Wesley Corpus

1779 To Mr. -- [1] LONDON, January 4, 1779. SIR, - In September last a gentleman near Bristol showed me a letter which he had received from the Rev. Mr. Fletcher at Paris. I desired him to give a transcript of one part of it, which he immediately did. It was as follows: Mr. Voltaire sent for Mons. Tonchin, first physician to the Duke of Orleans (one of his converts to infidelity), and said to him, 'Sir, I desire you will save my life. I will give you half my fortune if you will lengthen out my days only six months. If not, I shall go to the devil and carry you with me.' This is the man to whom a crowned head pays such a violent compliment! Nay, this is the man whose works are now publishing by a divine of our own Church; yea, a chaplain to His Majesty! Pity but the King should know it! I set my name at length on purpose; and if the publisher of that poor wretch's works writes a panegyric upon him or them, I shall think it my duty to go a little farther and show the real value of those writings. - I am, sir, Your humble servant. To the Society at Keighley [2] LONDON, January 11, 1779. I have a few questions which I desire may be proposed to the Society at Keighley. Who was the occasion of the Methodist preachers first setting foot in Leeds William Shent. Who received John Nelson into his house at his first coming thither William Shent. Who was it that invited me and received me when I came William Shent. Who was it that stood by me while I preached in the street with stones flying on every side Williaam Shent. Who was it that bore the storm of persecution for the whole town and stemmed it at the peril of his life William Shent. Whose word did God bless for many years in an eminent manner William Shent's. By whom were many children now in paradise begotten in the Lord and many now alive William Shent. Who is he that is ready now to be broken up and turned into the street William Shent.