Wesley Corpus

O, for God’s sake, and for the sake of poor souls, bestir your selves, and spare no pains that may conduce to their salvation! What cause have we to bleed before the Lord this day, that we have so long neglected this good work | If we had but set upon it sooner, how many more might have been brought to Christ! And how much holier and happier might we have made our societies before now ! And why might we not have done it sooner? There were many hinderances; and so there always will be. But the greatest hinderance was in ourselves, in our littleness of faith and love. But it is objected, (1) “This will take up so much time, that we shall not have time to follow our studies.” I answer, (1.) Gaining knowledge is a good thing; but saving souls is a better. (2.) By this very thing you will gain the most excellent knowledge, that of God and eternity. (3.) You will have time for gaining other knowledge too, if you spend all your mornings therein. Only sleep not more than you need; and never be idle, or triflingly employed. But, (4.) If you can do. but one, let your studies alone. I would throw by all the libra ries in the world, rather than be guilty of the loss of one soul. I allow, in some of the country circuits, where you have only a day to spend in each place, you have not time for this excellent work. But you have, wherever you spend several days together in one town. It is objected, (2.) “The people will not submit to it.” If some will not, others will. And the success with them will repay all your labour. O let us herein follow the example of St.