The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)

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THE
WORKS
OF THE
Rev. JOHN WESLEY, M.A.
Late Fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford.

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Volume XIII.

* * *

BRISTOL:

Printed by WILLIAM PINE, in Wine-Street.

MDCCLXXII.

To his brother John, then a student at Yale-College in New-Haven.

Kaunaumeek, April 30, 1743.

Dear Brother,

*I SHOULD tell you, “I long to see you,” but that my own experience has taught me, there is no happiness to be enjoyed in earthly friends, though ever so near and dear, or any other enjoyment that is not God himself. Therefore, if the God of all grace would be pleased graciously to afford us each his presence and grace, that we may perform the work, and endure the trials he calls us to, in a tiresome wilderness, till we arrive at our journey’s end; the distance at which we are held from each other at present, is a matter of no great moment.――But alas! the presence of God is what I want.――I live in the most lonely melancholy desert, about eighteen miles from Albany. I board with a poor Scotchman: his wife can talk scarce a word of English. My diet consists mostly of hasty-pudding, boiled corn, and bread baked in the ashes. My lodging is a little straw, laid upon some boards, a little way from the ground; for it is a log-room, without any floor, that I lodge in. My work is exceeding hard: I travel on foot a mile and half, the worst of way, almost daily, and back again; for I live so far from my Indians.――I have not seen an English person this month.――These and many other circumstances as uncomfortable, attend me; and my spiritual conflicts and distresses so far exceed all these that I scarce think of them. The Lord grant that I may be enabled “to endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!” As to my success here I cannot say much: the Indians seem generally well disposed towards me, and are mostly very attentive to my instructions: two or three are under some convictions; but there seems to be little of the special workings of the divine Spirit among them yet; which gives me many a heart-sinking hour. Sometimes I hope God has abundant blessings in store for them and me; but at other times I am so overwhelmed with distress, that I cannot see how his dealings with me are consistent with covenant love and faithfulness, and I say “surely his tender mercies are clean gone for ever.” But however, I see, I needed all this chastisement already: “it is good for me,” that I have endured these trials. Do not be discouraged by my distresses: I was under great distress, at Mr. Pomroys, when I saw you last; but “God has been with me of a truth,” since that. But let us always remember, that we must through much tribulation enter into God’s eternal kingdom. The righteous are scarcely saved: it is an infinite wonder, that we have hopes of being saved at all. For my part, I feel the most vile of any creature living; and I am sure, there is not such another existing on this side hell.――Now all you can do for me, is, to pray incessantly, that God would make me humble, holy, resigned, and heavenly minded, by all my trials.――“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Let us run, wrestle, and fight, that we may obtain the prize, and obtain that compleat happiness, to be “holy, as God is holy.” So wishing ♦and praying that you may advance in learning and grace, and be fit for special service for God, I remain

Your affectionate Brother,

David Brainerd.

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To his Brother John, at Yale-college in New-Haven.

Kaunaumeek, December 27, 1743.

Dear Brother,

ILONG to see you, and know how you fare in your journey through the world of sorrow, where we are compassed about with “vanity, confusion, and vexation of spirit.” I am more weary of life than ever I was. The whole world appears to me like a vast empty space, ♦whence nothing desirable, or at least satisfactory, can possibly be derived, and long daily to die more and more to it; even though I obtain not that comfort from spiritual things which I earnestly desire. Worldly pleasures, such as flow from greatness, riches, honours, and sensual gratifications, are infinitely worse than none. May the Lord deliver us more and more from these vanities! I have spent most of the fall and winter in a very weak state of body; and sometimes under pressing inward trials, but “having obtained help from God, I continue to this day;” and am now something better in health. I find nothing more conducive to a life of Christianity, than a diligent and faithful improvement of precious time. Let us then faithfully perform that business, which is alloted us by divine Providence to the utmost of our bodily strength and mental vigour. Why should we sink with any particular trials, we are called to encounter in the world? Death and eternity are just before us; a few tossing billows more will waft us to the world of spirits, and we hope (through infinite grace) into endless pleasures. Let us then “run with patience the race that is set before us.” And Oh that we could depend more upon the living God, and less upon our own wisdom and strength! Dear brother, may the God of all grace comfort your heart, and succeed your studies, and make you an instrument of good to his people. This is the instant prayer of

Your affectionate Brother,

David Brainerd.

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To his Brother Israel, at Haddam.

Kaunaumeek, January 21, 1743‒4.

My dear Brother,

—THERE is but one thing, that deserves our highest care; and that is, that we may answer the great end, for which we were made, viz. to glorify that God, who has given us our beings and all our comforts, and do all the good we possibly can to our fellow-creatures: and verily life is not worth the having, if it be not employed for this noble end. Yet, alas, how little is this thought of? Most men love to live to themselves, without regard to the glory of God, or the good of their fellow creatures: they earnestly desire, and eagerly pursue the riches, honours, and pleasures of life, as if they really supposed that wealth, or greatness, or merriment, could make their immortal souls happy. But, alas, what false and delusive dreams are these! And how miserable will those ere long be, who are not awaked out of them, to see, that all their happiness consists in living to God, and becoming “holy, as he is holy!” Oh, may you never fall into the tempers and vanities, the sensuality and folly of the present world! You are left, as it were, alone in a wide world, to act for yourself; be sure then to remember, it is a world of temptation. You have no earthly parents to form your youth to piety, by their examples and seasonable counsels; let this excite you with great fervency to look up to the Father of mercies for assistance against all the vanities of the world. And if you would glorify God, and make your own soul happy in this and the coming world, observe these few directions; though not from a father, yet from a brother who is touched with a tender concern for your present and future happiness. And,

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