Supplimentary Letters 901-923
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
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DCCCCII. — To Dr. Koker, of Rotterdam.
1738.
MY desire and prayer to God is, that the glorious Gospel of his Son may run and be glorified among you, as it doth among us; and much more abundantly. I should rejoice to hear what our Lord hath done for you also. Is the number of believers multiplied? Do they love one another? Are they all of one heart and one soul? Do they build up one another in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ? May He multiply your little flock a thousand fold, how many soever they be! May He fill you with all peace and joy in believing! May He preserve you in all lowliness of spirit! And may He enable you to use great plainness of speech, both towards each other, and toward all men; and, by manifestation of the truth, to commend yourselves to ever man’s conscience in the sight of God! Even to this hour I have not had one day’s leisure to transcribe for you the papers I brought from Hernhuth: The harvest here also is so plenteous, and the laborers so few; and it increases upon us daily. Verily the Spirit of the Lord hath lifted up his standard against the iniquity which hath overspread our land as a flood. O pray ye for us, that He would send more laborers into His harvest; and that He would enable us, whom He hath already sent, to approve ourselves faithful Ministers of the new covenant, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report! In particular, let all the brethren and sisters who are with you pray that God would warm with His love the cold heart of,
Dear Sir,
Your much obliged and very affectionate brother in Christ. —————
DCCCCIII. — To Mr. Viney, of Ysselstein.
1738.
AFTER a long sleep, there seems now to be a great awakening in this place also. The Spirit of the Lord hath already shaken the dry bones; and some of them stand up, and live. But I am still dead and cold; having peace indeed, but no love or joy in the Holy Ghost. O pray for me, that I may see and feel myself a sinner, and have a full interest in the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world!
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DCCCCIV. — To Isaac Le Long, at Amsterdam.
1738.
DO not think, my dear brother, that I have forgotten, you. I cannot forget you, because I love you: Though I cannot love any one yet as I ought; because I cannot love our blessed Lord as I ought. My heart is cold and senseless. It is indeed a heart of stone. Pray for me; and let all your household pray for me; yea, and all the brethren also, that our God would give me a broken heart, a loving heart, a heart wherein his Spirit may delight to dwell.
May our good Lord repay you all a thousand fold for the love you showed to us! How does His Gospel prosper at Amsterdam? Are believers multiplied? And is His grace mighty among you? Is your name yet cast out as evil? (For that must be the next.) And do men despitefully use you, and persecute you? I want you to say a great deal to me of it. But, above all, I want you to pray a great deal for
Your poor weak brother.
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DCCCCV. — To Mr. Nathanael Price, of Cardiff.
MY DEAR BROTHER, BRISTOL, December 6, 1739.
OUR sincere thanks attend you for your seasonable assistance. I have writ to our dear brother Howell Harris, and sent him a short account of the design which we are carrying on in Kingswood also: Which perhaps may be agreeable to them who are with you too; for which reason, I have sent you a copy of it: Namely; “Few persons have lived long in the west of England, who have not heard of the colliers of Kingswood: A people famous from the beginning hitherto, for neither fearing God, nor regarding man; so ignorant of the things of God, that they could only be compared to the beasts that perish; and therefore utterly without desire of instruction, as well as without the means of it.
“To this people Mr. Whitefield, last spring, began to preach the Gospel of Christ; and as there were thousands of then who went to no place of public worship, he went out into their own wilderness, ‘to seek and to save that which was lost.’ When he was called away, others went ‘into the highways and hedges to compel them to come in.’ And by the grace of God, their labor was not in vain. The scene was entirely changed. Kingswood does not now, as a year ago, resound with cursing, and blasphemy. It is no longer the seat of drunkenness, uncleanness, and all idle diversions that lead thereto. It is no longer filled with wars and fightings, with clamor and bitterness, with strife and envying. Peace and love are now there: The people in general are become mild, gentle, and easy to be entreated: They do not cry, neither strive, and hardly is their voice heard in the streets; or indeed in their own wood, unless when they are at their usual evening diversions, singing praise unto God their Savior. That their children also might know the things that make for their peace, it was proposed, some months since, to build a school in Kingswood; and, after many difficulties, the foundation of it was laid in June last, in the middle of the wood, on a place called Two-mile-hill, between the London and it Bath roads, about three measured miles from Bristol. A large room was begun there for a school, having four small rooms at each end for the schoolmasters (and hereafter, if it should please God, some poor children) to lodge in it. Two persons are ready to teach, so soon as the house is fit to receive them, the shell of which is nearly finished. It is proposed, in the usual hours of the day, to teach chiefly the poorer children to read, write, and cast accounts; but more especially, by God’s assistance, ‘to know God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent:’ The elder people, being not so proper to be mixed with children, (for we expect scholars of all ages, some of them gray-headed, will be taught in the inner room, either early in the morning, or late at night, so as their work may not be hindered. “It is true, although the masters will not take any pay, (for the love of Christ constrains them, as they have freely received, freely to give,) yet this undertaking is attended with great expense. But let Him that feedeth the young ravens see to that. If He puts it into your heart, or the hearts of any of your friends, to assist us in bringing this work to perfection, in this world look for no recompense; but it shall be remembered in that day, when our Lord shall say unto you, ‘Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me.’”
