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Title	Letter to Benjamin Wood
Post Date	November 24, 1767
Author	Wesley, John, 1703-1791
Recipient	Wood, Benjamin
Date	1767-11-24
Physical Description	4 pgs total; 2 pgs text; 1 pg address; 1 pg blank
Dimensions	25 x 39 cm
Address From	London
Country From	England
Collection (Provenance)	Leete Manuscript Collection
Transcriber	Wanda Smith
Plain Text Transcription	[Printed circular letter. Address panel, signature, and last line are in JW’s hand] To Mr Benj[amin] Wood, Merchant In Winchcomb Glo[u]cestershire London, Nov. 24, 1767 My dear brother, A few days since, I received a letter from a gentleman the substance of which, with a few alterations, I subjoin. “Reverend sir, In the minutes of the conference held at Leeds last year, the whole debt of the Methodists considered as one body appeared to be eleven thousand, three hundred, thirty-eight pounds. I suppose it is much the same now, perhaps a little more or less. The yearly subscription was designed to pay off this. And it has helped a little toward it (as well as answered many other excellent purposes for which also it was intended from the beginning). But it must be long before it can answer that design as it has hitherto been so small that it has very little more than supplied the yearly wants. Meantime this debt remains as a constant load on your shoulders and a constant reproach on all the societies. If this debt could be discharged, it would be an ease to your mind, an honour to the whole body, and a glorious proof of our care to provide things honest in the sight of all men. But how is it possible to raise so large a sum as eleven thousand pounds? I believe it is not only possible but easy, far easier than many may conceive, to do it in two years time by the following simple method, without burdening either the rich or poor. First, as it is for the glory of God and promoting of his cause, let us beg his blessing upon our honest endeavours. Then let us willingly and earnestly set our shoulders to the work and by his grace it shall be accomplished. I suppose the societies in Great Britain and Ireland contain 24,000 members. One fourth part of these, if they subscribe according to the following scheme, will discharge the whole debt in two years. SubscribersGuineasIn two years 1000at two 4200 1000one and half 3150 1000one 2100 1000three quarters 1575 1000half 1050 1000a quarter 525 in all 12600 This may be paid either yearly, quarterly, or in any such manner as the subscribers please. The grand objection is there are not so many persons in our societies who are able and willing to contribute so much. Perhaps so. But are there not some who are both able and willing to contribute more? Are there none who clear several hundred pounds a year? Or who are two or three thousand pounds beforehand. And will none of these give ten, twenty, perhaps fifty guineas in such a case as this? A case of so general concern and that can occur but once in their lives? By this method the poor will be quite excused, unless any of them choose to throw in their mite. Praying God to give good success to this and all your undertakings for his glory, I remain, Your affectionate friend and servant, A. H.” I think you love me, and the cause wherein I am engaged. You wish to ease me of any burden you can. You sincerely desire the salvation of souls and the prosperity of the work of God. Will you not then exert yourself on such an occasion as this? Will you not gladly embrace the opportunity? Surely you will not be straightened in your own bowels. Do, according as God has prospered you. And do it willingly, not of necessity, knowing God loveth a cheerful giver. I am, Your affectionate brother J Wesley London, Nov. 30, 1767 I expect a line from you.
Published Transcription	John Telford, ed. The Letters of the Rev. John Wesley, V. February 28, 1766, to December 9, 1772. (London: Epworth Press, 1931), pp. 65-7.
Catalog link	http://libcat.smu.edu/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=195854
Unique Identifier	JWesley 11241767
Digital Resource Type	Image
Digitization Date	Digitized: 2003
Digitization Process	Digitization process: Derivatives resized at 4037 pixels in height or width.
Digital Publisher	Bridwell Library, Special Collections; Perkins School of Theology; Southern Methodist University
Rights	Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Head of Special Collections of the Bridwell Library.
Decade	1760-1769