To a Young Disciple

D. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, BRISTOL, September 20, ——.

AT length Jenny has broke through, and given me the satisfaction of exchanging a few words with her. You send us strange news that the lions of Wales are become lambs! I really think a spirit of humanity and benevolence is gone forth upon the earth, perhaps intimating, that the time is drawing near when men shall not know war any more. Mr. Wrigley has been detained here by a sore face, ever since the Conference; but is now also on the mending hand; though he is not yet able to go abroad. I am glad to hear that Dr. Powell, of Brecon, continues in the good way. He seems to be of a frank, open temper; and to be skillful in his profession. I am rather gaining than losing ground as to my health.

I think Mr. Cowper has done as much as is possible to be done with his lamentable story. I can only wish he had a better subject. Peace be with you and yours!

I am

Your affectionate brother.

I set out for London on Monday.

—————

DI. — To a Young Disciple.

LONDON, February 25, 1769.

YOU have no need to take thought for the morrow: As your day, so your strength will be. With regard to little compliances, I should be of ——’s mind; only, if we begin, we know not where we shall stop. If you plead your conscience for not complying with anything, you must use the most mild and respectful expressions you possibly can, and God will order all things well. You will want no help which is in the power of

Yours affectionately.

DII. — To the Same.

January 25, 1771.

AS you desire a few directions with regard to the improvement of your mind, I will set down just what occur to me at present. Only as my business is great, and my time is short, I cannot stay to explain them at large.

All the knowledge you want is comprised in one book, — the Bible. When you understand this, you will know enough. I advise you, therefore, to begin everyday (before or after private prayer) with reading a portion, more or less, of the Old or New Testament, or of both, if you have time, together with the Notes, which may lead you by the hand into suitable meditation. After breakfast, you may read, in order; the volumes of Sermons, and the other practical books which we have published; more or less at a time, (as other business permits,) with meditation and prayer. Young, Milton, and the Moral and Sacred Poems, you may read chiefly in the afternoons. Whatever you write, you should write in the forenoons. Take care never to read or write too long at a time. That is not conducive either to bodily or spiritual health. If I can be of use to you in anything else, tell me; you know you may speak freely to

Yours affectionately.

DIII. — To the Same.

DUBLIN, March 30, 1771.

SO poor, tempted, disconsolate —— was sent to London for your sake also! She was sent to you among others, to quicken your expectation of the great salvation. And what is it our Lord calls you to now? Whereunto thou hast attained, hold fast! You may undoubtedly lose what God has given; but you never need. Is not his grace sufficient for you? Is not his

strength made perfect in weakness? Indeed you shall pass through the fire; but lean upon Him, and the flames shall not kindle upon you. You shall go through the waters; but keep hold on Him, and the floods shall not run over you. Suffer all and conquer all.

In every temptation, He keeps you to prove

His utmost salvation, His fulness of love!

Be exceeding wary in your conversation, that it may be worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Let not the liveliness of your spirit lead you into levity: Cheerful seriousness is the point you are to aim at. And be willing to suffer with Him, that you may reign with Him. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him!

I am

Yours affectionately.

DIV. — To the Same.

BANDON, May 2, 1771.

THERE is no fear I should forget you, especially at this time, when all the powers of hell are engaged against you; but let them come about you like bees, they shall be extinct as the fire among the thorns. Tempted you are, and will be; otherwise, you could not know your own weakness, and the strength of your Master. But all temptations will “work together for good;” all are for your profit, that you may be partaker of his holiness. You may always have an evidence both of God’s love to you, and of yours to him. And, at some times, the former may be more clear; at other times, the latter. It is enough if, in one case or the other, you simply stay your soul upon Him. S. Harper’s is the ordinary experience of those who are renewed in love. S. Jackson’s experience is quite extraordinary, and what very few of them have yet attained.

