Wesley's letters to young women...

Front matter

UMTED STATES OF AMERICA.

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A Series of Letters written by Rev. John Wesley to Several Young Christian Women

Contents

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I. " Faithful in Comparatively Little

Things " I

II. Losing The Sense Of God's Love

[Sent from Bristol but written at Heptonstal-on-the Mountain. She had asked advice how to pick out acquaintances. There is a liking for the more genteel, and there is danger of losing the sense of God's love.]

Bristol, May 18, 1757.

THE great point is to pick out in Bristol, as in all places, such acquaintance as have a deep fear of God, a continual consciousness

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

of his presence, and a strong thirst after his whole image. Such I take most of the leaders of bands to be, and such are many of the poor in the society; but extremely few of the rich or honorable Methodists are of that number. My dear sister, I have been in pain for you on their account. When I talked with you last you could relish the simplicity of the Gospel ; you were athirst for all the mind that was in Christ, and wanted to walk just as he walked. O, let none persuade you, either by example or advice, to make any, the least deviation from that good way. Make no abatement ; do not soften the plain, rough Gospel; do not

Measure back your steps to earth again.

Be not, either inwardly or outwardly, conformed to this world, but be a Christian altogether.

Health you shall have if health be best. And He that gives it will give a blessing with it, an increase of spiritual as well as of bodily strength ; but it is strength to labor, not to sit still. And this strength will either increase or decrease in the same proportion with your sense of his love. You may lose this sense either, i. By committing sin. Or, 2. By omitting duty. Or, 3. By giving way to pride, anger,

• or any other inward sin. Or, 4. By not watching unto prayer; by yielding to indolence or spiritual sloth. But it is no more necessary that we should ever lose it than it is necessary

we should omit duty or commit sin. To Miss Furly.

III. "all The Promises Lie Fair Before You."

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 14, 1757. V/^OU have reason to praise God for what he * has done and to expect all that he has promised. Indeed, if it were required that you should work this in yourself your impotence might be a bar to your expectations ; and so might your unworthiness, if God required any merit of yours, in order to his working in you. But what impotence in you can be a bar to the almighty power of God ? And what unworthiness can hinder the free love of God — his love in and through Christ Jesus? So that all the promises lie fair before you. The land flowing with milk and honey, the Canaan of his perfect love, is open. Believe, and enter in !

It is an observation of one of the ancients that it is far easier not to desire praise than not to be pleased with it. A bare conviction

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

s that it is, generally speaking, deadly poison

may prevent our desiring it ; but nothing less

than humble love filling the heart will prevent

our being pleased with it; for the sense of

honor is as natural to man as the sense of

tasting or feeling. But when that which is

spiritual is fully come this which is corruptly

natural shall be done away.

Whatever enemies you have, it is enough that

you have a Friend who is mightier than them

all. O let him reign in your heart alone ! Do

not spare to speak with all freedom to, dear

Miss Furly,

Your affectionate brother and servant. To Miss Furly.

IV. " Powerful Advocates For Conformity To

THE WORLD."

[He opens the way to a more joyful life. She speaks freely of the pleasure that comes from the praise of others. In this and the following letter he gently warns her not to hear others too much, as she is easily ** influenced by fair words."]

June 18, 1757.

AM the more jealous over you because I * know you are liable to be much influenced by fair words, especially when they are spoken by persons of sense, and in an agreeable manner. And flesh and blood are powerful advocates for conformity to the world, particularly in little things. But, blessed be God, we have an unction from the Holy One, ready to teach us of all things. O let us attend to this inward teaching, which, indeed, is always consonant with the word. Then the word, applied by the Spirit, shall be a light in all our ways and a lamp in all our paths.

Fight on and conquer ! Change of place, as you observe, is but a little thing. But God has, in some measure, changed your heart, wherein you have great reason to rejoice. And, having received the first fruits of the Spirit, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, patiently and earnestly wait for the great change, whereby every root of bitterness may be torn up.

To Miss Furly.

V. "a Fresh Discovery Of The Love Of God."

York, July r, 1757. pvEAR MISS FURLY: I cannot write to ^ you now so fully as I would, but I send a few lines. Mere temptation certainly does not weaken without yielding to temptation. Yet a heaviness and soreness may remain

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

upon the spirit till there is a fresh discovery of the love of God.

A jealous fear of offending God is good. But what have you to do with any other fear? Let love cast it all out, and at the same time make you tenfold more afraid of doing anything, small or great, which you cannot offer up as a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

All who are without this fear (and much more all who call it legal, who revile the precious gift of God, and think it a hindrance to " the growing up in Christ ") are Antinomians in the inmost soul. Come not into their secret, my dear Miss Furly, but pray for more and more of that "legal spirit," and you

will more and more rejoice.

