To Mr. Merryweather

Pray, as you can, though you are ever so cold or dead. Hear the preaching; keep to your class. The Lord is at hand: He will abundantly pardon. I am

Your affectionate brother.

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CCXXVIII. — To Mr. Merryweather, of Yarm.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, January 16, 1758.

IF the work of God does so increase at Yarm, we must not let the opportunity slip. Therefore let the Travelling Preacher be there either every Sunday evening, or at least every other Sunday. No person must be allowed to preach or exhort among our people, whose life is not holy and unblamable; nor any who asserts anything contrary to the Gospel which we have received. And if he does not own his fault, and amend it, he cannot be a Leader any longer.

Peace be with you all.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXXIX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, BRENTFORD, January 24, 1760.

I RECEIVED yours, with the bill, a day or two ago. I wish you would everywhere recommend two books in particular “The Christian Pattern,” and the “Primitive Physic.” It is a great pity that any Methodist should be without them

I wonder brother Mather does not write to me. He should not forget his friends. I hope the gentleman with whom I breakfasted at Yarm has not forsaken you. Even the rich may enter into the kingdom: For with God all things are possible.

See that you stir up the gift of God that is in you. What is our Lord’s word to you? — “Let the dead bury their dead: But follow thou me!” I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXXX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, October 5, 1763.

YOUR letter was sent from hence to Bristol. But I had left Bristol before it came. I have no objection to Mr. Jaco’s coming to Yarm to open the house: But I suppose he cannot stay long. He will soon be wanted again in his own Circuit.

It is strange that the number of hearers should decrease, if you have regular preaching. I hope the morning preaching is never omitted. If it be, everything will droop.

What relates to the account I will give to Mr. Franks. Probably he will find where the mistake lies. O be in earnest.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXXXI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, May 7, 1764.

I THANK you for the receipts. There is nothing more sure, than that God is able and willing to give always what he gives once. And it is most certainly

his design, that whatever he has given you should abide with you for ever. But this can only be by simple faith. In this, reasoning is good for nothing. See that both of you be as little children. Your help is all laid up above, in the hand of Him that loves you. Look unto Him, and receive what you want! Believe yourselves to heaven!

I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXXXII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, February 8, 1766.

WHERE Christian perfection is not strongly and explicitly preached, there is seldom any remarkable blessing from God; and, consequently, little addition to the Society, and little life in the members of it. Therefore, if Jacob Rowell is grown faint, and says but little about it, do you supply his lack of service. Speak and spare not. Let not regard for any man induce you to betray the truth of God. Till you press the believers to expect full salvation now, you must not look for any revival.

It is certain, God does at some times, without any cause, known to us, shower down his grace in an extraordinary manner. And he does, in some instances, delay to give either justifying or sanctifying grace, for reasons which are not discovered to us. These are some of those secrets of his government, which it hath pleased him to reserve in his own breast. I hope you and your wife keep all you have, and gasp for more.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXXXIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LEWISHAM, December 10, 1768.

THE matter is short: All things in divine worship must “be done decently and in order.” Two must never pray at the same time, nor one interrupt

another. Either Alice Brammah must take advice, or the Society must be warned to keep away from her. These are the very things which were the beginning of poor George Bell’s fall.

I am, with love to sister Merryweather,

Your affectionate brother.

CCXXXIV. — To the Same.

DEAR GEORGE, LONDON, October 9,

1786.

DO not wish to have a grain less of sensibility than you have. I love you the better for it: And so does He that is greater than all. That family I know and love well: We will help them all we can. I have no access to Mr. Thornton: The Calvinists take care to keep him to themselves. But if you will give them five pounds from me, John Atlay will answer your draft here.

I am, with best wishes to all the family, dear George,

Your affectionate brother.

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CCXXXV. — To Mrs. Emma Moon, Yarm.

MY DEAR SISTER, NORWICH, December 6, 1767.

I CAN easily believe that nothing would be wanting to me, which it was in your power to supply: For I am persuaded your heart is as my heart, as is the case with all the “souls whom Himself vouchsafes to unite in fellowship divine.” What is always in your power is, to bear me before the throne of grace. One thing in particular which I frequently desire is, “a calm evening of a various day;” that I may have no conflicts at the last, but rather, if God sees good, before “my flesh and my heart faileth.”