Wesley Corpus

To his Niece Sarah Wesley Date: BRISTOL, September 8, 1788. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1788) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SALLY, -- You shall have just as many friends as will be for your good; and why should not my Betty Ritchie be in the number I must look to that, if I live to see London again, which will probably be in three weeks. If sea water has that effect on you, it is plain you are not to drink it. [See letters of Sept. 1, 1788, and Sept. 17, 1790.] All the body is full of imbibing pores. You take in water enough that way. If your appetite increases, so does your strength, although by insensible degrees. I have seen John Henderson several times. I hope he does not live in any sin. But it is a great disadvantage that he has nothing to do. I hope we shall find him something. I have a work in hand that will give you pleasure: I have begun to write my brother's Life. [This work he never accomplished. He died before he had made much progress in collecting material. See Jackson's Charles Wesley, ii. 454; and letter of Sept. 26.] Now, in this you may assist me much. You knew as much of him as most people; and you have the pen of a ready witness. Set down everything you can recollect concerning him. I think between us we shall be able to make something out. You may set down everything you can think of; I can select such a portion as is most proper. You have now leisure for it and for doing good to any whom Providence delivers into your hands. Peace be with your spirit! -- I am, my dear Sally, Yours in tender affection.