me, and to the Preachers; and whatever you do, do it with your might. I am, dear Sammy, Yours affectionately. P. S. Everywhere exhort the believers to expect full salvation now by simple faith. DEAR SAMMY, DXC.-To the Same. London, June 25, 1782. I AM glad you find no reason to complain of our northern brethren. Many of them are as sincere and affectionate as any in England; and the way to do them good is, to observe all our rules at Inverness, just as you would at Sheffield; yea, and to preach the whole Methodist doctrine there, as plainly and simply as you would in Yorkshire. But you have not sent me (neither you nor Peter Mill) any plan of the circuit. This should be done without delay. See that you both do all you can for a good Master! Lose no time! Peace be with all your spirits! I am, dear Sammy, Your affectionate brother. DXCI. To the Same. DEAR SAMMY, Birmingham, March 25, 1787. You send me good news concerning the progress of the work of God in Colne circuit. I should think brother Jackson or Sagar might set the heads of the people at Bacup right. Brother Jackson should advise brother Ridall, not to please the devil by preaching himself to death. I still think, when the Methodists leave the Church of England, God will leave them. Every year more and more of the Clergy are convinced of the truth, and grow well-affected towards us. It would be contrary to all common sense, as well as to good conscience, to make a separation now. I am, dear Sammy, DEAR SAMMY, Your affectionate brother. DXCII.-To the Same. Carlow, April 26, 1789. in your hands. I AM glad to hear that the work of the Lord still prospers not be able to keep the good old Methodist discipline. Brother Rhodes is desirous to do this; and it will be right for you to strengthen his hands therein. Let the Preachers stand firm together, and then the people will be regular; but if any of you take their part against the Preacher, all will be confusion. Since you desire it, you may come to the Conference. I am, dear Sammy, Your affectionate brother. DXCIII. To the Same. MY DEAR BROTHER, Otley. I AM glad to hear so good an account of the work of God at Bideford. That town had held out long, and seemed to bid defiance to the gospel. But if we are not weary of well-doing, we shall reap in due time. I should hardly have expected any increase of the work of God in Launceston; but probably it will be enlarged by your preaching in the Town-Hall; for many will come thither, who would not come to our preaching-house. As long as you and your fellow-labourers converse freely together, and act by united counsels, the work of the Lord will prosper in your hands. And continue instant in prayer, particularly in your closet. DEAR SAMMY, I am, dear Sammy, Your affectionate brother. DXCIV. To the Same. Northampton, November 25, 1789. YOURS of the 21st instant was sent to me hither. You have done exceedingly well, to take the upper room. If need be, we will help you out. Let us have no law, if it be possible to avoid it: That is the last and the worst remedy. Try every other remedy first. It is a good providence, that the Mayor at Bideford is a friendly man. Prayer will avail much in all cases. Encourage our poor people to be instant in prayer. Take care of poor Michael; and do not forget, Dear Sammy, Your affectionate brother. DEAR SAMMY, DXCV.-To the Same. Newcastle-under-Lyme, March 27, 1790. TAKE particular care that neither Michael Fenwick, nor any other, give any just offence; and especially, that they offend not God: Then He will make your enemies be at peace with you. If I remember well, I did write to the Mayor of Bideford, and I expect that makes him more quiet. By meekness, gentleness, and patience, with faith and prayer, you will prevail at Torrington also. You have only to go on calmly and steadily, and God will arise and maintain his own cause. Only let us labour to have a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man. DEAR SAMMY, I am, dear Sammy, Your affectionate friend and brother. DXCVI.-To the Same. Near London, October 29, 1790. THE person that was appointed to come down to Bideford has been prevented from coming by want of health. And I believe it was well: It has confirmed me in a resolution which I had formed before,-not to send more Preachers into any circuit than that circuit can provide for. We are almost ruined by not observing this rule. I will observe it better for the time to come. I am, dear Sammy, Your affectionate brother. DXCVII.-To Miss Penelope Newman. MY DEAR SISTER, London, August 9, 1776. BEFORE I received yours, we had been speaking in the Conference on that very head,-the means of preventing spiritual religion from degenerating into formality. It is continually needful to guard against this, as it strikes at the root of the whole work of God. One means whereby God guards us against it is, temptation; and, indeed, crosses of every kind. By these he keeps us from sleeping, as do others, and stirs us up to watch unto prayer. So He is now stirring you up! Hear his voice; and you will feel more life than ever. I am, dear Penny, Yours affectionately. DXCVIII.-To Mr. Jonathan Brown. DEAR JONATHAN, You send us welcome news of the prosperity of the work of God in the Isle. A year ago, I was afraid that our members would scarce ever again amount to four-and-twenty hundred : So they rise now above our hope. I trust now it will be your business thoroughly to "purge the floor." Purge out all the unworthy members, and strongly exhort the rest to "go on to perfection." Get as many as possible to meet in band. I am, with love to your wife, Your affectionate friend and brother. DXCIX.-To Mr. Thomas Funnell. MY DEAR BROTHER, November 24, 1787. WHATEVER assistance I can give those generous men who join to oppose that execrable trade, I certainly shall give. I have printed a large edition of the "Thoughts on Slavery," and dispersed them to every part of England. But there will be vehement opposition made, both by slave-merchants and slaveholders; and they are mighty men: But our comfort is, He that dwelleth on high is mightier. I am Your affectionate brother. DC.-To Mr. William Ferguson, of Hoxton. MY DEAR BROTHER, Bristol, September 7, 1779. THE proposal you sent me from the Hague, I like well. Pray talk with John Atlay about it; and if he and you are agreed, the sooner it is put in execution the better. Certainly all unsalable books that are undamaged, I will take again. But if any sermon be translated into Dutch, it should first be "The Almost Christian." This is far more suitable to unawakened readers than "The Lord our Righteousness." I am, dear Billy, Your affectionate brother. MY DEAR SISTER, DCI-To Mrs. Ferguson. Harwich, June 12, 1783. HITHERTO God has helped us. As the weather last night was exceedingly rough, the Captain did not think it advisable to sail; for which I was not sorry. We expect to sail this morning, as it seems the storm is over; and probably we shall see Helvoetsluys to-morrow. Sally and my other companions are in perfect health, and are all in good spirits; knowing that they are under His protection whom the winds and the seas obey. I am, my dear Sister, Your affectionate brother. DCII. To the Reverend Mr. Davenport. DEAR SIR, Bristol, August 14, 1782. It would have given me a good deal of satisfaction to have had a little conversation with you. But I do not stay long in one place. I have no resting place on earth: A poor wayfaring man, I dwell awhile in tents below, |