To Dorothy Furly (September 6, 1757)

Why you should be afraid on account of 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 have often 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 the proof of an honest heart. I know you are weak. I know a little of your particular weaknesses. 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. 92Tell 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 any way 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. Seek, and you shall find;