A Christian is happy in God. Are you?
Wesley's teaching on happiness
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: 826
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Address: https://bibliotecawesleyana.blogspot.com
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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
· Preserved from seeking happiness in any
creature
· Source of Happiness
· Eternal happiness
· The world has never made anyone happy
· Happy are those who suffer for being
successful
· I know that pain or grief does not interrupt
your happiness; But doesn't that diminish?
· If You Are Moved to Seek Happiness in Christ
· Determined to seek her happiness in Him
· If you seek happiness in anything other than
Him, you must be disappointed
· Firm determination to despise all creatures'
dreams of happiness
· You're always happy, always more or less
liking God
· To seek happiness in this or that creature
· Which harms both your holiness and your
happiness
· But it did not diminish his happiness that he
did not achieve this desire
· The sea of love is enough
· May all the sources of your happiness be in
Him
· Your joy is yet to come
· But within a few months that impression of
happiness disappeared
· By taking away your expectation of worldly
happiness
· Only in God, will never be disappointed
·
The world has never made anyone happy
· Not seeking
happiness in marriage
· To feel happiness here and in the hereafter
============================
Introduction
"A Christian is happy in God. Are
you?" is a book based especially on Wesley's letters to Methodist leaders
from which we take sentences, paragraphs and even a whole letter to build this
study on Wesley's teaching on happiness.
"John Wesley's
teaching on happiness states that true happiness is inseparable from
holiness and can only be found in God. Unlike the common thought that
religion serves to nullify pleasure, Wesley argued that the human being was
created specifically to be happy, and that the authentic Christian faith is the
only real way to achieve this state."[1]
A phrase that Wesley used
to say in his letters is "I am happy".
He once wrote: "A
Christian is happy in God. Are you?"
The Christian's happiness
is not restricted to eternity. "Wesley fought the idea that the Christian
must suffer without joy in the world to be happy only in the hereafter. He
said: "Many think they will be happy with God in heaven, but being happy
with God on earth has never entered their thoughts."[2]
To be holy is necessarily
to be happy. For Wesley, there is no division between being holy and being
happy. He wrote that true religion is, in essence, "holiness and
happiness" together. [3]
Wesley learned from the
Moravian Peter Bohler about the happiness that comes from true faith: "...
surprised me more and more with the explanation he gave me of the fruits of
living faith, the holiness and happiness which he claimed attended such
faith."[4]
There is eternal happiness.
"Wesley describes the love of God poured into our hearts like heavenly
treasure in an earthen vessel. ' That treasure produces our lasting
happiness."[5]
Wesley was always
interested in people's happiness.
Writing to Hannah Ball on April 13, 1785, he said: "... I am
certainly as interested in your happiness now as I was ten years ago. So use it
as a friend my dear sister."
And on January 22, 1791, Wesley wrote to Thomas Greathead: "Wishing you and yours every happiness."
An important theme for our days.
The Author
============================
Preserved from seeking happiness in any creature
It is a great blessing that in your years you are preserved from seeking
happiness in any creature. You don't need to, because Christ is yours. O cling
to Him with all your heart
To Elizabeth Briggs
CHESTER, March 17, 1771.
MY DEAR BETSY,-- You do well to break this
unnecessary fear. Love me more, and fear me less; then you will taste,
Love, like the grave, makes all distinctions
vain. ['Love, like death, has destroyed everything.' See Poetical Works of J.
and C. Wesley, i. 362; also letter of February 15, 1769.] You have great reason
to praise the One who has already done great things for you. What you want now
is to come boldly to the throne of grace, so that the hunger and thirst for the
full image, which God has given you, will be satisfied. Total salvation is
near, even at the door. Just believe, and it's yours. It is a great blessing
that in your years you are preserved from seeking happiness in any creature.
You don't need to, because Christ is yours. O cling to Him with all your heart--I
am, my dear Betsy,
With affection. [6]
Source of
Happiness
'I should
be what! desire., (...). 'May you see all your Strength to save and 'live in'
Source of Happiness!
To Mrs. C.
