Wesley Corpus

To his Brother Charles Date: PERTH, April 26, 1772. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1772) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR BROTHER,--I meant Mr. Buller. [See letter of March 25.] I have not been at Leeds; so I can give you no account of the matter. I find by long experience it comes exactly to the same point, to tell men they shall be saved from all sin when they die; or to tell them it may be a year hence, or a week hence, or any time but now. Our word does not profit, either as to justification or sanctification, unless we can bring them to expect the blessing while we speak. I hope Fox [John Fox, of London. See Journal, v. 5.] is in peace. But he had no business there. I suppose the madman was another of the name. I am glad you have done justice to Mrs. Blackwell's [She died on March 27. Charles had written some memorial verses, which are given in his Journal, ii. 383-9.] memory. I do not believe either Brother Wildman or any other spoke those words. I cannot believe it at all, unless you or Brother Mather heard them. Many tell you tales of that sort which are not true at all. Your business as well as mine is to save souls. When we took priests' orders, we undertook to make it our one business. I think every day lost which is not (mainly at least) employed in this thing. Sum totus in illo. [Horace's Satires, I. ix. 2 (Totus in illis): 'I am entirely occupied with it.'] I am glad you are to be at Bristol soon. To whom shall I leave my papers and letters [He finally left, by will, Feb. 20, 1789, all his 'MSS. to Thomas Coke, Dr. Whitehead, and Henry Moore, to be burned or published as they see good.'] I am quite at a loss. I think Mr. Fletcher is the best that occurs now. Adieu!