Page:Susanna Wesley (Clarke 1886).djvu/59

Rh I shall be able to finish it quickly, and then have you transcribe all your letters; for they may be more useful to you than they are now, because you will be better able to understand them. I shall be employing my thoughts on useful subjects for you when I have time, for I desire nothing in this world so much as to have my children well instructed in the principles of religion, that they may walk in the narrow way which alone leads to happiness. Particularly I am concerned for you, who were, even before your birth, dedicated to the service of the sanctuary, that you may be an ornament of that Church of which you are a member, and be instrumental (if God shall spare your life) in bringing many souls to Heaven. Take heed, therefore, in the first place, of your own, lest you yourself should be a castaway.

"You have had great advantages of education; God has entrusted you with many talents, such as health, strength, a comfortable subsistence hitherto, a good understanding, memory, &c.; and if any one be misemployed or not improved, they will certainly one day rise up in judgment against you.

"If I thought you would not make good use of instruction, and be the better for reproof, I would never write or speak a word to you more while I live, because I know whatever I could do would but tend to your greater condemnation. But I earnestly beg of God to give you His grace, and charge you, as you will answer for it at the last great day, that you carefully 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,' lest you should finally miscarry.

"You say you do not know how to keep a secret without sometimes telling a lie. I do not know what secrets you may have: I am sure nobody with you has