Biblioteca Digital Wesleyana - O mundo é a minha paróquia

Wesley's support in the tragedies of his sister Martha

Odilon Massolar Chaves

============================

It is allowed to read, copy and share for free.

Article 184 of the Penal Code and Law 96710 of February 19, 1998.

Books published in the Wesleyan Digital Library: 862

Books published by the author: 902

Cover:https://www.facebook.com/perfeito.massamba.75/posts/susanna-wesley-16691742-a-mãe-de-john-wesley-susanna-wesley-é-amplamente-reconhe/1731150854520737/

Odilon Massolar Chaves is a retired Methodist pastor, with a doctorate in Theology and History from the Methodist University of São Paulo.

Son of Rev. Adherico Ribeiro Chaves and Roza Massolar Chaves.

He is married to RoseMary.

He has two daughters: Liliana and Luciana.

His thesis dealt with the Methodist revival in England in the eighteenth century and its contribution as a paradigm for our days.

============================

Table of Contents

· Introduction

· About Martha Wesley

· The Context of the Letters and Martha Hall

· Leaving it at our disposal, which we consider as if it were ours

· I will have health if health is better

· Which path is better to walk God knows better than man

· After so many years, you're as young as my brother, you and I

· If you were with me

· You can call Mr. Atlay and ask him to give you two guineas for her

· It is far better to attribute everything to the One whose kingdom rules over all

· What a blessing it is to have a Friend

· I don't want your money; Your love is enough

· Money never stays with me

· 'Life by delay, no time will give!'

· Oh, my brother

· Oh, how you grieved the Spirit of God!

· You soon after abandoned the younger one and married the older sister

· The dialogue between Charles Wesley and Westley

============================

Introduction

"Wesley's Support in the Tragedies of His Sister Martha" is a 30-page book based on Wesley's letters.

Martha married Westley Hall. It was a painful marriage. She lost 10 children.

Westley Hall had several affairs, "disappearing for months or kicking Patty out of the house. During these periods, she stayed at the Foundation. In the mid-1750s, Hall left it for good. Hall died in December 1775."[1]

In a letter to Martha (Mrs. Hall) on 9 May 1755, Wesley proposed to take care of Westley Hall Junior, his nephew and Martha's son, after her husband's abandonment. He said, "I hope the poor child is no longer burdensome to you. But then you must not interfere by leaving it at our disposal, that we regard it as our own." ^{^[2]} And Wesley took great care of his nephew.

Wesley also sought to give Martha financial support. In a letter in 1742, Wesley said, "Mr. Hall paid me for the books. I don't want your money; Your love is enough. But write as much and as much as you can." ^{^[3]}

Wesley came to Martha's defense and was harsh on clergyman Westley Hall, who abandoned Martha and became involved with women even in the midst of family tragedies, especially the loss of children. On August 18, 1743, Wesley told him, "You are a weak, reckless, fickle, and irresolute man." ^{^[4]}

In another letter to Westley Hall, on December 22, 1747, Wesley said, "Oh, how you have grieved the Spirit of God! Return to Him with weeping, fasting, and mourning. You are in the belly of hell; But the abyss has not yet closed its mouth on you. Arise, you sleeper, and call upon your God! Perhaps He will still be found." ^{^[5]}

In 1781, Wesley said to his sister Martha, "Now, if you were with me, I could show you Crowle, Belton, the great sycamore tree, and my father's grave." ^{^[6]}

At the end of the book, we publish "The Dialogue Between Charles Wesley and Westley," when Charles Wesley tells him about hell: "you will find it."[7]

Something to highlight is that, despite all his dedication and travels with Methodism and the Kingdom of God, Wesley took time to take care of relatives as well.

The Author

============================

About Martha Wesley

Martha Wesley (1706–1791) was born in Epworth. "She was a serious child, which often left her out of her siblings' games, but she was often praised by her mother for her serious thoughts." [8]

She was a solemn and level-headed young woman known as Patty. She was very close to her brother John and listened carefully to her mother's teachings.