There is a danger of every believer’s mistaking the voice of the enemy, or of their own imagination, for the voice of God. And you can distinguish one from the other, not by any written rule, but only by the unction in the

Holy One. This only teaches Christian prudence, consistent with simplicity and godly sincerity. The four volumes of Sermons, the Appeals, the Notes, and the Extracts from Mr. Law’s Works, and from Dr. Young, might best suit you now: Meddle with nothing that does not suit your present temper. Meet with them that meet on a Friday, and speak in God’s name, without fear or shame. The general rule, “not to correspond but with those who have both grace and understanding,” admits of several exceptions, in favor of a few who want one of them, or the other, or both. Be not afraid of writing too long letters to me. The longer, the more agreeable to,

My dear ——,

Yours affectionately.

DV. — To the Same.

GALWAY, May 20, 1771.

YOUR concern is with the present moment: Your business is, to live today. In every sense, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself. It is true, the full assurance of hope excludes all doubt; of our final salvation; but it does not, and cannot, continue any longer than we walk closely with God. And it does not include any assurance of our future behavior; neither do I know any word in all the Bible which gives us any authority to look for a testimony of this kind. But just so far you may certainly go, with regard to the present moment, —

“I want the witness, Lord,

That all I do is right,

According to thy will and word,

Well-pleasing in thy sight.”

Seriously and steadily, my dear maid, aim at this; and you will not be disappointed of your hope. With regard to the impression you speak of, I am in doubt whether it be not a temptation from the enemy. It may occasion many wrong tempers; it may feed both pride and uncharitableness. And the Bible gives us no authority to think ill of any one, but from plain, undeniable, overt acts.

Rollin was a pious man, and a fine historian. If you read one volume, you would feel whether it enlivened or deadened your soul. The same trial you may make, as to serious poetry. Very probably this would enliven your soul; and certainly the volumes of Philosophy may, as Galen entitles his description of the human body, “A Hymn to the Creator.” Temporal business need not interrupt your communion with God, though it varies the manner of it. It is certain every promise has a condition; yet that does not make the promise of none effect; but by the promise you are encouraged and enabled to fulfill the condition. You might like it better, were there no condition; but that would not answer the design of Him that makes it. It is certain, there are times of nearer access to God, and that it nearly imports us to improve those precious seasons. But we may find plausible objections against this; and, indeed, against anything. The more free you are with me, the more you oblige,

My dear ——,

Yours affectionately.

DVI. — To the Same.

DUBLIN, July 13, 1771.

TRUTH and falsehood, and so right and wrong tempers, are often divided by an almost imperceptible line. It is the more difficult to distinguish right and wrong tempers, or passions, because, in several instances, the same motion of the blood and animal spirits will attend both one and the other. Therefore, in many cases, we cannot distinguish them, but by the unction of the Holy One. In the case you mention, all self-complacency or self-approbation is not pride. Certainly there may be self-approbation, which is not sin, though it must occasion a degree of pleasure. “This is our rejoicing, even the testimony of our conscience toward God.” And this joy is neither better nor worse, for being accompanied with a natural motion of the blood and spirits. Equally natural, and equally innocent, is the joy which we receive from being approved by those we love. But, in all these instances, there is need of the utmost care, lest we slide from innocent joy, or self-approbation, into that which is not innocent, into pride, (thinking

of ourselves more highly than we ought to think,) or vanity, a desire of praise.

For thin partitions do their bounds divide.

Be all in earnest; and always speak without reserve to

Yours, etc.

DVII. — To the Same.

THE HAY, August 24, 1771.

IF you find any comfort or help thereby, write on, without any reasoning about the matter. The various thoughts and suggestions you mention are just such as any person of a lively imagination may expect. Satan, too, very well knows whereof we are made, and always attacks us on the weak side. But these, and a thousand clouds passing over your mind, prove nothing as to the state of your heart: See that this be devoted to Him, and it is enough. You have given it Him: Stand to your gift. However, then, your imagination may be affected, you will have the testimony of a good conscience toward God. Not but that you may plead that promise, “The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” As the former word takes in all your passions, so does the latter all the workings of your reason and imagination. Pray, therefore, and look for the answer of your prayer. It shall come, and not tarry!

