The reference
educator for Wesley
Odilon
Massolar Chaves
==============================
Copyright © 2026, Odilon Massolar Chaves
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of February 19, 1998.
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Odilon Massolar Chaves is a retired Methodist
pastor, with a doctorate in Theology and History from the Methodist University
of São Paulo.
Son of Rev. Adherico Ribeiro Chaves and Roza
Massolar Chaves.
He is married to RoseMary.
He has two daughters: Liliana and Luciana.
His thesis dealt with the Methodist revival
in England in the eighteenth century and its contribution as a paradigm for our
days.
===============================
Table
of Contents
· Introduction
·
Mary Bishop, a
reference to Wesley
·
I hope your class
goes well
· By praying with children
·
Those who feel less,
certainly suffer less
· You understand me well
·
Surely simple faith
is exactly what you want
· Everything is ready for you
· Doing God's Will
·
Not as I will, but as
You will.
·
To preserve peace
with our contentious brethren but by war
·
True simplicity is
that grace by which the soul is freed from all useless reflections upon itself
·
It is our wisdom to
force us to pray
·
Violent Jealousy
Among Young People Is Something Entirely New Among Methodists
·
It takes a lot of
courage and fidelity
·
The Difference
Between Weight and Darkness of the Soul
·
We become all things
to all men, so as not to hurt our own souls
·
It's not selfish to
indulge yourself when you give pleasure
·
'Pray for one
another, and be healed' of all that they have confessed to one another'
·
Sea breezes can be
useful to you
·
You also don't have
to relapse into your disorder, if you take the precautions that common sense requires
·
I am friends with
Socrates and Plato, but much more of the truth
·
The natural force of
understanding is no defense against the most absurd errors
·
Nothing in the
Christian system is of greater importance than the doctrine of the Atonement
·
If one has gone out
of their way to enlarge, rather than heal, this little breach
· Sufficient correspondents
·
God's purpose raising
up the Methodists
· Make Christians
Introduction
"The Reference Educator for Wesley"
is a 49-page book of Wesley's mentoring and shepherding with Mary Bishop.
The pedagogical model and spiritual rigor of
Mary Bishop's school (or Mary Bishop) were deeply admired by Wesley who said
that it was worthy of being called a Christian school.
"John
Wesley's letters to Mary Bishop constitute a rich correspondence spanning
decades from 1769 to the late 1780s, where the founder of Methodism
serves as spiritual mentor, educational counselor, and theological guide to a
prominent Methodist teacher. Mary Bishop ran a boarding school for young women,
initially near Cross Bath in Bath, and then in Keynsham, Somersetshire.
Because
Wesley valued his intellect and spiritual depth, his letters contain some of
his most practical insights into education, language, theology, and personal
life."[1]
"After a serious illness in 1777 which led her to close her school and move temporarily to Frome, she moved to Keynsham in 1781 and founded a boarding school, further integrating herself into Methodist evangelical circles near Bristol."[2]
Mary Bishop and Wesley maintained frequent correspondence from 1769 to 1784.
In August 1789, Mary Bishop married Thomas Mills (1735–1820), a widowed Quaker bookseller in Bristol, and Wesley did not reproach her, but only concerned herself with her happiness by asking her to pray for her husband to be perfected in love.
A
story of dedication, respect, affection and support.
The
Author
Mary Bishop, a reference to Wesley
Mary
Bishop (1741–1819) was an important educator, leader, and Methodist, and was
considered by Wesley to be a true reference in education.
Mary was born in Bath, Somerset (England) and was baptized as a child "on February 20, 1741, the daughter of John and Martha Bishop. Around 1760, she established and ran a boarding school in the Vineyards neighborhood of Bath. [3]
Mary
Bishop was initially associated with Calvinist Countess Lady Huntingdon, but
Mary went to the Methodist movement after disagreements with the Countess. [4]
She
joined the Methodist society in Avon Street in late 1769, and soon assumed
leadership of the group. [5]
Mary
Bishop ran a prestigious school in Bath, England, and ran the place under the
principles of "early Christian simplicity".
The school became "a model that Wesley used to evaluate other Methodist schools, having been declared by him to be a school 'after my own heart'. They kept a constant correspondence where he guided her and praised her work in the formation of the children." [6]
"After a serious illness in 1777 which led her to close her school and move temporarily to Frome, she moved to Keynsham in 1781 and founded a boarding school, further integrating herself into Methodist evangelical circles near Bristol."[7]
Mary Bishop and Wesley maintained frequent correspondence from 1769 to 1784.
"In August 1789, Mary Bishop married Thomas Mills (1735–1820), a widowed Quaker bookseller in Bristol. Mary aligned herself with the Quakers and the couple were buried together in the Quaker Redcliff Pit cemetery in Bristol.[8]
When Mary married, Wesley did not reproach her, but sought counsel "He eased any potential guilt she felt by assuring her that it was not a sin to marry a 'child of God.' He encouraged her to pray for her husband that he would grow in faith and be perfected in love.
Wesley actively checked his local position and support system, asking specifically about his association with early Methodists such as Mr. and Mrs. Adam Clarke and Miss S. Lempriere". [9]
Some important points of Wesley's mentoring
for Mary Bishop:
"Spiritual Mentoring and "Simple Faith": Wesley often warned Mary against overthinking, overreasoning, and "useless reflections on herself." He constantly encouraged her to put aside theological anxieties and adopt a childish, uncorrupted faith.
Philosophy and Methods of Education: As a teacher, Mary often sought Wesley's advice on how to raise and teach children. He famously advised her not to use the Church's standard Catechism for young children, calling it 'totally inappropriate for children of six or seven years old,' recommending short, simplified instructions.
Opposition to Worldly Fashions: Wesley strongly advocated 'primitive simplicity' in the classroom. He explicitly told Maria not to let her students dress or behave according to the changing fashions of the world, warning that this would erode the spiritual focus of the school.
Grammar and Intellect: Wesley deeply respected Mary's mind. In an iconic letter from 1773, he confidently told her, "In two or three hours I could teach you so much grammar that you could follow without difficulty," emphasizing that intellectual pursuit must always be accompanied by a one-eyed devotion to God.
Anti-Calvinist polemics: Mary's location in Bath placed her right in the middle of theological debates between Wesley's Arminian Methodists and Calvinist Methodists (associated with Lady Huntingdon and Rowland Hill). Wesley used his letters to Mary to criticize Calvinism, famously noting that "you must not think that anything will convince a warm Calvinist—no, not an angel descending from heaven." [10]
Wesley's
letter to Mary Bishop (1789)
"In
1789, a particularly well-documented letter from Wesley to Bishop addresses her
recent marriage, offering him a unique platform to advise her.