My love and service attends all our brethren at Cardiff, especially Mr. Glascott. I am, in haste,
My dear brother,
Yours affectionately.
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DCCCCVI. — To Mr. Howell Harris, of Trevecka.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, July 29, 1740.
IS the devil a fool? Or has he forgot his old maxim, “Divide and conquer?” Beware you forget not the royal law, “Love thinketh no evil.” I have no time myself now, so I have desired our brother Purdy to transcribe a paragraph or two of my Journal for you.
“In the evening, (after I had explained, ‘We wrestle not with flesh and blood,’ etc.,) Mr. Acourt complained, that Mr. Nowers had hindered his going into our society. Mr. Nowers answered, ‘It was by Mr. C. Wesley’s order.’ ‘What,’ said Mr. Acourt, ‘do you refuse admitting a person into your society, only because he differs from you in opinion?’ I answered, ‘No; but what opinion do you mean?’ He said, ‘That of election. I hold, A certain number is elected from eternity. And these must and shall be saved. And the rest of mankind must and shall be damned. And many of your society hold the same.’ I replied, ‘I never asked, whether they hold it or no. Only let them not trouble others by disputing about it.’ He said, ‘Nay, but I will dispute about it.’ ‘What, wherever you come?’ ‘Yes, wherever I come.’ ‘Why then would you come among us, who you know are of another mind?’
‘Because you are all wrong, and I am resolved to set you all right.’ ‘I fear your coming with this view would neither profit you nor us.’ He concluded, ‘Then I will go and tell all the world, that you and your brother are false prophets. And I tell you, in one fortnight, you will all be in confusion.’” I say, So be it, if we do not preach the truth as it is in Jesus. You see, my brother, that the reason why Mr. Acourt was not admitted into our society was, not holding election separate from reprobation, but openly declaring his fixed purpose to introduce and carry on the dispute concerning reprobation wherever he came.
I am, my dear brother,
Ever yours.
DCCCCVII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, August 6, 1742.
I MUST write, though where my letter will find you, that I know not; only that it will be under the shadow of the Almighty, yea, in the arms of Him that loveth you. Now, let Him cover your head in the day of battle! Let His faithfulness and truth be thy shield and buckler! Let Him comfort thy heart, and after thou hast suffered awhile, make thee perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle thee!
I have just read yours, dated at Tretecka, October 19, 1741. And what is it that we contend about? Allow such a perfection as you have there described, and all further dispute I account vain jangling and mere strife of words. As to the other point, we agree,
1. That no man can have any power except it be given him from above.
2. That no man can merit anything but hell, seeing all other merit is in the blood of the Lamb.
For those two fundamental points, both you and I earnestly contend. Why then, if we both disclaim all power and all merit in man, what need of this great gulf to be fixed between us? Brother, is thy heart with mine, as my heart is with thy heart? If it be, give me thy hand. I am indeed a poor, foolish, sinful worm; and how long my Lord will use me, I know not. I sometimes think, the time is coming when He will lay me aside. For surely, never before did He send such a laborer into such a harvest. But, so long as I am continued in the work, let us rise up together against the evil doers. Let us not weaken, but (if it be our Lord’s will) strengthen one another’s hands in God. My brother, my soul is gone forth to meet thee; let us fall upon one another’s neck. The good Lord blot out all that is past, and let there henceforward be peace between me and thee! I am, my dear brother,
Ever yours.
P. S. On Friday last my mother went home with the voice of praise and thanksgiving.
DCCCCVIII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, HOLYHEAD, February 28, 1748.