M. Now. 29, 1761;
I DON'T know anything about myself. But I know
and feel that GOD is Love. I feel that I love him in some measure, and I long
for full conformity to Jesus. My Soul is happy in him, and though I have not
what I once thought implied, in the Blessing which has been poured out upon
many, yet I have (for which I am not sufficiently grateful) a deeper union with
the Fountain of Bliss, a constant sense of his unmerited love, and a frequent
knowledge that I am less than the least of all Saints. I am convinced that nothing
will separate me from the Lord Jesus. Part of it is my fruit future. In it are
the Fountains of Consolation, which live and give much Strength to my Sun. I
trust him, and I know whom I trust: Therefore, Life or Death is_ equal. Still
working for all the peaceable Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus will bless your
attempts to glorify him. He will make you innocent, able to love before Men,
and blameless before Goo. Know that the Eye of Earth and Heaven is upon you.
Many expect insecurity; More, I trust, I wish you success in the name of the
Lord: I am sure you do, and so I write without reservation. Pay attention to
your own — misunderstanding. Don't be put off by thinking about it, but with
Humiliation, that you didn't make better use of it. Excuse this freedom: The
reason is love without pretending. I find the Fruit of the Cross even as I
write. I fit under the Shadow of my beloved, and I feel Him sustaining my Soul.
O Jesus, great is your Wow! Great is your Mercy! Even for the baddest, for me.
Bless, 'I beseech you, Sister of my Spirit. May she "go before the above
joys: Feel always the love of your Savior." I feel my insufficiency to
talk about the Goodness of GOD. It's more than I can express. He treats me with
delicacy, and if I follow the best standard, I will be patient with everyone. I
have felt a lot of bodily Weakness, but no Power to justify its Change or
Continuity. It seems that I enjoy as much as I want, while pursuing what I have
not achieved. Every day I get more sensible about how small I am. I don't think
ever has a soul so deeply desired a complete Saviour. I took the first
opportunity to write, hoping to profit from his An. I want to know the most
effective way * Way to grow in Grace (...) how to make good use of the Monotony
that often invades my mind and makes my soul stupidly inactive. _-I want to be
all Attention to GOD; to have the whole Faculty of my Mind fixedly waiting for
him (...). I often seem to stand firm in the Lord, and look obstinately to him
z, but (I object, through Lack of Vigilance) I often lose *the deep
Awareness," that "GOD is here:" however, it does not fuse me;
but I detest myself, as I squeeze gracefully. My heart cries out without a
voice, "Come and mold Your passive clay. Keep my attention properly
exercised at every moment." And as I call, my Jesus answers. - Oh, if I
'prayed without fainting?' I should be what! desire., (...). 'May you see all
your Strength to save and 'live in' Source of Happiness! [7]
Eternal
happiness
There is a
great difference between this religious scheme and the one we form for
ourselves when we begin to desire eternal happiness
To Mrs. M.
M;
August 29,
1757.
Rejoice deeply to find that you are convinced
of a very important but self-deprecating truth, that you yourself are utterly
incapable of Accomplishing your own Salvation, or of forming even a good
Thought, or. a desire towards her. Do not rest in this Conviction, but seek,
ask, knock at the door: And you will surely obtain that Faith which is the Gift
of GOD.
Let me
reaffirm that Religion consists, first, in a true Knowledge of our
Christlessness: Second, in knowing that he is not only the Saviour of the
World, but our Saviour in particular; to know that he died for us, so that we
could live through him.
There is a
great difference between this religious scheme and the one we form for
ourselves when we begin to desire eternal happiness. So I thought I should
abstain from all Words and be constant in the Church. And I certainly should go
to Heaven, though—I didn't walk narrowly, but very cold. I did not see that
Christ alone was the Way to Heaven; but though I could not help seeing that my
works were unsafe, yet I expected God to accept this patched obedience, and to
furnish what was needed. Be careful not to get your hopes up. It is a Deep Sand
(...) but seek Forgiveness and Acceptance with GOD, through Him Who is the Rock
of Ages. Let him not go until he blesses you (...)".
Do you not think me cruel, that I may rejoice
to see you under the Cross? Do I believe that both of our souls would be there,
if the strong wind did not arise? blow the dust off our branches. When this
happens, how salutary is the Rain of Grace, how refreshing the Rays of Love! I
am convinced that there is not a single Tree of the Lord's planting, but it
must be purged so that it can bring dirt.
(...) No
cross, no suffering. I refuse: Only that all my heart is yours? This has been
recorded in the courts above, the conclusion is answered as we are able to bear
it. Look not so much at the Judgment, but at the Grace that keeps you from
[art-art] underneath it. You may be greatly oppressed: But Omnipotence will
compromise for you. The Enemy may attack you to fall: But ask for his help as
he will, and he will deliver you (...).
