1783

 

To Abraham Orchard [1]

[January 1], 1783.

DEAR BROTHER, -- You have reason to be thankful to God for enabling you to set out in His good way; and if you would go on therein, remember that you cannot walk alone. Therefore your wisdom is, not to think much of shame or the fear of any temporal matter, to connect yourself in the dosest manner you can with those you believe to be the children of God. A form of prayer used in private may be of considerable use; only now and then, at the beginning or middle or end of it, you may break out a little and speak a few words, just according to the present temper of your mind. When your sins are forgiven, you will surely be sensible of it; and ‘every one that seeketh findeth.’ But it will be given you without money and without price; you know not how soon I Perhaps now! -- I am

Yours affectionately.

To Ann Bolton [2]

LONDON, January 5, 1785.

I thought it long since I heard from my dear Nancy. But I hoped ‘no news were good news,’ and that this was a token of your not having had any fresh embarrassment. Undoubtedly you have your hands full of business; but it will not hurt you while your heart is free. As long as this is given up to God all these things must work together for good. But I wanted to know whether the clouds begin to disperse whether you have an hope of seeing better days Do Neddy’s difficulties increase or lessen Has he a prospect of getting through his troubles If his income is now superior to his expense, he has ground to believe all will end well. And how does he bear up under this burthen Does it drive him from or lead him to God It is enough if it

Keeps him dead to all below,

Only Christ resolved to know.

I have likewise great hopes that you will see a good increase of the work of God in Witney. I suppose the prayer-meetings still continue In many places they have been of more use than even the preaching. And in them the flame first broke out which afterwards spread through the whole people. You have, I hope, more than one or two at those meetings who use the gift which God has given them. And if they pray for the whole gospel salvation, God will send a gracious answer down. I shall hope for the pleasure of seeing you in March. But do not stay till February before you write to, my dear

Nancy, Yours most affectionately.

To Miss Bolton, In Witney, Oxfordshire.

To Robert Carr Brackenbury

LONDON, January 10, 1785.

DEAR SIR, -- As I expect to remain in London till the beginning of March, I hope to have the pleasure of spending a little time with you before I set out on my spring and summer journeys, which I shall probably continue as long as I live. And who would wish to live for any meaner purpose than to serve God in our generation I know my health and strength are continued for this thing. And if ever I should listen to that siren song, ‘Spare thy life,’ I believe my Master would spare me no longer, but soon take me away. It pleases Him to deal with you in a different way. He frequently calls you not so much to act as to suffer. And you may well say, --

O take Thy way! Thy way is best:

Grant or deny me ease.

This is but tuning of my breast

To make the music please. [Adapted, in his Chariestown Hymn-Book, from George Herbert's The Temple, ‘The Temper’: Yet take Thy way; for sure Thy way is best: Stretch or contract me, Thy poor debtor; This is but tuning of my breast, To make the music better.]

I am glad you are still determined to do What you can, and to do it without delay. But others are not of this mind. I have just received a letter from Mr. Oddie, [See letter of Sept. 26, 1774.] formerly one of our traveling preachers, informing me, whereas it has pleased God to take away his dear partner, he is resolved again to give up himself to the work, -- after he has settled his worldly business, which he thinks will take but sixteen or seventeen months! Would one think he had ever read the Epistle of St. James or that he had ever heard those words, ‘What is your life It is even a vapor, which appeareth and vanisheth away’ Commending you to Him who is able to save you to the uttermost, I am, dear sir,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To Joseph Taylor

LONDON, January 16, 1783.

DEAR JOSEPH, -- I am glad to hear so good an account of Marazion. You must endeavor to hire a larger room at Truro. [See letter of Feb. 25 to him.] We shall not build any more in haste. I often preach abroad in winter as well as summer.

In my Journals, in the Magazine, in every possible way, I have advised the Methodists to keep to the Church. They that do this most prosper best in their souls; I have observed it long. If ever the Methodists in general were to leave the Church, I must leave them. -- I am, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To John Valton

LONDON, January 16, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTRER, -- Here are two questions: (1) Whether I have acted right I answer, No. I ought to have resolutely withstood all importunity. (2) Whether trustees [See letter of Dec. 3, 1782.] should place and displace preachers (This is the essential question.) I say No again; otherwise intolerable consequences will follow. -- I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

Pray send my love to George Brown, and tell him I have his letter.

To John Valton

LONDON, January 22, 1783.

My DEAR BROTHER, -- It is right to add as much solemnity as we can to the admission of new members.

