{"id":"jw/letters/1773/37-to-miss-cummins","corpus":"jw-letters","type":"letter","author":"john-wesley","title":"37 To Miss Cummins","title_alt":[],"text_basis":null,"date_composed":null,"date_precision":"unknown","date_note":null,"numbering":{"bicentennial":null,"jackson_running":null,"sugden":null},"source_edition":{"editor":null,"title":null,"edition":null,"place":null,"publisher":null,"year":null,"volume":null,"pages":null,"scan_url":null,"scan_page_ids":null},"transcription":{"derived_from":null,"corrected_against_scan":false,"corrector":null,"corrected_on":null},"modernization":"none","license_text":"Public Domain Mark 1.0","license_apparatus":"CC BY 4.0","wikidata":null,"prev":null,"next":null,"part_of":"jw-letters","editorial_note":null,"source_id":"jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins","passage_ids":["jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins-000","jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins-001"],"word_count":449,"themes_auto":["assurance","christology","reign-of-god","social-holiness","trinity"],"open":true,"closed_reason":null,"legacy_ids":["jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins-000","jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins-001"],"passages":[{"id":"jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins-000","author":"john-wesley","source_id":"jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins","source_title":"37 To Miss Cummins","source_type":"letter","year":null,"chunk_index":0,"text":"To Miss Cummins Date: CLONMAIN, June 8, 1773. Do not think it strange, my dear Miss Cummins, that I write to you; the regard I have for you constrains me. It is possible I may see you no more: I am not young, and you are not healthy; nay, and the ten thousand gates of death stand continually open to every child of man. Will you take it ill, then, that I tell you freely you have been much upon my mind Ever since I saw you first, I felt an earnest desire that you should be wise and happy; that you should make the best of a few uncertain days, and improve the time which flees away as a shadow and knows not to return. Believe me, my dear maid, what are called pleasures and diversions can give you no solid happiness. They are poor, empty, insignificant trifles; and you was made for better things. You are not only to consider yourself as having an agreeable person; you are an immortal spirit. You was made a little lower than the angels, that you may live with them for ever. You are come forth from God, and are returning to God as fast as a few fleeting years can carry you. But I am in pain for you: I am concerned lest you should forget this, like other pretty, giddy, unthinking creatures. What if it should be said of you, At dawn poor Stella danced and sung; The gazing youth around her bowed: At night her passing-bell was rung; I saw, and kissed her in her shroud! O make haste! Be a Christian, a real Bible Christian now! You may say, ' Nay, I am a Christian already.' I fear not. (See how freely I speak.) A Christian is not afraid to die. Are not you Do you desire to depart and to be with Christ A Christian is happy in God. Are you Can you say, I noting need, beneath, above, Happy, happy in Thy love","word_count":337,"source_url":null,"themes":["christology","reign-of-god","trinity"],"created_at":"2026-01-29T20:06:44.931947"},{"id":"jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins-001","author":"john-wesley","source_id":"jw-letter-1773-37-to-miss-cummins","source_title":"37 To Miss Cummins","source_type":"letter","year":null,"chunk_index":1,"text":"A Christian (though perhaps he never heard the name of a Methodist) has power over all sin. Have you If not, it is certain you may; for God is no respecter of persons. Whatsoever He has given to any other He is willing to give to you also. O let your heart cry to Him, ' What I know not teach Thou me. Let me not die before I long to die! Give me the wisdom that sitteth by Thy throne, and reject me not from among Thy children!' To His care I tenderly commit you; and am, my dear Miss Cummins, Yours affectionately. If you love me, hear Mr. Saunderson preach.","word_count":112,"source_url":null,"themes":["social-holiness","assurance","trinity"],"created_at":"2026-01-29T20:06:44.931998"}]}