[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 7s. 2d. Of this amount £196 10s. 4d. was in paper; £61 in sovereigns; £38 10s. in half-sovereigns; £62 6s. 3d. in silver, and sevenpence in copper.