Wesley's
Pastoral Letters to the People Called Methodists
Odilon
Massolar Chaves
==============================
Copyright © 2026, Odilon Massolar Chaves
All rights reserved to the author.
It is allowed to read, copy and share for
free.
Article 184 of the Penal Code and Law 96710
of February 19, 1998.
Books published in the Wesleyan Digital
Library: 785
Books published by the author: 828
Address: https://bibliotecawesleyana.blogspot.com
Cover:https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-autograph-letter-from-reverend-john-wesley-to-samuel-bradburn-wesley-83339528.html
All glory to God!
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
· Craving and Seeking the Best Portion
· End our friendly duel
· Be a standard for everyone around you
· God raised up such an able preacher
· The Assistant needs, in most places, to have
a rigorous eye for the leaders
· It is a sin to condemn everything that
Scripture does not condemn
· Find one, if not more, with whom you can
converse freely about the things of God
· I am surprised that a man who really fears
God should get involved in such a bad cause
· Improve this life span as much as possible
· Delays are dangerous
·
Rules
for Beginning Construction of the Preaching House
· We don't know how soon she'll be called
· Demand a positive response
· God's work continues well in most parts of
Ireland
· Test us first and then comfort
· Looking up and trying to secure a better
portion
· You can't do anything good by contesting
·
It
takes a lot of stability
· You must do the part of the work that I
assign
· It is time to reclaim the whole image of God
in which you were created
· A fatal step
· So that the scandal is removed
·
We
Methodists have no such customs
· Not involved with any of the parties to the
conflict
· Fire only in the imagination
· How prejudices arise
· The Difference Between Promise and
Performance
· Not erasing a young person on the rise
· Why should you erase a genie in
· God never withdraws the light from His
countenance
· Walk at least an hour every day
· Misunderstandings will be removed
· God raised him up to be a blessing to many
nations
· I hope that since he is firm, he will be
merciful
·
A
Delightful Account of God's Work on the Island
·
I
don't know anyone more suitable
· Well-intentioned, but ill-judgmental
· Nothing to cause pain
· Consent to marry
· A useful worker in our Lord's vineyard
· Stop arguing
· Stay out of debt
· Tell as little as possible about the past
· You have something better to put your
thoughts into practice
· God will surely exalt us if we do not exalt
ourselves
· Providence has pointed out a way in which you
can be of general utility
· If You Continue to Be Fervent in Prayer
· The Spirit's Leading
· But if we do not tire of doing well, we will
reap in due time
===============================
Introduction
"Wesley's
Pastoral Letters to the People Called Methodist" is a 49-page book
containing 51 letters from Wesley to members of the people called Methodist in
the year 1789.
"John
Wesley's letters to the 'people called Methodist' represent an essential part
of his pastoral legacy, serving to guide the spiritual life, discipline, and
doctrinal defense of the movement in the eighteenth century.[1]
We
gave titles to the cards and highlighted these below:
· Be a standard for everyone around you
· The Assistant needs, in most places, to have
a rigorous eye for the leaders
· It is a sin to condemn everything that
Scripture does not condemn
· Find one, if not more, with whom you can
converse freely about the things of God
· I am surprised that a man who really fears
God should get involved in such a bad cause
· Delays are dangerous
·
Rules
for Beginning Construction of the Preaching House
· Test us first and then comfort
· Looking up and trying to secure a better
portion
· You can't do anything good by contesting
·
It
takes a lot of stability
· It is time to reclaim the whole image of God
in which you were created
Pastoral letters that
reveal depth, spiritual wisdom, zeal for members and preachers.
The Author
===============================
Craving
and Seeking the Best Portion
I'm
glad to see you still craving and seeking the best portion
To
Susanna Knapp
[BATH, March 3, 1789.]
MY DEAR SUKY, -- I am glad
to see you still craving and seeking the best portion. Tomorrow a fortnight I
hope to see you in Worcester. I am glad to hear that Mrs. Knapp's health is to
some extent restored. We are sure that we are healthy if health is the best for
us.
With affection.
For Miss Helena. Knapp, at
Mr. Knapp's house,
In Worcester.
End
our friendly duel
I
think that here we must end our friendly duel, because neither can convince the
other
To
John Taylor [13]
BRISTOL, March 4, 1789
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I think
we must end our friendly duel here, for neither can convince the other.
Still, I must keep it, I
beg you simply for it. 1. That the Conference has the right to position the
preachers, the same as I have now; and which is secured for me by the scripture
in question.
2. This deed does not grant
me ownership in any house, no, by this deed I lose ownership of the houses that
were mine before.
3. Please consider this.
These houses were my property until this deed happened. Since then, I have not
owned any house in England. And that deed can transfer a property to the
Conference, which has espoused me to it—I am
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Be a standard for everyone
around you
Now be a standard for
everyone around you. Be a pattern of shyness and humility, in particular. Be
the least of all and the servant of all. Be a companion to them, and to them
alone, who worship in spirit and in truth
To Mr. John Taylor,
In Gomersal, near Leeds.
To Rachel Jones
BRISTOL, March 4, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- As you
wished, I cannot help sending you a line, though I have not a moment to lose.
You have enormous reason to praise God, who has treated you with such mercy.
You have reason to praise Him equally for hearing your prayer and hearing for
your family members. Now be a standard for everyone around you. Be a pattern of
shyness and humility, in particular. Be the least of all and the servant of
all. Be a companion to them, and to them alone, who worship in spirit and in
truth. Read again and again the thirteenth chapter of St. Paul's First Epistle
to the Corinthians. Then your light will shine brighter and brighter until the
perfect day. -- I am, dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
God raised up such an able
preacher
Now he has all the
meekness, gentleness, and simplicity of the gospel, united with that ardent
zeal before which the mountains turn into moles, and aided by that faith to
which all things are possible
To Ms. Rachel Jones, of
Barton-le-Willows,
Close to York.
