Wesley Corpus

To Thomas Wride Date: DUBLIN, July 8, 1785. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1785) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR TOMMY, - I wonder at nothing in poor Nicholas, but I wonder much at James .Kershaw. Unless our preachers had already left their preaching-house, surely he would not have let it to any others! I love John Fenwick well; but I know he was a faulty man that once or twice. However, if there be no fresh matter of complaint, what is past shall go for nothing. I desire you to come to the Conference. A Conference while I live is 'The preachers whom I invite to confer with me.' Many years ago one informed me at London, ' The stewards have discovered they are not your stewards, but the people's, and are to direct, not be directed by you.' The next Sunday I let them drop, and named seven other stewards. No contentious persons shall for the future meet in any Conference. [The Deed of Declaration had disturbed some of the preachers. See letter of July 17.] They may dispute elsewhere if they please. - I am, dear Tommy, Yours affectionately. I never said a word of publishing that account.