Martha "Patty" Wesley "was one of the closest sisters to John and Charles Wesley in terms of intellect and temperament, often described as the one who most resembled John physically and mentally." [9]

As a young woman, she lived in London with her uncle Matthew Wesley.

Martha Wesley in early 1734 met Westley Hall (1710–1776), one of John Wesley's students at Lincoln College, Oxford.

Hall and Martha soon became engaged, unbeknownst to her family.

Your wedding

"In April 1734, Hall accompanied John Wesley to Epworth, where he met Wesley's younger sister, Kezia (1709–41). Hall fell in love with Kezia and, in a few days, he already proposed to her! Thus began a series of twists and turns in which Hall finally married Martha on September 13, 1735, to the consternation of his family. ^{^[10]}

Martha's life was marked by tragedy. Westley Hall, "a clergyman who initially seemed promising, but who subsequently abandoned doctrinal orthodoxy, became embroiled in polygamy scandals and spiritual abuses, and abandoned Martha and her children in misery."[11]

"Although Martha became pregnant ten times, only one of her children survived infancy." ^{^[12]}

In a letter to Martha (Mrs. Hall) on May 9, 1755, Wesley proposed to take care of Martha's son. He said, "I hope the poor child is no longer burdensome to you. But then you must not interfere by leaving it at our disposal, that we regard it as our own." ^{^[13]}

Wesley was referring to his "own nephew, Westley Hall Junior (often referred to simply as Wesley), the only surviving son of his sister, Martha 'Patty' Wesley Hall (whom he called Mrs. Hall), and clergyman Westley Hall." [14]

The boy died of smallpox at the age of 14.^{^[15]}

Martha's marriage was dark. "Her husband, always deviant, ended up abandoning her, fleeing with a mistress to the West Indies. Martha remained calm and turned her attention to the Methodism of her brothers, John and Charles, while enjoying the friendship of Dr. Samuel Johnson and other literary personalities in eighteenth-century London." ^{^[16]}

Financial support

Martha Hall or "Patty" had a small income of her own, but she depended heavily on her brother.

To his brother Charles, on May 3, 1786, Wesley said, "Seven guineas which Patty received from me this month, besides ten or eleven which she took care me to give Jervas to Nancy this winter." ^{^[17]}

Death

Martha outlived her beloved brother John by four months. He died on July 12, 1791. She was buried in the same crypt behind the chapel on City Road." ^{^[18]}

============================

The Context of the Letters and Martha Hall

Wesley's letters to Mrs. Hall are correspondence addressed to his own sister, Martha "Patty" Wesley Hall (1706–1791).

"They reveal a deeply familiar, pastoral and tender side of the Methodist leader, who affectionately called her 'Patty' or 'my dear sister'.[19]

"Martha was the 17th daughter of Samuel and Susanna Wesley. His personal life was marked by tragedy and a very difficult marriage to the Reverend Westley Hall, a former disciple of John Wesley at Oxford. Westley Hall proved to be unfaithful, an adherent of ideas contrary to traditional Christian morality and ended up abandoning Martha.

In the face of his sister's suffering, John Wesley maintained a constant correspondence with her for decades, offering:

Spiritual Comfort: Words of encouragement to endure the pains and trials of an unhappy marriage and grief over the loss of almost all of your children in infancy.

Direction and friendship: Emotional refuge, calling her not to faint in faith ("do not grow weary in doing good").

Ministerial bond: Martha remained steadfast in the Methodist movement founded by brothers John and Charles Wesley, becoming a respected figure in London circles until the end of her life." [20]

Wesley's letters reveal the support for Martha and the warning to Westley Hall:

Leaving it at our disposal, which we consider as if it were ours

I hope the poor child is not heavier to you. But then you must not interfere by leaving it at our disposal, that we regard it as our own

To Mrs. Hall

LEEDS on May 9, 1755.

