CHAPTER XII. WHEN the business of the Conference was ended, Mr. Charles Wesley hastened to Cornwall, accompanied by Mr. Meriton, whom he calls his "friend and companion." They spent a few days at Bristol, preaching to the people, and enjoying much of the divine presence in their assemblies. On their arrival at Middlesey they found a fresh instance of the hateful spirit of persecution which was so extensively abroad in the country. "We set out," says Mr. Charles Wesley, "with our guide, John Slocome, a poor baker's boy, whom God has raised up to help these sincere souls; and not only to labour, but also to suffer for them. When the presswarrants came out, the world would not lose the opportunity of oppressing the Christians. He was taken, and by his own uncle dragged away to prison. They kept him a week, and then brought him before the Commissioners, who could find no cause to punish or detain him; being of Zaccheus's stature, and nothing terrified by his adversaries. They were obliged at last, notwithstanding all their threatenings, to let him go." John Slocome, the interesting youth here mentioned, whose low "stature" was a means of exempting him from a military life, afterwards became an Itinerant Preacher. He finished his course at Clones, in Ireland, in the year 1777; and is described by Mr. John Wesley as "an old labourer, worn out in the service of his Master." At Sticklepath Mr. Charles Wesley called upon some Quakers. He says, "My heart was drawn out towards them in prayer and love; and I felt, 'He that doeth the will of my Father, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.' We met an aged Clergyman, whom Mr. Thompson had sent to meet us, and found, in conversing, that he had been an acquaintance and cotemporary with my father. Upon Mr. Thompson's preaching salvation by faith, he had received the kingdom of God as a little child; and has ever since owned the truth in its followers. He conducted us to his house, near Trewint." The following selections from Mr. Charles Wesley's journal will show his spirit, and the success of his labours, during this visit in Cornwall :— "July 17th. I came by nine at night with Mr. Bennet and Meriton, through the pits and shafts, to our host near Gwennap. Here a little one has become a thousand. What an amazing work hath God done in one year! The whole country is alarmed, and gone forth after the sound of the Gospel. In vain do the pulpits ring of Popery, madness, enthusiasm. Our Preachers are daily pressed to new places, and enabled to preach five or six times a day. Persecution is kept off till the seed takes root. Societies are springing up everywhere; and still the cry from all sides is, 'Come, and help us!' "I preached near Gwennap to about a thousand followers of Christ, on, 'Fear not, little flock.' Love and joy appeared in their faces, such as the world knoweth not of. When I came to meet the society, I found almost the whole congregation waiting quietly without the door, longing to be admitted with the rest. I stood at the window, so as to be heard of all. I felt what manner of spirit they were of, and had sweet fellowship with them, and strong consolation. "July 19th. I found the same congregation at five, and pointed them to the Son of man, lifted up as the serpent in the wilderness. I spake to each of the society, as their state required. I breakfasted with one who was a fierce persecutor when I was last in the country, but is now a witness of the truth she so bitterly opposed. I preached at Crowan to between one and two thousand sinners, who seemed started out of the earth. Several hid their faces, and mourned inwardly, being too deeply affected to cry out. I concluded with a strong exhortation to continue in the ship, the shattered, sinking Church of England; and my brother Meriton, whose heart I spake, seconded and confirmed my saying. The poor people were ready to eat us up, and sent us away with many a hearty blessing. "We then set our faces against the world, and rode to St. Ives. Here the mob and Ministers together have pulled down the preaching-house; and but a fortnight ago went round in the dead of the night, and broke the windows of all who were only suspected of Christianity. We entered John Nance's house without molestation. Four of our sisters there, on sight of me, sunk down, unable to utter a word through joy and love: but they welcomed me with their tears. It was a solemn, silent meeting. In some time we recovered our speech for prayer and thanksgiving. I got an hour by myself in the garden, and was suffered to feel my own great weakness. Without were fightings; within were fears; but my fears were all scattered by the sight of my dear brethren and children. I rejoiced over them with singing; but their joy and love exceeded. We all rejoiced in hope of meeting Him in the air. The Spirit of glory rested upon the sufferers for Christ's sake. My brother Meriton added a few words to mine, and their hearts clave to him. Such a feast I have not had for many months. Even our Father's hired servants had at this time bread enough, and to spare. We laid us down in peace, and took our rest; for the Lord only made us dwell in safety. "July 20th. While I applied our Lord's most comfortable words, (John xiv. 1,) we were all dissolved in tears of joy, desire, love; and seemed on the