Wesley Corpus

DEAR ZACHARY, -- You should always write to me without reserve. I observe nothing much amiss in your behavior. Truth and love you may hold fast, and courtesy will increase insensibly. Godfathers promise only that they ‘will see the child be taught, as soon as he is able to learn, what he ought to do in order to this soul’s health.’ And this it is certain they may perform. You did not read that little tract [Serious Thoughts concerning Godfathers and Godmothers. See Works, x. 506-9; Green's Bibliography, No. 157.] with sufficient care, otherwise you could not but have seen this. I commend you for being exceeding wary with respect to marriage. St. Paul’s direction is full and clear: ‘If thou mayest be free, use it rather.’ ‘Art thou loosed from a wife Seek not a wife.’ [See letter of Dec. 7, 1782.] Two of our small tracts you should read with much prayer -- Thoughts on a Single Life and A Word to Whom it may Concern. You need not be backward to write when you have opportunity. There is no fear of my thinking your letters troublesome. -- I am Your affectionate brother. To Mrs. Hall WHITEHAVEN, May 28, 1781. DEAR MATTY, -- There is hardly a father in England that can furnish three persons who after so many years are so young as my brother and you and me. Line out our lives to His glory. [Haliburton. See Journal, vi. 318n.] To his Niece Sarah Wesley [12] WHITEHAVEN, May 28, 1781. MY DEAR SALLY, -- Here I am, waiting for a passage to the Isle of Man. Which way I shall steer from thence I know not. But I believe Providence will direct me either to the North of Ireland or to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.