To Miss Furly.

VI. "a Means Of Lessening Your Burden."

[She is afraid that she has offended him by writing so freely. He urges a full expression of her religious desires. She wants to know if many are made perfect in love until a little before death.]

Tremeneare, September 6, 1757. \1 7HY you should be afraid, on account of * y anything you said to me, I do not know. Certainly if you had said whatever was in your heart it might have been a means of lessening your burden and not of increasing it. I believe you often have a desire, and almost a resolution, of saying a great deal to me ; but when you come to write or speak your heart fails. Why should it ? Why should you repress yourself ? I should not despise but love you for your openness. It is the fruit and proof of an honest heart. I know you are weak ; I know a little of your particular weakness. But so much the more am I concerned for you, as a tender, sickly flower.

Away then with this reserve ; it answers no end but to trouble and embarrass you. Tell me, freely and plainly, any difficulty you meet with, any enemy against whom you want help. Use me as a friend, as I hope you will use Sister Crosby, and you will find it a blessing to your soul. It will again bring the promise of holiness near, which indeed always seems to be far off when we give way to any known sin, when we anyway grieve the Spirit of God. There may be some rare cases wherein God has determined not to bestow his perfect love till a little before death; but this I believe is uncommon ; he does not usually put off the fulfilling of his promises.

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

Seek, and you shall find ; seek earnestly, and

you shall find speedily. Lift up the hands

that hang down ; deny yourself ; take up

your cross, whether that of meeting your

class or any othen Fight on, and victory is

at hand !

To Miss Furly.

VII. " Genuine Grace, Unmixed With Paint."

[He again opens the way for free writing. She often walks thorny paths ; has difficulty about private prayer, which proves a cross to her.]

St. Austle, Cornwall, September 25, 1757.

MY DEAR SISTER : It is a rule with me to take nothing ill that is well meant ; therefore you have no need ever to be afraid of my putting an ill construction on anything you say ; for I know you mean only to save your soul. In most genteel religious people there is so strange a mixture that I have seldom much confidence in them. I love the poor ; in many of them I find pure, genuine grace, unmixed with paint, folly, and affectation. But I think Mrs. Gaussen is upright of heart; and perhaps you may find one or two gentle-women like her.

It is plain God sees it best for you frequently

IO to walk in a thorny path. By this means he aims at destroying your pride of heart and breaking your stubborn will. You have had large experience that there is no substantial or lasting happiness but in him. O be true to yourself and to your own experience ! Do not seek it where it cannot be found. Hew out to yourself no more broken cisterns, but let all the springs of your happiness be in him.

You cannot be too careful to keep out of the way of anything that has been the occasion of sin. And it is very possible to show civility and moderate respect to any person without coming in the way of danger. All private conversation may be avoided, and ought to be, at all hazards. Do not run yourself into temptation, and God will deliver you from evil.

Nature and the devil will always oppose private prayer ; but it is worth while to break through. That it is a cross will not hinder its being a blessing ; nay, often the more reluctance, the greater blessing.

To Miss Furfy,

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

II

VIII. "god Will Do His Own Work In His Own

MANNER."

[She is troubled because her experience is not as that of others. The darkness brought sorrow, and she would know the reason. Some have spoken ** rough " words. She had prayed.]

Bristol, October 21, 1757.

MY DEAR SISTER : God will do his own work in his own manner, and it matters not whether it be wrought in a more pleasing or painful manner, so it is wrought ; so nature is subdued, pride and self-will dethroned, and the will of God done in us and by us. Therefore trouble not yourself about the experience of others ; God knows you, and let him do with you as he sees best.

I judge your late distress to be partly the effect of disease, but chiefly preternatural. In the third Journal, there is a case nearly parallel, only the symptoms were more severe. For, in a moment, Lucretia Smith felt such a cloud spread over her that she could not believe there was a God or an after state. You did right to pray, as you could pray ; and this is the best method which can be taken in heaviness or darkness of any kind. Then, if sin be the cause, it will be discovered. But take care that you do not refuse any help ; even rough speakers may be of service. Only spread what they say before the Lord, and he will turn it to good.

To Miss Fu rly.

"THAT FRESH EVIDENCE OF PARDON."

