The Henson Journals

[68]

Wednesday, June 3rd, 1925.

"I preached at night in the market place at Wigton. The congregation, when I began, consisted of one woman, two boys, & three or four little girls: but in a quarter of an hour we had most of the town. I was a good deal moved at the exquisite self–sufficiency which was visible in the countenance, air, and whole deportment of a considerable part of them. This constrained me to use a very uncommon plainness of speech. They bore it well. Who knows but some may profit?

John Wesley. Journal. May 27th 1761.

It would be interesting to know what the Calvinistic Pharisees of Wigton had to say about the anomalous English prelatist who had addressed them with such severity. Probably the substance of his preaching was as unsatisfactory as its manner was offensive.

I motored with Clayton to Muggleswick, picking up Wilson on the way. There we lunched with old Mr Ritson, and then proceeded to the little church where I instituted the Rev. Percy de l'Argent Bell, to the perpetual curacy of the parish. I returned to Auckland after the service.

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