I think you may refer the case of the butcher’s wife to the leaders. ‘Not to sell’ would certainly be the more excellent way. But whether she should be expelled upon that account may be matter of doubt.

There must be some particular end designed in every extraordinary work of God. But there are instances wherein it is a considerable time before that end appears. And it may be expedient for us to remain in suspense in order to wean us from our own will and our own wisdom. If there was any particular meaning in that appearance, God will reveal it in due time. -- I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To Mr. Valton, At the Preaching-house,

In Manchester.

To Mrs. Fuller [3]

[February 1783.]

MY DEAR SISTER, -- You did well in giving me a plain and circumstantial account of the manner wherein God has dealt with your soul. Your part is now to stand fast in the glorious liberty wherewith Christ has made you free. There is no need that you should ever be entangled again in the bondage of pride or anger or desire. God is willing to give always what He grants once. Temptations, indeed, you are to expect. But you may tread them all under your feet: His grace is sufficient for you. And the God of all grace, after you have suffered a while, shall establish, strengthen, and settle you.--I am, my dear sister,

Yours affectionately.

To Zachariah Yewdall [4]

LONDON, February 9, 1785.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am glad you have given another trial to Inishanmon. And why not to Hinscla I am a good deal of your mind. I hope those are only drops before a shower of grace. Over and above the general reasons contained in that tract, a preacher, and above all others a Methodist preacher, has particular reasons for valuing a single life.

I am glad Brother Blair [Andrew Blair, his new colleague.] and you converse freely together: it will preserve you from many snares. There can be no properer person for a trustee than Andrew Laffan. [One of Whitefield’s converts at Cork in 1751. Wesley appointed him a steward in 1785, and stayed with him in 1787. See Journal, vii. 74d, 271n; Crookshank’s Methodism in Ireland, i. 83, 399, 429; and letter of Feb. 9, 1789.] I have hope that Robert Blake [See letters of Dec. 31, 1782 (to Yewdall), and Feb. 23, 1783.] will be more useful than ever. -- I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To John Cricket [5]

LONDON, February 10, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- Many years ago the Society at Barnard Castle, as large as that at Derry, was remarkably dead. When Samuel Meggot (now with God) came to them, he advised them to keep a day of fasting and prayer. A flame broke out and spread through all the circuit [In 1763. See his account in Journal, v. I7-19; and letter of July 30, 1775.]; nor is it extinguished to this day.

I advise you to do the same at Derry. On Sunday morning reprove strongly their unfaithfulness and unfruitfulness, and desire all that fear God to humble themselves with fasting on the Friday following. I am much inclined to hope a flame will break out in Londonderry likewise.

But you must immediately resume the form at least of a Methodist Society. I positively forbid you or any preacher to be a leader; rather put the most insignificant person in each class to be the leader of it. And try if you cannot persuade three men, if no more, and three women to meet in band.

Hope to the end! You shall see better days. -- I am

Yours affectionately.

PS.--The plainer you speak the more good you will do. Derry will bear plain speaking. I am just as well as I was forty years ago.

To Ellen Gretton

DEPTFORD, February 16, 1783.

MY DEAR SISTER, -- If you enter into a new state, the first steps you take will be of the utmost importance. Leave nothing to the morrow, but begin exactly as you hope to go on. It might be of use for Mr. Christian and you carefully to read over and consider those Directions to Married Persons which are in the fourth volume of Sermons. [Miss Gretton was about to marry William Christian. See letters of Dec. 31, 1782, and April 25, 1783, to her. For Directions for Married Persons, by William Whateley, which appears in the Christian Library, vol. xxiv, and in an abridged form in the Sermons, see Green’s Bibliography, No. 163.] Whatever family follows those directions will be as a city set upon an hill.

I am glad to hear that regular preaching is already begun at Skillington: we have no time to lose. If a few should be awakened there, I doubt not the work will increase, and perhaps you will have a larger sphere of action than ever you had yet. Meantime be faithful in that which is little! -- I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

To Miss Gretton, At Mr. Derry's, In Grantham, Lincolnshire.

To Thomas Rutherford

LONDON, February 23, I783.

DEAR TOMMY, -- I am glad you have wrote to Brother Blake [Robert Blake. See letters of Feb. 9, 1783, and Dec. 24, 1784 (to Blake).] to go into Ballyconnell Circuit. He has wrote me a very proper letter. If you can bring William West to make any concessions, I am willing to try him again. [West had been admitted on trial in 1782, and was appointed to Enniskillen. He moved from there to Limerick at the next Conference.]

