To Miss Bosanquet

CCCCXXX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, December 21, 1776.

YOU are a great deal less happy than you would be, if you did not reason too much. This frequently gives that subtle adversary an advantage against you. You have need to be continually as a little child, simply looking up for whatever you want.

It is devoutly to be wished for, that we may rejoice evermore; and it is certain, the inward kingdom of God implies not only righteousness and peace, but joy in the Holy Ghost. You have therefore reason to ask for, and expect, the whole Gospel blessing. Yet it cannot be denied that many times joy is withholden, even from them that walk uprightly. The great point of all is, a heart and a life entirely devoted to God. Keep only this, and let all the rest go: Give Him your heart, and it sufficeth. I am, my dear sister,

Your ever affectionate brother.

—————

CCCCXXXI. — To Miss Bosanquet, afterwards Mrs. Fletcher. MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, August 16, 1767.

SO the Lord has chastened and corrected you; but he hath not given you over unto death. It is your part to stand ready continually for whatever He shall call you to. Everything is a blessing, a means of holiness, as long as you can clearly say, “Lord, do with me and mine what thou wilt, and when thou wilt, and how thou wilt.”

Undoubtedly she was (and so was I) in the third stage of a consumption. And Physicians have long since agreed that this is not curable by any natural means. But what signifies this in the sight of God? As,

When obedient Nature knows His will,

A fly, a grapestone, or a hair, can kill;

so, when it is his will to restore life or strength, any means shall be effectual. But we are slow of heart to believe that He is still the uncontrolled, Almighty Lord of hell, and earth, and heaven. You judge right. I never knew, till you wrote me word, that Richard Taylor had been at Leytonstone at all. At this Conference it will be determined whether all our Preachers, or none, shall continually insist upon Christian perfection. Remember in all your prayers,

My dear sister,

Your ever affectionate brother.

CCCCXXXII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, December 11, 1768.

I AM afraid lest you should straiten yourself; and I was not in haste. Yet we have such a number round about us here, that I have a ready call for what I have to spare. I am glad B. Taylor’s affair has been heard: It seems all parties are now pretty well satisfied. If we live till next autumn, the yearly Conference is to be at Leeds. It will be a little strange if you do not see me then; though it were twice three miles from Gildersome. You have no reason to fear, but as your day so your strength shall be. Hitherto the Lord hath helped you. He has delivered; and you may rest assured that he will yet deliver. He gave, and he took away: But still you can praise him, since he does not take his Spirit from you. I hope you find no shyness in brother Lee, or Hopper. If there be, you are to overcome evil with good. I shall always be glad to hear from you, or S. Crosby. I trust neither life nor death will part you from,

My dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXXXIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, December 28, 1768.

TO hear from you is always agreeable to me: And at present there is no hindrance. In this house we have no jarring string; all is peace and harmony. “Right precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints;” and to hear particular accounts of this kind is exceedingly helpful to those they leave behind. Therefore I wanted as particular an account as Sally Crosby or you can give.

T. Lee is of a shy, backward natural temper, as well as of a slow, cool speech and behavior; but he is a sincere, upright man; and it would be worth all the pains to have a thorough good understanding with him. Peace be with your spirit!

I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXXXIV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, January 15, 1770.

IT is not strange if the leading of one soul be very different from that of another. The same Spirit worketh in every one; and yet worketh several ways, according to his own will. It concerns us to follow our own light; seeing we are not to be judged by another’s conscience. A little time will show who hinders, and who forwards, the welfare of the family; and I hope you will have steadiness to pursue every measure which you judge will be to the glory of God.

I am glad you find your temporal difficulties are lessened. Beware of increasing your expenses. I advise you not to take any other child till all these expenses are over. It is pity but you had an electric machine. It

would prevent much pain in a family, and supersede almost all other physic. I cure all vomiting and purging by warm lemonade. She is there still, and likely so to be, unless I would hire her to return; which I dare not do. I will not buy a cross, though I can bear it. Many are much stirred up here, and are greatly athirst for pure love. I am sure you tasted it once, though you was reasoned out of it. How soon may you find it again! Simple faith is all we want. Peace be with your spirit! I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXXXV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, MACCLESFIELD, March 26, 1770.

I AM now moving northward. In about a fortnight I expect to be at Whitehaven; and a week after, at Glasgow; in the beginning of May, at Aberdeen; and May 11, at Edinburgh.

