JUNE 10

Do as much today as you can do without hurting yourself, or disabling you from doing the same tomorrow.
Works, iv.232 (1771 edition)


It is a bad dog that is not worth whistling for.
to Charles Wesley, 1786


A little well-placed raillery will often pierce deeper than solid argument.
The Duty of Reproving Our Neighbour


Is there any fool or madman under heaven who can be compared to him that casts away his own soul, though it were to gain the whole world?
The Important Question


Let the frog swell as long as he can, he will not equal the ox.
to John Downes, 1759


JUNE 9

You are no more at liberty to throw away your health than to throw away your life.
Letter, 13th July, 1774


God does not expect us to be sticks or stones. We may grieve and yet not murmur.
to his niece, Sarah Wesley, 1788


You have your hands full of business; but it will not hurt you while your heart is free.
to Ann Bolton, 1783


True religion has nothing sour, austere, unsociable, unfriendly in it.
to Mrs, Chapman, 1737


JUNE 8

It is mere groundless imagination that I love persons less for their plain dealing.
Letter, 1st November, 1779


Peter Jaco would willingly travel. But how? Can you help us to a horse that would carry him and his wife? What a pity we could not procure a camel or elephant!
to Christopher Hopper, 1773


I must be on horseback for life, if I would be healthy. Now and then indeed, if I could afford it, I should rest myself for fifty miles in a chaise; but without riding near as much as I do now, I must never look for health.
to Ebenezer Blackwell, 1764


JUNE 7

There is a reward for bearing as well as doing His will.
Letter, 2nd March, 1773


It was from an ancient sect of physicians, whom we were supposed to resemble in our regular diet and exercise, that we were originally styled Methodists. … We were High Churchmen in the strongest sense. But we acknowledge as brethren all Dissenters, whether they are Methodist or not.
to Dr. Free, 1758


I positively forbid you or any preacher to be a leader; rather put the most insignificant person in each class to be the leader of it.
to John Cricket, 1783


It is right to add as much solemnity as we can to the admission of new members.
to John Valton, 1783


JUNE 6

Labour to be serious, earnest, edifying in your daily conversations.
Letter, 10th August, 1779


The Methodists in general, my Lord, are members of the Church of England. They hold all her doctrines, attend her Service, and partake of her Sacraments. … For what reasonable end would your Lordship drive these people out of the Church? Are they not as quiet, as inoffensive, nay, as pious, as any of their neighbours, except perhaps here and there a hair-brained man who knows not what he is about? … Is it a Christian, yea, a Protestant Bishop, that so persecutes his own flock?
to Dr. Tomline, Bishop of Lincoln, 1790


JUNE 5

Stir yourself up before the Lord! Pray that you may be all alive.
Letter, 10th August, 1779


1. I always use a short, private prayer when I attend the service of God …
2. I stand whenever I sing the praise of God in public. …
3. I always kneel before the Lord my Maker when I pray in public.
4. I generally in public use the Lord’s Prayer, because Christ has taught me, when I pray, to say: Our Father.

I advise every preacher connected with me, herein to tread in my steps.
Journal, 5th June, 1766


JUNE 4

Walk in the narrowest path of the narrow way, and the Spirit of Glory and of Christ shall rest upon you.
Letter, 12th August, 1774


Loyalty is with me an essential branch of religion, and which I am sorry any Methodist should forget. There is the closest connexion [sic], therefore, between my religious and my political conduct. The selfsame authority enjoining me to fear God and to honour the King.
to Elizabeth Ritchie, 1779


The supposition that the people are the origin of power is every way indefensible.
Thoughts Concerning the Origin of Power


You will never see yourself aright, till He light His candle in your breast.
Works, IX: 464


JUNE 3

You believe there is such a thing as light, whether flowing from the sun or any other luminous body. But you cannot comprehend either its nature or the manner wherein it flows. How does it move from Jupiter to the earth in eight minutes, two hundred thousand miles in a moment? How do the rays of the candle brought into the room instantly disperse into every corner? Here are three candles, yet there is but one light. Explain this, and I will explain the Three-One God.