John
Wesley sent his correspondence to her from Dublin on 7 April 1789. The main
themes of his letter include:
Marriage Lawyer: Wesley confessed his
initial concern upon learning that she had married, as he feared that her
usefulness as an unmarried woman would be compromised."[11]
I hope
your class goes well
I hope your class goes well
and that you don't get tired of doing well. The Lord is near
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, February 16, 1771.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- Never be
afraid to be a nuisance. That wouldn't be the case if you wrote every week.
You look inward too much
and upward too little.
Christ is ready to give
Life to all, for the life
that sighs;
In your mouth and in your
heart
The word is always close.
Encourage yourself to trust
Him; That is his point: then he will do all good.
Legality, for most who use
this term, really means tenderness of conscience. There is no propriety in the
word if one would interpret it as a justification by works. Considering,
therefore, how difficult it is to correct the meaning of this strange term, and
how terribly abused it has been, I think it highly advisable that all
Methodists should lay it aside.
If he could find any other
doctrine which he particularly found mine, Mr. Shirley would be as irritated
with it as with Christian Perfection. But that's okay: we must move on, who
comes back or moves away. I hope your class goes well and that you don't get
tired of doing well. The Lord is near.--I am, my dear sister,
Your affectionate brother. [12]
By praying with children
When praying with children,
just ask for those things that you think are sensible that they want most, and
that in the simplest, most artless, simple language that you can come up with
To Mary Bishop
BRISTOL, March 8, 1771.
DEAR MISS BISHOP,-- The
advice Mr. Mather gave you was good; and, indeed, the best that could be given.
Bear thy cross, and it shall bear thee; But still deal faithfully with your
sisters. And to warn everyone, together and individually, about that trap in
which they have fallen so many times. If necessary, Mr. Mather should also
speak to them and zoom in on the same head.
When praying with children,
just ask for those things that you think are sensible that they want most, and
that in the simplest, most unartful, simple language that you can come up with.
You will have other trials
when that well-meaning (though not always judgmental) woman [See letters of
November 27, 1770 and May 27, 1771.] comes to Bath. If she continues to show
pieces of my letters, I will be obliged to give her a copy of everything. Be
humble, zealous, active.-- I am, my dear Miss Helena. Bishop,
Your affectionate brother.
PS.--On Monday I must leave
for Dublin. A letter directed there will be sent to me in any part of the
kingdom.
For Miss Helena. Bishop, in
Bath. [13]
Those who feel less,
certainly suffer less
To Mary Bishop
GALWAY, May 27. 1771.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- Perhaps
we will see a new fulfillment of Solomon's words: 'He that reproves a man
afterward will find more favor than he that flatters with his tongue. But, in
any case, I have done my duty; I couldn't have given my own soul away
otherwise. And no offense would have been caused if pride had not stifled both
religion and generosity. [See letter of March 8.] But the letter is now
outdated; is no longer mentioned: there is a more plausible occasion
found—namely, those eight terrible propositions which conclude the minutes of
our Conference. [The Minutes of 1770, which gave Fletcher the opportunity to
write his Checks to Antinomianism.] At the request of some who were sadly
frightened, I reviewed this information again and again; I have considered them
from all points of view; and truly, the more I consider them, the more I like
them, the more fully am I convinced, not only that they are true, pleasing both
to the Scriptures and to sound experience, but that they contain truths of the
utmost importance, and such as must be continually instilled by those who would
be pure from the blood of all men.
Joseph Benson is a good man
and a good preacher. But he is by no means clear in his judgment. The
imagination which he borrowed from another good man, 'that he is not a believer
who has sin remaining in him,' is not only a mistake, but a very dangerous one,
of which I have seen fatal effects. Here we separated from the Germans almost
thirty years ago; and the falsehood and absurdity of it are shown in the Second
Diary and in my sermon on this subject. [The Lord our Righteousness. See Works,
v. 234-46.]
Your experience reminds me
of these phrases:
So many tender joys and
sorrows
May it have power over my
trembling soul!
The simple life with
growing passions has emerged,
The advantage or the burden
of an hour. [Gambold, in Poetical Works of J. and C. Wesley, i. 8.]
Those who feel less,
certainly suffer less; but the more we suffer, the more we can improve; The
more obedience, the more holiness, we can learn from the things we suffer. So,
overall, I don't know if the insensitive have an advantage over us.
If you wrote more than once
in three months, you wouldn't be wrong. Few care for you as tenderly as my dear
Miss S. Bishop,
Your affectionate brother.
PS.--You just need to
go directly to Dr. C-- For Miss C. Bishop, near Lady Huntingdon Chapel, Bath. [14]
You understand me
well
You understand me
well, and express more fully exactly what I mean. I don't know that anyone
could express it more fairly with the same number of words
To Mary Bishop
DUBLIN, July 20, 1771.
MY DEAR SISTER,--To your
own satisfaction, I send you this [See letter of July 10.]; but I would like
you not to show it before the Conference. If Calvinists don't understand me or
don't want to understand me, I understand myself. And I don't contradict anything
I've written in these thirty years. You understand me well, and express more
fully exactly what I mean. I don't know that anyone could express it more
fairly with the same number of words. Poor Mr. Shirley's triumph will be brief.
Peace be upon your spirit--My dear sister, farewell!
For Miss Helena.
Bishop, near Lady Huntingdon Chapel, Bath.[15]
Surely simple faith
is exactly what you want
Surely simple faith
is just what you want, that faith that lives in Christ from moment to moment. I
believe that the sermon The Way of the Scriptures of Salvation [See Works. vi.
43-54.] may be particularly helpful to you at this time. It is something great
to enjoy and improve the present. What a blessing you can receive right now!
To Mary Bishop
BRISTOL, September 1, 1771.
MY DEAR SISTER,--I hope to
see you in Bath on Tuesday, and preach about six o'clock in the afternoon. I
choose to preach early so that I can have time to get to know the Society after
I preach it.
Concessions made in the
chapel at Bath would not extinguish the flame lit over the three kingdoms. [As
for 1770 Minutes.] Mr. Fletcher's Letters can do this to some extent; But the
antidote cannot spread as fast as the poison. However, the Lord reigns, and
consequently all these things will work together for the increase of His
kingdom.
Surely simple faith is just
what you want, that faith that lives in Christ from moment to moment. I believe
that the sermon The Way of the Scriptures of Salvation [See Works. vi. 43-54.]
may be particularly helpful to you at this time. It is something great to enjoy
and improve the present. What a blessing you can receive right now! Behold the
Lamb of God--I am, dear Miss Helena. Bishop,
Your affectionate brother. [16]
Everything is ready for you
So everything is ready for
you. Fear not; Just believe. Now believe and rest. How generous is the gentle
Physician to humble you, to test you, and to show you what is in your heart!
Now may Christ and love be present.
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, November 20, 1771.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- What if,
even before this letter came into your hands, our Lord came into your heart?
Isn't it near? He is not now knocking on the door. What do you say? 'Come in,
my Lord, come in.' Aren't you ready? Are you not a mere sinner, a sinner
stripped of everything? So everything is ready for you. Fear not; Just believe.
