The
parish-church of Stoke, the parochial chapel of Burslem, a small chapel of
private foundation at Hanley, and another at Lane End, were then the only
places of worship belonging to the Establishment (that is the Church of
England); and the clergy of that day were not like the vigilant and pious
men we have the happiness to number among us in modern times; whose superior
zeal and attainments may, in some measure, be owing to the holy and jealous
'provokings' of Mr. Wesley, and his successors.
The
clergy of the old school, indeed, too generally left their parishioners to
find their own way to heaven, unless they would voluntarily put themselves
in the way of hearing their weekly ministrations…."
| '1760,
March 8th - Went from
Wolverhampton to BURSLEM, (near Newcastle under Lyme), a scattered town
on the top of a hill, inhabited almost entirely by Potters; a multitude
of whom assembled at five in the evening. Deep attention sat on every
face, though as yet accompanied with deep ignorance; but, if the heart
be toward God, he will, in due time, enlighten the understanding.' |
| |
| '1761,
March 9th - Preached at
Burslem at half-past five, in an open place on the top of the hill to a
large and attentive congregation, though it rained almost all the time,
and the air was extremely cold. The next morning (being Good Friday),
preached at eight, and again in the evening; the cold considerably
lessened the congregation, - so small are the things which divert
mankind from what ought to be the means of their eternal salvation.' |
| |
| '1764,
July 20th - It rained all
the day till seven in the evening, when I began preaching at Burslem.
Even the poor Potters here are a more civilized people than the better
sort, (so called) at Congleton.' |
| |
|
'1768,
March 25th - Preached at
Burslem, in the new house*
*This
building still exists (1838), but is applied to the purpose of a
warehouse at the manufactory, (formerly of Mr. John Robinson, one of
Mr. Wesley's familiar friends) now the property of Messrs. Samuel and
Joseph Alcock.'
|
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| '1781,
March 8th - I returned to
Burslem. How is the whole face of this country changes in about twenty
years! Since which, inhabitants have continually flowed in from every
side. Hence the wilderness is literally become a fruitful field. Houses,
villages, towns, have sprung up: and the country is not more improved
than the people. The word of God has had free course among them; sinners
are daily awakened and converted to God, and believers grown in the
knowledge of Christ. In the evening the house was filled with people,
and with the presence of God. This constrained me to extend the service
a good deal longer than I am accustomed to do.' |
| |
|
'1782,
April 26th - I found many
at Burslem under sad apprehensions* of the public danger; so I applied
to them those comfortable words, "I will not destroy it for ten's
sake." '
*this
relates to the war with the American colonies, and the breaking up of
Lord North's Administration.
|
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| '1784,
March 29th - from Stafford
went to Lane End, a village two or three miles from Newcastle. I was
piercing cold, but the preaching-house would not hold a fourth part of
the people, so I preached in the open air, the moon giving us clear
light, though not much heat. The house was filled at five in the
morning, and God again applied his word.' |
| |
| '1784,
March 30th - I preached in
the new preaching-house at Hanley Green, but this was far too small to
hold the congregation. Indeed the country is all on fire, and the flame
is still spreading from village to village.' |
| |
| '1784,
March 31st - I reached
Burslem, where we had the first society in the county, and it is still
the largest, and the most earnest. Came to our old steady friends here;
but he with whom I used to lodge, is no more seen, (Mr. William Bourne).
He trusted the Americans with all his substance, and they cheated him
out of all; so he came home and died, leaving an amiable widow and six
of seven children. I preached from the text "our fellowship is with
the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." We have scarce had such
a time since we came from London.' |
| |
| '1786,
April 28th - At Lane End,
I was constrained to preach abroad. It was past seven, and piercing
cold, but God warmed our hearts.' |
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| '1787,
March 29th - Preached at
lane End, and in the evening at Burslem. Preachers and people provoking
one another to love and to good works, in such a manner as was never
seen before.' |
| |
| '1788,
March 31st - Preached at
lane End at six in the evening; the chapel not being able to contain one
third of the congregation.' |
| |
| '1788,
April 1st - Went onto
Burslem, where the work of God still prospers exceedingly. The chapel
would not contain one half of the people, so I ordered a table to be
placed in the yard, and though the wind was very high and very cold,
they stood very patiently. Afterwards I spent a comfortable hour with
the society, who completely filled the house.' |
| |
| '1790,
Sunday, March 28th - I
preached soon after one, in Mr. Myatt's yard at lane End; the house
would not contain a quarter of the people. At Burslem, also, I was
obliged to preach abroad; such were the multitudes of the people.' |
| |
| '1790,
Monday, March 29th - At
nine I preached in the new chapel at Tunstall, the most elegant I have
seen since I left Bath. The people seemed to devour the word." |
Wesley in the Potteries