From John Valton in Bristol to Charles Wesley at the 'New Chapel near Moorfields' [City Road], London. Wesley may well be surprised at not receiving a reply to the kind letter which Wesley sent to Valton. The state of Valton's mind has however been so confused since his return that he felt it best to wait until he was clear as to what he should do. The people have received him with great affection except for two or three who now however seem reconciled to him. Valton's own affection for them is greatly increased and he is determined to devote himself to their service, for their sake and also for the Lord. His mind is far easier than previously, but he still does not enjoy his old serenity.
Valton longs to be finished with his earthly existence and cannot help at times asking God to 'let me finish my race of shame. My dear Sir DONT BLAME ME. I am SICK OF LIFE ON ACCOUNT of sin. I am perpetually going astray in thought or word from my God'. He had the chance of confessing his shame to [Edward] Smyth on Sunday morning and asking his pardon. Valton had said to him some time ago in the vestry at Bath "Your heart is hard as stone" and on his telling me he had spoken favourably of me once in society, I replied "I despised it". Valton is very sorry for this sin and has been forgiven for it by Smyth.
This morning as he was talking of this affair [reference to the Bath Chapel dispute], 'I was not a little surprised to find, that I am THE ONLY PERSON that have done or spoke wrong, the rest on neither side are guilty, at least they none of them seem to intimate as much. My God, let me not judge others'. Valton is now nearly done with the affair. He has asked pardon of the Wesley brothers for the pains that they have taken on his behalf as a result of his misconduct. Henceforth he will be more careful. He has endeavoured and will continue to endeavour to prevent any further ill results from this affair. 'So many false reports are propagated that I dare SCARCE OPEN MY MOUTH'.
When Valton received Wesley's letter, he was overcome with grief and shame. 'With SWIMMING EYES AND BENDED KNEES I presented it to God and MADE EVERY COUNSEL the subject of a petition...'
He shall defer writing to John Wesley until after he has met the classes
[Annotated by Charles Wesley - 'Humble J. Valton'.]