I believe the books in Dublin were confused enough; for I doubt Joseph [Joseph Pilmoor was Assistant there. The books were Wesley’s publications, including the Arminian Magazine. He afterwards returned to America. See letter of March 27, 1771.] did not take much better care of them than he did of the people.

If Brother Moore and his wife should stay awhile in Dublin, I think the two sisters [Henry Moore had been appointed to Londonderry; but when Andrew Blair moved to Cork, he went to Dublin, where he had family business to settle. For ‘the two sisters,’ see letter of July 4, 1781.] will not quarrel with each other. I scarce know which of them I love best. Peace be with all your spirits! -- I am, dear Tommy,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To Ambrose Foley

LONDON, February 24, 1785.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am glad to hear that Sister Foley and you are still going on to perfection. On Wednesday, March the 19th, I hope to be at Worcester, and about the 20th at Birmingham. Then we may determine something concerning Quinton! [See letter of Feb. 26, 1782.] -- I am

Your affectionate brother.

To Mr. Foley, At Quinton, Near

Birmingham.

To George Blackall [6]

LONDON, February 25, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- St. Paul teaches that it is in heaven we are to be joined with ‘the spirits of just men made perfect,’ in such a sense as we cannot be on earth or even in paradise. In paradise the souls of good men rest from their labors and are with Christ from death to the resurrection. This bears no resemblance at all to the Popish purgatory, wherein wicked men are supposed to be tormented in purging fire till they are sufficiently purified to have a place in heaven. But we believe (as did the ancient Church) that none suffer after death but those who suffer eternally. We believe that we are to be here saved from sin and enabled to love God with all our heart. -- I am

Your affectionate brother.

To Joseph Taylor

LONDON, February 25, 1783.

DEAR JOSEPH, -- I make no doubt but you will be well able to collect enough in the circuit to enlarge the house at St. Ives. [See letters of Jan. 16 and Dec. 24 and Nov. 9, 1783.] And the sooner you begin the better. Only see that you have good workmen and a good plan! Remember, light enough and air enough; and do not make a bungling but a neat work.

When I have fixed my plan, I will send you a copy of it. I set out for Bristol on Sunday evening. -- I am, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

PS. -- Pray tell Capt. Rd. Williams [See letters of Dec. 30, 1778, to him.] that I have his letter, and will consider it.

To William Black [7]

LONDON, February 26, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I did, indeed, very strongly expostulate with the Bishop of London [See letter of Aug. 10, 1780.] concerning his refusing to ordain a pious man without learning while he ordained others that to my knowledge had no piety and but a moderate share of learning. I incline to think that letter will appear in public... some time hence.

Our next Conference will begin in July; and I have great hopes we shall then be able to send you assistance. One of our preachers informs me he is willing to go to any part of Africa or America. He does not regard danger or toil; nor, indeed, does he count his life dear unto himself, so that he may testify the gospel of the grace of God and win sinners to Christ. But I cannot advise any person to go alone. Our Lord sent His disciples two and two. And I do not despair of finding another young man as much devoted to God as he.

The Antinomian [The Rev. Henry Alline, of Falmouth, Nova Scotia. Seventy withdrew from the Methodist Society at Amherst in 1782, and attached themselves to him. He died early, and the Churches he had founded soon declined. See letter of July 13.] you mention ought to be guarded against with all possible diligence; otherwise he will do more hurt in one year than he can do good in twenty. And it is well if he that calls himself Lady Huntingdon’s preacher does not do as much hurt as he. Of Calvinism, Mysticism, and Antinomianism have a care; for they are the bane of true religion, and one or other of them has been the grand hindrance of the work of God wherever it has broke out.

If you come over to England, we shall make room for you at Kingswood. Peace be with all your spirits. -- I am, my dear brother,

Your affectionate brother.

To Mrs. Bradburn [8]

LONDON, February 26, 1783.

MY DEAR BETSY, -- This morning I have wrote to Mrs. Karr; and I do not despair of its having some effect, especially as I have added that ' I hope to see her in a month or two.' For I believe she would not easily do anything that might make her ashamed to see me. You did well in dissuading Mr. Bradburn from writing. Let us try all fair means first. Any harshness might afford a pretense for refusing, or at least delaying, the payment.

It has pleased God hitherto to lead Sammy and you in a rough and thorny way. But it is happy when you have learned to say, ‘Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.’ It is a beautiful saying of Mr. Herbert's:

Grant or deny me ease;

This is but tuning of my breast

To make the music please. [See letter of Jan. 10.]