For Adam Clarke, [14]
BRISTOL, March 9, 1789.
DEAR ADAM, -- If I live to
see you at another Conference, I should be glad to have Sister Clarke and you
here, instead of in most other places, because I myself spend more time here
than anywhere else but London. I am glad to know that God has raised up so able
a preacher from the islands [On July 15 Adam Clarke says: John De Queteville,
'who now has all the meekness, gentleness, and simplicity of the gospel, united
with that ardent zeal before which the mountains turn into moles, and aided by
that faith to which all things are possible.'' See Dunn's Life, 70.]; but
surely you should spare no pains in teaching him to read and write English,
reading with and explaining first the Christian [Library] and then the
Instructions for Children. And I do not doubt that if he would learn with one
eye, he would be amply strengthened by the blessed Spirit.
I suppose the cyder would
arrive in London almost as soon as I left, which was on the first Sunday of the
year.
It would be a reason to be
very cautious when choosing names for our children if that old comment were
true:
May our first temperaments
of example flow
And take this example of
our names.
Peace be with you and
yours! -- I am, dear Adam,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
The Assistant needs, in
most places, to have a rigorous eye for the leaders
The Assistant needs, in
most places, to have a rigorous look at the leaders; but they are nothing in
the Methodist constitution, only unmarried men who work for the Assistant for
as long as and as far as he pleases
To
Richard Rodda
BRISTOL, March 11, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I hope
to be with you on Good Friday between one and two o'clock. Then you get rid of
me as you see fit by Easter Monday afternoon; but that day I must dine with Sir
Philip Gibbes at Hilton Park.
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
To Mr. Rodda, in Moore
Street,
Birmingham.
It is a sin to condemn
everything that Scripture does not condemn
My reason for judging both
innocent is because neither is forbidden in Scripture, and it is a sin to
condemn everything that Scripture does not condemn
For
Ms. Bowman
BRISTOL, March 14, 1789.
I have neither the time nor
the desire to enter into a long dispute over this or any other issue. [See
letter of March 4, 1786.] All I can do is, first, state my own judgment, and
then state my motives for it; And if your child isn't happy with it, I don't
know how to avoid it.
The judgment is that there
is no more harm in maintaining a greenhouse than a flower garden; and I think
there is no more sin in keeping a garden of flowers than in smelling a rose.
My reason for judging both
innocent is because neither is forbidden in Scripture, and it is a sin to
condemn everything that Scripture does not condemn.
I think, therefore, to
condemn all who maintain greenhouses and flower gardens is a sin both against
God and against their neighbors; and one of them might say, 'Why am I judged by
another man's conscience? Before my own Lord I stand or fall.' I am
Your affectionate brother.
Find one, if not more, with
whom you can converse freely about the things of God
You need to find one, if
not more, with whom you can converse freely about the things of God. You can
make it a matter of prayer; And sooner or later your prayer will be heard
To
Harriet Lewis
DUBLIN, April 2, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, --
Considering how changeable human nature is, I would have thought you would have
forgotten me before. So I was pleasantly surprised when I had the pleasure of
seeing him in Dudley. [See letter of March 29, 1788.] You seemed to be exactly
the same as the first time I conversed with you at Mr. Moon's, [John Moon, the
third preacher in the Birmingham Circuit; he died in 1801.] to be as desirous
now as you were then not almost, but thoroughly Christian. But if this is your
determination, you must remember that you cannot warm yourself; you need to
find one, if not more, with whom you can converse freely about the things of
God. You can make it a matter of prayer; And sooner or later your prayer will
be heard, even though some of those you talked to are groin chills. But God is
able to give you others that will not be unstable like water. It is a great
blessing that He has sustained your gongs on the path and allowed you to still
move forward to the goal. May He establish, strengthen, and calm you! So pray
With affection.
I am surprised that a man
who really fears God should get involved in such a bad cause
So I think it's the most
sensible way to put the matter aside. The publication of something like this
only tried to provoke a hornet's nest
For
Thomas Wride
DUBLIN, April 2, 1789.
DEAR TOMMY, -- I am
surprised that a man who really fears God should get involved in such a bad
cause; But without a doubt, you have the better advantage in the argument.
However, I see no prospect of convincing a man of his position. So I think it's
the most sensible way to put the matter aside. [Wride was again assistant at
Whitehaven. Could this refer to any dispute with the Lowthers? The publication
of something like this only tried to provoke a hornet's nest. -- I am, dear
Tommy,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Improve this life span as
much as possible
If you pray mightily for
him, the Lord will hear your prayer and supply what is still lacking in your
faith, until he is happy, holy, and perfect in love.
For
Mrs. Cock
DUBLIN, April 7, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- I cannot
help saying that this worried me when I first learned that you were married;
because I was afraid that you were less useful than you might have been in a
single life. And, indeed, I hoped that if you married, it would be to one of
our preachers; So I could have put you in some circuit where I would have had
frequent opportunities to talk to you. I'm glad, though, that you're still
happy in God. If you had married an ungodly man, it would certainly have been a
sin. But it was not a sin to marry a child of God—yes, even though he was only
a babe in Christ. And surely, if you pray mightily for him, the Lord will hear
your prayer, and supply what is still lacking in your faith, until he is happy,
holy, and perfect in love. I hope there is no timidity between you and Mr. or
Mrs. Clarke. And do you talk freely with the other preachers? Do you find
yourself in the band? I hope you still meet Miss Helena. Lempriere and (I think
her friend's name is) Mrs. Saumarez. [Adam Clarke wrote on January 13: 'Jane
Cock is still well and happy. Ms. Saumarez gains ground. Miss Helena Sánchez.
