The life of the Rev. Charles Wesley, M.A., some time student of Christ-Church, Oxford : comprising a review of his poetry; sketches of the rise and progress of Methodism; with notices of contemporary events and characters

Front matter

THE LIFE

OF THE

REV. CHARLES WESLEY, M. A.

Preface

More than fifty years have passed away since the eminent man whose personal history is traced in these volumes finished his ministry and life ; and it will perhaps, to some persons, be a matter of surprise that no previous attempt has been made to give a complete view of his character and eventful career, distinguished as he was by his fidelity and zeal, and still more by his poetic talents. Various causes have led to this delay. The principal one is, that his surviving children, who possessed his papers, carefully concealed them from the eye of those who were the most likely to do justice to his memory. The Methodists were the only people that could be supposed to take a lively interest in his biography ; and as he differed from his brother, and from a large body of the preachers and societies, on questions to which they attached a deep importance, it was probably thought that if a writer could be found who would duly appreciate the opinions and motives of this extraordinary man, the Wesleyan body generally would not give him that place in their esteem to which he is entitled. As an unbending Churchman, it was doubtless supposed that many of the Methodists would cherish toward him an unfriendly* feeling, at least till the controversies with which he stood connected should have generally subsided. This was, in all probability, the reason why the family papers were so long kept in entire secrecy.

Miss Wesley died in the year 1828 ; and the most valuable of those papers then became the property of the Wesleyan conference, by purchase from her brother Charles, to whom they belonged, as his father's heir. They were exceedingly numerous, and of very superior importance ; comprehending several volumes of original poetry, in the handwriting of the venerable Charles Wesley, with a large mass of other documents, which not only illustrate the history of the Wesley family, but also of the religious connection to which the family name is applied. Of these documents the writer of this narrative has availed himself; and hence its copiousness, as compared with the limited accounts of Mr. Charles Wesley that have been previously published.

From several esteemed friends the author has also received valuable assistance in preparing this work for the press. To Miss Tooth, of Stamford-hill, his acknowledgments are especially due. From early life this lady was one of the most intimate friends of Miss Wesley, and her brother Charles. Her father, the late Mr. Samuel Tooth, was for many years the steward of the City-road society, and the personal friend of the Rev. John and Charles Wesley, who were accustomed through him to receive their quarterly salaries.. Miss Tooth was possessed of many papers relating to the family of Mr. Charles Wesley, which she kindly placed in the hands of the author ; and these, with her verbal communications, have served greatly to enrich his pages.

His cordial thanks are also due to Thomas Marriott, Esq., of London, who for many years has taken a lively concern in every thing relating to the Wesleys, and whose collection of books and papers connected with their history is very extensive. To his liberality several previous publications of a similar description have been indebted ; and he has shown equal kindness in reference to the work now before the reader. His books, papers, and memoranda were lent with a cheerful promptitude, which greatly enhanced the favour, and proved that his stores have been amassed not merely for personal gratification, but the public benefit.

The author has also the grateful task of acknowledging his obligations to Mrs. Gidley Howden, of Hoxton-square, and to her excellent sister, Mrs. Nancarrow, of Clapton ; who are among the honoured descendants of the Rev. Vincent Perronet, of Shoreham, in Kent ; between whom and the Rev. John and Charles W^esley an intimate and confidential friendship long subsisted. They kindly lent several documents relating to their renowned ancestor, who was one of the holiest and best men of his age.

With these materials the author has used his best endeavour to place before the public a comprehensive and faithful record of one of the most remarkable men the world has ever seen : one of the three devoted and self-denying ministers, by whose instrumentality it pleased God one hundred years ago to begin that revival of decayed piety, the benefits of which are at this day felt in every quarter of the globe.

