FEBRUARY 17
Give Him your heart and it sufficeth.
Letter, 21st December, 1776
It gives me pleasure indeed to hear that God has given you resolution to join the Society. Undoubtedly you will suffer reproach on this account; but it is the reproach of Christ. And you will have large amends when the Spirit of glory and of God shall rest upon you. Yet I foresee a danger: at first you will be inclined to think that all the members of the Society are in earnest. And when you find that some are otherwise (which will always be the case in so large a body of people), then prejudice may easily steal in and exceedingly weaken your soul. O beware of this rock of offence! When you see anything amiss, remember our Lord’s word: “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” And I entreat you do not regard the half-Methodists – if we must use the name. Do not mind them who endeavour to hold Christ in one hand and the world in the other.
to Lady Maxwell, 1764
