Wesley Corpus

15. I need but just glance on several other reasons why I am more sikely to be useful here than elsewhere; as, because I have the advice of many friends in any difficulty, and their encouragement in any danger: because we have the eyes of multitudes upon us, who, even without designing it, perform the most substantial office of friendship ; apprizing us, if we have already done any thing wrong, and guarding us against doing so again: lastly, because we have a constant fund to supply the bodily wants of the poor, and thereby open a way for their souls to receive instruction. 16. If you say, ‘ the love of the people of Epworth to me may balance these advantages ;’ I ask, How long will it last? Only till I come to tel] i ~~ £ 6%, Marcn, 1739.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 125° 6% % ‘them plainly that their deeds are evil; and particularly to apply the. LAY Ks general sentence, to say to each, ‘Thou art the man!’ Alas, sir, do not I2s D, SD = know what love they had to you once? And how have many of them e eS oo os used you since? Why, just as every one will be used, whose business it %, : %S. is to bring light to them that love darkness. Sa, “17. Notwithstanding, therefore, their present prejudice in my favour, . I cannot see that I am likely to do that good, either at Epworth or any % other place which I may hope to do in Oxford. And yet one terrible objection lies in the way: ‘Have you found it so in fact? What have you done there in fourteen years? Have not your very attempts to do good there, for want either of a particular turn of mind for the business you engaged in, or of prudence to direct you in the right method of doing it, been always unsuccessful ? Nay, and brought such contempt upon you, as has, in some measure, disqualified you for any future success? And are there not men in Oxford, who are not only better and holier than you, but who, having preserved their reputation, and being universally esteemed, are every way fitter to promote the glory of God in that place?’