Now believe and rest. How generous is the gentle Physician to humble you, to
test you, and to show you what is in your heart! Now may Christ and love be
present.
Sister Janes' experience is
clear and biblical [Thomas Janes was one of the Bristol preachers in 1770. See
the December 26 letter to Mary Stokes.]: I hope she will not let go of anything
God has given her. I know nothing of Mr. Morgan's Sermons [James Morgan, who
wrote the Life of Thomas Walsh, published The Crucified Jesus, considered in
three discourses.]: some in Dublin think he is married, others do not. I hope
the preachers in the chapel will now leave you alone and follow the peace. Mr.
Fletcher's Letters [The First Control of Antinomianism had just appeared in the
form of five letters.] did much good here, and dealt a mortal wound to
antinomianism.--I am, my dear Miss Fletcher. Bishop,
With affection. [17]
Doing God's Will
You are not doing your own will,
but the will of the One who sent you. I cannot see that it is in any way His
will that you abandon your present situation
LONDON, March 1, 1772.
MY DEAR MISS BISHOP,—
That every hour of yours should be filled with
employment, I do not consider it a common blessing. The more jobs, the better,
since you are not doing your own will, but the will of the One who sent you. I
cannot see that it is at all His will that you should abandon your present
situation. But I note a sentence in your letter that you and I can explain a
little bit about. On Tuesday morning, at ten, I will (God willing) preach at
The Devizes. About two o'clock I arranged T. Lewis, from Bristol, to meet at the
Pelican in Bath, where I should be glad to see her, even if it were for two or
three minutes.
--I am, my dear Miss Helena. Bishop, [18]
Not as I will, but as You will.
A degree of illness or pain that
does not affect understanding that I have often found to be of great help. It
is an admirable help against lightness and against foolish desires; and nothing
more directly tends to teach us this great lesson, to write in our hearts, 'Not
as I will, but as Thou wilt.'
To Mary Bishop
PEMBROKE, August 22, 1772.
DEAR MISS BISHOP,-- A degree of illness or pain
that does not affect understanding that I have often found to be of great help.
It is an admirable help against lightness and against foolish desires; and
nothing more directly tends to teach us this great lesson, to write in our
hearts, 'Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.'
Mr. Baxter well observes (or, indeed, Archbishop
Usher, to whom he refers, had done before him) that 'whoever attempts to
benefit children will find need of all the understanding God has given them.'
But, in fact, natural understanding only goes so far. It is a peculiar gift of
God. I believe He has already given you a measure of it, and you can ask and
expect an increase of it. Our dear sisters in Publow [Mrs. Owen and her
daughters. See letter of November 22, 1769.] I enjoy it as much as any young
woman I know.
Surely it must be an excessive affection that
generates so much jealousy and misunderstanding. I think it would be absolutely
necessary, the next time you observe something of this kind, to come to a full
explanation with the parties involved; to tell them calmly and directly: 'I
must and will choose for myself with whom I will talk, when and how; and if any
of you take offense at me for that reason, you will make me more timid and
reserved than I have ever been before.' If you take up this cross steadily, if
you speak like this once or twice in the band or in class in a cold but
peremptory way, I am very inclined to think that it will save you and others
from a good deal of discomfort.
When you see those ladies (whom I don't know),
you would do well to speak very clearly. I am afraid they are still complete
strangers to the religion of the heart.
On Saturday, the 29th of the present month, I
hope to be in Bristol, and on the following Wednesday evening in Bath. Let it
be noted that.--I am, dear Miss Helena. Bishop,
Your affectionate brother. [19]
To preserve peace with our
contentious brethren but by war
I see more and more clearly that
there is no other way to preserve peace with our contentious brethren than by
war—or rather, by 'taking the war to Italy,' to their own quarters. We do
nothing, we spend our strength in vain, while acting only on the defensive.
To Mary Bishop
COLCHESTER, November 4, 1772.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- I see more and more clearly
that there is no other way to preserve peace with our contentious brethren than
by war—or rather, by 'taking the war to Italy,' to your own quarters. We do
nothing, we spend our strength in vain, while acting only on the defensive.
While they will never be afraid of us; for they have nothing to lose. But when
with gentleness and yet with vigour and firmness we show all the horror of
their opinions, while calmly and yet in all sincerity we paint all the absurdity
and blasphemy of Reprobation, immobilizing them, whether they like it or not,
up to that point, they will soon be weary of war. They themselves will desire
peace, and will regard it as a favor when it is granted them. But we must build
with one hand while fighting with the other. And that is the great work: not
only to bring souls to believe in Christ, but to build them up in our holiest
faith. How gravely they are mistaken (as well as almost the whole body of
modern Calvinists) who imagine that as soon as children are born they no longer
need to care for them! We don't think so. The main care then begins. And if we
see this truly, we may well cry out, even the wisest men on earth, 'Who is
sufficient for these things.' In a thousand circumstances, general rules are of
little value and our natural light quickly runs out. That he may tell us
nothing but the anointing of the Holy One; And it will really teach us, of all
things. The same thing you need for your children, is to teach them the way
they should be. And here you have a constant need for patience; for you will
often see little fruit from all your labor. But leave it to Him. The success is
his. The work is yours alone. Your point is this: "Work your work at the
right time, and in His time He will give you a full reward."
With affection.
For Miss Helena. Bishop, near the Bath of the
Cross, in Bath. [20]
True simplicity is
that grace by which the soul is freed from all useless reflections upon itself
In two or three hours
I could teach you so much grammar that you could advance without difficulty.
'True simplicity,' says Fenelon, 'is that grace by which the soul is freed from
all useless reflections upon itself.'
To
Mary Bishop
LONDON, January 12, 1773.
DEAR MISS BISHOP — I agree
with you in your judgment of poor Nancy Dodd. But I would give her (as we say)
a chance at life. Captain Webb was not sent to you as to the unawakened world.
And maybe he can do Rowland Hill good by being much more popular than he is.
The Fourth Control did very
well. This confirmed many in fact. This calmed many who were undecided and
convinced not a few who simply fell into this strong illusion. But you
shouldn't think that anything will convince a warm Calvinist—no, not an angel
descending from heaven.
In two or three hours I
could teach you so much grammar that you could advance without difficulty.
'True simplicity,' says Fenelon, 'is that grace by which the soul is freed from
all useless reflections upon itself.' I add, 'and over all other people and
things.' This is an indescribable blessing; and it is the mere gift of God, not
naturally attached either to greatness or to little understanding. A single eye
helps a lot in this. Look for one thing, and you will be much less concerned
with useless reasoning.--My dear Miss Helena. Bishop, his affectionate brother.
[21]
It is our wisdom to
force us to pray
Therefore, it is our wisdom to force us to pray—to pray regardless of whether we can pray or not. And many times, as we do this, fire will fall from the sky, and we will know that our work has not been in vain. "I am, my dear Miss Helena." Bishop
To Mary Bishop BRISTOL,
September 19, 1773.