XDOUBTEDLY you may arise now and

^ receive power from on high. You are hindered chiefly by not understanding the freeness of the gift of God. You are perpetually seeking for something in yourself to move him to love and bless you. But it is not to be found there ; it is in himself and in the Son of his love. He did then give you a proof of this, in that fresh evidence of pardon ; and he is ready to give it you again to-day ; for he is not weary of well-doing. But even after this you may or you may not use the power which attends that peace. And if you ask for more power it shall be given you ; for you have an Advocate with the Father. O cast yourself upon him ; learn more of that lesson :

IX. Lewisham, February 9, 1758

Thy salvation to obtain,

Out of myself I go : Freely thou must heal my pain, Thy unbought mercy show.

How much of it you may find in this hour !

Look up, and see redemption near ! To Miss Furly.

X. "difficult To Resist Hurtful Desire."

[Trifling conversation causes her to become discouraged, and she is ready to yield. The cross is heavy and she shrinks from it.]

Dublin, April 13, 1758.

TT seems best for you to have frequent returns * of weakness; it may be needful to fix seriousness upon your spirit, by a lasting impression, that there is but one step between you and eternity. But sickness alone will not do this; no, nor even the near approach of death. Unless the Spirit of God sanctify both, a man may laugh and trifle with his last breath.

You will overcome trifling conversation and the fear of man, not by yielding, but by fighting. This is a cross which you cannot be excused from taking up; bear it, and it will bear you. By prayer you will receive power so to do, to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. But it is more difficult to resist hurtful desire; I am most afraid you should give way to this. Herein you have need of all the power of God. O stand fast ! Look up, and receive strength! I shall be glad to hear that you are more than conqueror, r 4 and that you daily grow in the vital knowledge

of Christ. Peace be with your spirit! To Jfiss Furly.

XI. " Health You Shall Have, If Health

BE BEST."

Y DEAR SISTER: I thought it long since I heard from you, but I imputed it to vour illness. And I did not desire you should do anything which would put you to pain or increase your bodily weakness.

When you seemed confident of receiving the promise in a few days I did not judge it needful to say anything to the contrary, both because I was persuaded that expectation would be a quickening to your soul and because I knew you had one near you who was able to advise you in any emergency. See that your desires do not cool, and you shall not be ashamed of this confident expectation. So long as it is tempered with resignation it can do you no disservice. And what else is there worthy of a desire ? Health you shall have, if health be best, even bodily health. But what is that in comparison of a healthful mind ? And

this you are sure to have.

To Miss Furly.

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XII. "avoid Disputes About Holiness."

[For a year and a half no letters are preserved. She has not yet found " perfect love." The difficulty may be " disputes about holiness." What can she do ?]

Athlone, June I, 1760.

JWl Y DEAR SISTER: I am persuaded it is * * not a little thing which will make me angry at you. I hope your thinking evil of me would not, for you may have many reasons so to do.

Try : perhaps by prayer and a little resolution you may avoid hearing those disputes about holiness. It implies no more than this : if John Jones, or any other, begins a discourse concerning the errors or sins of absent persons tell him, " I beg you would say no more on this head ; I dare not, and I will not, hear, unless those persons were present." If one begins any caution of that kind, stop him, only with mildness and good humor ; say, " I believe you speak out of kindness, but I must not hear ; it both distresses and hurts my soul ; therefore, if you really wish my welfare, be silent, or let us call another cause." Where you see good you may add, " I consulted Mr. Wesley on this head, and this was the advice he gave me."

Xo one ever " walked in the light as God is in the light " (I mean, in the full sense of the expression) till " the blood of Jesus Christ had cleansed him from all sin." " If we are perfectly saved it is through his blood." This is the plain meaning of the text, and it may be fulfilled in you before you sleep. God is sovereign in sanctifying as well as justifying. He will act when as well as how he pleases, and none can say unto him, " What doest thou ? "

To Miss Furly.

XIII. " He Is Steering You To The Haven."

Norwich, Jayiuary 18, 1761.

MY DEAR SISTER : I have sometimes wondered that not one of all the clergymen we have known should ever cleave to me for God's sake ; nor one man of learning, which would ease me exceedingly. Tommy Walsh designed it,

But death had quicker wings than love.

Perhaps it was not best, because I am so immeasurably apt to pour out all my soul into any that love me.

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

It is well for Sister Clarke that she is landed safe. And it is well for us, who are still amidst the waves, that He is with us whom the winds and the seas obey. He is steering you to the haven, where you would be. You may well trust your soul with him and let him do with you as seemeth him good.

Certainly nothing can be of greater importance than the behavior both of those who are renewed and of those who are known to be pressing after it. You have need to weigh every step you take. When and where do you

meet now? And who are they that meet? To Miss Furly.