-- I am, my dear Betsy,

Yours most affectionately.

To John Baxendale

BRISTOL, March 7, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I had much satisfaction when I was with you last; and hope to spend a night with you again, though I can't yet fix the time. [He was at Wigan on April 15, 1782, and again in May 1783. See letter of Feb. 19, 1784.] I agree with you it would be well if your chapel were properly settled. You do well to lose no opportunity of enlarging your borders. It is an acceptable time. We are now more especially called to preach the gospel to every creature; and many of the last shall be first. If we live to meet, I shall be glad to converse with that good young woman you speak of. The happy death of that poor mourner was a token for good. It was intended to encourage you in warning every one and exhorting [every] one, even though you do not see any present fruit. In due time you shall reap if you faint not. Strongly exhort all believers to go on to perfection. -- I am

Your affectionate brother.

To Mr. Baxendale, In Wigan,

Lancashire.

To John Mason

BRISTOL, March 7, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I do not know that there was anything amiss in those letters. I hope the ground of complaint is now taken away. I was in the same case with you till the last meetings of the trustees. Five of them then agreed to sign the bonds. Hitherto it has been everybody’s business and nobody's business. I think now it will be done effectually.

Great bodies usually move slowly. Had we five or seven instead of five-and-twenty trustees, they would not have been so unwieldy.

I hope you go on well in the Isle; and am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To Mr. Mason, At the Preaching-house,

In Newport, Isle of Wight.

To Hester Ann Roe [9]

BRISTOL, March 16, 1783.

MY DEAR HETTY, -- I shall not be able to come to Macclesfield quite as soon as usual this year; for the preaching-houses at Hinckley and Nottingham are to be opened, which I take in my way. I expect to be at Nottingham April 1; but how long I shall stay there I cannot yet determine: thence I shall probably come by Derby to Macclesfield.

It has frequently been upon my mind of late that my pilgrimage is nearly at an end; and one of our sisters here told us this morning a particular dream which she had two months ago. She dreamt the time of Conference was come, and that she was in a church expecting me to come in; when she saw a coffin brought in, followed by Dr. Coke and Mr. Fletcher, and then by all our preachers walking two and two. A fortnight ago she dreamt the same dream again. Such a burying I have ordered in my will, absolutely forbidding either hearse or coach.

I intended to have wrote a good deal more; but I am hardly able. For a few days past I have had just such a fever as I had a few years ago in Ireland. But all is well. I am in no pain; but the wheels of life seem scarcely able to turn any longer. Yet I made a shift this morning to preach to a crowded audience, and hope to say something to them this afternoon. I love that word, ‘And Ishmael died in the presence of all his brethren.’

Still pray for, my dear Hetty,

Yours most affectionately.

To his Brother Charles [10]

BIRMINGHAM, March 22 [or 24], 1783.

DEAR BROTHER CHARLES, -- If your view be correct, and this Epistle was the last the Apostle wrote before his martyrdom, it is invested with peculiar interest, as containing the dying counsels of one who was not behind the ‘chiefest of the Apostles.’ -- I am, dear Brother Charles,

Yours affectionately.

To Mr. ----- [11]

BIRMINGHAM, March 23, 1783.

DEAR SIR, -- If you would have five or ten more, be so kind as to give an hint to

Yours affectionately.

To John Valton

NOTTINGHAM, April 4, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- Being more than half recovered from my late illness, [See letters of March 16 and April 4.] I am creeping forward on my way. I purpose staying here till over Sunday; then I think of moving on toward Dublin.

Your reasons for desiring to spend another year in Birstall Circuit [He was reappointed to Birstall in 1783.] seem to me to be of weight. It may be so, if nothing occurs to the contrary between this and the Conference. -- I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To Mr. Valton, At Birstall, Near

Leeds.

 

 

To his Brother Charles

NOTTINGHAM, April 4, 1783.

DEAR BROTHER, -- Yesterday my second disorder left me, and I seem now to be recovering strength. [See previous letter.] On Monday next I hope to be at Derby; on Tuesday at Blewcastle-under-Lyme; on Wednesday at Chester; and at Holyhead as soon as God permits. I have no desire to stay above three weeks in Ireland, and hope to be in England again before the end of May.

