To Mr. Samuel Bardsley
yea, in all these things, you shall be more than conquerors through Him that loveth you. To His tender care I commit you; and am, My dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
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DICIX. — To Mr. Samuel Bardsley.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, November 24,
1771.
IT is a great blessing that your fellow-laborers and you are all of one mind. When that is so, the work of the Lord will prosper in your hands. It will go on widening, as well as deepening, while you draw in one yoke. If you desire it should deepen in believers, continually exhort them to go on unto perfection; steadily to use all the grace they have received, and every moment to expect full salvation. The “Plain Account of Christian Perfection” you should read yourself, more than once, and recommend it to all that are groaning for full redemption.
I am
Your affectionate brother.
DC. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, January 29, 1773.
IF David Evans is satisfied, all is well. You will not want work, nor a blessing upon it, if you are zealous and active. John Hallam is a good man, but a queer one: I am in hopes he will do good. There is a surprising willingness in almost every one that has answered the Circular Letter, which I hope is a token for good. Some of our Preachers have asked, “Why will you refuse the help of the poorer members?” I answer, I do not refuse;
though neither do I require it, for fear of distressing any. The little draught on the other side is for your mother.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCI. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, NORWICH, November 27, 1775.
WHENEVER you want anything, you should tell me without delay. If Tommy Colbeck will give you two guineas, it may be deducted out of the book-money. I am glad you go again to Skipton, and hope to see it myself, if I live till summer. At present I am better than I was before my fever; only it has stripped me of my hair. The more pains you take, the more blessing you will find; especially in preaching full salvation, receivable now, by faith.
I am, dear Sammy,
Yours affectionately.
DCII. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, October 25,
1776.
I LIKE your proposal well, of desiring help from your acquaintance in the neighboring Circuits; and the sooner it is put in execution, the better, that it may not interfere with the subscription we must shortly make for the New Foundry. Whatever you do, temporal or spiritual, do it with your might! I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCIII. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, February 14, 1777.
IT is uncertain yet, where I shall be this summer. If we do not build, I shall go to Ireland: If we do, I must reside chiefly in London. Only I would endeavor to make a little excursion into the north. I have not promised to open the House at Halifax in April or May, although it is probable I shall in my journey to or from Newcastle. But my time will be very short; because I can never be absent from the building but about two or three weeks at a time. I am glad you have found a way to Lancaster. Be zealous, be active, and conquer all things!
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCIV. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, February 14, 1778.
SO your mother is at rest! We shall go to her; though she will not return to us. I am glad you are so agreeably situated, and that you already see some fruit of your labor. About the 27th of March I expect to be at Chester. If a ship be ready at Parkgate, I purpose to embark directly; if not, I shall pay you a visit at Liverpool. I fix upon nothing: Let the Lord do as seemeth him good.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCV. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, BRISTOL, March 7, 1779.
I AM now just set out on my great journey: Probably I shall not reach Inverness till June. It will be in July, if I am spared so long, that I shall
visit Derby and Nottingham. My journey is longer this time, than it was the last. Let us work while the day is!
Exhort all the believers, strongly and explicitly, to go on to perfection; and to expect every blessing God has promised, not tomorrow, but today. I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCVI. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, January 30, 1780.
I AM glad to hear that your people love one another: Then neither Mr. — — nor Mr. —— can hurt them. They may make a bustle and a noise for a season; but it will be only a nine days’ wonder. If you take up your cross, and visit all the societies, whenever you have time, from house to house, their profiting will appear to all men; and none will be able to stand against you. Take a little pains likewise, both brother Shadford and you, in recommending the Magazine. Urge it from love to me, and to the Preachers; and whatever you do, do it with your might.
I am, dear Sammy,
Yours affectionately.
P.S. Everywhere exhort the believers to expect full salvation now by simple faith.
DCVII. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, LONDON, June 25, 1782.
I AM glad you find no reason to complain of our northern brethren. Many of them are as sincere and affectionate as any in England; and the way to do them good is, to observe all our rules at Inverness, just as you would at Sheffield; yea, and to preach the whole Methodist doctrine there, as plainly and simply as you would in Yorkshire. But you have not sent me
(neither you nor Peter Mill) any plan of the Circuit. This should be done without delay. See that you both do all you can for a good Master! Lose no time! Peace be with all your spirits!
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCVIII. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, BIRMINGHAM, March 25, 1787.
YOU send me good news concerning the progress of the work of God in Colne Circuit. I should think brother Jackson or Sagar might set the heads of the people at Bacup right. Brother Jackson should advise brother Ridall, not to please the devil by preaching himself to death. I still think, when the Methodists leave the Church of England, God will leave them. Every year more and more of the Clergy are convinced of the truth, and grow well-affected towards us. It would be contrary to all common sense, as well as to good conscience, to make a separation now.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCIX. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY , CARLOW, April 26, 1789.
I AM glad to hear that the work of the Lord still prospers in your hands. But there needs great steadiness, or you will not be able to keep the good old Methodist discipline. Brother Rhodes is desirous to do this; and it will be right for you to strengthen his hands therein. Let the Preachers stand firm together, and then the people will be regular; but if any of you take their part against the Preacher; all will be confusion. Since you desire it, you may come to the Conference.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, OTLEY.
I AM glad to hear so good an account of the work of God at Bideford. That town had holden out long, and seemed to bid defiance to the Gospel. But if we are not weary of well-doing, we shall reap in due time. I should hardly have expected any increase of the work of God in Launceston: But probably it will be enlarged by your preaching in the Town-Hall; for many will come thither, who would not come to our preaching-house. As long as you and your fellow laborers converse freely together, and act by united counsels, the work of the Lord will prosper in your hands. And continue instant in prayer, particularly in your closet.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCXI. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, NORTHAMPTON, November 25, 1789.
YOURS of the 21st instant was sent to me hither. You have done exceedingly well, to take the upper room. If need be, we will help you out. Let us have no law, if it be possible to avoid it: That is the last and the worst remedy. Try every other remedy first. It is a good providence that the Mayor at Bideford is a friendly man. Prayer will avail much in all cases. Encourage our poor people to be instant in prayer. Take care of poor Michael; and do not forget,
Dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
DCXII. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME, March 27, 1790.
TAKE particular care that neither Michael Fenwick, nor any other, give any just offense; and especially, that they offend not God: Then He will make your enemies be at peace with you.
If I remember well, I did write to the Mayor of Bideford; and I expect that makes him more quiet. By meekness, gentleness, and patience, with faith and prayer, you will prevail at Torrington also. You have only to go on calmly and steadily, and God will arise and maintain his own cause. Only let us labor to have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward man.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCXIII. — To the Same.
DEAR SAMMY, Near LONDON, October 29, 1790.
THE person that was appointed to come down to Bideford has been prevented from coming by want of health. And I believe it was well: It has confirmed me in a resolution which I had formed before, — not to send more Preachers into any Circuit than that Circuit can provide for. We are almost ruined by not observing this rule. I will observe it better for the time to come.
I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.