It is far better for our people not to hear Mr. Hawksworth. Calvinism will do them no good: As to the rest, I refer to my enclosure to Mr. M., with whom I wish you to have some conversation. Be not discouraged: I really believe God will visit poor Waterford in love. Do you go on. Bear up the hands that hang down; by faith and prayer support the tottering knee; reprove, encourage. Have you appointed any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of persevere therein, and mercy will come down. grace, and I am Yours, &c. CCCCXII. To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, Leeds, May 2, 1774. UNTIL Mr. Hill and his associates puzzled the cause, it was as plain as plain could be. The Methodists always held, and have declared a thousand times, the death of Christ is the meritorious cause of our salvation, that is, of pardon, holiness, and glory; loving, obedient faith is the condition of glory. This Mr. Fletcher has so illustrated and confirmed, as I think scarcely any one has done before since the Apostles. When Mr. W. wrote me a vehement letter concerning the abuse he had received from the young men in Limerick, and his determination to put them all out of the society, if they did not acknowledge their fault; I much wondered what could be the matter, and only wrote him word, "I never put any out of our society for anything they say of me." You are come in good time to make peace. Go on and prosper. Your ever affectionate. CCCCXIII.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, London, December 21, 1776. You are a great deal less happy than you would be, if you did not reason too much. This frequently gives that subtle adversary an advantage against you. You have need to be continually as a little child, simply looking up for whatever you want. It is devoutly to be wished for, that we may rejoice evermore; and it is certain, the inward kingdom of God implies not only righteousness and peace, but joy in the Holy Ghost. You have therefore reason to ask for, and expect, the whole gospel blessing. Yet it cannot be denied that many times joy is withheld, even from them that walk uprightly. The great point of all is, a heart and a life entirely devoted to God. Keep only this, and let all the rest go: Give Him your heart, and it sufficeth. I am, my dear sister, Your ever affectionate brother. CCCCXIV. To Miss Bosanquet, afterwards Mrs. Fletcher. MY DEAR SISTER, London, August 16, 1767. So the Lord has chastened and corrected you; but he hath not given you over unto death. It is your part to stand ready continually for whatever He shall call you to. Everything is a blessing, a means of holiness, as long as you can clearly say, "Lord, do with me and mine what thou wilt, and when thou wilt, and how thou wilt." Undoubtedly she was (and so was I) in the third stage of a consumption. And Physicians have long since agreed that this is not curable by any natural means. But what signifies this in the sight of God? As, When obedient Nature knows His will, so, when it is his will to restore life or strength, any means shall be effectual. But we are slow of heart to believe that He is still the uncontrolled, almighty Lord of hell, and earth, and heaven. You judge right. I never knew, till you wrote me word, that Richard Taylor had been at Leytonstone at all. At this Conference it will be determined whether all our Preachers, or none, shall continually insist upon Christian perfection. Remember in all your prayers, My dear sister, Your ever affectionate brother. CCCCXV.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, London, December 11, 1768. I AM afraid lest you should straiten yourself; and I was not in haste. Yet we have such a number round about us here, that I have a ready call for what I have to spare. I am glad B. Taylor's affair has been heard: It seems all parties are now pretty well satisfied. If we live till next autumn the yearly Conference is to be at Leeds. It will be a little strange if you do not see me then; though it were twice three miles from Gildersome. You have no reason to fear, but as your day so your strength shall be. Hitherto the Lord hath helped you. He has delivered; and you may rest assured that he will yet deliver. He gave, and he took away: But still you can praise him, since he does not take his Spirit from you. I hope you find no shyness in brother Lee, or Hopper. If there be, you are to overcome evil with good. I shall always be glad to hear from you, or S. Crosby. I trust neither life nor death will part you from, My dear sister, Your affectionate brother. CCCCXVI.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, London, December 28, 1768. house we have no jarring "Right precious in the To hear from you is always agreeable to me: And at present there is no hinderance. In this string; all is peace and harmony. sight of the Lord is the death of his saints;" and to hear particular accounts of this kind is exceedingly helpful to those they leave behind. Therefore I wanted as particular an account as Sally Crosby or you can give. T. Lee is of a shy, backward natural temper, as well as of a slow, cool speech and behaviour; but he is a sincere, upright man; and it will be worth all the pains to have a thorough good understanding with him. Peace be with your spirit! I am, my dear sister, VOL. XII. Сс Your affectionate brother. CCCCXVII.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, London, January 15, 1770. It is not strange if the leading of one soul be very different from that of another. The same Spirit worketh in every one; and yet worketh several ways, according to his own will. It concerns us to follow our own light; seeing we are not to be judged by another's conscience. A little time will show who hinders, and who forwards, the welfare of the family; and I hope you will have steadiness to pursue every measure which you judge will be to the glory of God. I am glad you find your temporal difficulties are lessened. Beware of increasing your expenses. I advise you not to take any other child till all these expenses are over. It is pity but you had an electric machine. It would prevent much pain in a family, and supersede almost all other physic. I cure all vomiting and purging by warm lemonade. She is there still, and likely so to be, unless I would hire her to return; which I dare not do. I will not buy a cross, though I can bear it. Many are much stirred up here, and are greatly athirst for pure love. I am sure you tasted it once, though you was reasoned out of it. Simple faith is all we want. How soon may you find it again! I am, my dear sister, MY DEAR SISTER, Macclesfield, March 26, 1770. I AM now moving northward. In about a fortnight I expect to be at Whitehaven; and a week after, at Glasgow; in the beginning of May, at Aberdeen; and May 11, at Edinburgh. To exert your faith is the very thing you want. Believe, and enter in. The experience of Eliz. Jackson has animated many. It is the very marrow of Christianity; and if it be diligently spread among our believers, it may be of unspeakable use. It is certainly right to pray whether we can pray or no. God hears, even when we hardly hear ourselves. She saw it so, through the advice and importunity of Clayton Carthy. And God permitted it. So all is well. With regard to us, I do not at present see any danger, either on one side or the other. You have need of a steady guide, and one that knows you well. If my brother had not given Mrs. Gaussen that fatal advice, "to keep from me," she would not have fallen into the hands of others. I am glad Richard Taylor is of use. He will be more and more so, if he continues simple of heart, and speaks explicitly of full redemption, and exhorts believers to accept it now! The same rule it will be well for you to observe in conversation with all that are in earnest. Peace be with your spirit! My dear sister, adieu ! CCCCXIX.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, Bristol, March 4, 1772. I BELIEVE my last letter took away a good part of your apprehensions. All the inconvenience I find (from a little bruise) is, that I am advised to ride as much in a carriage as I can, and as little on horseback. I take your offer exceeding kindly, and am, My dear friend, Ever yours. CCCCXX.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, London, July 17, 1773 By the blessing of God, I reached this place an hour ago, in nearly as good health as I left it. I am glad my friend was at your house: She would receive no hurt; and possibly a little good. I think Thomas Mitchell, at least, may spend another year in Birstal circuit. There did seem to be a providential call for what was done at Harrowgate! I am glad you find your soul unencumbered. You are just in your place. Stand fast in glorious liberty! I am, my dear sister, Your affectionate brother. CCCCXXI.-To the Same. MY DEAR SISTER, I WAS laid up for a week nearly recovered my strength. London, October 17, 1773. or two last month; but have now If I live till spring, and am as |