The knowledge of the Three-One God is interwoven with all true Christian faith, with all vital religion.
The Trinity


I care not for labour, but I want time.
Letter, 23rd October, 1779


JUNE 2

I dare not insist on anyone’s using the word Trinity or Person. I use them myself without any scruple because I know of none better. But if any man has any scruple concerning them, who shall constrain him to use them? I cannot; much less would I burn a man alive, and that with moist green wood, for saying: “Though I believe the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God, yet I scruple using the words Trinity and Person because I do not find those terms in the Bible.” … I would insist only on the direct words unexplained, just as they lie in the text: “There are Three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these Three are One.”
The Trinity


And if you use the whole power which is then given, He will not only continue that power, but increase it day by day.
Letter, 3rd June, 1774


JUNE 1

Of all preaching, what is usually called Gospel preaching is the most useless, if not the most mischievous; a dull, yea or lively, harangue on the sufferings of Christ or salvation by faith without strongly inculcating holiness. I see more and more that this naturally tends to drive holiness out of the world.
to Charles Wesley, 1772


Do not lightly take the Name of God in your mouth; do not talk of the will of God on every trifling occasion.
The Nature of Enthusiasm


When we are justified, He gives us one talent; to those who use this He gives more. When we are sanctified, He gives us as it were five talents.
Letter, 3rd June, 1779


MAY 31

The Lord reigneth and disposes all things, strongly and sweetly, for the good of them that love Him.
Letter, 11th February, 1779


Who was the occasion of the Methodist preachers first setting foot in Leeds? William Shent.

Who was it that invited me and received me when I came? William Shent.

Who was it that stood by me while I preached in the street with stones flying on every side? William Shent.

Who was it that bore the storm of persecution for the whole town and stemmed it at the peril of his life? William Shent.

Whose word did God bless for many years in an eminent manner? William Shent’s.

Who is he that is ready to be broken up and turned into the street? William Shent.

And does nobody care for this? William Shent fell into sin and was publicly expelled the Society; but must he also be starved? … Where is gratitude? Where is compassion? Where is Christianity? Where is humanity? … Let us set him on his feet once more.
to the Society at Keighley, 1779


MAY 30

What was their fundamental doctrine? That the Bible is the whole and sole rule both of Christian faith and practice. Hence they learned, I. That religion is an inward principle; that it is none other than the mind that was in Christ; or, in other words, the renewal of the soul after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness; 2. That this can never be wrought in us, but by the power of the Holy Ghost, 3. That we receive this and every other blessing, merely for the sake of Christ; and, 4. That whosoever hath the mind that was in Christ, the same is our brother and sister and mother.
Thoughts Upon Methodism


Chance has no share in the government of the world.
Letter, 11th February, 1779


MAY 29

In November, a large building, the Foundery [sic], being offered him, he began preaching therein, morning and evening; at five in the morning, and seven in the evening, that the people’s labour might not be hindered. From the beginning, the men and women sat apart, as they always did in the Primitive Church. And none were suffered to call any place their own, but the first comers sat down first. They had no pews; and all the benches for rich and poor, were of the same construction. Mr. Wesley began the service with a short prayer; then sung a hymn and preached (usually about half an hour), then sang a few verses of another hymn, and concluded with prayer. His constant doctrine was salvation by faith, preceded by repentance, and followed by holiness.
Thoughts Upon Methodism


If you have two or three that are strong in faith, they will wrestle with God in mighty prayer, and bring down a blessing on all that are round about them.
Letter, 11th February, 1779


MAY 28

Still I insist, the fact (of the Trinity) you believe, you cannot deny; but the manner you cannot comprehend.
Sermon, LV, 7


In the year 1729 four young students in Oxford agreed to spend their evenings together. They were all zealous members of the Church of England, and had no peculiar opinions, but were distinguished only by their constant attendance on the Church and Sacrament. In 1735 they were increased to fifteen, when the chief of them embarked for America, intending to preach to the heathen Indians. Methodism then seemed to die away; but it revived again in the year 1738, especially after Mr. Wesley (not being allowed to preach in the Churches) began to preach in the fields.
Thoughts Upon Methodism


MAY 27

The knowledge of the Three-One-God is interwoven with all true Christian faith; with all vital religion.
Sermon, LV, 7


