depend on the entire union of all the labourers employed therein;
XVIII
A LONG JOURNEY
On April 3, 1752, John Wesley and his travelling companions left Bolton and rode to Bank House, near Rochdale.
As they go on their way we wonder if Wesley was aware of the existence of a form of agreement that had been drawn up on March 16 by Charles Wesley.
It was as follows:
We whose names are underwritten, being clearly and fully convinced, 1. That the success of the present work of God does in great measure depend on the entire union of all the labourers employed therein ;
2. That our present call is chiefly to the members of that Church wherein we have been brought up; are absolutely determined by the grace of God, 1. To abide in the closest union with each other, and never knowingly or willingly to hear, speak, do, or suffer anything which tends to weaken that union; 2. Never to leave the communion of the Church of England without the consent of all whose names are subjoined :
Charles Wesley, John Jones, William Shent, John Downes, .
Jobn Wesley, John Nelson.* We do not know when John Wesley signed this document.
The position of his signature suggests some delay on his part.
It will be seen that the agreement runs along the lines laid down in the paper which was signed on January 9, 1752, but the reference to the Church of England marks an important difference.
It manifests the spirit of Charles Wesley, and indicates 'the parting of the ways.'
We wonder that John Wesley pledged himself not to leave the Church without the combined consent of all those who had signed the document.
If he had formed the intention, one vote against him would have compelled him to abandon his purpose.
But we must remember his view of ' leaving the Church.'
In his estimation it meant 'to renounce all connexion with it, to attend the service of it no more, and to advise all our Societies to take the 1See John Wesley's Journal, iv. 11, note