Wesley Corpus

To Zachariah Yewdull Date: WHITEHAVEN, May 26, 1781. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1781) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR ZACHARY, -- You should always write to me without reserve. I observe nothing much amiss in your behavior. Truth and love you may hold fast, and courtesy will increase insensibly. Godfathers promise only that they ‘will see the child be taught, as soon as he is able to learn, what he ought to do in order to this soul’s health.’ And this it is certain they may perform. You did not read that little tract [Serious Thoughts concerning Godfathers and Godmothers. See Works, x. 506-9; Green's Bibliography, No. 157.] with sufficient care, otherwise you could not but have seen this. I commend you for being exceeding wary with respect to marriage. St. Paul’s direction is full and clear: ‘If thou mayest be free, use it rather.’ ‘Art thou loosed from a wife Seek not a wife.’ [See letter of Dec. 7, 1782.] Two of our small tracts you should read with much prayer -- Thoughts on a Single Life and A Word to Whom it may Concern. You need not be backward to write when you have opportunity. There is no fear of my thinking your letters troublesome. -- I am Your affectionate brother.