Wesley Corpus

“The substance of your answer was, ‘That many people exhort others to charity from self interest; that men of fortune must mind their fortune; that you cannot go about to look for poor people; that when you have seen them yourself, and relieved them, they were scarce ever satisfied ; that many make an ill use of what you give them; that you cannot trust the account people give of themselves by letters; that, nevertheless, you do give to private persons, by the hands of Colonel Hudson and others; that you have also given to several hospitals a hundred pounds at a time; but that you must support your family; that the Lowther family has continued above four hundred years; that you are for great things,--for public charities, and for saving the nation from ruin; and that others may think as they please, but this is your way of thinking, and has been for many years. “To this I replied: ‘1. Sir, I have no self interest in this matter; I consult your interest, not my own; I want nothing from you; I desire nothing from you; I expect nothing from you: but I am concerned for your immortal spirit, which must so soon launch into eternity. 2. It is Oct. 1754. ] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. -- 573