To Zechariah Yewdall.

whenever you was tired you might go into my carriage. I am not so ready a writer as I was once; but I bless God I can scrawl a little, — enough to assure you that

I am, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DCLXXIX— To the Same.

DEAR SIR, LONDON, December 7, 1790.

IT gave me pleasure to see your letter dated Portsmouth, and to hear that your health is better. I hope you will be able to spend a little time with us here; And if you choose to lodge in my house, I have a room at your service; and we have a family which I can recommend to all England, as adorning the doctrine of God our Savior.

I am, dear Sir,

Your very affectionate friend and brother.

—————

DCLXXX. — To Mr. Zechariah Yewdall.

DEAR ZACHARY, LONDON, October 9, 1779.

WHEREVER you are, be ready to acknowledge what God has done in your soul; and earnestly exhort all the believers to expect full salvation. You would do well to read every morning a chapter in the New Testament, with the Notes, and to spend the greatest part of the morning in reading, meditation, and prayer. In the afternoon, you might visit the society from house to house, in the manner laid down in the Minutes of the Conference. The more labor, the more blessing!

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, BRISTOL, July 24, 1780.

NEXT year you will he in the Glamorganshire Circuit, and with a fellow-laborer who has the work of God at heart.

If Billy Moore mentions it in time, your temporal wants will easily be supplied. Trials are only blessings in disguise. Whenever anything bears hard upon your mind, you should write freely to

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 3, 1780.

YOU mistake one thing. It is I, not the Conference, (according to the twelfth Rule,) that station the Preachers; but I do it at the time of the Conference, that I may have the advice of my brethren. But I have no thoughts of removing you from the Glamorganshire Circuit: You are just in your right place. But you say, “Many of the people are asleep.” They are; and you are sent to awake them out of sleep. “But they are dead.” True; and you are sent to raise the dead. Goodwill be done at Monmouth and Neath in particular. When no good can be done, I would leave the old and try new places. But you have need to be all alive yourselves, if you would impart life to others. And this cannot be without much self-denial. Both of you should recommend the Magazine in earnest.

I am, dear Zachary

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER LONDON, February 10, 1781.

BROTHER JOHNS has been with me this morning. I believe you will have peace long before he gets his estate. You have now a fair prospect. It really seems as if God had inclined the hearts of the Magistrates to do you justice. I know no Attorney to be depended on like Mr. Bold, of Brecon. The Conference will consider the expense.

Continue instant in prayer, and God will give you quietness. I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXIV. — To the Same.

DEAR ZACHARY, WHITEHAVEN, May 26, 1781.

YOU should always write to me without reserve. I observe nothing much amiss in your behavior. Truth and love you may hold fast; and courtesy will increase insensibly. Godfathers promise only, that they “will see the child be taught, as soon as he is able to learn, what he ought to do in order to his soul’s health.” And his, it is certain, they may perform. You did not read that little tract with sufficient care; otherwise, you could not but have seen this.

I commend you for being exceeding wary with respect to marriage. St. Paul’s direction is full and clear: “If thou mayest be free, use it rather.” “Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.” Two of our small tracts you should read with much prayer; — “Thoughts on a Single Life,” and “A Word to whom it may concern.” You need not be backward to write, when you have opportunity. There is no fear of my thinking, your letters troublesome.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, OTLEY, May 1, 1782.

I SEE no reason yet, why you may not spend the next year in Cork and Bandon. If nothing unforeseen prevent, I shall be at Dublin the beginning of July.

If you desire to promote the work of God, you should preach abroad as often as possible. Nothing destroys the devil’s kingdom like this. You may have the History of the Church: Money is nothing between you and me. Be all in earnest!

I am, dear Zachary,

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXVI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, SEVENOAKS, October 21, 1782.

