side. While he was endeavouring to force it open, one told him, I was preaching in the garden. On this he quitted the door in haste, ran down the house, and with part of his retinue, climbed over the wall into the garden; and with a whole volley of oaths and curses declared, "You shall not preach here to-day." I told him, "Sir, I do not intend it; for I have preached already." This made him ready to tear the ground. Finding he was not to be reasoned with, I went into the house. Soon after, he revenged himself on James Glasbrook, (by breaking the truncheon of his halbert on his arm) and on my hat, which he beat and kicked most valiantly but a gentleman rescued it out of his hands, and we rode quietly out of the town, After preaching to several of the intermediate Societies in the way, on Saturday 14, I came to Tyrrel's-pass, and found several of our friends, who were come from various parts, Sunday 15, I preached at eight and at twelve, (there being no service at the Church.) A heap of fine, gay people, came in their post-chaises to the evening preaching. I spoke very plainly, but the words seemed to fly over them. Gallio cared for none of these things. Monday 16, I preached in the evening in the long shady walk in Eden-derry, to such a congregation as I had not seen there for many years. And God gave an edge to his word, both this evening and the next morning. He can work, even among these dry bones. Wednesday 18, I designed to preach in the Market-house at Portarlington; but it was pre-engaged for a ball. So I preached, and with much comfort, in our own Room; as also, at five in the morning. I preached at ten, for the sake of the gentry: but it was too early: they could not rise so soon, In the afternoon I rode to Mountmellick. The rain was suspended in the evening, while I exhorted a large congregation, to walk in the old paths. Many Papists appeared to be quite astonished: some of them almost persuaded to walk therein. The next evening I preached in the Market, place, for the sake of the rich, who could hear there, with out impeachment to their honour. And some were deeply affected. Surely the thorns will not choak all the good seed! Saturday 21, The congregation at Tullamore was nearly as large as at Mountmellick. At eight in the morning, Sunday 22, it was much increased, but much more at one. And I have reason to believe, that God at this time touched several careless hearts. I rode from thence to Coolylough, and found a congregation gathered from twenty miles round. It rained when I began to preach: but none offered to go away and God did indeed send a gracious rain upon his inheritance, and comforted the souls of his servants. Monday 23, Being the Quarterly-meeting, the Stewards from all the Country Societies were present, a company of settled, sensible men. Nothing is wanting in this Kingdom but zealous, active Preachers, tenacious of order and exact discipline. Tuesday 24, I took horse early, and at ten preached at Cloughan, about 24 miles from Coolylough. We afterwards rode through Longford, but did not stop, as the day was cool and pleasant. About two we were unawares encompassed with a multitude of Papists, coming out of their mass-house. One of them knowing me, soon alarmed the rest, who set up a hideous roar, and drew up in battle-array. But we galloped through them, and went on to Drumersnave, where I preached in the evening, and the next day, Wednesday 25, rode on to Sligo. Never did I see a fairer prospect of good than here: but blossoms are not fruit. As large, if not a larger congregation than before, was at the Market-place in the evening. I was exceedingly weary, having rode an extremely dull horse but I soon forget my weariness, seeing so many young and old, rich and poor, receiving the word with all gladness. Thursday 26, I preached at five in a large commodious room, which has been procured since I was here last. I breakfasted at Mr. A-'s, and dined at Mr. K-'s: but two such families I have seldom seen. They had feared God for many years, and served him in the best manner they * knew. Nothing was wanting but that they should hear the more excellent way, which they then embraced with all their hearts. Friday 27, Our morning congregation was doubled. Mr. D did not fail to be there, though it seemed strange to him at first, when mention was made of preaching at five in the morning. In the evening we had a still larger congregation, and, I believe, God applied his word. Some trembled, others wept. Surely some of these shall know, there is balm in Gilead. Saturday 28, at five the congregation was larger than ever it had been at that hour. After breakfast I rode out with Mr. K. and Mr. D., who, hearing I was ill mounted, desired me to make use of one of his horses, during my stay in Ireland. In the evening (it being market-day, so that the Market-house was full of people) I wrote a line to the Colonel, who readily gave me the liberty of preaching in the Barrack-yard. He likewise came to hear himself, as did several of the officers. It was a solemn conclusion of the happiest birth-day, which I have known for many years. Sunday 29, We had a solemn meeting of the Society at five. At eight I preached again in