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[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1778 February 26]
No full textLondon
February 26, 1778
Dear Alleck,
In the latter end of March I hope to be in Dublin, and about the 28th of May in Londonderry. It is a place I always loved. But I shall love it more than ever if I have the pleasure of lodging with you.
With regard to your health, both of body and mind, if you could take one advice it would have a surprising effect. It is this: ‘Take no thought for the morrow.’ You know not how much even your body suffers by this. Today only is yours! Look up, and he will bless you all today! I am, my dear Alleck,
Very affectionately yours,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1784 February 7]
No full textnear London
February 7, 1784
Dear Alleck,
A week or two ago a very sensible man wrote me a letter on this very question: if faith is the gift of God, how can it be the duty of man to believe? I might have answered, ‘The Scripture affirms both the one and the other. Therefore both are infallibly true. But how to reconcile them I know not. And I am content to be ignorant, while I remain in this land of darkness.’
But I ventured to go a little farther, and preached twice or thrice on the subject. The substance of what I observed was, faith is a divine conviction, that Christ loved me and gave himself for me. This is the work and the gift of God. The power whereby we believe is wholly in the hand of God, and his spirit freely gives it to man. But observe: faith, though it is the gift of God, is the act of man. It is not God that believes, but man. God works and man believes. But how then is man accountable for not believing? I defy any Calvinist to answer. But you or I may answer he is therefore accountable for it, because it depends upon himself. He may or may not receive that gift. He can so resist as to prevent God from working. This is the very hinge of the question, and goes a good way toward untying the knot. If some difficulty still remains therein, I think we must leave it to be explained in eternity.
As to the love of praise, I do not doubt but you have much more of it than you want. And I am persuaded the Great Physician shows you the disease on purpose, that he may cure it. But yet, I apprehend you [make] a little mistake. You blame yourself where no blame is. ‘To be pleased with the approbation of our fellow creatures’ is no part of corrupt nature. It belongs to our pure nature; and to cherish it in a degree is a duty, and not a sin.
With regard to the house, my simple judgment is this. If your refusal would keep them out of the city, I think you ought at all hazards to refuse them. If it would not, I do not see that you need refuse.
John Prickard is gone home, in the full triumph of faith. I know nothing of poor Mr. [John] Abraham but that he is somewhere in London, utterly insane; it is great pity, but he was confined.
I compare the bawlers at Westminster to so many flies on the chariot wheels, crying out, ‘See! What a dust we make!’ But their crests are fallen, since so large a majority in the House of Lords have voted ‘the proceedings of the House of Commons to be illegal and unconstitutional’.
Peace be with you and yours! I am, my dear Alleck,
Ever yours,
J. WesleyLetter from John Wesley to Alexander Knox. This letter is one of fifty in a bound volume
[Christmas Worship Service Program, 1991]
No full textProgram for the Perkins Christmas Worship service in 1991
[Christmas Worship Service Program, 1981]
No full textProgram for the Perkins Christmas Worship service in 1981
Kayla Griffis Interview
No full textKayla Griffis (Class of 2020) was interviewed by Laurence Lundy via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on June 17th, 2020. During her interview, Ms. Griffis discusses her perceptions of SMU before enrolling and her experiences as one of the few people of color in her high school. She talks about race relations on SMU's campus, particularly relating to the Black@SMU movement and in the aftermath of the 2016 election. She majored in Advertising and worked as a social media intern in SMU's communications department, and later worked for the Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement. Ms. Griffis graduated with a bachelor's degree in Advertising from the Temerlin Advertising Institute in 2020. Because of her experiences, one of Griffis' main career goals is to bring more people of color into the advertising industry. At the time of the interview, she was working on finishing her 4+1 program, which will enable her to complete her graduate degree in Advertising within the next year
Andrea Corona Interview
No full textAndrea Corona (Class of 2022) was interviewed by Sabrina Simien via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on February 1, 2023. Ms. Corona was born in 1991 in Chihuahua, Mexico where she lived with her parents until they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. After her parents divorced, she moved back to Mexico with her father where she attended a private Catholic school until she moved back to the United States to continue her education. In the United States, Ms. Corona attended Arizona State University for a year until she got married, had her son, and moved back to Mexico. After divorcing her husband she returned to the United States and enrolled in SMU to earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing with a minor in Advertising. During her interview, she discussed her upbringing, her life journey, what led her to SMU, and her experiences on campus. At the time of the interview, Ms. Corona was working as an Associate Account Manager at Epsilon and considering pursuing her master's degree
Corey Ellis Interview