MY DEAREST SISTER,-- It is
certainly very profitable for us to have a variety of seasons. We could not
bear to be constantly in storms or in a constant calm; But we are not sure, we
cannot judge which proportion of one or the other is best for us. Therefore, it
is good that we are not left to our own wisdom, which we have not chosen for
ourselves. We must do a strange job; but we know that He who chooses for us
commands all right.
There are great things in
most of the Mystic writers. As almost all lived in the Roman Church, they were
lights that God's gracious providence raised up to shine in a dark place. But
they do not give a dear, fixed, or uniform light. That wise and good man
Professor Francke [August Hermann Francke (1663-1727) was a teacher at Halle in
1692 and founded his famous Orphanage there in 1695] used to say of them: 'They
do not describe our ordinary Christianity, but each has his own religion.' It
is very true: so that if you study the mystical writers, you will find as many
religions as books; And for this clear reason, each of them makes his own
experience the standard of religion.
Madame Guyon was a good
woman and is an excellent writer, but far from judicious. His writings will
lead anyone who likes them to unbiblical Quietism. They reach the root and tend
to make us rest contentedly, without faith or works. Admittedly, the Scriptures,
by "prayer," almost always mean vocal prayer. And whoever interrupts
this for any moment will pray neither with his voice nor with his heart.
Therefore, it is our wisdom to force us to pray—to pray regardless of whether
we can pray or not. And many times, as we do this, fire will fall from the sky,
and we will know that our work has not been in vain. "I am, my dear Miss
Helena." Bishop,
With affection.
PS.--It is on Wednesday
evening (the 29th of the calendar) that I intend to preach in Bath (on my
return from Bradford) at twelve o'clock. [22]
Violent Jealousy Among Young People Is
Something Entirely New Among Methodists
But this violent jealousy among his young women is something entirely new among the Methodists; I have not known anything like it in the three kingdoms. And yet, I don't know if they have less sense or less elegance than others of their age or gender. But this is one proof among a thousand that, if God leaves us alone for a moment, there is no foolishness in which our subtle adversary does not lead the wisest of the human race
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, October 31, 1773.
MY DEAR SISTER,--I have
prepared your letter so carefully that I cannot find it. But as I'm going to
Norfolk early, I won't stay until I get back before I write.
Overall, there's nothing
new under the sun. But this violent jealousy among his young women is something
entirely new among the Methodists; I have not known anything like it in the
three kingdoms. And yet, I don't know if they have less sense or less elegance
than others of their age or gender. But this is one proof among a thousand
that, if God leaves us alone for a moment, there is no foolishness into which
our subtle adversary does not lead the wisest of the human race. However, I
don't see that you are authorized to waive your charge for this account. It
seems that you should simply lay out the whole affair to Mr. Pawson and Allen
[John Pawson was Supernumerary in Bristol; John Allen, who became itinerant in
1766 and died in 1810, was Wesley's assistant. They are frank and impartial
judges, without prejudice on one side or the other; and I believe that they
will be able to judge, in each emergency, what steps are the most appropriate
to take.
One of the reasons,
perhaps, for this being allowed was to confuse the pride of his understanding.
You were considered a sensible woman and praised for that. And our nature
easily receives this kind of praise. But see how little your judgment is! You
can't do more than if you were an idiot. 'The help that is made on earth He
does it himself,' whether with or without instruments. Let your whole soul
abide upon Him for time and eternity. I'm always very happy to hear from you.
And you can speak freely with, my dear Miss Helena. Bishop,
With affection.
To Miss Bishop, Near the
Cross Bath,
In Bath. [23]
It takes a lot of courage
and fidelity
Sometimes I was afraid that
you did not deal clearly with the young women in your care. It takes a lot of
courage and fidelity, so you can do all this in your bonds to present them
flawlessly before the throne
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, January 26, 1774.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- When I
perceive something strange in your temper or demeanor, I will hardly fail to
tell you; for I am convinced that you would not only suffer, but also benefit
from counsel or reproof. Sometimes I was afraid that you did not deal clearly
with the young women in your care. It takes a lot of courage and fidelity, so
you can do all this in your bonds to present them flawlessly before the throne.
I don't know if there is
any other outside job that is as suitable for you as the one currently
involved. You have room to use all the talents God has given you, and that is
the most excellent way. You also have an admirable exercise for your patience,
whether in the monotony or boldness of your children. And some of them will
learn from you what is of greater importance: to know themselves and to know
God. Therefore, you should not give up this position lightly—not without full
and clear proof that God calls you to do so. In the meantime, carry your cross,
and it will carry you. Seek an inner change, not an external one. What you want
is only inner freedom, the glorious freedom of God's children. And how early
you can take advantage of it! Who knows what a day, an hour, a moment may
bring. How long can you listen to 'the voice speaking Jehovah near'! Why
shouldn't it be today—I am, my dear sister,
With affection.
Miss S. Bishop, near the
Bath of the Cross,
In Bath. [24]
The Difference Between
Weight and Darkness of the Soul
The difference between the
heaviness and darkness of the soul (the desert state) must never be forgotten.
Darkness (unless in the case of bodily disorders) seldom surrounds us, except
through our own fault. Not so with regard to weighing, which may be occasioned
by a thousand circumstances, which often neither our wisdom can foresee nor our
power prevent
To Mary Bishop
BRISTOL, September 13,
1774.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- The
difference between heaviness and darkness of the soul (the desert state) must
never be forgotten. Darkness (unless in the case of bodily disorders) seldom
surrounds us, except through our own fault. Not so with regard to weighness, which
may be occasioned by a thousand circumstances, such as often neither our wisdom
can foresee nor our power prevent. It seems that his judgment was of the second
kind; Perhaps it was also partly because of the body. But, whatever the type,
you can benefit from it: you don't have to leave you as you found yourself.
Remember Mr. Dodd's wise saying,
'It is a great loss to lose
an affliction.' If you don't improve because of it, you lose the money. But
then you can gain both humility, seriousness and resignation.
I think the rarely you
listen to Moravians, the better. I should have heard them two or three times in
a year; And maybe I would have done it without any suffering. But others would
have been encouraged by my example to listen to them. And if any of these had
been destroyed, their blood would have been on my head. Some have recently
advised me to omit what refers to them in the present edition of my Diaries.
The same would be done if the evil were removed. But I have no reason to
believe that it is. I never saw them recognize any particular fault. And
without this there can be no amendment.
On Wednesday, the 21st of
this instantanee, I hope to see you in Bath on your way to Bradford. I intend
to preach about noon, and dine in one with the person who lives across the
street from Brother Hemmings. "I am, my dear sister, Yours with affection.
For Miss Helena. Bishop,
near the Bath of the Cross, in Bath. [25]
We become all things to all men, so as not to
hurt our own souls
We become all things to all
men, so as not to injure our own souls, when we first secure a single eye, a
firm plan, to please all for their good and edification, and then we see to it
that our discourse is always good for edifying and fine use, that it may
minister grace to the hearers.
