The Journal of the Reverend John Wesley

19th June 1745. Tresmere church was filled within and without, while I preached on Rom. iv. '7. Here I took leave of a poor, mad, original enthusiast, who had been scattering abroad lies in every quarter. In the evening Mr. Thompson and Shepherd rode with me to St. Eath, and the next day to Redruth.

Being informed here of what had befallen Mr. Maxfield, we turned aside toward Crowan church-town. But in the way, we received information, that he had been removed from thence the night before. It seems, the valiant Constables who guarded him, having received timely notice, that a. body of five hundred Methodists were coming to take him away by force, had, with great precipitation, carried him two miles further, to the house of one Henry Tomkins.

Here we found him, nothing terrified by his adversaries. I desired Henry Tomkins to show me the warrant. It was directed by Dr. Borlase (age 49), and his father, and Mr. Eustick, to the Constables and Overseers of several parishes,requiring them to "apprehend all such able-bodied men as had no lawful calling or sufficient maintenance;" and to bring them before the aforesaid gentlemen at Marazion, on Friday, 21, to be examined, whether they were proper persons to serve His Majesty in the land-service.

21st June 1745. We rode to Marazion. (Vulgarly called Market jew.) Finding the Justices were not met, we walked up St. Michael’s Mount. The house at the top is surprisingly large and pleasant. Sir John St. Aubyn had taken much pains, and been at a considerable expense, in repairing and beautifying the apartments ; and when the seat was finished, the owner died ! About two Mr. Thompson and I went into the room, where the Justices and Commissioners were. After a few minutes, Dr. Borlase (age 49) stood up and asked, whether we had any business. I told him, "We have." We desired tobe heard, concerning: one whowas lately apprehended at Crowan. He said, "Gentlemen, the business of Crowan does not come on yet. You shall. be sent for, when it does." So we retired, and waited in: another room, till after nine o’clock. They delayed the affair of Mr. Maxfield (as we imagined they would) to thevery last. About nine he was called. I would have gone in then; but. Mr. Thompson advised to wait a little longer. The next information we received was, that they had sentenced him to go for a soldier. Hearing this, we went straight to the Commission-chamber. But the honourable gentlemen were gone.

They had ordered Mr. Maxfield to be immediately put on board a boat, and carried for Penzance. We were informed, they had first offered him to a Captain of a man-of-war, that was just come into the harbour. But he answered, "I have no authority to take such men as these, unless you would have me give him so much a week, to preach and pray to my people."

2nd July 1745. I preached in the evening at St. Just. I observed not only several gentlemen there, who I suppose never came before, but a large body oftinuers, who stood at a distance from the rest; and a great multitude of men, women, and children,beside, who seemed not well to know why they came. Almost as soon as we had done singing, a kind of gentlewoman began. I have seldom seen a poor creature take so much pains. Shes colded, and screamed, and spit, and stamped, and wrung her hands, and distorted her face and body all manner of ways. I took no notice of her at all, good or bad; nor did almost any one else. After wards I heardshewas one thathad beenbredaPapist; andwhen she heard we were so, rejoiced greatly. No wonder she should be proportionably angry,when she was disappointed of her hope.

Mr. Eustick, a neighbouring gentleman, came, just as I was concluding my sermon. The people opening to the right and left, he came up to me, and said, "Sir, I have a warrant from Dr. Borlase (age 49), and youmust go with me." Then turning round, he said, "Sir, are you Mr. Shepherd? If so, you are mentioned in the warrant too. "Be pleased, Sir, to come with me." We walked with him to a public-house, near the end of the town. Here he asked me, if I was willing to go with him to the Doctor. I told him, just then, if be pleased. "Sir," said he, "I must wait upon you to your inn; and in the morning, if you will be so good as to go with me, I will show you the way." So he handed me back to my inn, and retired.

23rd July 1748. On Saturday, the 23d of July last, there fell for about three hours, in and about Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map] in Derbyshire, a very heavy rain, which caused such a flood as had not been seen by any now living in those parts. The rocks were loosened from the mountains: one field was covered with huge stones from side to side. Several water-mills were clean swept away, without leaving any remains. The trees were torn up by the roots, and whirled away like stubble. Two women of a loose character were swept away from their own door and drowned: one of them was found near the place; the other was carried seven or eight miles. Hayfield church-yard [Map] was all torn up, and the dead bodies swept out of their graves. When the flood abated, they were found in several places. Some were hanging on trees; others left in meadows or grounds; some partly eaten by dogs, or wanting one or more of their members.

8th April 1755. Tues. 8. I had designed to go straight on to Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map]: but one from Ashbourn pressed me much to call there; which accordingly I did at seven in the morning, and preached to a deeply serious congregation. Seventeen or eighteen then desired to join in a Society, to whom I spoke severally, and was well pleased to find that near half of them knew the pardoning love of God. One of the first I spoke to was Miss Berisford, - a sweet, but short-lived flower!

Through much hail, rain, and wind, we got to Mr. B 's, at Hayfield, about five in the afternoon. His favourite daughter died some hours before we came; such a child as is scarce heard of in a century. All the family informed me of many remarkable circumstances, which else would have seemed incredible. She spake exceeding plain, yet very seldom; and then only a few words. She was scarce ever seen to laugh, or heard to utter a light or trifling word: she could not bear any that did, nor any one who behaved in a light or unserious manner. If any such offered to kiss or touch her, she would turn away and say, "I don't like you." If her brother or sisters spoke angrily to each other, or behaved triflingly, she either sharply reproved, (when that seemed needful,) or tenderly entreated them to give over. If she had spoke too sharply to any, she would humble herself to them, and not rest till they had forgiven her. After her health declined, she was particularly pleased with hearing that hymn sung: "Abba, Father;" and would be frequently singing that line herself, "Abba, Father, hear me cry."

7th April 1755. On Monday, April the 7th, without any struggle, she fell asleep, having lived two years and six months.

9th April 1755. Wed. 9. In the evening I preached at Manchester. The mob was tolerably quiet, as long as I was speaking, but immediately after, raged horribly. This I find has been their manner for some time. No wonder; since the good Justices encourage them.

10th April 1755. Thur. 10. I rode to Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map] again, to bury Mr. B 's child. Abundance of people were gathered together, and I found uncommon liberty in preaching. Who would have looked for such a congregation as this, in the Peak of Derbyshire?

I returned to Manchester the next day, and had a quiet congregation both that evening and the following.

13th April 1755. Sun. 13. I met the Society at five, and showed them wherein I feared they had grieved the Spirit of God, and provoked him to deliver them to be thus outraged by the beasts of the people. I then rode to Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map] once more, where Mr. B read prayers, and preached a solemn and affecting sermon, relative to the late providence. In the afternoon, I again found great liberty of spirit, in applying those awful words: "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? "

4th May 1757. Wed. 4. I rode over to Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map], and preached, at one, in the church, to a congregation gathered from all parts.