APRIL 30

You have not such another flower in all your gardens.*
Letter, 11th January, 1775


Be peculiarly careful to set before your children the copies and patterns of the virtues which you teach. And let them neither see nor hear anything from you which you would not desire to have copied by them. … We ought to reverence and stand in awe of children, that nothing may be spoke or done in their sight, which may taint their tender minds.

With regard to their spiritual good, your first labour of love is to present them to God in baptism. You are to inure them to good, to instruct and admonish them, to educate them in the knowledge and fear of God, to season their minds as early as possible with the fundamental truths of religion, and in such manner as is best suited to their capacity, to train them up in all holiness. Every instruction should be seconded by example.
The Duties of Husbands and Wives

* - a reference to Nancy Bolton

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:52 PM |


APRIL 29

Look up, and expect him that is mighty to save.
Letter, 18th November, 1780


A string of opinions is no more Christian faith than a string of beads is Christian holiness. It is not an assent to any opinion or any number of opinions. A man may assent to three or three-and-twenty creeds, he may assent to all the Old and New Testament (at least, as far as he understands them), and yet have no Christian faith at all. The faith by which the promise is attained is represented by Christianity as a power, wrought by the Almighty in an immortal spirit inhabiting a house of clay, to see into the world of spirits. … To believe (in the Christian sense) is to walk in the light of eternity. … Does not every thinking man want a window, not so much in his neighbour’s as in his own breast? He wants an opening there of whatever kind, that might let in light from eternity.
to Dr. Middleton, 1748-1749

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:51 PM |


APRIL 28

Methodism, so called, is the old religion, the religion of the Bible, the religion of the Primitive Church, the religion of the Church of England. This old religion is no other than love, the love of God and of all mankind. … This love is the great medicine of life, the never-failing remedy for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness going hand in hand.
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel


When I devoted to God my ease, my time, my fortune, my life, I did not except my reputation.
Life of Charles Wesley, ii. 283

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:50 PM |


APRIL 27

You must not set the great blessing afar off, because you find much war within.
Letter, 18th September, 1780


Come, and let us magnify the Lord together, and labour to promote His Kingdom upon earth. Let us join hearts and hands in this blessed work, in striving to bring glory to God in the highest, by establishing peace and goodwill among men, to the uttermost of our power. First, let our hearts be joined herein; let us unite our wishes and prayers; let our whole soul pant after a general revival of pure religion and undefiled, the restoration of the image of God, pure love, in every child of man. Then, let us endeavour to promote, in our several stations, this Scriptural, primitive religion of love among all.
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:28 PM |


APRIL 26

Brethren, I presume the greater part of you also are members of the Church of England. So at least you are called; but you are not so indeed unless you are witnesses of the religion above described. And are you really such? Judge not one another; but every man look into his own bosom. How stands the matter in your own breast? Examine your conscience before God. Are you a happy partaker of this scriptural, this truly primitive religion? Are you a lover of God and all mankind? Does your heart glow with gratitude to the Give of every good and perfect gift? Is your soul warm with benevolence to all mankind?
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel


The cheerfulness of faith you should aim at in and above all things.
Letter, 18th September, 1780

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:27 PM |


APRIL 25

The more exercises he uses, winter or summer, the more health he will have.
Letter, 16th January, 1781


Many ask: “Why do you say the Methodists form no distinct party? That they do not leave the Church? Are there not thousands of Methodists who have, in fact, left the Church? Who never attend the Church Service? Never receive the Lord’s Supper there? Nay, who speak against the Church, even with bitterness, in public and private.”

I am glad of so public an opportunity of explaining this, in order to which , it will be necessary to look back some years. The Methodists at Oxford were all one body, and, as it were, one soul; zealous for the religion of the Bible, of the Primitive Church, and, in consequence, of the Church of England; as they believed it came nearer the Scriptural and primitive plan than any other national Church upon earth. When my brother and I returned from Georgia we were in the same sentiments. … Thus far, therefore, all the Methodists were firm to the Church of England.
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:26 PM |