This he
sits like a refiner's fire. Fire, and like Fuller's soap in the souls of his
people. I feel Jesus near; He is better for me than I could ask or think. May
your spirit meet you near this hour, and until the end of your war!" [8]
The world has never made anyone happy
Now is the time to choose
that better part that will never be taken away from you. Now is the time to
choose whether you will seek happiness in God or in the world. The world has
never made anyone happy, and it is certain that it never will. But God will
For Ms. Barton
LONDON, July 5, 1783.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- Last
month I made a short trip to Holland, from which I returned yesterday. [He
arrived in London about eleven o'clock on the evening of Friday, July 4. For
the visit, see Diary, vi. 416-30.] There is a blessed work in The Hague, Amsterdam,
Utrecht, and many other major cities; and in their simplicity of spirit and
simplicity of dress, the believers compete with the old English Methodists. In
affection, they are inferior to no one. It was with extreme difficulty that we
managed to get rid of them.
I am glad to hear such a
good account from my two little maids. [Mrs. Barton's daughters (see letter of
November 6). He was there in May, 1782.] I found a lot of love for them when I
was in Beverley. Now is the time to choose that better part that will never be
taken away from you. Now is the time to choose whether you will seek happiness
in God or in the world. The world has never made anyone happy, and it is
certain that it never will. But God wills it. He says,—
Love will obtain from me
returns of love;
And none who seeks Me early
seeks in vain.
-- I am, with love to
Brother Barton, [9]
Happy are those who suffer
for being successful
Happy are those who suffer
for being successful! I was almost afraid that all men would speak well of you.
Do you not feel interruption of your happiness in him?
To Hester Ann Roe
BRISTOL, September 16, 1776.
MY DEAREST HETTY,-- As I did not receive
yours of August 28 before my return from Cornwall, I began to be a little
apprehensive for fear of your love going cold. But you have kindly dispelled
all my apprehensions of this kind, and I know you remain the same.
The happy change caused both in Miss Helena
and S. Peggy Roe and Miss S. Bradock can encourage you to take every
opportunity to speak a word for a good DM. Sometimes you see fruit present. But
if not, your work is not lost; it may arise after many days.' I hope that,
although your cousins are judged, they will not be discouraged; Then all these
things will "work together for good." Probably, if they stand firm,
religion will soon relieve the whole family. But they will need a lot of
patience and kindness, as well as a lot of determination. If any particular
place is proposed for their residence, you would do well to let me know
immediately. They must not abruptly refuse to go; but it would be a matter of
prayer and consideration. Kingswood boarders pay twenty pounds a year. There is
no money for down payment or additional expense of any kind. The teachers are
men of common sense, erudition and piety. Everyone is a family of love.
I am not sorry that you have received a
little blame in the case; and I hope it wasn't undeserved. Happy are those who
suffer for being successful! I was almost afraid that all men would speak well
of you. Do you not feel interruption of your happiness in him? He 'tells you to
sleep yourself' What do you usually dream about? Do you never find any low
spirits? Is there ever time that hangs over your hands? How is your health? Are
you totally free of the cough and pain on your side? You see how curious I am, because
everything that concerns you almost interests me. I once thought that I could
not know anyone well until many years had passed. And yet I know her as well as
if I had known her since childhood. Push away that thought: 'I won't have you
for long.' May our
Lord take care of it. Let's seize the day. Now
you are my comfort and joy! And I hope it will be much longer than this little
period of life, my dear Hetty,
Your fondly tender. [10]
I know that pain or grief
does not interrupt your happiness; But doesn't that diminish?
I know that pain or grief
does not interrupt your happiness; But doesn't that diminish? You often feel
sadness for your friends; Did this sadness faster than depress his soul? Does
it sink you deeper into God? Move forward in the strength of the Lord.
To Hester Ann Roe
BRISTOL, October 6, 1776.
MY DEAR HETTY,--Tomorrow I will leave for
London; in and near them, if God wills to continue my life, I will remain until
spring. The trials which a gracious Providence sends may be precious means of
growing in grace, and particularly of increasing in faith, patience, and
resignation; and are not all chosen for us by Infinite Wisdom and Goodness So
that we may well subscribe to these beautiful lines,--
With a patient mind, his duty runs;
God does nothing, nor does He allow it to be
done,
But you'd do it to yourself if you could see
The end of all events, just like Him.
