From the Foundery, London, to S W. He had the comfort of officiating at the funeral of an old female convert, from where he hurried to preach on the Ascension.
His meeting with the [class] leaders was a very solemn occasion indeed - 'the Lord is surely teaching us how to worship Him. All PERCEIVED they were MET IN HIS NAME…For one blessed hour our flesh did indeed keep silence before Him'.
This morning he 'strongly insisted on selling all if we would buy the pearl' before spending an hour with the two Vendomes [Lydia and Elizabeth], who are quite sick of Mrs Cr's 'perfection' and perhaps less convinced of their own.
He breakfasted with [Henry] Venn at Mrs Boult's house, and was reassured by him that [Martin] Madan as yet does not subscribe to the doctrine of predestination. Also, one Mr Haws a follower of Hutchinson is preaching in a church in Oxford with such astonishing success, that students and townsmen alike are flocking to hear him.
Charles administered the sacraments to one who has for a long time been confined to a bed of pain, but who is nevertheless happy in Christ. Then he dined with [Samuel] Lloyd, who again tried to persuade him to return to his old lodgings, which are so much quieter than the area around St Luke's hospital.
He called on [Rebecca Gwynne] to escort her to the preaching, but found that they were all out. She recently told him of Mrs Price's successful efforts to drive a wedge between [James] Waller and Charles by telling him that Charles had turned the [Gwynne] family against him. Waller believed this lie and lost the last bit of love he had for his brother-in-law.
His next call was on Brother Hammond, 'a poor wondering sheep', who turned away from Methodism after his marriage. When Charles was last in London he called on Hammond and persuaded him to go back to the Spitalfields Chapel after an absence of twelve years. God laid hold of Hammond again - this time hopefully for good.
Reference is made to Mr Parkinson.
Thursday afternoon from Hackney
He preached this afternoon at [West Street Chapel] Seven Dials, and rode here by noon. On the way he met the poor former Miss Dyer, who since her marriage to Mr Caley has endured many sorrows. Her husband was confirmed in his antinomian beliefs by Messrs Riley and [James] Wheatley, and discarded his wife soon after.
After preaching at Bonner's [Hall], Charles walked back with Mr Downing and Miss Chambers. Mr Daws, Mrs Caley, and this family send Sarah their regards. Mrs Chambers is drawing very near to death, and Charles prayed with her. She seems very calm and even desirous of the end.
Mrs Gaussen sends her love.
Notes
- St Luke's Hospital was a relief hospital for the old Bethleham (or Bedlam) hospital, built on the north side of Moorfields in 1751. Source: Edward H. Sugden, John Wesley's London - Scenes of Methodist and world wide interest with their historical associations (1932).
- Bonner's Hall was a house at one time owned by the Bishops of London. It is mentioned by John Wesley in his Journal several times eg 7 October 1754, and he mentions services there on ten occasions between 1754 and 1758. It occupied part of the site of the Bethnal Green Hospital and was demolished in 1844. Source: Edward H. Sugden, John Wesley's London - Scenes of Methodist and world wide interest with their historical associations (1932).
- Lydia, Mary and Elizabeth Vandome are listed as members of the Select Society at the Foundery in 1744. Source: George John Stevenson, City Road Chapel, London, and its Associations, Historical, Biographical, and Memorial (1872), p.33.