To Miss Rachel Jones.
may obtain. The prize is before you. Never be weary or faint in your mind. In due time you will reap, if you faint not.
I am
Yours affectionately.
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DCCCXLVII. — To Miss Rachel Jones, of Barton-le-Willows, near York.
My DEAR Sister, BRISTOL, March 2, 1789.
AS you desired it, I cannot but send you a line, although I have not a moment to spare. You have exceeding reason to praise God, who has dealt so mercifully with you. You have reason to praise Him likewise for hearing your prayer, and hearing for those of your household. Now be a pattern for all that are around about you. Be a pattern of meekness and lowliness in particular. Be the least of all, and the servant of all. Be a companion of them, and them only, that worship in spirit and in truth. Read, again and again, the thirteenth chapter of St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. Then shall your light shine more and more unto the perfect day.
I am, dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
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DCCCXLVIII. — To Mrs. Ingram, of Limerick.
MY DEAR MADAM DUBLIN, June 28, 1789.
YOUR letter gave me much satisfaction. I am obliged to you for taking the trouble of writing. Indeed, when I say your name, I was afraid of finding a fresh accusation; therefore, I was the more agreeably surprised when I read what you had written I shall not easily do anything that would give you pain; but whatever would be agreeable to you, will be so to, Dear Madam,
Your affectionate servant.
DCCCXLIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR MADAM, DUBLIN, July 5, 1789.
AFTER the fair and candid account that Miss Ingram and you had given of the transaction, there was no fear that I should be much prejudiced by anything which had occurred. I advise my dear Becky and you to say as little as possible of what is past. It will then pass away like a dream; while you both forget the things that are behind, and press towards the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.
I am, dear Madam,
Yours most affectionately.
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DCCCL. — To Miss Rebecca Ingram.
WATERFORD, April 29, 1789.
TO receive a line from you was an unexpected pleasure. You will please to inform Mr. Brown, that, as I purpose setting out from Kilfennan pretty early on Tuesday morning, May 12, I shall probably be at Limerick between twelve and one. I am glad to find your love does not grow cold; nor your desires after all the mind that was in Christ. Now is the time to regain the whole image of God, wherein you was created. O be satisfied with nothing less; and you will surely receive it by simple faith! The Lord increase your faith! So prays
Yours affectionately.
DCCCLI. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BECKY, DUBLIN, June 28, 1789.
I WILL tell you my thoughts without the least reserve. These are the rules in the large Minutes of Conference, — that “no Methodist (and least of all a Preacher) ought to marry a woman without the consent of her parents;” and the same thing is insisted upon in one of the sermons in the Arminian Magazine. Therefore, I cannot commend Mr. Brown for saying anything to you on that head, without the consent of your father. But I exceedingly approve of your present temper and behavior. I commend your resignation to the will of God. Keep there! Beware of murmuring; beware of fretting; beware of the sorrow which worketh death! I commend you to Him who can save you to the utmost; and am,
My dear Becky,
Yours.
DCCCLII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BECKY, DUBLIN, July 5, 1789.
YOU mistake me. All I mean is this: It is a general rule with us, “No one ought to propose marriage to a woman till he has the consent of her parents.” So you fear where no fear is. You say, “Marriage was not proposed to” you; and I believe you. Therefore, it is your wisdom to think of past things as little as possible. You have something better to employ your thoughts. The prize and the crown are before you. Look unto Jesus!