John Wesley’s diary, 1789

If this is to be the last year of my life, according to some of those prophecies, I hope it will be the best. I am not careful about it but heartily receive the…

At the earnest desire of Mrs. T---, I once more sat for my picture. Mr. Romney is a painter indeed. He struck off an exact likeness at once; and did more in one…

I left no money to anyone in my will, because I had none. But now considering that, whenever I am removed, money will soon arise by the sale of books, I added a few…

l spent a day or two with my good old friends at Newington.

I retired to Camberwell and carried on my journal, probably as far as I shall live to write it.

I retired in order to finish my year's accounts. If possible, I must be a better economist; for instead of having anything beforehand, I am now considerably in…

Sunday, March 1, was a solemn day indeed. The pew chapel was sufficiently crowded both morning and afternoon; and few that expected a parting blessing were…

(Being Easter day.) We had a solemn assembly indeed; many hundred communicants in the morning, and in the afternoon far more hearers than our room would contain,…

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 settled all my temporal business and, in particular, chose a new person to prepare the Arminian Magazine; I was obliged, however unwillingly, to drop Mr. O---,…

In the afternoon, as we could not pass by the common road, we procured leave to drive round by some fields, and got to Falmouth in good time. The last time I was…

I preached at noon in the high street in Helstone, to the largest and most serious congregation which I ever remember to have seen there.

I went on to St. Just and preached in the evening to a lovely congregation, many of whom have not left their first love.

About eleven I preached at Newlyn, and in the evening at Penzance; at both places I was obliged to preach abroad.

I crossed over to Redruth and at six preached to a huge multitude, as usual, from the steps of the market house. The Word seemed to sink deep into every heart. I…

l preached there again in the morning and in the evening at the amphitheater, I suppose, for the last time. My voice cannot now command the still increasing…

I am now as well, by the good providence of God, as I am likely to be while I live. My sight is so decayed that I cannot well read by candlelight; but I can write…

(Being Christmas Day.) We began the service in the new chapel at four o'clock, as usual; where I preached again in the evening, after having officiated in West…

I preached in St. Luke's, our parish church, in the afternoon, to a very numerous congregation on "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come" [Rev. 22:17]. So are the…

I retired to Peckham and at leisure hours read part of a very pretty trifle--the Life of Mrs. Bellamy. Surely never did any since John Dryden study more To make…

I preached at the new chapel; but, to avoid the cramp, went to bed at ten o'clock. I was well served. I know not that I ever before felt so much of it in one night.