To Mr. George Holder.
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DCCCXXXVIII. — To Mr. George Holder.
DEAR GEORGE, BATH, September 15, 1787.
UPON mature deliberation, I judge it most advisable that John Barber should remove to Edinburgh; (for I can trust him in any part of Great Britain;) and that you should supply his place at York. As soon as may be, inform him and Mr. Rutherford of this, that there may be as little delay as possible.
I am, dear George,
Yours affectionately.
DCCCXXXIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, February 28, 1789.
YOU say, “The last quarter, when we compared our plans with the Minutes of Conference, we wanted a considerable number of people whom Mr. Crook had given in to you.” I cannot understand this. Cannot Mr. Crook cast up a plain account? And surely, neither he, nor you, nor any Preacher, would willfully give in a false account.
There is something very remarkable in the relation which you give of the life and death of Mr. Charles Laco. “Right precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” And every Assistant should take all possible care to procure the best account of them that can be had. These accounts are frequently means of awakening men of the world, as well as of encouraging the children of God. In every place the subscribers to the Magazines will fall off, unless great care be taken. You have need of great diligence as well in this as in all other parts of your office. I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXL. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, DUBLIN, June 24, 1789.
YOU send me an agreeable account of the work of God in the Isle. If He will work, who shall stay His hand? I should be glad of an opportunity of seeing my friends that are with you once more; but I cannot reasonably expect it. In my last voyage, the sea affected me more than ever it did before in my life; so that I perceive my voyages draw toward an end. Brother Smith may bring all the accounts to the Conference, and will be stationed in England the next year.
I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXLI. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, Near LONDON, November 20, 1789.
YOU did well to remember the case of Dewsbury house, and to send what you could to Mr. Mather. I exceedingly disapprove of your publishing anything in the Manx language. On the contrary, we should do everything in our power to abolish it from the earth, and persuade every member of our society to learn and talk English. This would be much hindered by providing them with hymns in their own language. Therefore, gently and quietly let that proposal drop. I hope you and your fellow-laborers are of one heart. Peace be with your spirits!
I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXLII. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, ABERDEEN, May 24, 1790.
I HAVE no objection to your being in an English Circuit next year; as brother Brown is staving another in the island; which I suppose may be supplied by three Preachers this year, as it was the last. When the wit told the world of my being, in the water at Portsmouth, I was there or four hundred miles from it. Be zealous for God, and you will all see the fruit of your labor.
I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
be, inform him and Mr. Rutherford of this, that there may be as little delay as possible.
I am, dear George,
Yours affectionately.
DCCCXXXIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, February 28, 1789.
YOU say, “The last quarter, when we compared our plans with the Minutes of Conference, we wanted a considerable number of people whom Mr. Crook had given in to you.” I cannot understand this. Cannot Mr. Crook cast up a plain account? And surely, neither he, nor you, nor any Preacher, would willfully give in a false account.
There is something very remarkable in the relation which you give of the life and death of Mr. Charles Laco. “Right precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” And every Assistant should take all possible care to procure the best account of them that can be had. These accounts are frequently means of awakening men of the world, as well as of encouraging the children of God. In every place the subscribers to the Magazines will fall off, unless great care be taken. You have need of great diligence as well in this as in all other parts of your office. I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXL. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, DUBLIN, June 24, 1789.
YOU send me an agreeable account of the work of God in the Isle. If He will work, who shall stay His hand? I should be glad of an opportunity of seeing my friends that are with you once more; but I cannot reasonably expect it. In my last voyage, the sea affected me more than ever it did
before in my life; so that I perceive my voyages draw toward an end. Brother Smith may bring all the accounts to the Conference, and will be stationed in England the next year.
I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXLI. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, Near LONDON, November 20, 1789.
YOU did well to remember the case of Dewsbury house, and to send what you could to Mr. Mather. I exceedingly disapprove of your publishing anything in the Manx language. On the contrary, we should do everything in our power to abolish it from the earth, and persuade every member of our society to learn and talk English. This would be much hindered by providing them with hymns in their own language. Therefore, gently and quietly let that proposal drop. I hope you and your fellow-laborers are of one heart. Peace be with your spirits!
I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXLII. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, ABERDEEN, May 24, 1790.
I HAVE no objection to your being in an English Circuit next year; as brother Brown is staving another in the island; which I suppose may be supplied by three Preachers this year, as it was the last. When the wit told the world of my being, in the water at Portsmouth, I was there or four hundred miles from it. Be zealous for God, and you will all see the fruit of your labor.
I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
DCCCXLIII. — To the Same.
DEAR GEORGE, LONDON, October 30, 1790.
THE Assistant in every Circuit (not the Leaders) is to determine how each Preacher is to travel. If Jonathan Hern will not, or cannot, take his turn with his fellow-laborers, I must send another that will. I do not like dividing Circuits. Could not three or more of the northern places be added to the Sunderland or Newcastle Circuits, in order to lessen yours, and bring it into a six weeks’ Circuit? Pray send me the manner of your traveling through your Circuit. I think I shall order it better. I am, with love to sister Holder, dear George,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCCCXLIV. — To Miss Harriet Lewis, of Dudley.
MY DEAR SISTER, MADELEY, March 29, 1788.
YOU see I cannot refuse anything that you desire; so I write the first opportunity. I was much surprised at the account which you gave of what had lately befallen your friend. But in the whole course of that strange affair one may discover the hand of God. I am persuaded it was the hand of God for good, both in regard to him and you: To him, that he might learn both more patience and resignation in himself, and more meekness and forbearance toward others: To you, that, being cut off from worldly hope, you might simply and nakedly hang upon the living God! You have already tasted that He is gracious. Go on! You are in His school, the school of affliction, where you will always find Him a present help. But He does not yet clearly point out the way that you should go. I was greatly pleased with your openness the other day.
Yours most affectionately.