I PRESUME you know how bitter Mr. Ellis, the Minister here, used to be against the Methodists. On Friday he came to hear me preach, I believe with no friendly intention. Brother Swindells spoke a few words to him, whereupon he invited him to his house. Since then, they have spent several hours together; and I believe his views of things are greatly changed. He commends you much for bringing the Methodists back to the Church; and at his request I have wrote a little thing to the same effect. He will translate it into Welch, and then I design to print it, both in Welch and English: I will send you some as soon as I can, that you may disperse them when you see occasion. I thought it good to apprise you of this before. I know your heart is herein as my heart. O my brother, let us join hand in hand, and fight our way through! I want all your prayers. I believe God has detained us here for the sake both of the Minister and the people. Grace and peace be with you and yours.
I am, my dear brother,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCCCCIX. — To Mr. John Nelson. 13
WELL, my brother, is the God whom you serve able to deliver you; and do you find Him faithful to His word? Is His grace still sufficient for you? I doubt it not. He will not suffer you to be weary or faint in your mind. But He had work for you to do that you knew not of, and thus His counsel was to be fulfilled. O lose no time! Who knows how many souls God may by this means deliver into your hands? Shall not all these things be for the furtherance of the Gospel? And is not the time coming when we shall cry out together, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that hath loved us?”
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DCCCCX. — To Mr. John Haime. 14
IT is a great blessing whereof God has already made you a partaker: But if you continue waiting upon Him, you shall see greater things than these. This is only the beginning of the kingdom of heaven, which He will set up in your heart. There is yet behind the fullness of the mind that was in Christ; “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” It is but a little thing that men should be against you, while you know that God is on your side. If He give you any companion in the narrow way, it is well; and it is well if He do not. So much the more will He teach and strengthen you by Himself: He will strengthen you in the secret of your heart; and, by and by, He will raise up, as it were, out of the dust, those who shall say, “Come, and let us magnify His name together.” But, by all means, miss no opportunity. Speak, and spare not. Declare what God has done for your soul; regard not worldly prudence; be not ashamed of Christ, or of His word, or of His servants. Speak the truth in love, even in the midst of a crooked generation; and all things shall work together for good, until the work of God is perfect in your soul.
DCCCCXI. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, June 21, 1748.
THINK it not strange concerning the fiery trial which God hath seen good to try you with. Indeed the chastisement, for the present, is not joyous, but grievous; nevertheless it will, by and by, bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. It is good for you to be in the fiery furnace: Though the flesh be weary to bear it, you shall be purified therein, but not consumed; for there is one with you, whose form is as the Son of God. O look up! Take knowledge of Him who spreads underneath you His everlasting arms! Lean upon Him with the whole weight of your soul. He is yours: Lay hold upon Him.
Away let grief and sighing flee;
Jesus hath died for thee, for thee!
Mercy and peace shall not forsake you. Through every threatening cloud look up; and wait for happy days.
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DCCCCXII. — To the Rev. James Erskine.
DEAR SIR, NEWCASTLE, March 16, 1744-5.
I SINCERELY thank you for the transcript you send me from Mr. Robe’s letter. It shows a truly Christian spirit. I should be glad to have also the note you mention, touching the proposal for prayer and praise. Might it not be practicable to have the concurrence of Mr. Edwards in New England, if not of Mr. Tennent also, herein? It is evidently one work with what we have seen here. Why should we not all praise God with one heart?
Whoever agrees with us in that account of practical religion, given in “The Character of a Methodist,” I regard not what his other opinions are; the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. I am more assured that love is of God, than that any opinion whatsoever is so. Herein may we increase more and more.
I am, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate servant.
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DCCCCXIII. — To Mr. Thomas Bigg, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. MY DEAR BROTHER, LEEDS, October 7, 1749.
A LOVING husband is a very amiable character: A fond one I think is not so. But if I had a wife, I believe I should be the latter; and perhaps you may lean to the same extreme. To you, therefore, I can freely speak my mind.
Since I was six years old, I never met with such a severe trial as for some days past. For ten years God has been preparing a fellow-laborer for me, by a wonderful train of providences. Last year I was convinced of it; therefore, I delayed not, but, as I thought, made all sure beyond a danger of disappointment. But we were soon afterwards torn asunder by a whirlwind. In a few months the storm was over: I then used more precaution than before, and fondly told myself that the day of evil would return no more. But it too soon returned. The waves arose again since I came out of London. I fasted and prayed, and strove all I could; but the sons of Zeruiah were too hard for me. The whole world fought against me; but above all, my own familiar friend. Then was the word fulfilled, “Son of man, behold! I take from thee the desire of thine eyes at a stroke; yet shalt thou not lament, neither shall thy tears run down.”
