Thursday 4, I was fully employed in answering a heap of letters. In the evening, the rain continuing, as it has done almost every day since we set out from Dublin, I was glad to accept of the meeting-house again, which was fuller than the evening before. Friday 5, we went a few miles out of our way to call at a small village, where abundance of people flocked to the church, and appeared to be quite ripe for the gospel so I preached on Now is the accepted time: now is the day of salvation. Thence we hastened on to Ballimena, where the rain did us no harm by driving us into the meeting-house, where a large congregation cheerfully heard the word that is able to save their souls. Saturday 6, The largest meeting-house I have been in was that which I preached in at Antrim: and the people behaved exceedingly well; the children as well as the rest. In the evening I was at the new chapel at Lisburn, the largest and best finished in the North of Ireland. Sunday 7, it was well filled at nine. We went to church a little before twelve, where the singing was admirably good; the clerk, who teaches them to sing, having been formerly a leader in our society. The day continuing stormy, I could not preach in the street, but we were glad to retreat into the linen-hall. Here was such a congregation as I have not seen since I came into the kingdom: but some things, called gentlemen, were walking to and fro and talking, during the greatest part of the sermon. If these had been poor men, probably they would have had common sense! The meeting of the society which followed, (at which we permitted many others to be present) was exceedingly solemn. The power of God fell upon many. I observed one gentlewoman in particular that wept and trembled exceedingly. I did not wonder therefore, that the room was filled at five, and that we had a parting blessing. Monday 8, We went on to Belfast. I had, at first, thought of preaching in the linen-hall; but the weather being very uncertain, I went to the heads of the large meeting-house to desire the use of it; which they granted in the most obliging manner. It is the completest place of public worship I have ever seen. It is of an oval form: as I judge by my eye, a hundred feet long, and seventy or eighty broad. It is very lofty, and has two rows of large windows, so that it is as light as our New-Chapel in London. And the rows of pillars, with every other part, are so finely proportioned, that it is beautiful in the highest degree. The house was so crowded, both within and without, (and indeed with some of the most respectable persons in the town) that it was with the utmost difficulty I got in; but I then found I went not up without the Lord. Great was my liberty of speech among them; great was our glorying in the Lord: so that I gave notice (contrary to my first design) of my intending to preach there again in the morning: but soon after, the sexton sent me word, "It must not be; for the crowds had damaged the house; and some of them had broken off and carried away the silver which was on the Bible in the pulpit." So I desired one of our preachers to preach in our little house, and left Belfast early in the morning. Tuesday 9, About eight I came once more to Newtown, where I had not been for eleven years, and preached at nine to a multitude of people in the Presbyterian meeting-house. All of them seemed to be not a little affected. God grant the impression may continue! From hence we had a pleasant ride to Portaferry, a pretty large sea-port town, and one of the quietest I ever saw, either in England, Scotland, or Ireland. Here likewise I preached in a large meeting-house, to a serious and well-behaved congregation, on Stand ye in the old paths, and many seemed determined to walk therein. Wednesday 10, We had twice or thrice as many people in the morning as our house would have contained. We had then a lovely passage to Strangford: but the question was, where to preach. I was inlined to preach in the open air, as I did eleven years ago, till the vicar called upon me, and after a little friendly conversation, asked me if I would not preach in the chapel. As we walked together through the street, the people gathered from every quarter, so that the church was over-filled, many being constrained to stand without the door: and greatly was the mighty power of God displayed in the midst of them. We came to Downpatrick before one. In the afternoon we viewed the venerable ruins of the Abbey. Great men have talked of re-building it, for many years: but none moves a hand towards it. At six I preached to a numerous congregation in the Grove, on How long halt ye between two opinions? Afterwards I met the society, now well established, and still increasing both in number and strength. Thursday 11, I preached in Rathfriland about noon, and before two set out for Tandragee: but in about half an hour, the iron part of my fore-axletree broke; so I walked forward with two of our brethren, which was easier than riding either of their horses: but before we came to Lock. Brickland, 1, my strength was so exhausted I was glad to stop at a little inn, and send to Bann-bridge, about two miles off, for a post-chaise. It came soon after six o'clock, and I set out