{"id":"jw/letters/1774/07-to-ann-bolton","corpus":"jw-letters","type":"letter","author":"john-wesley","title":"07 To Ann Bolton","title_alt":[],"text_basis":null,"date_composed":null,"date_precision":"unknown","date_note":null,"numbering":{"bicentennial":null,"jackson_running":null,"sugden":null},"source_edition":{"editor":null,"title":null,"edition":null,"place":null,"publisher":null,"year":null,"volume":null,"pages":null,"scan_url":null,"scan_page_ids":null},"transcription":{"derived_from":null,"corrected_against_scan":false,"corrector":null,"corrected_on":null},"modernization":"none","license_text":"Public Domain Mark 1.0","license_apparatus":"CC BY 4.0","wikidata":null,"prev":null,"next":null,"part_of":"jw-letters","editorial_note":null,"source_id":"jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton","passage_ids":["jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton-000","jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton-001"],"word_count":401,"themes_auto":["catholic-spirit","free-will","universal-redemption"],"open":true,"closed_reason":null,"legacy_ids":["jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton-000","jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton-001"],"passages":[{"id":"jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton-000","author":"john-wesley","source_id":"jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton","source_title":"07 To Ann Bolton","source_type":"letter","year":null,"chunk_index":0,"text":"To Ann Bolton Date: LONDON, January 20, 1774. MY DEAR SISTER, You in your little station, as I in mine, have abundance of trouble and care and hurry. And I too have often thought, Had I not better throw off some part at least of the burthen But I think again, Is it my burthen Did I choose it for myself Is it not the cup which my Father hath given me And do I bear it for my own sake, or for the profit of many that they may be saved Let me not hurt my dear friend if upon such an occasion I speak with all plainness. You are now highly favored. I trust God has made you a partaker of His great salvation. He has given you a good understanding improved by experience and free conversation with many of His dearest children. He has placed you as a city set upon an hill in a situation wherein you have full exercise for all your talents. 'But there are many crosses therein.' There are that is, many means of brightening all your graces. And is it a little thing that would induce my sister, my friend to quit such a situation as this If, indeed, you could enlarge the sphere of your action; if you could be more extensively useful; or if you could have a closer union than you ever had yet with a person of very eminent grace and understanding, I should instantly acknowledge the call of God and say, ' Go, and the Lord will be with thee!' But I can see nothing of this in your present case. All dark, I fear; evil is before you. When John Fletcher pressed Mary Bosanquet They were married in 1781 much, she said (desiring my advice concerning it), 'If I change my situation, it must be with one I can not only love but highly reverence and esteem: one that is qualified to be my guide; one who is eminent not only in grace but likewise in understanding.' I would add, ' And one that will furnish you with full liberty of action that you may exercise your every grace.' Give me such an one for my beloved friend, and I will instantly wish you God speed!","word_count":380,"source_url":null,"themes":["free-will","catholic-spirit","universal-redemption"],"created_at":"2026-01-29T20:07:10.051315"},{"id":"jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton-001","author":"john-wesley","source_id":"jw-letter-1774-07-to-ann-bolton","source_title":"07 To Ann Bolton","source_type":"letter","year":null,"chunk_index":1,"text":"You see I speak without reserve; and I hope the die is cast. Speak you as freely to Your affectionate friend.","word_count":21,"source_url":null,"themes":[],"created_at":"2026-01-29T20:07:10.051338"}]}