the islands but certainly you should spare no pains in teaching him to read and write English. And I do not doubt but if he learned with a single eye, he would be largely strengthened by the blessed God. It would be a reason for being very wary in choosing names for our children, if that old remark were true, “That our first tempers from example flow, And borrow that example from our names.' Peace be with you and your's. I am, dear Adam, Your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTER IX. DEAR ADAM, Near Dublin, June 25, 1789. YOU send me good news with regard to the islands. Who can hurt us, if God is on our side? Trials may come, but they are all good. I have not been so tried, for many years. Every week, and almost every day, I am bespattered in the public papers. Many are in tears on the occasion, many terribly frightened, and crying out, "O what will the end be?" What will it be? why-Glory to God in the highest, and peace and good will among men. But, mean time, what is to be done? What will be the most effectual means to stem this furious torrent? I have just visited the classes; and find still in the society upwards of a thousand members; and among them, many as deep Christians as any I have met with in Europe. But who is able to watch over these, that they may not be moved from their steadfastness? I know none more proper than Adam Clarke and his wife. Indeed it may seem hard for them to go into a strange land again. Well, you may come to me at Leeds, the latter end of next month: and if you can shew me any that are more proper, I will send them instead, that God may be glorified in all that is designed by, Dear Adam, your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. DEAR ADAM, LETTER X. Bristol, Sept. 9, 1790. DID not the terrible weather that you had at sea, make you forget your fatigue by land? Come, set one against the other, and you have no great reason to complain of your journey. You will have need of all the courage and prudence which God has given you. Indeed you will want constant supplies of both. Very gently, and very steadily, you should proceed between the rocks on either hand. In the great revival at London, my first difficulty was, to bring in temper those who opposed the work; and my next, to check and regulate the extravagancies of those that promoted it. And this was far the hardest part of the work for many of them would bear no check at all. But I followed one rule, though with all calmness. You must either bend or break. Meantime, while you act exactly right, expect to be blamed by both sides. I will give you a few directions. 1. See that no prayer-meeting continue later than nine at night, particularly on Sunday. Let the house be emptied before the clock strikes nine. 2. Let there be no exhortation at any prayer-meeting. 3. Beware of jealousy or judging one another. 4. Never think a man is an enemy to the work, because he reproves irregularities. Peace be with you and your's. I am, dear Adam, your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTER XI. DEAR ADAM, London, Nov. 26, 1790. THE account you send me of the continuance of the great work of God in Jersey, gives me great satisfaction. To retain the grace of God, is much more than to gain it hardly one in three does this. And this should be strongly and explicitly urged on all who have tasted of per fect love. If we can prove that any of our local preachers or leaders either directly or indirectly speak against it, let him be a local preacher or leader no longer. I doubt whether he should continue in the society. Because he that could speak thus in our congregations, cannot be an honest I wish Sister Clarke to do what she can, but no more than she can, Betsy Ritchie, Miss Johnson, and M. Clarke are women after my own heart. Last week I had an excellent letter from Mrs. Pawson, (a glorious witness of full salvation,) shewing how impossible it is to retain pure love without growing therein. man. Wishing every blessing to you and all the family, Your affectionate Friend and Brother, LETTER XII. J. WESLEY. DEAR ADAM, London, Feb. 9, 1791. YOU have great reason to bless God for giving you strength according to your day. He has, indeed, supported you in a wonderful manner under these complicated afflictions. You may well say, I will put my trust in thee as long as I live. I will desire Dr. Whitehead to consider your case, and give you his thoughts upon it. I am not afraid of your doing too little, but too much. I am in imminent danger of this. Do a little at a time, that you may do the more. My love to Sisters Cookman and Boyle but it is a doubt with me, whether I shall cross the seas any more. What preacher was it who first omitted meeting the Select Society? I wonder it did not destroy the work! You have done right in setting up the Strangers' [friend] Society. It is an excellent institution. I am quite at a loss concerning Mr. Maddan. I know not what to think of him. Send me your best thoughts concerning him. At any rate, write, and send me your thoughts on Animal Magnetism. I set my face against this device of Satan. I know its principles full well. With much love to your wife, I am, my dear Adam, Your affectionate Brother, J. WESLEY. [This was the last letter I had from Mr. Wesley; and was written, as the date shews, about three weeks before his death. I was then, apparently, in a dying state in Dublin. A. C.] LETTERS TO MR. DOWNES. LETTER I. MY DEAR BROther, London, Nov. 7, 1751. YOUR first hindrance is easily removed. Most of the preachers have now all they want. So might you have had, if you had spoken to the stewards, or (in case of their neglect) to me. As to your second, bodily weakness is a good reason for a temporary retirement. Your third observation, that the people, in general, do not practise what they hear, is a melancholy truth. But what then? Is this a sufficient cause why either you or I should leave them? Why we should give them up to their own hearts' lusts, and let them follow their own imaginations? In no wise. Especially, while there are some among them whose conversation is worthy of the gospel of Christ. I grant also, some of the preachers themselves do not adorn the gospel. Therefore we have been constrained to lay some of them aside, and some others are departed of themselves. Let us that remain be doubly in earnest. You should make an excursion (as to Alnwick) now and then. Is not John Fenwick a proper person to relieve James Tucker at Whitehaven? If you think he is, pray send him thither forthwith. My love to your father and mother. I entreat you, tell me without reserve, what you think of C. Skelton? Is his heart with us or is it not? Peace be with you. Adieu! LETTER II. J. WESLEY. MY DEAR BROTHER, London, Nov. 28, 1751. I THINK you write to me, as if you did not care to write. I am glad you went to Alnwick. The method you took of talking with each person in the society apart, I hear has been greatly blest to them. I do not see how you could have dealt more favourably with T—— G——— than you did. If he will leave the society, he must leave it. But if he does, you are clear. I know not what to do more for poor Jenny Keith. Alas, from what a height is she fallen! What a burning and shining light was she six or seven years ago! But thus it ever was. Many of the first shall be last, and many of the last first. How are you employed? From five in the morning till nine at night? (For I suppose you want eight hours' sleep?) What becomes of Logic and Latin? Is your soul alive and more athirst for God? I am, your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTER III. MY DEAR BROTHER, London, Dec. 10, 1751. I THANK C. Errington for his letter. not fail to write, whenever he sees occasion. He should If you are |