WESLEYAN HERITAGE LIBRARY Biography THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY. VOL. III Rev. Luke Tyerman “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” Heb 12:14 Spreading Scriptural Holiness to the World © 1998 Wesleyan Heritage Publications THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, M.A., )RXQGHU#RI#WKH#0HWKRGLVWV1 BY THE REV. L. TYERMAN, AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE AND TIMES OF REV. S. WESLEY, M.A.," (Father of the Revds. J. and C. Wesley). IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 1782. JOHN WESLEY, M.A. AGED 85 From a Painting by Romney Engraved by J. Cochran New York. Harper & Brothers GENERAL CONTENTS. VOL. III. 1768. Whitefield—Berridge—Countess of Buchan—Conversation—Original Letter by Fletcher—Yearly Collection—Wesley's first Visit to Chatham—Methodist Jottings—Methodism in Congleton, etc.—Wesley's Credulity—Christian Perfection—Skirmishes before the Battle—Wesley's Will—Rev. Thomas Adam—Fletcher of Madeley— Singing—Illness of Wesley's Wife—Preaching and Trading—How to revive Religion—Witness of the Spirit—Spitalfields Chapel—Laurence Coughlan—Methodism at Taunton, Frome, and Oxford—Chapel Debts—Remarks on Books—Expulsion of Oxford Students—College at Trevecca—Wesley's Publications—John Wilkes 1769. Political Excitement—Whitefield—Female Preaching—Wesley in Ireland—Hugh Saunderson— Conference of 1769—Methodism in America—Scheme to perpetuate Methodism Anniversary of Trevecca College—"Shepherd of Salisbury Plain"—Calvinian Controversy—Wesley's Publications 1770. Remarks on Books—Christian Perfection—Whitefield's College in Georgia—Riding on Horseback—Lady Glenorchy—Methodism in Sweden—Methodism at Yeadon and Loughborough—Conference of 1770— Doctrinal Minutes—Calvinian Controversy—Death of Whitefield—Original Letters—Wesley's Publications—Toplady 1771. Rev. Richard De Courcy—Sounds of coming Battle—Wesley and the Gospel Magazine—Letter to Lady Huntingdon—Shirley's Circular—Original Letter by Fletcher—Calvinian Controversy—Methodist Discipline— Female Preaching—Wesley's Publications 1772. Slavery—Methodism at Poplar—Correspondence with Mr. Sparrow—Methodism at Leek and Nantwich—David Hume—Ministerial Responsibility—Medical Examination —Revivals in Everton and Weardale—Conference of 1772—Cornelius Winter—Ceaseless Labours—National Distress and its Remedies—The Christian Community— Calvinian Controversy—Wesley's Publications 1773. American Rebellion—Wesley's proposed Successor— Methodism in America and Antigua—Itinerancy—Chapel Debts—Wesley and his Carriage—Wesley's Book Property—Conference of 1773—Feast and Fast Days— Communion of Saints—Calvinian Controversy— Wesley's Publications 1774. Wesley's Health—Rev. David Simpson—Methodism at Bury—Wesley in Scotland—A Marvellous Escape—Ghosts and Witches—"The Fool of Quality"— Wesley and an Artist—Methodism in America and Newfoundland—Conference of 1774—Norwich Methodism—An Adventure—Calvinian Controversy— Wesley's Publications—Slavery 1775. National Excitement—American War of Independence—Death of Peter Bohler—Wesley dangerously Ill in Ireland—Congratulations—Giving Advice—Conference of 1775—Calvinian Controversy— William Pine—Wesley's Publications 1776. Fletcher travelling with Wesley—Dr. Coke—Enforcing Discipline—Methodism in London—City Road Chapel—Plan of London Circuit in 1792—London Circuit Book—Methodism at Chesterfield—Conference of 1776—Cantankerous Methodists—Methodism in the Isle of Man—Quarrelling Schoolboys—Wesley's Wife—Wesley's Publications—Wesley's Loyalty 1777. American Rebellion—Dr. Dodd—City Road Chapel—Rev. Edward Smyth—Catastrophe at Colne—"A Snug Circuit"—"Are the Methodists a fallen People?"—John Hilton—Fletcher at the Conference of 1777—Methodism in America—Francis Asbury—Arminian Magazine— Bishop Lowth—"Strangers' Friend Society"—Rowland Hill attacks Wesley—Gospel Magazine—Calvinian Controversy—Wesley's Publications 1778. Thomas Maxfield—Infamous Publications—Death of Toplady—National Alarm—Separation from the Church— Conference of 1778—Stationing Preachers—Mission to Africa proposed—Duncan McAllum—John Baxter embarks for Antigua—Opening of City Road Chapel—Rev. James Creighton—Discipline—Dissenters —Silas Told—Proposals for Arminian Magazine—Errata 1779. National Alarm—Prayer and Fasting—Death of Voltaire—William Shent in trouble—Methodism at Oldham and Padiham—The Angel at Halifax—Methodism at Inverness—James Boswell—Methodism at Hinckley and Coventry—Thomas Maxfield—Jealousies—Charles Wesley and the London Preachers—Conference of 1779—Alexander McNab and Rev. Edward Smyth at Bath—Wesley's right to Rule—Charles Wesley and McNab—Calvinian Controversy—"Naval and Military Bible Society"—Wesley's Publications—Popery 1780. The Protestant Association—Wesley's Letters on Popery—Rev. Arthur O'Leary—Wesley visits Lord George Gordon—Methodism at Delph—Wesley asks a Favour— Methodism at Pateley, Ripon, Newark, etc.