in the evening preached at Aughrim, to a well-meaning, sleepy people. Sunday 13, I strove to shake some of them out of sleep, by preaching as sharply as I could. We had such a congregation at Church, as (it was said) had not been seen there for twenty years before. After Church, I preached to abundance of Papists as well as Protestants: and now they seemed to be a little more awake, About five in the afternoon I preached at Ahaskra, to a congregation gathered from all parts. .O what a harvest might be in Ireland, did not the poor Protestants hate Christianity, worse than either Popery or Heathenism ! · Monday 14, I rode to Birr. The number of people that assembled here in the evening, and at five in the morning, and their serious attention, gave me some hope, that there will more good be done even in this place. Wednesday 16, at eleven I preached in the Assembly-room at Nenagh, and in the evening at Limerick. Thursday 17, the Church was full at five and one may truly say, it was full of the presence of God. The evening was cold and blustering, so that I was obliged to preach in the house, though there was by no means room for the congregation. I afterward told the Society freely and plainly of their faults. They received it as became men fearing God. Friday 18, I dined at Killmallock, once a flourishing · city, now a vast heap of ruins. In the afternoon we called at Killdorrery. A Clergyman was there a little before us, who would talk with me whether I would or not. After an hour's conversation, we parted in love. But our stay here made it so late before we reached Rathcormuck, that I could not well preach that evening. Saturday 19, I preached about eleven, and in the afternoon rode on to Cork. About nine in the evening I came to Alderman Pembrock's, Sunday 20, understanding the usual place of preaching would by no means contain those who desired to hear, about eight I went to Hammond's Marsh. The congregation was large, and deeply attentive. A few of the rabble gathered at a distance; but by little and little they drew near, and mixed with the congregation: so that I have seldom seen a more quiet and orderly assembly at any Church in England or Ireland. In the afternoon, a report being spread abroad, that the Mayor designed to hinder my preaching on the Marsh in the evening, I desired Mr. Skelton and Mr. Jones to wait upon him, and enquire concerning it. Mr. Skelton asked, “If my preaching there would be disagreeable to him;" adding, “Sir, if it would, Mr. Wesley will not do it." He replied warmly, "Sir, I'll have no mobbing." Mr. Skelton said, "Sir, there was none this morning." He answered, "There was. Are there not Churches and Meetinghouses enough? I will have no more mobs and riots." Mr. Skelton replied, "Sir, neither Mr. Wesley, nor they that heard him, made either mobs or riots." He answered plainly, "I will have no more preaching: and if Mr. Wesley attempts to preach, I am prepared for him.” I began preaching in our own house soon after five, Mr. Mayor meantime was walking in the 'Change, and giving orders to the town-drummers, and to his Serjeants—doubtless to go down and keep the peace! They accordingly came down to the house, with an innumerable mob attending them. They continued drumming, and I continued preaching, till I had finished my discourse. When I came out, the mob immediately closed me in. Observing one of the Serjeants standing by, I desired him to keep the King's peace but he replied, "Sir, I have no orders to do that." As soon as I came into the street, the rabble threw whatever came to hand. But all went by me, or flew over my head; nor do I remember that one thing touched me. I walked on straight through the midst of the rabble, looking every man before me in the face; and they opened on the right and left, till I came near Dant's-bridge. A large party had taken possession of this, one of whom was bawling out, "Now, hey for the Romans!" When I came up, they likewise shrunk back, and I walked through them to Mr. Jenkins's house. But a Papist stood just within the door, and endeavoured to hinder my going in; till one of the mob (I suppose aiming at me, but missing) knocked her down flat. I then went in, and God restrained the wild beasts, so that not one attempted to follow me. But many of the congregation were more roughly handled; particularly Mr. Jones, who was covered with dirt, and escaped with his life almost by miracle. The main body of the mob then went to the house, brought out all the seats and benches, tore up the floor, the door, the frames of the windows, and whatever of wood-work remained; part of which they carried off for their own use, and the rest they burned in the open street. Finding there was no probability of their dispersing, I sent to Alderman Pembrock, who immediately desired Mr. Alderman Winthrop, his nephew, to go down to Mr. Jenkins: with whom I walked up the street, none giving me an unkind or disrespectful word. Monday 21, I rode on