Wesley Corpus

It is very remarkable that, as Brother Peacock has been growing in grace for some years, so God has been increasing his gifts and has been giving him more and more favor among the people to whom he was sent. I know no reason why he may not spend another year at Leeds. I have had more pain (chiefly rheumatical) within these few months than I had for forty years before, and in September my strength swiftly decayed. But it has pleased God now to restore it, and I am nearly as I was twenty years ago. Probably, if I live, I shall see you at Leeds in summer. Peace be with all your spirits! -- I am, my dear sister, Your ever affectionate brother. To Joseph Taylor LONDON, November 16, 1788. DEAR JOSEPH, -- I take knowledge of your spirit, and believe it is your desire to do all things right. Our friends at Newark should not have forgotten that we have determined over and over 'not to leave the Church.' Before they had given you that foolish advice they should have consulted me. I desire you would not wear the surplice nor administer the Lord's supper any more. [Taylor had been ordained for Scotland. See letters of Nov. 11 1786, and Feb. 11 1789, to him.] -- I am, dear Joseph, Your affectionate friend and brother. To Edward Coates LONDON, December 1788. MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I have all my life been a lover of peace, and am not less so now than I was fifty years ago. Therefore, as to warm words spoken to you or any other, let them pass; they are not worth rehearsing. There is only one charge which is of consequence, that you will not settle the house on the Methodist plan. This is exactly the case of the Dewsbury house; and if you persist in the resolution, you will constrain us to proceed in the same manner. [See letters of November 1788 to William Smith, and April 11, 1789, to Peter Mill.] -- I am Your affectionate brother. To Henry Moore CHATHAM, December 2, 1788.