—Conference of 1780—Separation from the Church—Methodism in America—Letter to Bishop Lowth—Heresy of Dr. Watts—Rev. Brian Bury Collins—Original Letters— Oldham Street Chapel, Manchester—Sir Harry Trelawney—Jacob Behmen—"The Fool of Quality"—Wesley's Publications 1781. Wesley's Nephews, Charles and Samuel—Wesley writing Sermons—Samuel Bardsley and Sheffield Chapel— Methodism at Manchester and Bolton—Molly Charlton—Methodism at Preston—Fair weather Preachers —Rev. William Dodwell—Sleep—Letters to Wesley's Niece—Wesley's Nephews—Conference of 1781— William Hey—Death of Wesley's Wife—Letter to a Statesman—Wesley's Publications 1782. Methodist Tract Society—Lovefeast at Macclesfield—Sir Walter Scott—Conference of 1782—Birstal Chapel Case—Rev. Thomas Davenport—Rev. Mr. Thompson—John Trembath—Adam Clarke—"The Dairyman's Daughter"—Wesley's Publications—Jacob Behmen 1783. Preachers forbidden to be Classleaders—Wesley ill—Trip to Holland—Kingswood School—William Black and Nova Scotia—A Rejected Candidate—Methodism at Stafford— Wesley and the Poor—Wesley's Publications 1784. A Seven Months' Journey—Morning Preaching— Itinerancy—Children at Stockton—Methodism at Burnley —Sunday Schools—Conference of 1784—Deed of Declaration—Ordination of Preachers for America—Two Clergymen become Dissenters—Ordination of Preachers for Scotland, etc.—Letters on Wesley's Ordinations— Wesley a Dissenter—Methodism at Shrewsbury— Dancing—Letter to Hon. William Pitt—Wesley's Publications—First Race of Methodist Preachers 1785. William Moore—Wesley in Ireland—Spread of Methodism —Death of Perronet and Fletcher—Conference of 1785— The oldest Methodist now living—Thomas Wride and his Colleagues at Norwich—Separation from the Church—Wesley's Publications—Dress 1786. Wesley on the Wing—Scotch Methodists a distinct Church—Methodism at Barnsley—Wesley at Sheffield and Wentworth House—Methodism at Ilkestone— Conference of 1786—Separation from the Church—First Methodist Missionary Report—Proposed Missions to India—Wesley's "Studying Hours"—Dr. Leifchild— Wesley's Publications 1787. Separation from the Church—Begging for the Poor—Revival at Burslem—Wesley in Ireland—A Methodist Shoemaker —Howard, the Philanthropist—Conference of 1787— Separation from the Church—Sir Robert Peel—Sunday Schools—Singing—A Coach-load of Methodist Preachers—Visit to the Channel Islands—Jonathan Crowther—Antislavery Society—Joseph Entwisle and Richard Reece—Simeon catechizing Wesley—Licensing Chapels and Preachers—Separation from the Church— Wesley's Popularity—Wesley's Publications—Dress— Diversions—Riches 1788. Wesley on his Style—Sunday Schools—Prayer Meetings—Death of Charles Wesley—Consecration of Burial Grounds—Incidents at Bristol—Chapel at Dumfries—Methodist Membership—A Northern Fanatic—An Early Breakfast—Demoniacs—A Young Poetess—Separation from the Church—End of the World—Conference of 1788—Methodist Prayer Book—Preachers stripped of their Gown and Bands—Dewsbury Chapel Case—John Atlay and William Eels—Itinerancy—Wesley without a Sermon—Wesley's Publications 1789. Romney's Portrait of Wesley—Anecdotes of Wesley—Commotion at Dublin—Separation from the Church—Rebellions—Thomas Hanby—An Irish Dinner Party—Walter Churchey—A Session of Methodist "Elders"—Conference of 1789—A Conference Sermon—Gwennap Pit—"The lovely Family at Balham"— Mount Pleasant Chapel, Liverpool—Methodism at Bideford—Wesley's Publications—Wesley warning rich Methodists 1790. French Revolution—A Five Months' Journey—Rev. Joseph Easter-brook—A Three Months' Preaching Plan— Methodism at Stoutport—Sunday Schools—Death of a Mocker—A Backslider Healed—Adam Clarke—A Yorkshire Cavalcade—Separation from the Church— Wesley's Benefactions—Wesley's Last Will—Conference of 1790—Progress of Methodism—Ruffled Shirts—A Dublin Revival—Christian Perfection—Wesley's last Outdoor Sermon—A Shoemaker and a Sheep Stealer— Henry Crabb Robinson—Crabbe, the Poet—A Large Circuit—Wesley's Publications—Separation from the Church—Rich Methodists Warned—Wesley's last Words to the Methodists 1791. Letters—Female Preaching—Wesley's last Letters—Wesley's last Week of Public Labour—Wesley's last Letter—Wesley's last Song on Earth—Wesley's Death—The Funeral—Proposed Monument in Westminster Abbey—Wesley's Personal Appearance, Scholarship, Knowledge, Writings, Preaching, Companionship, Piety—and Industry THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, M.A. 1768. URING the year 1768, Charles Wesley, with his Dbrother's full concurrence, removed his family from Bristol to London, which henceforth was his place of residence.[1] Whitefield spent the first half of the year in the metropolis. In July, he set