Lempriere is very upright, but very shy.' See August 3 letter to Mrs. Cock.] I
want you and them to continually grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Oh, let's improve this period of life as much as possible!
Your fondly tender.
Delays are dangerous
Every good purpose will
grow cold and die if it is not put into practice as soon as possible
For
Peard Dickinson [16]
DUBLIN, April 11, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- As soon
as Sister Dickinson can go abroad, let her begin her labor of love. In
situations of this type, delays in particular are dangerous. Every good purpose
will grow cold and die if it is not put into practice as soon as possible. But
we can't undertake too much at once. Generally, one visit is enough for a day,
and this should not last more than half an hour, or a maximum of one hour.
I wrote a few days ago to
Mr. Hanby about his baptism and administration of the Lord's Supper wherever he
goes. He replies to me, 'He still intends to do this, for he believes it is his
duty.' I would like Brother Creighton, Moore, Rankin, and you to spend an hour
together, for it is a point of the utmost importance, and to consider what
steps should be taken in this matter. Can this be manipulated? If so, I fear it
will be a blow at the root of Methodism. And if not, you see the consequence:
he's going to join John Atlay. Consider also another point: we must allow Dr.
Coke to choose, one after another, the best of our young preachers [Evidently
by his missionary work.] Peace be with your spirits! -- I am
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Rules
for Beginning Construction of the Preaching House
But don't you remember the rule in the Conference Minutes that we should not begin building any preaching house until two-thirds of the money is subscribed? This rule we cannot dispense with
To
Lancelot Harrison [17]
DUBLIN, April 11, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- A
letter I received two or three days ago from George Whitfield [your
book-manager] informs me that I have so far exceeded my income in the past
year, and am already over two hundred pounds in debt. So I promised him not to
turn to him again until the end of next month.
But don't you remember the
rule in the Conference Minutes that we should not begin building any preaching
house until two-thirds of the money is subscribed? We cannot dispense with this
rule. And I'm afraid that's not the case with the house you're talking about in
Lincoln. I doubt, therefore, that it is time to build your building there. But
you have reason to rejoice that God's work prospers there, as well as in poor
Blighton. -- I am, etc.
We don't know how soon
she'll be called
Each time we meet, we are
less and less likely to meet again in this world
To
Alexander Knox [18]
DUBLIN, April 11, 1789.
MY DEAR ALLECK, -- You see
in the public papers that I will be with you if God permits on the 30th of next
month. If I am called to take a longer journey before that time, I hope you
will be able to say, 'Good is the will of the Lord.' Each time we meet, we are
less and less likely to meet again in this world. But it is enough if we are
found worthy of this world and of the resurrection of the dead. Oh, let my dear
Sally Knox [his sister] think about it, for we do not know how soon she will be
called. Certainly I love her very much; and we shall be glad to meet her at the
right hand of our Lord. Peace be with all your spirits! -- I am, my dear
Alleck,
With all the affection.
Demand a positive response
If he does not do so within
another week, I further demand that none of you preach in that house, unless
you renounce all connection with...
To
Peter Mill, Joseph Thompson, and John Stamp [19]
DUBLIN, April 11, 1789.
I demand that you three,
Peter Mill, Joseph Thompson, and John Stamp, without consulting or considering
any person, demand a positive answer from Edward Coates within three weeks of
receiving it: 'Will you or will you not decide the house at Millbourn Place,
North Shields, according to the Methodist plan?' If he does not do so within
another week, I further demand that none of you preach in that house, unless
you renounce all connection with...
Your affectionate brother.
God's work continues well
in most parts of Ireland
God's work continues well
in most of Ireland, especially in the North. They increase in Dublin both in
number and in grace. Many are very much alive for God.
I'm at one point. I will no
longer be taken to play.
To Henry Moore
NEAR LONDON, APRIL 17,
1789.
DEAR HENRY, -- I answer all
your letters immediately; But you do not consider that the sea is now between
us. I've told you before, 'Send John Jenkins without delay.' So I suppose he's
gone. I left Dr. Coke's Journal in Dublin with his daughter, to be published
immediately. And no doubt you printed enough of them in London to supply all
English societies.
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Test us first and then
comfort
This is usually the way of
our Lord: to test us first and then to comfort us
To
Zachariah Yewdall
ATHONE, April 18, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am
glad to know that there is such a good prospect in Dalkeith. Such is generally
the way of our Lord: to test us first and then to comfort. It is a pity, but
James Ridall [See letter of December 17, 1787.] had completely settled his
affairs before attempting to travel. If this had been done, there is no doubt
that he would have been useful wherever he went. I wish, however, that Brother
Dall will make a good conclusion in regard to the Dumfries chapel. [See letter
of January 28.] Peace be with you and yours! -- I am, dear Zachary,
Your affectionate brother.
Looking up and trying to
secure a better portion
And even more so because I
see you still looking up and trying to secure a better portion of what this
short, enduring world can offer.
To
Mrs. Armstrong [20]
TULLAMORE, April 22, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- You said
to me, 'I once forgot you because I didn't answer your letter'; but if I did, I
shouldn't be in much danger of forgetting you again. I love you too well to
forget you, and even more so because I see you still looking up and trying to
secure a better portion of what this short, enduring world can offer. I'm glad
you're in Athlone this season, because peacemakers are needed there, and I know
you love making peace. I hope you console your sister Rutledge. She has been
sadly distressed; And a word said in time, how good it is, I think you won't
miss an opportunity to do good to
her or anyone else's. May you and yours be a standard for all is the sincere
wish of, my dear sister,
With affection.
You can't do anything good
by contesting
You can't do anything good
by contesting. But you cause a lot of harm. You have hurt your own spirit. You
hurt others. You light a flame. You moisten and hinder God's work. By talking
stories, you separate the main friends.
To Mrs. James Armstrong,
Athlone.
To
Arthur Keene [21]
PORTARLINGTON, April 23,
1789.
