| February 1746
Mon. 10. I preached at Paulton; on Thursday noon, at Shepton-Mallet;
and at Oak-Hill in the evening. The next morning I walked (it being
scarce possible to ride, because of the frost) to Coleford.
July 1750
Mon. 30. I set out for Shaftesbury. The rain began when we set
out, which a strong wind drove full in our faces. It did not stop for
five hours, so that I was well drenched to the very soles of my feet; so
I was very willing to stop at Shepton-Mallet. The next morning we came
to Shaftesbury.
September 1753
Mon. SEPTEMBER 3. I began visiting the little societies in
Somersetshire and Wiltshire. This evening I preached at Shepton-Mallet,
and found much life among the poor, plain people. It was not so at
Oakhill, the next day, where many once alive have drawn back to
perdition. But at Coleford, in the evening, I found many living souls,
though joined with some who did not adorn the Gospel.
October 1755
Mon. 13. I preached, about noon, at Shepton-Mallet, and in the
evening at Coleford; where the congregation is so increased, that they
must enlarge the House.
October 1762
Fri. OCTOBER 1. I preached at Taunton and Shepton-Mallet, and on
Saturday, 2, rode on to Bristol.
The next week I went to many of the societies in Somersetshire.
Monday, 25. I preached at one, in the shell of the new House at Shepton-Mallet.
In digging the foundation they found a quarry of stone, which was more
than sufficient for the House. Thence I rode to Wincanton. The rain
prevented my preaching abroad; so I willingly accepted the offer of a
large meeting-house, where I preached to a crowded audience, with much
satisfaction; and again at seven in the morning. Abundance of rain fell
in the night; so that in the morning we were blocked up; the river which
runs by the side of the town not being fordable. At length we made a
shift to lead our horses over the foot-bridge. I preached at Coleford
about noon, and at Bristol in the evening.
September 1763
Wed. 7. I preached at Pensford about eight, and it began raining
almost as soon as I began preaching; but I think none went away. At noon
I preached at Shepton-Mallet, to a numerous, nay, and serious,
congregation; and about six in a meadow at Wincanton. I suppose this was
the first field preaching which had been there. However, the people were
all quiet, and the greater part deeply attentive.
September 1764
Mon. 10. I rode to Shepton-Mallet, and preached at noon, on, One
thing is needful. Only one man, a common disturber, behaved amiss. I
was constrained to rebuke him sharply. All the people turned their eyes
upon him; and for once he was ashamed. In the evening I preached at
Bayford, near Wincanton, and at seven in the morning.
October 1765
Thur. 19. I rode to Tiverton, and preached to a deeply serious
congregation. Friday, 20. I preached at noon in Hillfarrance, near
Taunton, where I had not been for fifteen years. Saturday, 21. I
preached about noon at Shepton-Mallet, and then went on to Bristol.
August 1766
Fri. 29. In my way to Cornwall, I preached at Shepton-Mallet at
nine, in Wincanton at one. I was thoroughly tired before we came to
Shaftesbury:
September 1768
Tuesday, 27. I preached in Pensford at eight; in Shepton-Mallet at
one; and at Wincanton in the evening, with far greater freedom than I
used to find among that dead people.
October 1769
Mon. 9. I preached at Bristol, Pensford, Shepton Mallet; and in
the evening at Wincanton. The people here had just as much feeling as
the benches on which they sat.
October 1770
Mon. 8. I preached at Pensford and Shepton-Mallet in my way to
Wincanton, one of the dullest places in all the county. I preached on
Death in the evening, and Hell in the morning. Tuesday, 9. It seemed,
these were the very subjects they wanted. I never saw this careless
people so much affected before.
October 1771
Mon. 30. I took leave of Bristol for the present; and, having
preached at Pensford and Shepton-Mallet in the way, came to Shaftesbury;
and preached to a numerous congregation, but wonderfully unconcerned. I
scarce know a town in England where so much preaching has been to so
very little purpose.
November 1773
Mon. 4. I went, by Shepton-Mallet, to Shaftesbury, and on Tuesday
to Salisbury.