DVIII. — To the Same.

KINGSWOOD, September 13, 1771.

YOUR present weakness will, I hope, be an unspeakable blessing. You were in danger of having more sail than ballast, more liveliness of imagination than solid wisdom. But it seems God is correcting this defect, and giving you more steadiness of mind. You now see and feel what is the real value of this poor perishable world, and how little real happiness is to be found in all things under the sun.

It is right to pour out our whole soul before Him that careth for us. But it is good, likewise, to unbosom ourselves to a friend, in whom we can confide. This also is an appointed means which it generally pleases God to bless. Whenever, therefore, you have opportunity, speak all that is in your heart to

Your affectionate brother.

DIX. — To the Same.

WITNEY, October 16, 1771.

IT is no fault to be grieved at the unkindness of those we love: Only it may go to an excess; so that we have need to watch in this, as in all things, seeing the life of man is a temptation upon earth. And it is no fault not to grieve for the censure we must often meet with for following our own conscience. Of those little ones you cannot be too tender, or too careful; and as you are frequently alone, you may teach them many important lessons, as they are able to bear them. But it requires immense patience; for you must tell them the same thing ten times over, or you do nothing. A higher degree of that peace which may well be said to pass all understanding will keep, not only your heart, but all the workings of your mind, (as the world properly signifies,) both of your reason and imagination, from all irregular sallies. This peace will increase as your faith increases: One always keeps pace with the other. So that on this account also your continual prayer should be, “Lord, increase my faith!” A continual desire is a continual prayer; that is, in a low sense of the word; for there is a far higher sense, — such an open intercourse with God, such a close, uninterrupted communion with him, as G. Lopez experienced, and not a few of our brethren now alive. This you also should aspire after; as you know, He with whom we have to do is no respecter of persons.

DX. — To the Same.

January 5, 1772.

IT is not always a defect to mind one thing at a time. And an aptness so to do, to employ the whole vigour of the mind on the thing in hand, may answer excellent purposes. Only you have need to be exceeding wary, lest the thing you pursue be wrong. First, be well assured not only that it is good, but that it is the best thing for you at that time; and then, whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do it with your might. But you have all things in one, the whole of religion contracted to a point, in that word, “Walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us.” All is contained in humble, gentle, patient love. Is not this, so to speak, a divine contrivance to assist the narrowness of our minds, the scantiness of our understandings? Every right temper, and then all right words and actions, naturally branch out of love. In effect, therefore, you want nothing but this, — to be filled with the faith that worketh by love. DXI. — To the Same.

LEITH, May 13, 1772.

TO set the state of perfection too high, is the surest way to drive it out of the world. The substance of that test, I believe, I have seen; and I judge it not consistent with humanity; I mean with the state of a human soul, as long as it is united to a corruptible body. Do not puzzle yourself any more with these nice inquiries; but, in order to re-settle your judgment, give another deliberate reading, to the “Farther Thoughts,” or the “Plain Account of Christian Perfection.” He that long ago gave you to taste of his pardoning love, gave you afterwards a taste of His pure love. Whereunto you have attained, hold fast; never cast it away through a voluntary humility. But see that you do not rest there. Comparatively, forget the things that are behind. Reach forward! This one thing do: Press on to the prize of your high calling.

DXII. — To the Same.

WHITBY, June 20, 1772.

IT is of admirable use to bear the weaknesses, nay, and even the faults, of the real children of God. And the temptations to anger which arise herefrom are often more profitable than any other. Yet surely, for the present, they are not joyous, but grievous: Afterwards comes the peaceable fruit. You shall have exactly as much pain and as much disappointment as will be most for your profit, and just sufficient to Keep you dead to all below,

Only Christ resolved to know.

Never make it matter of reasoning that you have not either a larger or a smaller share of suffering. You shall have exactly what is best, both as to kind, degree, and time. O what a blessing is it to be in His hand who “doeth all things well!”

