"I got once more to our dear Colliers at Wednesbury. Here the seed has taken root, and many are added to the church. A Society of more than three hundred, are seeking full redemption in the cleansing blood of Christ. The enemy rages exceedingly, and preaches against them. A few here have returned railing for railing; but the generality have behaved as the followers of Christ Jesus. May 21st, I spent the morning in conference with several who have received the atone-ment under my brother's ministry. I saw the piece of ground to build a chapel upon, given us by a Dissenter. I walked with many of our brethren to Walsal, singing as we went. We were received with the old complaint, Behold these that turn the world upside down, are come hither also. We walked through the town, amidst the noisy greetings of our enemies. I stood on I stood on the steps of the market-house. An host of men came against us; and they lifted up their voice and raged horribly. I preached from these words, "But none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy," &c. The street was full of fierce Ephesian beasts, (the principal man setting them on) who roared, and shouted, and threw stones incessantly. At the conclusion a stream of ruffians was suffered to beat me down from the steps; I rose, and having given the blessing, was beat down again, and so a third time. When we had returned thanks to the God of our salvation, I then from the steps bid them depart in peace, and walked through the thickest of the rioters. They reviled us, but had no commission to touch a hair of our heads. May 22d, I preached to between one and two thousand peaceable people, at Birmingham, and again at Wednesbury in the evening. On the 23d, I took my leave in those words, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and ex horting horting them to continue in the faith; and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven. With many tears and blessings, they sent me away, recommended to the grace of God.” May 24th, Mr. Wesley reached Nottingham, having preached at two or three places in his way thither from Wednesbury. At two o'clock, he went to the MarketCross, and proclaimed the Saviour of all men; and in the evening expounded, at their request, to Mr. Howe's Society. The next day he was at the Cross again; he observes, "There was not a breath of opposition, but a storm must follow this calm. Several persons joined me at the inn, in prayer and thanksgiving. One gave me a kind caution, for which I sincerely thanked him. "Mr. Rogers did run well, and preached the truth, as you do here; but what a sad end has he made of it! Take care you do not leave the Church like him." In the afternoon I came to the flock in Sheffield, who are as sheep among wolves; the Minister having so stirred up the people, that they are ready to tear the Methodists in pieces. At six o'clock, I went to the Society house, next door to our brother Bennet's. Hell from beneath was moved to oppose us. As soon as I was in the desk, with David Taylor, the floods began to lift up their voice. An officer in the army, contradicted and blasphemed. I took no notice of him, but sang on. The stones flew thick, striking the desk and the people. To save them, and the house from being pulled down, I gave out, that I should preach in the street, and look them in the face. The whole army of the alien Chaldeans followed me. hold on me, and began rioting: I gave him for answer, A word in season, or advice to a Soldier. I then ed, particularly for his Majesty King George, and preached the gospel with much contention. The The captain laid pray stones stones often struck me in the face. I prayed for sinners, as servants of their master, the Devil; upon which the captain ran at me with great fury, threatening revenge for abusing, as he called it, "The King his master." He forced his way through the brethren, drew his sword, and presented it to my breast. I immediately opened my breast, and fixing my eye on his, and smiling in his face, calmly said, "I fear God and honour the King." His countenance fell in a moment; he fetched a deep sigh, and putting up his sword, quietly left the place. He had said to one of the company who afterwards informed me, "You shall see if I do but hold my sword to his breast, he will faint away." So perhaps I should, had I only his principles to trust to; but if at that time I was not afraid, no thanks to.my natural courage.-We returned to our brother Bennet's, and gave ourselves up to prayer. The rioters followed, and exceeded in outrage, all I have seen before. Those at Moorfields, Cardiff, and Walsal, were lambs to these. As there is no King in Israel, I mean no Magistrate in Sheffield, every man doth as seemeth good in his own eyes."-The mob now formed the design of pulling down the Society house, and set upon their work, while Mr. Wesley and the people were praying and praising God within. "It was a glorious time, (says he) with us: every word of exhortation sunk deep, every prayer was sealed, and many found the spirit of glory resting upon them."-The next day the house was completely pulled down, not one stone being left upon another: "Nevertheless, (said Mr. Wesley to a friend) the foundation standeth sure, and our house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."-This day he preached again in the street, somewhat more quietly than before. In the evening the rioters became very noisy again, and threatened to pull down the house where where Mr. Wesley lodged. He went out to them; read the Riot-Act, and made a suitable exhortation, and they soon afterwards separated, and peace was restored. May 27th. At five in the morning, he took leave of the Society in these words, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. He observes, "Our hearts were knit together, and greatly comforted: we rejoiced in hope of the glorious appearing of the great God, who had now delivered us out of the mouth of the lions. David Taylor informed me, that the people of Thorpe, through which we should pass, were exceedingly mad against us. So we found them as we approached the place, and were turning down the lane to Barley-hall. The ambush rose, and assaulted us with stones, eggs, and dirt. My horse flew from side to side, till he found his way through them. They wounded D. Taylor in the forehead, and the wound bled much. I turned back, and asked, what was the reason, a Clergyman could not pass without such treatment? At first the rioters scattered, but their captain rallying them, answered with horrible imprecations and stones. My horse took fright, and turned away with me down a steep hill. The enemy pursued me from afar, and followed shouting. Blessed be God, I received no hurt, only from the eggs and dirt. My clothes indeed abhorred me, and my arm pained me a little from a blow I received at Sheffield."-This conduct is undoubtedly disgraceful to humanity: I hope the present inhabitants of these towns will endeavour to retrieve their character, by a peaceable and obliging behaviour on all occasions. Mr. Wesley now spent an hour or two, with some quiet sincere persons, assem bled bled at Barley-Hall. By four o'clock in the afternoon he reached Birstal, a land of rest. Here they had peace in all their borders. Great multitudes were bowed down, by the victorious power of gospel truth. “It was (says Mr. Wesley) a time much to be remembered, for the gracious rain, wherewith our God refreshed us.”—The next day he preached again, in the morning and at noon, to this child-like people, and again in the afternoon at Ormsby, in his way to Leeds. May 29th, he informs in his Journal, that, not a year before, he had come to Leeds, and found no man who cared for the things of God: "But (he observes) a spark has now fallen in this place also, and it will kindle a great flame. I met the infant Society, about fifty in number, most of them justified, and exhorted them to walk circumspectly. At seven o'clock, I stood before Mr. Shent's door, and cried to thousands, lo! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the water. The word took place. They gave diligent heed to it, and seemed a people prepared for the Lord. I went to the great church, and was shewed to the Minister's pew. Five Clergymen were there, who a little confounded me, by making me take place of my elders and betters. They obliged me to help in administering the sacrament. I assisted with eight more Ministers, for whom my soul was much drawn out in prayer. But I dreaded their favour, more than the stones at Sheffield."-What Mr. Wesley here speaks respecting the Clergymen present, must not be understood as implying either disrespect or reproach. If he had any fault in his judgment of the Clergy, it was that he thought too highly of the Clerical office. The fear which he here speaks of, concerned himself only. He was fully convinced, that the manner in which he now preached the Gospel, was not contrary to any written law of God or man: from the |