Give me leave, my Lord, to say you have mistook and misrepresented this whole affair from the top to the bottom. And I am the more concerned to take notice of this because so many have fallen into the same mistake. It is indeed, and has been from the beginning, the capital blunder of our bitterest adversaries. … It is not our care, endeavour or desire to proselyte any from one man to another; or from one Church, from one congregation or Society, to another, – we would not move a finger to do this, to make ten thousand such proselytes, – but from darkness to light, from Belial to Christ, from the power of Satan to God. Our one aim is to proselyte sinners to repentance.
to Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, 1747


MAY 26

Yet the enemy injected a fear: “If thou dost believe, why is there not a more sensible change?” I answered (yet not I): “That I know not. But this I know: I now have peace with God. And I sin not to-day, and Jesus has forbid me to take thought for the morrow.”

“But is not any sort of fear,” continued the tempter, “a proof that thou dost not believe?” I desired my Master to answer for me, and opened His Book upon those words of St. Paul: “Without were fightings, within were fears.” Then, inferred I, well may fears be within me; but I must go on and tread them under my feet.
Journal, 25th May, 1738


Beware of lukewarmness. Beware of cleaving to the present world. Let your treasure and your heart be above.
Letter, 27th November, 1783


MAY 25

The moment I awakened, “Jesus, Master,” was in my heart, and in my mouth; and I found all my strength lay in keeping my eye fixed on Him, and my soul waiting on Him continually. Being again at St. Paul’s in the afternoon, I could taste the good word of God in the anthem: “My song shall be always of the lovingkindness of the Lord; with my mouth will I ever be showing forth Thy truth from one generation to another.”

. . . . . . . . . .

All these days I scarce remember to have opened the Testament but upon some great and precious promise. And I saw more than ever, that the Gospel is in truth but one great promise from the beginning of it to the end.
Journal, 25th May, 1738


MAY 24

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

I began to pray with all my might. … I then testified openly. … Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation.
Journal, 24th May, 1738


MAY 23

In this refined way of trusting to my own works and my own righteousness, I dragged on heavily, finding no comfort or help therein, till the time of my leaving England. On shipboard, however, I was again active in outward works; where it pleased God of His free mercy to give me twenty-six of the Moravian brethren for companions, who endeavoured to show me a more excellent way. But I understood it not at first. I was too learned and too wise. So that it seemed foolishness to me. And I continued preaching, and following after, and trusting in, that righteousness whereby no flesh can be justified.

All the time I was at Savannah I was thus beating the air. … I sought to establish my own righteousness; and so laboured in the fire all my days.
Journal, 24th May, 1738


Cleave to Him with your whole heart, and you will have more and more reason to praise Him.
Letter, 13th November, 1778


MAY 22

Look up, and wait for happy days!
Letter, 26th October, 1778


When I was about twenty-two, my father pressed me to enter into holy orders. … I began to alter the whole form of my conversation, and to set in earnest upon a new life. I set apart an hour or two a day for religious retirement. I communicated every week, I watched against all sin, whether in word or deed. I began to aim at, and pray for, inward holiness. So that now, doing so much, and living so good a life, I doubted not but I was a good Christian. …

I began to see more and more the value of time. I applied myself closer to study … I advised others to be religious. … The light flowed in so mightily upon my soul, that everything appeared in a new view.
Journal, 24th May, 1738


MAY 21

Whenever the Holy Ghost teaches, there is no delay in learning.
Works, VII, 32.


You know it is very natural for me to estimate wisdom and goodness by years, and to suppose the longest experience must be the best. But although there is much advantage in long experience, and we may trust an old soldier more than a novice; yet God is tied down to no rules; he frequently works a great work in a little time, He makes young men and women wiser than the aged, and gives to many in a very short time, a closer and deeper communion with Himself than others attain in a long course of years.
to Miss March, 1774


MAY 20

I received the surprising news that my brother had found rest to his soul. His bodily strength also returned from that hour. “Who is so great a God as our God?”
Journal, 19th May, 1738