UNDOUBTEDLY you are to act as Assistant; and if you carefully read the great Minutes of the Conference, and keep close to them in every point, assuredly you will see the fruit of your labor. But whom can you get to help you? I know none, unless you can persuade brother Rutherford to spare you Andrew Blair, and to take a poor invalid, John Mealy, (who is now at Dublin,) in his stead. You know, we have no Preachers to spare; every one is employed: And we can neither make Preachers, nor purchase them. God alone can thrust them out into his harvest. All you can do till help comes is, to divide yourself between Cork and Bandon. I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DCLXXXVII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, November 12, 1782. BEFORE this time I suppose you have my last. I have wrote to T. Rutherford to send Andrew Blair. The Leaders, I find, were unwilling to part with him; but I think he will be guided by me rather than by them. Till I have done meeting the classes, I shall have little leisure to write either prose or verse; being fully taken up from morning to night. After this, I may get a little time. O let us work while the day is! The night cometh, wherein no man can work.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXVIII. — To the Same.

ON THE DEATH OF MR. BOARDMAN.

WITH zeal for God, with love of souls inquired, Nor awed by dangers, nor by labors tired, BOARDMAN in distant worlds proclaims the word To multitudes, and turns them to his Lord. But soon the bloody waste of war he mourns, And, loyal, from rebellion’s seat returns; Nor yet at home, on eagles’ pinions flies, And in a moment soars to paradise!

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, November 21, 1782. I BELIEVE you need not be ashamed to inscribe the lines above on R. Boardman’s tombstone. I doubt you do not find any account of himself among his papers.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCLXXXIX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 7, 1782.

I DO not see that you can fix upon a more proper person, than either George Howe or Laren Wright. You should endorse it on the back of the deed; only taking care to have fresh stamps.

Those who will not meet in class cannot stay with us. Read the “Thoughts upon a Single Life,” and wish them well. You will then feel the wisdom of St. Paul’s advice, (especially to a Preacher, and to a Methodist Preacher above all,) “If thou mayest be free, use it rather.”

I hope Andrew Blair is now with you. Brother Swindells is dead; and John Trembath is alive again.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DCXC. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 31, 1782.

YOU fear when no fear is. I have appointed Mr. Blair to labor with you at Cork and Bandon; and shall not alter that appointment, without stronger reasons than I am likely to see. If I live, I shall probably see Ireland in summer: If I do not, I expect Dr. Coke will.

Robert Blake may go just where he will: I have nothing to do with him. Three times he left his Circuit without the consent of his Assistant. He has stupidly and saucily affronted almost all the Leaders. His high spirit, I fear, will destroy him. Till he is deeply humbled, I disclaim all fellowship with him.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DCXCI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, February 9, 1783.

I AM glad you have given another trial to Innishannon. And why not to Hinscla? I am a good deal of your mind. I hope those are only drops before a shower of grace. Over and above the general reasons contained in that tract, a Preacher, and above all others n Methodist Preacher, has particular reasons for valuing a single life.

I am glad B. Blair and you converse freely together: It will preserve you from many snares. There can be no properer person for a Trustee than Andrew Laffan. I have hope, that Robert Blake will be more useful than ever.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DCXCII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, February 25, 1785.

I AM glad to hear, that the work of God goes on at Sheerness, and that there is such a noble spirit among the people with regard to building. But as we are yet early in the year, I do not advise you to begin till two hundred pounds are subscribed. Try first what you can do in Kent, and at Norwich, after keeping a day of fasting and prayer.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DCXCIII. — To the Same.

DEAR ZACHARY Near DUBLIN, June 22, 1785.

LET him not be afraid: I will take care that not one word of that affair shall be mentioned at the Conference. Let him come up thither in the name of God, and it will be a blessing to him.

Let B. Foster likewise come, that he may have the advice of Dr. Whitehead. I shall have no objection, unless some particular objection arise, to your going to Sunderland. I think you will do well to bring brother Adamson with you to the Conference. You will both be acceptable to, Dear Zachary,

Your affectionate brother.

DCXCIV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, November 11, 1785.

