Wesley Corpus

If I can persuade any number, many who are now weak or sick will be restored to health and strength. Many will pay those debts, which others, perhaps equally poor, can but ill afford to lose. Many will be less straitened in their own families. Many, by helping their neighbour, will lay up for themselves treasures in heaven.” 10. Immediately it struck into my mind, “But example must go before precept; therefore I must not plead an exemption for myself, from a daily practice of twenty-seven years. I must begin.” I did so. I left it off myself in August, 1746. And I have now had sufficient time to try the effects, which have fully answered my expectation. My paralytic complaints are all gone; my hand is steady as it was at fifteen; although I must expect that or other weak nesses soon, as I decline into the vale of years. And so considerable a difference do I find in my expense, that I can make it appear, from the accounts now in being, in only those four families at London, Bristol, Kingswood, and Newcastle, I save upwards of fifty pounds a year. 11. The first to whom I explained these things at large, and whom I advised to set the same example to their brethren, were a few of those who rejoice to assist my brother and me, as our sons in the gospel. A week after, I proposed it to about forty of those whom I believed to be strong in faith; and the next morning to about sixty more, entreating them all to speak their minds freely. They did so; and, in the end, saw the good which might ensue; yielded to the force of Scripture and reason; and resolved all, (but two or three,) by the grace of God, to make the trial without delay. 12. In a short time, I proposed it, but with all the tender mess I could, first, to the body of those who are supposed to have living faith, and, after staying a few days, (that I might judge the better how to speak,) to the whole society. It soon appeared (as I doubted not but it would) how far these were from calling me Rabbi, from implicitly submitting to my judgment, or implicitly following my example. Objec tions rose in abundance from all sides.