Wesley Corpus

To Robert Carr Brackenbury Date: LONDON, January 10, 1785. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1783) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR SIR, -- As I expect to remain in London till the beginning of March, I hope to have the pleasure of spending a little time with you before I set out on my spring and summer journeys, which I shall probably continue as long as I live. And who would wish to live for any meaner purpose than to serve God in our generation I know my health and strength are continued for this thing. And if ever I should listen to that siren song, ‘Spare thy life,’ I believe my Master would spare me no longer, but soon take me away. It pleases Him to deal with you in a different way. He frequently calls you not so much to act as to suffer. And you may well say, -- O take Thy way! Thy way is best: Grant or deny me ease. This is but tuning of my breast To make the music please. [Adapted, in his Chariestown Hymn-Book, from George Herbert's The Temple, ‘The Temper’: Yet take Thy way; for sure Thy way is best: Stretch or contract me, Thy poor debtor; This is but tuning of my breast, To make the music better.] I am glad you are still determined to do What you can, and to do it without delay. But others are not of this mind. I have just received a letter from Mr. Oddie, [See letter of Sept. 26, 1774.] formerly one of our traveling preachers, informing me, whereas it has pleased God to take away his dear partner, he is resolved again to give up himself to the work, -- after he has settled his worldly business, which he thinks will take but sixteen or seventeen months! Would one think he had ever read the Epistle of St. James or that he had ever heard those words, ‘What is your life It is even a vapor, which appeareth and vanisheth away’ Commending you to Him who is able to save you to the uttermost, I am, dear sir, Your affectionate friend and brother.