Wesley Corpus

MY DEAR MADAM, -- After the fair and candid account that Miss Ingram [See letter of June 28 to her.] and you had given of the transaction, there was no fear that I should be much prejudiced by anything which had occurred. I advise my dear Becky and you to say as little as possible of what is past. It will then pass away like a dream; while you both forget the things that are behind, and press towards the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus. -- I am, dear madam, Yours most affectionately, To Rebecca Ingram DUBLIN, July 5, 1789. MY DEAR BECKY, -- You mistake me. All I mean is this: it is a general rule with us, 'No one ought to propose marriage to a woman till he has the consent of her parents.' So you fear where no fear is. You say, 'Marriage was not proposed [See previous letter.] to' you; and I believe you. Therefore it is your wisdom to think of past things as little as possible. You have something better to employ your thoughts. The prize and the crown are before you. Look unto Jesus! He is altogether lovely; but how little have you loved Him! Let all the springs of your happiness be in Him. -- My dear Becky, Yours very affectionately. To Arthur Keene DUBLIN, July 6, 1789. I acknowledge the hand of James Deaves in your letter. [See letter of May 20. The opposition to service in church hours continued till the time was changed from ten to two. See Crookshank's Methodism in Ireland, i. 452.] I cannot dispute with him, for he has ten words to my one. You have run away from me, not I from you. I stand where I have stood these fifty years. I no more leave the Church than I leave the body. But I have done. The Lord God judge between him and you and Your much injured friend. [See letter of April 28, 1790, to him.] To Henry Moore CHESTER, July 14, 1789. DEAR HENRY, -- After a very agreeable voyage, wherein I was not sick a moment, [Compare letter of June 24.] I landed at Parkgate this morning. I propose spending Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Manchester, and the next week hiding myself at Otley.