From Brecon to S W [in Devonshire Square, London], hoping that she has left her cough behind her - 'Grosvenor [Square] is not half so agreeable to our ?chests & constitution as Devonshire Square'.
He is to leave Brecon tomorrow, having made the most of a short stay. Howell [Gwynne] was very polite to Charles at Garth, and [his wife] Lady Rudd was 'not uncivil'. He preached on Sunday in two churches followed by a miserable ride over the hill to Brecon, arriving drenched through with the rain. He suffered no lasting ill effects.
He spent most of yesterday [13 January 1755] at Trevecka - 'God has not rejected his old servant [Howell Harris] there. He joins with his wife in cordial love to us both'.
As for 'this family' [the Gwynnes], he cannot say much, except that poor Rebecca would be glad to escape from them. Her chief comfort is the little Methodist Society here - 'you may depend upon her when a tender nurse is needed'.
Sarah's recently deceased old nurse [Grace Bowen] needs 'congratulation not condolence. She lies close to dear Molly Leyson. ?Peggy [Mary Gwynne] & Jacky [Wesley] also is of the party above. They are singing together & pitying US'.
His love should be given to [Samuel] Lloyd, and Sarah should comfort poor Betsy and perhaps the enclosed [?poem] will help - 'we ought to rejoice that is certain but self-love hinders'.
Charles should be remembered to Mr Montague, Jane Hands, Sister Boult etc.
He will remember to bring Sarah's cloak, but why does she need pumps also?
Notes
- Publication Record: Quoted extensively by Thomas Jackson in The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley (1849), Volume 2, pp.199-200.
- Trevecka was the birthplace of the evangelist Howell Harris, and was a major centre for Calvinistic Methodist activity in Wales. Harris founded a religious community there in 1752, and it was later the site of a ministerial training College founded by the Countess of Huntingdon. Source: General Methodist historical.