the street was grievously cursing another, and praying God, "To blast his eyes." At that instant he was struck blind. So, I suppose, he continues ever since. Tuesday 11, The poor, little flock at Coventry have at length procured a neat, convenient room; only it is far too small as many of the people as could get in were all attention. How is the scene changed here also! I know not but now the corporation, if it had been proposed, would have given the use of the town-hall to me rather than to the dancing-master! In the evening I went on to Birmingham, and found the usual spirit in the congregation. They are much alive to God, and consequently increasing in number as well as in grace. Wednesday 12, At noon I preached in the new chapel at Derrington. To build one here was an act of mercy indeed, as the church would not contain a fifth, perhaps not a tenth of the inhabitants. At six I preached in our chapel at Birmingham, and immediately after, took coach to London. Thursday 13, We reached the town at two, and settled all our business on this and the two following days. Sunday 16, my heart was greatly enlarged in exhorting a very numerous congregation to Worship God in spirit and in truth. And we had such a number of communicants as we have not had before, since the covenant night. I suppose fifty, perhaps a hundred of them never communicated before. In the afternoon I buried the remains of Thomas Parkinson, (who died suddenly two or three days before) one of our first members, a man of an excellent spirit, and unblamable conversation. Monday 17, After preaching at West-street, where many were impressed with a deep sense of the presence of God, I took coach for Bristol. We had a delightful journey; but having the window at my side open while I slept, I lost my voice, so that I could scarcely be heard across a room: but before Wednesday morning (by applying garlic as usual) it was instantly restored. Thursday 20, I preached at the new room, on We have this treasure in earthen vessels. And the hearts of many, who had been vexed with needless scruples, were mightily refreshed. Friday 21, I walked over to Kingswood-School, now one of the pleasantest spots in England. I found all things just according to my desire; the rules being well observed, and the whole behaviour of the children shewing that they were now managed with the wisdom that cometh from above. Sunday 23, I preached in the morning on those words in the second lesson, Lazarus, come forth, and I believe, many that were buried in sin, heard the voice of the Son of God. In the evening I preached abroad on Matt. v. 22. In the middle of the sermon it began to rain, but not many went away. This put me in mind of that remarkable circumstance respecting the late Pope. On that solemn day, when the Pope rides on horseback to St. Peter's, a violent storm scattered his whole retinue: when it abated, his holi ́ness was missing, but they soon found him sitting quietly in the church. Being asked, "How he could ride through such a storm," he very calmly replied, “ I am ready to go, not only through water, but through fire also for my Lord's sake." Strange, that such a man should be suffered to sit two years in the papal chair! Tuesday 25, Our Conference began: about eighty preachers attended. We met every day at six and nine in the morning, and at two in the afternoon. On Tuesday and on Wednesday morning the characters of the preachers were considered, whether already admitted or not. On Thursday in the afternoon we permitted any of the society to be present, and weighed what was said, about separating from the Church. But we all determined to continue therein, without one dissenting voice: and I doubt not but this determination will stand, at least, till I am removed into a better world. On Friday and Saturday most of our temporal business was settled. Sunday 30, I preached in the room morning and evening; and in the afternoon at Kings wood, where there is rather an increase than a decrease in the work of God. Monday 31, The Conference met again, and concluded on Tuesday morning, Great had been the expectation of many that we should have had warm debates, but by the mercy of God we had none at all. Every thing was transacted with great calmness; and we parted, as we met, in peace and love. Tuesday, August 8, At seven, Mr. Brackenbury, Broadbent, and I, took coach for Harwich, which we reached about eight in the evening. Wednesday 9, between two and three in the afternoon we went on board the Besborough packet, one of the cleanest ships I ever saw, with one of the most obliging captains. We had many gentlemen on board, whom I was agreeably surprised to find equally obliging. Thursday 10, The wind continuing small, and the sea calm, they desired me to give them a sermon: they were all attention. Who knows but some among them may retain the impressions they then received! Friday 11, For some time we had a dead calm; so that we did not reach Helvoetsluys till the afternoon, nor Rotterdam till between ten and eleven at night. We found Mr. Loyal was not