On the day appointed, March 25, I went from Birmingham to Hilton Park. [See Journal, vi.. 401; W.H.S. v. 170n.; and letter of April 25 to his brother.] A little before we reached the Park gate Miss Freeman met us in Sir Philip Gibbes’s chaise. After staring awhile, she came into my chaise, and she was convinced that I was alive.

That afternoon and the next day I gathered strength apace. The place was agreeable, and much more the company. Lady Gibbes put me in mind of one of Queen Elizabeth's dames of honour. Her daughters are exceeding amiable, but sink under Miss Freeman's superior sense, and begin to feel that they are not Christians. She has been of great service to them, and hies at them day and night to show them what is real religion. On Wednesday night they were much struck; the younger sister could not contain herself, but burst out into a passion of tears. M. F. herself seems to be utterly disconcerted, seeking rest, but finding none. If Sally is not hurt by her, she (Sally [Charles Wesley’s daughter.]) will help her much. She now feels her want of help.

I wish King George (like Louis XIV) would be his own Prime Minister. The nation would soon feel the difference. All these things will work together for good. Let us work while the day is! I take no thought for the morrow.

Peace be with you all. Adieu.

Revd. Mr. C. Wesley, Marybone,

London.

Hester Ann Roe writes in her Journal for 1783: ‘Sunday, April 6. -- I had a letter from dear Mr. Wesley, who tells me he is hastening to Holyhead in his way to Dublin, and he will be at Newcastle on Tuesday.’ She says she met him at Lane End on Tuesday, and heard him preach; then he took her in his chaise to Newcastle-under-Lyme, where he preached from ‘One thing is needful.’ She heard him again next morning at five. See Journal of Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers, pp. 210-11.

To Henry Brooke [12]

WILLIAM STREET, [DUBLIN], April 21, 1783.

DEAR HARRY, -- Your letter gave me pleasure, and pain too. It gave me pleasure because it was written in a mild and loving spirit; and it gave me pain because I found it had pained you, whom I so' tenderly love and esteem. But I shall do it no more: I sincerely thank you for your kind reproof; it is a precious balm -- and will, I trust, in the hands of the Great Physician, be a means of healing my sickness. I am so sensible of your real friendship herein that I cannot write without tears. The words you mention were too strong; they will no more fall from my mouth.

My dear Harry, cease not to pray for

Your obliged and affectionate brother.

To Mrs. Barton

DUBLIN, April 23, 1785.

MY DEAR SISTER, -- It has pleased God for many years to lead you in a rough and thorny way. But He knoweth the way wherein you go; and when you have been tried, you shall come forth as gold. Every proof you have had of God's care over you is a reason for trusting Him with your children. He will take care of them, whether you are alive or dead; so that you have no need to be careful in this matter. You have only by prayer and supplication to make your requests known to God; and whenever He sees it will be best for you, He will deliver you out of your captivity. In two or three weeks I hope to be in England again; but it is all one where we are, so we are doing the will of our Lord. -- I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

To his Brother Charles

DUBLIN, April 25, 1783.

DEAR BROTHER, -- How extremely odd is the affair of Mr. Abraham! [See letters of Feb. 20, 1782, and May 2, 1783 (to his brother).] I scarce ever remember the like. It really seems to be a providential incident which fairly acquits us of one that would have been no honor to us.

But how odd also is this affair of Miss Freeman! [See letters of April 4 and May 2 to his brother.] Since I left her at Sir Philip Gibbes’s preparing for her journey to Bath, I have not had so much as one line from her. Yesterday I had a letter from Miss Gibbes and another from her sister; but she is not even mentioned either in one or the other. Do you know what is become of her Is she ill Surely she is not slipped back to Paris!

All is quiet here. God has made our enemies to be at peace with us. In about ten days I hope to be at Chester.

Peace be with you and yours!

To Rev. Mr. C. Wesley, No. 1 in Chester-

field Street, Marybone.

To Mrs. Christian (Ellen Gretton)

DUBLIN, April 25, 1783.

MY DEAR SISTER, -- In the new sphere of action to which Providence has called you, [She had just been married. See letter of Feb. 16.] I trust you will find new zeal for God and new vigor in pursuing every measure which may tend to the furtherance of His kingdom. In one of my mother’s letters you may observe something resembling your case. [See his mother’s letters in Stevenson’s Wesley Family, pp. 194-7.] She began only with permitting two or three of her neighbors to come to the family prayers on Sunday evening. But they increased to an hundred, yea above an hundred and fifty. Go humbly and steadily on, consulting the Assistant in all points, and pressing on to perfection. -- I am, with love to Brother Christian, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

To John Watson

DUBLIN, April 25, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- Yesterday I received yours from Perth; but I do not know how to answer it. If Brother McLean has been able to do good at Perth or Dunkeld, it would be worth while to take a room. But truly I think, if the Highlanders will not pay for their own room, they are not worthy of the preaching. To labor and pay for our own labor is not right before God or man. Are you able to undertake a circuit You may direct your next to London. -- I am

Your affectionate brother.