The fatal, irrecoverable stroke was struck on Thursday last. Yesterday I saw my friend, (that was,) and him to whom she is sacrificed. I believe you never saw such a scene. But “why should a living man complain? a man for the punishment of his sins?”
I am
Yours affectionately.
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DCCCCXIV. — To Mr. Thomas Rankin.
DEAR TOMMY, BRISTOL, October 9, 1766.
I AM persuaded, goodwill be done in Lincolnshire. They are, in general, a simple, teachable people. And Billy Brammah will do much good, if he continues to sleep early, and rise early, and denies himself with regard to tobacco, and eating flesh-suppers.
One or other of the remedies against an ague, in the “Primitive Physic,” will hardly fail. I depend most on,
1. The pills. If these fail,
2. On the sal prunellæ! If that fail,
3. On the spirits of hartshorn.
Cornwall, in general, is in a good way. Most of the large societies there have subscribed for the Notes, for the use of the Preachers. I know not why the society at Epworth should not follow their example. Perhaps those advises may be printed separate by and by. Be calm and steady. Be clothed with firmness and humility.
I am, dear Tommy,
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCCCCXV. — To Mr. John Valton.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, June 18, 1782.
I HAVE received the two first sheets of your Life. Be not afraid of writing too much: I can easily leave out what can be spared. It pleased God to lead John Haime and you a long way through the wilderness. Others He leads through a shorter and smoother way; and yet to the same point: For we must not imagine that such a degree of suffering is necessary to any degree of holiness. In this, God does certainly act as a Sovereign; giving what He pleases, and by what means He pleases. I believe the holiest man that ever lived was the Apostle John; yet he seems to have suffered very little. You should take care never to write long at a time, and always to write standing; never on any account leaning on your stomach. God gives me just the strength I had thirty years ago. I cannot allow J—— S—— to be any longer a Leader; and if he will lead the class, whether I will or no, I require you to put him out of our society. If twenty of his class will leave the society too, they must. The first loss is the best. Better forty members should be lost, than our discipline lost. They are no Methodists that will bear no restraints. Explain this at large to the society. I am
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCCCCXVI. — To Miss Bolton, of Witney.
MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, November 16, 1770.
TO see even the superscription of a letter from you always gives me pleasure. I am glad you are still waiting for the kingdom of God; although as yet you are rather in the state of a servant than a child. But it is a blessed thing to be even a servant of God! You shall never have cause to be ashamed of His service. What I peculiarly advise is, that you will never omit private duties, whatever hurry you may be in, and however dull and dry your soul may be: Still they shall not be without a blessing. And therein you will receive power against that temptation, which to your tender spirit may be the most dangerous of any.
On Sunday, I am to preach a funeral sermon for that blessed man, Mr. Whitefield, at the Tabernacle, and at Tottenham-court chapel. If it is a help or comfort to you, write often to,
My dear Nancy,
Your affectionate brother.
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DCCCCXVII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR NANCY, LONDON, January 12, 1791.
I THANK you for your welcome present, and rejoice to hear that your health is better. What is it which is good for us, that our Lord will not give, if we can but trust in Him? These four last days I have had better health than I had for several months before. Only my sight continues much as it was. But good is the will of the Lord!
I am, my dear Nancy,
Affectionately yours.
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DCCCCXVIII. — To Miss Newman, Cheltenham.
MY DEAR SISTER, October 23, 1772.
I AM glad to hear that you found benefit by your little journey to Bristol. I did not doubt, but the conversation of those experienced Christians would be of service to you; and would enable you to be of more service to the little flock at Cheltenham. In one point only our friends at Bristol have been once and again in some danger. They have been in danger of being a little hurt, by reading those that are called Mystic authors. These (Madam Guion in particular) have abundance of excellent sayings. They have many fine and elegant observations; but, in the mean time, they are immeasurably wise above that is written. They continually refine upon plain Christianity. But to refine religion is to spoil it. It is the most simple thing that can be conceived: It is only humble, gentle, patient love. It is nothing less, and nothing more, than this; as it is described in the thirteenth chapter to the Corinthians. O keep to this! Aim at nothing higher, at nothing else! Let your heart continually burn with humble love. If you have an opportunity to be electrified, that would remove the pain in your eye, should it return. I am glad my dear sisters did not suffer in your absence. This is another token that your journey was pleasing to God. I was much delighted, when I saw you, with your artless, simple love; and love you the more on that account. As freely as you would talk to me if we were together; so freely write to,
My dear Penny,
Yours affectionately.