To exert your faith is the very thing you want. Believe, and enter in. The experience of Eliz. Jackson has animated many. It is the very marrow of Christianity; and if it be diligently spread among our believers, it may be of unspeakable use. It is certainly right to pray, whether we can pray or no. God hears, even when we hardly hear ourselves.

She saw it so, through the advice and importunity of Clayton Carthy. And God permitted it. So all is well. With regard to us, I do not at present see any danger, either on one side or the other. You have need of a steady guide, and one that knows you well. If my brother had not given Mrs. Gaussen that fatal advice, “to keep from me,” she would not have fallen into the hands of others.

I am glad Richard Taylor is of use. He will be more and more so, if he continues simple of heart, and speaks explicitly of full redemption, and exhorts believers to accept it now. The same rule it will be well for you to

observe in conversation with all that are in earnest. Peace be with your spirit!

My dear sister, adieu!

CCCCXXXVI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, BRISTOL, March 4, 1772.

I BELIEVE my last letter took away a good part of your apprehensions. All the inconvenience I find (from a little bruise) is, that I am advised to ride as much in a carriage as I can, and as little on horseback. I take your offer exceeding kindly, and am,

My dear friend,

Ever yours.

CCCCXXXVII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, July 17, 1773.

BY the blessing of God, I reached this place an hour ago, in nearly as good health as I left it. I am glad my friend was at your house: She would receive no hurt; and possibly a little good. I think Thomas Mitchell, at least, may spend another year in Birstal Circuit. There did seem to be a providential call for what was done at Harrowgate! I am glad you find your soul unencumbered. You are just in your place. Stand fast in glorious liberty! I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXXXVIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, October 17, 1773.

I WAS laid up for a week or two last month; but have now nearly recovered my strength. If I live till spring, and am as well as I am now, I shall move

northward, as usual. I am glad you have begun that little meeting for prayer. It will not be without a blessing. T. Lee may have half a dozen of the “Instructions for Children,” to give as he sees needful. If you undertake the care of the books, I shall be under no farther concern about them; for I know what you do you will do in earnest. I wish you would immediately cause all the books which are at Birstal to be removed to your house. You will then be so kind as to send me a catalogue of them, and of the books which you would have sent down. All those who keep my books for the future, I shall desire to state their accounts once a month. But I do not know what you send me the bills for.

I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXXXIX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, November 17, 1773.

I AM afraid the assortment of books which is at Birstal house is exceeding imperfect. As soon, therefore, as we receive the account from you, we shall send down such small books as are wanting, and such as are most called for, and most useful.

My health seems now to be as well established as for many years; and this we are sure of, —

Health we shall have, if health be best.

What have we to do, but to make the best use of all our talents; and according to our power to glorify Him with our bodies and with our spirits?

I am, my dear sister,

Yours affectionately.

CCCCXL. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, February 9, 1774.

THE mob which hurt, not me, but the old hired chaise which I then used, made their assault some months since at Inniskillen in Ireland. We are little troubled at present with English mobs; and probably shall not while King George the Third lives.

In July I hope to see you in Cross-hall. My spring journey lies thus: — Manchester, April 4; Monday, April 18, Halifax; Tuesday, Huddersfield, Dewsbury; Thursday, Bradford; Sunday, 24, Haworth church. Surely, though we have seen great things already, we shall see greater than these. “If thou canst believe!” That is the point: Then what is impossible? I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXLI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, CLONES, May 29, 1775.

I WAS particularly glad to hear from you at this time, as I wanted to know how you was going on, and whether you was the person concerning whom one of our Preachers warily asked my advice. Whether you should part with your house, and things pertaining to it, is a very important question. The answering of this depends upon many circumstances which I am not yet acquainted with. But necessity has no law. It must be done, if your income will not otherwise answer the expenses.

The last day of June I hope to be in Dublin, and the end of July in England. If I have a ready passage, probably I may have an opportunity of hiding myself a day or two with you; but I do not desire any of the Preachers to come to me till I send for them. If they do, I shall run away. I will not be in a crowd.

Probably you know whether Mr. Saunderson is at Knaresborough. If he is, pray take up a cross for me. Write to him, in my name, and tell him, I desire him, without delay or excuse, to return to Bristol; otherwise, he will disoblige me for ever.

I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCXLII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, February 23, 1778.