September 1776
Saturday, 7. About noon I stood upon the Cross, at Bruton, and
proclaimed the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many seemed to be
astonished; all were quiet; and a few deeply affected. In the evening I
preached at Shepton-Mallet; where the people in general appeared to be
more serious, ever since the late terrible riot, in which two of them
were killed. On Saturday I went on to Bristol.
September 1779
Thursday, 16, at Shepton-Mallet. Here also, as well as at Paulton,
(the two most unlikely places in the Circuit,) a spreading flame is
kindled. I preached at Coleford in the evening. Among this plain, simple
people, the power of God is always present.
September 1781
Mon. 10. I preached at Paulton and Shepton-Mallet to a lively,
increasing people in each place.
September 1782
Mon. 9. About nine I preached at Paulton, where the flame is
abated, but not quenched. The same is the case at Shepton-Mallet, where
I preached in the evening.
September 1784
Tues. 14. I preached at Bath and Bradford; Wednesday, 15, at
Trowbridge and Frome. Thursday, 16. I went to Ditchet, a village near
Castle-Carey, where I found a friendly, hospitable family. I preached in
the evening to a numerous and earnest congregation. Friday, 17. The
House would not contain half the people. Hence we passed through a
delightful country to the Nunnery, a mere elegant trifle, near King
Alfreds Tower; a lofty, triangular building, standing in the height
of the country, on the very spot (as is supposed) where he drew up his
army against the Danes. About eleven I preached at Castle-Carey, to a
quiet and attentive multitude. In the evening I preached at Shepton-Mallet,
where the people at length know the day of their visitation. Saturday,
18. I preached in the neat, cheerful church at Midsummer-Norton.
August 1785
Mon. 15. I preached in Shaftesbury at nine, to such a
congregation as I had not seen there before. I was glad to see among
them the gentleman who, thirty years ago, sent his Officer to discharge
me from preaching in his borough. About two I preached at Castle-Carey,
to as many as could well hear; and I believe there were very few who did
not feel that God was with us. In the evening I preached at Shepton-Mallet,
but the House would not near contain the congregation. For many years
this society was remarkably dead; but it is now one of the liveliest in
England.
September 1787
Thur. 27. About noon I preached at Castle-Carey. How are the
times changed! The first of our Preachers that came hither, the zealous
mob threw into the horse-pond: Now high and low earnestly listen to the
word that is able to save their souls. In the evening I preached at
Ditcheat. Friday, 28. I preached at Ditcheat again, at Shepton-Mallet;
and at Pensford to such a congregation as I have not seen there for many
years; and on Saturday returned to Bristol.
September 1788
Tues. 9. I saw the large church at Midsummer-Norton thoroughly
filled with serious hearers. The Room at Shepton-Mallet, though greatly
enlarged, could in nowise contain the congregation. At five in the
morning Wednesday, 10, it was thoroughly filled.
August 1790
About noon I preached to a lovely congregation at Shepton Mallet; and
in the evening at Pensford. The House was crowded with earnest hearers,
and I trust the word did not fall to the ground.
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| August 1743
Fri. 26. I set out
for Cornwall. In the evening I preached at the Cross in Taunton, on, The
kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost. A poor man had posted himself behind, in order
to make some disturbance: But the time was not come; the zealous
wretches who deny the Lord that bought them, had not yet stirred
up the people. Many cried out, Throw down that rascal there: Knock
him down: Beat out his brains: So that I was obliged to intreat for
him more than once, or he would have been but roughly handled.
September 1743
Thur 22 - In the evening I came to Exeter, and preached in the
Castle; and again at five in the morning, to such a people as I have
rarely seen; void both of anger, fear, and love.
We went by Axminster, at the request of a few there that feared God, and
had joined themselves together some years since. I exhorted them so to
seek after the power, as not to despise the form, of godliness; and then
rode on to Taunton, where we were gladly received by a little company of
our brethren from Bristol.
