Wesley Corpus

To Ebenezer Blackwell Date: BRADFORD, July 16, 1761. Mr. Venn was so kind as to come over hither yesterday and spend the evening with us. This visit of Henry Venn is not mentioned in the Journal, but another is noticed on July 24. See next letter. I am a little embarrassed on his account, and hardly know how to act. Several years before he came to Huddersfield some of our preachers went thither, carrying their lives in their hands, and with great difficulty established a little, earnest Society. These eagerly desire them to preach there still; not in opposition to Mr. Venn (whom they love, esteem, and constantly attend), but to supply what they do not find in his preaching. It is a tender point. Where there is a gospel ministry already, we do not desire to preach; but whether we can leave off preaching because such an one comes after is another question, especially when those who were awakened and convinced by us beg and require the continuance of our assistance. I love peace, and follow it; but whether I am at liberty to purchase it at such price I really cannot tell.