The publication of this work at the present time is contemplated with the greater satisfaction, because it supplies a fit medium through which to correct several misstatements which have recently been put into extensive circulation. After Lady Huntingdon had adopted the theological views of Calvin, she is well known to have withdrawn from Mr. John Wesley the friendship which she had cherished toward him from the commencement of her religious course, and from which she had derived much spiritual advantage. Greatly was she offended because he declined to follow her example. Her ladyship's biographer inherits her prejudices ; and therefore in the valuable and interesting work which he has published he avails himself of every convenient opportunity of depreciating that eminent man. He is perfectly welcome to entertain his own opinion respecting Mr. Wesley, and is at liberty to defend it by every just means in his power ; but as he has in various instances misrepresented facts, to the injury of the man whom he dislikes, it has been deemed requisite to meet several of his allegations with counter-statements, of the force of which the reader will form his own judgment.

A still greater offender in the same way is the Rev. Edwin Sidney, the biographer of the Rev. Samuel Walker, of Truro, and of the brothers, Sir Richard and the Rev. Rowland Hill. If his statements be correct, Mr. John Wesley was so far from being a man of God, that he was destitute of even heathen honesty. To pass over in silence the bold and palpable calumnies to which he has given currency, would have been inexcusable. Other specimens of his unfair dealing might have been adduced ; but the passages animadverted upon are sufficient to show the faithlessness of his statements respecting the Rev. John Wesley.

There is a propriety in vindicating the character of this great and good man in the Life of- his brother Charles, with whom he was always one in heart. Charles differed from him on some questions affecting the established Church, and freely remonstrated with him ; but he had a perfect conviction of John's uprightness, and would allow no other person to cast a censure upon him.

Within the last few years much has been both said and written concerning Wesleyan Methodism, especially in relation to the Church of England, but often with a very imperfect knowledge of the facts of the case. Upon this subject it is hoped that this volume will serve to correct several mistakes. In what manner the Methodists were led to act independently of the Church's authorities, to open separate places of worship, and administer the sacraments in their own chapels, is here shown. Mr. Charles Wesley, who in theory was a much stricter Churchman than his brother, was the first that administered the holy communion to the Methodists separately. He did this in the school which had been built for the colliers' children at Kingswood, when he and the converted colliers were forcibly repelled from the Lord's table by the clergy of Bristol ; and he continued the practice from that time till the day of his death. Methodism throughout the country, at this day, is but an assimilation to Methodism as it was administered by him in London for nearly half a century.

It has been deemed requisite to state at large Mr. Charles Wesley's strong and persevering opposition to the general administration of the sacraments in the Methodist chapels, and the irrepressible desire for that privilege which prevailed in many of the societies soon after their formation. For more than thirty years Mr. John Wesley resisted this claim, though often, as he confesses, with a doubting conscience ; but at length he clearly saw that the desired boon could not be finally withheld. He therefore conceded the point in some instances to his societies in England ; and he fully yielded to their spiritual necessities and wishes, on this subject, both in America and Scotland. In doing this he deeply grieved his brother ; but so strong was his sense of duty, that he sacrificed his tenderest feelings, and chose rather to wound his most endeared friend than absolutely deny his spiritual children the means of edification. His ordinations, viewed in this light, demonstrate the strength of his conviction that he was bound thus far to violate the order of the established Church.

The design of the writer in compiling this volume, and in committing it to the press, is not merely the correction of mistakes in matters of opinion and history, much less the gratification of a vain curiosity by the relation of a series of singular and striking facts, but the advancement of. Christian piety. Personal histories more instructive than those of John and Charles Wesley have seldom been offered to the consideration of mankind. They were both religiously educated, strictly moral in their lives, and for many years rigorously exact in the performance of their various duties ; yet they felt that they were neither holy nor happy : and never did they attain lasting peace of mind, and power over inward sin, till they sought these blessings in the exercise of a lively faith in the sacrifice of Christ. From that time, till the end of their lives, it was their great business and concern to recommend this salvation as universally attainable by the same means. The nation was deeply sunk in ignorance, profligacy, and irreligion, when they, with their estimable friend Mr. Whitefield, entered upon their wonderful career of apostolic labour. Their strenuous and persevering exertions, accompanied by a large amount of personal sacrifice, were ceaselessly directed, not to party purposes, but to the one object of turning men from sin to holiness. The weapons of their warfare, like those of the apostles, were exclusively spiritual. They conquered the world by the power of truth and love. The doctrine which they constantly preached, and upon which the seal of the divine blessing was visibly impressed, was that of present deliverance from sin, its guilt, and misery, and power, by faith in the Lord Jesus ; and ten thousand happy converts, reclaimed from every evil, attested the truth of their report. The singleness of purpose with which these men laboured, the spirit of prayer and of absolute trust in God which marked their entire course, their burning love to Christ, their solemn conviction of the truth of the gospel, their yearning affection for the souls of men, must be apparent to every reader. All these peculiarities of character were a direct effect of that rich anointing of the Holy One which rested upon them, and which produced in them so striking a resemblance to Him who " had compassion upon the multitudes when they fainted, and were as sheep having no shepherd." It is by a ministry exercised in the same spirit of pious zeal and enterprise that the world will be turned to righteousness.