APRIL 24

We may likewise observe the depth of the work so extensively and swiftly wrought. Multitudes have been thoroughly convinced of sin; and, shortly after, so filled with joy and love, that whether they were in the body or out of the body, they could hardly tell. And in the power of this love, they have trampled under foot whatever the world accounts either terrible or desirable, having evidenced, in the severest trials, an invariable and tender goodwill to mankind, and all the fruits of holiness. Now so deep a repentance, so strong a faith, such fervent love, and such unblemished holiness, wrought in so many persons in so short a time, the world has not seen for many ages.
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel


Be punctual. Whenever I am to go to a place the first thing I do is to get ready; then, what time remains is my own.
to his nephew Samuel

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:25 PM |


APRIL 23

You have need to be all alive yourselves, if you would impart life to others.
Letter, 3rd December, 1780


This revival of religion has spread to such a degree as neither we nor our fathers had known. How extensive has it been! There is scarce a considerable town in the kingdom where some have not been made witnesses of it. It has spread to every age and sex, to most orders and degrees of men; and even to abundance of those who, in time past, were accounted monsters of wickedness.

Consider the swiftness as well as extent of it. In what age has such a number of sinners been recovered in so short a time from the error of their ways?
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:24 PM |


APRIL 22

Here were thousands upon thousands, abundantly more than any Church could contain; and numbers among them who never went to any Church or place of worship at all. More and more of them were cut to the heart, and came to me all in tears, enquiring with the utmost eagerness what they must do to be saved. I said: “If all of you will meet me on Thursday evening, I will advise you as well as I can.” The first evening about twenty persons came; the next week thirty or forty. When they were increased to about a hundred, I took down their names and places of abode, intending, as often as it was convenient, to call upon them at their own houses. Thus, without any previous plan or design, began the Methodist Society in England.
Sermon at the Foundation of the City Road Chapel


There is but one thing to do, let us live and die unto Him that died for us.
Letter, 3rd March, 1776

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:53 PM |


APRIL 21

I returned to England in the beginning of February 1738. I was now in haste to retire to Oxford and bury myself in my beloved obscurity. But I was detained in London, week after week, by the Trustees for the Colony of Georgia. In the meantime I was continually importuned to preach in one or another Church, and that not only morning, afternoon and night on Sundays, but on weekdays also. As I was lately come from a far country, vast multitudes flocked together. But in a short time, partly because of those unwieldy crowds, partly because of my unfashionable doctrine, I was excluded from one and another Church, and, at length, shut out of all. Not daring to be silent, after a short struggle between honour and conscience, I made a virtue of necessity, and preached in the middle of Moorfields.
Sermon at the Foundation of City Road Chapel


As it was evidently the providence of God which placed you in your present situation, He will doubtless give you grace sufficient for it.
Letter, 22nd October, 1780

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:52 PM |


APRIL 20

A conversation I had yesterday with Brother Proctor determined me to write immediately. The person at Birr will not do; not only as she is far too young, little more than a child; but as she has only little, if any, Christian experience. You want a woman of middle age, well-tried, of good sense, and of deep experience. Such a one in every respect is Molly Pennington; but whether she is willing to marry or no, I cannot tell. If she is, I hardly know her fellow in the kingdom. If I meet with any, I will send you word.
to Thomas Mason, 1771


Only take care to improve the Sabbaths, and He will stand every day at your right hand.
Letter, 22nd October, 1780

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:51 PM |


APRIL 19

In the ancient Church, when baptism was administered, there were usually two or more Sponsors (so Tertullian calls them), for every person to be baptised. As these were witnesses before God and the Church, of the solemn engagement those persons entered into, so they undertook (as the very word implies) to watch over those souls in a peculiar manner, to instruct, admonish, exhort, and build them up in the faith once delivered to the saints. These were considered as a kind of spiritual parents to the baptised.

See the child be taught … the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all the other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul’s health, and that he may be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life. …

Waive every other consideration, and choose for their sponsors those persons alone who truly fear and serve God.
Concerning Godfathers and Godmothers


You and I are like bigots to the Bible. We think the Bible language is like Goliath’s sword: that “There is none like it.”
Letter, 25th March, 1772

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:49 PM |


APRIL 18

Fortune in only another name for Providence, only it is covered Providence.
Letter, 2nd January, 1781


