To Mr. Richard Rodda
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DCXXIV. — To Mr. Richard Rodda.
DEAR RICHARD, BRISTOL, September 9, 1782.
YOU should take particular care that your Circuit be never without an assortment of all the valuable books, especially the Appeals, the Sermons, Kempis, and “The Primitive Physic,” which no family should be without. Send for these, and, according to the rule of Conference, take them into your own keeping. You are found to be remarkably diligent in spreading the books: Let none rob you of this glory. If you can spread the Magazine, it will do good: The letters therein contain the marrow of Christianity. Your affectionate friend and brother
It is very remarkable, that you should have a prospect of doing good at Oxford! And it is certainly a token for good, that you should find a Magistrate willing to do you justice.
DCXXV. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, WALLINGFORD, October 24, 1789.
YOU are a man whom I can trust: Whatever you do, you will do it with your might. Some years since we wanted a preaching-place near Coleford, in Somersetshire. A neighboring gentleman, Mr. Salmon, gave us ground to build on, and timber for the house, and desired me to use his house as my own. He is now by wicked men reduced to want.
I am informed a master for a poor-house is wanted at Manchester. Pray inquire, and, if it be so, leave no means untried to procure the place for him. Apply in my name to B. Barlow, D. Yates, T. Phillips, Dr. Easton, Mr. Brocklehurst, Stonehouse, and all that have a regard for me. Make all the interest you can. Leave no stone unturned. “Join hands with God to make a good man live.” I hope you will send me word in London that you have exerted yourself, and are not without a prospect of success. I am, dear Richard,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCXXVI. — To Richard Davenport, Esq.
I AM afraid, Sir, I shall not have an opportunity of procuring you those tunes until I return to London. The gentleman from whom I expected to procure them is not yet come hither. I have desired Mr. Swindells to beg your acceptance of two or three little tracts, which, perhaps, you have not seen, that I forgot to mention; one of which, if you have it not already, will probably give you pleasure. The title is nearly this: “A Letter to a Bishop, occasioned by some late Discoveries in Religion.” There are two parts of it. May I request of you one thing, Sir? — Do not speak evil of Jesus Christ: You may sometime stand in need of Him; and if you should, (I can say from a very little experience,) you will find Him the best friend in heaven or earth.
I am, Sir,