There never was a time at which it was more needful to inculcate the leading doctrines of the Protestant Reformation, than in the present day, when so many agencies are at work to revive and extend the unseriptural dogmas of Popery. In what manner John and Charles Wesley exerted themselves to counteract this system of spiritual wickedness, both in its theological tenets and its assumption of secular domination, the subjoined narrative declares. They believed the Church of Rome to be the greatest corrupter of evangelical truth, the most formidable enemy to the liberties of mankind, and the most bloody and persecuting power that ever exercised the divine patience and tormented mankind ; and therefore the declared object of God's righteous malediction. Faithfully did they labour to counteract the sorceries of Rome, by exciting a spirit of universal inquiry on the subject of religion, .and by calling attention from merely outward forms and ceremonies, to the spiritual worship of God. In life and death they declared, with all the confidence that inspiration itself can give, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but faith that worketh by love."

London May Zlst, 1841.

Chapter I

Mr. Chaeles Wesley's birth — Discipline of the Wesley family at Epworth — Charles's removal to Westminster school — His brother Samuel — Bishop Atterbury — Offer to Charles of Mr. Garret Wesley's property in Ireland — Charles's removal to Oxford — Becomes deeply serious — Is called Methodist — Origin of the name — Infidelity at Oxford — The Oxford Methodists — Mr. Whitefield's early life — Mr. Morgan — Samuel Wesley's removal to Tiverton — Letter of Charles to him — Death of the rector of Epworth— Letter from Charles to Samuel on the subject Pages 2 1-48

Chapter II

The colony of Georgia — General Oglethorpe — Samuel Wesley's poem of " Georgia" — John and Charles Wesley consent to go to that colony as missionaries — Charles Delamotte — Voyage to Georgia — The Moravian Brethren — Arrival at the place of their destination — Charles Wesley's application to his clerical duties — Want of success— Defectiveness of his theological views — Conspiracy formed to effect his ruin — Unkindness of Oglethorpe — Dangerous illness of Charles Wesley — Mr. Oglethorpe expresses regret for his conduct, and gives Charles a diamond ring — Alarms of the colonists — Charles Wesley's removal from Frederica to Savannah — The Methodists at Oxford — Mr. Whitefield's ordination — Charles Wesley arrives at Charleston . . . 48-74

Chapter III

Mr. Charles Wesley embarks for England — Perilous voyage to Boston — Brutal character of the captain — Serious illness at Boston — Embarks again for England — Profligate character of Appee, a young Dutchman — Charles Wesley lands at Deal — Arrival in London — Letter to him from his brother Samuel — Failure of his health — Engagements in London — Visits Oxford — Persecution against Mr. John Wesley at Savannah — Mr. Whitefield embarks for Georgia — Letter of Charles Wesley to his brother John — John's arrival in England — Mr. Matthew Wesley's death — Charles Wesley's introduction to royalty — Escape from a highwayman — Letter from Mr. Ingham, in Yorkshire 74-98

