Wesley Corpus

MY DEAR LADY,--Your last favor gave me unspeakable satisfaction and occasioned much thankfulness to God. Indeed, I could not look upon it in any other view than as an answer to many prayers which I have been led to offer up from time to time, particularly when I have heard of your Ladyship’s meeting with any difficulty or affective providence of any kind. I have then let my heart melt within me, and have longed to tell your Ladyship either by word or writing what part I have in your sufferings. This lay the weightier upon me when I considered how few are now left below of those who many years ago rejoiced to see the undaunted fervor with which your Ladyship left the quiet pleasant shades to come abroad and espouse in open day the cause of a despised Saviour. What a blessing is it that His love and guardian care have preserved you from those early days in known and unknown dangers, and carried you through honor and dishonor, evil report and good report! O may you still (like that man of God that is gone before us into Abraham’s bosom) Stand like an iron pillar strong And steadfast as a wall of brass! It is extremely remarkable that the gentleman of the province should undertake to build the Orphan House. Surely this is the Lord’s doing! Will your Ladyship permit me just to mention a thought which has passed through my mind: might it not be for the glory of God to adhere in part to the original design --to have some orphans there (a glorious charity) as well as an academy I just take the liberty to mention this, and leave it to your Ladyship’s mature consideration. Wishing your Ladyship a continual increase of faith and loving zeal, I remain, my dear Lady, Your Ladyship’s most affectionate servant. To John Bredin BRISTOL, September 18, 1773. MY DEAR BROTHER,--Observe and enforce all our Rules exactly as if you were in England or Ireland. By foolish complaisance our preachers in Scotland have often done harm. Be all a Methodist; and strongly insist on full salvation to be received now by simple faith.--I am Yours affectionately. To John Valton [21] BRISTOL, September 18, 1773.