Wesley Corpus

To his Nephew Charles Wesley Date: BRISTOL, September 8, 1781. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1781) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR CHARLES, -- Your letter gave me a good deal of satisfaction. You received my advice just as I hoped you would. [See letter of Aug. 4 to him. ] You are now, as it were, on the crisis of your fate: just launching into life, and ready to fix your choice, whether you will have God or the world for your happiness. Scripture and reason tell you now, what experience will confirm, if it pleases God to prolong your life--that He made your heart for Himself, and it cannot rest till it rests in Him. You will be in danger of being diverted from this thought by' the fashion of the world. The example of those that are round about us is apt to get within our guard. And, indeed, their spirit steals upon us in an unaccountable manner and inclines us to think as they think. Yet you cannot avoid being very frequently among elegant men and women that are without God in the world. And as your business rather than your choice calls you into the fire, I trust that you will not be burnt: seeing He whom you desire to serve is able to deliver you even out of the burning fiery furnace. -- I am, dear Charles, Your very affectionate Uncle.