_To the Bishop of B――――._
_Tabernacle-House, March 20, 1756._
_My Lord_,
TO my great surprize, upon my coming up to town, I found that the
disturbances so justly complained of near _Long-Acre_ chapel, had
been continued. On _Thursday_ evening last, when I preached there
myself, they were rather increased. Notwithstanding some of the windows
were stopped up, to prevent in some degree the congregations being
disturbed by the unhallowed noise, yet large stones were thrown in at
another window, and one young person badly wounded. This constrains
me to trouble your Lordship once more, and to beg the favour of your
Lordship so far to interpose, as to desire the persons belonging to
your Lordship’s vestry, to desist from such irregular proceedings. For
my own irregularity in preaching, I am ready at any time to answer;
and was I myself the only sufferer, I should be entirely unconcerned
whatever personal ill treatment I might meet with in the way of my
duty. But to have the lives of his Majesty’s loyal subjects endangered,
when they come peaceably to worship GOD, and to pray for his long
and prosperous reign, is an irregularity, which I am persuaded your
Lordship will look upon as unjustifiable in the sight of GOD, and of
every good man. However, as a subject to King _George_, and a minister
of JESUS CHRIST, I know your Lordship will allow, I have a right to
do myself justice, and therefore, I hope, if the disturbances be yet
continued, your Lordship will not be offended, if I lay a plain and
fair narration of the whole affair, together with what hath passed
between your Lordship and myself, before the world. I beg your Lordship
not to look upon this as a threatning, or as done with an intent to
expose; I scorn any such mean procedure. But as providence seems to
point out such a method, I hope your Lordship will have no just reason
to censure me, if it be pursued by, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,
_G. W._