From time to time, you should tell me just what God works in you, and by you.
DCCCCXIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, BRISTOL, October 1, 1782.
I HAVE often been concerned at your being cooped up in a corner: Now you are likely to have a wider field of action. Only the danger will be, lest, when you have more opportunity, you should have less desire, of doing good. This is the case of many pious persons when they marry; and I do not wonder at it. I should rather wonder it is not the case of all. I am
Your affectionate brother.
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DCCCCXX. — To Mr. Walter Churchey.
MY DEAR BROTHER, Near LONDON, July 23, 1788.
I AM glad you spoke to Mr. Cooper. What pity is it that such talents as his should be employed in so useless a manner!
Mr. Bradburn delivered your papers to me, a few days ago. But this is so busy a time, that I had not time to go through them till today. In the translation of the Art of Painting, there are many very good lines: But there are some that want a good deal of filing; and many that are obscure. This is the general fault. The sense is so much wounded, that it is not easy to be understood. For many gears I have not had any bookseller, but Mr. ——, and my Assistants. I doubt whether any bookseller will buy Fresnoy. Some of the shorter copies are good sense, and good poetry. My brother has left a translation of the book of Psalms; and verses enough to make up, at least, six volumes in duodecimo. I could but ill spare him, now I am myself so far declined into the vale of years. But it is the Lord: Let Him do what seemeth Him good. Our time is now short. Let my dear sister Churchey, and you, and I, make the best of it.
I am
Your affectionate brother.
DCCCCXXI. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, August 8, 1788.
I THINK you know that I love you, and that I should rejoice to do anything for you that is in my power. And one allowed proof of love, is plain dealing. Therefore I will speak to you without any reserve. There are many good lines, and some very good, both in the ode, and in the translation of. And I really think you improve in versifying: You write a good deal better than you did some years ago. You express your sense with more perspicuity than you used to do; and appear to have greater variety of words, as well as more strength. But there is nothing (to use the modern cant word) sentimental, in either the ode or the translation. There is nothing of tender or pathetic, nothing that touches the passions. Therefore, no bookseller would venture to buy them; as knowing they will not sell. And they lie utterly out of the may of the Methodists, who do not care to buy, or even to read, (at least the generality of them,) any but religious books. I do not believe all my influence would induce them to buy as many copies as would suffice to pay for the printing. I have not yet seen my brother’s translation of the Psalms. Neither, indeed, could I as yet have time to read it, were it put into my hands. If any had asked my advice, they would not have thrust out the account of George Lukins into the world so prematurely. It should have been fully authenticated first.
I am, with love to sister Churchey,
Your affectionate brother.
I expect to be at Brecon on Sunday se’nnight.
DCCCCXXII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR BROTHER, May 20, 1789
I AM afraid of delay: I doubt we shall not be able to be as good as our word, although, in the last proposals, I have protracted the time of delivery till the 1st of August. As you are not a stripling, I wonder you have not yet learned the difference between promise and performance. I allow at least five-and-twenty per cent.; and from this conviction, I say to each of my subscribers, (which indeed you cannot so decently say to yours,) “Sir, down with your money.” I know Dr.—— well: He is a lovely man, and an excellent poet.
I commend you for inoculating the children. I believe the hand of God is in our present work: Therefore it must prosper.
Indeed, I love sister Churchey; and am
Your affectionate friend and brother.
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DCCCCXXIII. — To Mr. Jasper Winscom.
DEAR JASPER, BRISTOL, August 28, 1790
I DO not see how you can be spared from your own Circuit till another is procured to take your place. Neither do I conceive how Sarum Circuit can bear the expense of another Preacher. I am well-nigh tired of it. I have had more trouble with this Circuit than with ten Circuits besides. You did exceeding well in adjusting matters at Whitchurch; but I am sorry for poor sister Haime. I am sure she was a good woman once. I do not understand what you mean as to Winton. How did William Thom raise them eight pounds? And on what account did you pay six pounds? I am
Your affectionate friend and brother.