To Joseph Taylor

DUBLIN, April 26, 1783.

DEAR JOSEPH, -- By all means let James Hall [His colleague in Cornwall West. Taylor stayed in Cornwall another year; Hall went to Plymouth as second preacher in 1783.] come to the Conference. If he would put forth all his strength and be exact in every branch of his office, I would appoint him for the Assistant next year. But I should be sorry if the work should decay. Do all you can during this precious season.

I shall have no objection to your being in Nottingham Circuit (unless you are in love). But if you go thither, you must take the books into your own hands; though I do not say you will receive many thanks from Matthew Bagshaw. [Evidently the books had been in the charge of this layman.] I expect to be in England in about ten days. -- I am, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To his Brother Charles

DUBLIN, May 2, 1783.

DEAR BROTHER, -- In three or four days we hope to embark. When we land, you may hear farther; but at a venture you may direct to Chester: and don’t forget the verses.

I marvel Miss Freeman does not answer my letters. [See letter of April 25 to him.] Surely she is not affronted at anything. We parted in much friendship. I think verily you will keep out of debt while I live, if you will give me an hint now and then. We must positively let Mr. Abraham [This note is written by Charles Wesley on the letter: ‘The clergyman who accompanied me in my first journey to Londonderry. He returned to London, but was quite unmanageable. I saw him there in 1784.’] drop, and both his relations with him and near him. I am in hopes T. M. will satisfy Dr. Coke. I suppose she loses her annuity if she owns her marriage.

I have not seen Mr. Barnard. [See letter of May 12, 1785.] We had an exceeding happy Conference, which concluded this morning. I wish all our English preachers were of the same spirit with the Irish, among whom is no jarring string. I never saw such simplicity and teachableness run through a body of preachers before.

Tell me all you know of the good Congress, the loyalists, and the Colonies. Peace be with you and yours! Adieu!

To John Cricket

DUBLIN, May 2, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- We should have been glad to see you at the Conference; but the reasons you give for not coming are good. You was hindered not by choice but by Providence. Therefore you would find a blessing where you was. And the more pains you take the more blessings you will find. -- I am

Your affectionate brother.

To Thomas Tattershall

DUBLIN, May 3, 1783.

DEAR TOMMY, -- I thank Brother Robinson [The preachers in the Isle of Man were Jasper Robinson, Jonathan Brown, and Thomas Tattershall. Robinson died on Dec. 6, 1797, after twenty-three years of fruitful ministry; and Tattershall in 1821, after forty years’ service.] for his letter, and hope we shall soon be able to supply you with books. At present we have rather too little than too much persecution. [See Journal, vi. 321-2.] We have scarce enough to keep us awake. Send me as particular an account as you can of all that relates to Mary Casement. I hope you still find a witness in yourself, not only of your acceptance, but of your salvation from inbred sin and of your loving God with all your heart. And you should constantly and explicitly exhort all believers to aspire after this, and encourage them to expect it now.

The advice of Brother Robinson herein is good. If you would learn the Manx language, I should commend you; but it is not worth while to learn Greek or Latin. Brother Robinson should send me to London the particulars of that young man’s death.

My kind love to Barrow and Brother Brown. -- I am, dear Tommy,

Your affectionate brother.

To Joseph Benson [13]

MANCHESTER, May 19, 1783.

DEAR JOSEPH, -- I do not, and never did, consent that any of our preachers should baptize [Compare letter of Jan. 6, 1784.] as long as we profess ourselves to be members of the Church of England. Much more may be said for burying the dead; to this I have no objection.

One of the preachers in every circuit usually stays two years; this is generally the Assistants. But when you were at Manchester [In 1779 John Valton, who relieved him at Manchester, had written to Wesley as though some were kept in class who were not worthy members. ‘But he afterwards wept bitterly for what he had said; and therefore I never mentioned the matter to him; nor do I love him any less on that account.’] you quite disappointed me. You were not exact at all; you let things go as they would: therefore you have not been an Assistant since.