I HOPE sister Yewdall and you will be a blessing to each other. I think it a pity to remove you from Kent. Otherwise, Oxford Circuit is nearer to London than Canterbury Circuit; for High-Wycomb is nearer to it than Chatham. I cannot visit all the places I want to visit in Kent in one journey. I purpose (God willing) to begin my first journey on the 28th instant. Shall I visit Margate or Sheerness first?

I am, dear Zachary,

Your affectionate brother.

DCXCV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 20, 1786.

YOU do well to tell me where you are, and what you are doing. Do not you know, that several envy you, because, they say, you are one of my

favorites? I am glad to hear that you find some fruit again even at poor Musselburgh. I expect more from the new than the old hearers, most of whom are as salt that has lost its savor. Possibly, some good may he done at Dalkeith too; but you will have need of patience. I do not despair even of Preston-Pans, if you can procure a tolerable place.

It is a great point gained, if Mr. Collis is diligent in attending his lectures. If he has likewise resolution to refrain from gay company, there is reason to hope that he will be a valuable man.

You cannot have a better adviser than Mr. Pawson. Take care to husband your time. Peace be with you and yours!

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCXCVI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LISBELAN, May 30, 1787.

I AM glad to hear that you have a society at Dalkeith. But I am not pleased that the Edinburgh Preacher has not preached there once a week: I desire he would constantly do it for the time to come, without asking leave of the Leaders. Those have no business to direct the Preachers. It is no part of their office. I am glad to hear so good an account of Mr. Collis, and hope he will be a comfort to his mother. I will consider what you say concerning your being at Glasgow.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DCXCVII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, November 1, 1787.

YOU send me good news indeed. So even poor Dalkeith will at last receive the Gospel! I have no hope of our doing any good at Preston-Pans for the present. Wherever a door is open, there press forward. I do not despair of having some fruit at Musselburgh. If my health is continued, I hope to pay you a visit in Scotland next summer. You may have some books to give away. Peace be with all your spirits!

I am

Your affectionate brother.

S. Bradburn is alive and well.

DCXCVIII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 27, 1787.

YOU are in the right. You can have nothing at all to do with the chapel upon those terms. Nay, a dove-cote above it would be an insufferable nuisance, as it would fill the whole place with fleas. “What is to be done then?”

Why, continue instant in prayer, and God will show what you are to do. But he that believeth doth not make haste. I cannot advise you to set about building a house, unless you could find one or two responsible men, who would engage themselves to finish the building in such a manner, for an hundred and fifty pounds. Otherwise, I think you would be more bold than wise.

I am, with kind love to Mrs. Yewdall,

Your affectionate brother.

DCXCIX. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, ATHLONE, April 18, 1789.

I AM glad to hear that there is so fine a prospect at Dalkeith. So is generally the way of our Lord, to try us first, and then to comfort. It is pity but James Ridley had thoroughly settled his affairs before he attempted to travel. If that had been done, there is no doubt but he would have been useful wheresoever he went. I wish, however, brother Dall may make a good conclusion with regard to the chapel at Dumfries. Peace be with you and yours!

I am, dear Zachary,

Your affectionate brother.

—————

DCC. — To Miss Bishop.

DEAR MISS BISHOP, 1767.

WE have had a society in Bath for about thirty years, sometimes larger and sometimes smaller. It was very small this autumn, consisting only of eleven or twelve persons, of whom Michael Hemmings was Leader. I spoke to these one by one, added nine or ten more, divided them into two classes, and appointed half of them to meet with Joseph Harris. But if you are willing to cast in your lot with us, I had rather that the single women in both classes, who desire it, should meet with you, and any others who are not afraid of the reproach of Christ. In that little tract, “A Plain Account of the People called Methodists,” you see our whole plan. We have but one point in view; to be altogether Christians, scriptural, rational Christians. For which we well know, not only the world, but the almost Christians, will never forgive us. From these, therefore, if you join heart and hand with us, you are to expect neither justice nor mercy. If you are determined, let me know. But consider what you do. Can you give up all for Christ? the hope of improving your fortune, a fair reputation, and agreeable friends? Can He make you amends for all these? Is He alone a