Everything we can do for a parent we should
do—that is, everything we can do without killing ourselves. But we have no
right to do that. Our lives are not at our disposal. Remember this, my dear
Hetty, and do not take a good principle too far. Do you still think that
Labor is rest, and pain is sweet,
When You, my God, are here
I know that pain or grief does not interrupt
your happiness; But doesn't that diminish? You often feel sadness for your
friends; Did this sadness faster than depress his soul? Does it sink you deeper
into God? Move forward in the strength of the Lord. Be careful for nothing.
Live today. Then you will still be a comfort to, my dear Hetty,
You always affectionate. [11]
If You Are Moved to Seek
Happiness in Christ
Oh, so that you are as dead to
the world as you are now! I apprehend the greatest danger on that side. If you
were induced to seek happiness in Christ, how soon would your good desires
disappear! Especially if you yield to the temptation to which your person, your
youth, and your fortune will not fail to expose.
To Lady Maxwell
MANCHESTER, July 1764.
MY DEAREST MALADY,-- Until I had the pleasure of
receiving yours, I almost doubted whether you would think it worth writing or
not. So much the more I rejoiced when this doubt was removed, and in such a
pleasant way. I can't help but think of you often: I seem to see you alone for
myself, panting for God, under the heavy pressure of the weakness and fainting
of the body, faint from your dearest relatives, convinced that you are a
sinner, a debtor who has nothing to pay, and ready to cry out, Jesu, I have now
lost everything, Let me fall upon Thy
bosom. Amen, Lord Jesus! Speak; for Your servant hears! Speak Yourself in her
heart! Raise your hanging hands and fragile knees. May she see Thee full of
grace and truth, and make her rejoice with the light of Thy face.
Do not stop, my dear Lady, for a moment 'because
you have not felt sorrow enough.' Your friend above has felt this enough for
you. O Lamb of God, it has always been pain, it has always been love like
Yours! Look, look to Him, and be saved! He is not a distant God; Now he hovers
over you with eyes of tenderness and love! Just believe! Then He turns his
weight into joy. Don't think that you're not humble enough, you're not sorry
enough, you're not sincere enough. You are nothing; but Christ is all, and He
is yours. The Lord God write it on your heart, and take you as God's dwelling
place by the Spirit.
Oh, so that you are as dead to the world as you
are now! I apprehend the greatest danger on that side. If you were induced to
seek happiness in Christ, how soon would your good desires disappear!
Especially if you yield to the temptation to which your person, your youth, and
your fortune will not fail to expose. If you escape this trap, I trust that you
will be a true Christian, having both the power and the form of religion. I
hope that in this way you will have equally better health and spirit; Maybe tomorrow.
But oh, take Christ today! I long to have you happy in Him! Surely few desire
your happiness more sincerely than, my dear Lady, your Lordship's most
affectionate servant. [12]
Determined to seek her happiness in Him
Are you not still determined to seek your happiness in Him, and to
dedicate to God all that you have and all that is? Is it not your desire to be
wholly surrendered to Him and to glorify Him with your body and spirit? Follow
in His name and in the power of His power! Through Him you will be more than a
conqueror
To Lady Maxwell
CASTLEBAR,
May 7, 1767.
MY DEAREST MALADY,-- Your silence is not
enough. I won't believe you're tired of my mail unless I have it under your own
hand. But when I haven't heard from you in six or eight weeks, I start to be
filled with fear. I'm afraid you're dead; or that you are extremely ill, you
cannot write; or that your affection is cold, perhaps for me, perhaps for the
One who loves you a thousand times better than I do. It's up to you to give a
point to my fears, to show me that you're still the same, only more and more determined,
despite all temptations, to move forward as best you can.
I did not know whether it was proper to ask
any question about the judgment from which you said God had delivered you, for
there are things of such a delicate nature that one hardly knows how to put
them on paper. Otherwise, I don't think there's anything you can't mention to
me, as I believe no one cares about your happiness anymore. Did you find a
return from the proof you mentioned? Still, the God you serve can deliver you.
In fact, it does not surprise me that things make a deep impression on such a
tender spirit. But still, is not his grace sufficient for you, and is not his
strength perfect in your weakness? Are you not still determined to seek your
happiness in him, and to dedicate to God all that he has and all that is? Is it
not your desire to be wholly surrendered to Him and to glorify Him with your
body and spirit? Follow in His name and in the power of His power! Through Him
you will be more than a conqueror. Often He rebuked and corrected you; but He
did not put you to death, and never will. 'Thou shalt not die, but shalt live,
and declare the loving-kindness of the Lord.'
