetry;

 

although Dr. Watts did not scruple to say ‘that single poem, Wrestling Jacob, was worth all the verses he himself had written: Minutes of Conference, vol. i. p. 205 (large ed.).

 

[17] ‘In the Methodist Sunday school at Bolton-Le-Moors there are about eight hundred scholars, forty masters, and nearly as many assistants. They offer their services without fee or reward. The school began in the chapel. The children are changed already in manners and morals. They are taught to read and write. About one hundred are taught to sing. The masters impress them with the fear of God. Each class is spoken to separately every Sunday on the nature of religion.’ (Condensed from Arm. Mag. 1788, p. 489,) In his auto­biography Peter Haslam (Meth. Mag. 1805, p. 6) describes the Sunday school at Bolton and its remarkable success. He adds: ‘I was present the first Sunday this splendid institution began.’ And he thankfully acknowledges his own in­debtedness to the school.

 

[18] He wrote from Blackburn to Sally Wesley: ‘You did not send me those verses before. They were very proper to be his last as being worthy of one bought by the blood of the Lamb, and just going forth to meet Him’ (new ed. Wesley Letters).

 

[19] In Clayton Street.

 

[20] In W.H.S. vol. iii. p. 200, the Rev. T. E. Brigden contributes an interesting article on Haslingden, in which he quotes Wesley’s remarks on the roads to Black­burn, Padiham, and Haslingden. On this Mr. Brigden says:

 

It bas been estimated that 452 Acts for making and repairing roads bad been passed since 176., yet the engineering of roads remained a dead art in England.

 

He quotes Tram’s Social England, vol. v. p. 347:

 

When a blind carrier proposed to contract for a portion of new turnpike, his tender was accepted because it was the lowest; professional engineers did not accept such work. John Metcalf, or Blind Jack of Knares­borough, was a genius, and performed his contract admirably. In the following year Metcalf was the contractor for a new road­- Bury-Haslingden -Accrington -Blackburn - in which such hollows were filled and hills lowered to form a level as never was done before.

 

(Life of John Metcalf, E. and R. Peck, York, 1795.) The blind contractor completed his work in two years, and lost £40 by the transaction.

 

[21] Mr. John Holden, who came from London to reside on his estate at Cold­wells, near the town. He and his wife joined the society three years later. Mr. Holden died in 1794. He erected a cottage adjoining the chapel for the use of the preacher on his Round. The pulpit was entered from the cottage through a doorway in the wall. (W.H.S. vol. iii. p. 200.)

 

[22] On his arrival Wesley preached in the old market ground, from the horse­steps near the old Black Dog Inn, still standing. A crowd of roughs, headed by one wearing a garb, and having the appearance, of a gentleman approached to pull him down; but seven young men armed with stout sticks stood near to pro­tect him. One of these was John Rishton, a class-leader, then about twenty-five years of age. Wesley, however, addressed the roughs with coolness and dignity, and the service proceeded in peace. Before leaving Haslingden, John Rishton accompanied him to his carriage at the New Inn. The conveyance was not ready for some minutes after the appointed time. As they stood waiting under the archway -which still remains -Wesley remarked: ‘I have lost ten minutes, and they are lost for ever.’ John Rishton used to say afterwards, that, as he looked upon him seated in his carriage, his face was as the face of an angel. (W H.S. vol. iii. p. 201.)

 

[23] The inn-yard may have been that of the Thorn. There seems to have been an open space in front, which made a convenient place for preaching. A thorn­tree grew before the inn. Round it was a rude railing, and hard by it the riding­stone, which Wesley adopted as his rostrum. There was, however, another inn at Burnley-the Bull-at which Wesley seems to have generally put up his carriage. According to the testimony of the wife of Mr. Abel Bridge, of Lane Bridge, who was one of Wesley’s audience either on this or on the previous occasion in 1786 (see above, p. 156), the sermon lasted only twenty minutes. (B. Moore’s Methodism in Burnley, p. 57.)

 

[24] July 13, 1784, and April 18, 1786.

 

[25] On April 26 he wrote from near Colne to William Simpson (Tyerman’s Life of Wesley, vol. iii. p. 542).

 

[26] Francis Wrigley, who wrote an inter­esting letter to Wesley on Nov. 1, 1786 (Arm. Mag. 1798, p. 441). He was the Assistant at Blackburn.

 

[27] He wrote from Keighley to Rev. Peard Dickinson at City Road (new ed. Wesley Letters).

 

[28] St. Peter’s. Mr. Ogden, the curate, was a Methodist. It was his frequent custom to proceed from the church, at the conclusion of the afternoon service, to the Methodist preaching-house and listen with evident satisfaction to the sermons of the local preachers. See J. U. Walker’s Methodism in Halifax, P.176.

 

[29] At Sowerby lived the parents of Mrs. Margaret Wells, who died April 3, 1833, aged eighty years. In her youth Wesley and John Nelson were visitors at her home. She often heard them preach at Thirsk Cross, when they were pelted with offensive things. At the request of Mr. Nelson she spent some time with his wife, whom she found to be like-minded. She said that Mr. Nelson always prayed after meals with his family, or at any house where he might be. Her husband built the old Methodist chapel at Thirsk, and in the absence of the preacher used to conduct public worship. Two of her daughters and about twenty of her grandchildren were members of the Methodist society at New Brunswick. One of them was the wife of the Rev. John Snowball, Wesleyan missionary. (W.M. Mag. 1833, p. 750.)

 

[30] Honley in 1788 was in the parish of Almondbury, the mother-church. There were three curates: Thomas Sedgwick, William Hampson, and -- Alexander. ‘The latter appears to have left 

 

Almond bury early in the year, but his name reappears from time to time later, notably as officiating at the marriage of Mr. William Brook, merchant, and Miss Hannah Clapham, of Honley, in this parish.’ This suggests that he probably went to be curate in charge at Honley. No name of officiating minister is given in either baptisms or burials, and with the above exception the marriages are simply ‘of this parish,’ and offer no clue. The authority for this note, for which we are indebted to Rev. Henry J. Foster’s inter­leaved Journal, is the Rev. C. D. Harte, pro Rev. S. W. Scadding.

 

 [31]  The home of the Dysons.