had provoked Mr. John Wesley writes to Lady Huntingdon, who intimates that he is either dishonest, or in his dotage-Mr. Fletcher answers Shirley's “ Narrative "_Richard Hill, Esq., engages the controversy, but soon proposes to destroy all that he had written, if Mr. Fletcher would do the same—He retires from the controversy with Mr. Fletcher, and is succeeded by the Rev. Rowland Hill, Mr. Berridge, and Mr. Toplady-Mr. Madan affords secret help to Mr. Fletcher's opponents The Messrs. Hill and Toplady assail Mr. John Wesley's personal character, to the grief of the more respectable Calvinists_Dr. Haweis's testimony in his favour-Charles Wesley's epigrams on the slanderers of his honoured brother_Thomas Olivers—Mr. Fletcher's character as a polemical writer-Unjust censures upon him by Lady Huntingdon's biographer, the Rev. Edwin Sidney, &c.—Mr. Charles Wesley's decided concurrence in the judgment of Mr. Fletcher on the questions at issue, and advice in the entire controversy–Lady Huntingdon regrets the part which she had acted towards her earliest Removal of Mr. Charles Wesley's family to London-Letter from Mr. Fletcher_Mr. John Wesley's dangerous illness in Ireland—Report of his death_Mr. Fletcher's letter to Charles, urging him to take his bro- ther's place, and offering his aid-Letter from Mr. Perronet-Case of King Charles I.-Mr. Fletcher's dangerous illness Charles Wesley's hymn of prayer for his recovery-Death of Charles Perronet_Letter from his father_Case of Dr. Dodd-Mr. Charles Wesley visits him, with his brother, in prison-Hymns on his condition—Verses on his execution-Letters of Charles Wesley to his wife and daughter- Prayer for his brother's life—“The Protestant Association "_Lord George Gordon-Riots of 1780—Letters from Mr. Charles Wesley, describing the scenes of outrage_He publishes a Poem on the occasion, and several Hymns--Conference of 1780_Charles Wesley's fears lest Mr. Charles Wesley's children-Musical genius of his two sons_Sketch of the early life of Charles—Mr. Kelway_Dr. Boyce_Elegy on the Wesley's letter to the unhappy youth_Letter to his nephew Charles .Pages 329_376 CHAPTER XXV. Mr. John Wesley gives an identity to the Conference by the “ Deed of Declaration ”_Offence taken by some parties at this important instru- Pages 377_423 + + XXVI. Character and death of the Rev. Henry Piers, Ebenezer Blackwell, and the Rev. Vincent Perronet Letters to Miss Briggs_Death of the Rev. crated ground—Letter of Mr. Bradburn on the character and death of Pages 424_455 Mr. Charles Wesley's personal appearance-Scholarship, Power as a satirist-As a translator of verse -Epitaphs on his friends-Cordiality of his friendships Undeviating friendship for his brother_Exemplary kindness in the domestic relations Loyalty to the House of Bruns- wick_Character as a Preacher_Peculiarity in his mental constitution -Character of his Methodism and Churchmanship—He was the first that administered the holy communion to the Methodists separately- Advocacy of lay-preaching—Attachment to the Methodists Self- denial after he ceased to itinerate_Literary accomplishments-General character of his poetry_Occasionally adopted the thoughts of other writers-Dr. Brevint, and Dr. Young-Peculiarities of his versifica- tion_Comprehensive range of his subjects—The evangelical character of his hymns— Their influence upon the Methodist body-Superior to those of Dr. Watts--Are adapted to all occasions, field-preaching, social parties, rural scenery, birth-days-Are introductory to the songs BURNING OF THE PARSONAGE-HOUSE AT EPWORTH THE REV, SAMUEL WESLEY'S LETTER TO A CURATE SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF HANNAH RICHARDSON 536 An EpiSTLE TO THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, BY CHARLES WESLEY 545 AN ELEGY ON THE REv. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, BY CHARLES ON THE EQUALITY OF PRESBYTERS AND BIsops.... AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REV. JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY AND SEVERAL OF THE PREACHERS: WITH AN ENGRAVING... 577 IlYMN ON FRIENDSHIP ib. THE LIFE OF THE REV. CHARLES WESLEY, M. A. CHAPTER XVIII. + Mrs. CHARLES WESLEY was the mother of eight children. It may therefore be supposed that she could not long accompany her husband in those very extensive journeys to which he had been accustomed. His labours indeed became gradually limited, till they were almost exclusively confined to London and Bristol. As it was requisite that he should spend much time in the metropolis, and the family residence was in Bristol, he was often separated from her. During their absence his letters to her were numerous; and they were uniformly characterized by tender affection and fervent piety. Many of them have been preserved ; but unhappily scarcely any are fully dated, so that it is impossible to ascertain the time at which they were written. A few selections will show the spirit of the writer to great advantage. They are equally honourable to the man, the husband, and the Minister of Christ. “ The Foundery, May 10th. I had not time the last post to tell my dearest Sally what comfort I had in doing the last office to an old child of mine, who came this week to the grave as a ripe shock of corn. From her grave I hastened to preach our Lord's ascension ; and we shared in his triumph, and rejoiced in hope of receiving all the gifts He bas received for us. “Our meeting of the Leaders was a most solemn assembly. VOL. II. B 66 The Lord is surely teaching us how to worship Him. All perceived, they were met in his name. All were bowed down at his feet. His Spirit made intercession for us, and for you. For one blessed hour our flesh did indeed keep silence before Him. “ This morning I strongly insisted upon selling all, if we would buy the pearl. Mr. Venn breakfasted with me at Mrs. Boult's, and comforted my heart by assuring me that Mr. Madan is entirely clear of predestination ; that one Mr. Hawes, a Hutchinsonian, preaches in a church, in Oxford, Christ crucified, with amazing success; both townsmen and gownsmen flocking in crowds to hear him. “I administered the sacrament to one who has been long confined to his restless bed of pain and death; but happy in the midst of all his sufferings, and patiently waiting for the consummation of his bliss. My next stage was to brother Hammond's; a poor wandering sheep, that did run well for years, but left us upon his marriage, and Christ too. The last time I was in town I persuaded him, after twelve years' interruption, to come to Spitalfields chapel. He came; and the Lord laid hold of him again, and brought him back to the fold. Since then he has constantly attended every ordinance with his old companions; and we have, I trust, received him for ever. “I met poor Miss Dyer, that was, who has gone through a sea of sorrows since her fatal marriage to Mr. Cayley. Relly and Wheatley confirmed him in his Antinomian principles. He soon acted up to his principles; and discarded his wife with all aggravations of the blackest ingratitude. I took great delight in mourning with her. “I have been praying with Mrs. Chambers, who draws nearer and nearer her end. She was quite calm, and even desirous to depart. We have often wrestled for her, and cannot doubt." “My ever dearest Sally,—Your illness would quite overwhelm me, were I not assured that it shall work together for your good, and enhance your happiness through eternity. How does this assurance change the nature of things ! • Sorrow is joy, and pain is ease, If thou, my God, art here ! |