Of all gossiping, religious gossiping is the worst: It adds hypocrisy to uncharitableness, and effectually does the work of the devil in the name of the Lord. The Leaders, in every society, may do much towards driving it out from among the Methodists. Let them, in the band or class, observe,

1. “Now we are to talk of no absent person, but simply of God and our own souls.”

2. “The rule of our conversation here is to be the rule of all our conversation. Let us observe it (unless in some necessarily exempt cases) at all times and in all places.” If this be frequently inculcated, it will have an excellent effect.

Instead of giving a caution once, as to a grown person, you must give it to a child ten times. By this means you may keep a sensible child from an improper familiarity with servants. Cautions should also be given frequently and earnestly to the servants themselves; and they will not always be thrown away, if they have either grace or sense.

DXIII. — To the Same.

BRISTOL, August 31, 1772.

NONE are or can be saved but those who are by faith made inwardly and outwardly holy. But this holy faith is the gift of God; and he is never straitened for time. He can as easily give this faith in a moment as in a thousand years. He frequently does give it on a death-bed, in answer to the prayer of believers, but rarely, if ever, to those who had continued unholy, upon the presumption that He would save them at last. But, if He did, what unspeakable losers must they be! Could grief be in heaven, they would grieve to eternity, seeing every one there shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor.

And he will perplex you more than enough, if you listen to his sallies of imagination: “Every one has some pursuit; therefore a man cannot be always in communion with God.” I deny the consequence. While Mr. De Renty was serving the poor, he was in constant communion with God. So was Gregory Lopez, while he was writing books. “At first, indeed,” as Lopez observed, “large manifestations from God were apt to suspend the exercise of his senses, as well as of his understanding. But, after some time, they made no difference at all, but left him the full exercise of his understanding and senses.” I remember a much later instance of the same kind: An old Clergyman told me, some years since, “I asked Mr. Boehm, (Chaplain to Prince George of Denmark,) ‘Sir, when you are in such an hurry of business, surrounded with a crowd of people, hearing one, and dictating to another, at the same time, does it not interrupt your mental prayer?’ He answered immediately, ‘All that hurry no more hinders my communion with God, than if I was all the time sitting alone in my study, or kneeling at the altar.’” No business, therefore, of any kind, no conversation, need hinder one that is strong in faith, from rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks. Follow after this, and you will surely attain it.

DXIV. — To the Same.

March 23, 1773.

IF useless words or thoughts spring from evil tempers, they are properly evil; otherwise, not; but still they are contrary to the Adamic law: Yet not to the law of love; therefore there is no condemnation for them, but they are matter of humiliation before God. So are those (seemingly) unbelieving thoughts, although they are not your own, and you may boldly say, “Go, go, thou unclean spirit; thou shalt answer for these, and not I.” Your affections were apt to be too impetuous, and sometimes uneven too; but nature yields to healing grace, which I trust has made you both more calm and more steady: And what will it not make you, if you persevere? All that is amiable, holy, and happy! Already He that loves you, gives you a taste of what he has prepared for you. Let patience have its perfect work; and you shall be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. See that you make the best of life! The time is short!

DXV. — To the Same.

July 23, 1773.

AT many times our advances in the race that is set before us are clear and perceptible; at other times they are no more perceptible (at least to ourselves) than the growth of a tree. At my time you may pray, — “Strength and comfort from thy word,

Imperceptibly supply.”

And when you perceive nothing, it does not follow that the work of God stands still in your soul; especially while your desire is unto Him, and while you choose Him for your portion. He does not leave you to yourself, though it may seem so to your apprehension. The difference between temptation and sin is generally plain enough to all that are simple of heart; but in some exempt cases it is not plain: There we want the

unction of the Holy One. Voluntary humility, calling every defect a sin, is not well pleasing to God. Sin, properly speaking, is neither more nor less than “a voluntary transgression of a known law of God.”

