Wesley Corpus

To Mrs. Freeman Date: CASTLEBAR, May 20, 1789. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1789) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER, -- All this noise and confusion I impute to an artfull busy man, who has thrown wildfire among them that were quiet in the land. However, when I meet the classes, I will propose that question in each -- Who of you wishes the Sunday service to continue, and who does not [See letter of June 13, 1788.] what demonstrates the matter of this outcry to be a mere Bugbear is this: when we began the service on Sunday mornings in London, and afterwards in Bristol, no living creature ever said it was 'leaving the Church.' This is a palpable falsehood. It would not pass in England. A man bawls out, 'Fire, fire!' and puts people in a fright, when there is no fire at all but in his own imagination. And he will keep you in a fright while you hearken to him. [James Deaves: see letter of April 23.] Good it had been for that man if he had not been born I -- I am, my dear sister, Your affectionate brother.