Wesley Corpus

DEAR HARRY, -- Your letter gave me pleasure, and pain too. It gave me pleasure because it was written in a mild and loving spirit; and it gave me pain because I found it had pained you, whom I so' tenderly love and esteem. But I shall do it no more: I sincerely thank you for your kind reproof; it is a precious balm -- and will, I trust, in the hands of the Great Physician, be a means of healing my sickness. I am so sensible of your real friendship herein that I cannot write without tears. The words you mention were too strong; they will no more fall from my mouth. My dear Harry, cease not to pray for Your obliged and affectionate brother. To Mrs. Barton DUBLIN, April 23, 1785. MY DEAR SISTER, -- It has pleased God for many years to lead you in a rough and thorny way. But He knoweth the way wherein you go; and when you have been tried, you shall come forth as gold. Every proof you have had of God's care over you is a reason for trusting Him with your children. He will take care of them, whether you are alive or dead; so that you have no need to be careful in this matter. You have only by prayer and supplication to make your requests known to God; and whenever He sees it will be best for you, He will deliver you out of your captivity. In two or three weeks I hope to be in England again; but it is all one where we are, so we are doing the will of our Lord. -- I am, my dear sister, Your affectionate brother. To his Brother Charles DUBLIN, April 25, 1783. DEAR BROTHER, -- How extremely odd is the affair of Mr. Abraham! [See letters of Feb. 20, 1782, and May 2, 1783 (to his brother).] I scarce ever remember the like. It really seems to be a providential incident which fairly acquits us of one that would have been no honor to us.