Wesley Corpus

DEAR JOSEPH,--We must threaten no longer, but perform. In November last I told the London Society, ' Our rule is to meet a class once a week, not once in two or three. I now give you warning: I will give tickets to none in February but those that have done this.' I have stood to my word. Go you and do likewise wherever you visit the classes. Begin, if need be, at Newcastle, and go on at Sunderland. Promises to meet are now out of date. Those that have not met seven times in the quarter exclude. Read their names in the Society, and inform them all you will the next quarter exclude all that have not met twelve times--that is, unless they were hindered by distance, sickness, or by some unavoidable business. And I pray without fear or favor remove the leaders, whether of classes or bands, who do not watch over the souls committed to their care ' as those that must give account.'--I am, dear Joseph, Yours affectionately. To Miss March LONDON, February 26, 1776. What I advise you to is, not to contract a friendship or even acquaintance with poor, inelegant, uneducated persons, but frequently, nay constantly, to visit the poor, the widow, the sick, the fatherless in their affliction; and this, although they should have nothing to recommend them but that they are bought with the blood of Christ. It is true this is not pleasing to flesh and blood. There are a thousand circumstances usually attending it which shock the delicacy of our nature, or rather of our education. But yet the blessing which follows this labor of love will more than balance the cross, 'To be uneasy under obligations which we cannot repay' is certainly a fruit of diabolical generosity; and therefore Milton with great propriety ascribes it to the devil, and makes him speak quite in character when he says concerning his obligations to God Himself-- So burthensome, still paying, still to owe. I am quite of another mind; I entirely agree with you that the more sensible we are of such obligations the more happy we are. Surely this yoke is easy and this burthen is light.