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 towards 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 Connexion 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 everything relating to the Welseys, 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 Wesley 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. It was intended to comprise the Life of this singularly gifted and useful man in one volume; but this was found to be impossible, without omitting many facts which were deemed profoundly interesting, and adapted greatly to promote the spiritual good of the reader. 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 mis-statements 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 towards 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 |