DEAR SISTER, -- I suppose my brother informed you of our conversation. I hope the poor child is not heavier to you. But then you must not interfere by leaving it at our disposal, that we regard it as our own. Nor will you want the things we need for life and godliness. At the same time, I doubt not, but you will strive to be as economical as possible. I'm glad that you and my sister Harper live together and get closer to the Foundry. Oh, have patience with one another! Pray for the spirit of peace and love. -- I am

Your very affectionate brother.

[Hall added to this letter the following message to his wife:]

MY DEAR, -- I hope that before this you have heard from my brother, and that he will pay you the twenty pounds due for your callus. Mr. Allen owes me about fifty pounds, as I believe you will find from the account that has been settled with my brother; and before that sum is spent, if you use the necessary savings, you may hear of my arrival in Barbados and the steps I am taking to provide for all, and how to direct it to your best friend, ^{^[21]}

Note: "In the letter sent from Leeds on May 9, 1755, John Wesley was referring to his own nephew, Westley Hall Junior (often referred to simply as Wesley), the only surviving son of his sister, Martha "Patty" Wesley Hall (whom he called Mrs. Hall), and the clergyman Westley Hall." [22]

I will have health if health is better

You can boldly say, 'I will have health if health is better'; Although, naturally, we shouldn't expect much of it when we're on the wrong side of sixty

To Mrs. Hall

CLONMAIN, June 24, 1771.

DEAR PATTY,--You can boldly say, 'I will have health if health is better'; Although, naturally, we shouldn't expect much of it when we're on the wrong side of sixty.

Even more surprising is that I find better health at sixty-eight than at twenty-eight. I have much less pain, less nausea in my stomach and fewer physical problems. So that I have a good hope of not living to be useless, but rather

My body with my load lay down,

And immediately stop working and living.

It means very little if the time we walk on earth is a little longer or shorter. Just let us take care of it,--

Whether they are many or few,

My days are due to Him,

And all are devoted to Him!

It seems that my sister Harper [Mrs. Harper passed away this year, at the age of eighty. See letter of June 30, 1743.] It will go out like a lamp for lack of oil. Well, may you and I live today.--I am, dear Patty,

His always affectionate friend and brother. ^{^[23]}

Which path is better to walk God knows better than man

On which path it is better to tread God knows better than man. And we are assured that He ordains everything for our benefit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Probably He deprived them of prosperity to save them from pride

To Mrs. Hall

LONDON, September 15, 1756.

DEAR SISTER, -- In which way it is better for us to tread God knows better than man. And we are assured that He ordains everything for our benefit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Probably He deprived them of prosperity to save them from pride; certainly to rescue you from your own will, and from that legion of foolish and painful desires that so naturally accompany abundance. Be good and do good to the utmost of your present power, and then be happy.

I ordered Betty Duchesne [Wesley buried Elizabeth Duchesne on December 22, 1776. In the Diary, vi. 135, he describes her as 'a person eminently upright in heart, but for many years the daughter of toil and sorrow. For nearly forty years she was zealous in good deeds and eventually shortened her days by working for the poor beyond her strength.' Charles Wesley broke his fast with her on 15 February 1759: see her Diary, ii. 259; and letter of October 27, 1758.] to pick up the things you mentioned, which you've probably done by this point. Therefore, you don't have to postpone your return to London. I intended to have passed through Salisbury, but I was so ill ['For a few days,' says Wesley (Journal, iv. 186), 'I lay in bed with a stream; but on Sunday, the 5th of September, I slipped out, and preached at Kingswood in the morning, and at Stokes Croft in the afternoon. Monday at 6 I went out on the machine, and on Tuesday evening I came to London.'] which was deemed unsafe for me to ride. Make the most of a few days. -- I am

Your affectionate friend and brother. ^{^[24]}

After so many years, you're as young as my brother, you and I

There is hardly a father in England who can train three people who, after so many years, are as young as my brother, you and I

To Mrs. Hall

WHITEHAVEN, May 28, 1781.