I will mend or end T. Olivers as a corrector. [Benson had found fault with some articles of his in the Magazine incorrectly printed. Wesley bore it for twelve years, till 1789.] Next week I hope to be in London; and am, with love to Sister Benson, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate brother.

To Joseph Taylor

LONDON, June 5, 1783.

DEAR JOSEPH, -- According to the printed Minutes, p. 8, Sister Rodda is to have her allowance from Cornwall West and Sister Day out of the Preachers’ Fund. [See Minutes, 1782.] The fault therefore lay first in Joseph Harper, [Joseph Harper was at Bedford.] for Cornwall has nothing to do with Sister Day this year; and secondly, in John Atlay, who ought to have sent him and you the Minutes immediately after the Conference. Send no more money to Sister Day, but to Richard Rodda. -- I am, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To John Valton

LONDON, June 5, 1783.

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- What have the Birstall Assistants (even Thomas Taylor himself [Taylor was Assistant at Bitstall in 1778.]) been doing these seven years

I believe our fast will be productive of many good effects. Many have already found reason to bless God on account of it.

Sister Rogers [Mrs. Rogers died in 1784. Her husband married Hester Ann Roe the same year. See letter of May 5, 1784.] is a jewel of a woman. She has all the spirit of her husband, and desires nothing but to do and suffer the will of God.

Those trustees [At Birstall. See letter of Nov. 9, 1782.] are wonderfully injudicious. Are they afraid their sons will be of the same mind as themselves I would not for all the world leave a preaching-house to my executors. However, do what you judge best.

Your affectionate friend and brother.

But your Life! I want your Life. [See letter of Jan. 18, 1782, where Wesley acknowledges the receipt of the first part of the autobiography.]

To Hannah Ball

NEAR LONDON, June 7, 1783.

MY DEAR SISTER, -- Your mentioning past times puts me in mind of God’s remarkable providence in the Oxford Circuit. Four young women were made the chief support of four Societies. One of them quitted her post at Henley, and both she and the Society sank into nothing. [Is this Miss Hartly See letter of Jan. 24, 1771, to Hannah Ball.] The other three by the grace of God stand their ground; and so do the Societies at Wycombe, Watlington, and Witney. And I trust my dear friends Hannah Ball, Patty Chapman, and Nancy Bolton will never be weary of well doing! I can't find any fault in them but that they are not so well acquainted with each other as I would have them to be.

If I possibly can, I will spend a night with you as I go from London to Bristol next month. [He visited Wycornbe on July 14. See Journal, vi. 432.] I was well pleased to hear of Mr. Batting’s generosity to our poor friends at Oxford. [For his assistance at Wycombe, see Memoir of Hannah Ball, p. 143; and letter of Feb. 24, 1779, to Miss Ball.] It seems as if the time is drawing near for more good to be done there also. We should expect to see still greater things. The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence! -- I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

To Mrs. Ferguson [14]

HARWICH, June 12, 1783.

MY DEAR SISTER, -- Hitherto God has helped us. As the weather last night was exceeding rough, the captain did not think advisable to sail; for which I was not sorry. We expect to sail this morning, as it seems the storm is over; and probably we shall see Helvoetsluys to-morrow. Sally and my other companions are in perfect health, and are all in good spirits; knowing that they are under His protection whom the winds and the seas obey. -- I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

Editor’s Introductory Notes

[1] Abraham Orchard lived at Bath. Isaac Orchard, who died on December xo, x732, aged seventy-six, was probably his brother. He was the first District Missionary Treasurer. See Methodist Magazine, 1833, p. 155.

[2] Miss Bolton wrote to Wesley on December 27, 1782; on January 3, 1783 (‘I have been learning in the school of adversity’); and again on January 29, ‘In this large family, duty to it and the calls of business allow me very little time in the day for retirement; I therefore rise about five (and I hope strictly to adhere to it), and make me a little wood fire in my room, and comfortably and quietly enjoy my morning.’ See Arminian Magazine, 1790, pp. 667-8; x79~, pp. 49-50, 108-9; and letters of August 3, 1782, and February 20, 1789.

[3] Elizabeth Fuller died on December 2L 1836, aged seventy-six. The Diary for January 28 and 29 records visits to Sister Fuller in London. Wesley seems to have preached there on the 28th and dined there on the 29th. See Journal, vi. 388; Stevenson’s City Road Chapel, p. 517.

