To Mrs. Crosby Date: SLIGO, May 2, 1767. MY DEAR SISTER, It is a long time since I heard either of you or from you. I hope you think of me oftener than you write to me. Let us but continue in prayer, And mountains rise and oceans roll To sever us in vain. I frequently find profit in thinking of you, and should be glad if we had more opportunities of conversing together. If a contrary thought arises, take knowledge from whom it comes: you may judge by the fruit of it; for it weakens your hands and slackens you from being instant in prayer. I am inclined to think I found the effect of your prayer at my very entrance into this kingdom. And here especially we have need of every help, for snares are on every side. Who would not, if it could be done with a clear conscience, run out of the world, wherein the very gifts of God, the work of God, yea His grace itself in some sense, are all the occasion of temptation I hope your little family remains in peace and love and that your own soul prospers. I doubt only whether you are so useful as you might be. But herein look to the anointing which you have of God, being willing to follow wherever He leads, and it shall teach you of all things. There is an amazing increase of the work of God within these few months in the North of Ireland. And no wonder; for the five preachers James Dempster, John Johnson, James Morgan, James Rea, and Robert Williams. who have laboured there are all men devoted to God, men of a single eye, whose whole heart is in the work, and who Constantly trample on pleasure and pain.

Do they gain ground in London I am afraid perfection should be forgotten. Encourage Richard Blackwell See letter of July 4, 1763. and Mr. Colley Benjamin Colley, a clerical helper of Wesley, was misled by George Bell and Maxfield; but he saw their errors, and was restored to Methodism. Wesley buried him on Nov. 8. See Journal, v. 238 and letter of Sept. 18, 1773, to John Valton. to speak plainly and to press believers to the constant pursuit and earnest expectation of it. A general faintness in this respect is fallen upon this whole kingdom. Sometimes I seem almost weary of striving against the stream both of preachers and people. See that you all strengthen the hands of, my dear sisters, She was at Leytonstone with Miss Bosanquet and Mrs. Ryan. Your affectionate brother.