DEAR MATTY, -- There is scarcely a father in England who can train three persons who, after so many years, are as young as my brother, you and I.

Align our lives for His glory. [Haliburton. See Diary, vi. 318n.] ^{^[25]}

If you were with me

Now, if you were with me, I could show you Crowle, Belton, the great sycamore tree and my father's grave. But as there are a hundred and fifty miles between us, we must be content

To Mrs. Hall

THORNE, NEAR EPWORTH, June 29, 1781.

DEAR PATTY,-- I was supposed to be in Epworth tonight, but our friends here interrupted me. Now, if you were with me, I could show you Crowle, Belton, the great sycamore tree and my father's grave. But as there are one hundred and fifty miles between us, we must be content.

It is well that Robert Lee [Boswell should mention Mrs. Hall as one of the companions at the dinner at Dr. Johnson's on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1781. Robert Lee told Wesley on February 5, 1763, that he should no longer remain in the London Society. See Diary, v. 5.] it doesn't make poor Mrs. Sheriff turn her head! No wonder she wears a tall cap now. To make sure he tells her how beautiful she looks! And how beautiful she is! And how can she be so uncivil as not to believe him? However, you did well to take it out of his hands.

I'm surprised you couldn't find a lodging near City Road. A little, and we won't need those accommodations. I don't expect to see London before my usual time. -- I am, dear Patty,

Your affectionate friend and brother. ^{^[26]}

You can call Mr. Atlay and ask him to give you two guineas for her

I'm glad Peter Hare is a little careful with his mother. You can call Mr. Atlay and ask him to give you two guineas for her. And whatever her son allows her quarterly, I will allow the same. I approve very much of her being with you.' It can be a great blessing for her.

To Mrs. Hall

OTLEY, April 24, 1776.

DEAR PATTY,--Ever since I regained my strength after my late fever, I hardly know what pain, weakness, or tiredness meant. My health is much better and more peaceful than when I was twenty-five. So, I was very worried about the shaky hand. But all that is over.

It's not unlikely that a trip will save Betty Appleton's life. I think it will kill or cure. Let's live today-- I am, dear Patty,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

To Mrs. Martha Hall, at the

Foundery, London. ^{^[27]}

It is far better to attribute everything to the One whose kingdom rules over all

It is not wise to attribute our health or any other blessing we enjoy to natural causes alone. It is far better to attribute everything to the One whose kingdom rules over all. And whether we have more or less bodily strength matters little, so we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His power.

To Mrs. Hall

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, 5 July 1776.

MY DEAREST PATTY,-- It is not wise to attribute our health or any other blessing we enjoy to natural causes alone. It is far better to attribute everything to the One whose kingdom rules over all. And whether we have more or less bodily strength matters little, so we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His power. It gives strength when it is desired.

The week before, when I was in the North of Scotland, where wheels could not move, the horseback path (though I should not have chosen) for a hundred miles did me no harm. Leave Suky Hare with you, please. Show this to Mr. Atlay, and he will give you two guineas for it; and I will help you more when you come to London. A little longer, and the pain will be no more-- I am, dear Patty,

Your affectionate brother.

In Exeter. ^{^[28]}

What a blessing it is to have a Friend

You must not abandon it. She has almost no real friend in the world other than you and me. What a blessing it is to have a Friend! How many have never met one in their lives!

To Mrs. Hall

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, 15 May 1779.

DEAR PATTY, - I've come this far. I have just over three hundred miles ahead of me before heading back south.

I advise you to apply for two, three or four intelligence officers in relation to Nancy. [A seamstress in Salisbury whom Mrs. Hall's husband seduced. See letter of June 20, 1755.] Admittedly, there are places available in London. And if the worst happens, we should not insist that she come to the chapel. I don't know if she's better for coming. She probably won't profit less anywhere else. She was out of her mind to come to London. Mrs. Glynne [See W.H.S. IV. 217-20.] told me, when I was last at Shrewsbury, that she had all the work she could do there, but she never took advice, and acted against the judgment of all her friends by coming to London for no reason or why.