XIV. "the Perfection I Believe And Teach."

[A friend advises that she is not to expect much till death. She affirms that great blessings have been received. How does he mark out " sanctification ? " Will it exclude mistakes ? Can an invalid girl receive the full blessing of perfection ?]

St. Ives, September^, 1762.

JWIY DEAR SISTER: Whereunto you * " * have attained, hold fast. But expect that greater things are at hand, although our friend talks as if you were not to expect them till the article of death.

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Certainly sanctification (in the proper sense) is "an instantaneous deliverance from all sin," and includes "an instantaneous power then given, always to cleave to God." Yet this sanctification (at least in the lower degrees) does not include a power never to think a useless thought nor ever speak a useless word. I myself believe that such a perfection is inconsistent with living in a corruptible body, for this makes it impossible " always to think right." While we breathe we shall, more or less, mistake. If, therefore, Christian perfection implies this, we must not expect it till after death.

I want you to be all love. This is the perfection I believe and teach. And this perfection is consistent with a thousand nervous disorders, which that high-strained perfection is not. Indeed, my judgment is that (in this case particularly) to overdo is to undo, and that to set perfection too high (so high as no man that we ever heard or read of attained) is the most effectual (because unsuspected)

way of driving it out of the world.

XV. On Marriage

[She asks three questions relating to married life. Her confidence in Mr. Wesley is so strong that she mentions her lover's name. She never married ; probably ill health prevented.]

London, July 16, 1763.

JWl Y DEAR SISTER: i. So far as I know what will make me most holy and most useful I know what is the will of God.

2. Certainly it is possible for persons to be as devoted to God in a married as in a single state.

3. I believe John Downes is thoroughly desirous of being wholly devoted to God, and that, if you alter your condition at all, you

cannot choose a more proper person.

To Miss Furly.

XVI. Salvation From Sin

Lewisham, December 15, 1763.

lUY DEAR SISTER : It has seemed to me

* ' * for some time that God will not suffer

Cornelius Bastable to live at Cork. He may

starve there, but he cannot live. The people

are not worthy of him.

Salvation from sin is a deeper and higher

work than either you or S. Ryan can con- 3 ceive. But do not imagine (as we are continually prone to do) that it lies in an indivisible point. You experienced a taste of it when you were justified ; you since experienced the thing itself, only in a low degree, and God gave you his Spirit that you might know the things which he had freely given you. Hold fast the beginning of your confidence steadfast unto the end. You are continually apt to throw away what you have for what you want. However, you are right in looking for a farther instantaneous change as well as a constant gradual one. But it is not good for you to be quite alone; you should converse frequently as well as freely with Miss Johnson and any other that is much alive.

To Miss Fitrly.

XVII. Concerning Giving

[She questions him concerning giving. It seems to disturb her that she must give attention to the mammon of unrighteousness. She has come for advice to the best example of systematic giving since the days of the apostles.]

Edinburgh, May 28, 1764.

JWIY DEAR SISTER: Certainly it would * be right to spend some time in setting down both the outward providences of God

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

and the inward leadings and workings of his Spirit as far as you can remember them. But observe withal you are called to be a good steward of the mammon of unrighteousness. You must therefore think of this, too, in its place only without anxiety, otherwise that neglect of your calling will hinder the work of God in your heart. You are not serving mammon by this, but serving Christ ; it is part of the task which he has assigned you. Yet it is true your heart is to be free all the time; and see that you stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free. To Miss Furly.

XVIII. "use All The Ability God Giveth."

London, August 2, 1776.

MY DEAR SISTER : I know not that you differ from me at all. You are certainly in your place at present, and it seems one providential reason of your ill health was to drive you thither. Now use all the ability which God giveth, and he will give more. Unto him that hath shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly ; it is the hand of the diligent that maketh rich. If you can persuade honest Alice Brammah to be cleanly as well as gentle she will be tenfold more useful, and so will Billy Brammah if he will be teachable and advisable ; otherwise there is a fly in the pot of ointment. You are sent to Leeds chiefly for the sake of those that enjoy or thirst after perfect love. Redeem the time ! Goon in His name ! And let the world and the

devil fall under your feet.

To Miss Furly %

XIX. On Women As Class Leaders

[Miss Furly had for many years acted as leader of a class of women. She asks if it will be improper to lead a class of men. This answer has a peculiar interest in our day.]

October, 1776.

IVAY DEAR SISTER: You have abundant * * * reason to praise God, who has dealt so mercifully with you, and to encourage all about you never to rest till they attain full salvation.

As to the question you propose, if the leader himself desires it, and the class be not unwilling, in that case there can be no objection to your meeting a class even of men. This is not properly assuming or exercising any authority over them. You do not act as a su-

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

perior, but an equal, and it is an act of friendship and brotherly love.