MY DEAR ARTHUR, -- I am
not, I dare not to draw the saw of controversy; especially with James Deaves,
[See letters of August 2, 1788 (to Mrs. Ward) and May 20.] who will dispute
through a stone wall.
In the name of God, I have
already done it! You can't do anything good by contesting. But you cause a lot
of harm. You have hurt your own spirit. You hurt others. You light a flame. You
moisten and hinder God's work. By talking stories, you separate the main
friends. You prejudice my close friends against me. I didn't deserve this from
you. Leave me alone. I act to the best of my judgment. Speaking once, you did
well. But it's not good to worry like that. I would like James Deaves to mind
his own business. If he wants to resign me, let him do it discreetly. If you
personally have something to tell me, that's fine! But I have nothing more to
say to him — namely, James Deaves behind the curtain. No one but him could rip
you off
Your old and affectionate
brother.
It
takes a lot of stability
I'm
glad to know that the Lord's work still thrives in your hands. But it takes a
lot of stability, or you won't be able to keep up the good old Methodist
discipline
To
Samuel Bardsley
CARLOW, April 26, 1789.
DEAR SAMMY, -- I am glad to
know that the work of the Lord still prospers in your hands. But it takes a lot
of stability, or you won't be able to keep up the good old Methodist
discipline. Brother Rhodes desires to do this; And it will be right that you strengthen
his hands on him. [See letter of January 7.] Let the preachers stand firm
together, and then the people will be regular; But if any of you take your side
against the preacher, it will all be confusion. Since you want that, you can
come to the Conference. -- I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother.
You must do the part of the
work that I assign
One of the original twelve
rules of Methodism is: 'You must do the part of the work that I appoint'
For Mr. Sam. Bardsley, at
the home of Mr. James Walker,
In Sheffield.
For
Edward Coates
WATERFORD, April 29, 1789.
Conference is out of the
question. You have used me humbly and ungratefully, after I had served you for
forty to fifty years; And if I didn't have two strings in the bow, I would be
in great condition. Your letters are proof of everything I say about you. If
you and the other six persons who sign your letter of the 26th of the present
have issued all the money for which the house at Millbourn Place was built, you
are honest men; If not, I won't call you that. One of the original twelve rules
of Methodism is: 'You must do that part of the work which I appoint'; but that
cannot be unless I have the right to appoint the preachers in all the Methodist
preaching houses. [See April 11 letter to Peter Mill.] I am old, and you
apparently young; But you don't know which of us will be called out first. I
wish all the best to all of you, and I am
Your affectionate brother.
It is time to reclaim the
whole image of God in which you were created
I am glad to discover that
your love does not grow cold, nor do your desires after all the mind that was
in Christ. Now is the time to reclaim the entire image of God in which you were
created
To
Rebecca Ingram [22]
WATERFORD, April 29, 1789.
Receiving a message from
you was an unexpected pleasure. Can you inform Mr. Brown that as I intend to
leave Kilfinane very early on Tuesday morning, the 12th of May is likely to be
in Limerick between twelve and one o'clock. I am glad to discover that your
love does not grow cold, nor do your desires after all the mind that was in
Christ. Now is the time to reclaim the entire image of God in which you were
created. Oh, be content with nothing less, and you will surely receive it by
simple faith! May the Lord increase your faith! So pray
With affection.
A fatal step
It was a fatal step not to
guarantee half the amount at the time of signing. I receive the whole. I now
have about sixty guineas and I hope to receive as much as possible
To
Walter Churchey
CORK, May 4. 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I fear
that Henry Floyd's inheritance is unsellable unless he finds the writing, for I
cannot. I won't be in London until October at the earliest; but if Henry Moore
revises the copy, [Moore was on City Road, near the printer of Churchey's
Poems. See the letters of March 3 and May 25 addressed to him.] He'll do almost
as well as I do. I hope that the beginning of the work is in the printer,
otherwise the book will not be printed before Michaelmas. I wonder that you do
not understand humanity better, especially those miserables, the great vulgar.
If two out of three subscribers keep their word, it will be really strange. It
was a fatal step not to guarantee half the amount at the time of signing. I
receive the whole. I now have about sixty guineas and I hope to receive as much
as possible. But where have you lived to find so many generous men? It's
strange that you know more about them than I do. I am totally against printing
more than five hundred copies. [Wesley's prudence and business sagacity
contrast favorably with that of the lawyer. See the January 27 and May 25
letters to him.] If you and I can get four hundred signatures, that's all we
can hope for. -- I'm in a hurry,
Your affectionate brother.
So that the scandal is
removed
Pray, spare no pain. End
the deal, so that the scandal is removed
To Mr. Churchey, near the
Hoy,
Brecon.
To
Samual Bradburn
BRISTOL, May 6, 1789.
DEAR SAMMY, -- You are a
compassionate man; And when you do a good job, you do it with your strength.
For God's sake, for the gospel, and for me, put an end to this vile case, the
accusation of poor Sally Brown. [She probably met her in Bower's class. Wesley's
Diary has several entries. See the Journal Index; and letter of September 20,
1789.] If he is not arrested, I will have the need to exclude from our Society
not only Eliz. Sharp, but so did Joseph Bowers. She would not dare to go on
like this without his connivance, if not encouragement. He can stop her if he
wants to. She won't break up with him. I will not go into the merits of the
case. (This I have already done.) But I insist on it. All of them are or have
been members of our Society. Therefore, they were not at liberty to appeal to
the law together, but were bound to obey my decision or that of the Assistant.