I wonder if John Pawson [Pawson was now an assistant on City Road.] and his wife don't live in my apartments. They complained about the proximity of themselves. They are neither full nor fasting

You didn't send me any news about Betsy Ellison. [Elizabeth, daughter of John Ellison and granddaughter of Wesley's sister, Susanna. Dr. Clarke says that she proved unhappy, and that Wesley showed her 'great kindness, often relieving her in afflictions to which her imprudence led her, treating her with great tenderness, and giving her advice which, if she had followed, would have led her to true happiness.' To his sister Patience, see the letters of September 7, 1777 and February 4, 1789.] I hope that no news is good news. You must not abandon it. She has almost no real friend in the world other than you and me. What a blessing it is to have a Friend! How many have never met one in their lives! - I am. ^{^[29]}

I don't want your money; Your love is enough

Mr. Hall paid me for the books. I don't want your money; Your love is enough. But write as much and as much as you can

To Mrs. Hall (Martha Wesley)

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, 17 November 1742.

DEAR SISTER, -- I believe that the death of your children is a great example of God's goodness to you. You've told me several times how much of their time they took up! Now that time has been restored to you, and you have nothing to do but serve our Lord carelessly and without distractions until you are sanctified in body, soul, and spirit.

As soon as I saw Mr. Hall, I invited him to stay at the Foundry, but he wanted me to dismiss him. There is a strange inconsistency in his temperaments and feelings towards me. The immovable brethren gradually infused into him, as far as they could, their own contempt for me and my brother, and antipathy to our whole method of acting, which is as different from theirs as the light of darkness: nay, they clumsily taught him to find fault even in my economy and in the external management both of my family and of the Society; while I know that this is the peculiar talent which God has given me, in which (by His grace) I am not behind the most important of them. Nevertheless, there still remains in him something of the old esteem he had for me at Oxford, and in time it will prevail. He will discover these wretched men, and the clouds will flee.

I believe that God's present plan is to visit the poor and desolate Church of England, and that therefore neither has eluded Mr. Gambold [Gambold had preached before Oxford University in 1741, but formally separated from the Church of England in 1742 and joined the Moravians, among whom he became assistant bishop in 1754. He was estranged from the Wesleys. See, Tyerman's Oxford Methodists, pp. 176-8.] nor will he who abandons it prosper. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem! 'They will prosper that love thee.'

Your affectionate friend and brother. ^{^[30]}

Money never stays with me

Don't consider it, money never stays with me: it would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, so it doesn't find a way to my heart. Therefore, you ought to have spoken to me while I was in London, and before Miss Helena's money. Lewen Fly

To Mrs. Hall

KINGSWOOD, October 6, I 768.

DEAR PATTY,-- Don't consider it, money never stays with me: it would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, so it doesn't find a way to my heart. Therefore, you ought to have spoken to me while I was in London, and before Miss Helena's money. Lewen fly. [Wesley had settled some disputed issues with Miss Helena's father. Lewen and, on 2 November 1767, received the bequest of 1,000 she left him. See the Diary, v. 226-7; Stamp's Orphans' House, pp. 111-112; Wesley de Tyerman, ii. 589-90.] However, I don't know, but I can still save five pounds, as long as you don't say, 'I'll never ask you again,' because that's more than you can say; And you shouldn't promise more than you can deliver.

I hardly know what to say about the other case. It is a delicate point. Is she sure of her temporary affairs? Remember the one whom Lawrence Coughlan [See letters of August 27, 1768 and February 25, 1785 (to John Stretton).] married and ruined. Let me not have another stain of the same kind. Let her be careful to step on firm ground.

