Wesley Corpus

BIRMINGHAM, March 22 [or 24], 1783. DEAR BROTHER CHARLES, -- If your view be correct, and this Epistle was the last the Apostle wrote before his martyrdom, it is invested with peculiar interest, as containing the dying counsels of one who was not behind the ‘chiefest of the Apostles.’ -- I am, dear Brother Charles, Yours affectionately. To Mr. ----- [11] BIRMINGHAM, March 23, 1783. DEAR SIR, -- If you would have five or ten more, be so kind as to give an hint to Yours affectionately. To John Valton NOTTINGHAM, April 4, 1783. MY DEAR BROTHER, -- Being more than half recovered from my late illness, [See letters of March 16 and April 4.] I am creeping forward on my way. I purpose staying here till over Sunday; then I think of moving on toward Dublin. Your reasons for desiring to spend another year in Birstall Circuit [He was reappointed to Birstall in 1783.] seem to me to be of weight. It may be so, if nothing occurs to the contrary between this and the Conference. -- I am Your affectionate friend and brother. To Mr. Valton, At Birstall, Near Leeds. To his Brother Charles NOTTINGHAM, April 4, 1783. DEAR BROTHER, -- Yesterday my second disorder left me, and I seem now to be recovering strength. [See previous letter.] On Monday next I hope to be at Derby; on Tuesday at Blewcastle-under-Lyme; on Wednesday at Chester; and at Holyhead as soon as God permits. I have no desire to stay above three weeks in Ireland, and hope to be in England again before the end of May. On the day appointed, March 25, I went from Birmingham to Hilton Park. [See Journal, vi.. 401; W.H.S. v. 170n.; and letter of April 25 to his brother.] A little before we reached the Park gate Miss Freeman met us in Sir Philip Gibbes’s chaise. After staring awhile, she came into my chaise, and she was convinced that I was alive.