_To the Bishop of Bangor._
_London, Nov. 19, 1742._
_My Lord_,
THIS evening I received your Lordship’s kind letter. I humbly thank
your Lordship for it. It confirmed me in the character given me of
your Lordship’s spirit. I verily believe your Lordship abhors every
thing that has a tendency to persecution, and yet, in my humble
opinion, if Mr. _C――――_ is not somewhat redressed, he is persecuted
indeed. That your Lordship may know his spirit, and the spirit of
the person who came as far as _Ludlow_ on the business, I have sent
your Lordship a letter from each, which was written some time ago to
Mr. _H―――― H――――_. In them your Lordship will see their whole hearts.
I verily believe they would rather die than wilfully speak or write
a falshood. My Lord, the whole of the matter seems to be this: In
_Wales_ they have little fellowship meetings, where some well-meaning
people meet together, simply to tell what GOD has done for their souls.
In some of these meetings, I believe Mr. _C――――_ used to tell his
experience, and to invite his companions to come and be happy in
JESUS CHRIST. He is therefore indicted as holding a conventicle; and
this I find is the case of one, if not two more. Now, my Lord, these
persons thus indicted, as far as I can judge, are loyal subjects to
his Majesty, and true friends to, and attendants upon the Church of
_England_ service. You will see by these letters, how unwilling they
are to leave her; and yet, if all those acts, which were made against
persons meeting together to plot against Church and State, were put
in execution against them, what must they do? They must be obliged
to declare themselves Dissenters. I assure your Lordship, it is a
critical time in _Wales_. Hundreds, if not thousands, will go in a
body from the Church, if such proceedings are countenanced. I lately
wrote them a letter, dissuading them from separating from the Church,
and I write thus freely to your Lordship, because of the excellent
spirit of moderation discernible in your Lordship, and because I would
not have (to use your Lordship’s own expression) “such a fire kindled
in, or from your (Lordship’s) diocese.” I would beg the favour of your
Lordship to return me the inclosed, because I have not kept copies.
I send them to your Lordship just as they are, that your Lordship
may see the whole affair, and censure what is exceptionable. I really
believe the writers will thank your Lordship for it. I ask pardon for
taking up so much of your Lordship’s time, but I thought your Lordship
would desire to have all possible information, that you might be
better capable of judging. I pray the great Shepherd and Bishop of
souls to direct your Lordship in this, and every other affair that
comes before you, and that you may be saluted at the great day with
an _Euge bone_, is the hearty and fervent prayer of, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient son and servant,
_G. W._