1. Take an exact plan of your circuit at Christmas, and send it to me in January; and do the same every quarter.

2. If you live till August, leave for your successor an exact list of the societies in your circuit.

I desire, likewise, that, at the next Quarterly Meeting, you would change at least one of the Stewards in every society where there are two.

One thing more I desire,—that you would read the proposals for the general Hymn Book in every society, and procure as many subscribers as you can.

By your diligence and exactness in these particulars, I shall judge whether you are qualified to act as an Assistant or not.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother. Pray send me word in January how many subscriptions you have procured in your circuit.

DIX.-To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Near London, November 3, 1784.

You judge right. If the people were more alive to God, they would be more liberal. There is money enough, and particularly in Somersetshire; but they are straitened in their own bowels. When I complied with the desire of many, and divided the circuit into two, we were not a jot better. You have one thing to point at,—the revival and increase of the work of God. Get as many as possible to meet in band. Be exact in every part of discipline, and give no ticket to any that does not meet his class weekly.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DX.-To the Same.

London, January 24, 1787. I Do not wonder that the work of God should flourish at Trowbridge, where a few of our sisters are a pattern to the whole But it is exceeding strange that any considerable good should be done at poor, dead, quarrelsome Frome! We can only say, "The wind bloweth where it listeth!" Now avail

town.

yourself of the opportunity! It is equally strange that there should be such peace at Stullbridge. At Ditcheat I doubt not but you will overcome evil with good.

I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

DXI. To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Near Oxford, October 27, 1789.

WHEREVER the congregation increases, we have reason to hope the work of God will increase also. And it is certain, distress is one means whereby God awakens men out of sleep. You know famine is one of God's sore judgments; and the people should be strongly encouraged to improve by it. Suffer no Leader to whisper in his class; but to speak so that all who are present may hear: Otherwise, how shall

As long as I live, the people shall have no share in choosing either Stewards or Leaders among the Methodists. We have not, and never had, any such custom. We are no republicans, and never intend to be. It would be better for those that are so minded to go quietly away. I have been uniform both in doctrine and discipline for above these fifty years; and it is a little too late for me to turn into a new path now I am grey-headed. Neither good old brother Pascoe (God bless him) expects it from me, nor brother Wood, nor brother Flamank. If you and I should be called hence this year, we may bless God that we have not lived in vain. Come, let us have a few more strokes at Satan's kingdom, and then we shall depart in peace! I am

Your affectionate friend and brother.

MY DEAR SISTER,

DXIII.-To

London, November 16, 1770. To see even the superscription of a letter from you, always gives me pleasure. I am glad you are still waiting for the kingdom of God; although as yet you are rather in the state of a servant, than of a child. But it is a blessed thing to be even a servant of God! You shall never have cause to be ashamed of his service. What I peculiarly advise is, that you will never omit private duties, whatever hurry you may be in, and however dull and dry your soul may be; still they shall not be without a blessing. And therein you will receive power against that temptation which, to your tender spirit, may be the most dangerous of any.

On Sunday I am to preach a funeral sermon for that blessed man, Mr. Whitefield, at the Tabernacle, and at TottenhamCourt chapel. If it is an help or comfort to you, write often to Your brother.

DXIV. To Mr. Henry Eames, after his emigration to America.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Leeds, August 3, 1772. Ir is a great blessing that God has looked upon you in a strange land, and given you food to eat, and raiment to put on; but a still greater, that he has given you to eat of that bread which the world knoweth not of. You have likewise the invaluable advantage of companions on the way. I suppose you gladly entered the society as soon as one was formed; and that you never willingly neglect any opportunity of meeting your brethren. Whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with your might. Beware of spiritual sloth; beware of carelessness and listlessness of spirit. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence." See that you are one of those violent ones that "take it by force." I am

Your affectionate brother.

DXV.-To the Same.

MY DEAR BRother,

Chester, July 5, 1789.

AFTER the many proofs which you have already had, both of the power and goodness of God, particularly in giving you your heart's desire, in the change wrought in several of your children, you can have no reason to doubt but that He will give you your mother also, if you continue earnest in prayer. The great hinderance to the inward work of God is Antinomianism, wherever it breaks in. I am glad you are aware of it. Show your faith by your works. Fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. Peace be with you and yours.

I am

Yours affectionately.

DXVI.—To Mr. George Shadford.

DEAR GEORGE,

1773.

THE time is arrived for you to embark for America. You must go down to Bristol, where you will meet with Thomas Rankin, Captain Webb, and his wife.

I let you loose, George, on the great continent of America. Publish your message in the open face of the sun, and do all the good you can.

I am, dear George,

Yours affectionately.

DXVII.—To Miss Ball, of High-Wycomb.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Near Iniskillen, May 23, 1773. I THANK you for your comfortable letter. Right "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Where there is any eminent instance of mercy in this kind, it is almost always a means of convincing and converting others. It is a season one would wish to improve to the uttermost; for then the windows of heaven are open.

It cannot be doubted but your heaviness was owing in part to diabolical agency. Nay, and Satan sometimes, by God's permission, weakens the body. Nevertheless, we are, even in that

causes.

weakness, to use natural means, just as if it was owing to natural I believe it would be of use, if you took a cup-full of the decoction of burdock (sweetened or unsweetened) both morning and evening. I never remember its having any ill effect on any person whatsoever.

Our point is, to improve by everything that occurs: By good or ill success, so called; by sickness or health; by ease or pain: And this we can do, through Christ strengthening us. We know chance is an empty sound: The Lord sitteth on his throne, and ruleth all things well. Love him; trust him; praise him. My dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

DXVIII-To Mr. Alexander Hume, Peeltown, Isle of Man.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Bristol, September 22, 1775.

I REJOICE to hear that God has made Mr. Crook's labour of love profitable to some of you, and cannot blame you for desiring to have him with you a little longer. I will write to Mr. Mason, the Assistant at Whitehaven, that Mr. Crook is coming to be a third Preacher in that circuit. The three Preachers may then visit the Isle, month by month; so that you will have Mr. Crook one month in three. They will all teach you, that religion is holy tempers and holy lives; and that the sum of all is love.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DXIX. To the Reverend Peard Dickinson.

DEAR SIR,

Cork, May 6, 1767.

I AM now come to my second station in Ireland: For here we expect to stay seven days; only with a digression of two out of the seven, to Bandon and Kinsale. I know not that I shall spend two whole days in any other place before I return to Dublin. I am glad you are fairly discharged from Oxford; although there is a little seed left there still. When we were there, we profited much by watching continually against “the lust of finishing;" to mortify which, we broke off writing in the