Sunday, 28.—I was invited by Mr. U., the minister of Goodshaw, to preach in his church.
I began reading prayers at seven; but perceiving the church would scarcely contain half of
the congregation, after prayers I went out, and standing on the churchyard wall, in a place
shaded from the sun, explained and enforced those words in the second lesson, “Almost
thou persuadest me to be a Christian” [Acts 26:38].
I wonder at those who still talk so loud of the indecency of field-preaching. The highest indecency is in St. Paul’s Church, when a considerable part of the congregation are asleep, or talking, or looking about, not minding a word the preacher says. On the other hand, there is the highest decency in a churchyard or field, when the whole congregation behave and look as if they saw the Judge of all and heard Him speaking from heaven.
The Journal of John Wesley
I wonder at those who still talk so loud of the indecency of field-preaching. The highest indecency is in St. Paul’s Church, when a considerable part of the congregation are asleep, or talking, or looking about, not minding a word the preacher says. On the other hand, there is the highest decency in a churchyard or field, when the whole congregation behave and look as if they saw the Judge of all and heard Him speaking from heaven.
The Journal of John Wesley
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