APRIL 21
I returned to England in the beginning of February 1738. I was now in haste to retire to Oxford and bury myself in my beloved obscurity. But I was detained in London, week after week, by the Trustees for the Colony of Georgia. In the meantime I was continually importuned to preach in one or another Church, and that not only morning, afternoon and night on Sundays, but on weekdays also. As I was lately come from a far country, vast multitudes flocked together. But in a short time, partly because of those unwieldy crowds, partly because of my unfashionable doctrine, I was excluded from one and another Church, and, at length, shut out of all. Not daring to be silent, after a short struggle between honour and conscience, I made a virtue of necessity, and preached in the middle of Moorfields.
Sermon at the Foundation of City Road Chapel
As it was evidently the providence of God which placed you in your present situation, He will doubtless give you grace sufficient for it.
Letter, 22nd October, 1780
