Wesley Corpus

1783 To Abraham Orchard [1] [January 1], 1783. DEAR BROTHER, -- You have reason to be thankful to God for enabling you to set out in His good way; and if you would go on therein, remember that you cannot walk alone. Therefore your wisdom is, not to think much of shame or the fear of any temporal matter, to connect yourself in the dosest manner you can with those you believe to be the children of God. A form of prayer used in private may be of considerable use; only now and then, at the beginning or middle or end of it, you may break out a little and speak a few words, just according to the present temper of your mind. When your sins are forgiven, you will surely be sensible of it; and ‘every one that seeketh findeth.’ But it will be given you without money and without price; you know not how soon I Perhaps now! -- I am Yours affectionately. To Ann Bolton [2] LONDON, January 5, 1785. I thought it long since I heard from my dear Nancy. But I hoped ‘no news were good news,’ and that this was a token of your not having had any fresh embarrassment. Undoubtedly you have your hands full of business; but it will not hurt you while your heart is free. As long as this is given up to God all these things must work together for good. But I wanted to know whether the clouds begin to disperse whether you have an hope of seeing better days Do Neddy’s difficulties increase or lessen Has he a prospect of getting through his troubles If his income is now superior to his expense, he has ground to believe all will end well. And how does he bear up under this burthen Does it drive him from or lead him to God It is enough if it Keeps him dead to all below, Only Christ resolved to know.