Wesley Corpus

To Thomas Rankin Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1765) Author: John Wesley --- [14] ST. JOHN'S, September 11, 1765. DEAR TOMMY,--There is a good work in Cornwall. But where the great work goes on well we should take care to be exact in little things. I will tell you several of these just as they occur to my mind. Grace Paddy at Redruth met in the select society, though she wore a large glittering necklace and met no band. They sing all over Cornwall a tune so full of repetitions and flourishes that it can scarce be sung with devotion. It is to those words, Praise the Lord, ye blessed ones. Away with it! Let it be heard no more. They cannot sing our old common tunes. Teach these everywhere. Take pains herein. The Societies are not half supplied with books; not even with Jane Cooper's Letters, or the two or three Sermons which I printed last year; no, not with the shilling Hymn--Book or Primitive Physick. They almost universally neglect fasting. The preaching-houses are miserable, even the new ones. They have neither light nor air sufficient; and they are far, far too low and too small. Look at Yarm house. Recommend the Notes on the Old Testament in good earnest. Every Society as a Society should subscribe. Remind them everywhere that two, four, or six might join together for a copy, and bring the money to their leader weekly. We have need to use all the common sense God has given us as well as all the grace.--I am, dear Tommy, Your affectionate friend and brother.