Wesley Corpus

To Elizabeth Ritchie Date: DONCASTER, July 15, 1776. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1776) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR BETSY,--I suppose you wait for my writing first. Nay, I hope this is the case; otherwise I should be afraid that you were fallen ill again. How is your health And how is your mind Do you find as near and as constant a communion with God as ever Are you always happy Does no circumstance interrupt or deaden your spirit of prayer Do you feel nothing contrary to resignation Can you say with your whole heart-- Determined all Thy will to obey, Thy blessings I restore; Give, Lord, or take Thy gifts away, I praise Thee evermore. The word of our Lord to you is, ' Feed My lambs.' Methinks I see you giving yourself up, as far as possibly you can, to that blessed work; carrying the weak, as it were, in your bosom, and gently leading the rest to the waters of comfort. Meantime your own soul will enjoy a well of water springing up into everlasting life. If you find any perplexing temptation in your way, you should not scruple to let me know. Youth is the season for many of the most dangerous temptations incident to human nature. But, indeed, you are preserved from many of these by your settled determination to slight all dreams of creature happiness and give your heart to Him who alone is worthy. And believe me to remain Yours affectionately. To 'Mr. Hawes, Apothecary and Critic' [11] LONDON, July 20, 1776. DEAR SIR,--My bookseller informs me that since you published your remarks on the Primitive Physick, or a Natural and Easy Method of Curing most Disorders, there has been a greater demand for it than ever. If, therefore, you would please to publish a few farther remarks, you would confer a farther favor upon Your humble servant.