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As many of you may know John Wesley first preached in Swanage
exactly 250 years ago.

Rev Sylvia Garret gave me the following extract from his
journal and I thought you might be interested - Davina

John Wesley’s Journal October 1774

Mon 10. - I preached at Salisbury; and on Tuesday, 11, set out for
the Isle of Purbeck. When we came to Corfe Castle, the evening
being quite calm and mild, I preached in a meadow near the town,
to a deeply attentive congregation, gathered from all parts of the
island. I afterwards met the society, artless and teachable, and full
of good desires. But few of them yet have got any farther, than to
‘see men as trees walking’.

Wed. 12. – I preached to a large congregation at five, who seemed
quite athirst for instruction. Afterwards we took a walk over the
remains of the castle, so bravely defended in the last century,
against all the power of the Parliament forces, by the widow of the
Lord Chief-Justice Banks. It is one of the noblest ruins I ever saw:
the walls are of immense thickness, defying even the assaults of
time, and were formerly surrounded by a deep ditch. The house,
which stands in the middle, on the very top of the rock, has been a
magnificent structure. Some time since the proprietor fitted up
some rooms on the south-west side of this, and laid out a little
garden, commanding a large prospect, pleasant beyond
description. For a while he was greatly delighted with it: but the eye
was not satisfied with seeing. It grew familiar; it pleased no more;
and is now run all to ruin. No wonder: what can delight always, but
the knowledge and love of God?

About noon I preached at Langton, three or four miles from Corfe
Castle, to a large and deeply serious congregation. Here is likewise
a little society; but I did not find any among them who knew in
whom they had believed. In the evening I preached in a meadow,
near Swanage, to a still larger congregation. And here at length I
found three or four persons, and all of one family, who really
seemed to enjoy the faith of the gospel. Few others of the society
(between thirty or forty in number) appeared to be convinced of sin.
I fear the preachers have been more studious to please than to
awaken, or there would have been a deeper work.

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