Letter

Scope and Content

From the Manchester Conference to Mary Rattenbury [in the Islington Circuit, London]. He received her letter this morning and was relieved to find that she is feeling better. She must be careful to take things easy and must remember that her health and that of their children is all-important. He himself is quite well - he sets off for Newcastle this morning and hopes to return to Manchester on Wednesday.

The Conference began to look at the question of the character of the preachers. It was a stormy evening.

Mr Naylor moved that the 'declaratory resolution of 1835 be read - it is this resolution that gives the right of putting questions on [unreadable word] matters'. [Jabez] Bunting gave notice of the fact that he had been informed of complaints against [John] Burdsall, [James] Everett and [James] Bromley and that these ministers should be sent for.

[John S.] Stamp was expelled this morning.

At the mention of Bunting's name [in the list of ministers], he [Bunting] challenged any of his accusers to come forward. The President [Thomas] Jackson 'said there should be - powers for any to come forward - but none came forward - the President said "Speak now or forever hold your tongue".

[Joseph] Beaumont objected to [John] Hannah 'for [unreadable word] the [fly-sheets - erased] remarks on the fly-sheets by [unreadable word] which are well defended by Dr [John] Hannah & [George] Osborn - Rayner[?] charged Dr [John] Hannah on the same ground - I shall be obliged to leave this place before the conclusion of this [unreadable word] for which I am sorry'.

'It is clear we shall have a splinter Conference...'.

Miss Batemen wants Mary [J R's daughter] to write to her.

Notes

  • John S. Stamp entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1821. He served as a circuit minister until 1842 and was then appointed assistant Connexional Editor in London. Stamp was expelled by the Conference of 1849. Source: Hill's Arrangement 1849 and PLS 86.28.82.
  • John Hannah (1792-1867) was born at Lincoln. He entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1814 and almost immediately volunteered to accompany Dr Thomas Coke to India. The lack of a vacancy in the India mission meant that Hannah entered home work instead. Hannah was a highly regarded minister who in 1824, received the distinction of accompanying Richard Reece, the representative of the British Conference to the American General Conference. In 1834 he was appointed Divinity Tutor at the newly founded Theological Institution and served as Secretary of Conference at intervals from 1840. Hannah was elected President of Conference in 1842 and 1851 and in 1856 travelled to America as the representative of the British Church. From 1842 until the end of his life, Hannah was Divinity Tutor at Didsbury College . Source: Minutes of Conference 1867.

Note

Notes

  • John S. Stamp entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1821. He served as a circuit minister until 1842 and was then appointed assistant Connexional Editor in London. Stamp was expelled by the Conference of 1849. Source: Hill's Arrangement 1849 and PLS 86.28.82.
  • John Hannah (1792-1867) was born at Lincoln. He entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1814 and almost immediately volunteered to accompany Dr Thomas Coke to India. The lack of a vacancy in the India mission meant that Hannah entered home work instead. Hannah was a highly regarded minister who in 1824, received the distinction of accompanying Richard Reece, the representative of the British Conference to the American General Conference. In 1834 he was appointed Divinity Tutor at the newly founded Theological Institution and served as Secretary of Conference at intervals from 1840. Hannah was elected President of Conference in 1842 and 1851 and in 1856 travelled to America as the representative of the British Church. From 1842 until the end of his life, Hannah was Divinity Tutor at Didsbury College . Source: Minutes of Conference 1867.