Mary Special, a young woman then in Tottenham Courtroad. She said, "Four years since, I found much pain in my breasts, and afterward, hard lumps. Four months ago, my left breast broke, and kept running continually. Growing worse and worse, after some time, I was recommended to St. George's Hospital. I was let blood many times, and took hemlock thrice a day; but I was no better, the pain and the lumps were the same, and both my breasts were quite hard, and black as soot: when yesterday se'nnight I went to Mr. Owen's, where there was a meeting for prayer. Mr. Bell saw me and asked, 'Have you faith to be healed?' I said, 'Yes.' He prayed for me, and in a moment all my pain was gone. But the next day, I felt a little pain again, I clapped my hands on my breasts, and cried out, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me whole.' It was gone and from that hour I have had no pain, no soreness, no lumps, no swelling, but both my breasts were perfectly well, and I have been so ever since.'

Now here are plain facts. 1, She was ill. 2, She is well, 3, She became so in a moment. Which of these can, with any modesty, be denied?

Tuesday 29, In order to remove some misunderstandings, I desired all the parties concerned to meet me. They did so; all but TM-d, who flatly refused to come. Is this only the first step toward a separation? Alas for the man! alas for the * people!

Thursday 31, We concluded the year as usual, with a solemn watch-night. O may we conclude our lives in the same manner, blessing and praising God!

Friday, January 1, 1762. We had, I believe, pretty nearly two thousand of the Society at Spitalfields, in the evening, where Mr. Berridge, Maxfield, and Colley assisted me And we found God was in the midst, while we devoted ourselves to him in the most solemn and explicit manner.

Saturday 2, I set out for Everton, in order to supply Mr. Berridge's Church in his absence. In my way I preached

N. B. These were the words I wrote at the time.

at Rood Farm, five and forty miles from London. Afterward, the moon shining bright, we had a pleasant ride to Everton. Sunday 3, I read prayers and preached morning and evening to a numerous and lively congregation. I found the people in general were more settled, than when I was here before. But they were in danger of running from East to West. Instead of thinking as many then did, that none possibly have true faith, but those that have trances or visions, they were now ready to think, that whoever had any thing of this kind, had no faith.

Monday 4, After preaching to a large congregation at Wrestlingworth, we rode on to Harston. I never preached a whole sermon by moon-light before. However, it was a solemn season of holy mourning to some; to others of joy unspeakable.

Tuesday 5, I preached at Harston at nine, and about eleven at Wiltstow, three miles farther, to a people just ripe for, Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy-laden. In the afternoon, we set out for Stoke, on the edge of Suffolk. As we rode through Haverhill, we were saluted with one huzza, the mob of that town having no kindness for Methodists. But all was quiet at Stoke: for Sir H. Awill suffer no disturbance there. The congregation came from many miles round: and God was in the midst of them. Their hearty prayers went up on every side, and many felt the answer to them.

Wednesday 6, The largeness of the congregation at five, shewed they were not forgetful hearers. I preached longer than I am accustomed to do: but still they were not satisfied. Many crowded after me into the dwelling-house. After speaking a few words, I went to prayer. A cry began, and soon spread through the whole company, so that my voice was lost. Two seemed to be distressed above all the rest. We continued wrestling with God, till one of them had a good hope, and the other was filled with joy and peace in believing. In the afternoon it blew a storm, by the favour of which we came into Haverhill quite unmolested. But notwithstanding wind and rain, the people crowded so fast into the

preaching-house, that I judged it best to begin half an hour before the time, by which means it contained the greater part of them. Although they that could not come in made a little noise, it was a solemn and a happy season.

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Thursday 7, Abundance of them came again at five, and drank in every word. Here also many followed me into the house, and hardly knew how to part. At nine, I preached at Steeple-Bumstead, three miles from Haverhill, to a considerably larger congregation and all were serious. Hence we rode for Barkway, four miles from Royston. The preaching-place was exceedingly large; yet it was well filled, and the people were wedged in as closely as possible. And many of them found, that God was there, to their unspeakable comfort.