the Barrack-yard: and I did not observe a trifler there. They all seemed to hear as for life. To-day I saw an odd instance of the force of example. When we were at Church in the morning, scarcely any one either sung or stood at the Psalms; so that I was almost alone therein. But in the afternoon almost every one stood up: and most of them sung, or endeavoured so to do. After service I went directly to the Market-house, and enforced those solemn words, What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Mr. D had left us at six in the morning, in order to serve his cure. But about ten at night he came back, and was with me soon after four, importuning me to stay another day but as my journies were fixed, I could not do that, without disappointing several congregations. Now was the general call for the town of Sligo. And many did receive the word with joy. But the greatest part had no root in themselves. What fruit then could be expected from them? Monday 30, I have rarely seen so heavy rain in Europe, as we had in the way to Tubber-curraugh. I was quickly wet to my toe's end: but the day clearing, I was dry again in a few hours. We had a very large congregation at Castlebar in the evening: and many seemed almost persuaded to be Christians. O what does it avail, almost to hit the mark? Almost to escape the damnation of hell? Tuesday, July 1, We took horse about four: and it was well we did. For our seven and thirty Irish miles, so called, were little less than seventy English. I preached at a friend's house soon after three: and then procuring a fresh horse, about the size of a jack-ass, I rode on, with more ease than state, to Aughrim. Wednesday 2, we rode on to Eyre-court, where many threatened great things: but all vanished into air. I preached at ten in the Court-house: Col. Eyre was there, and several other persons of fashion. In the evening I preached at Birr, with more satisfaction than for several years; finding many more alive to God than ever, and provoking one another to love and to good works. I had purposed to set out early in the morning; but their love constrained me to stay a day longer. So I had leisure to complete the account of the Societies. At present the Societies in Connaught contain little more than two hundred members; those in Ulster, about two hundred and fifty; those in Leinster, a thousand. Friday 4, I took my ease, riding in a chaise to Limerick, where, on Saturday 5, ten of us met in a little conference. By the blessing of God we were all of one mind, particularly with regard to the Church. Even J- D— has not now the least thought of leaving it, but attends there, be the minister good or bad. On Tuesday 8, having settled all our little affairs, we parted in much love. Wednesday 9, I rode over to Killiheen, a German settlement, nearly twenty miles south of Limerick. It rained all the way, but the earnestness of the poor people made us quite forget it. In the evening I preached to another colony of Germans at Ballygarane. The third is at Court-mattrass, a mile from Killiheen. I sup pose three such towns are scarcely to be found again in England or Ireland. There is no cursing or swearing, no sabbath-breaking, no drunkenness, no ale-house in any of them. How will these poor foreigners rise up in the judgment against those that are round about them! Friday 11, I preached in the New-house at Clare, to a genteel congregation. What a contrast between these and the poor people at Killiheen! We had a still more genteel congregation, the next morning at nine in the Court-house at Ennis, to whom I spoke with all plainness. I did the same on Sunday morning: so if they hear no more of me, I am clear of their blood. I took my leave of them at Clare in the afternoon, and in the evening returned to Limerick. Wednesday 16, I rode to Newmarket, which was another German settlement: but the poor settlers with all their diligence and frugality, could not procure even the coarsest food to eat, and the meanest raiment to put on, under their merciful landlords! So that most of these, as well as of those at Balligarane, have been forced to seek bread in other places: some of them in distant parts of Ireland, but the greater part in America. Thursday 17, I met the Classes at Limerick, and found a considerable decrease. And how can it be otherwise, when vice flows as a torrent, unless the children of God are all life, zeal, activity! In hopes of quickening them, I preached at seven in the Old Camp, to more than twice the usual congregation: which the two next evenings was more numerous still, and equally attentive. I was well pleased to see a little army of soldiers there, and not a few of their officers. Nor did they behave as unconcerned hearers, but like men that really desired to save their souls. Sunday 20, I took my leave of that comfortable place, where some thousands of people were assembled. I have seen no such sight since I came to the kingdom. They not only filled all the lower ground, but completely covered the banks that surround it, though they stood as close as possible. I exhorted them to ask for the old paths, and walk therein, that they might find rest to their souls. We had afterwards a solemn meet |