Chapter IV

Spiritual state of John and Charles Wesley on their return from America — The Delamotte family at Blendon — The Rev. Henry Piers — The Rev. John Gambold — Miss Kezzy Wesley — Charles visits Mr. Law at Putney — Count Zinzendorf arrives in England — Archbishop Potter and Bishop Seeker declare that the Moravian Church has the true succession — The count's usefulness in England — Arrival of Peter Bohler in England — Publication of the first Methodist Hymn-book — Charles Wesley dangerously ill of the pleurisy — He is visited by Peter Bohler, and receives the doctrine of present salvation by faith — The Hutton family — Return of Charles Wesley's illness — He finds peace with God by believing in Jesus Christ — His brother John obtains the same blessing — Charles's hymn of congratulation addressed to him — Remarks on the conversion of the brothers - Pages 99-127

Chapter V

Charles Wesley's labours for the spiritual good of others — Mr. Ainsworth, John Byrom, Mr. and Mrs. Piers, Mr. Stonehouse, the vicar of Islington, and various members of the Delamotte family, receive the truth— Mr. Broughton zealously opposes it — Letter from Mr. John Wesley during his visit to Hernhuth — Charles's successful labours among the felons at Newgate — He visits Oxford, and is admonished by the dean of Christ-Church — John Wesley's return from Germany — Charles begins to preach extempore— Question of rebaptizing the Dissenters — Interviews with the bishop of London, who condemns the practice— Charles Delamotte and Mr. Whitefield return from America — Letter of censure from Samuel Wesley 127-152

Chapter VI

Mr. Charles Wesley's expulsion from the curacy of Islington — Mr. Whitefield preaches in the open air at Bristol and other places — -Mr. John Wesley follows his example — Charles does the same at Thaxted, in Essex — He is summoned .to appear before the archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth — He is admonished, and threatened with excommunication — He preaches in Moorfields, and on Kennington-common — At Oxford — Prosecuted for walking across an open field to Kennington-common — Remarks on field-preaching — Visit to Mr. Law — Mr. Charles Wesley at Bengeworth — Mr. Benjamin Seward — Charles at Gloucester — At Bristol — Description of his preaching by Mr. Williams, of Kidderminster — The brothers publish two additional hymn-books — Remarks on Mysticism 152-175

Chapter VII

Death of the Rev. Samuel Wesley, of Tiverton — Letter from his mother on that subject — Opening of the Foundery, as a place of worship — Formation of the first of the United Societies — Charles Wesley at Bengeworth — Violence of Mr. Henry Seward — The doctrine of " stillness" inculcated by Molther in the Fetter-lane society — Opposed by the two Wesleys — " Conferences" with the awakened — Letter from Thomas Keen — Hymn on the means of grace — The Delamotte family discard the Wesleys, and join the Moravians — Separation of the Wesleys from the society in Fetter-lane — Charles Wesley at Bristol and Kingswood — The Bristol clergy refuse the Lord's supper to the Methodists — Charles Wesley and the Kingswood colliers turned out of the Temple church — Dishonourable conduct of the Bristol magistrates — Failure of Mr. Charles Wesley's health — Dr. Middleton — Charles Wesley quells a riot among the colliers at Kingswood — He visits Wales— Howell Harris — Riot at Cardiff — The Wesleys publish a fourth hymn-book 176-204

Chapter VIII

School for the colliers' children at Kingswood — John Cennick embraces the tenets of Calvinism, and divides the Kingswood society — Letter of Charles Wesley to him —

Mr. John Wesley's sermon on Free Grace — Mr. Whitefield's answer to it — Letter from him to Charles Wesley — He separates from the Wesleys — Misstatement of Lady Huntingdon's biographer — Charles Wesley's decided anti- Calvinism — His " Hymns on God's Everlasting Love" — Reconciliation between Mr. Whitefield and the Wesleys — Hymn for all three — Letter from Mrs. Wesley to Charles — He leans toward the Moravians, but soon recovers himself — His " Account of Hannah Richardson" — Gambold, Hall, and Stonehouse join the Moravians, and renounce the Church of England — Subsequent respect for the Moravian Church Pages 204-231

