Wesley Corpus

To Mrs. Ward Date: LONDON, July 16, 1788. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1788) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER. [Mrs. Ward was one of the leading Methodists in Cork, where James Rogers was Assistant. Several of her letters to Wesley are in Arminian Mag. 1788, 326; 1790, 442, 601, 666; 1791, 553.] -- You do well in writing freely to me upon whatever occurs to your mind, and you should lose no time, for probably the time is at hand when I shall be called to 'arise and go hence.' I hardly expect to see another May, or perhaps the end of another March; but be that as God pleases. My remnant of days I spend to His praise, Who died the whole world to redeem; Be they many or few, my days are His due, And they all are devoted to Him. For upwards of fifty years my language respecting the Church has been just the same as it is now. Yet, whenever I am removed, there can be no doubt but some of the Methodists will separate from it and set up independent meetings: some will accept of livings: the rest (who will, I trust, be the largest third) will continue together on the itinerant plan; and if they abide by their old rules, God will give them His blessing. It has been the glory of Methodists to assist all parties without forming any. In so doing, God has abundantly blessed them. What could He have done more for them than He has done Do not they know when they are well Mr. Rogers should do all that is in his power to quiet the minds of our people. Your son Richard goes on well. He will be a preacher, either regular or irregular. I think we can make room at Kingswood for the children you mention. Peace be with you and yours. -- I am, my dear sister, Yours most affectionately.