Wesley Corpus

To his Niece Sarah Wesley Date: BRISTOL, September 8, 1788. MY DEAR SALLY, You shall have just as many friends as will be for your good; and why should not my Betty Ritchie be in the number I must look to that, if I live to see London again, which will probably be in three weeks. If sea water has that effect on you, it is plain you are not to drink it. See letters of Sept. 1, 1788, and Sept. 17, 1790. All the body is full of imbibing pores. You take in water enough that way. If your appetite increases, so does your strength, although by insensible degrees. I have seen John Henderson several times. I hope he does not live in any sin. But it is a great disadvantage that he has nothing to do. I hope we shall find him something. I have a work in hand that will give you pleasure: I have begun to write my brother's Life. This work he never accomplished. He died before he had made much progress in collecting material. See Jackson's Charles Wesley, ii. 454; and letter of Sept. 26. Now, in this you may assist me much. You knew as much of him as most people; and you have the pen of a ready witness. Set down everything you can recollect concerning him. I think between us we shall be able to make something out. You may set down everything you can think of; I can select such a portion as is most proper. You have now leisure for it and for doing good to any whom Providence delivers into your hands. Peace be with your spirit! I am, my dear Sally, Yours in tender affection.