Chapter IX

Happy deaths of many members of the society in Bristol and Kingswood — Doctrine of reprobation — Charles Wesley visits Wales, and forms a friendship with Robert Jones, Esq., of Fonmon-castle — The Rev. Mr. Hodges, Wells, Thomas, and Richards — Preaches to the felons at Cardiff, and attends them to the place of execution — Mr. Jones accompanies him to Bristol and Kingswood — Interview with a magistrate, who threatens to seize the school at Kingswood — Mr. Charles Wesley carries the gospel into Staffordshire and Yorkshire — He joins his brother in the publication of a fifth hymn-book — " Wrestling Jacob" — Dr. Watts's remark upon it — Charles preaches before the University of Oxford, and publishes his sermon — Public affront offered to Mr. Piers, by the dean of Arches, when preaching at the visitation of the clergy at Sevenoaks — Death of Mr. Jones, of Fonmon-castle — Elegy on him — Death of Mrs, Susanna Wesley-^-Her character 232-258

Chapter X

Mr. Charles Wesley's labours among the prisoners in Newgate — Pastoral letter to the society at Grimsby — Preaches in Staffordshire — Riots at Sheffield — Visits Birstal, Armley, and Leeds — Arrives at Newcastle — Discourages physical excitement among the people — Successful ministry in the north — Returns to London, preaching at Selby, Epworth, Nottingham, and Birmingham in his way — Visits Cornwall, and preaches in the midst of riotous opposition — Hymn composed at the Land's End — Returns to London, to attend a meeting of Methodists, Calvinists, and Moravians — Mr. Whitefield and the Moravians refuse to meet — Unjust censure of Lady Huntingdon's biographer upon Mr. John Wesley — Illness of Mr. Piers — Riots at Wednesbury — Charles Wesley visits Bristol and Wales — Returns to London — Death of Mr. Witham 259-287

Chapter XI

Unsettled state of the nation in 1743 — " Hymns for Times of Trouble" — Mr. Charles Wesley preaches at Birmingham, Dudley, Wednesbury, Nottingham, Sheffield, Epworth, and Leeds — Arrives at Newcastle — Remarkable providence — Address to the king — Persecution at- Nottingham — John Healy and Thomas Westall examined by the magistrates — Charles Wesley accused of high treason — Meets the society at Leeds, and the floor of the room gives way — Several persons injured — Goes to Wakefield, to meet the magistrates — He is honourably acquitted — Hymns on the occasion — Returns to London, taking Nottingham on his way, where the magistrates had been rebuked by Judge Abdy — Raises a subscription in London for the sufferers in Staffordshire — Impressment of John Nelson, who is sent into the army — John Downes impressed for a soldier — Case of Thomas Beard— The first Methodist conference — Mr. Hodges, Piers, Samuel Taylor, Meriton — Principles agreed upon in this assembly 287-311

Chapter XII

Charles Wesley visits Cornwall, accompanied by Mr. Meriton — John Slocome pressed for a soldier — Charles's ministry in various parts of Cornwall — Fervent love of the young converts — Preaches his farewell sermon at Gwennap — Affecting scene at his departure — Three clergymen confirm his testimony in a church — Visits Wales and Bristol — Accompanied by Mr. Meriton, he meets his brother and Mr. Piers at Oxford — Mr. John Wesley preaches his last sermon before the university — Wicked slanders propagated by Thomas Williams — Labours at Newcastle and its vicinity — Terrible persecution in Cornwall — Dr. Borlase — Williams, stricken in his conscience, retracts his slanders, and asks forgiveness — Marmaduke Gwynne, Esq. — Mr. Meriton pressed for a soldier at Shrewsbury — John Bennet, ttnd other Methodists, in Derbyshire, treated in the same manner — The second Methodist conference — Charles Wesley receives an injury at Shepton-Mallet — Confined some time in Wales by his lameness — Repelled from the Lord's table by a Welsh clergyman — He and his brother publish their hymns on the sacrament, and on the Christian festivals Pages 312-336

