Wesley Corpus

DEAR ISAAC, -- It was at the request of Brother Holder himself that I ordered him to be removed from Whitby; and I have wrote once or twice to that effect. But if his mind is altered, and if you judge it safe for him to remain there, I have no objection to it. To-morrow I am to set out for London. When I come thither, I will consider with the preachers what is to be when the circuits will not bear the expense allotted to them. Peace be with you and yours! [Brown was Assistant at Whitby, with George Holder as his colleague. (See letter of Sept. 15 to him.)] -- I am, dear Isaac, Your affectionate friend and brother. To Granville Sharp [11] LONDON, October 11,1787. SIR, -- Ever since I heard of it first I felt a perfect detestation of the horrid Slave Trade, but more particularly since I had the pleasure of reading what you have published upon the subject. Therefore I cannot but do everything in my power to forward the glorious design of your Society. And it must be a comfortable thing to every man of humanity to observe the spirit with which you have hitherto gone on. Indeed, you cannot go on without more than common resolution, considering the opposition you have to encounter, all the opposition which can be made by men who are ‘not encumbered with either honor, conscience, or humanity, and will rush on per fasque ne fasque, through every possible means, to secure their great goddess, Interest. Unless they are infatuated in this point also, they will spare no money to carry their cause; and this has the weight of a thousand arguments with the generality of men. And you may be assured these men will lay hold on and improve every possible objection against you. I have been afraid lest they should raise an objection from your manner of procuring information. To hire or to pay informers has a bad sound and might raise great, yea insurmountable' prejudice against you. Is it not worth your consideration whether it would not be advisable to drop this mode entirely, and to be content with such information as you can procure by more honorable means