Wesley Corpus

To Zachariah Yewdall Date: WHITEHAVEN. May 26, 1785. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1785) 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 that a child be taught, as soon as he is able to learn, what he ought to do in order to his soul's health. And this it is certain they may perform. You did not read that little tract [Serious Thoughts concerning Godfathers and Godmothers, 1752. See Works, x. 5o6-9; Green's Bibliography, No. 157.] with sufficient care; otherwise you could not but have seen this. I commend you for being exceedingly wary with respect to marriage. [See letter of Nov. 11.] 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.' 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. Mr. Zach. Yewdart, At Mr. Colley's, In Cardiff, South Wales.