IT

LETTER S

LETTER

CCCCVIII.

[From the Rev. John Pawfon, to the Rev. John Wesley.] Rev. Sir,

W

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Sir,

THEN I was in Yorkshire laft, I found my brother had been dangerously ill for a long time. But though he was attended by Mr. F. and a Phyfician from Leeds, and was got a good deal better; he was ftill very feeble. While I was there, on catching a fresh cold, his disorder returned; and was attended with fo violent a pain in his left fide, that it was with the utmost difficulty he drew his breath: and was thought to be in great danger of a Confumption. On this, I advifed him to apply the Brimstone-Plaister to his fide. He did fo on going to bed, and was much better the next morning. This encou raged him to keep it on; and in four or five days (changing it once a day) his pain was entirely gone.. Since then his health in general is amazingly restored.

As I never faw any thing have fo extraordinary an effect, in fo fhort a time, I thought it my duty to give you this information; as you may have frequent occafion to recommend this moft excellent Medicine to others.

That the Lord may be ever prefent with and bless you, is, Rev. and dear Sir, the unfeigned defire, and fervent prayer of your Son and Servant,

Jan. 20, 1786.

LETTER

J. PAWSON.

CCCCIX.

[From Miss A. L. to the Rev. J. Welley.]

Rev. Sir,

JAM

Shrewsbury, July 10, 1786.

AM often at a lofs to form a judgment of my state to know affuredly whether my foul grows in grace, and increases in the knowledge and love of God, or not.

It does

not

not appear to me that I either make much progrefs, or fuffer much decay. Yet I believe it is an adopted opinion, that there is no flanding ftill; that if we do not gain, we lofe ground. It is true, I always rejoice in a full affurance of the love of God: but O for more love to him!

I clearly fee, my privilege is to walk before God in the beauty of holiness: having every thought brought into fubjection to the will of God. I am fenfible of my want of this; but I fometimes think, was I to feel the remains of fin a burden grievous and intolerable, I fhould never ceafe to firuggle till I was released.

When I was with you at Birmingham, I was much stirred up: my foul being filled with an earnest desire for full falvation. I fometimes think, was my lot caft amongst lively Chriftians, I should find it a bleffing.

I therefore cannot but regret the want of a lively Society in this town. One cause of this want, in my opinion is, the not having a good Class-Leader: there is not any one who seems qualified for fuch a task. I have often wished that one of the Preachers was ftationed here, inftead of Chefter; and would take upon him that important employment.

My Sister joins in love to you. I hope you will favour us with an intereft in your prayers, and believe me, dear Sir, to remain your Friend and Servant,

A. L

LETTER CCCCX.

[From the Rev. Francis Albury, to the Rev. John Wesley.]

Rev. Sir,

MY

f

Halifax, (North-Carolina) March 20, 1784.

Y laft letter was from Edenton, in answer to one I had the pleasure of receiving from you. From that plage came to Bertie-Circuit, which lies between Chowan, and

Roan

Roan-Oak-Rivers. There is not now fuch a profpect of Religion as we saw in the beginning; but yet I trust there are fome who continue faithful, while a few more are added to the Societies.

My next remove was to Brunswick, the oldest and best Circuit in Virginia. Many faithful people joined us at our firft coming here; having been convinced by the powerful preaching of our worthy friend Mr. Jarratt. I found the labours of those two men of God, James Kelly, and Jofeph Cromwell, had been bleft to the awakening and conversion of fouls.

I next came to Mecklenburgh; but the deep fnow, and fevere frofts prevented the people from attending. However, I was enabled to purfue my journey, and under the neceffity of fo doing; as my appointments were all made out long before. From thence I came to Halifax; a Circuit newly formed. lies between Dan and Stanton Rivers; which together form the great River Roan-Oak. Here fome have been brought to God; a few Prefbyterians and Baptifts, lifted out of the Calvinian and Antinomian quickfands.

It

Here

From thence I came to Cafwell, in North-Carolina. are a few fouls who love God: and as it is in part a new-formed Circuit, there may be much good done. From Cafwell I came to the Guildford-Circuit, which lies up, and on both fides the Dan-River. Here we had fome revival of Religion, and an ingathering of fouls. The land is good, and may come to fomething great in time. But the prefent Preachers fuffer much; being often obliged to dwell in dirty cabins, to fleep in poor beds, and for retirement, to go into woods! but we must fuffer with, if we labour for the poor. One thing may be faid in their favour, they have very few negroes, and they put their children early to work. I would have gone to the Yadkin, but was prevented by an inflammation in my foot. However in about a fortnight I was able to travel again.

Vo. IX.

40

I have

I have formed a plan for the next year (if the Lord spares me) to ftretch along to Salisbury, Pee-Dee, Santee, CharlesTown in South, and Wilmington in North Carolina. We expect the South will give up largely. I came to a place called New-Hope, which I found to be a place of very small hope. From thence I went to Tar-River, and spent eight days there very comfortably. The congregations were large. Some have found the Lord; and others are groaning for redemption. I am now in Roan-Oak-Circuit. The people here are much in the spirit of moving to the new lands in Georgia. There are a few faithful fouls among them, but nothing great.

Dear Sir, we are greatly in need of help. A Minifter, and fuch Preachers as you can fully recommend, will be very acceptable without your recommendation we shall receive none. But nothing is fo pleafing to me, Sir, as the thought of feeing you here: which is the ardent defire of thousands more in America.

As to myself, I can fay, The Lord gives, and wonderfully preserves my natural, and fpiritual health. My foul is daily fed and I find abundant fweetnefs in God. Sometimes I am ready to say, he hath purified my heart; but then again I feel and fear. Upon the whole I hope I am more fpiritual than ever I have been in time paft. I fee the neceffity of preaching a full and present falvation from all fin. Whenever I do this, I feel myself, and fo do alfo my hearers. I find it is good to use frequent fervent prayer; without which a man cannot continue qualified to preach the Gospel. You know, Sir, it is not easy to rule: nor am I pleased with it. I bear it as my crofs; yet it feems that a neceffity is laid upon me. O pray for me that I may be filled with light and power; with zeal and prudence; and above all, with humility and a fingle eye. In fo doing you will greatly oblige

Your dutiful Son in the Gospel,

FRANCIS ASBURY.

LETTER

[From Mrs. M. H, to the Rev. J. Wefley.]

Rev. Sir,

IFI

October 2, 1773.

FIND Jefus unspeakably precious to my foul, and that I am a wonderful monument of his tender mercy. He me looking unto him in all my troubles.

keeps

The Devil is very busy to diftrefs me; but the Lord makes me more than conqueror, and caufes all things to work toge ther for my good. In the world I have tribulation; but, in Chrift I have peace.

If it is his will to make me perfect through fufferings, his will be done: for I know that he will lay no more upon me, than he will enable me to bear.

At prefent, I am happier in God than ever I was in my life. He not only gives me the witness of the Spirit; but the fruit also. I want words to declare his goodness to my foul. Surely his love is better, much better than life itfelf: therefore I thirft and pant for more of his love.

I am thankful that his Providence brought me under your ministry. I have heard many; but none have built me up in love and holiness as you and your Fellow-labourers have done: I therefore blefs God that I am joined to fuch a Society.

I also thank him that he enables me to endure hardness as a good foldier; and that in my troubles I can ftand ftill and fee his falvation. For though I am defpifed and rejected of my acquaintance, who in my trouble hide their faces from me; my help cometh of God, who preferveth those who are true of heart. The Lord is my Shepherd; therefore I fhall lack no manner of thing that is good. I know I am poor, and weak, and foolish; but