12 August 1741

Anne Dutton, Great Gransden, to John Lewis, London, 12 August 1741.

An Extract of a Letter from a Friend in the Country, to John Lewis, Printer, in Bartholomew-Close, London. Dated, Aug. 12, 1741.

Dear Mr. Lewis,

         I have lately been in Wales since Brother Harris has been at London, and had there melancholy Proof of what he has ofen mention’d, and you lately complain’d of to me; (to wit) the Spirit and Behaviour of some careless Dissenters, respecting the Methodist Brethren. While you keep pace with those notional Christians, you shall have their good Word: but if you are for more strict Walking with God than is common; if you step a little out of the beaten Track; if you press inward vital Godliness; and stand up for every litt punctilio (as they call it) in Holiness; you are too rigid, you are ill-naturd, you want Charity, you are an Enthusiast: which term I’ve lately heard used concerning Brother Whitefield, by a First-rate Professor of Truth, and a very hot Contender for Gospel Doctrine. Thus Religion is wounded in the House of her pretended Friends, and thus unwitting do they confirm the Enemies of the Gospel in their Opposition, by furnishing them with their Example to back their own Arguments. O! my Brother, is this Christianity? is this the constraining Power of the Love of Christ? is this that Zeal for God’s House that should eat us up? I myself am a Dissenter: yet cannot but own, that of all the ancient Purity of Doctrine, and conscientious Zeal for the Word, Worship, and Ways of God which our Fore-fathers discovered, little else is left but an empty Name, and a Party Spirit. Upon every Occasion, you hear them cry out against too near a Coalition with our Brethren of the Establishment; lest the Dissenting Interest shou’d suffer thereby: When alas! what’s any Interest worth, separately considered from that of our dear Lord? which (’tis plain beyond all Contradiction) among us (the Dissenters,) hath been long losing ground, and is so daily. O! Tell it not in Gath, &c. lest the uncircumcised triumph! Should not all our Lord’s Sheep be one? should a Party Spirit be industriously kept up? by this the Devil has established Biggotry; and that infallibly eats out the Vitals of [3] Gospel Love and Christian Charity. Blessed be God, we see that where the Gospel in is purity and power prevails, there Love abounds: Witness the Contents of your 16th and 17th Numbers: What humble Love what cordial Affection doth there appear, between the Children of God on different Sides the Question! with what Joy do those Fathers in Christ mention the Names of both Whitefield and Tennent, as both happy Instruments of Building the Lord’s spiritual House, with the greatest Unanimity and Love, tho’ in private Opinion differing much. – And give me leave, my dear Brother, to tell you, that it was to many here the most welcome News, (next to their own Visitation by Grace) that ever reachd their Ears: to hear of the speedy, surprizing! and astonishing Efficacy of converting Grace in America! Thus shall a Nation be born in a Day, and Satan’s Kingdom fall as Lightning from Heaven! – what sweet matter is here for Praise, and what sweet Food for Prayer: and O! may all the Lord’s People redouble their Cries for our own Country; that we may also particpate the same special Blessing in the Ordinances of God that we enjoy.

Text: The Weekly History, no. 20, Saturday, 22 August 1741, pp. 1-2.