Wesley Corpus

'He that followeth Me,' says our Lord, ' walketh not in darkness.' Nothing can be more certain. Closely follow Him, and you will never come into any darkness of soul. On the contrary, your light shall shine more and more unto the perfect day. Nothing but sin can bring you into confusion; and this, I trust, God has bruised under your feet. Surely, then, you have no need of ever losing the least part of what God has given you. But you may ' stand fast in glorious liberty' till your spirit returns to God.--I remain Yours affectionately. To Mrs. Downes LONDON, October 1776. MY DEAR SISTER,--YOU have abundant reason to praise God, who has dealt so mercifully with you, and to encourage all about you never to rest till they attain full salvation. As to the question you propose, if the leader himself desires it and the class be not unwilling, in that case there can be no objection to your meeting a class even of men. This is not properly assuming or exercising any authority over them. You do not act as a superior, but an equal; and it is an act of friendship and brotherly love. I am glad you had a little conversation with Miss Ritchie. She is a precious soul. Do her all the good you can, and incite her to exert all the talents which God has given her.--I am Your affectionate brother. To Hester Ann Roe [18] BRISTOL, October 6, 1776. MY DEAR HETTY,--To-morrow I set out for London; in and near which, if it please God to continue my life, I shall remain till spring. The trials which a gracious Providence sends may be precious means of growing in grace, and particularly of increasing in faith, patience, and resignation; and are they not all chosen for us by Infinite Wisdom and Goodness So that we may well subscribe to those beautiful lines,-- With patient mind thy course of duty run; God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself if thou couldst see The end of all events as well as He.