I hope to receive a particular report on his
health and his current situation in all respects. Do I need to have any
reservations between us? Can't you talk to me in all simplicity? May the peace
and love of God fill and govern your heart-- I am, my dear Lady,
Your most
affectionate servant. [13]
If
you seek happiness in anything other than Him, you must be disappointed
You know that only God can
satisfy your soul, whether on earth or in heaven. Hold fast to Him with full
purpose of heart. If you seek happiness in anything other than Him, you must be
disappointed. I hope you find satisfaction in some of your fellow Christians
To
Frances Godfrey
LEEDS, August 2, 1789.
With affection. [14]
Firm determination to despise all creatures' dreams of happiness
Youth is the season of many of the most dangerous temptations that
relate to human nature. But, in fact, you are preserved from many of these by
your firm determination to despise all creatures' dreams of happiness and to
give your heart to the one who is worthy
To Elizabeth Ritchie
DONCASTER, July 15, 1776.
MY DEAR BETSY,--I suppose you wait for my
writing first. No, I hope that is the case; otherwise, I'd be afraid you've
gotten sick again. How is your health. And how is your mind You find a
communion as close and constant with God as ever. You are always happy. No
circumstance interrupts or weakens your prayerful spirit. You don't feel
anything contrary to resignation You can say with all your heart--
Determined all Your will to obey,
Thy blessings I restore;
Give, Lord, or take away Your gifts,
I praise you forever.
Our Lord's word to you is, 'Feed my lambs.'
It seems to me that I see you giving yourself, as much as possible, to this
blessed work; carrying the weak, as it were, in his breast, and gently leading
the rest into the waters of comfort. Meanwhile, your own soul will enjoy a well
of water springing up to eternal life. If you encounter any perplexing
temptations on your way, don't hesitate to let me know. Youth is the season of
many of the most dangerous temptations that relate to human nature. But, indeed,
you are preserved from many of these by your firm determination to despise all
creatures' dreams of happiness, and to give your heart to him who is worthy.
And believe me to stay
With affection. [15]
You're always happy, always more
or less liking God
You pray endlessly; Your heart
rises, whatever your hands are occupied; You rejoice forever You are always
happy, always more or less liking God; You never worry, never grieve so much as
to interrupt your happiness; You never encounter discouragement. Do you have
the capacity to be thankful at all?
For Ms. Pywell
NEAR LONDON, JANUARY 22, 1772.
MY DEAR SISTER,-- You have given me a clear and
satisfactory answer to the questions I have proposed, and I rejoice for you by
the grace of God that is in you. May He increase more and more! How I must
rejoice to see you and talk to you, especially on these subjects! I hope this
will be in the spring; but before that you can tell me,-- You are always
conscious of God's presence, It is not this feeling interrupted by company or
the rush of business. You pray endlessly, Your heart rises, whatever your hands
are occupied. You rejoice forever. You are always happy, always more or less
liking God. You never worry, never grieve so much that you interrupt your
happiness. You never encounter discouragement. Do you have the capacity to be
thankful at all? I ask a lot of questions, because I want you to write freely,
and especially to dear Sally,
Your affectionate brother.
To Mrs. Sarah Pywell, at Mr. Wilson's house, in
Stenton. Be dropped off at the White Lion in Derby. [16]
To seek happiness in this or that
creature
You may encounter and indeed
expect countless temptations, even to seek happiness in this or that creature.
But is every dart of fire repelled, so that it has no place in you
To Ann Bolton
LONDONDERRY, May 27, 1772.
Do you find as much interior life as ever a
close and constant communion with God? Do you rejoice forever? In what sense do
you pray without ceasing? Is your peace constant and unshakable? Nothing
disturbs you? Do you not feel anger, or pride, or self-will contrary to God's
will? Do you not feel an inclination to retreat into your heart? You may
encounter and indeed expect countless temptations, even to seek happiness in
this or that creature. But it will be that every dart of fire is repelled, so
that it has no place in you.
As to your question, it is only (in other
words), Is there sin in a believer, or, Are we not sanctified for all time when
we are justified? You have a complete answer to this question, which has
baffled so many upright souls, in these two sermons written expressly in the
title, The Repentance of Believers and the Sin of Believers. [See Works, v.
144-70.] Read them carefully, and I believe you will not want anything more to
confirm your truth. Yet you do well to exhort all who are justified to hold
fast all that they have received. And it is certain that they will never need
to lose their love, peace, or power until they are fully sanctified.
