Madeley, Salop. March 4th, 1816.
My dear Armstrong,
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YOU may perhaps recollect that in one of my former letters I mentioned —
as a violent opposer of everything which had the least appearance of real
godliness. He also has been called from among us, and that in a manner
which of all others seemed most likely to excite attention, and lead to
serious inquiry. O, my dear friend, what a mercy is it that our feet
have not been treading in the same unhallowed paths! We see in him what
we ourselves should have been, had we been left to ourselves. To the
grace of God—Arminian as you conceive me to be—I am fully convinced the
reason should be ascribed. Dear Mr. — bears the afflictive stroke with a
union of acute feelings and perfect resignation, such as is seldom seen.
I should have imagined the stroke would have almost overwhelmed him; but
what cannot the grace of God enable us to bear?
You imagine that now I am fixed at Madeley, I have become more a
Methodist than ever. If by the term you mean an attachment to their
peculiar doctrines, I must confess that you are not very far from the
mark; for I feel more than ever persuaded that with some slight
modification, they are the truth. The more I pray, and study, and
experience, and preach, the more do I see of their accordancy with the
whole revealed will of God. All seems intelligible, all in unison. But
though more decided than ever, I trust that I am no bigot. I exclude, I
would deal out contemptuous pity to, no one; and, therefore, God forbid,
that I should at any time lay that stress upon disputed points which
should lead my dear friend to imagine, that because we do not quite see
alike, that, therefore, I feel the least atom of diminution in point of
affection. I can from my heart assure him that it is no such thing.
Should you, however, fancy that by my coming to Madeley, I am more of a
Methodist, because I am less of a Churchman; in this respect, I feel,
then, I can altogether clear myself. The fact is, the more I see of
Methodism, the less do I admire it. There is that party spirit, that
uncommon wish to proselyte, that settled jealousy against those who are
more successful in their endeavours—in short, that spirit which, if
suffered to proceed, would completely undermine our most excellent
Establishment, and erect itself in its stead, that though I cannot but
greatly love and admire some of its members, as a body I dare not give
them that countenance or support which I should do were their doctrines
the only point in consideration. I therefore have adopted all that
strikes me as good in their system, but at the same time keep myself and
people perfectly distinct. By this means, I have ill-will and opposition
to an extent which you would hardly conceive; but I go quietly and
lovingly forward, and I thank God my plans have hitherto well succeeded,
and I feel quite convinced that all will eventually be well. What
provokes most opposition, is my using the same weapons which have so
successfully been employed by themselves, and that with the increased
advantage of their being combined with all the weight of influence
connected with the Establishment. I wish my dear friend would try the
same weapons, and he would soon see the most beneficial effects. * * * *
Believe me, with kindest regards to yourself and Mrs. A.,
Your truly affectionate Friend,
G. MORTIMER.