Welsh Journals

GLEANINGS FROM THE PAST i. Letter from Rev. John Hodges, Wenvoe to John Wesley, 4 Sept., 1758 :1 Dear Sir, I had not time, while I was with you at Cardiff,2 to read over the answer which you put into my hands but in what I read of it, there appears to be somewhat of a harsh spirit which I think I have observed in some other of your Controversial Writings. Whenever anyone brings a false or a railing accusation against me, if I can but possess my soul in patience, and continue to love him not a whit the less for it whatever harm he may have done himself, he hath done me none at all. For I count that nothing harms me, but what disturbs the peace of my mind, or causeth me to lose love, or some way or other disposseth me of myself. If upon the occasion I find wrath or bitterness stirring in me as soon as I can recollect and recover myself, I see that which happened, was good to prove and shew me what I have in my heart and I cannot think that I am in a temper or disposition either to speak or to write to the man that hath done me this service, 'till all the gall of bitterness subsides, and a better spirit can have room to arise. If a man be angry with me without a cause, and asperses or treats me ill, should I in order to justify myself, say or do anything to provoke him more? Is this a likely way to win my Brother ? And ought not that to be the great end one should aim at ? Will saying or writing anything that may grate upon and gall him, be a likely means to accomplish it ? Rather than bum his fingers, would it not be much better to heap coals of fire upon his head and to pull him down (if possible) with kindness and love ? Would not such a spirit and such treatment be the most likely way to gain his heart and to bring him to a better mind, and at the same time recommend Methodism in the best manner to the world ? I shall be glad to hear from you whenever you can find leisure to write to Your affectionate Friend, John Hodges. 2. "A Short Account of the Death of Mr. Howel Harris". By S.P.s "S.P." called to see Howell Harris "some days" before he died, accompanied by another person whom he does not name. John Prickard, a native of Pembrokeshire who was then living inẁecon, ^Arminian Magazine, 1780, 106-7. 2John Wesley was in Cardiff 21-22 August, 1758 and at Fonmon the next day. On the 24th he recorded in his Journal that he wrote a second letter to Dr. Free, "the warmest opponent I have had for many years". Though he does not mention the fact ,or even that he met Hodges on this visit, he probably showed him this "letter" hence Hodge's reply a few days later. *Arminian Magazine, 1786, 79 1788, 626.