Notes
- Ralph Mather (c.1755-1803) was born in Leigh, Lancashire. He was educated as a Quaker but was apparently converted to Methodism after hearing Captain Thomas Webb preach at London's West Street Chapel early in 1773. Later that year, Mather exhorted several times in the Manchester area and was introduced to the Wesleyan preacher Samuel Bardsley. Mather was admitted as a preacher on trial by the Conference of 1773 and in August preached at Kingswood School. He also accompanied John Wesley on a tour of the West Country. Mather's time in John Wesley's favour was shortlived. By January 1774 he was already showing tendencies towards mysticism and from 1785 travelled as a Swedenborgian preacher. In 1791 he served as a pastor of a Swedenborgian church in Liverpool and two years later emigrated to the United States. Mather died in Norfolk, Virginia. Source: Dictionary of Evangelical Biography, edited by Donald Lewis (1995), and A Biographical Dictionary of 18th century Methodism by Samuel Rogal (Edwin Mellen Press 1997), BRD1/2 and information provided by John Lenton.
- Captain Thomas Webb (c.1726-96) was probably born in Bristol although details of his early life are obscure. He enlisted in the British army in 1745 and nine years later was commissioned for service in North America. He served under Wolfe in Canada and lost an eye as a result of a wound. Webb settled in New York where he was appointed Barrack Master at Albany. He was converted in 1765 during a visit to England. Initially under Moravian influence, he later joined the Methodists. On his return to North America, Webb was very active in Methodist affairs. He took a leading part in the building of the first John Street Chapel in 1768 and conducted preaching tours that introduced Methodism to large parts of New York state, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Webb also helped to establish the society at St George's Chapel in Philadelphia. Detained during the Revolutionary War for loyalist sympathies, Webb returned to England in 1778 and settled in Bristol where he played a key role in the founding of Portland Street Chapel. Source: Dictionary of Evangelical Biography, edited by Donald Lewis (1995) Samuel Woodcock entered the ministry in 1765 and was expelled eleven years later (information provided by John Lenton).
[Pages 56-65 of the volume:]
From near Derby to Miss A. M. Stephenson in Sheffield. After Bardsley left her, God preserved him on his journey from Sheffield to Nottingham. He reached Leicester on the Sunday and they had one of the best lovefeasts that he has ever attended. 'When we desired the People to let us hear what the Lord has done for their souls: the first that spoke was a young woman that had not been joined a year. She gave a comfortable account of herself in a very sensible manner. Her brother (Mr Goodrich) also spoke and expressed much comfort in God, and a sister of her's (who has been a backslider and allmost in despair) spoke to this effect "I did not think of saying any thing when I came here, but a selfish motive enduces me to speak (viz) to desire you that you would pray for me that God would be mercifull to me". The case of this young lady was very pittyable some months ago, but now she has got a chearfull aspect, and is not far from the Kingdom of God. One told us that the Lord had healed her backslidings some few weeks before, and another said she had found peace with God but a few days before.'
Spiritual matters are discussed in detail.
When Bardsley arrived in Leicester, he found that he had caught a cold but he has now recovered and has been well ever since. He trusts that his visit to Lancashire 'was satisfactory to me, and many of my dear friends where glad to see me'. His dear mother [Martha] was however unwell - he received a letter from her on Thursday and apparently she is feeling better. He fears however that she shall not be long in this world.
Last night he dreamed that he was among the monuments in Westminster Abbey and that he was with his dear father, uncle and aunt who are all dead. He thought that his dear mother was with them, dressed in a very genteel manner.
Two of Bardsley's uncles have died within a few months; one, a member of the Methodist society, passed away happy.
During his visit to Manchester, Bardsley met with a young gentleman named [Ralph] Mather who has been associated with the independents. He was very predjudiced against dear [John] Wesley and his societies, but lately he was in London and went to various places to hear the gospel. At West Street Chapel he heard Captain [Thomas] Webb, 'who insisted much of believers growing in grace, and the necessity of loving God with all their hearts. He thought the Capt's arguments had scripture to defend them, and the Lord convinced him that it was not only his duty but his invaluable priviledge to press forward towards the mark.'. Mather was subsequently converted at the house of a Methodist 'when the answer of peace was sent down, the tidings were so good, and the comforts that attended them so great; that he could not avoid falling down to the floor, and lying before his Gracious Benefactor with speechless awe!' Mather now and then gives a word of exhortation and is likely to be useful. Bardsley was several times in his company and found it a blessing.
Another in the band meeting in Manchester, declared the Lord's graciousness in enabling her to give him her heart.
Bardsley received Stephenson's letter on Thursday. Spiritual matters are discussed in detail. He was gratefil for the hint concerning Nanny Rushton - he is sorry that what he thought was a priviledge to their young friend should turn out otherwise. Bardsley hopes that Nanny did not encourage the young man to make his addresses to Miss Heald. He [Bardsley] knows from when he was with her that she is determined to disregard anything of that nature, because she was aware of how offended her husband would be. For his own part, Bardsley could see that if Heald gave way to anything like that, she would have a very bad time. Had Bardsley been older, he would have been more firm in his warnings. He feels very sorry for poor Mrs Heald. 'When a friend at Sheffield gave me an hint respecting this affair. I think our young friend should have been remarkably cautious how she had encouraged the young man, as her father is in such a situation respecting his spiritual affairs. Mrs Heald and her daughter were with me but my time was so short I could say but little to them. I understood that Mrs H. objected to the young man on account of his [financial] circumstances. I trust his objections sprang from the regard he has that his daughter should do well for her body, O that the welfare of her soul did but lie as near his heart. I think Christian people should not neglect thinking about their temporal as well as spiritual affairs.'. Bardsley saw the young man twice when he was at Sheffield; the first time as he had no acquaintance with him, he barely spoke to him. The second time, he was in Brother [James] Walker's and was about to ride away so he was unable to exchange a word with him about this subject. Bardsley does not know the young man and does not know therefore what to say concerning him. He expects that the young man has joined the society since he [Bardsley] left. He sees him now and then at the preaching but not to talk to.
His regards should be passed to Mrs Heald and her daughter. If she writes to him at Loughborough, he will know better what to say. He will be there in two weeks and can be contacted at Mr Jones the hatter.
His love should be passed to Stephenson's dear sister. Bardsley knows that he owes her a letter and will settle that debt very soon.