To Mary Bishop
REIGATE, November 30, 1774.
MY DEAREST SISTER,-- We
become all things to all men, so as not to injure our own souls, when we first
secure a single eye, a firm plan, to please all for their good and edification,
and then we see to it that our discourse is always good for edifying and fine
use, which may minister grace to the hearers. But for that, we need power from
on high and the wisdom that is next to the throne. This alone allows us to
organize our conversation correctly, to benefit both others and our own souls.
Before this can be done
effectively, you must conquer your nature reserve and exercise it only with
those of whom you know nothing or of whom you know nothing good. There may be a
time when this is highly expedient, if not necessary—that is, when good people
(at least to some extent) sink under your character, spend time, or indulge in
a conversation that tends to improve either the speaker or the listener.
I don't think it will be
better for you to go out less than you ever did. Suppose you have more faith
and more love (as I would imagine you do), you should certainly go out more.
Otherwise, your faith will die callously. It is only by works that it can be
perfected. And the more the love of solitude is nurtured, the more it will
increase. This is a common temptation among men. In every age and country,
Satan whispered to those who began to taste the powers of the world to come (as
well as to Gregory Lopez): 'Au desert!' Au desert! Most of our little flock in
Oxford have been tested with this, especially my brother and I. No, but I say,
'To the Bible! To the Bible!' And there you will learn, "when you have
time, to do good to all men": to warn every man, to exhort every man when
you have opportunity; Although most of their care and work should be dedicated
to those who belong to the family of faith. Surely you can continue to do good
to others without jeopardizing the salvation of your own soul. What you desire
most at present is simplicity, in the sense of the Archbishop of Cambray's
word: that grace 'by which the soul discards all unnecessary reflections upon
itself.' I wish I could talk about you, as I said about a young man many years
ago when I sent her his little book,--
In art, in nature, we can
find
Colors
to represent you
Speak,
with Cambray's quill, into Sally's mind;
It is simplicity.
"I am, my dear Miss
Helena." Bishop,
With affection.
Miss S. Bishop, near the
Bath of the Cross, in Bath. [26]
It's not selfish to indulge
yourself when you give pleasure
It is not selfish to be
satisfied when you give pleasure. This proves that his mind was formerly in a
right state; and then God answers you with the joy of his heart.' So, be more
and more thirsty for this holiness; and thus provide more and more pleasure
To Mary
Bishop
ROCHDALE, April 17, 1776.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- Mr. Jones's book on the
Trinity is both clearer and stronger than any I have ever seen on this subject.
If anything is wanting, it is the application, so that it does not appear
merely a speculative doctrine, which has no influence upon our hearts or lives;
but this is abundantly supplied by my brother's Hymns.
After all the fuss that has been made about
mysteries, and the trouble we have caused ourselves about it, nothing is more
certain than that no child of man is obliged to believe in any mystery. As to
the Trinity, for example, what am I to believe Not in the manner in which the
mystery resides. This is not the goal of my faith; but the simple fact: 'These
Three are One.' That I believe, and that's all.
Faith is given according to our present need.
You now have the faith needed to live for God. He is not yet called to die.
When you are, you will also have faith in it. Today, improve the faith you have
now, and trust God tomorrow.
Some writers make a distinction that does not
seem inappropriate. They speak of the essential part of heaven and the
accessory parts. A man without any learning is naturally led to the same
distinction. Then the poor dying peasant in Frederica: 'To be clear, heaven is
a beautiful place, a very beautiful place; but that doesn't matter to me: I
want to see God and be with Him.' I don't know if the usual question is well
formulated: 'Is heaven a state or a place?' There is no opposition between
these two; It's one thing and another. It is the place where God dwells most
immediately with those saints who are in a glorified state. Homer could only
conceive of the place that it was paved with brass. Milton in one place
transforms the pavement of heaven into beaten gold; in another, he defines it
more sublimely as 'the house of God, paved with stars.' The fullest account of
this house of God which may yet enter into our hearts to conceive is given in
several parts of Revelation. There we have a good prospect for the holiest,
where He who sits on the throne is first; then the four living creatures; Then
the twenty-four elders; after the great crowd which no man can number; and,
around them all, the various myriads of angels, which God has constituted in a
marvellous order.
'But what is the essential part of heaven'
Surely it is seeing God, knowing God, loving God. Then we shall know both His
nature and His works of creation, of providence, and of redemption. Even in
paradise, in the intermediate state between death and resurrection, we will
learn more about it in an hour than we could in an era during our stay in the
body. We cannot say, in fact, how we will exist then or what kind of organs we
will have: the soul will not be bound by flesh and blood; but it will probably
have some kind of ethereal vehicle, even before God clothes us 'with our
noblest house of empyrean light.'
No, my dear friend, no! It is not selfish to
be satisfied when you give pleasure. This proves that his mind was formerly in
a right state; and then God answers you with the joy of his heart.' So, be more
and more thirsty for this holiness; and thus provide more and more pleasure to
With affection. [27]
'Pray for one another, and
be healed' of all that they have confessed to one another'
I need only remember one
more scripture: 'Let them pray for him; and the prayer of faith will save the
sick; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.' The promise in
the next verse is even more comprehensive: 'Pray one for another, and be
healed' of all that you have confessed to one another'
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, December 26, 1776.
MY DEAREST SISTER,-- You are quite clear
about Miss Helena. Mahon. You have done everything in your power; and if she no
longer accepts his services, her blood will be upon her own head. But I'm not
going to give up on her just yet. I wrote to Mr. Valton at Oxford, and asked
him to talk to Mrs. Mahon. Perhaps a letter from her could be helpful. But I
don't expect to hear anything good from her daughter while she's ashamed to
watch the preaching.
Or this text in Ezekiel xxxiii. 8 means
literal or has no meaning at all. And nothing is more certain, indeed, than
that thousands perish through the negligence of others. And yet God is fully
justified in this, because the chief cause of his destruction is his own
abandonment; They did not bother to seek their own salvation with fear and
trembling.
Whatever other ends are answered by prayer,
this is one, and it seems the principal one, that we may have the petitions
which we ask of Him. Asking is the appointed means to receive, and what it is
for others as well as for ourselves; how we may learn partly by reason itself,
but more fully by our own experience, and still more clearly by revelation.
Reason teaches us to argue from analogy. If you (because you have respect for
me) would do more for a third person at my request than you would otherwise, how
much more would God, at the request of His beloved children, give blessings to
those for whom they pray and whom otherwise He would not have given! And as
every experience confirms this! How often have the petitions of others been
granted for our behalf, and on our behalf on behalf of others.
But the most decisive proof of all is the
scripture: 'Go to my servant Job, and he will pray for you; for him I accept.'
