To Mr. Ebenezer Blackwell
York, May 16, 1753. Dear Sir, — For some time I have had a desire to sen you a few lines. I have often observed, with a sensible pleasure, your strong desires to be, not almost only, but altogether, a Christian. And what should hinder it? What is it that prevents those good desires from being brought to good effect? Is it the carrying a right principle too far? I mean, a desire to please all men for their good? Or is it a kind of shame? the being ashamed, not of sin, but of holiness, or of what conduces thereto? I have often been afraid lest this should hurt you. I have been afraid that you do not gain ground in this respect; nay, that you rather go backward, by yielding to this, than forward, by conquering it. I have feared that you are not so bold for God now, as you was four or five years ago. If so, you are certainly in great danger. For in this case, who knows where he shall stop? The giving way in one point naturally leads us to give way in another and another, till we give up all. O sir, let us beware of this! Whereuuto we have attained, let us hold fast. But this can only be, by pressing on. Otherwise, we must go back. You have need of courage and steady resolution; for you have a thousand enemies: the flattering, frowning world; the rulers of the darkness of this world; and the grand enemy within. What need have you to put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day! I often tremble for you.. And how few will honestly and plainly tell you of your danger! O may God warn you continually by his inward voice, and with every temptation juake a way for you to escape!
My wife joins me in wishing all blessing both to Mrs. Blackwcll and you.
XII. — TO THE SAME.
Birsfal, May 28, 1753. Dear Sir, — Your speaking so freely encourages me to write once more. Ever since I had the pleasure of knowing you, I have observed in you a real desire to please God, and to have a conscience void of oflence. But, at the same time, I have obsened you had many enemies. Perhaps one was a natural cheerfulness of temper, which, .though in itself it be highly desirable, yet may easily slide .into an extreme. And in this case we know too well it may hurt us extremely. It may be, another hinderance in your way has sometimes been a kind of shame, which prevented your executing good and commendable designs. Was it not owing to this that you, who had received such blessings by means of field-preaching, grew unwilling to attend it? But is there any end of giving way to this enemy? Will it not encroach upon us more and more? I have sometimes been afraid that you have not gained ground in this respect for these two or three years. But the comfort is, that in a moment God can repair whatever is decayed in our souls, and supply whatever is wanting. What is too hard for him? Nothing but our own will. Let us give up this, and he will not withhold from us any manner of thing that is good.
I believe the harvest has not been so plenteous for many years as it is now in all the north of England; but the labourers are few. I wish you could persuade our friend to share the labour with me. One of us should in anywise visit both the north and Ireland every year. But I cannot do both; the time will not suffice; otherwise I should not spare myself. I hope my life, rather than my tongue, says, I desire only to spend, and to be spent, in the work. Our love and service always attend Mrs. Blackwell and you. I am, dear sir,
Your very affectionate servant.
XIII. — TO THE SAME.
Bristol, September 24, 1754. Dear Sir, — Although I hope to see you in about a fortnight, yet I could not be satisfied without sending you a few lines first. Since I left London, I have had many thoughts concerning you, and sometimes uneasy ones. I have been jealous over you, lest you should not duly improve the numerous talents with which God has intrusted you; nay, I have been afraid lest your very desire of improving them should grow weaker, rather than stronger. If so, by what means is it to be accounted for? What has occasioned this feebleness of mind? May it not partly be occasioned by your conversing more than is necessary (for so far as it is necessary it does not hurt us) with men that are without God in the world; that love, think, talk of earthly things only? partly by your giving way to a false shame, (and that in several instances,) which the more you indulge, it increases the more? and partly by allowing too large a place in your thoughts and affections, even fo so innocent an enjoyment as that of a garden? If this leaves you fewer opportunities of hearing the word which is able to save your soul, may not you even hereby grieve the Holy Spirit, and be more a loser than you are sensible of? I know both Mrs. Blackwell and you desire to please God in all things. You will, therefore, I know, receive these hints as they are intended; not as a mark of disesteem, but rather of the sincerity with which I am, dear sir,
Your ever affectionate servant.
