Wesley Corpus

To Thomas Rankin Date: PORTARLINGTON, April 2I, 1775. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1775) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR TOMMY,--I am glad there is so good an understanding between Jemmy Dempster and you. He is an upright man, and, unless I am much mistaken, a friend both to the Methodist doctrine and discipline. I am sorry for poor T--- R---. It is certain God did lift up his head, and I hoped that his besetting sin would no more gain dominion over him. However, you must in no wise give him up. And he has much more need of comfort than of reproof. His great danger is despair. Brother Asbury has sent me a few lines, and I thank him for them. But I do not advise him to go to Antigua. Let him come home without delay. If one or two stout, healthy young men would willingly offer themselves to that service, I should have no objection; but none should go unless he was fully persuaded in his own mind. You are a bold man, Tommy, to commence author in these critical times. I wish the success may answer your expectation; there is a call for every help. I am afraid you will soon find a day of trial; the clouds are black both over England and America. It is well if this summer passes over without some showers of blood. And if the storm once begins in America, it will soon spread to Great Britain. I have a friendly letter from ---, who writes warmly against the ---. Pray remember my love to him and his wife. I am glad to find he is still walking in the good old way. He sends me word that one or two men of fortune are gone out to preach the gospel. If they are, I expect little from them. God hath chosen the weak to confound the strong. Go on, doing and suffering the will of our Lord!--I am, dear Tommy, Your affectionate friend and brother.