I had designed to preach in the yard of our inn; but before I had named
my text, having uttered only two words, "Jesus Christ," a
tradesman of the town (who, it seems, was Mayor elect) made so much
noise and uproar, that we thought it best to give him the ground. But
many of the people followed me up into a large room, where I preached
unto them Jesus. The next evening, Saturday, 24, we arrived safe
at Bristol.
August 1747
Fri. 31. About noon I preached at Taunton. Much opposition was
expected; and several young gentlemen came, as it seemed, with that
design; but they did not put it in execution. From hence we rode to
Bridgewater; and even at this dry, barren place, God largely watered us
with the dew of heaven. After preaching I rode to Middlesey, intending
only to meet the society; but notice had been given that I would preach
there; so I gave an exhortation to all that were present.
October 1748
Fri. 30. I preached at eleven in Taunton; at three in
Bridgewater; at seven in Middlesey.
September 1750
Mon. 3. About noon I preached at Hillfarrance, three miles from
Taunton. Three or four boors would have been rude if they durst; but the
odds against them was too great. At five I preached in Bridgewater to a
well-behaved company, and then rode on to Middlesey.
September 1754
Tues. 3. We rode easily to Taunton. After we had rested a while,
one desired me to step to his father, who was dying of a consumption. He
had been always a very honest, moral man; but now found, this was not
the one thing needful, and appeared earnestly desirous of knowing
Christ, and the power of his resurrection. A little before twelve we set
out from Taunton. The sun shone exceeding hot, so that I was almost
worn-out when we called at the house of a friend on Maiden-Down. But
after a little rest, my strength returned; and I went on, not much
tired, to Tiverton.
Mon. 9. I preached at Charlton, a village six miles from Taunton,
to a large congregation gathered from the towns and country for many
miles round. All the farmers here had some time before entered into a
joint engagement to turn all out of their service, and give no work to
any, who went to hear a Methodist Preacher. But there is no counsel
against the Lord. One of the chief of them, Mr. G , was not long
after convinced of the truth, and desired those very men to preach at
his house. Many of the other confederates came to hear, whom their
servants and laborers gladly followed. So the whole device of Satan fell
to the ground; and the word of God grew and prevailed.
October 1762
Fri. OCTOBER 1. I preached at Taunton and Shepton-Mallet, and on
Saturday, 2, rode on to Bristol. In the two following weeks I visited as
many as I could of the societies in the country, as well as regulated
those of Bristol and Kingswood.
October 1765
Thur. 19. I rode to Tiverton, and preached to a deeply serious
congregation. Friday, 20. I preached at noon in Hillfarrance, near
Taunton, where I had not been for fifteen years. Saturday, 21. I
preached about noon at Shepton-Mallet, and then went on to Bristol.
August 1768
Mon. 22. I rode through impetuous rain to Weston, a village near
Bridgewater. A while ago the people here were lions; but now they are
become lambs. Tuesday, 23. I saw a serious congregation at Taunton! And
shall we have fruit here also? In the evening I preached to the poor
backsliders at Collumpton, on, Will the Lord be no more entreated?
September 1769
Friday, 8. I preached about nine at Taunton, and then rode on to
Bridgewater, where the preaching had been discontinued for some years.
It was supposed there would be much disturbance; but there was none at
all. The very Gentry (all but two or three young women) behaved with
good sense and decency. This afternoon I went to the top of Brent-Hill:
I know not, I ever before saw such a prospect. Westward, one may see to
the mouth of the Bristol Channel; and the three other ways, as far as
the eye can reach. And most of the land which you see is well
cultivated, well wooded, and well watered: So that the globe of earth,
in its present condition, can hardly afford a more pleasing scene.
Saturday, 9. I returned to Bristol.
September 1770
After visiting Medros, Plymouth, and Collumpton, I came on Friday, 7,
to Taunton. Presently after preaching, I took horse. The rain obliged us
to make haste; but in a while the saddle came over his neck, and then
turned under his belly. I had then only to throw myself off, or I must
have fallen under him. I was a little bruised, but soon mounted again,
and rode to Lympsham, and the next day to Bristol.
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