I was much concerned yesterday when I heard you were likely to marry a woman against the consent of your parents. I have never in an observation of fifty years known such a marriage attended with a blessing. I know not how it should be, since it is flatly contrary to the fifth commandment. I told my own mother, when pressing me to marry: “I dare not allow you a positive voice herein; I dare not marry a person because you bid me. But I must allow you a negative voice: I will marry no person if you forbid. I know it would be a great sin against God.”
to Elijah Bush, 1781


MAY 19

Loyalty in with me an essential branch of religion.
Letter, 25th June, 1777


I take knowledge, you are a young man; and as such, extremely peremptory. So was I, till I was more than thirty years old. So I may well make allowance for you. I was likewise as much bigoted to my own opinions as you can be for your life; that is, I thought them deeply important, and that all contrary opinions were damnable errors. Have patience and you will see farther. In a few years you will find out that neither these are half so necessary to salvation, nor those half so destructive as you now imagine.

. . . . . . .

Jealousy and suspiciousness I despise and abhor, as I do hell-fire. And I believe nothing, great or small, without such kind of proof and the nature of the thing allows.
to Samuel Furly, 1762


MAY 18

Work your work betimes; and in His time He will give you a full reward.
Letter, 1st November, 1778


There is no other religious Society under heaven which requires nothing of men in order to their admission into it, but a desire to save their souls. Look all around you, you cannot be admitted into the Church or Society of the Presbyterians, Anabaptists, Quakers, or any others, unless you hold the same opinions with them, and adhere to the same mode of worship. The Methodists alone do not insist on your holding this or that opinion, but they think and let think. Neither do they impose any particular mode of worship, but you may continue to worship in your former manner, be it what it may.
Journal, 18th May, 1788


MAY 17

The more labour, the more blessing.
Letter, 9th October 1779


Woman, remember the faith! In the name of God, set out again, and do the first works … Begin again without delay. The day after you receive this, go and meet a class or a band. Sick or well, go! If you cannot speak a word, go; and God will go with you. You sink under the sin of omission.
to Ann Bolton, 1790


I have been often musing upon this: Why the generality of Christians, even those that really are such, are less zealous and less active for God, when they are middle-aged than they were when they were young.
to Elizabeth Ritchie, 1784


Fight on and conquer!
to Dorothy Furley, 1757


MAY 16

Thou poor sinner, stay not to be any better, but take Him just as you are! Trust Him, praise Him now, the Lord will take you with His sweet force.
Letter, 29th November, 1774


Of all the seats of woe on this side (of) hell few, I suppose, exceed or equal Newgate. If any region of horror could exceed it a few years ago, Newgate in Bristol did; so great was the filth the stench, the misery and wickedness which shocked all who had a spark of humanity left. How was I surprised, then, when Iwas there a few weeks ago! Every part of it, above stairs and below, even the pit wherein the felons are confined at night, is as clean and sweet as a gentlemen’s house. … The prison now has a new face; nothing offends either the eye or ear; and the whole has the appearance of a quiet, serious family. And does not the Keeper of Newgate deserve to be remembered full as well as the Man of Ross?
to the London Chronicle, 1761


MAY 15

Exhort all the believers, strongly and explicitly, to go on to perfection; and to expect every blessing God has promised, not tomorrow, but today!
Letter, 7th March, 1779


My mother never would suffer one of her children to go to a dancing-school. But she had a dancing-master to come to her house who taught all of us what was sufficient in her presence. To this I have no objection. If I had convenience, I would be glad to have all our preachers taught, even by a dancing-master, to make a bow and to go in and out of a room.
to James Barry, 1773


Of playing at cards, I say the same as of seeing plays, I could not do it with a clear conscience. But I am not obliged to pass any sentence on those that are otherwise minded.
The More Excellent Way


MAY 14

Find preachers of David Brainerds spirit, and nothing can stand before them.
Journal, 8th August, 1767


I am a Church-of-England man; and, as I said fifty years ago so I say still, in the Church I will live and die, unless I am thrust out.

. . . . . . .

