47. - To James Ireland, Esq.
beside ourselves, which becomes you so much the better, as you are restored to us against hope; and for how long we know not. Fulfil my joy, I say, which must droop till I can rejoice over you living, dying, or dead, “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Give yourself much to believing, thankful, solemn prayer. I was condemned for not making more of the solemn opportunity I had with you last Thursday. O! if we are spared to meet again, let us pray until we wind our hearts into ardent praise, and then let us praise till we are caught up into heaven. Hold up your hands tomorrow, and if we meet on Monday, be it in the name of Christ, to pour the oil of joy into each other’s hearts, by confessing him more heartily our God, our life, our present and never - dying Friend. Farewell in him every way. Yours, &c.
J. FLETCHER.
47. - TO JAMES IRELAND, ESQ.
MADELEY, Aug. 24, 1776.
MY DEAR FRIEND, - I have received the news of your loss, and of the gain of your younger daughter. She has entered into port, and has left you on a tempestuous sea with Fanny. The account of her death did not surprise me: when you received that of her illness, this passage came strongly to my mind: “Two shall be in one house: one shall be taken and the other left.” I recommend to Mrs. Ireland the resignation of David when he lost his son, and do you give her the example. The day of death is preferable to that of our birth: with respect to infants, the maxim of Solomon is indubitable. O what an honour is it to be the father and mother of a little cherub, who hovers round the throne of God in heavenly glory! Comfort yourselves, and rejoice that the Lord has taken one and left the other. R - - q - - t dead and buried! The jolly man who last summer shook his head at me as at a dying man! How frail are we! God help us to live to - day! to - morrow is the fool’s day. I am glad you encourage my hopes of finding some in Bristol, who will tarry, with one accord, for a pentecostal day of the Son of man. I meet with some, I hope, that feel a want of it; but my constant removals prevent my enjoying the benefit of waiting together in one place. When God shall be about to take away the reproach of his people, he will work a double miracle, - his grace will prepare their hearts, and his providence their outward circumstances. I am altogether yours in Jesus Christ,
J. FLETCHER.
48. - TO MESSRS. HARE, TERRY, FOX, AND GOOD, AT
HULL; AND MESSRS. PRESTON, SIMPSON, AND
RAMSDEN, AT YORK.
LONDON, Nov. 12, 1776.
MY DEAR BRETHREN, - I thank you for your kind letters and invitations to visit you and the brethren about you, should the Lord raise me to any degree of my former strength. I have often found an attraction to my companions in tribulation in Yorkshire. My desire was indeed a little selfish; I wanted to improve by the conversation of my unknown brethren. If God bids me be strong again out of weakness, I shall be glad to try if he will be pleased to comfort us by the mutual faith both of you and me. My desire is that Christ may be glorified both in my life and death. I am glad you wish that the power of godliness may flourish among the professors of the faith. If I have any desire to live at any time, God is my witness, that it is principally to be a witness in word and deed of the dispensation of power from on high; and to point out that kingdom which does not consist in word, but in power, even in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of power. I am writing an essay upon that important part of the Christian doctrine, and hope that it will be a mite in the treasury of truth, which the Lord has opened for the use of his people. Should I be spared to visit you, the keep of a horse, and the poor rider, will be all the burden that I should lay on you; and that will be more than my heavenly Master indulged himself in. I am just setting out for Norwich with Mr. Wesley, whose renewed strength and immense labours astonish me. What a pattern for preachers! His redeeming the time is, if I mistake not, matchless.
Should I never have the pleasure of thanking you in person for your brotherly regard, I beg you will all endeavour to meet me in the kingdom of our Father, where distance of time and place is lost in the fulness of Him that is all in all. “The way ye know,” - the penitential way of a heart - felt faith working by obedient love. In that good, though narrow way, I trust