Chapter XIII

The rebellion of 1745 — The committal of Jonathan Reeves to York-castle for preaching the gospel — Loyalty and patriotism of the Wesleys — Mrs. Rich — Mr. Lampe, the musician — Charles Wesley's itinerancy in the west of England — Labours and success in Cornwall — Mr. Eustick and Dr. Borlase — Hymn of thanksgiving for the success of the gospel in Cornwall — The Rev. Vincent Perronet, of Shoreham — Riot in the church when Charles Wesley preached there — The battle of Culloden — Hymns of thanksgiving for the defeat of the rebels, and the restoration of peace — Mr. Grimshaw — Edward Perronet dangerously ill of the small-pox, at Newcastle — Charles Wesley preaches at Hexham — Hymn of thanksgiving for the success of the gospel at Newcastle 336-357

Chapter XIV

Mr. Charles Wesley preaches at various places in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire — Terrible riot at Devizes — Charles Perronet ill of the small-pox in Bristol — Charles Wesley visits Ireland — State of religion in that country — Success of the gospel in Dublin, and Tyrrell's-pass — Riot at Athlone — Returns to Dublin, and embarks for England 357-380

Chapter XV

Mr. Gwynne and his daughter Sarah visit the Methodist society in London — Charles Wesley embarks again for Ireland — Mr. Lunell — Singular opening at Cork, where Mr. Charles Wesley preaches to thousands daily — Hymn for the Roman Catholics of Ireland— He preaches at Bandon, Kinsale, Youghall, Middleton, Cashel, Athlone, &c.

Meets Mr. and Mrs. Lampe in Dublin — Disastrous voyage to England — Visit to Garth — The family and establishment of Mr. Gwynne 380-400

Chapter XVI

Charles Wesley makes a proposal of marriage to Miss Sarah Gwynne— Letter from Mr. Perronet respecting the literary property of the Wesleys— John secures one hundred pounds a year to his brother — Charles's marriage — Letter from his sister Martha — Charles's arrival in Bristol — Illness — Letter to his brother — The Gwynne family remove from Garth to Ludlow — Destructive riots in Cork — Charles Wesley presented by the grand jury as " a person of ill-fame, and a vagabond" — Rents a small house in Bristol — Consecrates it to the Lord — Mrs. Grace Murray — Charles Wesley and Mr. Whitefield prevent Mr. John Wesley's marriage — John Bennet — Mr. Charles Wesley publishes his " Hymns and Sacred Poems," in two volumes .. Pages 401-422

Chapter XVII

Earthquakes in London in the year 1750 — Excitement created by them — Charles Wesley publishes a sermon on the occasion — His " Hymns on the Earthquakes" — Death of Mrs. Wright — Letter illustrative of her character — Mrs. Vazeille — Infamous slander of Salmon in his " Foreigner's Companion" — Marriage of Mr. Waller and Miss Elizabeth Gwynne — Mr. John Wesley's marriage — Unhappy temper of his wife — Case of James Wheatley — Charles Wesley's journey to the north of England — Singular trial of a Methodist constable at Leeds — The chapel there in danger of being pulled down — William Darney — Charles Wesley holds a conference at Leeds — Mr. Grimshaw, William Darney, and William Shent — Charles Wesley goes to Manchester— Mrs. Charles Wesley travels extensively with her husband — Anecdotes connected with her itinerancy 422-455

Chapter XVIII

Specimens of Mr. Charles Wesley's letters to his wife — His pastoral duties in London— Intimacy with Mr. and Mrs. Venn — Mr. Venn's religious history — The evangelical clergy benefited by the Messrs. Wesley and Whitefield — Letter from Mr. Whitefield on the erection of the Tabernacle in Moorfields— Death of the Rev. John Meriton — Hymn on the occasion — Mr. Charles Wesley visits Cornwall — Letters from thence to his wife — The hour of secret prayer observed by the Wesleys, father and sons — Admonitory letter from Mr. John Wesley to his brother — Dangerous illness of Mr. John Wesley — Charles's visit to him in London — Affecting interview between them — Deep concern manifested by the public — Mrs. Charles Wesley seized with the small-pox— Kindness of Lady Huntingdon — Letters of sympathy from Mr. Whitefield — Illness and death of Mr. Charles Wesley's only son — Hymns on the occasion, and on the recovery of his wife — Mr. John Wesley retires to the Bristol Hot-well, and writes his Notes on the New Testament — Retirement of Charles Skelton from the itinerancy „ 456-482

