Letter

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 DDCW/7/20
  • Former Reference
      GB 135 DDCW/7/20
      GB 133 Folio entitled Letters of the Rev. C. Wesley, 20
  • Dates of Creation
      n.d.

Scope and Content

To Bristol. Sarah's letter was delivered just now. Sally should get as much fresh air as possible and Charles junior should ride often. Nanny also would be better for getting some air. Charles feels that Samuel will escape illness this time. Charles junior should be encouraged in his writing, riding and music, not that he needs much urging where the last is concerned.

The work here has been blessed. Yesterday [Sunday] his subject at Spitalfields Chapel was 'Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy etc'. The chapel was crowded. [John] Richardson assisted Charles in administering Holy Communion to over twelve hundred people. It was like the old days at the Foundery when Charles would exhort the Society for over an hour to humility and love. Sarah must excuse him boasting a little for he feels that he has never been more loved by the people and he regards them with the same emotion. They are truly one brethren.

His host Mr Evans and his wife [in ?Clerkenwell] do their best to make him feel comfortable. It is really a delightful place, very clean with lots of fresh air. [Rebecca Gwynne] is in love with the place. Mrs Footit begged Charles in tears to stay with her when he is in that part of town and her husband also invited him when he called on Charles recently.

Sisters Heritage and McDonald and many others send Sarah their regards.

Sarah should inform M. James and [Anne] Vigor that he will write to them next.

If Neddy will not accept the guinea, should Charles send him some tea in his next parcel?

Nanny White remembers Sarah in her dying prayers.

He dined on Sunday at Mr Judd's house.

Tuesday evening

He had dinner yesterday at Islington with Messrs Perronet, Emery and Stokes. [Rebecca Gwynne] has greatly improved her musical skills and greatly entertained Charles with her playing.

Mr Stokes has received over £600 for his horse. He will call on Sarah next week and promises to 'attend Charles [junior] constantly'. Charles has engaged 'to take his son into my Grammar school if we live till Autumn'.

Sister Boult urges Sarah to take the utmost care that Sally does not catch cold following the measles and the best way to ensure this is plenty of fresh air.

Charles does not see how they can get out of debt without Mr Stokes's help. He is sure that Sarah will be careful with the fourteen guineas and he will perhaps be able to bring her some more money before it runs out. She should get Mr Purnel's bill even though she cannot pay it at the moment.

He often talks about Sarah with [John] and D. Downes. He is going to be a great man and is sure to take out a patent for his tool and 'eclipse the finder out of the longitude'.

Charles hopes that Nanny's sickness has checked her impatience.

Charles shall pay Sister Brignel the first money he can get.

[Samuel] Lloyd is going to sell his house. Has he written to Charles in Bristol? Messrs Emery and Stokes and [Rebecca Gwynne] advise them to put the money when it is repaid into 4% consolidated stock. Does Sarah agree that this is a good idea?

Notes

  • Publication Record: Quoted by Thomas Jackson, The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley (1849), Vol.2, pp.256-7. .
  • John Richardson (1734-92) was the son of an ale-house keeper from Yorkshire. He was converted to Methodism while serving as an Anglican curate and was subsequently removed from his position for evangelical preaching. John Wesley appointed him to the Foundery and he later became one of the Readers at City Road Chapel. Richardson officiated at John Wesley's funeral Source: Encyclopedia of World Methodism (1974).

Note

Notes

  • Publication Record: Quoted by Thomas Jackson, The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley (1849), Vol.2, pp.256-7. .
  • John Richardson (1734-92) was the son of an ale-house keeper from Yorkshire. He was converted to Methodism while serving as an Anglican curate and was subsequently removed from his position for evangelical preaching. John Wesley appointed him to the Foundery and he later became one of the Readers at City Road Chapel. Richardson officiated at John Wesley's funeral Source: Encyclopedia of World Methodism (1974).