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Mr. Stephenson and Wesley

Today a gentleman called and offered me a piece of ground.  On Monday an article was drawn wherein he agreed to put me into possession on Thursday, upon payment of thirty pounds.

Tuesday, 7.--I was so ill in the morning that I was obliged to send Mr. Williams to the room.  He afterward went to Mr. Stephenson, a merchant in the town, who had a passage through the ground we intended to buy.  I was willing to purchase it.  Mr. Stephenson told him, "Sir, I do not want money; but if Mr. Wesley wants ground, he may have a piece of my garden, adjoining to the place you mention.  I am at a word.  For forty pounds he shall have sixteen yards in breadth, and thirty in length.

Wednesday, 8.--Mr. Stephenson and I signed an article, and I took possession of the ground.  But I could not fairly go back from my agreement with Mr. Riddel:  so I entered on his ground at the same time.  The whole is about forty yards in length; in the middle of which we determined to build the house, leaving room for a small courtyard before, and a little garden behind, the building.

Monday, 13.--I removed into a lodging adjoining to the ground where we were preparing to build; but the violent frost obliged us to delay the work.  I never felt so intense cold before.  In a room where a constant fire was kept, though my desk was fixed within a yard of the chimney, I could not write for a quarter of an hour together without my hands being quite benumbed.

 

Newcastle's First Methodist Room

Monday, 20.--We laid the first stone of the house.  Many were gathered from all parts to see it; but none scoffed or interrupted while we praised God and prayed that He would prosper the work of our hands upon us.  Three or four times in the evening, I was forced to break off preaching that we might pray and give thanks to God.

Thursday, 23.--It being computed that such a house as was proposed could not be finished under f 700, many were positive it would never be finished at all; others, that I should not live to see it covered.  I was of another mind; nothing doubting but, as it was begun for God's sake, He would provide what was needful for the finishing it.

 

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CCEL
This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
at Calvin College. Last updated on March 22, 2000.
Contacting the CCEL.
Calvin College