End the deal, so that the scandal is removed. Peace be with you and yours! -- I
am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
We
Methodists have no such customs
We recognize only
preachers, administrators, and leaders among us, over whom the Assistant of
each circuit presides. You should have followed the Methodist plan from the
beginning
To
Jonathan Crowther [23]
CORK, May 20, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, --
'Sessions!' 'Elders!' We Methodists have no such customs, nor do any of the
Churches of God under my care. I demand that you, Jonathan Crowther,
immediately dissolve that session (so called) in Glasgow. Release them from
further meetings. And if they are going to leave the Society, let them leave
it. We recognize only preachers, administrators, and leaders among us, over
whom the Assistant of each circuit presides. You should have followed the
Methodist plan from the beginning. Who would have the authority to depart from
it? If the people of Glasgow or anywhere else are tired of us, we will leave it
to our own devices. But we are willing to continue his servants, for God's
sake, according to our own discipline, but no other. -- I am, dear Jonathan,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Not involved with any of
the parties to the conflict
In fact, they fight for
nothing, for straw, for small things that do not deserve to be mentioned
For
Ms. Armstrong
LIMERICK, May 14, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- You will
do well to write me a sentence so that I may know that you have not forgotten
me; I hope it never comes until we reach the point where separation is no more.
I was very pleased when we were in Athlone to find that you had not been
involved with any of the parties to the conflict. In fact, they fight for
nothing, for straw, for small things that do not deserve to be mentioned. Until
I got here, I feared that there would be some serious crime on one side or the
other. And as you are friendly received by them all, who knows if you may be an
instrument of good, a means of reconciling them to each other. Let past things
die and be forgotten. Now let my dear Sister Rutledge and you join hand in hand
to put out every spark of squabbling [See letter of April 22.] Then you will be
more and more loved by, my dear Jenny,
Your affectionate brother.
Fire only in the
imagination
A man cries out, 'Fire,
fire!' and frightens people, when there is no fire except in his own
imagination. And he'll make you scared while you listen to him
To Mrs. James Armstrong,
Athlone.
For
Ms. Freeman
CASTLEBAR, May 20, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- All this
noise and confusion I attribute to a very busy man, who threw forest fire among
those who were quiet on the earth. However, when I find the classes, I will ask
this question in each—Who of you wishes the Sunday service to continue, and who
does not [See letter of June 13, 1788.] What demonstrates that this cry is a
mere Bugbear is this: When we were beginning Sunday morning worship in
London, and then, in Bristol, no living
creature ever said that he was 'leaving the Church.' This is a palpable
falsehood. This would not pass in England. A man cries out, 'Fire, fire!' and
frightens people, when there is no fire except in his own imagination. And it
will make you scared while you listen to it. [James Deaves: see letter of April
23.] It would be good for that man if he hadn't been born I--I am, my dear
sister,
Your affectionate brother.
How prejudices arise
It has been confirmed to me
that you gave one of the first occasions of disagreement by 'refusing to read
the Prayers and speaking of them with contempt.' Talking to so many
Presbyterians in Scotland can easily lead you into this kind of prejudice
To Mrs. Jane Freeman, in
the New Room, in Dublin.
For
Alexander Surer
KILLASHANDRA, May 21, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- It has been
confirmed to me that you have given one of the first occasions of disagreement
by 'refusing to read the Prayers and speak of them with contempt.' Talking to
so many Presbyterians in Scotland can easily lead you into this kind of
prejudice.
I have by my side a very
warm letter from one Edward Thomas, who seems ready to swallow anything he says
against Lawrence Kane. [Kane was an assistant at Plymouth. Thomas recognized
his faults and was restored to the Company. See the letters of June 9 and
August 29.] I have not heard from Nehemiah Janes. You are guilty of not
preaching as often as you can; I hope there is no reason for this accusation.
[See letter of July 23, 1788.] Beware that your own spirit is not sharp! -- I
am
Your affectionate brother.
The Difference Between
Promise and Performance
I'm afraid of delays. I
doubt we can't keep our word, although in the last proposals I have extended
the deadline until August 1. Since you're not a young woman, I'm surprised you
haven't yet learned the difference between promise and performance
To Mr. Surer, in the
preaching house,
At the Plymouth Dock.
To Walter Churchey
CLONES, May 25, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am
afraid of delays. I doubt we can't keep our word, although in the last proposals
I have extended the deadline until August 1. Since you're not a young woman,
I'm surprised you haven't yet learned the difference between promise and
performance. [See letters of May 4 and August 26.] I allow at least twenty-five
percent; and of this conviction I say to every one of my subscribers (which,
indeed, you cannot so decently say to yours): 'Sir, down with your money.' I
know Dr. [Ogilvie] well [Probably Dr. John Ogilvie, an excerpt from the poem
'Solidude, or The Elysium of the Poets,' in favor of Ossian, appears in
Churchey's volume.]: he is a lovely man and an excellent poet.
Congratulations on
vaccinating the children. I believe that God's hand is in our current work;
therefore, it must prosper.
Indeed, I love Sister
Churchey; and I
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Not erasing a young person
on the rise
Why should you erase a
budding genius? If he and [you] put their intelligence together, they would
certainly produce something! Treat the young person with great care. I am convinced
that he will take advice
For
Thomas Wride
SIDARE, May 28, 1789.
No, Tommy, no: you're more
nice than wise. I have seen verses worse than these, even in print, in William
Darney's own poems. [To Darney (who published a Collection of Hymns in Four
Parts in 1751), see letter of February 9, 1750.] Rhymes are not bad. Why should
you erase a budding genius? If he and [you] put their intelligence together,
they would certainly produce something! Treat the young person with great care.
I am convinced that he will take advice.
You have done very well in
relation to the house proposed to be built in Brompton. We have a new warning.
