Wesley Corpus

To Thomas Wride Date: DUBLIN, July 8, 1785. 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.