Part 1
The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │ │ │ Punctuation has been standardized. │ │ │ │ Most of the non-common abbreviations used to save space in │ │ printing have been expanded to the non-abbreviated form for │ │ easier reading. │ │ │ │ The author has used an asterisk (*) to indicate passages he │ │ considers most worthy of attention. │ │ │ │ The text is very inconsistent in its usage of quotation marks.│ │ The transcriber has attempted to make their use consistent │ │ throughout this work for improved readability. │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps. │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text. These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a Transcriber’s Note. │ │ │ │ Footnotes are identified in the text with a superscript │ │ number and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which │ │ they appear. │ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes are used when making corrections to the │ │ text or to provide additional information for the modern │ │ reader. These notes are identified by ♦♠♥♣ symbols in the │ │ text and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which │ │ they appear. │ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
THE WORKS OF THE Rev. JOHN WESLEY, M.A.
Late Fellow of _Lincoln-College_, OXFORD.
VOLUME XIII.
BRISTOL: Printed by WILLIAM PINE, in _Wine-Street_. MDCCLXXII.
THE CONTENTS Of the THIRTEENTH VOLUME.
⭘ Letters written by Mr. _Brainerd_
⭘ An Extract from Miss _Mary Gilbert_’s Journal
⭘ An Extract from _Elizabeth Harper_’s Journal
⭘ A short Account of _Ann Johnson_
⭘ A short Account of _Ann Rogers_
⭘ A short Account of _Mary Langson_
⭘ A short Account of _Hannah Richardson_
⭘ A Letter to the Rev. Mr. _John Wesley_, by a _Gentlewoman_
⭘ An Extract of Mrs. _L****_’s Letters
LETTERS WRITTEN BY Mr. BRAINERD.
To his brother John, then a student at Yale-College in New-Haven.
_Kaunaumeek, April 30, 1743_.
_Dear Brother_,
*I SHOULD tell you, “I long to see you,” but that my own experience has taught me, there is no happiness to be enjoyed in _earthly friends_, though ever so near and dear, or any other enjoyment that is not God himself. Therefore, if the _God of all grace_ would be pleased graciously to afford us each his presence and grace, that we may perform the work, and endure the trials he calls us to, in a tiresome wilderness, till we arrive at our journey’s end; the distance at which we are held from each other at present, is a matter of no great moment.――――But alas! the presence of God is what I want.――――I live in the most lonely melancholy _desert_, about eighteen miles from Albany. I board with a poor Scotchman: his wife can talk scarce a word of English. My _diet_ consists mostly of hasty-pudding, boiled corn, and bread baked in the ashes. My _lodging_ is a little straw, laid upon some boards, a little way from the ground; for it is a log-room, without any floor, that I lodge in. My _work_ is exceeding hard: I travel on foot a mile and half, the worst of way, almost daily, and back again; for I live so far from my Indians.――――I have not seen an English person this month.――――These and many other circumstances as uncomfortable, attend me; and my _spiritual conflicts_ and _distresses_ so far _exceed_ all these that I scarce think of them. The Lord grant that I may be enabled “to endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!” As to my _success_ here I cannot say much: the Indians seem generally well disposed towards me, and are mostly very attentive to my instructions: two or three are under some convictions; but there seems to be little of the special workings of the divine Spirit among them yet; which gives me many a heart-sinking hour. Sometimes I hope God has abundant blessings in store for them and me; but at other times I am so overwhelmed with distress, that I cannot see how his dealings with me are consistent with covenant love and faithfulness, and I say “surely his tender mercies are clean gone for ever.” But however, I see, I _needed_ all this _chastisement_ already: “it is good for me,” that I have endured these trials. Do not be discouraged by my distresses: I was under great distress, at Mr. Pomroys, when I saw you last; but “God has been with me of a truth,” since that. But let us always remember, that we must _through much tribulation_ enter into God’s eternal kingdom. The righteous are _scarcely_ saved: it is an infinite wonder, that we have hopes of being saved at all. For my part, I feel the most vile of any creature living; and I am sure, there is not such another existing on this side _hell_.――――Now all you can do for me, is, to pray incessantly, that God would make me humble, holy, resigned, and heavenly minded, by all my trials.――――“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Let us _run_, _wrestle_, and _fight_, that we may obtain the prize, and obtain that compleat happiness, to be “holy, as God is holy.” So wishing ♦and praying that you may advance in learning and grace, and be fit for special service for God, I remain
_Your affectionate Brother_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
♦ duplicate word “and” removed
* * * * *
To his Brother John, at Yale-college in New-Haven.
