Nine days after, Mr Wesley wrote again to his two sons at Oxford. The Rev. Elijah Hoole, D.D., has kindly favoured me with a copy of the letter, which has never been published until now:—
“Wroot, July 5, 1727.
“Dear Children,—The reason why I was willing to delay my son John’s coming was his pupil; but that is over. Another reason was that I knew he could not get between Wroot and Epworth without hazarding his health or life; whereas my hide is tough, and I think no carrion can kill me. I walked sixteen miles yesterday, and this morning, I thank God, I was not a penny worse. The occasion of this booted walk was to hire a room for myself at Epworth, which I think I have now achieved.”
(After this follows his proposal that Charles should come to Lincolnshire by the carrier. He then proceeds:—)
“You will find your mother much altered. I believe what will kill a cat has almost killed her. I have observed of late little convulsions in her very frequently, which I don’t like.
“God bless and guide, and send you both a speedy and happy meeting with, your loving father,
Samuel Wesley.”
The next two letters were written on the same day, within a fortnight after the former one. The first refers to Mrs Wesley’s illness:—
“Wroot, July 18, 1727.
“Dear Son John,—We received last post your compliments of condolence and congratulation to your mother on the supposition of her near approaching demise; to which your sister Patty will by no means subscribe, for she says she is not so good a philosopher as you are, and that she cannot spare her mother yet, if it please God, without great inconvenience.