Your affectionate brother. [17]
Which harms both your
holiness and your happiness
But you are often weary of
a bad disease—evil reasoning; which harms both his holiness and his happiness.
You want true Christian simplicity, which is in fact the highest wisdom.
For Ms. Bennis
ASHBY, July 27, 1770.
DEAR SISTER,-- Will you
find in yourself anything but inadequacy? Otherwise, his salvation would be of
works, not of grace. But you are often weary of a bad disease—evil reasoning;
which harms both his holiness and his happiness. You want true Christian
simplicity, which is in fact the highest wisdom. Nothing is clearer, according
to the simple biblical account, than sanctification, pure love reigning in the
heart and life. And nothing is clearer than the need for this to feel happiness
here and in the hereafter. Check all the reasoning on these basic principles,
otherwise you will darken your soul a lot; And keep denying yourself, and
taking up your cross, until you
Sink to the height of
perfection,
The depth of humble love.
If the preachers of the
Waterford Circuit had punctually followed the plan I had laid down, the horse
would not have been a problem; But the misfortune is that every idiot is wiser
than I am. However, at your desire, I will send a second preacher into the
circuit after the Conference; But preachers need to change regularly. It would
never be well to let a man sit for six months with a small Society; Soon he
would preach himself and them as dead as stones. Your alteration of the circuit
to accommodate the poor and dead Clonmel I greatly approve, and I hope that
Sister L-- [See letter of June 13] will be a blessing to the few present. I
rejoice at the happy launch of Sisters P and B--. [Mrs. Bennis told him that
they both died triumphant.] Isn't it worth living for?
Still approach the source
by simple faith, and take as much as you want; But don't be lazy in
The vineyard of your
Lord.--My dear sister,
With affection.
Your affectionate friend
and brother. [18]
But it did not diminish his happiness that he
did not achieve this desire
In a sense, you desire
this, because you desire God to be glorified in all things. But it did not
diminish your happiness that you did not achieve this desire if you still had
the same degree of communion with God, the same joy in the Holy Spirit, I have
never seen you so moved as you seemed that night
For Ms. Ryan
LONDON, January 20, 1758.
MY DEAR SISTER,--How did
you feel during your late trial? He found no resentment, no remnant of his own
will, no desire or desire for things to be different [He was at Kingswood
School on January 4.] In a sense, you desire this, because you desire God to be
glorified in all things. But it did not diminish your happiness that you did
not attain this desire if you still had the same degree of communion with God,
the same joy in the Holy Spirit, I never saw you so moved as you seemed that
night. His soul was then greatly troubled, and a variety of conflicting
passions—love, sorrow, desire, with a kind of despair—were easy to read on his
face. And wasn't his heart unbalanced in any way? Wasn't he shaken or
disconcerted? Has your soul remained all the time quietly in God, waiting for
Him without distraction? Perhaps one extreme of this coming test would be to
give you a deeper knowledge of yourself and of God, of the power of His
salvation, and of the salvation He has brought in you.
Most of the challenges
you've faced recently have been of another kind; But it is convenient for you
to go through a report of both the evil and the good. Talking to you, whether
speaking or writing, is an indescribable blessing to me. I can't think of you
without thinking of God. Others often lead me to Him; but it is, as it were,
circulating: you bring me directly into His presence. [Miss Helena S. Bosanquet
felt the same way: 'The more I talked to Mrs. Ryan, the more I discovered the
glory of God that came from within, and I felt a strong attraction to consider
her a friend of my soul.' See Moore's Mrs. Fletcher, p. 29.] Therefore, whoever
warns me not to trust you, I cannot restrain myself, for I am clearly convinced
that He calls me to it. "I'm your affectionate brother." [19]
The sea of love is
enough
Consider, a person
who was very happy and good is now less happy than he was. So he thinks, 'I
should be happier if I were married.' It's not that feeling
The sea of love is
enough to lift
To John Valton
BRISTOL, September 5,
1785.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -
Neither Sister Brisco nor her husband ever asked me for money. From time to
time I gave her a guinea; but, I think, never more than once. We could not give
more regularly to the son; but I would give her five pounds for a spoken word. Now
she has to work hard to get it. [Thomas Brisco was stationed in Thirsk and was
evidently facing financial difficulties.]
Our preachers (I mean
many of them) still fail to judge and underestimate each other. Henry Foster is
a weak man, but by no means a weak preacher. This has never been challenged to
him before at any circuit where I have followed him. He is a solid, judicious
man of deep piety.
I'm thinking that her
best way is, if someone gives T. Brisco five guineas, I'll reciprocate.