_Kaunaumeek, December 27, 1743_.
_Dear Brother_,
I LONG to see you, and know how you fare in your journey through the world of sorrow, where we are compassed about with “vanity, confusion, and vexation of spirit.” I am more weary of life than ever I was. The whole world appears to me like a vast empty space, ♦whence nothing desirable, or at least satisfactory, can possibly be derived, and long daily to die more and more to it; even though I obtain not that comfort from spiritual things which I earnestly desire. Worldly pleasures, such as flow from greatness, riches, honours, and sensual gratifications, are infinitely _worse_ than none. May the Lord deliver us more and more from these _vanities_! I have spent most of the fall and winter in a very weak state of body; and sometimes under pressing inward trials, but “having obtained help from God, I continue to this day;” and am now something better in health. I find nothing more conducive to a life of _Christianity_, than a diligent and faithful improvement of precious _time_. Let us then faithfully perform that business, which is alloted us by divine Providence to the utmost of our bodily strength and mental vigour. Why should we sink with any particular trials, we are called to encounter in the world? _Death_ and _eternity_ are just before us; a few tossing billows more will waft us to the world of spirits, and we hope (through infinite grace) into endless pleasures. Let us then “run with patience the race that is set before us.” And Oh that we could depend more upon the _living God_, and less upon our own wisdom and strength! Dear brother, may the _God of all grace_ comfort your heart, and succeed your studies, and make you an instrument of good to his people. This is the instant prayer of
_Your affectionate Brother_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
♦ “where” replaced with “whence” per Errata
* * * * *
To his Brother Israel, at Haddam.
_Kaunaumeek, January 21, 1743‒4_.
_My dear Brother_,
――THERE is but one thing, that deserves our highest care; and that is, that we may answer the great _end_, for which we were made, _viz._ to _glorify_ that God, who has given us our beings and all our comforts, and do all the good we possibly can to our _fellow-creatures_: and verily life is not worth the having, if it be not employed for this noble end. Yet, alas, how little is this thought of? Most men love to _live to themselves_, without regard to the glory of God, or the good of their fellow creatures: they earnestly desire, and eagerly pursue the riches, honours, and pleasures of life, as if they really supposed that wealth, or greatness, or merriment, could make their immortal souls happy. But, alas, what false and delusive dreams are these! And how miserable will those ere long be, who are not awaked out of them, to see, that all their happiness consists in _living to God_, and becoming “holy, as he is holy!” Oh, may you never fall into the tempers and vanities, the sensuality and folly of the present world! You are left, as it were, alone in a wide world, to act for yourself; be sure then to remember, it is a world of _temptation_. You have no earthly parents to form your youth to piety, by their examples and seasonable counsels; let this excite you with great fervency to look up to the _Father of mercies_ for assistance against all the vanities of the world. And if you would glorify God, and make your own soul happy in this and the coming world, observe these few _directions_; though not from a father, yet from a brother who is touched with a tender concern for your present and future happiness. And,
*First, Resolve upon, and daily endeavour to practise a life of _seriousness_. Think of the life of Christ; and when you can find that he was pleased with jesting, then you may indulge it in yourself.
Again, Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time. When you cease from labour, fill up your time in reading, meditation, and prayer: and while your hands are labouring, let your heart be employed, as much as possible in divine thoughts.
Further, Take heed that you faithfully perform the _business_ you have to do in the world, from a regard to the command of God. We should always look upon ourselves as God’s servants, placed in God’s world to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.
*Again, Never expect happiness from the world. If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not _from_ the world. Do not think you shall be more happy, if you live to such or such a state of life, if you live to be for yourself, to be settled in the world, or if you should gain an estate in it: but look upon it that you shall then be _happy_, when you can be constantly employed for God, and not for yourself; and desire to live in this world, only to _do_ and _suffer_ what God allots to you. When you can be of the spirit and temper of angels, who are willing to come down into this lower world, to perform what God commands them, though their desires are _heavenly_, and not set on _earthly_ things, then you will be of that temper that you ought to have.
Once more, Never think that you can live to God by _your own_ strength; but always look to, and rely on _him_ for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace. There is no greater _truth_ than this, that “we can do nothing of ourselves;” yet nothing but our own _experience_ can effectually teach it to us. Indeed we are a long time in learning, that all our strength and salvation is in God. This is a life, that no _unconverted_ man can live; yet it is a life that every godly soul is pressing after. Let it then be your great concern to devote yourself and your all to God.
