Wesley Corpus

1. In the year 1739, Mr. J. and W. D. came to Bedford. By them I ‘was convinced that I was in a state of damnation, though I was outwardly unblamable. Some of the Germans came down in 1741, and engaged, 1. ‘To draw no one from the Church. 2. To hold a meeting on Sunday nights for us that were of the Church. On these conditions I joined with them. But in the beginning of 1742, they dropped the Sunday night preaching, and required us to attend their meeting at the same hour that we used to go to church. I was much troubled at this, and wrote to Mr. John Wesley, entreating him to come down and help us. 2. When the Brethren learned this, they gave me abundance of fair words, and persuaded me to write again, and desire Mr. W. not to come. I was then made servant at the love-feast. I still received the sacrament at the Church once a year; but I regarded the Church less and Jess: and being continually taught that works signified nothing, and that we could not do them without trusting in them, I, in a while, left off all works of charity, as well as reading the Bible and private prayer. 3. Their first church was settled here in the beginning of the year 1744. On the 18th of February I was received into the congregation at London, and likewise into the Helpers’ Conference. In 1746, Achenwelder, the Chief Labourer, insisted on my putting myself out of the corporation. I was in much doubt whether it was right so to do: but he commanded, and 1 obeyed. The next year he went to London, and, at his return to Bedford, spoke to this effect:--My Brethren, we have received new orders. In London, Yorkshire, and all other places, no person is to go out of the town, without the leave of the Chief Labourer. So it must be here: observe, no one must go out of the town, no, nota mile, without leave from me.”