Page:Susanna Wesley (Clarke 1886).djvu/69

57 so much care to get it before it was eat, and to pay for it after, as has often made it very unpleasant to me. And, I think, to have bread on such terms is the next degree of wretchedness to having none at all." "You are certainly right," replied the Archbishop, who the next day gave the much-tried rector's wife a handsome present in money.

When Mr. Wesley had been in prison about three months, some of his clerical neighbours and some of his political friends assisted him by paying off about half his debts, and arranging for the liquidation of others. The joyful intelligence speedily produced a very grateful letter, in which he told the Archbishop what had occurred, and mentioned another touching manifestation of his wife's devotion:—

"MY LORD,

"I am so full of God's mercies that neither my eyes nor heart can hold them. When I came hither my stock was but little above ten shillings, and my wife's at home scarce so much. She soon sent me her rings, because she had nothing else to relieve me with; but I returned them, and God soon provided for me. The most of those who have been my benefactors keep themselves concealed. But they are all known to Him who first put it into their hearts to show me so much kindness; and I beg your Grace to assist me to praise God for it, and to pray for His blessing upon them.

"This day I have received a letter from Mr. Hoar, that he has paid ninety-five pounds which he has received from me. He adds that 'a very great man has just sent him thirty pounds more'; he mentions not his name, though surely it must be my patron.