The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 15 (of 32)Wesley, John
History
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 15 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
4. It is true, when want of money to defray the expence is removed,
another hindrance will often arise. Satan will stir up his trusty
servants, to fight lest his kingdom be destroyed. But is there no way
to quell riotous mobs, even when magistrates will not do their duty?
There is one and only one way: move the king’s-bench for an information
against them. This is a way which has never failed us yet: no, not
in a single instance. The only objection is the expence. A suit in
the king’s bench usually costs fifty or sixty pounds. But if we all
join hand and heart together, cannot we make this easy too? Cannot we
raise a common stock, which shall suffice for this as well as for the
preceding purposes? By the blessing of God we can. And who would not
gladly contribute toward it?
5. Let then every member of our society in _England_; once a year,
set his shoulder to the work; contributing more or less as God has
prospered him, at the _Lady-day_ visitation of the classes. Let none be
excluded from giving something, be it a penny, a half-penny, a farthing.
Remember the widow’s two mites! And yet those who are able to give
shillings, crowns, and pounds, do it willingly. The money contributed
will be brought to _Leeds_, _Bristol_, or _London_, at the ensuing
conference. Two-thirds of it at least will be allotted for those public
debts which call the loudest. The rest will be partly employed in
setting at liberty such local preachers as are tied down by small debts:
partly reserved for propagating the gospel, where there are none to
bear the expences of the preacher.
6. Men and brethren, help! Was there ever a call like _this_, since you
first heard the gospel-sound? Help to relieve your companions in the
kingdom of Jesus, who are prest above measure. “Bear ye one another’s
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Help to send forth able,
willing labourers into your Lord’s harvest: so shall ye be assistant
in saving souls from death, and hiding a multitude of sins. Help to
spread the gospel of your salvation into the remotest corners of the
kingdom, till “the knowledge of our Lord shall cover the land, as the
waters cover the sea.” Help to deliver the poor out of the hand of the
oppressor, to procure them the blessings which we enjoy: so shall it
appear to ourselves, and all men, that we are indeed one body, united
by one spirit: so shall the baptized Heathens be yet again constrained
to say, “See how these Christians love one another.”
The money received is to be brought by the assistants to the next
conference.
_Q._ 73. But notwithstanding all that has been contributed and paid,
we are still _six thousand nine hundred and fifty eight pounds_ in debt.
So that we gain no ground. What can be done? How can we prevent the
increase of debt?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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