The sea of
love is enough to lift
With drops of
creature happiness [Poetical Works, i. 132.]
I am
Your affectionate
friend and brother.
To Mr. Valton, at
Captain Robinson's house,
On Bridlington Key, Yorkshire. [20]
May all the sources of your
happiness be in Him
Look to Jesus! He is
completely adorable; but how little you loved him! May all the sources of your
happiness be in Him
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!
May all the sources of your happiness be in Him. -- My dear Becky,
With great affection. [21]
Your joy is yet to come
Many of their sufferings,
perhaps most of them, have already passed. But your joy is yet to come! Look
up, my dear friend, look up! And see your crown before you! A little more, and
you will drink of the rivers of pleasure that flow at God's right hand forever
LONDON, December 15, 1790.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- There is no reason to
doubt the happiness of that child. He feared God, and according to his
circumstances works righteousness. This is the essence of religion, according
to St. Peter. His soul, therefore, was "dark and secure with God,"
though it was only under the Jewish dispensation.
When the Son of Man comes in His glory and
assigns to every man his own reward, that reward will doubtless be
proportionate (1) to our inward holiness, to our likeness to God; (2) to our
works; and (3) to our sufferings. Therefore, whatever you suffer over time, you
will be an elusive gainer in eternity. Many of their sufferings, perhaps most
of them, have already passed. But your joy is yet to come! Look up, my dear
friend, look up! And see your crown before you! A little more, and you will
drink of the rivers of pleasure that flow at God's right hand forever.
Goodbye! [22]
But within a few months
that impression of happiness disappeared
A few years ago, while you
were in Bristol, you received a clear call from God; And you have not been
disobedient to the heavenly calling. But in a few months this impression of
happiness disappeared, I don't know how. It seems that God was now calling you
again.
To your niece Sarah Wesley
CITY ROAD,
November 15, 1780.
MY DEAR SALLY,-- A few years ago, while you were in Bristol, you
received a clear call from God; And you have not been disobedient to the
heavenly calling. But in a few months this impression of happiness disappeared,
I don't know how. It seems that God was now calling you again. But you have
many obstacles. This is just the dangerous time of life. If you don't want to
be almost the same Christian, you'll need a lot of courage and patience. Then
you can do everything through Christ strengthening you.
You want an extremely pious and sensible friend. I scarcely know any one
who is suitable for you on your side of town, except that open and noble
creature, Nancy Sharland, 'in whom there is no craftiness.' For now, your best
aids will be prayer and reading; perhaps very much in the method set out in one
of the Magazines [The Arminian Magazine.]. But you can't follow that without
cutting, as it were, a right hand—giving up on a trivial enterprise. Offering
any help that is within my reach will always be a pleasure
Your caring uncle. [23]
By taking away your
expectation of worldly happiness
By taking away your
expectation of worldly happiness, God has been extremely merciful to you. It is
good for you to have seen affliction and felt disappointed in your hope
To your niece Sarah Wesley
WHITEHAVEN, May 28, 1781.
MY DEAR SALLY, -- Here I
am, waiting for a ticket to the Isle of Man. I don't know where I'll go from
there. But I believe that Providence will direct me to the North of Ireland or
to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Your fondly tender.
For Miss Helena. Wesley, in
Chesterfield Street,
Marybone, London. [24]
Only in God, will never be
disappointed
If you seek your happiness
in God alone, you will never be disappointed: if in anything else, you will
certainly do so; for all creatures are broken cisterns
To Mr. John Booth, in the
Preaching House,
In Keighley, Yorkskire.
To
Thomas Broadbent
LONDON, January 29, 1791.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- You
have great reason to praise God for His blessing your labors. Then He will do
more and more if you do not get involved with the affairs of this life. If you
seek your happiness in God alone, you will never be disappointed: if in anything
else, you will certainly do so; for all creatures are broken cisterns. Let your
eye be single. Seek one thing—to save your own soul and those who hear you. --
I am, dear Tommy, your affectionate friend and brother. [25]
The world has never made anyone happy
Now is the time to choose
that better part that will never be taken away from you. Now is the time to
choose whether you will seek happiness in God or in the world. The world has
never made anyone happy, and it is certain that it never will. But God will
For Ms. Barton
LONDON, July 5, 1783.
