Wesley Corpus

yea, if half that number should say, ‘I will compute this day what I have expended in tea, weekly or yearly. I will immediately enter on cheaper food: And whatever is saved hereby, I will put into that poor-box weekly, to feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked.” I am mistaken, if any among us need want either food or raiment from that hour.” 9. I thought farther: “It is said, nay, many tell me to my face, I can persuade this people to anything. I will make a fair trial. If I cannot persuade them, there may be some good effect. All who do not wilfully shut their eyes will see that I have no such influence as they supposed. 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.