wing to our heavenly Father's house. I walked through the town, to church, with Mr. Meriton. Our warm friend, the Curate, saluted us courteously, and none opened his mouth against us. Mr. Meriton's stature and band kept them in awe. Or, rather, the fear of God was upon them, restraining them, though they knew it not. We met at one, in obedience to our Church, and lifted up our voice for the remnant that is left. We tasted the blessedness of mourning, and doubt not, however God may deal with this sinful nation, but our prayers for Jerusalem will one day be answered. July 21st. While we were walking near the quay, our friend the mob set up a shout against us; and gave plain marks of their Cainish disposition, if permitted. Only one stone was cast at us. We passed through the midst of them, and set out for St. Just. I preached on the plain, and Our Lord rides on triumphant brother Meriton after me. July 22d. At nine I cried in the street, Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!' The word ran very swiftly. When God gives it, who can hinder its course? I had an opportunity of communicating with a sick brother, whence we all went to church. It was crowded with these schismatical Methodists, who have not all, it seems, left it through our means. The Curate is looked upon by his brethren as half a Methodist, only because he does not rail at us, like them. "I preached at Morva without, since I might not within, the church walls. I told a man who contradicted me, that I would talk with him by and by. A visible blessing confirmed the word. Afterwards I took my rough friend by the hand, carried him to the house, and begged him to accept of a book. He was won; excused his rudeness; and left me hugely pleased. "I preached at Zunnor, where very few hold out against the truth, notwithstanding the Minister's pains to pervert the right ways of the Lord. None are of his but who are evidently on Satan's side, even his drunken companions, whom he secures against the Methodists, and warns at the ale-house not to forsake the Church. I hastened back to Morva, and rejoiced over many who were lost, and are found. One hundred and fifty are joined in society, and continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. "July 24th. I preached near Penzance, to the little flock, encompassed by ravening wolves. Their Minister rages above measure against this new sect, who are spread throughout his four livings. His Reverend brethren follow his example. The grossest lies which are brought them, they swallow without examination, and retail the following Sunday. One of the society (James Duke) went lately to the Worshipful the Rev. Dr. Borlase, for justice against a rioter, who had broken open his house, and stolen his goods. The Doctor's answer was, 'Thou conceited fellow! art thou turned religious? They may burn thy house, if they will. Thou shalt have no justice.' With those words he drove him from the judgment-seat. "July 25th. I found the brethren at Morva beginning to build a society-house. We knelt down upon the place, and رواد prayed for a blessing. Before preaching at St. Ives I was so weighed down, that I would gladly have sunk into the earth, or sea, to escape my own burden. But God lifted me up by the word I preached, and filled us with a hope full of immortality. We looked through the veil of things temporal, to things eternal, and the mount of God, where we trust shortly to stand before the Lamb. Every soul did then, I believe, taste the powers of the world to come, in some measure, and longed for the appearing of Jesus Christ. "One of our sisters complained to the Mayor of some who had thrown into her house stones of many pounds' weight, which fell on the pillow within a few inches of her sucking child. The magistrate d-d her, and said, 'You shall have no justice here. You see there is none for you at London, or you would have got it before now.' With this saying he drove her out of his house. July 27th. I preached at Gulval, and admitted some new members, particularly one who had been the greatest persecutor in all this country. "July 28th. The last midnight assault upon our brethren, I am now informed, was made by the townsmen, and a crew that are here fitting out for privateers; who thought it prudent to make the first proof of their courage upon their own unarmed countrymen. They made their regular approaches with the beat of the drum, to take the poor people's houses by storm. But they were only permitted to batter them with stones, and endanger the lives of a few women and children. Woe be to the first French or Spaniards, who fall into the hands of men so flushed with victory! They only want the captain who drew upon me to head them, and then they would carry the world before them! "July 29th. I expounded Isaiah xxxv. at St. Just; and many hands that hung down were lifted up. From church I hasted to Morva, and preached to a vast congregation, on, 'Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.' At Zunnor I explained the parable of the sower. Brother Meriton added a few words much to the purpose. I concluded with exhorting them to meet God in the way of his judgments. We had our first love-feast at St. Ives. The cloud stayed the whole time on the assembly. Several were so overpowered with love and joy, that the vessel was ready to |