To John Bennet. He and his wife 'must make amends for the loss of my brother whose love I have small hopes of recovering in this world'. He feels very close to Bennet, confident that neither life nor death can break the bond between them.
Reference is made to J W's recent marriage, and Charles's subsequent attempts to pacify the people.
He knows nothing of the letter to Oldham, Lancashire, or of J N [?John Nelson] being a corrupting influence. The lessening of Bennet's affection for J W should not diminish his attachment to God, his people, or his work. Bennet should pray that this may be so. As for withdrawing from the Connexion, he should remain, and when God's work is completed then he and Charles can both withdraw to paradise.
Let some regard them as disaffected and others usurp authority, for it does not alter the fact that the Church is one body.
Charles's hymn-books have never been charged to [Thomas] Butt's account, but have always been separate.
He trusts that Grace is quite recovered. When can Charles and Sarah expect to see them?
Note
- Publication Record: Quoted by Dr Frank Baker in Charles Wesley - As Revealed by his Letters (1948), p.75.