To Mrs. Emma Moon
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.”
In every place where Mr. Whitefield has been, he has labored in the same friendly, Christian manner. God has indeed effectually broken down the wall of partition which was between us. Thirty years ago we were one: Then the sower of tares rent us asunder: But now a stronger than him has made us one again.
There is no weakness either in our body or mind, but Satan endeavors to avail himself of it. That kind of dullness or listlessness I take to be originally a pure effect of bodily constitution. As such, it is not imputable to us in any degree, unless we give way to it. So long as we diligently resist, it is no more blamable than sleepiness, or weariness of body. Do many of those who were saved from sin in your neighborhood stand fast in their liberty? or have one half, if not the greater part, been moved from their steadfastness? How is it that so many are moved? that in many places so few, comparatively, stand? Have you lately conversed with sister Heslop? Does she retain all the life she had? Does John Eland? and some others at Hutton?
Peace be multiplied upon you!
I am, my dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
CCXXXVI. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, January 24, 1768.
FORMERLY, when persons reproached me for doing thus and thus, I have very frequently said, “In truth, I have not done it yet; but, by the grace of God, I will.” This seems to be the very case with you. You are accused for what you did not, but ought to have done. You ought to have informed me from time to time, not indeed of trifles, or idle reports, but of things which you judged to be a real hindrance to the work of God. And God permitted you to be reminded of this omission by those who intended nothing less.