ALTHOUGH I hope to see you next week, I cannot but write a few lines. Who knows but the illness of Miss Bishop might be permitted for this very thing, — that you might have a more clear and open way to help the women at Bath forward? What you have to do at Bristol does not yet appear: Providence will open itself by and by. I am glad Philly Cousens retains her confidence. See that she has something to do. I had not heard anything of Tommy Westall’s daughter; and am glad she is so well disposed of. Let brother Taylor and Nancy Tripp do all they can for God. This is an acceptable time. I hope to see you on Tuesday afternoon; and am,

My dear sister,

Yours very affectionately.

CCCCXLIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, BRISTOL, August 5, 1780.

I SNATCH time from the Conference to write two or three lines. I am in hopes Nancy Tripp will find a perfect cure. I am glad you have begun a prayer-meeting at Hunslet, and doubt not but it will be productive of much good. Hitherto we have had a blessed Conference. The case of the Church

we shall fully consider by and by; and I believe we shall agree, that none who leave the Church shall remain with us. Peace be with all your spirits! I am, my dear sister,

Yours most affectionately.

CCCCXLIV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, December 18, 1780.

I AM glad to hear that the work of God is going on in your own soul, and in those about you. That young woman’s dream is very remarkable, and gives us good encouragement to press on to the mark. I believe Mr. D. was the better for his journey; but he has very little fellowship with the Methodists.

We have many here who have the same experience with honest George Clark, and far more clear ideas of the life of faith than he has. Such are George Hufflet, in the chapel at Spitalfields; Mary Landers, in the Tower; S. Collet, in Bishopsgate-street; S. Cayleys, at G. Clark’s; Jenny Thornton, and some others, in the city; S. Peters, in the Curtains; Molly Monk, at Moorfields; S. Garston and Charles Wheeler, in Old-street. Joseph Bradford would introduce any one you sent to these, or to our select society. It will be well to advertise the tracts now. I remember you daily; and am,

My dear sister,

Your ever affectionate brother.

CCCCXLV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, BRISTOL, September 15, 1785.

I WANTED much to hear from you, being desirous to know whether you have thought where you should settle, if God should please to prolong your life. I should love to be as near you as I could; and on that account should be glad if you chose Bristol or London. I expect to be in town on

Monday fortnight, October the first. Mr. Ireland has printed a thousand or two of your Letters, with some little variations, I think for the worse. Peace be with your spirit!

I am, my dear sister,

Ever yours.

I am glad the people desire to join us. I shall reprint your letter when I come to London.

CCCCXLVI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, BRISTOL, October 2, 1785.

THERE is much of divine Providence in this, that the people are permitted to choose their own Curate. I believe Mr. Horne to be a sound Methodist, and think he will serve them well, if he can procure ordination. If he cannot, Mr. Dickenson may do near as well; a very pious and sensible young man, who has for two or three years served good Mr. Perronet, at Shoreham, but expects to be turned away by the new Vicar. Surely, your thought of spending much of your time in London is agreeable to the will of God. I never thoroughly approved of your going so far from it, although much good was drawn out of it. I hope to be there tomorrow. Should not you now consider me as your first human friend? I think none has a more sincere regard for you than,

My dear sister,

Yours most affectionately.

CCCCXLVII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, NORWICH, October 22, 1785.

THIS morning I received and read your papers. You have done justice to the character of that excellent man, as far as you could be expected to do in so small room. I do not observe any sentence that need be left out, and

very few words that need to be omitted or altered: Only I omit a very little, which I had inserted before I received yours, in that part of my sermon which I had transcribed. I hope to procure some more materials, in order to the writing of his Life. May the Lord bless you, and keep you! I am, my dear sister,

Yours in tender affection.

CCCCXLVIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, January 13, 1786.

WHEN I receive letters from other persons, I let them lie, perhaps a week or two, before I answer them: But it is otherwise when I hear from you. I then think much of losing a day, for fear I should give a moment’s pain to one of the most faithful friends I have in the world. The circumstance you add respecting the behavior of those Custom-House Officers is very well worth relating. O what pity that it was not then made known to their superiors; that those inhospitable wretches might have been prevented from misusing other strangers!

I think your advice is exactly right. With the materials I have already, or can procure in England, I will write and publish as soon as I conveniently can.

I am, my very dear sister,

Your ever affectionate brother.

CCCCXLIX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, December 9, 1786.

THE book is now finished: I have the last proof now before me. Two of the three accounts you give, I have at large. I only wait a few days, to see if my brother will write his Elegy.