It was not a temporal blessing that was at issue, but a spiritual one, the
forgiveness of their sin. Thus, when St. Paul said, 'Brothers, pray for us,' he
desired it not merely for temporal reasons, that 'he might be delivered out of
the lion's mouth,' but for a spiritual one, 'that he might speak boldly as he
ought to speak.' But the examples of this are numerous. In proof of the general
truth that God bestows upon us both temporal and spiritual blessings in answer
to each other's prayers, I need only recall one more scripture: 'Let them pray
for him; and the prayer of faith will save the sick; and if he has committed
sins, they will be forgiven him.' The promise in the next verse is even more
comprehensive: 'Pray one for another, and be healed' of all that they have
confessed to one another.
I am sorry for every godly young woman who is
not as active as possible, seeing that each one receives her own reward
according to her own work. Oh, don't waste time! Buy every opportunity to do
good. And give more and more joy to, my dear friend,
With affection.
At Miss Helena's house. March, in Bristol. [28]
Sea breezes can be useful
to you
To Mary Bishop
BRISTOL, September 15, 1777.
MY DEAR MISS BISHOP,--
There is seldom much heat in the preaching house at Bradford: at least, it is
not caused by the greatness of the congregation; although I think it was bigger
last week than I've seen in several years.
We have reason to be
thankful that none of our friends in Bristol have been harmed by Mr. Hilton's
change. [See letters of August 6 and October 22 (to Miss Helena S. Bishop).]
They seem to be grieved, but not wounded, but more established in truth. From Miss
Helena. Flower, I heard something not very pleasant. But I can't say anything
yet. In a day or two I hope to have the opportunity to talk to her, and then I
will know how to judge. If she copies my dear Miss Helena. Yerbury, I will have
no more pain for her.
I have great hopes that
this sickness will not be unto death, but that the glory of the Lord will be
revealed. Kempis' rule admits of many exceptions. Whatever the case may be at
the time, we now have abundant evidence that many are improved by disease;
unless it is said 'in sickness.' This is one of the great means which
God employs for this purpose. In sickness many are convicted of sin, many
converted to God, and still more confirmed in God's ways and brought to perfection.
His gracious design in
yours seems to be chiefly this—to wean you still further from created things,
to do and keep you dead for all below. For this, you are in a certain way
isolated from everything that can find everything of yourself in Him. If He wants
to restore you, you will be an instrument worthy of the Master's use.
It seems that the best way
to enjoy this retirement that results from your current weakness is to divide
your time between reading, meditation, and prayer, mixed with serious
conversation. And when your strength permits, you should strive to do a little good;
Just be careful at the beginning not to go too far. A few years ago we had a
small Society in Southampton; You may find some remaining fragments. May the
God of all grace, after a time of suffering, make you perfect, stabilized,
strengthen, and soothe—I am, my dear sister,
His brother always
affectionate. [29]
You also don't have to
relapse into your disorder, if you take the precautions that common sense
requires
It is not likely that you
will be able to teach anymore, as this implies breathing for a long time in
confined air and talking several hours a day. But I don't doubt that you will
be able to meet a class, maybe in a month. You also don't have to relapse into
your disorder, if you take the precautions that common sense requires
To Mary Bishop
NEAR LONDON, JUNE 26 , 1777.
MY DEAR SISTER,--Blessed be
God that I have hitherto helped and lifted you up from the gates of death! It
is not likely that you will be able to teach anymore, as this implies breathing
for a long time in confined air and talking several hours a day. But I don't
doubt that you will be able to meet a class, maybe in a month. Nor does it have
to fall back into your disorder, if you take the precautions that common sense
requires.
Yesterday I spent time with
Dr. Dodd and spoke with him very freely. He seems to be exactly in the
temperament one would like, calmly resigned to the will of God. I hope that
Miss Helena S. March is regaining his strength as well as you are; And I am, my
dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
For Miss Helena. Bishop, at Miss Bishop's house. March,in Bristol. [30]
I am friends with Socrates and Plato, but much more of the truth
I am glad that you are not tossed to and fro even by those you love well, and I hope you will always say, 'I am a friend of Socrates and Plato, but much more of the truth.'
Mary
Bishop
LONDON, November 16, 1777.
DEAR MISS BISHOP,-- You have completely taken away my fear (actually, not a vehement fear) of following poor Miss Flower's example and connecting with the Quakers. [See the letters of October 22 1777 and 15 May 1778 for her.] I am glad that you are not tossed to and fro even by those you love well, and I hope you will always say, 'I am a friend of Socrates and Plato, but much more of the truth.'
"To be faithful to the teaching of the Spirit of God," you have been exhorted ever since you joined the Methodists. This sentiment is not exclusive to Mr. Hilton [See letter of February 7, 1778.]; nor, I believe, any biblical feeling. What I regret in him for some years now is an aptitude for condemning and despising his brothers. There is no more contagious failure than this; It's a lot if you haven't picked up some of it. For otherwise you would hardly pass that sentence, 'that the body of the Methodists is degenerate.' You can't judge whether they are or not. Maybe you talk to one or two hundred of them. Now, by allowing two-thirds to degenerate degenerates, can you infer the same as thirty or forty thousand?
But I will allow that. Two-thirds of those who get rich are very degenerate. They don't save, they won't save everything they can to give everything they can. And without that, they cannot grow in grace; no, they continually lament the Holy Spirit of God.
I'm glad to hear that you're regaining your body strength. That you may continually increase in spiritual strength is also the constant wish of my dear Miss Helena. Bishop,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
For Miss Helena. Bishop, at
Mrs. Taylor's house,
Southampton. [31]
The natural force of
understanding is no defense against the most absurd errors
From long experience, I am
convinced that the natural force of the understanding is no defense against the
most absurd errors; especially if we lean a little into it, if we are not
deeply aware of our own weakness.
To Mary Bishop
NEAR OXFORD, OCTOBER 22 , 1777.
MY DEAR MISS BISHOP,-- From
long experience, I am convinced that the natural force of the understanding is
no defense against the most absurd errors; especially if we lean a little into
it, if we are not deeply aware of our own weakness. Therefore I am also envious
of you: I fear that you too will 'fall where many more powerful have been
killed.' In fact, some have not hesitated to say, 'Oh, Miss Helena S. Bishop
will soon be enlightened, as will Miss Sánchez. Flower. [See the letters of
September 15 (to her) and November 16.] She has so much appreciation for Mr.
Hilton that he will soon open her eyes.' I still can't believe he's going to
make it; Still, I don't say that there is no danger. Did he open the cause? Has
he ever spoken or written to you about his favorite topic? Has he ever talked
about you about 'being quiet, stop doing your own works and cry, The here and
there looks'? If so, what impression did this smooth and plausible conversation
make on your mind? Were you almost convinced yourself that you were right? Or
did you stand still? If you were moved, if you would also leave 'the fallen
Methodists' and join the 'Friends, the only living people in the world'; Still,
I don't feel inclined to bring a harsh accusation against you. I shouldn't be
angry; though I should suffer, for I cannot easily be separated from those I
love.