MY DEAR SISTER, -- Last
month I made a short trip to Holland, from which I returned yesterday. [He
arrived in London about eleven o'clock on the evening of Friday, July 4. For
the visit, see Diary, vi. 416-30.] There is a blessed work in The Hague,
Amsterdam, Utrecht, and many other major cities; and in their simplicity of
spirit and simplicity of dress, the believers compete with the old English
Methodists. In affection, they are inferior to no one. It was with extreme
difficulty that we managed to get rid of them.
I am glad to hear such a
good account from my two little maids. [Mrs. Barton's daughters (see letter of
November 6). He was there in May, 1782.] I found a lot of love for them when I
was in Beverley. Now is the time to choose that better part that will never be
taken away from you. Now is the time to choose whether you will seek happiness
in God or in the world. The world has never made anyone happy, and it is
certain that it never will. But God wills it. He says,—
Love will obtain from me
returns of love;
And none who seeks Me early
seeks in vain.
-- I am, with love to
Brother Barton, [26]
Not seeking happiness in
marriage
I
married because I needed a home, to recover my health; and I recovered. But I
didn't seek happiness for it, and I didn't find it. We know that this can be
found in the knowledge, enjoyment, and service of God, whether in a married or
single state
For John Dickins
WHITBY, June 19, 1790.
MY DEAR BROTHER, -- This morning I received
yours of April 9th, with Mr. Asbury's bill attached. I was surprised when Lady
Huntingdon absolutely forbade any preacher in her Connection to marry. All that
can be said about it is, 'If you can be free, use it first.' I married because
I needed a home, to recover my health; and I recovered. But I didn't seek
happiness for it, and I didn't find it. We know that this can be found in the
knowledge, enjoyment, and service of God, whether in a married or single state.
But whenever we deny ourselves and take up the cross for Him, the happier we
will be both here and in eternity. Let us work in the same way, and in His time
He will give us a full reward. -- I am
Your affectionate friend and brother.
To the Rev. John Dickins, Philadelphia. [27]
To feel happiness here and
in the hereafter
Nothing is clearer,
according to the simple biblical account, than sanctification, pure love
reigning in the heart and life. And nothing is clearer than the need for this
to feel happiness here and in the hereafter
For Ms. Bennis
ASHBY, July 27, 1770.
DEAR SISTER,-- Will you
find in yourself anything but inadequacy? Otherwise, his salvation would be of
works, not of grace. But you are often weary of a bad disease—evil reasoning;
which harms both his holiness and his happiness. You want true Christian
simplicity, which is in fact the highest wisdom. Nothing is clearer, according
to the simple biblical account, than sanctification, pure love reigning in the
heart and life. And nothing is clearer than the need for this to feel happiness
here and in the hereafter. Check all the reasoning on these basic principles,
otherwise you will darken your soul a lot; And keep denying yourself, and
taking up your cross, until you
Sink to the height of
perfection,
The depth of humble love.
If the preachers of the
Waterford Circuit had punctually followed the plan I had laid down, the horse
would not have been a problem; But the misfortune is that every idiot is wiser
than I am. However, at your desire, I will send a second preacher into the
circuit after the Conference; But preachers need to change regularly. It would
never be well to let a man sit for six months with a small Society; Soon he
would preach himself and them as dead as stones. Your alteration of the circuit
to accommodate the poor and dead Clonmel I greatly approve, and I hope that
Sister L-- [See letter of June 13] will be a blessing to the few present. I
rejoice at the happy launch of Sisters P and B--. [Mrs. Bennis told him that
they both died triumphant.] Isn't it worth living for?
Still approach the source
by simple faith, and take as much as you want; But don't be lazy in
The vineyard of your
Lord.--My dear sister,
With affection. [28]
[1] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[2] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[3] Overview of Google's AI Mode
[4] WESLEY, João. Excerpts
from John Wesley's diary. Ibid., p. 22.
[5] NASMITH, Ben -
https://medium.com/@BNasmith/john-wesley-on-the-love-of-god-shed-abroad-in-our-hearts-9b9c45cf66b3em.
[6]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/
[7]
https://finestofthewheat.org/plain_account_03/
[8]
https://finestofthewheat.org/plain_account_03/
[9]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1783/
[10]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/
[11]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/
[12] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1764/
[13] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1767/
[14] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1789/
[15]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/
[16] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1772/
[17] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1772/
[18]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1770/
[19]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1758/
[20]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1785/
[21] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1789/
[22]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1790/
[23]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1780/
[24]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1781/
[25] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1791/
[26]
https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1783/
[27] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1790/
[28]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesley77s-letters-1770/
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