_To Mr. ――――._
_Glasgow, Oct. 5, 1748._
_Very dear Sir_,
I Received yours this morning; though I am engaged this evening, yet
I think it my duty to send you an immediate answer. You might well
inform, and almost assure, _my Lord of Exeter_, that I knew nothing of
the printing of his Lordship’s pretended charge, or of the pamphlets
occasioned by it. When the former was sent to me in manuscript from
_London_ to _Bristol_, as his Lordship’s production, I immediately said,
it could not be his. When I found it printed, I spoke to the officious
printer who did it out of his own head, and blamed him very much. When
I saw the pamphlet, I was still more offended; repeatedly in several
companies I urged the injustice as well as imprudence thereof, and said
it would produce what it did, I mean a declaration from his Lordship,
that he was no Methodist. I am sorry his Lordship had such an occasion
given him to declare his aversion to what is called Methodism; and
though I think his Lordship in his declaration hath been somewhat
severe concerning some of the Methodist leaders; yet I cannot blame
his Lordship for saying, “that he thought some of them were worse than
ignorant and misguided,” supposing that his Lordship had sufficient
proof, that they either caused to be printed, or wrote again when
printed, a charge which his Lordship had never owned nor published.
If you think proper, dear Sir, you may let his Lordship see the
contents of this. I will only add, that I wish a way could be found out,
whereby his Lordship and other of the Right Reverend the Bishops, might
converse with some of us. Many mistakes might thereby be rectified,
and perhaps his Lordship’s sentiments in some degree altered. If this
cannot be effected (I speak only for myself,) I am content to wait till
we all appear before the great shepherd and bishop of souls. In the
mean while, I heartily pray, that their Lordships may be blessed with
all spiritual blessings, and wishing you the like mercies, I subscribe
myself, very dear Sir,
Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,
_G. W._