I distinctly remember that even in my childhood, even when I was at school, I have often said: “They say the life of a schoolboy is the happiest in the world; but I am sure I am not happy.” When I had lived a few years longer, being in the vigour of youth, a stranger to pain and sickness, and particularly to lowness of spirits (which I do not remember to have felt one quarter of an hour ever since I was born), having plenty of all things, in the midst of sensible and amiable friends, who loved me, and I loved them, and being in the way of life which, of all others, suited my inclinations, still I was not happy! I wondered why I was not, and could not imagine what the reason was. The reason certainly was: I did not know God, the source of present as well as eternal happiness.
Spiritual Worship

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:27 PM |


APRIL 17

Sufferings are the gift of God to you. And they are all intended for your profit, that you may be a partaker of His holiness.
Letter, 26th February, 1780


What can parents do, and mothers more especially, with regard to the atheism that is natural to all the children of men? How is this fed by the generality of parents, even those that love, or, at least, fear God, while in spending hours, perhaps days with their children, they hardly hear the Name of God?

Do not parents feed the atheism of their children further by ascribing the works of creation to nature? Does not the common way of talking about nature leave God quite out of the question?

From the first dawn of reason continually inculcate: God is in this and every place. God made you and me, and the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and everything. And everything is His: heaven and earth and all that is therein. God orders all things. He makes the sun shine, and the wind blow, and the trees bear fruit. Nothing comes by chance: that is a silly word; there is no such thing as chance.
The Education of Children

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:26 PM |


APRIL 16

The more labor, the more blessing.
Letter, 16th March, 1776


You should particularly endeavour to instruct your children, early, plainly, frequently and patiently. Instruct them early from the first hour that you perceive reason begins to dawn. Truth may then begin to shine upon the mind far earlier than we are apt to suppose. And whoever watches the first opening of the understanding, may, by little and little, supply fit matter for it to work upon, and may turn the eye of the soul toward good things, as well as toward bad or trifling ones. Whenever a child begins to speak, you may be assured reason begins to work. I know no cause why a parent should not just then begin to speak of the best things, the things of God.
Family Religion

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:25 PM |


APRIL 15

The generality of parents feed and increase the natural falsehood of their children … Let the wise parent teach them that the author of all falsehood is the devil. … Teach them to abhor and despise, not only lying but all equivocating, all cunning and dissimulation. Use every means to give them a love of truth: of veracity, sincerity and simplicity, and of openness both of spirit and behaviour. … And from their very infancy, sow the seeds of justice in their hearts, and train them up in the exactest practice of it. If possible, teach them the love of justice, and that in the least things as well as the greatest. Impress upon their minds the old proverb: “He that will steal a penny, will steal a pound.” Habituate to them to render unto all their due, even to the uttermost farthing.
The Education of Children


It is a great step toward Christian resignation, to be thoroughly convinced of that great truth, that there is no such thing as Chance in the world.
Letter, 2nd January, 1781

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:48 PM |


APRIL 14

Possibly you may have another difficulty to encounter, and one of a still more trying nature. Your mother, or your husband’s mother, may live with you; and you will do well to shew her all possible respect. But let her on no account have the least share in the management of your children. She would undo all that you had done; she would give them their own will in all things. … In fourscore years I have not met with one woman that knew how to manage grandchildren. My own mother who governed her children so well, could never govern one grandchild. In every other point obey your mother. Give up your will to hers. But with regard to the management of your children, steadily keep the reins in your own hands.
The Education of Children


He prepares occasions of fighting, that you may conquer.
Letter, 6th May, 1774

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:47 PM |


APRIL 13

Trials are only blessings in disguise.
Letter, 24th July, 1780


Never, on any account, give a child anything it cries for. For it is a true observation (and you may make the experiment as often as you please), if you give a child what it cries for, you pay him for crying; and then he will certainly cry again. “But if I do not give it him when he cries, he will scream all day long.” If he does, it is your own fault; for it is in your power effectually to prevent it. For no mother need suffer a child to cry aloud after it is a year old. “Why, it is impossible to hinder it!” So many suppose; but it is an entire mistake. … My own mother had ten children, each of whom had spirit enough. Yet not one of them was ever heard to cry aloud, after it was a year old.
The Education of Children

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:46 PM |


APRIL 12

Do just the same in the absence of your employer as you do when under his eye. Let his absence or presence make no difference to your industry and activity.

Equally dishonest it is to hurt or waste anything, or to let it be lost through your carelessness or negligence.