I tend to think that your
friend from Bath has made a mistake about the person. I received 'a letter that
I did not know what to think.' But it was Miss Helena's. Flower, not Miss
Flower's. Bishop. I don't remember ever receiving a letter from you that I
didn't understand. I know few people who write or speak more intelligibly than
you; and I hope that you will soon give a fresh proof of this to, my dear Miss
Helena. Bishop,
With affection
For Miss Helena. Bishop, at
Mrs. Taylor's house,
Above the bar, Hanover Row,
Southampton. [32]
Nothing in
the Christian system is of greater importance than the doctrine of the
Atonement
Nothing in
the Christian system is of greater importance than the doctrine of the
Atonement. It is properly the distinguishing point between Deism and
Christianity.
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, February 7,
1778.
MY DEAR SISTER, - It
does not matter much whether these doubts have arisen in your mind in
conversing with Mr. Hilton, [See letter of November 16, 1777.] by reading (your
oracle) Mr. Law's later works, or by your own reasoning. But certainly the
theme is of last importance and deserves our most serious consideration. In
fact, nothing in the Christian system is of greater importance than the
doctrine of the Atonement. It is properly the distinguishing point between
Deism and Christianity. 'The Scriptural scheme of morality,' said Lord
Huntingdon, [Francis, Earl of Huntingdon, son of Lady Huntingdon, was a
freethinker.] 'it is what everyone should admire; but the doctrine of the
Atonement I cannot comprehend.' Here, then, we divide it. Forsake the
Atonement, and the Deists agree with us.
This point,
therefore, deserves to be considered more fully than my time will allow. But
now it is less necessary because I have already done so in my letter to Mr.
Law; to which I ask you to do a serious reading, whether you have read it or
not. It is in the nineteenth volume of the Works. [See letter of January 6,
1756, section II. 2, 3, to William Law.] But it is true that I cannot
understand her any more than her lordship; perhaps I can say more than the
angels of God, than the highest created understanding. Our reason here is
quickly confused. If we try to expand in this field, 'we find no end in lost
wandering labyrinths.' But the question is (the only question with me; I
consider nothing else), What the Scripture says Says: 'God was in Christ, reconciling
the world to himself'; that 'He made Him who knew no sin to be a sin offering
to us.' It says: 'He was wounded for our transgressions and wounded for our
iniquities.' It says: 'We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the
righteous one; and He is the atonement for our sins.'
But it is certain
that if God had never been angry, He could never have been reconciled. Thus, in
stating this, Mr. Law strikes at the root of the Atonement and finds a very
short method for converting deists. [He is evidently thinking of Charles Leslie
(1650-1722), Nonjuror, and his A Short and Easy Method with Deists.] Though,
therefore, I do not call God, as Mr. Law supposes, 'an angry Being,' which
conveys a wrong idea; yet I firmly believe that He was furious with all
mankind, and that He was reconciled to them by the death of His Son. And I know
that He was angry with me until I believed in the Son of His love; and yet this
is not an impeachment of His mercy, that He is as merciful as He is merciful.
But, no doubt, as
long as the world stands, there will be a thousand objections to this
Scriptural doctrine. For even so the preaching of Christ crucified will be
foolishness to the wise of the world. But let us hold the precious truth firmly
in our hearts and in our understanding; and we shall find by happy experience
that this is to us the wisdom of God and the power of God.
I do not doubt that
your health will be so restored that you will be able to teach or live in Bath.
But I don't know if you can do both together, teach in Bath. A little time will
decide. And in the meantime, we know it will be for the best. - I'm
Your affectionate
friend and brother.
For Miss Helena.
Bishop, at Mrs. Taylor's house,
Southampton. [33]
If one has gone out
of their way to enlarge, rather than heal, this little breach
If you visit it, you
will easily realize whether my fears are fair or not. And you'll soon find out
if anyone has gone out of their way to enlarge, rather than heal, this little
breach. Go in the name of God and add this to the other situations of friendship
that you have shown on all occasions
To Mary Bishop
CASTLEBAR, May 15,
1778.
MY DEAR MISS BISHOP,
"When I received the last letter from Miss Flower, I was completely
surprised. [See letters of November 16, 1777 and August 20, 1778.] It was a civil
(let's say, or impolite) excuse from continuing to write to her, and it seemed
to me to express all the passion I thought she shouldn't feel. Therefore, I
stood on my feet, not knowing whether it was advisable to write again or not.
After a pause, I thought it would not be wrong to write another letter. I did
this, writing as clearly and sincerely as possible, but in a gentle and
affectionate way. I believe that was about a month ago. Since then, I have not
had any more calls from her. Therefore, I cannot write again; It would be
totally out of character. However, I am very worried about it, and I thought
yesterday: 'What can I do next? There is no prudent and affectionate friend,
for whom she still respects, and whom I would like to intervene on this
delicate occasion, and, if possible, dispel this misunderstanding' You are the
woman! As soon as I read your letter, I saw everything clear as day. She still
loves you; And you have a fondness for her. Use, therefore, the privilege of
friendship. I am afraid that she will have one with her that does not do her
any good—that instead of striving to eliminate any prejudice, she would try to
increase it, and gradually drive her away from all her friends. If you visit
it, you will easily realize whether my fears are fair or not. And you'll soon
find out if anyone has gone out of their way to enlarge, rather than heal, this
little breach. Go in the name of God and add this to the other situations of
friendship that you have on every occasion shown, whether to her or to my dear
Miss Helena. Bishop,
With affection.
For Miss Helena.
Bishop, near the Bath of the Cross, in Bath. [34]
Sufficient
correspondents
Blessed be God, I
have enough correspondents; and I don't want anyone alive to correspond with
me, except those who do it for themselves and who hope to benefit from it in
some way.
To Mary Bishop
TAUNTON, August 20,
1778.
MY DEAR MISS BISHOP,
- My dear friend (i.e.) has received no reproach from me, deserved or
undeserved. But when I realized that I could not talk to her alone, I relaxed
myself by writing, telling her lightly and clearly (as friendship forced me to
do) all that I heard and all that I feared about her. I had no idea she was
taking it badly; and so he was completely surprised at his answer; "I
think it was cruel and unjust to the highest degree, and more fitting for a
young student than for one who was a preacher for fifty years, and who for more
than twenty cared for his soul!"
Whether for herself,
whether her correspondence with me will be renewed or not. Blessed be God, I
have enough correspondents; and I don't want anyone alive to correspond with
me, except those who do it for themselves and who hope to benefit from it in some
way. In fact, I think that if anyone has reason to resent, it is me and not
her; for I do not remember having received such an answer to such a letter
twice twenty years. [Miss Helena S. Flower. See letter of May 15.]
I hope it is a good
Providence that has brought you to Frome, that you may do a little work for
your Master. But you must be content to do a little; Otherwise you won't do
anything else. If you stay there another two or three weeks, I shall be pleased
to see you there; as I hope to be in Frome on Tuesday after returning to
Bristol. "It's me, my dear Miss Helena." Bishop,
With great affection.
