Printed advertisement for the sale of the two volume edition of Charles Wesley's hymns and sacred poetry, with Sarah Gwynne recorded as the first subscriber. 24 Dec 1748 On the reverse of the above is a letter from [Charles Wesley] to [Sarah Gwynne], pointing out the fact that she is his first subscriber.
24 Dec 1748
His printer has sent an estimate of about £2,500 for the books. He will not be able to write it up properly before he returns to Bristol, which will be in about three weeks.
Sister Cart is very dejected. She is aware of the reason for Charles's happiness [his engagement to Sarah Gwynne], and this makes it worse. It is not in his power to provide comfort.
On Saturday John Wesley spoke with [Edward] Perronet, who posed many objections to the marriage. John 'told him He knew it Right and Best'. Perronet then spoke against Sarah as a person, which John refuted 'so as to win my heart'.
Charles passed that evening with Perronet, who finally admitted that his objection to the union was based on his conviction that God intended Charles to marry Perronet's sister, so as to join the two families together. He did finally reconcile himself to the marriage.
25 December
John preached and all sang and rejoiced for two hours. Charles spent an hour with [William] Holland - 'the wisest man … the the Germans [the Moravian] ever stole from us'. After reading hymns they discussed the engagement. Charles later officiated at the chapel, and after communion felt that 'the spirit of Grace … was poured out in a full stream'.
He later called on Mr [Glanville] to administer the Sacraments, and found him to be in a very weak state and close to death. It is fortunate that he did not die twelve months ago as he will now be in paradise.