There are a thousand instances wherein it is not possible literally to make restitution. All that we can advise in the case you mention is,

1. Let him that stole, steal no more; let him be from this hour rigorously just.

2. Let him be a faithful steward of the mammon of unrighteousness, restoring all he can to God, in the poor.

DXVI. — To the Same.

August 20, 1773

I OFTEN heard my own mother make the same complaint with you. She did not feel near so much as my father did; but she did ten times more than he did. You must labor to do so much the more, and pray that God would supply whatever is wanting. One degree of forgiveness is due to every one, though impenitent; still I love him as I love all men. But the other degree, whereby I should again receive him as a friend, is only due to one who says, “I repent;” that is, convinces me that he does really repent, and is entirely changed.

It is certain God has given you a talent, and I still think it ought to be used. I grant indeed, to be hid and to be still is more agreeable to flesh and blood; but is it more agreeable to Him “who hath left us an example, that we might tread in his steps?”

One cannot be saved from evil tempers, without being devoted to God; neither can a soul be all devoted to God, without being saved from sin: But it is often exceeding hard to judge of others, whether they are saved from all evil tempers, and whether they are all devoted to God, or not; yea, it is hard to judge of ourselves; nay, we cannot do it, without the anointing of the Holy One given for that very purpose. Out of darkness, God will command light to shine. Be plain and open to all; then, whether they are sincere or insincere, you will have a conscience void of offense. You find

all things work together for good. They must, while the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Yours affectionately.

DXVII. — To the Same.

BRISTOL, September 8, 1773.

WE have the clearest proof, when we have to do with children, that “the help which is done upon earth, God doeth it himself.” All our wisdom will not even make them understand, much less feel, the things of God. The “Instructions for Children” contain the best matter that we can possibly teach them. But nothing less than the finger of God can write it on their hearts. On Saturday night, he sent another shower of grace upon our children at Kingswood. Sixteen of them were deeply affected; and, I think, thirteen found peace with God. Four or five of them were some of the smallest we had, not above seven or eight years old.

Although there may be some use in teaching very young children to “say their prayers daily;” yet I judge it to be utterly impossible to teach any to “practice prayer,” till they are awakened. For, what is prayer, but the desire of the soul expressed in words to God, either inwardly or outwardly? How then will you teach them to express a desire who feel no desire at all? When, therefore, Madame Guion talks in that manner, it often makes me afraid, that both she and her teacher, Archbishop Fenelon, talked by rote of the things they knew not. Both of them had an amazing genius, but, I doubt, full little experience. It is exceeding certain, neither his nor her writings are likely to do us any solid service. We have all the gold that is in them, without the dross; which is often not only useless, but dangerous. Let you and I keep the good old way: —

In doings and bearing The will of our Lord,

We still are preparing To meet our reward.

Go on steadily in this path: There is none better. By patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality. You shall reap, if you faint not.

DXVIII. — To the Same.

BRISTOL, September 29, 1773.

YOUR own experience may give an answer to your question. You did yourself enjoy a foretaste of that constant communion with God, though it did not continue long. And you know it was given you in a moment. It was the same case with all those whom I have known, that are now enabled to pray without ceasing. To every one of them that blessing was given in an instant. So it will be given to you again; although, probably, you will find a strong hope first, which will incite you to cry out,

“Big with earnest expectation,

See me sit At thy feet,

Longing for salvation.”

Grace in one sense will make all things new. And I have sometimes known this done to such a degree, that there has been no trace of the natural temper remaining. But generally the innocent natural temper does remain; only refined, softened, and cast into the mold of love.

DXIX. — To the Same.

LEWISHAM, December 3, 1773.

YOU are yourself a living witness of this religion. But it is only in a low degree. I grant you are only just beginning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable blessing, that he shows you this, in so clear and strong a light. And undoubtedly he is able to make you completely serious; and yet this is consistent with much cheerfulness. You shall have more or less of reproach, as he chooses. Your part is, to leave all in His hands, who orders all things well. Go straight forward, and you shall be all a Christian! I expect that you will be more and more a confront to,

My dear,

Yours affectionately.