MARCH 31

Money never stays with me: it would burn if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find a way into my heart.
Letter, 6th October, 1746


You abound in leisure; I abound in work.
to William Green, 1789


Every good purpose will cool and die away if it is not as soon as possible put in execution. Only let us not undertake too much at a time.
to Peard Dickinson, 1789


You must not give place – no, not for a day – to inactivity. Nothing is more apt to grow upon the soul; the less you speak or act for God, the less you may.
to Elizabeth Ritchie, 1774


Who would wish to live for any meaner purpose than to serve God in our generation?
to R. C. Brackenbury, 1783

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:12 PM |


MARCH 30

Nothing in the Christian system is of greater consequence than the doctrine of Atonement.
Letter, 7th February, 1778


If by Catholic principles you mean any other than scriptural, they weigh nothing with me. I allow no other rule, whether of faith or practice, than the Holy Scriptures; but on scriptural principles I do not think it hard to justify whatever I do. God in scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous. Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish; that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall. Whom, then, shall I hear, God or man? …

Suffer me now to tell you my principles in this matter. I look upon all the world as my parish; this far I mean, that in whatever part of it I am I judge it meet, right and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.
to the Rev. James Hervey, 1739

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:01 PM |


MARCH 29

Go on to universal self-denial, to temperance in all things, to a firm resolution of taking up daily every cross whereto you are called.
Works, vii. 75


If one wheel in a machine gets out of its place, what disorder must ensue! In the Methodist discipline the wheels regularly stand thus: the assistant*, the preachers, the stewards, the leaders, the people.

But here the leaders, who are the lowest wheel but one, were got quite out of their place. They were got at the top of all, above the stewards, the preachers, and above the assistant himself.

To this chiefly I impute the gradual decay of the work of God in Dublin…. But it may be effectually remedied now…. For the time to come, let each wheel keep its own place. Let the assistant, the preachers, the stewards, the leaders, know and execute their several offices. Let none encroach upon another.
Journal, 3rd April, 1771

(* -- the superintendent)

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:54 AM |


MARCH 28

Meantime, bear your cross, and it will bear you. Seek an inward, not an outward change.
Letter, 26th January, 1774


As long as we dwell in a house of clay it is liable to affect the mind; sometimes by dulling or darkening the understanding, and sometimes more directly by damping and depressing the soul and sinking it into distress and heaviness. In this state doubt or fear of one kind or another will naturally arise. And the prince of this world, who well knows whereof we are made, will not fail to improve the occasion, in order to disturb, though he cannot pollute, the heart which God hath cleansed from all unrighteousness.
to Miss March, 1771

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:42 AM |


MARCH 27

I am no politician; politics lie quite outside my province. …

Perhaps you will say: “Nay, every Englishman is a politician. … We can in a trice reform the State, point out every blunder of this or that Minister, and tell every step they ought to take to be arbiters of all Europe.”

I grant every cobbler, tinker, porter and hackney-coachman can do this. But I am not so deep learned; while they are sure of everything, I am in a manner sure of nothing, except of that very little which I see with my own eyes or hear with my own ears. However, since you desire me to tell you what I think, I will do it with all openness. Only please to remember I do not take upon me to dictate either to you or to any one.
to a friend, 1768


This will endear and sweeten every cross, which is only a painful means of a closer union with Him.
Letter, 1st January 1770

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:39 AM |


MARCH 26

I can't think that when God sent us into the world, He had irreversibly decreed that we should be perpetually miserable in it. If it be so, the very endeavour after happiness in this life is a sin; as it is acting in direct contradiction to the very design of our creation. What are become of all the innocent comforts and pleasures of life, if it is the intent of our Creator that we should never taste them? If our taking up the cross implies our bidding adieu to all joy and satisfaction, how it is reconcilable with what Solomon so expressly affirms of religion -- that her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace?
to his Mother, 1725


I will not buy a cross, though I can bear it.
letter, 15th January, 1770

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 8:02 AM |


MARCH 25

All haughtiness, whether of heart, speech, or behavior, vanishes away where love prevails.
Works, vii. 497.