Oh, how busy humanity is! And what nonsense! Things that pass like dreams! Vanity of vanities, all is vanity except to love and serve God. "I am, dear Patty,

You always affectionate. [31]

'Life by delay, no time will give!'

Didn't you quite understand what my brother and I were doing? Haven't you seen the truth? Or was the cause in your heart? You didn't feel like joining hands together. You wanted resolution, spirit, patience. Well, the day has already been spent. What you do, do it fast. 'Life by delay, no time will give!'

To Mrs. Hall

Near Newcastle-Upon-Yyne,

June 14, 1761.

DEAR PATTY—Why should any of us live in the world without doing a little good in it? I'm glad you got started. Make sure you don't get tired of doing well; for it will often be a cross. But take the cross, and it will carry you. The best fruit grows under the cross.

I have often found it strange that so few of my relatives are useful to me in the work of God. My sister Wright was, from whom I should least have expected; But it was only for a short season. My sister Emly and you, from whom more could be expected, I know not how, kept their distance, and sometimes convinced each other a little, sometimes as approved, but never joined heartily to the work. Where did he get stuck? Didn't you quite understand what my brother and I were doing? Haven't you seen the truth? Or was the cause in your heart? You didn't feel like joining hands together. You wanted resolution, spirit, patience. Well, the day has already been spent. What you do, do it fast. 'Life by delay, no time will give!'

[My] work in the field cannot be completed before the end of August, as the circuit is now [a] hundred miles longer than when I was in the North two years ago. O that the one thing is always above in our thoughts!

Promoting your temporal or eternal good will always be a pleasure for your dear Patty, your affectionate brother. [Wesley was very worried about his sister. See the December 26 letter to your brother.]Endorsed: 'I am grateful to my dear B[rother] for [this].'^{^[32]}

Oh, my brother

Oh, my brother! What will the pure truth tell you? You are a weak, reckless, fickle, irresolute man; deeply enthusiastic and highly opinionated of himself; and therefore a suitable tool for those who apply to their weak side, vanity.

To Westley Hall

LONDON, August 18, 1743.

DEAR BROTHER, -- You're angry. Therefore, you do not see clearly. Compose yourself (by the grace of God), and I will speak.

I really thought you were sincere. Now I think differently. There is no inconsistency in this.

I have forgiven thee, but have not forgotten thee, for poor Brother Hodges. You separate your top friends, and then wipe your mouth saying you didn't do anything wrong

You are quite insincere in this, as well as in calling yourself an elder of the Church of England. Now, you believe that the Church of England is not a Church at all, nor a part of the Church of Christ. Do not shuffle or swerve. You spoke plainly to Mrs. Clark and to Mrs. Stotesbury and her husband; And his attempt to soften the situation made it even worse, and was a new proof of his insincerity.

The first considerable step you took, after God placed her in my care, without consulting me beforehand, was to court my poor sister Kezzy, to whom I cannot but attribute her death. [See the heading to the letter of December 22, 1747.] What a disgusting weakness and enthusiasm this was! For you may remember that he was the father of God! So you abandoned one of my sisters and married the other; And everything was still inspiration. His life has been a mistake ever since. I pray that God will give you a sound mind. -- I am

Your true friend and affectionate brother.

In fact, my brother, you need a tutor now more than when you arrived at Oxford. ^{^[33]}

Oh, how you grieved the Spirit of God!

Oh, how you grieved the Spirit of God! Return to Him with weeping, fasting, and mourning. You are in the belly of hell; But the abyss has not yet closed its mouth on you. Arise, you sleeper, and call upon your God! Perhaps He will still be found

To Westley Hall

LONDON, December 22, 1747.

DEAR BROTHER, "I. When you were at Oxford with me fourteen or fifteen years ago, you were holy and blameless in every kind of conversation. I rejoiced greatly in the grace of God that was given to you, which was often a blessing to my own soul. Still, even so, thoughts often arose that were not about God, though at first they seemed to be. But you were humble and easy to teach, you were easily convinced, and those imaginings disappeared.