Hence we rode to Barley, where I preached at one. A middle-aged woman dropped down at my side, and cried aloud for mercy. It was not long before God put a new song in her mouth. At six in the evening I preached at Melbourn. Here, too, God both wounded and healed. I laid hold, after preaching, on a poor backslider, who quickly melted into tears, and determined to return once more to him, from whom she had deeply revolted. Here I talked at large with one who thinks he is renewed in love. Perhaps he is: but his understanding is so small, his experience so peculiar, and his expressions so uncouth, that, I doubt, very few will receive his testimony.

Saturday 9, I rode to Potton. What has God wrought here, since I saw this town, twenty years ago! I could not then find a living Christian therein; but wild beasts in abundance. Now here are many who know in whom they have believed: and no one gives us an uncivil word! I preached at six to a very numerous and serious congregation. What have we to do to despair of any person or people?

Sunday 10, I preached at six in the morning to nearly the same congregation. I read prayers and preached, morning and afternoon, at Everton, and gave the sacrament to a large number of communicants. At four we took horse, and

reached Grandchester, a little before seven. Finding a little company met together, I spent half an hour with them exceeding comfortably and, through the blessing of God, I was no more tired when I went to bed, than when I arose in the morning. Monday 11, the house was thoroughly filled at five, and that with serious and sensible hearers. I was sorry I had no more time at this place : especially as it was so near Cambridge, from whence many gentlemen used to come, when any clergyman preached: but my work was fixed: so I took horse soon after preaching, and rode to a village called Botsam-lode, seven miles from Cambridge. Here a large congregation was soon assembled: and I had no sooner named my text, When they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both, then a murmur ran through the whole people, and many of them were in tears. This concern increased as I went on, so that none appeared to be unmoved. One just by me cried with a bitter cry: but in a short time she shouted for joy so did several others; so that it was not easy to tell, whether more were wounded or comforted.

Hence we rode to Lakenheath, and passed a comfortable night. Tuesday 12, just as we set out, the storm, which had been very high all night, brought on impetuous rain. It was a good providence, 1, That we had now a firm, sandy road, not clay and miry fields, as yesterday. 2, That the wind was behind us: otherwise I believe it would have been impossible to go on. It was often ready to bear away man and beast. However, in the afternoon we came safe to Norwich.

Wednesday 10, We rested from our labour. How can they who never labour, taste the sweetness of rest? Friday 15, I preached at Yarmouth. Saturday 16, I transcribed the Society at Norwich. But two hundred of them I made no account of, as they met in no Class. About four hundred remained: half of whom appeared to be in earnest. Tuesday 19, I rode to Bury, and was glad to find a little, serious company still: but there cannot be much done here, till we preach abroad, or at least in the heart of the town.

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We are now quite at one end; and the people will not come from the other till they have first tasted the good word. Thursday 21, I rode to Colchester, and found a quiet, loving, regular Society. After spending a day with them, on Saturday 22, I cheerfully returned to London.

Wednesday 27, I had a striking proof, that God can teach by whom he will teach. A man full of words, but not of understanding, convinced me of what I could never see before, that anima est ex traduce: that all the souls of his posterity, as well as their bodies, were in our first parent.

Friday, Feb. 5, I met at noon, as usual, those who believe they are saved from sin, and warned them of the enthusiasm which was breaking in, by means of two or three weak, though good men, who, from a misconstrued text in the Revelation, inferred, that they should not die. They received the warning in much love. However, this gave great occasion of triumph, to those who sought occasion, so that they rejoiced, as though they had found great spoil.

After preaching at Deptford, Welling, and Sevenoaks, on Tuesday and Wednesday I rode on to Sir Tho. I'Anson's, near Tunbridge, and between six and seven preached in his large parlour, which opens likewise into the hall. The plain people were all attention: if the seed be watered, surely there will be some fruit.

Sunday 14, I buried the remains of Thomas Salmon, a good and useful man. What was peculiar in his experience was, he did not know when he was justified: but he did know, when he was renewed in love, that work being wrought in a most distinct manner. After this he continued about a year, in constant love, joy, and peace. Then, after an illness of a few days, he cheerfully went to God. Monday 15, and the following days, I spent in transcribing the list of the Society. It never came up before to 2,400: Now it contains about 2,700 members.

Sunday 28, We had a peculiar blessing at Spitalfields, while I was enforcing, Now is the day of salvation.