Wesley Corpus

MY DEAR BROTHER, -- It was affirmed to me that you gave one of the first occasions of disagreement by 'refusing to read the Prayers and speaking contemptuously of them.' Conversing with so many Presbyterians in Scotland might easily lead you into such a prejudice. I have lying by me a very warm letter from one Edward Thomas, who seems ready to swallow up all that speak a word against Lawrence Kane. [Kane was Assistant at Plymouth. Thomas acknowledged his faults, and was restored to the Society. See letters of June 9 and Aug. 29.] I hear nothing from Nehemiah Janes. You are blamed for not preaching as often as you can; I hope there is no ground for this charge. [See letter of July 23, 1788.] Take care your own spirit is not sharpened! -- I am Your affectionate brother. To Mr. Surer, At the Preaching-house, In Plymouth Dock. To Walter Churchey CLONES, May 25, 1789. MY DEAR BROTHER, -- I am afraid of delay. I doubt we shall not be able to be as good as our word, although in the last proposals I have protracted the time of delivery till the 1st of August. As you are not a stripling, I wonder you have not yet learned the difference between promise and performance. [See letters of May 4 and Aug. 26.] I allow at least five-and-twenty per cent.; and from this conviction I say to each of my subscribers (which, indeed, you cannot so decently say to yours), 'Sir, down with your money.' I know Dr. [Ogilvie] well [Probably Dr. John Ogilvie, an extract from whose poem 'Solitude, or The Elysium of the Poets,' in favor of Ossian, appears in Churchey's volume.]: he is a lovely man, and an excellent poet. I commend you for inoculating the children. I believe the hand of God is in our present work; therefore it must prosper. Indeed, I love Sister Churchey; and am Your affectionate friend and brother. To Thomas Wride SIDARE, May 28, 1789.