[4] Inishannon was on the road between Cork and Bandon. Wesley preached in the market-house in 1756 and 1758. It was given another trial. The Society greatly revived and increased in 1785. Wesley preached to a full house there on May 11, 1787. See Journal, iv. 163, 279, vii. 274, 494d; Crookshank’s Methodism in Ireland, i. 110, 408.

[5] Cricket had come from Limerick to Deny. Unsophisticated to an astonishing degree, apparently unable to understand the ordinary conventionalities of society, he was withal a man of unaffected piety and of pulpit power. He died in 1806. Meggot, many years a faithful preacher and ‘a truly primitive Christian,’ died about 1764. His constant motto was, ‘Thou God seest me.’ See Crookshank’s Methodism in Ireland, i. 345; Atmore’s Memorial, p. 270.

[6] Blackall lived at Brentford. Wesley took tea with him on February 13. See Journal, vi. 390d.

[7] Black was born at Huddersfield in 1760, and in 1775 went out to Nova Scotia, where his father had bought an estate. He had begun to preach, and wrote Wesley in May 1781 about the work in Amherst. At the close of 1782 he asked for missionaries for Nova Scotia and about his spending a year or two at Kingswood School. Two preachers were appointed for Nova Scotia at the famous Christmas Conference at Baltimore in 1784. See Richey’s Memoir of William Black, p. 98; Early Methodist Preachers, v. 242-95.

[8] Mrs. Bradbum had called in Wesley's help in her family troubles. Her father had left no will, so that the property was all in the hands of his widow, who married John Karr and died a year later, when Karr married Mrs. Palmer. See letters of June 4, 1778, and November 27, 1783 (to her).

[9] Miss Roe writes on March 20: ‘A letter from dear Mr. Wesley written from Bristol overwhelmed my soul in tenderest grief.... When my first emotions of grief on perusing these lines had a little subsided, I fell upon my knees before God, and was enabled to plead in powerful supplications and strong faith for the restoration and long-spared life of this eminent servant of God. Opening the Bible upon my knees, it was upon that passage, Psalm xci. 15-16. I was filled with comfort; nor could doubt a moment longer respecting him.’ On the 29th she hears that Wesley’s ‘fever turned in the very hour that a number of the preachers were wrestling in prayer, having been told that he was just departing.’ See Journal, vi. 398-9; Journal of Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers, pp. 208-9; and next letter.

[10] The handwriting of this letter bears witness that Wesley was not yet fully recovered from the fever which had seized him in Bristol. See Journal, vi. 400; W.H.S. ix. 126; and previous letter.

[11] This is evidently a promise of further help if needed by his unnamed correspondent.

[12] ‘Mr. Brooke had objected to some expressions of Wesley's as to the Mystic writers, which he considered harsh and unfounded’ (Memoirs, p. 194). Wesley had reached Dublin on April 13, and stayed with Brooke. This letter shows how he welcomed the candor of his friend's criticism.

[13] Benson on January 3, 1783, had consented ‘with some reluctance’ to do what he had never done before -- bury someone, and on the same evening ‘to baptize a young man, who appeared to be very penitent and to experience a measure of faith in the Lord Jesus.’ He had other applications, and consulted Wesley on the subject. He also asked that he might remain another year in Bradford, which request was granted.

In his reply Benson reminded Wesley that he had been accustomed to favor him in this respect, and he knew Samuel Bradburn (who had been two years in Bradford) did not expect to stay. He said he did not wish to be Assistant; but added, with the frankness which he always showed to Wesley, ‘Yet you must give me leave utterly to deny what you lay to my charge. I did not let things go as they would when at Manchester; and whoever informed you so misinformed you, Ever since I have traveled, whether Assistant or not, I have always made it a point of conscience to contribute all I could to the good of the work both by doctrine and discipline, and to regulate whatever seemed to want regulation in every place; and when I could not otherwise do it, I wrote to you.’ He refers Wesley to the preachers with whom he had been associated. He admits that he has not courage to beg as some of his brethren, and therefore probably might not raise enough for the Yearly Collection. See the manuscript Life, pp. 1248-50.

[14] Wesley arrived at Harwich from London by coach the previous evening, sailed for Holland next morning about nine, and reached Helvoetsluys on the 13th. His niece Sarah Wesley, and Brackenbury, Broadbent, and Whitfield were his companions. Mrs. Ferguson was the wife of his host in Holland, William Ferguson, of Hoxton and Amsterdam. He was local preacher, and distributed Wesley's sermons among his Dutch friends. His son acted as Wesley's interpreter and traveling companion. See Journal, vi. 416, 422; and letter of September 7, 1779.

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