Our glorying has been not to be a separate body.
to Henry Moore, 1788


I have one point in view to promote, so far as I am able, vital practical religion; and by the grace of God to beget, preserve and increase the life of God in the souls of men.
to Samuel Walker, 1756


MAY 13

Expect from Him, not what you deserve, but what you want – health of soul and health of body.
Letter, 16th August, 1778


The nation is already involved in many troubles. And we know not how many more may follow. Are we able to extricate ourselves out of them all? If we have so much wisdom and strength that we need no help from man, are we quite sure that we need no help from God? I know your Lordship is not of that opinion. But if we need it, why are we ashamed to ask for it? To ask for it in the manner our forefathers did, in solemn public fasting and prayer? …

My Lord, my heart is full. Suffer me to speak; and if I speak as a fool, yet as a fool bear with me. Has your Lordship been ashamed (if every one else was) to mention this to His Majesty? Who besides your Lordship is likely to do it? Did prudence hinder you from doing it? … Now your Lordship has need of the whole armour of God … that you may answer the design of Him who hath raised you up for this very thing, and placed you so near His Majesty that he might have one counselor at least who dares not flatter but will speak the truth from his heart.
Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, 1775


MAY 12

You are all, I hope, pressing on to the mark! See! the prize is before you!
Letter, 19th February, 1779


It was in pursuance of an advice given by Bishop Taylor, in his Rules for Holy Living and Dying, that about fifteen years ago I began to take a more exact account than I had done before, of the matter wherein I spent my time, writing down how I had employed every hour. This I continued to do, wherever I was, till the time of my leaving England. The variety of scenes which I then passed through induced me to transcribe, from time to time, the more material parts of my diary, adding here and there such little reflections as occurred to my mind.
Preface to Journal, 1732


MAY 11

I have often repented of judging too severely, but very seldom of being too merciful.
Letter, 20th October, 1787


I am shortly to take my Master’s degree. As I shall from that time be less interrupted by business not of my own choosing, I have drawn up for myself a scheme of studies, from which I do not intend, for some years at least, to vary. I am perfectly come over to your opinion that there may be truths it is not worth while to know. Curiosity, indeed, might be a sufficient plea for our laying out some time upon them, if we had half a dozen centuries of life to come; but, methinks it is great ill-husbandry to spend a considerable part of the small pittance now allowed us in what makes us neither a quick nor a sure return.
Letter to his mother, 1727


MAY 10

All the blessings which God hath bestowed upon man are of His mere grace, bounty or favour; His free, undeserved favour; favour altogether undeserved; man having no claim to the least of His mercies. It was free grace that formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him a living soul and stamped on that soul the image of God, and put all things under his feet. The same free grace continues to us, at this day, life and breath and all things, for there is nothing we are or have or do which can deserve the least thing at God’s hand.
Salvation by Faith


Read the most useful books, and that regularly and constantly.
Large Minutes, 1770, Q.32


MAY 9

Why have you not set on foot a weekly subscription in order to lessen your debt? Have neither the preachers nor the people any spirit? Who begins? I will give two shillings and sixpence a week (for a year), if all of you together will make up twenty shillings.
to William Mears, 1790


Mr. Churchey is an honest attorney! Therefore he is poor, and has eight children. Give me a guinea for him, for his own sake, for God’s sake, and for the sake of John Wesley.
Proposals for Printing by Subscription Walter Churchey’s Poems, 1789


If the people were more alive to God, they would be more liberal. There is money enough, and particularly in Somersetshire.
to John Mason, 1784


If you need no book but the Bible, you are not above St. Paul. He wanted others too.
Large Minutes, 1770, Q.32


MAY 8


No preacher is to preach three times in a day to the same congregation. It is neither good for his body nor soul.
to Mr. York, 1790


Always conclude the Service within the hour.
to James Ridall, 1787


Speak plain to Brother Ward and Foster, and tell them for me: “Unless you can and will leave off preaching long, I shall think it my duty to prevent you preaching at all among the Methodists.”
to Jeremiah Brettall, 1781


What a blessing it is to have One Friend! How many have never found one in their lives?
Letter, 15th May, 1779


MAY 7

If you do build, take care to have windows enough and two broad doors; and do not build a scarecrow of a house.
to John Bredin, 1789


A preaching-house can’t be too light or too airy? Therefore your windows must be large. And let them be sashes, opening downward; otherwise the air coming in would give people cold . . . and see that whatever is done be done neat and strong.
to Edward Bolton, 1769


