Wesley Corpus

To John Stretton Date: GLOUCESTER, March 19, 1788. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1788) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am glad the little contest between Mr. Balfour and John McGeary is come to a conclusion. It is good advice to every Christian, 'If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.' But, of all others, the Methodists are concerned carefully to follow this advice. We are a new people, and consequently must expect that many will be prejudiced against us. And there is no way to remove that prejudice but to overcome evil with good. [Stretton was the preacher at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. See letter of Feb. 25, 1785, to him.] The experience of Phoebe Bland is an admirably good one, truly consistent both with Scripture and reason; and the account is well drawn up, with good sense, and in remarkably good language. I have a confused remembrance of some objections against you last year, made, I think, by John Hoskins. [See letter of Aug. 10, 1780.] I hope, if there was once some foundation for them, it is now removed. We have need to take the utmost care that the good which is in us be not evil spoken of. -- I am Your affectionate brother.