Wesley Corpus

For instance: If any ask you, simply reply, “I do not drink tea; I never use it.” If they say, “Why, you did drink it;” answer, “I did so; but I have left it off a considerable time.” Those who have either good-nature or good manners will say no more. But if any should impertinently add, “O, but why did you leave it off?” answer, mildly, “Because I thought water-gruel (suppose) was wholesomer, as well as cheaper.” If they, with still greater ill-manners and impertinence, go on, “What, you do it because Mr. Wesley bids you;” reply, calmly, “True; I do it because Mr. Wesley, on good reasons, advises me so to do.” If they add the trite cant phrase, “What, you follow man!” reply, without any emotion, “Yes, I follow any man, you or him, or any other, who gives me good reason for so doing.” If they persist in cavilling, close the whole matter with, “I neither drink it, nor dispute about it.” 23. If you proceed in this manner, with mildness and love, exceeding few will be offended. “But you ought,” say some, “to give up an indifferent thing, rather than give an offence to any. So St. Paul: ‘I will eat no flesh whilst the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.’” I reply, This is not an indifferent thing, if it affects the health either of myself or my brethren. Therefore that rule relating wholly to things indifferent is not applicable to this case. Would St. Paul have said, “I will drink drams while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend?” “But tea is not so hurtful as drams.” I do not believe it is. But it is hurtful; and that is enough. The question does not turn on the degree of hurtfulness. “However, it is but a small thing.” Nay, nothing is small if it touches con science: Much less is it a small thing to preserve my own or my brother's health, or to be a faithful steward cven of the manmon of unrighteousness. O think it not a small thing, whether only one for whom Christ died be fed or hungry, clothed or naked ! To conclude the head of offence: You must at least allow that all this is no plea at all for your drinking tea at home.