XIV. — TO THE SAME.
Redruth, August 31, 1755. Dear .Sir, — Experience confirms your advice both ways. In my last journey into the north, all my patience was put to the proof again and again; and all my endeavour to please, yet without success. In my present journey I leap, as broke from chains. I am content with whatever entertainment I meet with; and my companions are always in good humour, ‘* because they are with me.” This must l)e the spirit of all who take journeys with me. If a dinner ill dressed, a hard bed, a poor room, a shower of rain, or a dirty road will put them out of hiunour, it lays a burden upon me greater than all the rest put together. By the grace of God, I never fret. I repine at nothing; I am discontented with nothing. And to have persons at my ear fretting and murmuring at every thing, is like tearing the flesh off my bones. I see God sitting upon his throne, and ruling all things well. Although, therefore, I can bear this also, — to hear his government of the world continually found fault with; (for in blaming the things which he alone can alter, we, in effect, blame him;) yet it is such a burden to me as I cannot bear without pain; and I bless God when it is removed.
The doctrine of a particular providence is what exceeding few persons understand, at least not practically, so as to apply it to every circumstance of life. This I want, to see God acting in every thing, and disposing all for his own glory, and his creature’s good. I hope it is your continual prayer, that you may see him, and love him, and glorify him with all you are and all you have. Peace be with you all.
I am, dear sir.
Your affectionate servant.
XV. — TO THE SAME.
Bradford, July 16, 1761.
Dear Sir, — Methinks it is a long time since I saw or heard any thing of you. I hope, however, that Mrs. Blackwell and you are not only alive, but more alive than ever; seeking and enjoying something more than King George is likely to find either at his wedding or his coronation. And can you likewise give me a comfortable account of Miss Freeman, both as to her health and her spirit? I often think of her, and sometimes have a mind to send her another letter, though she is one in my debt already.
Mr. Venn was so kind as to come over hither yesterday, and spend the evening with us. I am a little embarrassed
WESLEY’S SELECT LETTERS. 4b
on his account, and hardly know how to act. Several years before he came to Huddcrsfield, some of our preachers went thither, carrying their lives in their hands, and with great difficulty established a little, earnest society. These eagerly desire them to preach there still; not in opposition to Mr. Venn, (whom they love, esteem, and constantly attend,) but to supply what ther, do not find in his preaching. It is a tender point. Where there is a gospel ministry already we do not desire to preach; but whether we can leave off preaching because such a one comes after is another question; especially when those who were awakened and convinced by us beg and require the continuance of our assistance. I love peace, and follow it; but whether I am at liberty to purchase it at such a price, I really cannot tell.
I hear poor Mr. Walker is near death. It seems strange that, when there is so great a want of faithful labourers, such as him should be removed. But the will of God is always best, and what he does we shall know hereafter! I have been for some days with Mr. Grimshaw, an Israelite indeed. A few such as him would make a nation tremble. He carries fire wherever he goes. Mr. Venn informs me that Mr. Whitefield continues very weak. I was in hope, when he wrote to me lately, that he was swiftly recovering strength. Perhaps, sir, you can send me better news concerning him? What need have we, while we do Hyc, to live in earnest!
XVI. — TO THE SAME.
Liverpool, July 14, 1764. Dear Sir, — My brother informs me that you have been so extremely ill that your life was hardly expected. I really am under apprehensions lest that chariot should cost you your life. If, after having been accustomed to ride on horseback for many years, you should now exchange a horse for a carriage, it cannot be that you should have good health. It is a vain thing to expect it. I judge of your case by my own. I must be on horseback for life, if I would be healthy. Now and then, indeed, if I could afford it, I should rest myself for fifty miles in a chaise; but without riding near as much as I do now, I must never look for health.
In the meantime I trust both Mrs. Blackwell and you are looking for health of a nobler kind. You look to be filled with the spirit of love and of a healthful mind. What avails every thing else? every thing that passes away as an arrow through the air?
‘* The arrow is flown! The moment is gone!
The millennial year
Rushes on to the view, and eternity’s here!”
You want nothing more of this world. You have enougn, and, by the peculiar blessing of God, know you have. But you want a thousand times more faith. You want love; you want holiness. The Lord God supply all your wants from the riches of his mercy in Christ Jesus!