[233] It is a remarkable fact, that this letter was written within forty-eight hours before the disgraceful and disastrous battle at Bunker Hill, where Wesley’s warnings to the premier and colonial secretary of England were too amply verified. With his itinerants in America, Wesley knew quite as much of American affairs as Lord North, and perhaps a little more. [234] Smith’s History of Methodism, vol. i., p. 726; and _Macmillan’s Magazine_ for December, 1870. [235] These were not empty words, though Wesley was almost perpetually in war. In an unpublished letter, to Matthew Lowes, dated March 6, 1759, he writes: “What would one not do, except sin, that brotherly love may continue!” [236] _Methodist Magazine_, 1854, p. 691. [237] Life of Henry Moore. [238] _Methodist Magazine_, 1827, p. 800. [239] Ibid. 1834, p. 413. [240] York society book. [241] _Methodist Magazine_, 1787, p. 444. [242] Ibid. 1787, p. 552. [243] A curious 12mo tract, of four pages, was published, with the following title: “Some Verses, occasioned by the severe Illness, much feared Dissolution, and almost miraculous Restoration, of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, at Lisburne, in Ireland, July 2, 1775. London: printed for W. Kent, No. 116, High Holborn: 1775.” These verses were directed to be _sung_ “to the tune of ‘Oliver’s.’” [244] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 469. [245] Ibid. vol. xiii., p. 359. [246] The cure of his hydrocele. [247] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 132. [248] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 309. [249] Ibid. p. 378. [250] Manuscript letter by Thomas Hanby. [251] _Methodist Magazine_, 1824, p. 568. [252] Ibid. 1845, p. 1168. [253] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 133. [254] J. Pawson’s manuscript letter. 1776. Age 73 Wesley’s first act, in 1776, was to join with eighteen hundred London Methodists in renewing his covenant with God. His next was to go to Bristol, partly to bury his brother-in-law, poor Westley Hall; and partly to restrain some of the Bristol Methodists, who were in danger of turning republicans. The health of Fletcher of Madeley being seriously affected by a violent cough, accompanied by spitting of blood, Wesley believed nothing was so likely to restore his health as a long journey. “I therefore,” says he, “proposed his taking a journey of some months with me, through various parts of England and Scotland; telling him, ‘when you are tired, or like it best, you may come into my carriage; but remember that riding on horseback is the best of all exercises for you, so far as your strength will permit.’”[255]