To John Baxendale of Wigan.
Ancient History, Hooke’s Roman History, (the only impartial one extant,) and a few more. For the elder and more sensible children, Malebranche’s “Search after Truth” is an excellent French book. Perhaps you might add, Locke’s “Essay on the Human Understanding,” with the Remarks in the Arminian Magazine. I had forgotten that beautiful book, “The Travels of Cyrus,” whether in French or English.
I always am
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCCXVI. — To Mr. John Baxendale of Wigan
MY DEAR BROTHER, BRISTOL, March 7, 1783.
I HAD much satisfaction when I was with you last, and hope to spend a light with you again; though I cannot yet fix the time. I agree with you, it would be well if the chapel were properly settled. You do well to lose no opportunity of enlarging your borders. It is an acceptable time. We are now more especially called to preach the Gospel to every creature: And many of the last shall be first. If we live to meet, I shall be glad to converse with that good young woman you speak of. The happy death of that poor mourner was a token for good. It was intended to encourage you in warning every one, and exhorting, everyone; even though you do not see any immediate fruit. In due time you shall reap if you faint not. Strongly exhort all believers to go on to perfection.
I am
Your affectionate brother.
DCCXVII. — To the same.
MY DEAR BROTHER LONDON, February 19, 1784.
YOU do well to put me in mind of my promise; for otherwise I might have forgotten it. It seems at length the time is come for poor Wigan to lift up its hand. I shall be glad to give them a sermon at Winyate myself, in my way from Wigan to Bolton. We should mark the places where God is pleased to work eminently, and strive to pour in all the help we can. You would do well to read over and consider the large “Minutes of the Conference.” See if you can thoroughly agree with what is there laid down, both with regard to doctrine and discipline. If you can, then set your hand to the plough in God’s name and never look back. Bet, in as soon as you please ordering your affairs, and go on with circumspection. Meantime, stir up the gift of God that is in you, and do all the good you can. I am
Your affectionate brother.
DCCXVIII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, February 25, 1785.
YOU send me an agreeable account of the work of God in and near Wigan. Indeed His work will flourish in every place where full sanctification is clearly and strongly preached. This year I only call on a few societies in my way. My business is with the societies in Ireland. I hope to end at Manchester on Saturday, April 2; at Bolton, the 4th; Wigan, Tuesday, the 5th. Perhaps I might preach at Winyate on my way thither. I am
Your affectionate brother.
DCCXIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, MANCHESTER, April 3, 1787.
I HAVE thouroughly considered your case; and, considering, two things, — first, the peculiar love of the people towards you, and, secondly, your usefulness to many of them, — I judge that Providence clearly calls you to remain at Wigan.
I am
Your affectionate brother.
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DCCXX. — To ——.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 23, 1782.
MANY years since, when I read those words in the lesson for the day, “Son of man, I take from thee the desire of thine eves with a stroke,” I was so affected, that it was not without difficulty I could speak a word more. But it was not long before He enabled me to say, “Good is the will of the Lord.” I trust He has taught you that great lesson, which reason alone cannot teach. He has always one end, whether in his pleasing or painful dispensations, to wean us from all things here below, and to unite us to himself. You see the present dispensation of his providence in a true light. He is vindicating his right to your whole heart, and claiming you for his own. And He can make you large amends for all He has taken away, by giving you himself.
Let not this medicine be without its full effect. “It is a great loss to lose an affliction.” Now is the time that you are loudly called to give up yourself wholly to God. It would be your wisest ever, to select two or three for your intimate acquaintances, who are deeply alive to God; and to have no farther intercourse with those who know not God, than necessary