Another of his [Thomas a Kempis’] tenets … is that all mirth is vain and useless, if not sinful. But why then, does the Psalmist so often exhort us to rejoice in the Lord and tell us that it becomes the just to be joyful? I think one could hardly desire a more express text than that in the 68th Psalm: ‘Let the righteous rejoice and be glad in the Lord. Let them also be merry and joyful.’ And he seems to carry the matter as much too far on the other side afterwards, where he asserts that nothing is an affliction to a good man, and that he ought to thank God even for sending him misery. This, in my opinion, is contrary to God design in afflicting us.
to his mother, 1725

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:02 PM |


MARCH 24

What are all the absurd opinions of all the Romanists in the world compared to that of absolute Predestination, that the God of Love, the wise, just, merciful Father of the spirits of all flesh, has from all eternity fixed an absolute, unchangeable, irresistible decree that part of mankind shall be saved, do what they will, and the rest damned, do what they can?
The Trinity


In every place we find working men most susceptible to religion.
Journal, 25th March, 1785

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:00 PM |


MARCH 23

How many proofs must we have that there is no petition too little, any more than too great, for God to grant?
Journal, 27th April, 1755


What, then, shall I say of Predestination? An everlasting purpose of God to deliver some from damnation does, I suppose, exclude all from that deliverance who are not chosen. And if it was inevitably decreed from eternity that such a determinate part of mankind should be saved, and none beside them, a vast majority of the world were only born to eternal death, without so much as a possibility of avoiding it. How is this consistent with either the Divine justice or mercy? Is it merciful to ordain a creature to everlasting misery? Is it just to punish a man for crimes which he could not but commit? How is man, if necessarily determined to one way of acting, a free agent? To lie under either a physical or a moral necessity is entirely repugnant to human liberty.
to his mother, 1725

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:59 PM |


MARCH 22

But sometimes this excellent quality, tenderness of conscience, is carried to an extreme. We find some who fear where no fear is; who are continually condemning themselves without cause; imagining some things to be sinful, which the Scripture nowhere condemns; and supposing other things to be their duty, which the Scripture nowhere enjoins. This is properly termed a scrupulous conscience, and is a sore evil. It is highly expedient to yield to it as little as possible; rather is should be a matter of earnest prayer that you may be delivered from this sore evil, and may recover a sound mind.
Conscience


I see abundantly more than I feel. I want to feel more love and zeal for God.
Letter, 24th February, 1786

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:57 PM |


MARCH 21

Consult duty; not events. We have nothing to do but mind our duty.
. . . . . . . . . .
What advice you would give another, take yourself.
. . . . . . . . . .
Do nothing on which you cannot pray for a blessing. Every action of a Christian that is good is sanctified by the Word and prayer. It becomes not a Christian to do anything so trivial that he cannot pray over it.
. . . . . . . . . .
Above all, sooner forget your Christian name than forget Christ.
Conscience


It is plain God sees it best for you to frequently walk in a thorny path.
Letter, 25th September, 1757

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:56 PM |


MARCH 20

Be serious and frequent in the examination of your heart and life … every evening renew your carriage through the day; what you have done or thought that was unbecoming your character; whether your heart has been instant upon religion and indifferent to the world? Have a special care of two portions of time, namely, morning and evening; the morning to forethink what you have to do, and the evening to examine whether you have done what you ought.

Let every action have reference to your whole life, and not to a part only. Let all your subordinate ends be suitable to the great end of your living. Exercise yourself unto godliness.
Conscience


Hang upon Him that loves you as a little child, living today, and trusting Him for tomorrow.
Letter, 1st January, 1770

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:24 PM |


MARCH 19

One cannot but observe throughout the whole story of Adam and Eve, the inexpressible tenderness and lenity of the almighty Creator from whom they had revolted: “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him: ‘Where art thou?’” Thus graciously calling him to return, who would otherwise have eternally fled from God.

. . . . . . . . .

“The woman was deceived”, says the Apostle. She believed a lie; she gave more credit to the word of the devil than to the word of God. And unbelief brought forth actual sin.

. . . . . . . . .

Behold then both the justice and mercy of God! His justice in punishing sin. … And His mercy in providing a universal remedy for a universal evil! … That as in Adam all died, so in Christ all might be made alive.
The Fall of Man


It is enough that Christ is yours: and He is wiser and stronger than all the powers of hell. Hang upon Him, and you are safe: lean on Him with the whole weight of your soul.
Works, xii. 371; Letter, 13th July, 1768

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:22 PM |


MARCH 18

As Satan turned the heart of man, from the Creator to the creature; so the Son of God turns his heart back again, from the creature to the Creator.

He entrusts us with only an exceeding small share of knowledge in our present state, lest our knowledge should interfere with our humility, and we should again affect to be as gods.

