"All the World My Parish"

All this time I had many thoughts concerning my manner of ministering; but after frequently laying it before the Lord, I could not but adhere to what I had some time since written to a friend—­“I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part I am of it, I judge it meet to declare to all who are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”

June 14.  I went with Mr. Whitefield to Blackheath, where were, I believe, 12,000 people.  He a little surprised me by desiring me to preach in his stead; and I was greatly moved with compassion for the rich that were there, to whom I made a particular application.  Some of them seemed to attend, while others drove away their coaches from so uncouth a preacher.

Sunday 24.  As I was riding to Rose Green, near Bristol, my horse suddenly pitched on his head, and rolled over and over.  I received no other hurt than a little bruise on my side; which for the present I felt not, but preached without pain to seven thousand people.

Sept. 16.  I preached at Moorfields to about ten thousand, and at Kennington Common to near twenty thousand.  At both places I described the real difference between what is generally called Christianity and the real old Christianity, which under the new name of Methodism is now everywhere spoken against.

The Colliers of Kingswood

Nov. 27.  Few persons have lived in the west of England who have not heard of the colliers of Kingswood, famous for neither regarding God nor man.  The scene is changed.  Kingswood does not now, as a year ago, resound with cursing and blasphemy.  Peace and love reign there since the preaching of the Gospel in the spring.  Great numbers of the people are gentle, mild, and easy to be entreated.

1745.  July 3.  At Gwennap, in Cornwall, I was seized for a soldier.  As I was reading my text a man rode up and cried “Seize the preacher for his Majesty’s service.”  As the people would not do it, he leaped off his horse, and caught hold of my cassock, crying, “I take you to serve his Majesty.”  He walked off with me and talked with me for some time, but then let me go.

In Ireland

1748.  April 9.  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 there is not such another river in Europe.  It is here ten miles wide, though only thirty miles from its source.  There are many islands in it, once well inhabited, but now mostly desolate.  In almost every one is a ruined church; in one, the remains of no fewer than seven.

1750.  May 21.  At Bandon the mob burnt me in effigy.  Yet, though Dr. B. tried to stir up the people against me more and more, and a clergyman, said to be in drink, opposed me, and some young gentlemen came on the scene with pistols in their hands, I was enabled to preach.  God gave me great peace in Bandon, in spite of these efforts against me.