Wesley Corpus

During my short stay here, I received several unpleasing accounts of the state of things in London ; a part of which I have subjoined :--- “Many of our sisters are shaken: J----y C says that she never had faith. Betty and Esther H are grievously torn by reasonings ; the former, I am told, is going to Germany.--On Wednesday night there are but few come to Fetter-lane till near nine o’clock. And then, after the names are called over, they presently depart. It appears plain, our brethren here have neither wisdom enough to guide, nor prudence enough to let it alone. “Mr. B n expounds much, and speaks so slightingly of the means of grace, that many are much grieved to hear him; but others are greatly delighted with him. Ten or fourteen of them meet at our brother Clark’s with Mr. Molther; and seem to consult about things, as if they were the whole body. These make a mere jest of going to church, or to the sacra- _ ee : Dec. 17339. | REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 173 ment. They have much confounded some of our sisters; and mariy of our brothers are ‘much grieved.” In another letter, which I received a few days after this, were these words :-- “ Dec. 14, 1739. “This day I was told, by one that does not belong to the bands, that the society would be divided.--I believe brother Hutton, Clark, Edmonds, and Bray, are determined to go on, according to Mr. Molther’s directions, and to raise a church, as they term it; and I suppose above half our brethren are on their side. But they are so very confused, they do not know how to go on; yet are unwilling to be taught, except by the Moravians. “We long to see you; nay, even those would be glad to see you, who will not be directed by you. I believe, indeed, things would be much better if you would come to town.” Wed. 19.--I accordingly came to London, though with a heavy heart. Here I found every day the dreadful effects of our brethren’s reasoning and disputing with each other. Scarce one in ten retained his first love ; and most of the rest were in the utmost confusion, biting