Here then, we see in the clearest, strongest light, what is real religion: a restoration of man, by Christ, not only to the favour, but likewise to the image of God.
The End of Christ’s Coming


One great office of prayer is to increase our desire of the things we ask for.
Notes on the New Testament, Matthew 6:8

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:21 PM |


MARCH 17

I know, were I myself to preach one whole year in one place, I should preach both myself and most of my congregation asleep. Nor can I believe it was ever the will of our Lord that any congregation should have one teacher only. We have found by long and constant experience that a frequent change of teachers is best. This preacher has one talent, that another. No one whom I ever yet knew has all the talents which are needful for beginning, continuing and perfecting the work of grace in a whole congregation.
to the Rev. Mr. Walker, 1756


Hear what preacher you will; but hear the whole of God, and beware of prejudice and every unkind temper.
Letter, 1759

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:20 PM |


MARCH 16

Are all our preachers merciful to their beasts? Perhaps not. Every one ought, not only to rise it moderately, but also to see with his own eyes, his horse rubbed, fed and bedded.

. . . . . . .

What is it best to take just after preaching? Lemonade; candied orange peel or a little soft, warm ale. But egg and wine is downright poison.
Minutes of conversations, 1744


Let none of you preachers touch any spirituous liquors upon any account.
to Francis Wolfe, 1782

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:19 PM |


MARCH 15

When our mind is hurried, it is hardly possible to retain either the spirit of prayer or of thankfulness.
Works, xii. 171; Letter, 14th July, 1748


I am ashamed of my indolence and inactivity.
Letter, 25th March, 1774


It is right to know ourselves, but not to stop there. This is only of use if it leads us to know Him that loves and saves sinners.
Letter, 2nd April, 1778

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:18 PM |


MARCH 14

Sometimes I cannot do good to others because I am unwilling to do it: shame or pain is in the way; and I do not desire to serve God at so dear a rate. Sometimes I cannot do the good I desire to do because I am in other respects too unholy. I know within myself, were I fit to be so employed, God would employ me in this work. But my heart is too unclean. … Sometimes I cannot accomplish the good I am employed in, because I do not pray more, and more fervently; and sometimes, even when I do pray, and that instantly, because I am not worthy that my prayer should be heard. Sometimes I dare not attempt to assist my neighbour, because I know the narrowness of my heart, that it cannot attend to many things without utter confusion and dissipation of thought.
to his father, 1734


Be equally ready to do and to suffer His whole will; and aspire after all His promises.
Letter, 5th March, 1778

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 12:17 PM |


MARCH 13

It is a constant rule with us that no preacher should preach above twice a day, unless on Sunday or on some extraordinary time; and then he may preach three times. We know nature cannot long bear the preaching oftener than this, and therefore to do it is a degree of self-murder. Those of our preachers who would not follow this advice have all repented when it was too late.

I likewise advise all our preachers not to preach above an hour at a time, prayer and all; and not to speak louder either in preaching or prayer than the number of hearers requires.
to Thomas Capiter, 1753


Spend and be spent for a good Master.
Letter, 9th December, 1771

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:36 AM |


MARCH 12

You are to cure Robert Swanson of preaching too long.
to Christopher Hopper, 1773


If any other of the preachers exceed their time (about an hour in the whole Service), I hope you will always put them in mind what is the Methodist rule. People imagine the longer the sermon is the more good it will do. This is a grand mistake. The help done on earth God doth it Himself; and He doth not need that we should use many words.
to Mrs. Johnston, 1777


How shall we conquer if we do not fight?
Letter, 21st February, 1786

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:34 AM |


MARCH 11

I really hope the Sunday Schools will be productive of great good to the nation. They spread wider and wider, and are likely to reach every part of the kingdom.
to the Rev. John Fletcher, 1785


Our Sunday Schools at Bolton contain upward of eight hundred children, and are all taught by our own brethren without pay.
to Alexander Suter, 1787


The Sunday Schools have been of great use in every part of England, and to assist in any of them is a noble employment.
to his niece, Sarah Wesley, 1788


Take care of the rising generation.
to Thomas Rankin, 1767


Believe me you can find nothing higher than this (love), till mortality be swallowed up of life.
Letter, 25th October, 1772

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:33 AM |


MARCH 10

I long to have you more and more deeply penetrated by humble, gentle, patient love.
Letter, 25th October, 1772


Be merciful after your power; give as God enables you. If you are not in pressing want, give something, and you will be no poorer for it. Grudge not, fear not; lend unto the Lord, and He will surely repay. If you earn but three shillings a week and give a penny out of it, you will never want. But I do not say this to you who have ten or fifteen shillings a week and give only a penny! To see this has often grieved my spirit. I have been ashamed for you, if you have not been ashamed for yourself. Why, by the same rule that you give a penny, that poor man should give a peppercorn! … Give in proportion to your substance. You can better afford a shilling than he a penny.
to the Societies at Bristol, 1764

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:31 AM |


MARCH 9

I go calmly and quietly on my way doing what I conceive to be the will of God.
Letter, 21st February, 1786


Be active, be diligent; avoid all laziness, sloth, indolence. Fly from every degree, every appearance of it; else you will never be more than half a Christian.

