To John Bennet. When Bennet's last arrived on November 12, Charles was again confined to his chamber with sickness, but he is now fully recovered.
He was not upset by Bennet, but rather for him, and if Bennet is now happier, then so is Charles. He trusts that Bennet will no longer be disturbed or distressed.
Reference is made to the disastrous effect that J W's engagement to Grace Murray [later the wife of John Bennet] might have had on the movement. Charles is sure that 'it is all over with our friend [J W]. Only me he cannot love as before. But I must have patience & suffer all things'.
Bennet will surely have heard of the enclosed subscription -'there's nothing like it in the Christian world; & none yt I know, but my B [J W] fit to execute it'. Each society or individual may subscribe to one volume at a time, and to the second and third when they can afford to. Each of the volumes is complete in itself. J W's letter should be read to each of the societies, and Bennet should write back to Charles as soon as possible at the house of the lace merchant [James] Waller in Cornhill, London.
The time when they can meet has not yet arrived. Their friends [the ?Gwynne family] in Ludlow, Shropshire, were upset that Grace did not visit, for she is very dear to them.
In a postscript, he mentions being told of [Elizabeth] Holmes's unease regarding his colt, believing that he should have collected it when it was a year old - it is now three years of age. Charles never actually thought to take it until it could be of use to him, but he will be glad to have it in the spring. He would be grateful if Bennet would try to pacify Holmes. Also does he know of anyone who could break the horse for riding?
Notes
- Publication Record: Quoted by Dr Frank Baker in Charles Wesley - As Revealed by his Letters (1948), p.74 .
- The lace merchant James Waller was married to Elizabeth Gwynne, the sister of Sarah Wesley. Waller assisted Sarah in the administration of her financial affairs following Charles's death, with particular regard to the provisions of the will of Rebecca Gwynne, of which he was an executor. He died in London in 1802. Source: Wesley and Gwynne family papers deposited at the Methodist Archives and Research Centre.