Wesley Corpus

“Well, I do not design to buy any more myself; but where others drink it, there is nothing saved by my abstaining.” I answer, First, Yes, something is saved, though but little; especially if you tell them before, “I shall not drink tea.” And many a little you know, put together, will make a great sum. Secondly, If the whole saved were ever so little, if it were but two mites, when you save this for God, and your brethren’s sake, it is much. Thirdly, Your example in saving a little now, may occasion the saving of more by and by. Fourthly, It is not a little advantage which you may reap, even now, to your own soul; by habituating yourself not to be ashamed of being singular in a good thing; by taking up your cross, and denying yourself even in so small an instance, and by accustoming yourself to act on rational grounds, whether in a little matter or a great. 19. “But what is saved will be no better employed.” Do you say this with regard to yourself, or others? If with regard to yourself, it will be your fault if you do not employ it better. I do not say you will, but I am sure you may; and if you do not, it is your own sin, and your own shame. If with regard to others, how do you know that it will not be employed better? I trust it will. It cannot be denied that it often has, and that it always may be. And it is highly probable all who save anything from the best motive, will lay it out to the best purpose. 20. “As to example,” you say, “I have lately been without hopes of doing any good by it.” I suppose you mean, because so exceeding few will follow either your example or mine. I am sorry for it. This only gives me a fresh objection to this unwholesome, expensive food; viz., that it has too much hold on the hearts of them that use it; that, to use a scriptural phrase, they are “under the power of ” this trifle. If it be so, were there no other reason than this, they ought to throw it away at once; else they no more regard St.