Whatever is committed to your trust, whether within doors or without, so carefully preserve that it be not lost, spoiled or impaired under your hands. If you see any damage done to your employer’s goods, redress it yourself, if you can; if you cannot, immediately make it known to your employer, that he may find means of redressing it. And not only preserve, but do all that in you lies to increase your employer’s goods.
Directions to Servants


Hang upon Him as a little child, and your eyes shall see the full salvation.
Do., 1780

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:18 PM |


APRIL 11

Why is there sin in the world? Because man was created in the image of God, because he is not mere matter – a clod of earth, a lump of clay – without sense or understanding, but a spirit like his Creator, a being endued not only with sense and understanding, but also with a will exerting itself in various affections. To crown all the rest he was endued with liberty: a power of directing his own affections and actions, a capacity for determining himself or of choosing good or evil. Indeed, had not man been endued with this, all the rest would have been of no use. Had he not been a free as well as an intelligent being, his understanding would have been as incapable of holiness or any kind of virtue as a tree or a block of marble. And, having this power, a power of choosing good or evil, he chose evil.
The Fall of Man


Do not reason, but believe.
to Mrs. Rose, 1780

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:17 PM |


APRIL 10

His grace is sufficient to keep you in, and to deliver you out of, all temptations.
Letter, 14th January, 1780


But what is the rule whereby men are to judge of right or wrong? Whereby their conscience is to be directed? … The Christian rule of right and wrong is the Word of God, the writings of the Old and New Testament. … This is a lantern unto the Christian’s feet, and a light in all his paths. This alone he receives as his rule of right or wrong, of whatever is really good or evil. He esteems nothing good but what is here enjoined, either directly or by plain consequence; he accounts nothing evil but what is here forbidden, either in terms or by undeniable inference.
The Witness of the Spirit (III)

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 4:15 PM |


APRIL 9

I do not wonder that all the trials you feel do not interrupt the peace of God. They never need.
Letter, 14th January, 1780


God has made us thinking beings, capable of perceiving what is present, and of reflecting or looking back on what is past. In particular, we are capable of perceiving whatsoever passes in our own hearts or lives; of knowing whatsoever we feel or do; and that either while it passes or when it is past. This we mean when we say, man is a conscious being; he hath a consciousness or inward perception, both of things present and past, relating to himself, of his own tempers and outward behaviour. But what we really term conscience implies somewhat more than this. It is not barely the knowledge of our present or the remembrance of our preceding life … its main business is to excuse or accuse, to approve or disapprove, or acquit or condemn. We may understand by conscience, a faculty or power, implanted by God, in every soul that comes into the world, of perceiving what is right or wrong in his own heart or life.
The Witness of the Spirit (III)

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 3:54 PM |


APRIL 8

Be zealous and active for a good Master, and you will see the fruit of your labor.
Letter, 11th January, 1775


Now, in order to this, there is absolutely required, first, a right understanding of the Word of God, of His holy and acceptable and perfect Will concerning us, as it is revealed therein. For it is impossible we should walk by a rule, if we do not know what it means. There is, secondly, required (which how few have attained!) a true knowledge of ourselves, of our inward tempers and outward conversation, seeing, if we know them not, it is not possible that we should compare them with our rule. For without this, if we have any conscience at all, it can only be an evil conscience. There is, fourthly, required, an inward perception of this agreement with our rule: and this habitual perception, this inward consciousness itself, is properly a good conscience.
The Witness of the Spirit (III)

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 6:05 AM |


APRIL 7

I must act by my own conscience, not yours. And I really have a conscience.
Letter, 7th March, 1780


Meantime let it be observed, I do not mean hereby, that the Spirit of God testifies this by an outward voice; no, nor always by an inward voice, although He may do this sometimes. Neither do I suppose that he always applies to the heart (though he often may) one or more texts of Scripture. But He so works upon the soul by His immediate influence, and by a strong though inexplicable operation, that the stormy wind and troubled waves subside, and there is a sweet calm; the heart resting as in the arms of Jesus, and the sinner being clearly satisfied that God is reconciled, that all his iniquities are forgiven, and his sins covered.
The Witness of the Spirit (II)

