JULY 9
In the meantime it is your wisdom to make the full use of those which you have.
Letter, 1st August, 1786
Question: Do you not entail a schism on the Church? i.e. is it not probable that your hearers, after your death, will be scattered into all sects and parties, or that they will form themselves into a distinct sect?
Answer: 1. We are persuaded the body of our hearers will, even after our death, remain in the Church, unless they be thrust out.
2. We believe, notwithstanding, either that they will be thrust out, or that they will leaven the whole Church.
3. We do, and will do, all we can to prevent those consequences which are supposed likely to happen after our death.
4. but we cannot, with a good conscience, neglect the present opportunity of saving souls while we live, for fear of consequences which may possibly or probably happen after we are dead.
Minutes of Conversations, 1744
