Wesley Corpus

To Hester Ann Roe Date: BRISTOL, March 16, 1783. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1783) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR HETTY, -- I shall not be able to come to Macclesfield quite as soon as usual this year; for the preaching-houses at Hinckley and Nottingham are to be opened, which I take in my way. I expect to be at Nottingham April 1; but how long I shall stay there I cannot yet determine: thence I shall probably come by Derby to Macclesfield. It has frequently been upon my mind of late that my pilgrimage is nearly at an end; and one of our sisters here told us this morning a particular dream which she had two months ago. She dreamt the time of Conference was come, and that she was in a church expecting me to come in; when she saw a coffin brought in, followed by Dr. Coke and Mr. Fletcher, and then by all our preachers walking two and two. A fortnight ago she dreamt the same dream again. Such a burying I have ordered in my will, absolutely forbidding either hearse or coach. I intended to have wrote a good deal more; but I am hardly able. For a few days past I have had just such a fever as I had a few years ago in Ireland. But all is well. I am in no pain; but the wheels of life seem scarcely able to turn any longer. Yet I made a shift this morning to preach to a crowded audience, and hope to say something to them this afternoon. I love that word, ‘And Ishmael died in the presence of all his brethren.’ Still pray for, my dear Hetty, Yours most affectionately.