Wesley Corpus

These Meetings will do you no harm at all. Only go quietly on your way. There should be no delay in enlarging the house if you can get a good title to the ground. [See letter of Aug. 8 to Arthur Keene.] As far as is possible I should advise you to take no notice, good or bad, of the warm men. Let them say what they will and do what they can. Neddy Smyth [Edward Smyth, of Bethesda, and his brother William, one of the Dublin Methodists who objected to services in Church hours. Bethesda had been built at his cost.] wrote lately to me, and I to him, but without a word of dispute. Probably I shall see Mr. W. Smyth; but if I do, I will not dispute with him. I am a man of peace. Peace be with you and yours.--I am, dear Henry, Your affectionate friend and brother. To Henry Brooke [21] HULL, June 21, 1788. Of the Methodists and the Church I think as you do: they must not leave the Church -- at least, while I live; if they leave it then, I expect they will gradually sink into a formal, honorable sect. Dear Harry, adieu! To Peard Dickinson THIRSK, June 24, 1788. MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I do not know any little piece of news which has given me more satisfaction than this, that my Sister Hall has taken a lodging in Th. Philip's house. I hope to see her and you in about a fortnight, that I may have time to prepare for the Conference. [Held at London on July 29.] You do well not to indulge your thirst after books, but to confine yourself to a very few. I know no commentator on the Bible equal to Bengal. His Gnomon is a jewel; so is his Ordo Temp [His Gnomon 'as a brief and suggestive commentary on the New Testament remains unrivalled.' McClintock and Strong's Cyclopodia. Ordo temporum a principio per periodos conomio, divino, 1753.]: the finest system of chronology that ever appeared in the world. Now consider with yourself and [set] down whatever relates to the Conference. Peace be with both your spirits I -- I am Your affectionate friend and brother. To the Rev. Mr. Dickinson, In the City Road, Near Moorfields, London. To Walter Churchey YORK, June 26, 1788.