Wesley Corpus

MY DEAR BECKY, -- I will tell you my thoughts without the least reserve. These are the rules in the Large Minutes of Conference, -- that 'no Methodist (and least of all a preacher) ought to marry a woman without the consent of her parents'; and the same thing is insisted upon in one of the sermons in the Arminian Magazine. Therefore I cannot commend Mr. Brown for saying anything to you on that head without the consent of your father. [See letters of April 9 and July 5 to her.] But I exceedingly approve of your present temper and behavior. I commend your resignation to the will of God. Keep there! Beware of murmuring; beware of fretting; beware of the sorrow which worketh death! I commend you to Him who can save you to the utmost; and am, my dear Becky, Yours. To Robert Dall [31] DUBLIN, June 29, 1780. DEAR ROBERT, -- Why do not all you Scots direct to Dublin by Portpatrick, to save five hundred miles Brother Cole and Barber have done well: so will all whose hearts are in their work. I have referred to honest Joseph Cownley to determine what preachers should come from Scotland to the Conference. It seems to me you may come and John Barber another. Either Charles Atmore must return to Scotland, or he and I shall not agree. I was not at all satisfied at his going to England. It was using me extremely ill. I hope his future behaviour will be different and make amends for what is past. From the account you give of Jonathan Thompson there is reason to hope he will be an useful labourer in our Lord's vineyard. We have already had some useful ones from North Britain, and I trust shall have more. Dr. Coke has raised a storm almost in every part of this kingdom by talking of 'leaving the Church.' It would be well if they would leave these sins. -- I am, dear Robert, Your affectionate friend and brother. To Arthur Keene [32] DUBLIN, July 1, 1789.