I am glad you had a little conversation with Miss Ritchie. She is a precious soul. Do her all the good you can, and incite her to exert

all the talents which God has given her. To Miss Furly.

XX. "never So Busy As To Forget My Friends."

London, December 1, 1781.

IWI Y DEAR SISTER: Never be afraid that * * * I should think your letters troublesome; I am never so busy as to forget my friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher made an excellent beginning, and I trust they will increase with all the increase of God. Now, let all of you that remain in the neighborhood arise up and supply her lack of service. Be instant in season out of season; that all may know you have caught her mantle !

But pray do not suffer my poor Miss Ritchie to work herself to death. Let her do all she

can, and not more than she can.

To Miss Furly.

XXI. " Weakness Of Nerves Cannot Prevent Joy In

THE LORD."

[This is the last letter to Miss Furly, as far as we know. Healthy man as Mr. Wesley is, he can sympathize with an invalid. With all her sickness, Miss Furly found at last that M perfect love," with its joy, for which she sought so long and earnestly.]

Near London, November 21, 1783.

Y DEAR SISTER: Through the blessing of God I find no difference at all between the health and strength which are now given me and that which I had forty years ago. Only I had then many pains which I have not now.

You are enabled to give a very clear and standing proof that weakness of nerves cannot prevent joy in the Lord. Your nerves have been remarkably weak, and that for many years; but still your soul can magnify the Lord and

your spirit rejoice in God your Saviour !

To Miss Furly.

XXII. " Be Anything But A Trifler."

[The two earnest letters (XXII and XXIII) to this unknown young woman brought a reply that must have given Mr. Wesley great joy. They are noticeable for two hings : first, that he sought the conversion of persons to

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

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God, and not to his own private opinions. He opened the way to any outward profession, if only the heart was right with God. Second, he gave the model of how to reprove or warn.]

February 21, 1759.

DROBABLY, Miss—, this may be the * last trouble of the kind which you will receive from me. Therefore you may forgive me this, and the rather when you consider my motives to it. You know I can have no temporal view; I can have none but a faint, distant hope (because with God all things are possible) of doing some service to one whom I love. And this may answer the question which you might naturally ask, " What would you have ? What do you want with me ? M I want you not to be a convert to my opinions, but to be a member of Christ, a child of God, and an heir of his kingdom. Be anything, as to ouU ward profession, so you are lowly in heart 5 so. you resist and conquer every motion of pride, and have that mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Be what you please besides ; only be meek and gentle, and in patience possess your soul ; so that one may truly say to you,

" Calm thou ever art within, All unruffled, all serene."

Hear what preacher you will, but hear the voice of God, and beware of prejudice and every unkind temper; beware of foolish and hurtful desires, or they will pierce you through with many sorrows. In one word, be anything but a trifler, a trifler with God and your own soul. It was not for this that God gave you

"A mind superior to the vulgar herd."

No, Miss , no ! but that you might employ

all your talents to the glory of Him that gave them. O, do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God! Is he not still striving with you? striving to make you, not almost, but altogether, a Christian ? Indeed, you must be all or nothing ; a saint or a devil, eminent in sin or holiness! The good Lord deliver you from every snare, and guide your feet in the way of peace ! How great a pleasure would this give to all your real friends, and in particular to

Your affectionate servant for Christ's sake. To Miss .

XXIII. Dangers Of A Large Fortune

Colchester, March 20, 1759.

J\ l\ Y wife, Miss — — , surprised me last night * ' *• by informing me you are left mistress of a large fortune. Shall I say, agreeably surprised me ? I cannot tell, because I believe there is

TO YOUNG WOMEN.

2 7 another world, and I do not know what influence this change may have on your condition. Therefore I am in fear and in hope. You may be hereby far more happy, or far more miserable, in eternity! O, make a stand! Consider the situation you are in ; perhaps never before were you in so great danger. You know a little of your natural tempers ; now you have means of indulging, and thereby inflaming, them to the uttermost. And how many will incite you so to do! How few will dare to warn you against it ! Now what food will you have for pride! what infinite temptations to think more highly than you ought to think! You do so already. But O, where will you stop ? The good Lord arrest the storm in mid-career ! How impetuously now, unless God interpose, must self-will whirl you along! How deeply, unless he help, will you shortly be immersed in practical atheism ! as ten thousand things will concur to drive God out of your thoughts, as much as if he were not in the world. But, above all, how will you escape from being swallowed up in idolatry ? love of the world, such as you never knew before ?