Sermon on the Text "Glory be to God in the highest..." Preached by Dr. John Wheler, Chaplain of the East India Company Chapel, Poplar Sermon on the text "Glory be to God in ye highest, & on Earth peace, good will towardMan." (Luke chapter 2, verse 14) On front is recorded a shortened title, "Poplr. Xmas-day 1795 Poplar Xmas day 1797." and "Xmas-day" At end is recorded: "Poplar Xmas day 1795. N.B. walk'd there sticking and paddling by turns. all ye Perrys there. the Curries, as the [d]istilers(?) are stop'd no longer residing at Bromly, John hunting, Leonard at Burwood. So contrary to ancient usuage instead of Bow-Lane, I return'd to dine in South Street to meet Mr & Mrs Durnford, Mr & Mrs Rooke (who sleep here) Mrs Watson, Mr Lee, & Mr Delon, with John Watson. Poplar Xmas day 1797. Walk'd to the Minories from thence in a Coach, a winterly frosty morning with fog. At Poplar it brighten'd. Mr Perry & his family there. N.B. the first time that I have visited Poplar since I came out of Nottinghamshire in Novr. to take a Prebend of Westminster. I am install'd, having first kiss'd hands, & next Sunday ye 29, I read in. If it proves a dark day, I may possibly read myself out. I have been very so so since I came to Town, often thinking, at this my that a Prebend is neither worth the trouble or the cost. am come home to meet Watsons and Rooks, & perhaps Mrs Anderson Thursday last attended poor Gen. Johnstons funeral. bury'd in the Abbey of West. with choir service, if I c'd hear whilst I was being bury'd I w'd have choir service too. Strange are the Changes & Chances of this mortal. from Mareham in Gooseland to Poplar in the Puddle. from Poplar & my old Women to pass my days among the musty old Prebendaries of Westminster." Following this are sketched the initials "IHS". 25 December 1795