You must not undertake any building till two-thirds of the money it will cost are subscribed.
to Robert Costerdine, 1769


I hope you will always be diligent in business as one branch of the business of Life.
Letter, 3rd August, 1778


MAY 6

Your preaching frequently will be no hindrance, but rather a furtherance (to your health), provided you have the resolution always to observe the Methodist rule of concluding the Service within the hour.
to R. C. Brackenbury, 1781


Be not at everyone’s call. … Never continue the Service above an hour at once, singing, preaching, prayer and all. You are not to judge by your own feelings, but by the word of God. Never scream. Never speak above the natural pitch of your voice; it is disgustful to the hearers. It gives them pain, not pleasure. And it is destroying yourself.
to Sarah Mallett, 1789


Let us work while the day is.
Letter, 7th March, 1779


MAY 5

Keep close to your rule, the Word of God, and to your guide, the Spirit of God, and never be afraid of expecting too much.
to Miss March, 1761


We are called to propagate Bible religion through the land – that is, faith working by love, holy tempers and holy lives. Let us do it with our might.
to Joseph Benson, 1777


Remember! you will be rewarded according to your labour, not according to your success.
Letter, 26th August, 1779


MAY 4

A smoky room, a cold morning, a rainy day, the dullness or perverseness of those we are with: these, and innumerable little crosses, will help us onward to the Kingdom.
Letter, 2nd December, 1778


Of all gossiping, religious gossiping is the worst; it adds hypocrisy to uncharitableness [sic], and effectually does the work of the devil in the name of the Lord. The leaders in every Society may do much towards driving it out from among the Methodists. Let them in the band or class observe: (1) ‘Now we are to talk of no absent persons, but simply of God and our own souls;’ (2) ‘Let the rule of our conversation here be the rule of all our conversation. Let us observe it (unless in some necessarily exempt cases) at all times and in all places.’ If this be frequently inculcated, it will have an excellent effect.
to Philothea Briggs, 1772


MAY 3

Parents are under a peculiar obligation, by daily earnest prayer, to commend their children to God’s protection and blessing. You are, secondly, to bless them by your piety. See that you be such persons in all holy conversation, that from you the blessing of God may descend upon your posterity.
The Duties of Husbands and Wives


The debt which a child owes to a parent is so inconceivably great, that he can never hope fully to discharge it himself. He is therefore to seek the assistance of God, and continually to beg Him that has all power in heaven and earth, to return whatever good his parents have done him, sevenfold into their own bosom.
Directions to Children


We have need to apply the general word, “Take up thy cross, and follow Me,” to a thousand little particulars.
Letter, 2nd December, 1778


MAY 2

Let marriage also be sanctified or made holy by prayer. Solemnly pray for the blessing of God. … As therefore it is a brutish profaneness for any man to sit down to his table, as a horse to the manger, without asking the blessing from God first, and to return from it as a fox from his prey, without praising him that gave the food and appetite; so it is a great licentiousness for married persons to come together, as it were, brute beasts, without either prayer or thanksgiving.

This yields a good instruction to young unmarried people, not to rush unadvisedly into this state. A thing of so difficult a nature should not be so hastily undertaken. If they get not first their hearts full of grace, and their heads full of wisdom, they will find their hands full of work, a house full of trouble, and a life full of woe. … He that leaps over a broad ditch with a short staff, will fall into the midst; and he that enters into marriage without grace, shall fall into disquietude and vexation.
The Duties of Husbands and Wives


Little things contrary to our wills may be great blessings.
Letter, 2nd December, 1778


MAY 1

We are debtors to all the world. We are called to warn everyone, to exhort everyone, if by any means we may save some.
Letter, 11th December, 1772



Sickness and weakness are things which of themselves are hard enough to be borne. There needs not the addition of unkindness to make the burden heavier.

. . . . . . .

You must faithfully keep each other’s secrets. A man may have occasion to acquaint his wife with things he would not reveal to others; so a woman to acquaint her husband.

. . . . . . .

It is an infallible truth that there is no comfortable living with one whom you cannot trust.

. . . . . . .

If the husband puts a fool’s coat upon his back, can he blame his wife for laughing at him?
The Duties of Husbands and Wives