Wesley Corpus

DEAR DUNCAN,--By all means choose trustees without delay; and let them be such as belong to the circuit, only such as you can depend upon both for judgment and honesty. I think it is by prayer that you must alter the purpose of the Earl of Findlater. [For the late Earl's care for his estates around Banff, see Journal, vi. 10.] I am not at all surprised at the behavior of John Atlay. In a year or two he will find whether he has changed for the better. He was the first occasion of the division at Dewsbury by sending word to the trustees that, if the Conference would not supply them with preachers, he would come himself and settle among them. [See letter of Aug. 25, 1788.] I am, with love to Sister McAllum, Your affectionate friend and brother. To the Rev. Mr. McAllum, Inverness, To James Currie [1] LONDON, January 24, 1789. MY DEAR BROTHER, -- You have great cause to praise God for pouring out His Spirit on poor Northampton and turning your heaviness into joy. You should try with all diligence to work together with God and improve this day of His power: first, by laying hold on all the backsliders you can, and laboring if possible to bring them back to the fold; and, secondly, by earnestly exhorting the brethren to go on to perfection. This should be done both in pubic and private. -- I am Yours affectionately. To Mr. James Currie, In Northampton. To Mrs. Tighe [2] NEAR LONDON, January 22, 1789. MY DEAR MADAM, -- A few years since, Mr. Armstrong from the North of Ireland was stationed in the Liverpool circuit. He said business called him to Ireland. I-Ie left his circuit, Havant, Chester, without consulting his Assistant. In consequence of this he was excluded the Connection. In these things we are obliged to be very exact. The Assistant told Chester Band that the circuit could not' spare him, and that his quitting it at a time when there was none to supply his place would be attended with bad consequences. He was therefore not a little to blame. However, thus far I can favor him (especially as you desire it) that I will not exclude him, but only remove him into the next circuit. Wishing you many happy years. -- I am, my dear Madam, Your affectionate servant.