Four Letters to John Atlay.
FOUR LETTERS TO MR. JOHN ATLAY. 27
———
MY DEAR BROTHER, PEMBROKE, August 23, 1788.
IF YOU are persuaded that such a promise (which is the whole and sole cause of the breach at Dewsbury) is binding, etc., you must follow your persuasion. You will have blame enough from other persons: My hand shall not be upon you. If I can do you good, I will; but shall certainly do you no harm. George Whitfield is the person I choose to succeed you: I wish you would teach him as much as you can without delay. I am, with kind love to S. Atlay,
Your affectionate brother.
BRISTOL, August 31, 1788.
I PRAY, brother Atlay, do not serve me so. If you will not serve me yourself, do not hinder others from serving me: Do not fright George Whitfield from it; but encourage him to it; and instruct him as quick as possible. My death is nothing to the purpose. I have now nothing to do with the Dewsbury people: Go with them, and serve them; but I am still Your affectionate brother.
MY DEAR BROTHER, BRISTOL, September 4, 1788.
I WAS once afraid that you had dissuaded George Whitfield from taking charge of the books; but I can take your word. Now I awfully satisfied that you did not; and I believe you will teach him everything relating to that charge. But one thing is much upon my mind: I wish you would hire one or two proper persons, and take an inventory of all the books that are either in the shop or under the chapel. This will be worth all the pains: Then George will know what he has to do.
I am
Your affectionate brother.
MY DEAR BROTHER, September 24, 1788.
FROM the time that you gave me warning of quitting my service, and informed me you was determined to stay no longer with me (unless upon impossible conditions) than the 25th instant, I resolved to say nothing more or less about it, but to let the matter go as it would go. Whether you made a wise choice in preferring your present to your former station, we shall see, if you and I should live two or three years longer. Meantime, I am, as ever,
Your affectionate brother,
JOHN WESLEY.
P.S. I say nothing about you to the people of Bristol.