2. More than twelve years ago you told me that God revealed to you that you should marry my younger sister. I was very surprised, being sure that you were able to hear our Lord's dictation (and you witnessed continually) and be a 'eunuch for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.' But you asserted vehemently that the thing was of God; you were sure it was His will. God made it clear to you that you should get married, and that she was the right person. So you asked for and obtained her consent, and resolved the circumstances related to it.

3. That is why I give your downfall. Here were several failures in one: (1) you discarded the precious gift of God; (2) you have wholly inclined to your own understanding, without consulting me, which was then the guide of your soul, nor the parents of your intended wife, before you settled the whole matter; and (3) while following the voice of nature, he said that it was the voice of God.

4. Within days, you had a counter-revelation that you should not marry her, but her sister. This last mistake was much worse than the first. But now you were well above conviction. So, in spite of her poor, surprised father, her brothers, all your vows and promises, you soon after abandoned the younger and married the older sister. The other, who honored you as an angel from heaven and still loved you too much (for you had stolen her heart from the God of your youth), refused to be comforted. From then on, she went into a prolonged illness, which ended in her death. And does her blood still cry out to the God of the earth? It is certainly upon your head.

5. Up to this time, you were a standard of humility, meekness, seriousness, and continual warning to the presence of God; and, above all, of self-denial in every kind, and of suffering all things with joy.

But now there was a worm in the root of the gourd. Still, it didn't wither at the moment, but for two years or so after marriage you behaved almost as before.

Then anger and moodiness began to appear, especially towards his wife. But it didn't take long for you to realize this, and it seemed to have won.

6. You went to London ten years ago and met Mr. Whitefield, who came from Georgia. After that, you began to talk about anyone—not with your usual shyness and self-deprecation, but with a kind of confidence in your own judgment and an air of self-sufficiency. A natural consequence was to treat with more severity and contempt those who opposed his judgment or practice.

7. You came to live in London. You then seemed to gain ground again for a season. You acted in concert with my brother and me; Listen to our advice and sometimes follow it. But this only continued until you made a new contact with some of the Brothers of the Fetter Route. From then on, you were very quiet for us; we had no influence over you; You were more and more prejudiced against us, and you would not receive anything we said.

8. About six years ago, you moved to Salisbury and founded a society there. For a year or two, you would go with them to church and the sacrament, and you would just preach the faith by working with love. God was with you, and they increased both in number and in knowledge and love of God.

About four years ago, you ended all friendship with us; You would not even use our hymns, either in public or in private, but you set them aside and took the German hymnal instead.

You wouldn't allow any of yours to read anything we wrote. You took one of my Sermons from the hand of your servant, saying that you would not allow such books to be read in your house. In the same way that you spoke to Mrs. Whitemarsh, when you found her reading one of the Resources. Thus, when you are in you, you have bridged a great chasm between us and you, which remains to this day, despite some recent steps taken toward a reunion.

Around the same time that you stopped going to church and the sacrament. His followers soon followed in his footsteps, and, not content to neglect the ordinances of God, began, following his example, to despise them and all who continued to use them, speaking with equal contempt of public service, private prayer, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

From that moment also you began to defend and teach many unusual opinions: such as that there is no resurrection of the body; that there is no general judgment to come; and that there is no hell, nor worm that will never feed, nor fire that will never be quenched.

9. His earnestness and warning to the presence of God now diminished daily. You could talk about anything or nothing, just like others did. You could make a joke, or laugh at it for real; and as for fasting, abstinence, and self-denial, you, along with the Moravians, have trampled on it.

You also began to kiss the women of the Society very often.