For Miss Helena.
Bishop, at Miss Bishop's house. Hancock, in the market square, Frome. [35]
God's
purpose raising up the Methodists
God has certainly raised us up chiefly for the Church, that a little leaven may soften the whole lump.
To Mary Bishop
LONDON, October 18,
1778.
MY DEAR MISS BISHOP,
- I am not reluctant to write to yourself on a delicate subject, because you
will weigh the matter fairly. And if you have a bit of pretense (which you don't),
but are willing to yield it to reason.
The original
Methodists were all from the Church of England; And the more awake they were,
the more zealously they adhered to it in all points, both of doctrine and of
discipline. That is why we have inserted in the first Rules of our Society:
'Those who leave the Church leave us.' And we did this, not out of prudence,
but out of conscience. We believe that it is wholly unlawful to separate from
the Church unless sinful terms of fellowship have been imposed; as did Mr.
Philip Henry, [Busby's favourite pupil at Westminster School, preached as a
nonconformist from 1672 to 1681. See letter of June 14, 1786.] and most of
those holy men who were contemporaries of theirs.
'But her ministers do
not preach the gospel.' Not even independent ministers or Anabaptists know
this. Calvinism is not the gospel; No, it's farther from that than most sermons
I hear in church. These cases are very often non-evangelical; But these are anti-evangelicals.
They are (to say nothing) equally wrong; And they are far more dangerously
wrong. Few Methodists are now in danger of absorbing errors from the ministers
of the Church; but they are in great danger of absorbing the great
error—Calvinism—of the dissenting ministers. Perhaps thousands have already
done so, most of whom have retreated to perdition. I see more instances of this
than anyone else can see; and, for this reason, also to exhort all who would
remain with the Methodists and against Calvinism: 'Go to church, and not to the
meeting.'
But, to speak freely,
I myself find more life in the prayers of the Church than in the formal and
extemporaneous prayers of the dissenters. No, I find more profit in sermons on
good humour or good works than in what are commonly called gospel sermons. That
term has now become just a meaningless word. I wish none of our Society would
use this. It has no definite meaning. Let just a lively, self-sufficient
animal, without judgment or grace, cry out something about Christ and His blood
or justification by faith, and his hearers cry out, 'What a beautiful gospel
sermon!' Certainly the Methodists did not learn Christ in this way. We know no
gospel without salvation from sin.
There is a Roman
error that many Protestants sanction without realizing it. It is a declared
doctrine of the Roman Church that 'the pure intention of the minister is
essential to the validity of the sacraments.' If so, we must not attend the
ministers of a profane man; but, in total opposition to this, our Church
teaches in Article 28 that 'the unworthiness of the minister does not prevent
the validity of the sacraments.' While, therefore, there are many unpleasant
circumstances, I advise all our friends to remain faithful to the Church. God
has certainly raised us up chiefly for the Church, that a little leaven may
soften the whole lump. I would like you to seriously consider that little
treatise Reasons against a Separation from the Church of England. [See Works,
xiii. 225-32; Green's Bibliography, nº 201; and letters of July 7, 1777.] These
reasons have never been answered yet, and I believe they never will be.
I'm glad you took on
this labor of love, and I trust that it will increase both your spiritual and
bodily health. "It's me, my dear Miss Helena." Bishop,
With great affection.
For Miss Helena.
Bishop, at Mrs. Hancock's house, in Frome, Somersetshire. [36]
Make Christians
Make Christians, my dear Miss Helena. Bishop, make Christians! Let this be your main vision.
To
Mary Bishop
WARRINGTON, May 21, 1781.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- I wrote
to Mr. Pawson, [The Assistant at Bristol.] and I hope Keynsham will no longer
be neglected. I didn't expect you to face any such trial; But it's good to be
prepared for everyone.
When Molly Maddern taught
some children at Kingswood, [John Maddern was an English teacher at Kingswood
School in 1760.] I saw a truly Christian school. Making children Christians was
their first care; Then, they learned what women need to learn. I saw another
Christian school at Leytonstone, under the care of Miss Leytonstone. Bosanquet.
I do not remember having discovered any defect in either the first or the
second; I have observed nothing done that I wanted to be omitted, nothing
omitted that I wished I had done.
Can I speak without
reservation? I think I can. I expected to see a third Christian school at
Publow [The Owens' School. See Diary, vi. 335-6; and letter of July 17 to Miss
Helena. Bishop.]; And I did that for a season. But I can't say that for a few
years it fully met my expectations. 'So what happened?' I can barely say. I
don't know how to express it. I didn't realize the simplicity I saw at first.
More of the world seemed to have been invaded. Good creation I love; but how
difficult it is to keep it altogether free from affectation and from anything
that does not quite agree with the mind that was in Christ!
I want your children to be
educated just like Miss Helena's. Bosanquet. Although they were very kind,
there was something about their way that said they belonged in another world.
Mrs. Castleman [See letter of August 4, 1775.] was one of Molly Maddern's pupils.
See, she's kind; Still, she is a Christian.
Make Christians, my dear
Miss Helena. Bishop, make Christians! Let this be your main vision. Make
Christians like Miranda, [Law's Serious Call, chap. viii.: 'A sober and
reasonable Christian.' 'She thinks that judging herself every day by the
doctrines of Scripture is the only possible way to be ready for her judgment at
the last day.'] as Miss Helena Sánchez. Ritchie; like Miss Helena. March was
me. Let everything else you teach be subordinate to this. Pay attention to one
thing in everything! Let it be said of the young women you educate,
Grace was in his every
step, heaven in his eyes,
In all his gestures there
is holiness and love. [Milton's Eve, Paradise Lost, viii. 488-9: 'In every
gesture dignity and love.']
But what power do you want
to run that! Ask, and it will be given to you! Let you not have that sincerity
at this moment. Bishop,
Your affectionate friend
and brother. [37]
To Ms. Bishop, in his
boarding school,
At Keynsham, near Bristol.
[1] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[2]
https://grokipedia.com//page/thomas_mills_printer
[3] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[4] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[5]
https://wesleyworks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bios-recurrent-persons.pdf
[6] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[7]
https://grokipedia.com//page/thomas_mills_printer
[8]
https://wesleyworks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bios-recurrent-persons.pdf
[9] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[10] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[11] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[12]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1772/
[13]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/
[14]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/
[15]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/
[16]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/
[17]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/
[18]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1772/
[19]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1772/
[20]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1772/
[21] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1773/
[22] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1773/
[23] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1773/
[24]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1774/
[25]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1774/
[26]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1774/
[27]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/
[28]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/
[29]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1777/
[30]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1777/
[31]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1777/
[32]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1777/
[33]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1778/
[34]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1778/
[35]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1778/
[36]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1778/
[37]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1781b/
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