Good Brother Coates and Todd donated our preaching house in North Shields to
John Atlay and William Eels. [See April 11 letter to Peter Mill.] So you see
what we have to rely on. But you must handle them very gently. No harsh or
passionate words, or they will take advantage of it. Above all, you should make
it a matter of prayer. -- I am, dear Tommy,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
God never withdraws the
light from His countenance
God never withdraws the
light from His countenance, except by some defect in us; and to maintain that
light, you must carefully follow the conviction He gives you from time to time
For
Mrs. Mullis
NEW CHAPEL [LONDONDERRY],
May 31, 1789.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- You are
right in your judgment that God never withdraws the light from His countenance,
except by some defect in us; and to maintain that light, you must carefully
follow the conviction which He gives you from time to time. You should also strive
to avoid all useless reasons; then you will soon walk in the light as He is in
the light. -- I am, my dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
Walk at least an hour every
day
You should walk at least an
hour every day, five or ten minutes at a time; -- when everything is fine,
outdoors; When it rains, indoors
To John Bredin LONDONDERRY,
June 1, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I
believe that neither air nor the other means a straw. The issue of complaint is
within, not without; And if anything could remove it, it would be to take an
ounce of lime water every morning for sixteen days and ten drops of vitriolo
elixir in a glass of plain water every afternoon. In the meantime, you should
walk at least an hour every day, five or ten minutes at a time; -- when
everything is fine, outdoors; When it rains, indoors. [See letters of November
16, 1785 (to him) and October 17, 1790.]
It will be good if you can
gather enough collection to build a preaching house in Jersey. [See letter of
November 5, 1788.] And why not, if you face it with faith, they are not all
things possible for those who believe. But if you do build, be careful to have
enough windows and two wide doors; and don't build a scarecrow house.
Certainly, whenever you
leave Jersey and Guernsey, you will do well to return to Ireland. But take
care! If you give in to discontent, it will find you anywhere. -- I am
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Misunderstandings will be
removed
I shall probably take with
me one or two men of peace, by whom all these misunderstandings will be removed
PORTAFFERRY, June 9, 1789.
MY DEAR BRETHREN, -- 'The
burden may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.' I hope to leave for
the West immediately after the Conference, and I shall probably take with me
one or two men of peace, by whom all these misunderstandings will be removed.
[See letters of May 21 and July 21 (to Richard Bunt).] Meanwhile, with
patience, they possess their souls. And those who suffer will all surely
conquer everything. -- I am, my dear brothers,
Your affectionate brother.
God raised him up to be a
blessing to many nations
To
Walter Churchey
DUBLIN, June 20, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- Michael
[Fenwick] is an original. He tells countless lies, many of them plausible
enough. But many speak with the same credibility as he does, and those who can
believe in him can believe him. I do not doubt that part of his verse, as well
as his prose, reaches the hearts of some of the rich.
Dr. Coke made two or three
minor changes to the Prayer Book without my knowledge. [The Sunday Service of
the Methodists. A new edition was printed in 1788. See the Bibliography,
Appendix, pp. vii-ix and nos. 376, 390; letter also dated September 10, 1784.]
I took special care throughout the time not to change anything just for the
simple effect of change. In religion, I am in favor of as few innovations as
possible. I love the old wine the most. And if it were only for that, I prefer
'which' before 'who is in heaven'.
Mr. Howard is truly an
extraordinary man. [Wesley met John Howard on July 28, 1787, in Dublin: 'I
think one of the greatest men in Europe.' He visited Wesley in March 1789, but
found him absent on one of his trips. See Diary, vii. 295, 472n.] God raised it
up to be a blessing to many nations. I do not doubt that hitherto there has
been something more than natural in their preservation, and I should not wonder
whether the providence of God should be still more evident in their favour.
In about three weeks, I
hope to embark for England. Peace be with you and yours! -- I am
Your affectionate brother.
I hope that since he is
firm, he will be merciful
'You cannot be content to
lay John Wesley on his back, but you will also tread on his bowels
To the Editor of the Dublin
Chronicle
June 20, 1789.
Since Mr. Edward Smyth, [See letters of June 2 and 25 (to Adam Clarke).] as he says, 'has me in his power,' I hope that, as he is firm, he will be merciful; and that he will remember the words of the honest Quaker who responded to Ernest's Appeal: 'You cannot be content to lay John Wesley on his back, but you will also tread on his bowels' [See letter of 4 November 1758, 5 (Mr. Potter).]
A
Delightful Account of God's Work on the Island
You send me a pleasant
account of God's work on the island. If He acts, who will hold His hand
To Mr. Yewdall, South Wynd,
In Edinburgh, P.
Portpatrick.
To
George Holder [28]
DUBLIN, June 24, 1789.
DEAR GEORGE, -- You send me
a pleasant account of God's work on the island. If He acts, who will hold His
hand, I would be glad to have the opportunity to see my friends who are with
you once more; but I can't reasonably expect that. On my last voyage, the sea
affected me more than ever before; so that I realize that my travels are coming
to an end. Brother Smith can take all the accounts to the conference and will
be assigned to England the following year. -- I am, dear George,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
I don't know anyone more
suitable
I have just visited the
classes, and I still find more than a thousand members in the Society; and
among them, many Christians as deep as any I have met in Europe, but who can
take care of them so that they do not depart from their steadfastness, I know of
no one more suitable than Adam Clarke and his wife
To
Adam Clarke
NEAR DUBLIN, JUNE 25, 1789.
DEAR ADAM, -- You send me
good news about the islands. Who can hurt us, if God is on our side, trials may
come, but they are all good. I hadn't felt so experienced in many years. Every
week and almost every day I am smeared in the public papers, either by Mr.
Smyth or by Mr. Mann, his chaplain. Smooth, but bitter as wormwood are his
words; and five or six of our wealthiest members left the Society, because
(they say) 'I left the Church.' [See letters of June 20 (to the editor of the
Dublin Chronicle) and July 1.] Many wept at that time, many terribly
frightened, and cried out, 'Oh, what will be the end?' What will it be? Why,
'Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and goodwill among men.'
