John Wesley’s diary, 1756

I rode to Canterbury and preached in the evening to such a congregation as I never saw there before, in which were abundance of the soldiers and not a few of their…

I preached about noon at Dover to a very serious but small congregation. We afterwards walked up to the castle, on the top of a mountain. It is an amazingly fine…

In returning to London, I read the life of the late Tsar, Peter the Great. Undoubtedly he was a soldier, a general, and a statesman, scarcely inferior to any. But…

The fast-day was a glorious day, such as London has scarcely seen since the Restoration. Every church in the city was more than full, and a solemn seriousness sat…

I paid another visit to Canterbury, but came in too late to preach.

Abundance of soldiers and many officers came to the preaching. And surely the fear and the love of God will prepare them either for death or victory.

I dined with Colonel ---, who said, “No men fight like those who fear God; I had rather command five hundred such, than any regiment in his Majesty’s army.”

I rode to Pill and preached to a large and attentive congregation. A great part of them were seafaring men. In the middle of my discourse, a press-gang landed from…

I rode to the Old Passage; but finding we could not pass, we went on to Purton; which we reached about four in the afternoon. But we were no nearer still; for the…

I rode over to Howell Harris at Trevecka, though not knowing how to get any further. But he helped us out of our difficulties, offering to send one with us who…

It being the day appointed for the justices and commissioners to meet, the town was extremely full, and curiosity (if no better motive) brought most of the…

It continued fair till we came to Builth, where I preached to the usual congregation. Mr. Phillips then guided us to Royader, about fourteen English miles. It…

When we took horse, there was nothing to be seen but a waste of white; the snow covered both hills and vales. As we could see no path, it was not without much…

We left the harbor about twelve, having six or seven officers and abundance of passengers on board. The wind was full west, and there was great probability of a…

I bought one or two books at Mr. Smith’s, on the Blind Quay. I wanted change for a guinea, but he could not give it; so I borrowed some silver of my companion. The…

I rode to Tullamore, where one of the society, Edward Willis, gave me a very surprising account of himself, he said: “When I was about twenty years old, I went to…

I went forward to Clonmell, the pleasantest town, beyond all comparison, which I have yet seen in Ireland. It has four broad, straight streets of well-built houses,…

I was at a loss where to preach, the person who owned the loft refusing to let me preach there, or even in the yard below. And the commanding officer being asked…

I received a remarkable letter from a clergyman, whom I had been a day or two before. Part of it ran thus: “I had the following account from the gentlewoman…

In the morning we rode through Tuam, a neat little town, scarcely half so large as Islington; nor is the cathedral half so large as Islington church. The old church…

On this and the next day I finished my business in Ireland, so as to be ready to sail at an hour’s warning.

We were to sail, the wind being fair; but as we were going aboard, it turned full east. I find it of great use to be in suspense: it is an excellent means of…

About eight we began singing on the quarter-deck and soon drew all our fellow passengers, as well as the captain, with the greatest part of his men. I afterward…

Having hired horses for Chester, we set out about seven. Before one we reached Bangor, the situation of which is delightful beyond expression. Here we saw a large…

We rode on to Bristol.

About fifty of us being met, the Rules of the Society were read over and carefully considered one by one; but we did not find any that could be spared. So we all…

The Rules of the Bands were read over and considered, one by one; which rules, after some verbal alterations, we all agreed to observe and enforce.

My brother and I closed the conference by a solemn declaration of our purpose never to separate from the church, and all our brethren concurred therein.

I set out in the machine, and on Tuesday evening came to London. Wednesday and Thursday, I settled my temporal business. It is now about eighteen years since I…

I preached to a huge multitude in Moorfields on “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” It is field-preaching which does the execution still; for usefulness there is…

Having procured an apparatus on purpose, I ordered several persons to be electrified who were ill of various disorders; some of whom found an immediate, some a…