immediately. I had gone about a mile, when Mrs. Lesley met me with her chaise, (who set out as soon as ever she heard that my chaise was broken down,) and took me with her to Tandragee. A multitude of people were waiting, (twice as many as were in the Green at Downpatrick :) when, finding no want of strength, I earnestly proclaimed, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Such a congregation I have not seen since I came into the kingdom; neither such a pleasing place, shaded with tall, spreading trees, near which ran a clear river: and all the people listened with quiet and deep attention, to drink of the water of life freely. Friday 12, I had a day of rest, in the same delightful grove, and preached on Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Saturday 13, I had another quiet day, to answer my letters and revise my papers. I think the evening congregation was the largest we have seen in the kingdom, and they all seemed to feel the application of these words, which God applied with uncommon power, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Sunday 14, I preached to as nearly as large a congregation at nine, on Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous. After preaching in the evening, I lodged at Killiman, and preached at seven in the morning at Mr. Caulfield's door. In the evening I preached in the Castle-yard at Dungannon, on There is one God, with the demonstration of the Spirit. It is a lovely place, and contained a large congregation. Tuesday 16, I preached in the street at Blackwater-town, on 1 Cor. x. 13. The word sunk deep into many hearts, for God was in the midst of the congregation. In the evening I preached once more to a multitude of people, in Mr. M'Gough's avenue: to whom I paid, probably, the last visit, as he is just tottering over the grave. Wednesday 17, I went on to Newry, and preached once more in the Presbyterian meeting-house, well filled with rich and poor. It was a blessed season: as it was nearly at five in the morning. Thurs. 18, about ten I began in the Marketplace at Dundalk: the congregation was large and exceedingly quiet. They were tolerably quiet at Drogheda in the evening, and deeply attentive at six in the morning. Friday 19, about eleven I preached in the street at Swords, and in the afternoon reached Dublin. Sunday 21, I preached and administered the Lord's-Supper in the conclusion of which : "The o'erwhelming power of grace divine," overshadowed the congregation. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I visited the classes, now containing a little above a thousand members, after I had excluded about a hundred. Thursday 25, I went on to Mrs. Tighe's, at Rosanna, near Wicklow, an exceedingly pleasant seat, deeply embosomed in woods on every side. In the evening I preached in the great hall, to about a hundred very genteel persons: I believe most of them felt as well as heard; some, perhaps, may bring forth fruit. Friday 26, After spending a quiet day, I went in the afternoon to Wicklow, and preached in the Court-house to a large congregation, civil, though unawakened enough: yet a few appeared to be deeply attentive; and I hope will seek the Lord while he is near. Saturday 27, we returned to Dublin by the Glen of the Downs, much resembling that which lies north above Keswick-Water. All this country is remarkably fruitful and pleasant, having, in many parts, a fine sea as well as land prospect. Sunday 28, In the conclusion of the morning service we had a remarkable blessing: and the same in the evening; moving the whole congregation as the heart of one man. This day I enter on my eighty-sixth year. I now find I grow old. 1, My sight is decayed, so that I cannot read a small print, unless in a strong light: 2, My strength is decayed, so that I walk much slower than I did some years since: 3, My memory of names, whether of persons or places, is decayed, till I stop a little to recollect them. What I should be afraid of is, if I took thought for the morrow, that my body should weigh down my mind, and create either stubbornness, by the decrease of my understanding, or peevishness, by the increase of bodily infirmities: but thou shalt answer for me, O Lord, my God. : Friday, July 3, Our little Conference began in Dublin, and ended Tuesday 7. On this I observe, 1, I never had between forty and fifty such preachers together in Ireland before all of them, we had reason to hope, alive to God, and earnestly devoted to his service: 2, I never saw such a number of preachers before, so unanimous in all points, particularly as to leaving the church, which none of them had the least thought of. It is no wonder that there has been this year, so large an increase of the society. Sunday 5, I desired as many as chose it of our society to go to St. Patrick's, being the first Sunday in the month. The Dean preached a serious, useful sermon; and we had such a company of communicants as I suppose had scarcely been seen there together for above a hundred years. Our house would not contain those that came in the evening: many of whom being little awakened, I preached on It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. On Monday and Tuesday we settled the rest of our business, |