But in the meantime, what
should be done? What will be the most effective means of stemming this raging
torrent? I have just visited the classes, and I still find more than a thousand
members in the Society; and among them, many Christians as deep as any I have
met in Europe, but who can take care of them that they do not depart from their
firmness, I know of no one more suitable than Adam Clarke and his wife. [He was
assigned to Bristol and Thomas Rutherford to Dublin.] Indeed, it may seem
difficult for them to return to a strange land. Well, you can come to me in
Leeds, at the end of next month; and if you can show me any that are more
suitable, I will send it in your place. May God be glorified is all that dear
Adam desires,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Well-intentioned, but
ill-judgmental
Some well-meaning but
ill-judged men can still throw dust in your eyes and tear you away from an old
tried friend
For
Arthur Keene
DUBLIN, June 25, 1789.
Oh, Arthur, is that
possible? Some well-meaning but ill-judgmental men can still throw dust in your
eyes and tear you away from an old tested friend And while they scream,
Conscience! Awareness! They will deny freedom of conscience to
Your affectionate brother.
Nothing to cause pain
I will not easily do
anything that can cause you pain; but whatever is pleasing to him will be
For
Ms. Ingram
DUBLIN, June 28, 1789.
MY DEAR LADY, -- Your
letter has given me much satisfaction. I'm grateful to you for taking the time
to write. In fact, when I saw his name, I was afraid of encountering a new
accusation; so I was more pleasantly surprised to read what you wrote. I will not
easily do anything that can cause you pain; but whatsoever is pleasing unto
thee shall be, [See next letter.] dear Lady, thy affectionate servant,
Consent to marry
No Methodist (let alone a
preacher) should marry a woman without the consent of her parents
To Rebecca Ingram
DUBLIN, June 28, 1789.
MY DEAR BECKY, -- I will
tell you my thoughts without the slightest reservation. These are the rules of
the Great Minutes of the Conference — that 'no Methodist (let alone a preacher)
should marry a woman without the consent of her parents'; and the same is
insisted upon in one of the sermons in the Arminian Magazine. Therefore, I
cannot commend Mr. Brown for having said something to you on this subject
without your father's consent. [See the April 9 and July 5 letters to her.] But
I extremely approve of his current temperament and behavior. I commend your
resignation to God's will. Stay there! Beware of murmurs; beware of worries;
Beware of the sadness that death generates! I recommend you to the one who can
save you to the fullest; and I am, my dear Becky,
Yours.
A useful worker in our
Lord's vineyard
From the account you give
of Jonathan Thompson, there is reason to expect that he will be a useful worker
in our Lord's vineyard. We've had some useful ones from the North of Britain,
and I hope they'll have more
To
Robert Dall [31]
DUBLIN, June 29, 1780.
DEAR ROBERT, -- Why don't
all you Scots go straight to Dublin by Portpatrick, to save five hundred miles?
Brother Cole and Barber did well: so did all whose hearts are in their work. I
have already referred to the honest Joseph Cownley to determine which preachers
should come from Scotland to the Conference. Looks like you can come and John
Barber again. Either Charles Atmore must return to Scotland, or he and I will
not agree. I was not at all pleased with his going to England. He was using me
extremely badly. I hope that his behavior in the future will be different and
compensate for what has already happened. From the account you give of Jonathan
Thompson, there is reason to expect that he will be a useful worker in our
Lord's vineyard. We have already had some useful ones from the north of
Britain, and I hope they will have more. Dr. Coke caused controversy in almost
every part of this kingdom by talking about 'leaving the Church'. It would be
good if they would forsake these sins. -- I am, dear Robert,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Stop arguing
And allow me to give you
one more piece of advice (you've already valued my advice) — stop arguing. Move
your thoughts as far away as possible from all controversial points. You have
only one point to deal with—Imanuel, God with us; to secure that one point—Christ
in us, the hope of glory!
To
Arthur Keene [32]
DUBLIN, July 1, 1789.
If we do not meet until we
reach a better world, you will allow me to say: I love you very much and we
will continue until our earthly path ends. And allow me to give you one more
piece of advice (you've already valued my advice) — stop arguing. Move your
thoughts as far away as possible from all controversial points. You have only
one point to deal with—Imanuel, God with us; to secure that one point—Christ in
us, the hope of glory! What is beyond this in comparison to this, let it
involve your whole soul. But in a short time, everything else will be gone like
a shadow! It's [likely] that you'll probably spend a few more days on Earth
when I'm no longer seen. But those days, by comparison, disappear like a dream
when you wake up. The wisdom from above, meanwhile, be the part of you and
yours! So pray
His brother always
affectionate.
Stay out of debt
It's good that you can stay
out of debt. I am glad that Brother Graham and the poor stewards stand their
ground
Henry
Moore Paralyzer
DUBLIN, July 1, 1789.
DEAR HENRY, -- It's good
that you can stay out of debt. I am glad that Brother Graham and the poor
stewards stand their ground. I'm not going to send four children easily to
Bristol. I don't know what you can do for James -----, [Name illegible.]
although I consider him an honest man. I wonder what must go through Mr. Reed's
mind to send money to poor John Bull! [See letter of September 30, 1787.] He
has just been released from prison, [now] hoping to find ways to live.
We had very hot jobs in
Dublin for some time, prompted by Mr. Smyth's and Mr. Mann's letters [See
letter of June 25 to Adam Clarke.] in the newspapers. But I don't say anything
and go my direct way. Charles [Is this your brother, whose views on the Church
may have been cited against him] is nothing to me. I serve God; and I am, dear
Henry,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Tell as little as possible
about the past
I advise my dear Becky and
you to tell as little as possible about the past. Then it will pass away like a
dream; as you both forget the things that are behind you and press forward
toward the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus
For
Ms. Ingram
DUBLIN, July 5, 1789.
