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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
Doctor's death-Handel-Early life of Samuel Wesley-Character of
the two brothers-Their select concerts-The Earl of Mornington—
General Oglethorpe-Letter of spiritual advice from Mr. Charles
Wesley to Mr. Kelway-Letter from the Earl of Mornington-Death
of that Nobleman-Charles and Samuel Wesley singularly unsuccess-
ful in their attempts to obtain lucrative situations as musicians-Anec-
dotes of George III., and George IV.-Bishop Burgess-Letters to
Charles, from his uncle and his father-Letter to Samuel from his
father Mary Freeman Shepherd-Samuel embraces the tenets of
Popery-The Duchess of Norfolk discloses the fact to his father-Mr.
Charles Wesley's deep distress, expressed in several hymns-Mr. John

Mr. John Wesley gives an identity to the Conference by the "Deed of

Declaration "-Offence taken by some parties at this important instru-

ment-Mr. Fletcher at the Conference of 1784-State of the Method-

ists in America when the war of independence had ceased-Dr.

Seabury-Dr. Coke-Mr. John Wesley appoints the Doctor and Mr.

Asbury joint Superintendents of the Methodist Church in America,

and ordains Mr. Vasey and Mr. Whatcoat Elders-He also ordains

three of his Preachers to administer the sacraments in Scotland-The

principles by which he was guided in these acts-Views of Mr.

George Lawson on the alleged episcopal succession-Charles Wesley

is greatly offended with his brother's ordinations-His letter to Dr.

Chandler on the subject-Correspondence with his brother-Remarks

upon it Mr. John Wesley ordains several others of his Preachers at

the Bristol Conference of 1786, and in certain cases allows the opening

of Methodist chapels in Church-hours-Mr. Charles Wesley writes from

this Conference to Mr. La Trobe, the Moravian Minister in London

-He mistakes the character of the Preachers generally-Discrepancy

between his theory of Churchmanship, and his practice-He was an ad-

vocate of lay-preaching-His strong censures upon ungodly Clergymen

-Becomes less hostile to his brother's proceedings-Mr. John Wesley

confesses his inability to keep the whole of his people in union with

the Church, in consequence of the character and doctrine of several of

the Clergy-He ordains three of his Preachers to administer the sacra-

ments in England-Mis-statements of Dr. Pusey and the Messrs.

Wilberforce-Some of the Rev. Edwin Sidney's misrepresentations

Pages 377-423

Character and death of the Rev. Henry Piers, Ebenezer Blackwell, and the
Rev. Vincent Perronet-Letters to Miss Briggs-Death of the Rev.
John Fletcher-Mr. Charles Wesley's health begins to decline-His
ministry at the close of life-Regard for malefactors-Letter to Mr.
William Marriott-Hymn descriptive of his feebleness and altered
character-Departure of Mr. John Wesley from London-His letters
to his brother and to Miss Wesley-Charles's increasing weakness-
The last hymn that he wrote-Mr. John Wesley's letters concerning
his brother-Charles's death-Mr. John Wesley's letter to his
bereaved sister-in-law-Miss Wesley's letter to her uncle, containing
the particulars of her father's illness and death-The funeral-Conse-

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THE LIFE

OF

THE REV. CHARLES WESLEY, M. A.

+

CHAPTER XVIII.

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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 has received for us.

"Our meeting of the Leaders was a most solemn assembly.

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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!

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