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Jadon Stronge Interview
No full textJadon Stronge (Class of 2023) was interviewed by Laura Narvaez via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on November 12, 2023. He was born in Dallas, Texas, in 2001, to two Sierra Leonean immigrants, and moved around a lot as a child. He lived in Texas, Sierra Leone, Maryland, France, California, and Missouri before his family settled in Plano, Texas, where he attended high school. He discussed living in a very homogenous society in West Africa where people looked like him, as well as his experience with the diversity of Plano ISD, and noted that coming to SMU was a culture shock. Mr. Stronge received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from SMU with a minor in Chinese. He discussed the difficulties of completing his first year at SMU fully remotely due to the pandemic, the transition from remote to commuting to living on campus, and the resources available to assist with mental health at SMU. Mr. Stronge attended many events hosted by the school's Asian student organizations, and held leadership positions in Theta Tau and the National Society of Black Engineers. After graduation, he moved to Austin for a job as a software developer with Oracle. At time of recording, he was interested in continuing to learn new languages and hoped to live abroad again
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1787 May 16]
No full textLimerick
May 16, 1787
My Dear Alleck,
Yours of the 4th instant I received an hour ago.
What Mr. Dawson wrote concerning you (as well as what he wrote concerning others) made no great impression upon me. I easily perceived he was too angry at a letter I had sent him, to judge very clearly of anything. You do well to send me a circumstantial account of the affair. If anymore be said, I shall now know how to answer.
On Saturday, June 2, I hope to see you and my dear Mrs. Knox. As to George and Sally, perhaps they have forgot me. But you will not easily forget, dear Alleck,
Yours affectionately,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1785 December 8]
No full textLondon
December 8, 1785
Dear Alleck,
I do not believe that any fistula is incurable, even without any incision at all. I suppose the late king was near seventy when he told his physicians, ‘I will not be cut. Either cure me without cutting or I will die.’ They did then effect a perfect cure, without any cutting at all.
And several years since a young man came to me, at the return from one of my journeys, and told me, he had used Sir Kenelm Digby’s remedy, set down in the Primitive Physic, and that it had perfectly cured his fistula in six weeks time. When I mentioned this to Dr. Crommelin (whom I would trust, beyond any other physician in Ireland ) he told me, ‘Sir, I have myself cured several fistulas by the same medicine. Only I prescribe but half the quantity.’
Some years since, I was walking with Mr. Charles of Rosmead (who I suppose has tiled more houses than most men in the county) when looking on the roof of an house nearly built he said, ‘The men who roofed that house wanted either skill or honesty. For no roof need rise above one third of the breadth.’ This rule I observe in all my houses. And yet they all turn the rain perfectly well. If therefore your builders can’t roof an house in the same manner, so as to turn the rain, it is plain they have not the skill either of Joseph Charles or of the English builders.
‘Mr. D. is resolved to leave Derry early in the next summer’, suppose five months hence. But who has assured him he shall live five months? Has he renewed the lease of his life with God? I think if Mrs. D. and he should live till Lady Day, it will be soon enough in all reason to consider that question.
Some of St. Cyprian’s letters are worth translating. I read Mr. Bonnell’s Life above fifty years ago, and thought it good but not very good. Perhaps I may like it better now.
Probably this winter I shall begin printing the New Testament.
I am persuaded Mr. Hanway is a pious man. And he is an ingenious writer. I never saw the tract you mention, but will read it if it comes my way.
I incline to think your late illness will prevent your fits, by driving the humour the other way. Peace be with all your spirits! I am, dear Alleck,
Ever yours,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1778 September 27]
No full textBristol
September 27, 1778
My Dear Alleck,
I am afraid the late return of your fits was in some measure my fault, because I did not provide you with the remedy which probably would have prevented it. I thought of it indeed, but went no farther when you said your grandmother would send you down to the saltwater. I doubt you have not been there this fine autumn, and now the year is too far spent.
Some time since, I was reading an account of a person in France, whom his confessor absolutely forbade (for such a time) to think of his sins, and ordered him ‘to think only of the mercies of God in Christ’. It had an admirable effect on that desponding man. I know not but it might have the same upon you. Do not look down, but look up. Let not the corruptible body press down the soul! And give no place to the evil one, who would keep you continually poring on the dark side of the prospect. There is good determined concerning you, and not evil. God has not forsaken you. Thou shalt not die, but live, and declare the loving-kindness of the Lord. He has, indeed, chastised and corrected you, but he hath not given you over to death. But you must not coop yourself up in the house. You must be in the open air as much as possible; nay, and you should be on horseback as often as you can. But just now a thing comes into my mind which may concern you. A few days after I left you, one of our brethren told me, ‘I was troubled with fits from my infancy. I had all possible advice, but in vain. So that I despaired of help. But one morning I dreamed a person came and told me “Go down to the bridge, and take this herb (which he showed me) and take a large glassful of the juice of it every morning”.’ He did so and was totally cured. Who knows but it may have the same effect upon you? The herb was pellitory of the wall.
I commend you all to him that careth for you; and am, dear Alleck,
Yours affectionately,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1778 June 5]
No full textKilrea
June 5, 1778
My Dear Alleck,
I advise you:
1. Never sit up later than 10:00.
2. Never rise later than 6:00.
3. Walk at least an hour daily in the open air; if it rains all day, in the dining room.
4. Choose such diet, both for quantity and quality, as you find sits light upon your stomach. In general, both mutton and beef are easier of digestion than lamb or kid, and yield better nourishment than veal or chicken.
5. Eat as much spinach, cresses, and summer fruits as agrees best with your stomach.
6. Take your little purge once a month till Michaelmass, then twice a month till Christmas.
7. Spend the first hour in the morning and from 5:00 to 6:00 in the evening in private prayer and reading the Scriptures in order, with the Notes and any other closely practical book.