No full textCorey Ellis (Class of 2022, M.S. 2023) was interviewed by Amanda Sun via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on August 9, 2023. Mr. Ellis was born in Fort Worth and grew up in a military family. Growing up, SMU had no presence in Mr. Ellis’ community, though he had a positive impression of the university upon his first tour, as it was located in a quiet place and was close to his family. Mr. Ellis discusses his initial impression when he arrived at SMU and realized it was predominantly white, but describes getting along with the first few people he met, while also feeling a barrier and possibly culture shock. Despite this, Mr. Ellis became heavily involved with the university, becoming a Computer Science and Mathematics tutor, peer mentor with Thrive Scholars, and a Lyle Student Senator. Mr. Ellis discusses his journey into discovering his voice, and some of the roadblocks he came across in doing so. He describes how he felt pressure to disprove stereotypes about Black men and how that pressure contributed to his social life suffering his first few years. Mr. Ellis explains the microaggressions he faced during his time at SMU, including others assuming he did not attend the school when walking around campus or at events. He was concerned that speaking out would cost him his scholarship, and also that he felt like he had to prove he was worthy of the scholarship to his white classmates. Mr. Ellis talks about how he taught himself not to compete with other Black students, something he felt he had to do going into college. He also discusses his attempts as Lyle Student Senator to provide class recordings to provide accommodations for students in general, but especially athletes, and how the idea was dismissed despite Lyle classrooms having the equipment necessary to provide recordings. He speaks to communication barriers stemming from staff and faculty assuming socioeconomic situations or privileges that not every student has, and critiques what he describes as complacency among university administration that he feels prevents long-term change on campus. Despite his negative experiences, Mr. Ellis talks about how his time at SMU helped him become more independent and learn to speak out. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics with a minor in Japanese, and received a Masters in Computer Science the following year. At time of recording, Mr. Ellis was working with Allstate as a Full Stack Developer
Vicki Blanton Interview
No full textVicki Blanton (J.D. 1991) was interviewed by Laura Narvaez in the Oral History Studio in Fondren Library at Southern Methodist University on September 22, 2023. She was born in 1967 in Pittsburgh, Texas. Her family moved to Oak Cliff in Dallas when she was three months old. She discussed being the second Black family to move into the area and the harassment her family faced, including their house getting egged. She was in the Talented and Gifted Program in elementary school and took honors classes in math and English in middle school. In seventh grade, she met an attorney at her school's career day and decided she wanted to become a lawyer. She chose to attend Skyline High School, a super magnet school, for the pre-law program. She discussed magnet schools as Dallas' alternative to forced busing, noting that Skyline in particular was built on the edge of town so children weren't coming into an established neighborhood. She received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Texas and went on to attend SMU's School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate in 1991. She chose SMU so she could reduce the costs of attending graduate school by living with her mother. She was one of five Black law students in one of the largest graduating classes from SMU's law school. She discussed the racism she faced as a Black woman in law, often encountering people who didn't believe that a Black woman could be a lawyer. She has two adult daughters and began teaching as an adjunct professor at SMU in the fall semester of 2023. She attended SMU during the football team's death penalty and has recently begun boulevarding for the first time
[John Wesley to Alexander Knox, 1776 September 20]
No full textBristol
September 20, 1776
My Dear Alleck,
Certainly good has already arisen out of evil. By means of Mr. Hadfield’s impatience, that heavy burden is likely to be removed from the poor people much sooner than it would otherwise have been. A day or two after Mr. [John] Hampson had been lking with him, he wrote a civil letter to me, wherein he just mentioned the Calm Address. But I took no notice of it in my answer—being not inclined to draw the saw of controversy, especially with one that is not easily convinced of anything.
Two or three physicians had informed the Provost of Brechin (in Scotland) that: ‘They had done all which was in their power, but nothing would avail. His son must expect to have his fits till his dying day.’ He took six or eight drops of laudanum, fasting, for six or seven mornings, and has had no fit since. Nevertheless, bathing may be added thereto, while the weather permits. Look up! Is not health at hand, both for soul and body? You have no business with fear. It is good for nothing. We are ‘saved by hope’.
The History of England was published in spring, but it will not please the violt on either side. Our assistant in Dublin (son) could procure it for anyone.
If we live till spring and Mrs. Knox is willing to remove, means shall not be wanting. For I love both her and you, and my dear Sally and George.
Peace be with all your spirits! I am, my 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 March 19]
No full textBristol
March 19, 1785
Dear Alleck,
If his colleague is now free from actual sin, then Mr. [Jonathan] Brown is in the right. If he is not now clear from it, then Mr. [James] Rogers is in the right.
The good providence of God has been very conspicuous for some years in favour of Ireland. The Volunteers have been the occasion of much good; particularly in suppressing lawless violence. I wonder they do not prevent the Whiteboys from lifting up their head again.
On Monday I am to set out from hence. But I do not expect to reach Holyhead before the tenth or eleventh of next month. About the end of it, you will probably see me at your house. If Sally has forgot me, you must tell her who I am. If I am brought safe to Dublin, you may expect to hear from me again.
As it has pleased God to give you a clear, undeniable answer to prayer, you have good reasons to trust him for the time to come. Look up! Help while yet you ask is given! 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