John Wesley’s diary, 1748

I set out for Deverel Longbridge. About ten o’clock we were met by a loaded wagon, in a deep, hollow way. There was a narrow path between the road and the bank: I…

I preached at eight in the morning at Bath and in the evening at Coleford. The colliers of this place were “darkness” indeed; but now they are “light in the Lord.”

I met about sixty of the society in Bristol to consult about enlarging the room; and indeed securing it, for there was no small danger of its falling upon our…

After preaching at Oakhill about noon, I rode to Shepton and found them all under a strange consternation. A mob, they said, was hired, prepared, and made…

I preached in Connaught, a few miles from Athlone. Many heard; but, I doubt, felt nothing. The Shannon comes within a mile of the house where I preached. I think…

Never was such a congregation seen before at the sacrament in Athlone. I preached at three. Abundance of Papists flocked to hear; so that the priest, seeing his…

I rode to Clara, where I was quickly informed that there was to begin in an hour’s time a famous cockfight, to which almost all the country was coming from every…

I rode to Edinderry. Abundance of people were quickly gathered together. Having been disturbed in the night by Mr. Swindells, who lay with me and had a kind of…

I read, some hours, an extremely dull book, Sir James Ware’s Antiquities of Ireland. By the vast number of ruins which are seen in all parts, I had always suspected…

I preached at Skinner’s Alley at five; and on Oxmantown Green at eight. I was weak in body, but was greatly revived by the seriousness and earnestness of the…

Finding my fever greatly increased, I judged it would be best to keep my bed and to live awhile on apples and apple-tea. On Tuesday I was quite well and should have…

Thursday, 28, was the day fixed for my going into the country: but all about me began to cry out, “Sure, you will not go today? See how the rain pours down!” I told…

I rode to Temple Maqueteer and thence toward Athlone. We came at least an hour before we were expected. Nevertheless we were met by many of our brethren. The first…

I rode to Birr, twenty miles from Atlone and, the key of the session house not being to be found, declared "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" in the street, to a…

Finding my strength greatly restored, I preached at five and at eight on Oxmantown Green. I expected to sail as soon as I had done; but the captain’s putting it off…

Observing a large congregation in the evening and many strangers among them, I preached more roughly than ever I had done in Dublin on those awful words, “What…

We took ship. The wind was small in the afternoon, but exceedingly high toward night. About eight I laid me down on the quarterdeck. I was soon wet from head to…

In riding to Newcastle, I finished the tenth Iliad of Homer. What an amazing genius had this man! To write with such strength of thought and beauty of expression…

I rode with Mr. Grimshaw to Roughlee. At half-hour after twelve I began to preach. I had about half finished my discourse when the mob came pouring down the hill…

I was invited by Mr. U., the minister of Goodshaw, to preach in his church. I began reading prayers at seven; but perceiving the church would scarcely contain half…

I spent an hour in observing the various works of God in the Physic Garden at Chelsea. It would be a noble improvement of the design if some able and industrious…

I set out for Leigh, in Essex. It had rained hard in the former part of the night and was succeeded by a sharp frost, so that most of the road was like glass; and…