CHAPTER XIV.

MR. CHARLES WESLEY entered upon the year 1747 with a zeal which shunned no labour, feared no reproach, and met every form of opposition with meekness and unswerving fidelity. Much persecution he had already endured, in various parts of the kingdom, especially from misguided mobs, sometimes urged to deeds of violence by Clergymen, and even by Magistrates, as well as by their own misconception and hatred of the truth. Perils equally formidable still awaited him in various directions; yet he cheerfully went, in the name of his great Master, wherever the wants of the people required his aid, and the providence of God pointed out his way. From Newcastle he travelled to Lincolnshire, and was rudely treated at Grimsby, where he forced unwelcome truth upon the attention of many who were in love with error and sin.

“Jan. 6th, 1747. We got to Grimsby," says he, "by three, saluted by the shouting mob. At six I began speaking at the room; and the floods lifted up their voice. Several poor wild creatures, almost naked, ran about the room, striking down all they met. I gave myself to prayer, believing God knew how to deliver us. The uproar lasted near an hour, when I told the poor wretches that I shook off the dust of my feet against them. Several of them caught at me, to drag me down. Others interposed, and kept their companions off. I laid my hand on their captain; and he sat down like a lamb at my feet the whole time. One struck at me, and J. Crawford received my blow, which left on his face the mark of the Lord Jesus. Another of the rebels cried out, 'What, you dog, do you strike a Clergyman?' and fell upon his comrade. Immediately every man's hand was against his fellow. They fell to fighting and beating one another, till, in a few minutes, they had all driven one another out of the room. I then preached without molestation for half an hour, and walked into the next room. I stayed reading the Scrip

ture, while the rioters at the door cried they would come in, and take their leave of me. I ordered them to be admitted; and the poor drunken beasts were very civil, and very loving. One of the ringleaders, with a great club, swore he would conduct me to my lodgings. I followed him, and he led me through his fellows, to our brother Blow's. They threw but one stone afterwards, which broke the windows, and departed.

"Jan. 7th. All was quiet at five. I met the society, and expelled two disorderly walkers, by reason of whom the truth had been evil spoken of. Immediately the Lord returned to his people, and began reviving his work, which had been stopped among them some time. At eight I preached again, no man opposing. I heard an excellent sermon at church, it being the national fast-day. I preached repentance the third time at the room, where many of the rioters stood bound by the restraining hand of God. God never lets Satan shut the door in one place, but that it may be opened in another. The violence of our enemies at night drove us to preach in the neighbouring towns, where the seed fell into good ground.

"Jan. 8th. I preached at Grimsby in the morning, and strongly exhorted our society to adorn the Gospel of Christ in all things. At parting, our friend the rabble saluted us with a few eggs and curses only. At Hainton I set forth Jesus Christ before their eyes, as crucified. My congregation was mostly Papists; but they all wept at hearing how Jesus loved them.

"Jan. 9th. I talked severally with the little society, who are as sheep encompassed with wolves. Their Minister has repelled them from the sacrament, and laboured to stir up all the town against them. And they would have worried them to death, had not the great man of the place, a professed Papist, hindered these good Protestants from destroying their innocent brethren. By three I came safe to Epworth, and was received by Edward Perronet and the brethren as one alive from the dead."

From Epworth Mr. Charles Wesley went to Sikehouse, Leeds, Birstal, and Haworth. At the last of these places he preached in a large house, which was not sufficient to contain the people who came to hear; Mr. Grimshaw being afraid to

allow him the use of his church. He lodged, however, at the house of his "dear brother Grimshaw ;" and the next morning he says, "I told my host at parting, that he had feared where no fear was; there being no law, either of God or man, against his lending me his pulpit. He was much ashamed at having given place to his threatening enemies. I set out to preach in what were called William Darney's societies; and preached at different places, morning, noon, and night, with much freedom."

Mr. Charles Wesley next proceeded to Manchester, and thence to various places in Derbyshire, to Sheffield, Rotherham, Penkridge, Darlaston, Wednesbury, and London. At Sheffield, he says, "The rioters threatened much, but did nothing." Concerning some other places, he makes the following observations :

"Feb. 1st. I rode to Rotherham, where I had been stoned through the town, the first time of my passing it. I heard a curious sermon, of which I was the unworthy subject. The accuser of the brethren was very fierce indeed. I sat quite composed till he had concluded; then walked up to the table, expecting to be repelled, as he had threatened. I prayed the Lord to turn his heart; and he was not suffered to pass me by. From church I went to our brother Green's, and preached repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. Many of the principal people of the town were in a private room. The convincing Spirit went forth, and restrained the madness of the people. I departed in peace.

