Wesley Corpus

To Mrs. Bennis Date: BRISTOL, September 10, 1773. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1773) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER,--When two or three agree to seek God by fasting and prayer, it cannot be that their labor should be in vain; especially if they add their endeavors to their prayers for the increase of the work of God. I hope you will encourage every preacher to visit the whole Society in order from house to house: dinner or drinking tea does not answer the same intention. This may and ought to be done over and above. I thought you had been in more danger of being hurt by worldly abundance than worldly care. But we cannot stand under either one or the other unless we be endued with power from on high, and that continually from hour to hour, or rather from moment to moment. Yet distress is not sin; we may be grieved, and still resigned. And this is acceptable with God. In all these cases you should remember that observation never to be let slip,-- With even mind thy course of duty ran: God nothing does, or surfers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself, if thou couldst see The end of all events as well as He! [See letter of July 18]. --My dear sister, adieu. Your affectionate brother.