returned from a journey, which he had begun a week or two before: but Mrs. Loyal gave us a hearty welcome. : Saturday 12, Mr. Williams, minister of the episcopal church, and Mr. Scot, minister of the Scotch church, both welcomed me to Holland; but the kindness involved me in an aukward difficulty. Mr. Scot had asked the consent of his consistory, for me to preach in his church on Sunday afternoon but Mr. Williams had given notice of my preaching in his church, both morning and afternoon: and neither of them was willing to give up his point: I would fain have compromised the matter; but each seemed to apprehend his honour concerned, and would not in any wise give up his point. I saw no possible way to satisfy both but by prolonging my stay in Holland, in order to preach one Sunday, morning and afternoon in the episcopal, and another, in the Scotch church. And possibly God may have more work for me to do in Holland than I am yet aware of. Though Mr. Loyal, with whom I lodged when I was at Rotterdam before, was not in town, being gone with a friend to Paris, yet I was quite at home, and went on in my work without any interruption. Sunday 13, the service began about ten. Mr. Williams read prayers exceedingly well, and I preached on those words in the first lesson, How long halt ye between two opinions? All the congregation gave a serious attention; but I fear they only heard, but did not feel: but many seemed to be much affected in the afternoon, while I opened and applied those words, There hath no temptation taken you but what is common to men. In the evening Mr. Scot called upon me and informed me, "That the elders of his church would not desire me to stay in Holland on purpose to preach, but would dismiss my promise." I then determined to follow my first plan: and, God willing, to return to England in a fortnight. Monday 14, Taking boat at eight, we went at our ease, through one of the pleasantest summer countries in Europe, and reached the Hague between twelve and one. Being determined to lodge no more at inns, I went with Brother Ferguson to his own lodging, and passed a quiet and comfortable night. A few pious persons came to us in the evening, with whose spirits we quickly took acquaintance. I have not found any persons since we crossed the sea, who seemed so much devoted to God. Tuesday 15, Making the experiment when we took boat, I found I could write as well in the boat, as in my study. So from this hour I continued writing whenever I was on -board. What mode of travelling is to be compared with this! About noon we called on Professor Roers at Leyden, a very sensible and conversable man; as he spoke Latin very fluently I could willingly have spent some hours with him; but I had appointed to be at Amsterdam in the evening. We came thither between seven and eight, and took up our abode with William Ferguson, who continued to lodge us all with tolerable convenience. Wednesday 18, I spent the day very quietly in writing, and visiting a few friends, who knew not how to be affec tionate enough. In the evening I spoke to a little company at my own lodgings, on It is appointed to men once to die. Thursday 19, I breakfasted with a little company of truly pious people, and afterwards went to see the manner wherein the deacons of Amsterdam relieve their poor weekly. I suppose there were two or three hundred poor, but the whole was transacted with the utmost stillness and decency. To-day likewise I visited more of my friends, who shewed all possible affection. Friday 20, we went to Haerlem, and spent an agreeable day with a few agreeable friends. We lodged at Mr. Vancampen's, a florist, and were perfectly at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vancampen seemed deeply devoted to God, as much as any I have seen in Holland. In the afternoon we met a little company in the town, who seemed to be truly alive to God; one Miss Rouquet in par ticular, whose least recommendation was, that she could speak both Dutch, French, and English. She spent the evening at Miss Falconberg's, the chief gentlewoman in the town. Here we supped: the manner was particular. No table-cloth was used, but plates with knives and forks, and napkins to each person, and fifteen or sixteen small ones: on which were bread, butter, cheese, slices of hung beef, cakes, pancakes, and fruit of various kinds. To these were added, music upon an excellent organ, one of the sweetest tones I ever heard. Saturday 21, We took a walk in Haerlem wood: so delightful a place I scarcely ever saw before. I judged it to be about a mile broad, and two or three miles deep. This is divided into almost innumerable walks, some broad and some narrow, but diversified in a wonderful manner, and skirted with elegant houses on both sides. In the afternoon we returned to Amsterdam. In the evening Mr. Shranten, a bookseller (whose daughter had come with us in the boat to Amsterdam) an elder of the Holland's church, invited us to supper, and desired me to expound a portion of Scripture, which I did with liberty of spirit. Afterward Mr. Bracken |