Chapter XIX

Mr. Charles Wesley visits Norwich with his brother — Wickedness of James Wheatley — Charles Wesley's ministry in that city — Death and character of Grace Bowen — Hymn on the occasion — Letter from Mr. Whitefield in America — Difficulties of the Wesleys with respect to the established Church — Attempt to introduce the Lord's supper into the Methodist chapels — Mr. Charles Wesley's alarm, and resistance of this measure— Letters to Mr. Sellon on this subject — John Hutchinson, and the Rev. George Stonehouse — The Wesleys closeted together at Birstal, where they canvass Towgood's book on Dissent — Conference at Leeds — Thomas Walsh, Joseph Cownley, and the Perronets, engage to desist from administering the Lord's supper — Charles Wesley's abrupt departure from the conference— Publishes a poetical " Epistle to the

Rev. John Wesley" — Letters from Mr. John Wesley to Charles concerning the Church — Correspondence with the Rev. Mr. Walker and Mr. Adam on the same subject — Mr. Charles Wesley visits Margate and Canterbury — Paralytic seizure of Wright, the brother-in-law of the Wesleys — Marriage of Mr. Stonehouse, and of Miss Degge — Earthquake at Lisbon — Threatened invasion of England — Charles Wesley's manuscript epistles to Howell Harris, Mr. Whitefield, Count Zinzendorf, and others.

Chapter XX

Calamitous state of Great Britain in the year 1756 — Charles Wesley publishes hymns for the fast-day — The conference held in Bristol — Mr. Charles Wesley visits the societies in Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire — Uneasiness in various places on the subject of the sacraments, and service in Church hours — Mr. Crook, of Hunslet — Division in the society at Leeds by Mr. Edwards — Charles Wesley at York — Mr. Ingham — Mr. Grimshaw — Mr. Whitefield — Titus Knight — John Whitford — John Byrom — IJnsettled state of the society in Manchester — Letters of Charles Wesley to Mr. Grimshaw, and the society at Leeds, concerning the Methodists and the Church — Mr. Clayton — Mr. Charles Wesley returns by Wednesbury to Bristol — Roger Ball and James Wheatley — Remarks on Methodism and the state of the Church — Several Methodists in Yorkshire and Lancashire, being denied the sacraments in their own chapels, become Dissenters 519-547

Chapter XXI

Mr. Charles Wesley desists from his itinerant ministry — The probable reason of this determination — Unfavourable effect upon his own mind — Mr. John Wesley publishes his " Reasons against Separation from the Church" — Charles's hymns on the subject — Serious accident — Illness of Thomas Walsh — Charles Wesley unjustly accused of unkindness toward him — Letters from Mr. Walsh — His death — Hymns on the occasion — Mr. Charles Wesley visits the daughter of his brother Samuel, at Barnstaple — Letters from thence to Mrs. Wesley — Samuel Wesley's widow — Charles Wesley publishes " Hymns of Intercession for all Mankind" — He publishes his " Funeral Hymns" — Death of the Rev. James Hervey — His " Eleven Letters" — Lines on refusing to write an epitaph on him — Renewed alarm of invasion — Hymns on the subject — Victory over the French fleet — Murder committed by Earl Ferrers upon his steward — Letter from his brother, the Rev. Walter Shirley — The trial of the earl — His obduracy, and execution— Three of the Methodist preachers begin to administer the sacraments at Norwich— Mr. Charles Wesley's distress on the occasion — His letters to Nicholas Gilbert, John Nelson, and Mr. Grimshaw, upon the occasion — Mr. Grimshaw's answer — Extreme views taken by him and Charles Wesley — The licensing of the preachers and chapels — Desire of the Methodists to have the Lord's supper among themselves, and divine service in Church hours — Charles Wesley's desire to get the preachers episcopally ordained — Letter to him by Joseph Cownley on the subject — Moderation of Mr. John Wesley — Letter from Mr. Perronet to Mr. Charles Wesley, when ill at Bath 548-587