Wesley Corpus

MY DEAR MRS. BLACHFORD, -- You state the case clearly and fairly; and when this is done there is no great difficulty in it. Many other objections and plausible ones might be made to the proposal; hut certainly those two are the strongest of all and the most difficult to be answered: first, her youth and little experience in the things of the world; and secondly, his little experience in the things of God. He has made a good beginning. He has set on well. But who can tell what the end will be By reason of the time we cannot suppose him to be much established yet; and if he should afterwards relapse into his former state, what an insupportable trial must it be to her! In a strange country and separate from all her religious friends! Upon the whole, therefore, I cannot but subscribe to your judgment, that you must do nothing suddenly. -- I am, my dear sister, Yours most affectionately. To Christopher Hopper [18] NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, June 3, 1788. MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I said nothing, less or more, in Bradford Church concerning the end of the world, neither concerning my own opinion. What I said was that Bengelius had given it as his opinion, not that the world would then end, but that the Millennial reign of Christ would begin in the year 1836. I have no opinion at all upon that head. I can determine nothing about it. These calculations are far above, out of my sight. I have only one thing to do, to save my own soul and those that hear me. -- I am, with kind love to Sister Hopper, Yours affectionately. To Henry Moore NEAR NEWCASTLE, June 7, 1788. DEAR HENRY, -- I incline to think the battle's over, [See letter of May 28 to Mrs. Rogers.] and you will have peace, provided that none of you return railing for rafting, but contrariwise blessing. Beware of showing any coolness to Arthur Keene. You must conquer him by love. I am glad you have not lost Mrs. Blachford. [See letter of June 3.] She is one of our jewels. I love her much. Only you will excuse me if I do not love her so well as Nancy and Becky Moore. [See letter of Feb. 19 to Moore.]