The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32) — John Shaqi
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
As soon as she had learned to write, she seldom failed noting down
whatever appeared useful in any author she read; and having a very
retentive memory, she stored it with scripture truths, so that many of
her relatives and others, were greatly surprised at her readiness in
repeating, and finding out almost any text in those sacred pages. She
likewise wrote several books of well collected texts, in proof of some
of the _fundamental doctrines_ of the church of England, such as, _The
fallen state of man, the necessity of repentance, of the new birth, and
of holiness_. Before she was twelve years of age, she corresponded with
some persons in England, and her letters were much admired; tho’ as she
grew older, her stile greatly improved, so that she had acquired both
an easy and elegant manner of addressing different persons, and upon
various occasions, tho’ religion was her constant theme: herein, as in
other instances, endeavouring to redeem as much as possible the golden
moments of her contracted span.
Thus she gently and profitably passed five years of her pilgrimage,
without variation, and exempt from vicissitudes under her parents
roof, till in the year 1764, they thought it most for her advantage to
send her to _England_, to finish her education. Here she arrived the
28th of May that year: from that time boarding with an aunt, and being
under the care of the same tutoress, who had before gone with her to
_Antigua_. This separation from the best of parents, could not but
prove an afflictive circumstance to one of her great sensibility, and
who was a most dutiful and affectionate child; but this was alleviated
by the pleasing hopes they gave her, that they themselves would
soon come and reside in England, a thought which as it enabled her
chearfully to bear their absence, so it animated her to a more than
ordinary improvement of time, in order to render them the utmost
satisfaction, when she should have the happiness of being restored to
them; a period, which she often mentioned with the greatest delight;
but which the infinitely wise disposer of events saw right never to
indulge her with. It was with great pleasure that we observed, as her
years increased, her good understanding, and the power of religion
entirely prevailed over those tempers, which have before been mentioned,
so that she became, every day more amiable, and was more endeared to
all that knew her. On the first of January 1765, she began to keep
a diary, chiefly consisting of the Lord’s dealings with her soul.
This will give a juster conception of her understanding in the way
of godliness, of her improvement of time, and the propriety of her
sentiments on many occasions, than any thing that could be said upon
the subject. She was one of those happy few, who are not afraid of
being singularly pious, and was deeply convinced that the service
of God is no impediment to, but the greatest augmentation of true
happiness, in every period and circumstance of life. She had learned to
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