To Ebenezer Blackwell
1JW's letter to Sarah
Ryan of Jan. 27, 1758 indicates that his
wife Mary had vowed to
leave him after reading a letter from JW to Ryan.
This letter shows Wesley's growing concern over his wife's reading letters
addressed to him.
Castlebar
June 5, 1758
Dear Sir,
I suppose my wife is now in
London, as the letters I received thence in the last
frank
2The word 'frank' denoted a parcel of letters
marked for free delivery.
were open; for she still insists on her right of reading all the letters
which are sent to me. And I have no friend or servant where she is who has honesty and courage to
prevent it. I find since I left England all my domestics have changed their sentiments,
and are convinced she is a
poor, quiet creature that is barbarously used. I should not at all wonder if my
brother and you were
brought over to the same opinion.
Since I came into this kingdom I have wrote several times. But I have not received one
line in answer. So I sit still.
3The version of the letter given
in Tyerman begins at this point, omitting all the previous material. It also omits
the following sentences: 'I have in this respect done what I
ought and what I could. Now let God do what seemeth
him good.'
I have learned by the grace of God in every state to be
content. I have in this respect done what I ought and what I could. Now let God do what seemeth him good. What a peace do we
find in all circumstances when we can say, 'Not as I will, but as thou
wilt!'4The fragmentary copy at Emory University ends at
this point. In addition, everything in this paragraph after 'So I sit
still' is struck through, as if for omission. This material is not shown as
struck through in the copy at MARC, but it too lacks the remaining material in the
letter up to 'My best wishes attend you'.
I have now gone through the greatest part of this kingdom—
Leinster, Ulster, and the greater half
of Connaught. Time only is wanting. If my
brother
could take care of
England and give me but one year for
Ireland, I think every corner of this nation would receive the
truth as it is in Jesus. They want only to hear it; and they will hear me, high and low,
rich and poor. What a mystery of providence is this! In England
they may hear, but will not. In Ireland they fain would hear, but
cannot. So in both, thousands perish for lack of knowledge. So much the more blessed are
your ears, for they hear; if you not only hear the word of God, but keep it.
I hope you find public affairs changing for the better. In this corner of the world we
know little about them; only we are told that the great little king in Moravia is not
swallowed up yet.
5During the Seven Years War, Prussian King
Frederick the Great invaded Moravia, then part of the Hapsburg monarchy, in May 1758. At the end of June,
the Austrian army aligned with the Hapsburg empire won an unexpected victory over the
Prussian army in the battle of
Domstadtl.
Till near the middle of next month I expect to be at Mr. Beauchamp's in
Limerick. I hope you have a fruitful season in every respect.
My best wishes attend you all.
6The copy at MARC lacks the word
'all' and summarises the concluding 'your affectionate servant'
to 'yr affect.'
I am, dear sir,
Your affectionate servant,
J.
Wesley