JOHN WESLEY AUTOGRAPH LETTER

JOHN WESLEY AUTOGRAPH LETTER, September 8, 1761, (16.5x22.5cm) ALS by the founder of Methodism on a folded and stained single sheet of paper, lacking the conjugate address panel and about a quarter of the letter text itself. Old paper repairs to verso. Writing from London to a fellow Minister (just 'er' of the likely salutation 'My Dear Brother' survives) Wesley begins in media res: 'If a few more Persons come in when you are meeting either enlarge four or five minutes on a Question…' quoting scriptural authority and briefly touching on the role of women. The letter breaks off due to loss but continues with a long sequence of questions to his correspondent: 'Do you use self examination? At what times, or in what manner?' The letter ends 'I am your affectionate Brother J Wesley' Family ephemera accompanying the document suggests that Wesley may have been writing to William Chadwick, the first postmaster at Birstall near Leeds (Est. plus 21% premium inc. VAT)