I long to see you, that I may say much more to you than I now can, but I desire to commit you to the _Father of mercies_, and _God of all grace_; praying that you may be directed safely through an _evil world_, to God’s _heavenly kingdom_.
_I am your affectionate loving brother_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * *
To a special Friend.
_The Forks of Delaware, July 31, 1744._
*――CERTAINLY the greatest, the noblest pleasure of intelligent creatures must result from their acquaintance with the blessed God, and with their own immortal souls. And Oh, how divinely sweet is it, to look into our own souls, when we can find all our passions united and engaged in pursuit of God, our whole souls passionately breathing after a conformity to him, and the full enjoyment of him! Verily there are no hours pass away with so much pleasure, as those that are spent in communing with God and our own hearts. Oh, how sweet is a spirit of devotion, a spirit of seriousness and divine solemnity, a spirit of gospel simplicity, love, tenderness! Oh, how desirable, and how profitable to the Christian life, is a spirit of holy watchfulness, and godly jealousy over ourselves; when we are afraid of nothing so much as that we shall offend the blessed God, whom we apprehend, to be a _father and a friend_; whom we love and long to please! Surely this is a temper, worthy of the highest ambition and closest pursuit of intelligent creatures. Oh, how vastly superior is the peace, and satisfaction derived from these divine frames, to that which we pursue in things impertinent and trifling! Our own bitter experience teaches us, that “in the midst of such laughter the heart is sorrowful,” and there is no true satisfaction but in God. But, alas! how shall we obtain and retain this sweet spirit of religion? Let us follow the apostle’s direction, Philippians ii. 12. and labour upon the encouragement he there mentions, for it is God only can afford us favour; and he will be _sought_, and it is fit we should wait upon him for so rich a mercy. Oh, may the God of all grace afford us the influences of his Spirit: and help us that we may from our hearts esteem it our greatest liberty and happiness, that “whether we live, we may live to the Lord, or whether we die, we may die to the Lord:” that in _life_ and _death_, we may be his!
I am in a very poor state of health: but through divine goodness, I am not discontented: I bless God for this retirement; I never was more thankful for any thing, than I have been of late for the necessity I am under of self-denial: *I love to be a _pilgrim_ and _stranger_ in this wilderness: it seems most fit for such a poor, ignorant, worthless creature as I. I would not change my present _mission_ for any other business in the whole world. I may tell you freely, God has of late given me great freedom and fervency in prayer when I have been so weak and feeble, my nature seemed as if it would speedily dissolve. I feel as if my _all_ was lost, and I was undone, if the poor Heathen be not converted. I feel different from what I did when I saw you last, more _crucified_ to all the enjoyments of life. It would be very refreshing to me, to see you here in this desert; especially in my weak disconsolate hours: but, I could be content never to see you, or any of my friends again in this world, if God would bless my labours to the conversion of the poor Indians.
I have much that I could willingly communicate to you, which I must omit, till Providence gives us leave to see each other. In the mean time, I rest
_Your obliged friend and servant_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * *
To his Brother John, at College.
_Crosweeksung, in New-Jersey, December 28, 1745._
_Very Dear Brother_,
――I AM in one continued and uninterrupted hurry; and divine Providence throws so much upon me, that I do not see it will ever be otherwise. May I “obtain mercy of God to be faithful to the death!” I cannot say, I am weary of my hurry; I only want strength and grace to do more for God.
My dear brother, _The Lord of heaven_, that has carried me through many trials, _bless you_; bless you for time and eternity; and fit you to do service for him in his church below, and to enjoy his blissful presence in his church triumphant. My brother; “the time is short:” Oh let us fill it up for God; let us count the sufferings of this present time as nothing, if we can but “finish our course with joy.” Oh, let us strive to live to God. I bless the Lord, I have nothing to do with _earth_, but only to labour honestly in it for God, till I shall “accomplish as an hireling my day.” I do not desire to live one minute for any thing that _earth_ can afford. Oh, that I could live for none but God, till my dying moment!
_I am your affectionate brother_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * *
To his Brother Israel, at College, written a few Months before his Death.