(In the following paragraphs, I recited to him the things he had done in relation to more than one, or two, or three women, thus concluding :)

And now you don't know you've done anything wrong! You can eat, drink and have fun. You are involved with various companies every day and frequent the coffee shops! Oh, my brother, what is this? How you are above all measure hardened by the deception of sin! You remember the story of Santon Barsisa [The story of Santon Barsisa, taken by Steele from the Turkish Tales, forms issue 148 of the Guardian, August 31, 1718.] I pray that your final end will not be like his! Oh, how you grieved the Spirit of God! Return to Him with weeping, fasting, and mourning. You are in the belly of hell; But the abyss has not yet closed its mouth on you. Arise, you sleeper, and call upon your God! Perhaps He will still be found. Because He still bears me, I can't despair for you. But you don't have a moment to lose. May God strike you this instant in the heart, that you may feel His wrath upon you, and have no rest in your bones because of your sin, until all your iniquities are finished^{^[34]}.

You soon after abandoned the younger and married the older sister

Within days, you had a counter-revelation that you should not marry her, but her sister. This last mistake was much worse than the first. But now you were well above conviction. So, in spite of her poor, surprised father, her brothers, all your vows and promises, you soon after abandoned the younger and married the older sister. The other, who honored you as an angel from heaven and still loved you too much (for you had stolen her heart from the God of your youth), refused to be comforted.

To Westley Hall

LONDON, December 22, 1747.

The dialogue between Charles Wesley and Westley

"You are very lucky to have such a devoted wife," Charles noted. "Most women wouldn't let you get away with these acts."

"I know," Westley said. "I married an angel. But I don't see a problem in living with other women."

"John and Charles Wesley had a sister named Martha, who married a man named Westley Hall. He was an Anglican priest who began preaching as a Methodist alongside the Wesley brothers for some time. But the guy was horrible. He ended up impregnating another woman and took her to live with him and Martha. Charles ended up having a conversation with him:

"Is it the end?" Charles asked?

"I don't know. I am the master of my own destiny. If I prefer to be with other women at different times, that's my problem," Westley replied.

"You are very lucky to have such a devoted wife," Charles noted. "Most women wouldn't let you get away with these acts."

"I know," Westley said. "I married an angel. But I don't see a problem in living with other women."

"It's the work of the Devil," Charles said. "God will make you pay for such deeds."

"It may be," Westley admitted, "but how is He going to do that?--if there is no Hell?"

"Who told you that?" Charles asked.

"Surely you know the world is round, Charles — it's not flat as they believed on Jesus' day," Westley said. "We can no longer think that Heaven is in heaven above, and Hell is under the earth. So where is Hell?"

"You'll find it, my friend," said Charles, "you'll find it."[36]

[1] https://www.wikitree.com//wiki/Wesley-517

[2]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1755/

[3]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1742/

[4]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1743/

[5]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1747/

[6]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1744/

[7] From: "The Methodist Disorders: The Charles Wesley Test." Excerpted from Charles' diary.

[8] https://www.wikitree.com//wiki/Wesley-517

[9] Overview of Google's AI Mode

[10] https://divinity.duke.edu/sites/default/files/documents/23_MS_Epistle_to_Martha_Wesley.pdf

[11] Overview of Google's AI Mode

[12] https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wesley-martha-1706-1791

[13]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1755/

[14] Overview of Google's AI Mode

[15] https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wesley-martha-1706-1791

[16] https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wesley-martha-1706-1791

[17]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1786/

[18] https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wesley-martha-1706-1791

[19] Overview of Google's AI Mode

[20] Overview of Google's AI Mode

[21]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1755/

[22] Overview of Google's AI Mode

[23]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1771/

[24]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1756/

[25]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1781/

[26]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1781/

[27]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/

[28]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1776/

[29]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1779/

[30]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1742/

[31] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1768/

[32]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1761/

[33]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1743/

[34]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1747/

[35] https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1747/

[36] From: "The Methodist Disorders: The Charles Wesley Test." Excerpted from Charles' diary.

Pesquisar este blog

Biblioteca Digital Wesleyana - O mundo é a minha paróquia

Comentários

Postar um comentário

Postagens mais visitadas deste blog