{0} This advertisement and those following come at the front of the
published book, but have been moved to the end to make the eBook more
readable.—DP.
{21} Mr. Wesley’s Journal reveals, as follows, his presence in
Kensington twice; but says nothing about the _preaching_, except his
discourse to the smith and his servant. But the fact of his being
subsequently there and lingering in the Gardens would seem to argue that
he went there on preaching missions:—
“Monday, August 22, 1743.—Passing through Kensington found my mare
had lost a shoe. This gave me an opportunity of talking closely for
near half an hour both to the smith and his servant.”
“Saturday, July 6, 1754.—I spent two hours in the Gardens at
Kensington. They are just fit for a king, far more grand than
pleasant; and yet nothing so grand as many parts of the Peak in
Derbyshire.”
{81} Since writing the above the new Church has been consecrated. The
works having been pushed forward, it was in a sufficient state of
preparation by the 14th of May, on which day the Lord Bishop of London
consecrated the edifice, just three years after the old Church had been
closed. A large and influential assembly gathered within the walls of
the new building, comprising many people of various denominations. To
these the Right Rev. Prelate discoursed on Christian unity, in a truly
Catholic spirit and manner; and after the sermon the offertory taken by
collection from pew to pew amounted to £358 7_s._ 2_d._ Of this amount
£196 10_s._ 4_d._ was in paper; £61 in sovereigns; £38 10_s._ in
half-sovereigns; £62 6_s._ 3_d._ in silver, and sevenpence in copper.