_Boston, June 30, 1747._
_My dear brother_,
IT is from the sides of _eternity_ I now address you. I am heartily sorry, that I have so little strength to write what I long to communicate to you. But let me tell you, my brother, _eternity_ is another thing than we ordinarily take it to be. Oh, how vast and boundless! Oh, how fixed and unalterable! Oh, of what infinite importance is it, that we be prepared for _eternity_! I have been just dying for more than a week; and all around me have thought so: in this time I have had clear views of _eternity_: have seen the blessedness of the _godly_; and have longed to share their happy state; as well as been comfortably satisfied, that I shall do so; but Oh, what anguish is raised in my mind, to think of an _eternity_ for those who are _Christless_, for those who bring their false hopes to the grave with them! The sight was so dreadful, I could by no means bear it: my thoughts recoiled, and I said, “Who can dwell with everlasting burnings!” Oh, methought, that I could now see my friends, that I might warn them, to see to it, they lay their foundation for _eternity_ sure. And you my dear brother, I have been particularly concerned for; and have wondered I so much neglected conversing with you about your spiritual state at our last meeting. Oh, let me beseech you now to examine, whether you are indeed a _new creature_? Whether the glory of God has ever been the highest concern with you? Whether you have ever been reconciled to all the perfections of God? In a word, whether God has been your portion, and a holy conformity to him your chief delight? If you have reason to think you are _graceless_, Oh, give yourself no rest, till God arise and save. But if the case should be otherwise, bless God for his grace, and press after holiness.
Oh, my dear brother, flee fleshly _lusts_, and the inchanting _amusements_, as well as corrupt _doctrines_ of the present day; and strive to _live to God_. Take this as the last line from
_Your affectionate dying brother_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * *
To a young Gentleman, a _Candidate_ for the _Ministry_, written at the same time.
_Very dear Sir_,
HOW amazing it is, that the _living_ who _know they must die_, should notwithstanding “put far away the evil day,” in a season of health and prosperity: and live at such an awful distance from the grave, and the great concerns beyond it! And especially, that any whose minds have been divinely ♦enlightened, to behold the important things of _eternity_ should live in this manner. And yet, how ♠frequently is this the case? *How rare are the instances of those who live and act, from day to-day, as on the verge of _eternity_; striving to fill up all their remaining moments, in the service of their great _Master_? We insensibly trifle away time, while we seem to have enough of it; and are so strangely amused, as in a great measure to lose a sense of the holiness, necessary to prepare us to be inhabitants of the heavenly _paradise_. But, Oh, dear Sir, a _dying bed_, if we enjoy our reason, will give another view of things. I have now, far more than three weeks, lain under the greatest weakness; the greater part of the time, expecting daily and hourly to enter into the eternal world. And Oh, of what vast importance has a holy, spiritual life, appeared to me to be in this season! I have longed to call upon all my friends, to make it their business to _live to God_; and especially all that are designed for, or engaged in the service of the sanctuary. O dear Sir, do not think it enough, to live at the rate of _common Christians_. Alas, to how little purpose do they often converse, when they meet together! The visits, even of those who are called Christians indeed, are frequently quite barren; and conscience cannot but condemn us for the misemployment of time, while we have been conversant with them. But the way to enjoy the divine presence, and be fitted for his service, is to live a life of _great devotion_ and _constant self-dedication_ to him; observing the motions and dispositions of our own hearts, whence we may learn the corruptions that lodge there, and our constant need of help from God for the performance of the least duty. And Oh, dear Sir, let me beseech you frequently to attend the great and precious duties of _secret fasting_ and _prayer_.
♦ “enlightend” replaced with “enlightened”
♠ “frequent” replaced with “frequently” per Errata
Oh labour to be prepared and qualified to do much for God. Suffer me to entreat you earnestly to “give yourself to prayer, to reading and meditation” on divine truths: strive to penetrate to the bottom of them, and never be content with a superficial knowledge. By this means, your thoughts will grow weighty and judicious; and you thereby will be possessed of a valuable treasure, out of which you may produce “things new and old,” to the glory of God.
And now, “I commend you to the grace of God;” earnestly desiring, that a plentiful portion of the divine Spirit may rest upon you; that you may _live to God_ in every capacity, and that you may be richly qualified for the “inheritance of the saints in light.”
I scarce expect to see your face any more in the body; and therefore intreat you to accept this as the last token of love, from
_Your sincerely affectionate dying friend_,
DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * *
To his Brother John, at Bethel, the Town of Christian Indians in New-Jersey, written at Boston, ♦not long before his death.
♦ “before” replaced with “not long before” per Errata
_Dear Brother_,