Wesley Corpus

And not only by a slow and insensible growth in grace, but by the power of the Highest overshadowing you in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, so as utterly to abolish sin and to renew you in His whole image! If you are simple of heart, if you are willing to receive the heavenly gift, as a little child, without reasoning, why may you not receive it now He is nigh that sanctifieth; He is with you; He is knocking at the door of your heart! Come in, my Lord, come in, And seize her for Thine own. This is the wish of, my dear friend, Yours in tender affection. I pray be not so brief in your next. To Simon Day BRISTOL, September 24, 1785. MY DEAR BROTHER, - I expect to see James [Tosmer] next week, and I am in hopes he will be induced to keep his promise. [Day was second preacher in the Bradford (Wilts) Circuit.] But if he loves his money more than h'ls conscience, we shall find another way. - I am Your affectionate brother. To Francis Asbury [9] BRISTOL, September 30, 1785. MY DEAR BROTHER, - It gives me pleasure to hear that God prospers your labors even in the barren soil of South Carolina. [Asbury had visited Chariestown on Feb. 24.] Near fifty years ago I preached in the church at Charlestown and in a few other places, and deep attention sat on every face. But I am afraid few received any lasting impressions. At the next Conference it will be worth your while to consider deeply whether any preacher should stay in one place three years together. I startle at this. It is a vehement alteration in the Methodist discipline. We have no such custom in England, Scotland, or Ireland. We [allow no one] except the Assistant, who stays a second, to stay more than [one year]. I myself may perhaps have as much variety of matter as many of our preachers. Yet, I am well assured, were I to preach three years together in one place, both the people and myself would grow as dead as stones. Indeed, this is quite contrary to the whole economy of Methodism: God has always wrought among us by a constant change of preachers.