From Mary Naylor in Sedgley to Mary Tooth. It was very kind of Tooth to reply to her unworthy letter. It was good to read of the excellent news concerning the progress of God’s work.
Since Naylor last wrote, two of her sisters have ‘found peace’ and joined the Methodist society. She has been praying for her family for 8 years and often feared that her prayers were of no use. Spiritual matters are discussed in detail with specific regard to how Naylor herself was converted. There now only remains her dear father, brother and sister to be won to God. Naylor is however convinced that all her family will be saved from the pit. Reference is made to Miss Jenkins being brought to God, which must be a great source of joy to those who know her family.
Naylor has seen Mr and Mrs [Reeth?] and they are quite well – they were all speaking of Tooth as they often do. Naylor looks forward very much to that time when Tooth can visit this blessed circuit. Spiritual matters are discussed in detail.
Her youngest sister has been very ill, having at first suffered from a paralytic stroke as they were coming back from chapel through deep snow. Father was in a great rage and said that it was because she had gone to chapel, but she is now feeling better and when March is finished will again go to class. There has been much affliction in Naylor’s family this winter, but it could have been worse. ‘Religion is indeed my whole delight and the joy of my soul.’ Spiritual matters are further discussed in detail.
Some of the Methodists in this society are making progress while others are, Naylor thinks, going back. They have excellent preachers here – Mr [Samuel] Entwisle2 went home on Friday and it is thought that it is all over with him and that he will never preach again. A fortnight ago, Naylor took tea with him and thought him a most promising youth. This has happened just a few months after the death of dear Mr [John] Lancaster.3 Spiritual matters are discussed.
In a postscript she mentions that she intends sending this letter with Mr Lawson[?] and hopes that it will arrive safely. Naylor would be grateful if Tooth could send her a letter with one of the Madeley preachers attending the next district meeting – he can pass it on to one of those attending from this circuit. Miss Ball[?] is coming to spend a few weeks at Mr Reeth’s[?] so she can send a letter that way instead.
All the Dudley friends send their love to Tooth. May she long continue to be a ‘chosen vessel of good news and glad tidings to very many of your fellow creatures.’
Notes
- Samuel Entwisle (1803-30) was the son of the noted Wesleyan minister Joseph Entwisle. He was educated at Kingswood School between 1813 and 1817 and became a local preacher in 1827. Entwisle followed his father and brothers William and Joseph junior into the itinerancy in 1830 and was stationed in the Dudley circuit. His ministry lasted just twelve weeks when his health broke down and he died at his father’s house in Bath on June 21 1830.Source: Minutes of Conference 1830 and History of Kingswood School by ‘Three Old Boys’ (London: Charles H. Kelly, 1898), 40
- John Lancaster (1781-1829) entered the Wesleyan itinerancy in 1803. He exercised an active circuit ministry until his death which occurred at Dudley in the midlands after a short illness.Source: Methodist Magazine 1830, pp.71,641