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 8:17 AM |


APRIL 6

I take nothing ill that was meant well.
Letter, 7th March, 1780


It is hard to find words in the language of men to explain the deep things of God. Indeed, there are none that will adequately express what the children of God experience. But perhaps one might say the testimony of the Spirit is an inward impression on the soul, whereby the Spirit of God directly witnesses to my spirit, that I am a child of God; that Jesus Christ hath loved me and given Himself for me; and that all my sins are blotted out, and I, even I, am reconciled to God.
The Witness of the Spirit (I)

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 8:16 AM |


APRIL 5

O praise God for all you have; and trust Him for all you want!
Letter, 11th July, 1778


Since I was six years old, I never met with such a severe trial as for some days past. For ten years God has been preparing a fellow labourer for me by a wonderful train of providences. Last year I was convinced of it; therefore I delayed not, but, as I thought, made all sure beyond a danger of disappointment. But we were soon afterwards torn asunder by a whirlwind. In a few months the storm was over. … But it soon returned … I fasted and prayed and strove all I could; but the sons of Zeruiak were too strong for me. The whole world fought against me. Then was the word fulfilled: “Son of man, behold! I take from thee the desire of thine eyes at a stroke; yet thou shalt not lament, neither shall thy tears run down.”
to Thomas Bigg, 1749

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 8:15 AM |


APRIL 4

I seek two things in this world – truth and love. Whoever assists me in this search is a friend indeed, whether known or unknown to (me).
Letter, 28th June, 1755


About four in the afternoon I set out for Frederica, in a pettiawga – a sort of flat-bottomed barge. The next evening we anchored near Skidoway Island, where the water, at flood, was twelve or fourteen foot deep. I wrapped myself up from head to foot, in a large cloak, to keep off the sand flies, and lay down on the quarter deck. Between one and two I waked under water, being so fast asleep that I did not find where I was till my mouth was full of it. Having left my cloak, I know not how, upon deck, I swam round to the other side of the pettiawga, where a boat was tied, and climbed up by the rope without any hurt, more than wetting my clothes.
Journal, 4th April, 1736

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 8:14 AM |


APRIL 3

God says to you as well as to me, “Do all thou canst, be it more or less, to save the souls for whom My Son has died.”
Letter, 25th March, 1774


You think the mode of baptism is necessary to salvation. I deny that even baptism itself is so; if it were, every Quaker would be damned, which I can in no wise believe. I hold nothing to be (strictly speaking) necessary to salvation but the mind which was in Christ … I wish your zeal was better employed than in persuading men to be wither dipped or sprinkled. …

I cannot answer it to God to spend any part of that precious time, every hour of which I can employ in what directly tends to the promoting of His love among men, in oppugning or defending this or that form of Church government. … I am called to other work; not to make Church of England men or Baptists, but Christians, men of faith and love.
to the Rev. Gilbert Boyce, 1750

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 8:13 AM |


APRIL 2

I submitted to be more vile, and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation.
Journal, 2nd April, 1739


A few days since, Mr. Whitefield and I desired a friend to ask your advice, to whom it would be proper to make an offer of raising a company of volunteers for His Majesty’s service. We apprehend the number would be about five hundred. Finding Mr. Whitefield has since been persuaded that such an offer is premature, I am constrained to make the following independently of him:

To raise for His Majesty’s service at least two hundred volunteers, to be supported by contributions among themselves; and to be ready in case of an invasion to act for a year (if needed so long) at His Majesty’s pleasure. …

If this be acceptable to His Majesty, they beg to have arms out of the Tower, giving the usual security for their return, and some of His Majesty’s sergeants to instruct them in the military exercise.
to the Honorable James West, M.P., 1756

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 7:21 AM |


APRIL 1

Can anything but love beget love?
Works, vi. 175.


Thus it was that two young men without a name, without friends, without either power or fortune, set out from College with principles totally different from those of the common people, to oppose all the world, learned or unlearned, to combat popular prejudices of every kind. Our first principle directly attacked all the wickedness, our second all the bigotry, in the world. Thus they attempted a reformation, not of opinions (feathers, trifles not worth the naming), but of men's tempers and lives; of vice in every kind; of everything contrary to justice, mercy or truth. And for this it was that they carried their lives in their hands, that both the great vulgar and the small looked upon them as mad dogs and treated them as such.
to Samuel Sparrow, 1773

Posted by The Husky Wesleyan at 5:49 AM |