Letter

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 DDCW/5/98
  • Former Reference
      GB 135 DDCW/5/98
      GB 133 Folio entitled Letters of the Revd. C. Wesley, page 98
  • Dates of Creation
      19 Feb [1760]

Scope and Content

From Westminster to [S W]. Her letter of the 15th arrived too late for him to answer last night. He is pleased that the doctor only visits Sarah as a friend - 'all in good time you may give him one of Lady Anne's kisses'.

It is good that Sarah visits poor Miss Furly, and she should pass on Charles's love with the news that Charles has received a letter from Furly's brother - '& if I had any patience would wait upon him'. Poor Miss Edwards says that her friend has never sent her one kind message or word. Sarah should tell Charles how she is in her next letter.

His strength is sufficient for his moderate work-load since he does not expose himself to the night air.

Charles hopes that [Anne] Vigor is recovered from her late serious illness. He wrote asking her to try to get [financial] help for [John] Jones - Charles has pledged himself to pay Jones's rent for one year if necessary 'presuming on the love our Bristol friends bear him', although he has of course not given Jones any names.

Mrs Dewal has readily agreed to [rent] Sarah her house.

Major [Bartholomew] and Mrs [Galatin] send Sarah their love.

Yesterday morning his text was 'Learn of me'. They all felt the presence of the 'Great Prophet' and their hearts were warmed in prayer for the Church, nation, and all mankind.

[John] Fletcher read prayers again while Charles spoke on 'If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed'. The chapel was as crowded as on the fast-day, and the congregation included Lady [Huntingdon], Lady Gertrude [Hotham], Miss Carteret, and a great crowd of strangers. Charles spoke for an hour with power and strength sent by God. In the Society [meeting] they were 'greatly refreshed & quickened', after which he went to Mrs Galatin's house where he spent the night.

Monday morning [18 February]

He breakfasted this morning with their 'most faithful friend' Lady [Huntingdon] and later dined at Major [Galatin's] house to where he returned that night after preaching on the death of the righteous.

Tuesday [19 February]

He called on and prayed with [Miss] Carteret and [Miss] Cavendish.

If writing hurts her [rheumatism], Sarah should stop and send him the letter anyway, even if it is only three lines long.

It was not Charles's mistake but Miss Darby's 'yet still her friends hope Lady R [Lady Robert Manners] will recover the sooner thro her miscarriage'. Charles will stay tonight [at the house of Samuel Lloyd] in Devonshire Square, returning here a week tomorrow.

He feels that Mrs Dewal will decide to have her £600 [rent for her house], although not through any doubt as to the security. Charles will discuss it with her as soon as possible and inform Sarah of the outcome.

Tuesday night

He had dinner at Lady [Huntingdon's] house with Miss Shirley and Mr Jones. Charles had hoped to have the opportunity to speak with Jones, but this proved impossible. Just before the meal they were rather alarmed when the chimney caught fire, but her Ladyship reacted quickly and calmly by ordering a wet blanket to be placed close to the chimney to extinguish the flames. After dinner Lord H. [Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon and son of Lady Huntingdon] arrived and Charles left. He had hoped to get a lift in Jones's carriage, but had to walk the whole way [to Devonshire Square] instead, with the result that he is rather tired. He will have a cup of whey and retire early.

In a postscript he asks that his love be given to [George] and Mrs Stonehouse. Mrs Grinfield's letter will be answered soon. Should he ask Lady Anne to stand as godmother [to their daughter Susanna]?

Notes

  • Publication Record: Quoted extensively by Thomas Jackson in The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley (1849), Volume 2, pp.211-212.
  • Lady Gertrude Hotham was the eldest daughter of the Earl of Chesterfield and wife of Colonel Sir Charles Hotham bt, member of Parliament for Beverley in Yorkshire. Source: Burke's Peerage and Baronetage (1936).

Note

Notes

  • Publication Record: Quoted extensively by Thomas Jackson in The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley (1849), Volume 2, pp.211-212.
  • Lady Gertrude Hotham was the eldest daughter of the Earl of Chesterfield and wife of Colonel Sir Charles Hotham bt, member of Parliament for Beverley in Yorkshire. Source: Burke's Peerage and Baronetage (1936).