Wesley Corpus

To his Niece Sarah Wesley Date: LIVERPOOL, April 12, 1781. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1781) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR SALLY, -- In an hour or two I expect to embark, the wind being just come fair [See previous letter and that of May 8.]; so I snatch time to write two or three lines, whether I should live to write to you again or no. Almost every one that begins to observe that strange truth, ‘The whole world lieth in the wicked one,’ feels the natural wish, Oh that I had the wings of a dove, that I might flee away from it and be at rest! But it is not a wilderness that can give rest any more than a populous city. ‘God hath made our heart for Himself, and it cannot rest till it resteth in Him.’ [St. Augustine's Confessions, i.] You want only that one point, love--to love Him because He first loved us. And who knows how soon you may find this For the kingdom of God is at hand! What if it should be opened in your heart to-day, while you are reading this Miss Johnson [Mrs. Edwards had a famous school in Lambeth. See Journal, vi. 218, vii. 344; and letter of March 31 to his niece.] writes me word that she is flown away. She is removed to Westminster. She is now one of the teachers in Mrs. Edwards’s boarding-school; but if I see London again, I shall bring you acquainted. Peace be with your spirit! -- I am, dear Sally, Affectionately yours.