From Rotherham, Yorkshire, to S W in Charles Street, Bristol. He is grabbing a few moments before the arrival of the congregation to send his love to his 'dearest Sally'. He hopes to call on 'my L' [the Countess of Huntingdon] tomorrow night or Sunday morning.
He believes that the horse will arrive safely in Bristol before Charles reaches London.
Last Saturday afternoon [May 3 1755] on the way to Wakefield after the Wesley brothers 'had settled everything in ye 4 preceding days' Charles met 'my good angel & sister [Mary Wesley]. I have done her honour before the people & behaved (tho I say it) very much like a gentleman', although he did leave Leeds this morning without informing her or her husband [John Wesley]. No doubt he will follow shortly with a letter of complaint, but Charles is hardened to 'causeless reproofs'.
He trusts that Sarah is patient in his absence, and indeed she should rejoice that the Lord finds that Charles is of use.
She noticed the 'spirit wch dictated that letter [from ?Mary Wesley]. But I take no notice of such envious complaints'.
Miss Norton sends her regards. She does not like any of the [Methodists] except for Charles and Mr Edwards.
He left the brethren [preachers] in Conference [at Leeds] 'but had quite enough of them first, but I do not repent my trouble'. She must be content to wait for further details. He feels that he is done with Conferences for ever. All agreed not to separate [from the Anglican Church], 'so the wound is healed - slightly'. He does have other good news to bring her from Leeds.
His love should be given to Sarah Jones. Her husband [John] is detained by Charles's brother, but should overtake Charles at Birmingham.
If Sarah's next letter has a frank, it should be directed to the Foundery in London, otherwise to [Samuel] Lloyd's house [in Devonshire Square, London].
He should be remembered to [Anne] Vigor and their other friends.
He would like to be informed whether or not Sarah's two sisters are with her. If they are not it is either Sarah's fault or their's. He will be detained for three weeks in London and then the Lord permitting they should be able to meet in Charles Street [Bristol].
Sarah should keep an exact count of her falls.
Here is [Jane] Green - walking about as if she had not been confined to her bed [to give birth] just a fortnight ago. Charles hopes that the impending birth of the Wesleys' child will be as easy.
On Wednesday night he was assisted in his preaching in a quite wonderful manner. His subject was 'My Grace is sufficient for thee'.
Friday night
He exhorted the Society here to remain within the Church of England, and he hopes to deliver the same exhortation to every Society - 'on such an occasion you will cheerfully spare me'.
Notes
- Publication Record: Quoted extensively by Thomas Jackson in The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley (1849), Volume 2, p.202 .
- Jane Green was the second wife of book-seller and school master William Green, who was the chief promoter of Methodism in Rotherham. Until the building of the Octagon Preaching House in 1761, services were normally held in Green's house or school, and Green himself served as a local preacher for many years. Source: Samuel J. Russell, Historical Notes of Wesleyan Methodism in Rotherham Circuit (1910), pp.8-11.