MY DEAR MADAM, -- After the
fair and sincere report that Miss Helena Sánchez. Ingram [See the June 28
letter to her.] and the lady gave about the transaction, there was no fear that
I would be greatly harmed by anything that had happened. I advise my dear Becky
and you to tell as little as possible about the past. Then it will pass away
like a dream; while you both forget the things that are behind and advance
towards the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus. -- I am, dear lady,
With all the affection,
You have something better
to put your thoughts into practice
To
Rebecca Ingram
DUBLIN, July 5, 1789.
MY DEAR BECKY, -- You're
fooling me. All I want to say is this: it is a general rule for us: 'No one
should propose marriage to a woman until he has the consent of her parents.' So
you fear where there is no fear. You say, 'Marriage was not proposed [See
previous letter.] to you'; And I believe in you. Therefore, it is your wisdom
to think as little as possible about the things of the past. You have something
better to put your thoughts into practice. The prize and the crown are before
you. Look to Jesus! He is completely adorable; but how little you loved him!
Let all the sources of your happiness be in him. -- My dear Becky,
With great affection.
God will surely exalt us if
we do not exalt ourselves
But I hope that by now it
is largely satiated. This brought a flood of oblocuquents upon me. But that's
okay. We now fear a greater danger of honor than dishonor. God will surely
exalt us if we do not exalt ourselves.
Henry
Moore Paralyzer
CHESTER, July 14, 1789.
DEAR HENRY, -- After a very
pleasant journey, in which I was not ill for a moment, [Compare letter of June
24.] I arrived at Parkgate this morning. I propose to spend Thursday, Friday,
Saturday and Sunday in Manchester, and the following week hide myself in Otley.
Nothing that Dr. Coke said
or did, but the vile, deliberate, deliberate representation of it, set the
whole of Ireland on fire. But I hope that by now it is largely satiated. This
brought a flood of obloquents upon me. [See letter of July 1.] But that's okay.
We now fear a greater danger of honor than dishonor. God will surely exalt us
if we do not exalt ourselves.
I do not know whether any
of our clergymen can be spared from London. But I hope to see Brother Rankin,
Whitfield, and you at the Conference, or at Otley a day or two before. We will
have some points of great importance to consider. -- I am, with love to my
Nancy, dear Henry,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
Leave T. Rankin and you
write down what's on your mind.
Providence has pointed out
a way in which you can be of general utility
I was also concerned that
you had so little employment in God's work, for it was your true desire to be
useful to the world before you were called to a better one. So I'm glad to find
that Providence has pointed out a way in which you can be of general utility
To
John Dickins [33]
CHESTER, July 15, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I also
worried that you had so little employment in the work of God, for it was your
true desire to be useful to the world before you were called to a better one. I
am therefore glad to find that Providence has pointed out a way in which you
may be of general utility, and still more so because, in some passages of
recent authors, the inattention of my corrector has inserted some sentences
which I had erased, two or three of which affirm Universal Restitution. The
numerous errata I also doubt that you will not correct carefully, which
sometimes spoils the perception. [See letter of August 15.] Wishing you much of
God's favor and presence, I, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
If You Continue to Be
Fervent in Prayer
After the many proofs you
have had of both the power and goodness of God, especially in giving you the
desire of the heart in the change wrought in several of your children, there is
no reason to doubt but that He will give you your mother also, if you continue
fervent in prayer
To the Rev. John Dickins,
Market Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
To
Henry Eames
CHESTER, July 15, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- After
the many proofs you have had both of the power and goodness of God, especially
in giving you the desire of the heart in the change wrought in several of your
children, there is no reason to doubt but that He will give you your mother
also, if you continue fervent in prayer. [See letter of August 3, 1772.] The
great obstacle to God's inner work is antinomianism, wherever it enters. I'm
glad you know that. Show your faith with your works. Fight the good fight of
faith and squeeze eternal life. Peace be with you and yours. -- I am
With affection.
The Spirit's Leading
A great man observes that
there is a threefold leading of the Spirit: some He leads by giving them on all
occasions appropriate texts of Scripture; some suggesting reasons for each step
they take
To
Garrettson Freely
CHESTER, July 15, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- You are
altogether right. There is no doubt that it was the enemy of souls that
prevented you from sending me your experience. Many parts, both of your inner
and outer experience, should never be suppressed. But if you want to send me
something, you don't have time to waste. [See letters of January 24, 1789, and
February 3, 1790 to him.] Whatever you do for me, it must be quick, so that
death has no wings faster than love. A great man observes that there is a
threefold leading of the Spirit: some He leads by giving them on all occasions
appropriate texts of Scripture; some suggesting reasons for every step they
take—the way He chiefly leads me; and some by imitations. But He judges the
latter way as the least desirable, for it is often impossible to distinguish
dark impressions from divine or even diabolical.
I hope it won't take too
long to write more specifically for
Your affectionate friend
and brother.
But if we do not tire of
doing well, we will reap in due time
That city had endured for a
long time and seemed to defy the gospel. But if we don't get tired of doing
well, we will reap in time. I would hardly expect any increase of God's work at
Launceston; but it will probably be magnified by his preaching
To Samuel Bardsley
OTLEY, July 21, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am
glad to hear such a good account of God's work at Bideford. [See the next
letter and the one of November 25.] That city had endured for a long time and
seemed to defy the gospel. But if we don't get tired of doing well, we will reap
in time. I would hardly expect any increase of God's work at Launceston; but it
will probably be enlarged by your preaching in the City Hall, for many will
come there who would not come to our preaching house.
As long as you and your
fellow-workers converse freely and act by united counsel, the work of the Lord
will prosper in your hands. And continue instantly in prayer, especially in
your closet. -- I am, dear Sammy,
Your affectionate brother. [2]
Comentários
Postar um comentário