From Joseph Cownley in Newcastle on Tyne to Charles Wesley. Any thinking person must conclude that Methodism will not remain in its present form. For his own part, Cownley believes that great confusion will result sooner or later, for the reason that preaching within the movement 'is as wide as our societies, so that any ignorant or designing man that takes it into his head that he can preach may preach without any more ado'. There is nobody who informs [John Wesley] concerning the qualifications of prospective preachers. In any case preachers can always find 'some old woman' who is willing to declare that they have never heard such a fine sermon. Such men are staunchly loyal to [John Wesley] 'especially if he sets em on horseback - They make their parties among the people and your bro caresses em as the only men that have either zeal for God or love for him'. Those men who were by John Wesley's side when the only reward was verbal and physical abuse from mobs whenever they preached, and who continue 'to ride the rounds are not only left behind but in a manner quite forgot by him.
If they can live without him well if not the Lord must pity them for he has no farther care about em'. His behaviour to Cownley since he became an invalid although he stayed in the work longer than really he was able, has been such that were it not for the love and reverence which Cownley has for [John Wesley] then he would have cut the connection between them in no friendly manner. As it is, he has no intention of doing such a thing and is content to carry on without John Wesley's regard.
Several of the other preachers could make the same complaint 'who have not fled either to the gown or cloak [enter the Anglican ministry] for succour and who...have no thoughts of doing it unless they could do it & be Methodist preachers'.
Regarding the intruders referred to above, the Wesleys should not allow anyone to preach unless they possess the abilities specified by the 'printed conferences'. Only the Wesleys have the authority to enforce this. Who can persuade [John Wesley] to act? - he would probably think that the man who can propose this is simply 'graceless'.
It is also probable that after the Wesleys have died, many of the preachers will abandon the Anglican Church. Cownley's friend [Christopher] Hopper believes that one way to prevent this is to persuade sympathetic Anglican bishops to ordain preachers. Is this a possiblity? Also what bishop in England or Ireland would be prevailed upon to do this? For his own part, Cownley could not agree to ordination under the terms by which many of his former brethren have been accepted into the Anglican ministry.
Cownley has now told Charles his mind and he has done it freely. If he is wrong, Charles should set him right and he will be suitably grateful.
They had not been aware of the [sacramental] dispute in Norwich before [Christopher] Hopper received Charles's letter. They have since had the details. Who would have thought that this would have happened?
Has Charles seen poor John Allen from Newcastle? The society here has been reproached on his account and not without reason. Some time ago his business failed and instead of surrendering everything to his creditors, as an honest man would have done, he concealed some of his effects. The amount that was paid to his creditors could not have amounted to more than four shillings in the pound. The man who he employed to carry away part of his goods later disclosed what had happened to one of the creditors, who was so incensed that he had Allen arrested. The man who arrested him was at one time a Methodist and as Allen was a Methodist preacher, he treated him with more consideration than is usual at such times. Allen took advantage of this generosity and escaped. Worst of all, he is indebted to [John] Fenwick and his father for almost £50. In addition, Fenwick is acting as surety for £30 for Allen's appearance in another case. If Allen fails to appear in court, the bond will be forfeit. Allen promised faithfully to turn up, but has now had second thoughts and has apparently fled to London.
Cownley will now take this opportunity to press Charles to do his duty, namely visit the North this summer. The preachers have excused him to the poor people who long to see Charles again, but they are now running out of reasons for his long absence. If he fails to visit them soon, they will simply have to say that Charles has no wish to come to this part of the country. [Sarah] Wesley would also be very welcome and there is a good house here, which would be at their disposal.
Annotated by Charles Wesley - 'Jos Cownley, sensible, loving...'