to Bandon. From three in the afternoon till past seven, the mob of Cork marched in grand procession, and then burned me in effigy near Dant's-bridge. While they were so busily employed, Mr. Haughton took the opportunity of going down to Hammond's-marsh. He called at a friend's house there; where the good woman in great care, locked him in. But observing many people were met, he threw up the sash, and preached to them out of the window. Many seemed deeply affected, even of those who had been persecutors before. And they all quietly retired to their several homes, before the mob was at leisure to attend them. Tuesday 22, The mob and drummers were moving again, between three and four in the morning. The same evening they came down to the Marsh, but stood at a distance from Mr. Stockdale's house, till the drums beat, and the Mayor's Serjeant beckoned to them, on which they drew up, and began the attack. The Mayor being sent for, came with a party of soldiers, and said to the mob, "Lads, once, twice, thrice, I bid you go home. Now I have done." He then went back, taking the soldiers with him. On which the mob, pursuant to their instructions, went on and broke all the glass, and most of the window-frames in pieces.. Wednesday 23, The mob was still patrolling the streets, abusing all that were called Methodists, and threatening to murder them, and pull down their houses, if they did not leave this way. Thursday 24, they again assaulted Mr. Stockdale's house, broke down the boards he had nailed up against the windows, destroyed what little remained of the window frames and shutters, and damaged a considerable part of his goods. Friday 25, One Roger O'Ferrall fixed up an Advertisement at the public Exchange, that he was ready to head any mob, in order to pull down any house that should dare to harbour a Swadler (a name given to Mr. Cennick first, by a Popish Priest, who heard him speak of a child wrapped in swadling clothes; and probably did not know the expression was in the Bible, a book he was not much acquainted with.) All this time God gave us great peace at Bandon, notwithstanding the unwearied labours, both public and private, of good Dr. B-, to stir up the people. But on Saturday 26, many were under great apprehensions of what was to be done in the evening. I began preaching in the main street at the usual hour, but to more than twice the usual congregation. After I had spoke about a quarter of an hour, a Clergyman, who had planted himself near me, with a very large stick in his hand, according to agreement, opened the scene. (Indeed, his friends assured me, "he was in drink, or he would not have done it.") But before he had uttered many words, two or three resolute women, by main strength, pulled him into a house, and, after expostulating a little, sent him away through the garden. But here he fell violently on her that conducted him, not in anger, but love, (such as it was) so that she was constrained to repel force by force, and cuff him soundly, before he would let her go. The next champion that appeared was one Mr. M., a young gentleman of the town. He was attended by two others, with pistols in their hands. But his triumph too was but short for some of the people quickly bore him away, though with much gentleness and civility. The third came on with far greater fury: but he was encountered by a butcher of the town, (not one of the Methodists) who used him as he would an ox, bestowing one or two hearty blows upon his head. This cooled his courage, especially as none took his part. So I quietly finished my discourse. Sunday 27, I wrote to the Mayor of Cork, as follows ;— 66 MR. MAYOR, : "AN hour ago I received A Letter to Mr. Butler,' just reprinted at Cork, The Publishers assert, 'It was brought down from Dublin, to be distributed among the Society but Mr. Wesley called in as many as he could,' Both these assertions are absolutely false. I read some lines of that Letter when I was in Dublin; but never read it over before this morning. Who the Author of it is I know not: but this I know, I never called in one, neither concerned myself about it; much less brought any down to distribute among the Society. "Yet I cannot but return my hearty thanks to the gentlemen who have distributed them through the town. I believe it will do more good than they are sensible of. For though I dislike its condemning the Magistrates and Clergy in general, (several of whom were not concerned in the late proceedings) yet I think the reasoning is strong and clear : and that the facts referred to therein are not at all misrepresented, will sufficiently appear in due time. "I fear God, and honour the King, I earnestly desire to be at peace with all men. I have not willingly given any offence, either to the Magistrates, the Clergy, or any of the inhabitants of the City of Cork: neither do I desire any thing of them, but to be treated (I will not say as a Clergyman, a Gentleman, or a Christian, but) with such |
