Wesley Corpus

MY DEAR BROTHER, - Neither Sister Brisco nor her husband ever made application to me for money. Now and then I have given her a guinea; but, I think, never more at a time. We could not regularly give her any more for her child; but I would have given her five pounds at a word speaking. Now she must take some trouble to get it. [Thomas Brisco was stationed at Thirsk, and was evidently in financial straits.] Our preachers (I mean many of them) are unable as yet to judge and undervalue each other. Henry Foster is a weak man, but by no means a weak preacher. This was never objected to him before in any circuit where I have followed him. He is a sound, judicious man and one of deep piety. I am thinking that her best way is, if any one will give T. Brisco five guineas, I will repay it. Consider, a person that was very happy and good is now less happy than he was. Then he thinks, 'I should be happier if I was married.' Is not this feeling Love's all-sufficient sea to raise With drops of creature happiness [Poetical Works, i. 132.] I am Your affectionate friend and brother. To Mr. Valton, At Captain Robinson's, In Bridlington Key, Yorkshire. To Thomas Wride [4] BRISTOL, September 5, 1785. DEAR TOMMY, - When you do what you can, you do enough. I trust you will now use every possible means of redeeming the time. I wish you would never neglect sleeping early and rising early. Beware of anything like lightness or trifling. Wherever you are be obliging and be serious. Disappoint those who wait for your halting. - I am, with love to Sister Wilde, dear Tommy, Your affectionate friend and brother. To Mr. Wride, At the Preaching- house, In Norwich. To Mary Cooke BRADFORD[-ON-AVON], September 10, 1785.