8. Spend some time afterwards in the morning in reading Bishop Pearson, or any other book of divinity. And spend more or less time in the afternoon in reading history, poetry, or philosophy.
9. Trust in God! Resist every distrustful thought the moment it is injected. God is on your side. Believe not the old murderer who tells you the contrary.
Write all your mind to me from time to time. I hope you will all find a blessing when you meet on Sunday.
Peace be with all your spirits! I am
Yours most affectionately,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1777 March 19]
No full textBristol
March 19, 1777
Dear Sir,
If the returns of your disorder are more and more gentle, there is reason to hope it will be at length totally removed. Very probably, if you live to five or six and twenty, your constitution will take a new turn. But it is certainly the design of him that loves you to heal both body and soul. And possibly he delays the healing of the former that the cure of the latter may keep pace with it. As ‘it is a great loss to lose an affliction’, he would not have you lose what you have suffered. I trust it will not be lost, but will be for your profit, that you may be partaker of his holiness. It is a blessing that he has given you that fear which is the beginning of wisdom. And it is a pledge of greater things to come. How soon? Perhaps today.
Unless Mr. [Edward] Smyth can be cured of his prejudice against the Church, it will be an unspeakable hindrance of his usefulness. For me, in particular, he will be of no use. I do not want [i.e., lack] preachers, but clergymen. As such I could find him full employment, and could easily provide him with all he wants. But if he renounces that character he does, in effect, renounce me. We cannot draw in the same yoke. Nor would he be of any service to the societies in England; rather he would occasion strife and confusion among them.
Mrs. [Henrietta] Gayer is a pious woman, who means extremely well—but she has no judgement. Her imagination, which she takes to be inspiration, quite runs away with her.
Certainly Mr. [John] Abraham has not read Mr. [John] Fletcher’s writings through, for they point out the middle path all along, and teach how to steer between the extremes. He excels in this very thing. But there can be no moderate Calvinism. It is stark nonsense. Either a man holds the decrees or he does not. Contradictory propositions admit of no medium. And there is no possibility of reconciling them. Nor will the Calvinists abate you an hair’s breadth. Swallow the whole scheme, or you are a dreadful heretic. So that the differences never can be moderated: free agency or universal necessity!
If I could spare time, I would gladly accept of your invitation. But I doubt whether I can get any farther than Dublin.
Peace be with all your spirits! I am, my dear Alleck,
Yours most affectionately,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1783 May 3]
No full textDublin
May 3, 1783
My Dear Alleck,
Since I came to Ireland my health and strength are more fully restored than they have been for several months. And my journey will undoubtedly be attended with another good consequence. My friends in England will not be under such dreadful apprehensions if I should have to take another journey to Ireland. If I do, I shall doubtless see Londonderry; though I do not know, if Sally Knox would be glad to see me.
With regard to Mr. Thomas Abraham, God accepts the will for the deed. Perhaps we are not to meet tell we meet at Londonderry.
Your great point is: Believe today! And take no thought for the morrow! Peace be with all your spirits! I am,
Your affectionate friend and brother,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1787 April 23]
No full textAughrim
April 23, 1787
Dear Alleck,
You are best able to answer for yourself. In the letter now before me I read:
I must be free to say to you that in my dealings with Church-people and Methodists, I have met with better treatment from the former. I could show you copies of some letters that passed between Mr. Alexander Knox and myself, on the subject of the house at Bishop Gate, which I had set to him just after you left Derry. To bind the bargain, Mrs. Knox offered me a guinea—which I declined taking, as I thought hers and her son’s word sufficient. Mrs. Babington, who is not a Methodist, to whom I set the house afterward, behaved as a Christian and a gentlewoman.
I can say nothing to this till you answer for yourself. I do not suppose he states the matter fairly, but I must let the matter rest, till I hear from you.
Peace be with all your spirits! I am, dear Alleck,
Yours most affectionately,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1778 April 2]
No full textDublin
April 2, 1778
My Dear Alleck,
I came hither this morning, after a rough passage from Liverpool, and purpose (if God continue my life and health) to be with you at Londonderry on Friday, May the 28th.
It is right to know ourselves—but not to stop there, as you are apt to do. This is only of use if it leads us to know him that loves and saves sinners. And I doubt not he will save you. Trust him and you shall praise him. I hope my dear Sally has not forgotten me. Peace be with all your spirits! I am, dear Alleck,
Yours affectionately,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1776 August 10]
No full textLondon
August 10, 1776
Dear Alleck,
Such is the wisdom of man! ‘Two men in Dublin use me ill. So I revenge myself upon an hundred in Londonderry!’ Nay, second thoughts are best. I have sent a gentleman to him that he has a peculiar regard for, who I make no question will easily bring him to a better way of thinking; especially as he has a commission to draw upon me for seventy-five pounds. I think it is [a] pity but our friends in and near Londonderry could make a push and raise it to an hundred. And if we live another year, it is not unlikely we may send you the other fifty. This likewise you should receive as a manifest token that God has not forgotten you.
A thought comes into my mind, that you will not throughly recover your health without change of air. I am afraid the sea air does you more hurt than the sea water does you good. I could easily take a little house for you in Kingswood or Bristol (I am going to Bristol on Monday), in which you might live with tolerable convenience till that adjoining to the school was fitted up. If you wanted twenty or thirty pounds for your passage to England, I would send you a draught for it. At all events, as the summer is not yet over, you should bathe in the sea, were it but for a fortnight.
Mr. McKean will give you cash for the little bill I have drawn upon my bookkeeper. Let my dear Mrs. Knox and you trust God and continue to love,
Your affectionate,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume