Welsh Journals

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The Leaders of English and Welsh Methodism. 1738-91 I DECEMBER, 1738 JUNE, 1739 By the Editor Much has been written from time to time on the relations between the leaders of English and Welsh Methodism. The subject bristles with difficulties and obscurities and despite the scholarly and prodigious work which has been done on the Trevecka MSS, it is doubtful whether the time has come, even yet, for an exhaustive treatment of it. The main landmarks of the story however are by now reasonably clear and are worth portraying, if only to reveal, by contrast, those still-hidden corners upon which the light of fiistorical research might be brought into play. The story can conveniently begin on 20 December, 1738 when George Whitefield wrote to Howell Harris in these words: 1 MY DEAR BROTHER, — Tho' I am unknown to you in person, yet I have long been united to you in spirit; and have been rejoiced to hear how the good pleasure of the Lord prospers in your hands-Go on, my dear Brother, go on, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; and the Spirit of Christ and of Glory shall rest upon you most effectually; which has, and still is opening doors before you, for preaching the everlasting Gospel. There have been, and will be, many adversaries; yet be not afraid, He that sent you will assist, comfort and protect you, and make you more than conquerour, thro' his great love. I am a living monument of this truth; for the Divine strength has often been magnified in my weakness. I have tested that the Lord is gracious, I have felt his power, and from mine own experience, can say that in doing or suffering the will of Jesus Christ, there is great reward. Blessed be his holy name, there seems to be a great pouring out of the Spirit at London; and we walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and are edified. You see, my dear Brother, the freedom I have taken in writing to you, if you would favour me with a line or two by way of answer, you would greatly rejoice both me and many others; why should we not tell one another what God has done for our Souls? My dear Brother, I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and wish you may be the spiritual Father of thousands, and shine as the Sun in the firmament in the kingdom of your heavenly Father. XA Brief Account, 110-111. A shortened (and in minor details slightly different) version appears in Tyerman's Life of Whitefield, i, 169-170. Howell Harris had heard of Whitefield in 1737 from a "friend that came from London". A Brief Account, p. 25.