Letter

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 DDWes/1/38
  • Former Reference
      GB 135 DDWes/1/38
      GB 135 Wesley Brown Folio 1, page 43.
  • Dates of Creation
      29 Apr 1785

Scope and Content

From Charles Wesley in London, to Dr [Thomas Bradbury] Chandler upon his impending departure for the United States, and 'I for a more distant country'. He gives a detailed account of his life and ministry from his time at Westminster School to the present, with particular emphasis on his relationship with his brother John, and their disagreement re the separation of the Methodists from the Church of England.

In a postscript he asks 'what will become of those poor sheep in the wilderness the American Methodists T, now that they have been 'betrayed' into separation from the established church. If they had only waited a little longer they would have had their own 'REAL Primitive Bishop', acknowledged as such by the English Church, namely Bishop Samuel Seabury. Wesley has discussed in person with Seabury the question of the American Methodists, and was assured that Seabury considers them to be true members of the Church, and that he is prepared to ordain suitably qualified preachers.

Now however the Methodists are but 'a new sect of Presbyterians', whose importance will diminish after the death of John Wesley.