"I warned the hardened sinners at Sheffield, from those awful words, 'Except the Lord of hosts had left us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and like unto Gomorrah.' He filled my mouth with judgments against the people, except they repent, which I trembled to utter. So did most who heard, particularly some of our fiercest persecutors. I found relief and satisfaction in having delivered my own soul, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. I repeated my warning to the society; and believe they will escape into the ark before the flood comes.

"Feb. 2d. I never met with worse way and weather, than in riding to Penkridge. About eight at night I was taken down from my horse, and found the congregation just going. The Lord gave me strength from above, though I could

neither stand nor go, and held me up to call lost sinners to him. I rode the next day to Wednesbury.

"Feb. 5th. I baptized the child of a Dissenter, which their Minister refused to do, because the parents heard us. I preached at Darlaston, at the door of our brother Jones's house, which had been pulled down in the former riot. The persecutors in this place were some of the fiercest in Staffordshire. I saw the marks of their violence, and thereby knew our people's houses, as I rode through the town. Their windows were all stopped up, &c. The word was a two-edged sword. The ringleader of the mob was struck down, and convinced of his lost estate. I preached again with double power. The Minister's wife I had some talk with afterwards. Her husband has been, in the hand of God, an instrument of quelling the mob. They have been all quiet since their captain drowned himself.

"Feb. 8th. At Wednesbury I expounded Acts ii. 42. The word was sent home to many hearts. Feb. 10th, God brought me safe to London.

"Feb. 17th. I heard of our second house being pulled down at Sheffield, and sympathized with the sufferers. Every day this week our Lord has given testimony to the word of his grace.

"Feb. 23d. I set out with Mr. Meriton for Bristol. Feb. 24th, between three and four in the afternoon we came to Mr. Clarke's at the Devizes. I found his daughter there, our sister Taylor, (who has won him to Christ without the word,) and a sister from Bath. We soon perceived that our enemies had taken the alarm, and were mustering their forces for the battle. They began with ringing the bells backward, and running to and fro in the streets, as lions roaring for their prey. From the time my brother told me in London, There was no such thing as raising a mob at the Devizes,' I had a full expectation of what would follow; but saw my call, and walked with my brother Meriton and M. Naylor to a house where the society used to meet.

"The Curate's mob had been in quest of me at several places, particularly Mrs. Phillips's, where I was expected to preach. They broke open and ransacked her house, but not finding me, marched away to our brother Rogers's, where we were praying, and exhorting one another to continue in the

faith, and through much tribulation enter the kingdom. The chief gentleman of the town headed the mob; and the zealous Curate, Mr. Innys, stood with them in the street the whole time, dancing for joy. This is he who declared in the pulpit, as well as from house to house, that he himself heard me preach blasphemy before the University, and tell them, ‘If you do not receive the Holy Ghost while I breathe upon you, ye are all damned.' He had gone about several days, stirring up the people, and canvassing the gentry for their vote and interest; but could not raise a mob while my brother was here. The hour of darkness was not then fully come.

"While his friends were assaulting us, I thought of their ancient brethren, whom we read of Gen. xix. 4: Before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house about, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. And they called upon Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men that came unto thee this night? Bring them out unto us.' My own name I heard frequently repeated, with, Bring him out! Bring him out!' Their design was first to throw me into the horse-pond. They continued raging and threatening the first hour, and pressed hard upon us to break the door. The windows they did break to pieces, and tore down the shutters of the shop. The little flock were less afraid than I expected. Only one of our sisters fainted away; but beneath were the everlasting arms. Our besiegers had now blocked up the door with a waggon, and set up lights, lest I should escape. Yet a brother got out unobserved, and with much entreaty prevailed upon the Mayor to come down. He came, with two Constables, one a faithful brother, the other a persecutor, and threatened the rioters; but so softly, that none regarded him. It was the Lord who for the present rebuked the madness of the people. They hurried away from us to the inn, where our horses were; broke open the stable-door, and turned out the beasts, which were found some hours after in a pond, up to their chin in water. We were at a loss, meantime, what to do, when God put it into the heart of our next-door neighbour, a Baptist, to take us through a passage into his own house, offer us his bed, and engage for our security. We accepted his kindness, and slept in peace. “Feb. 25th. A day never to be forgotten! At seven I