Be cleanly. In this let the Methodists take pattern by the Quakers. Avoid all nastiness, dirt, slovenliness, both in your person, clothes, house, and all about you. Do not stink above ground. This is a bad fruit of laziness; use all diligence to be clean.

Whatever clothes you have, let them be whole; no rents, no tatters, no rags. These are a scandal to either man or woman, being another fruit of vile laziness. Mend your clothes, or I shall never expect you to mend your lives. Let none ever see a ragged Methodist.
to Richard Steele, 1769

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:30 AM |


MARCH 8

Today only is yours. Look up, and He will bless you all today.
Letter, 26th February, 1778


Above thirty years ago a motion was made in Parliament for raising and embodying the militia, and for exercising them (to save time) on Sunday. When the motion was like to pass, an old gentleman stood up and said: “Mr. Speaker, I have one objection to this: I believe an old book called the Bible.” The members looked at one another, and the motion was dropped.

Must not all others who believe the Bible have the very same objection? And from what I have seen, I cannot but think these are still three-fourths of the nation. … Would not all England, would not all Europe, consider this as a virtual repeal of the Bible? And would not all serious persons say: “We have little religion in the land now; but by this step we shall have less still.”
to the Earl of Shelburne, 1782

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:29 AM |


MARCH 7

If you could take one advice, it would have a surprising effect. It is this, “Take no thought for the morrow.”
Letter, 26th February, 1778


I built the first preaching-house which was built for people called Methodists – namely, at Bristol in the year 1739. And, knowing no better, I suffered the first deed of trust to be drawn in the Presbyterian form. But Mr. Whitefield, hearing of this, wrote me a warm letter asking: “Do you consider what you do? If you let the trustees name the preachers, they may exclude you and all your brethren from preaching in the houses they have built. Pray let the deed be immediately cancelled;” to which the trustees immediately agreed.

Afterwards I built the preaching-houses in Kingswood and at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. But I took care that none but myself should have any right to name preachers for them.
to Joseph Benson, 1782

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 11:27 AM |


MARCH 6

It is not safe to live or die without love.
Letter, 10th August, 1775


If you go abroad, I would by no means advise you to go to France. That is no place to save expense; but it is the only place to make your sons coxcombs and your daughters coquettes. I cannot but think there is no country in Europe which would answer your design so well as Holland; and no place in Holland so well as Utrecht. It is within a day’s journey of Helvoetsluys, whence you go directly by the packet for England. It is a healthful and a pleasant city, and less expensive than almost any city in France. You may have more or less company as you please. There are schools for your children; and if you should choose it, a university for your sons; and I could recommend you to some valuable acquaintance.
to Robert Jones, 1784

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:21 PM |



MARCH 5

Your help stands in him alone. He will command all these things to work together for good.
Letter, 14th February, 1786


Ever since I heard of it first, I felt a perfect detestation of the horrid slave trade. … Therefore I cannot but do everything in my power to forward the glorious design of your Society.
to Granville Sharp, 1787


“Mr. Wesley informed the Committee of the great satisfaction which he had experienced when he heard of their formation. He conceived that their design, while it would destroy the slave trade, would also strike at the root of the shocking abomination of slavery. He desired to forewarn them that they must expect great difficulties and great opposition from those who were interested in the system, that they were a powerful body. … As to himself, he would do all he could to promote the object of their institution.”
to Thomas Clarkson, 1787

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:18 PM |


MARCH 4

I love that word, “And Ishmael died in the presence of all his brethren.”
Letter, 16th March, 1783


I found my brother at Oxford, recovering from his pleurisy; and with him Peter Böhler; by whom, in the hand of the great God, I was on Sunday, the 5th, clearly convinced of unbelief, of the want of that faith whereby alone we are saved.

Immediately it struck into my mind, “Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others, who have not faith yourself?” I asked Böhler whether he thought I should leave it off or not. He answered: “By no means.” I asked, “But what can I preach?” He said: “Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.”

Accordingly, Monday, 6, I began preaching this new doctrine, though my soul started back from the work. The first person to whom I offered salvation by faith alone, was a prisoner under sentence of death.
Journal, 4th March, 1738

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:16 PM |