literally to make restitution. All that we can advise in the case you mention is, 1. Let him that stole, steal no more; let him be from this hour rigorously just. 2. Let him be a faithful steward of the mammon of unrighteousness, restoring all he can to God, in the poor.

CCCCXCIX.-To the Same.

August 20, 1773.

I OFTEN heard my own mother make the same complaint with you. She did not feel near so much as my father did; but she did ten times more than he did. You must labour to do so much the more, and pray that God would supply whatever is wanting. One degree of forgiveness is due to every one, though impenitent; still I love him as I love all men. But the other degree, whereby I should again receive him as a friend, is only due to one who says, "I repent;" that is, convinces me that he does really repent, and is entirely changed.

It is certain God has given you a talent, and I still think it ought to be used. I grant indeed, to be hid and to be still is more agreeable to flesh and blood; but is it more agreeable to Him "who hath left us an example, that we might tread in his steps ?"

One cannot be saved from evil tempers, without being devoted to God; neither can a soul be all devoted to God, without being saved from sin : But it is often exceeding hard to judge of others, whether they are saved from all evil tempers, and whether they are all devoted to God, or not; yea, it is hard to judge of ourselves; nay, we cannot do it, without the anointing of the Holy One given for that very purpose. Out of darkness, God will command light to shine. Be plain and open to all; then, whether they are sincere or insincere, you will have a conscience void of offence. You find all things work together for good. They must, while the hairs of your head are all numbered. Yours affectionately.

D.-To the Sume.

Bristol, September 8, 1773.

WE have the clearest proof, when we have to do with children, that "the help which is done upon earth, God doeth it himself." All our wisdom will not even make them understand, much less feel, the things of God. The "Instructions for

Children" contain the best matter that we can possibly teach them. But nothing less than the finger of God can write it on their hearts. On Saturday night, he sent another shower of grace upon our children at Kingswood. Sixteen of them were deeply affected; and, I think, thirteen found peace with God. Four or five of them were some of the smallest we had, not above seven or eight years old.

Although there may be some use in teaching very young children to "say their prayers daily;" yet I judge it to be utterly impossible to teach any to "practise prayer," till they are awakened. For, what is prayer, but the desire of the soul expressed in words to God, either inwardly or outwardly? How then will you teach them to express a desire who feel no desire at all? When, therefore, Madame Guion talks in that manner, it often makes me afraid, that both she and her teacher, Archbishop Fenelon, talked by rote of the things they knew not. Both of them had an amazing genius, but, I doubt, full little experience. It is exceeding certain, neither his nor her writings are likely to do us any solid service. We have all the gold that is in them, without the dross; which is often not only useless, but dangerous. Let you and I keep the good old way:

In doing and bearing The will of our Lord,

We still are preparing To meet our reward.

Go on steadily in this path: There is none better. By patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. You shall reap, if you faint not.

DI. To the Same.

Bristol, September 29, 1773.

YOUR own experience may give an answer to your question. You did yourself enjoy a foretaste of that constant communion with God, though it did not continue long. And you know it was given you in a moment. It was the same case with all those whom I have known, that are now enabled to pray without ceasing. To every one of them that blessing was given in an instant. So it will be given to you again; although, probably, you will find a strong hope first, which will incite you to cry out, 'Big with earnest expectation, See me sit At thy feet, Longing for salvation."

And I have

that there has

Grace in one sense will make all things new. sometimes known this done to such a degree, been no trace of the natural temper remaining. But generally the innocent natural temper does remain; only refined, softened, and cast into the mould of love.

DII. To the Same.

Lewisham, December 3, 1773.

You are yourself a living witness of this religion. But it is only in a low degree. I grant you are only just beginning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable blessing, that he shows you this, in so clear and strong a light. And undoubtedly he is able to make you completely serious; and yet this is consistent with much cheerfulness. You shall have more or less of reproach, as he chooses. Your part is, to leave all in His hands, who orders all things well. Go straight forward, and you shall be all a Christian! I expect that you will be more and more a comfort to,

My dear,

Yours affectionately.

DIII.-To Mr. John Mason.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Pembroke, August 6, 1768.

I WOULD advise to make a longer trial of Kinsale. I am still in hope that good will be done there. And there has been considerable good done at Bandon; and will be more, if the Preachers do not coop themselves up in the house. But no great good will be done at any place without field-preaching. I hope you labour to keep the bands regular in every place, which cannot be done without a good deal of care and pains. Take pains, likewise, with the children, and in visiting from house to house; else you will see little fruit of your labour. I believe it will be best to change the Preachers more frequently. I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

DIV. To the Same.

London, November 15, 1768. FOR One Preacher to stay long at one place is neither profitable for him nor for the people. If there is only one Preacher at Limerick, he must duly visit the country societies. As David Evans is now gone over to Waterford, brother Burke will be at liberty; so either he or you should go without delay, and relieve John Hilton at Londonderry. If any deny the witness of sanctification, and occasion disputing in the select society, let him or her meet therein no more. I hope the singing goes on well. I am

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DV.-To the Same.

London, January 26, 1772. Two old members recovered I make more account of than three new ones. I love to see backsliders return. I was afraid there was no more place for us in Workington. Scarce any one came to hear. It is well the people are now of a better mind. You cannot expect to do good at Carlisle till you either procure a more comfortable place, or preach in the open air. For many years Cockermouth has been the same, and will be till you can preach abroad.

You will observe the letter which I desired brother Mather to write to you concerning the books; and make all the haste which the nature of the thing will admit. I shall endeavour to see you in summer; and am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DVI.-To the Same.

MY DEAR BROther,

London, January 10, 1774.

It is nothing strange that those who love the world should

not love to continue with us.

Our road is too strait.

Down the stream of nature driven,

They seek a broader path to heaven.

However, let us keep in the good old way; and we know it will bring us peace at the last.

If you press all the believers to go on to perfection, and to expect deliverance from sin every moment, they will grow in grace. But if ever they lose that expectation, they will grow flat and cold.

Last week I was under the Surgeon's hands; but am now, blessed be God, better than I have been for some years.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother,

DVII. To the Same.

MY DEAR BRother,

November 21, 1776.

ONE of Mr. Fletcher's Checks considers at large the Calvinistic supposition, "that a natural man is as dead as a stone;" and shows the utter falseness and absurdity of it; Seeing no man living is without some preventing grace; and every degree of grace is a degree of life.

That, "by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men (all born into the world) " unto condemnation," is an undoubted truth; and affects every infant, as well as every adult person. But it is equally true, that, "by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men" (all born into the world, infant or adult) "unto justification." Therefore no infant ever was, or ever will be, "sent to hell for the guilt of Adam's sin;" seeing it is cancelled by the righteousness of Christ, as soon as they are sent into the world.

Labour on, especially by visiting from house to house, and you will see the fruit of your labour.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DVIII.-To the Same.

MY DEAR BRother,

November, 1779.

AN Assistant at the last Conference said, "I will do as my predecessors have done: I will leave those as members that never met. They are as good members as I found them."

Whoever does this for the time to come, I will exclude from our Connexion without delay. To prevent this vile practice, I desire you will,