1773 CHARLES WESLEY + HOWELL HARRIS. Unpublished Letters + Archive of Engravings for Wesleyan Methodist Twentieth Century Fund

What a wonderful assemblage of items for the collector of Methodism.

All items are housed in an original 1898 large format folder, measuring 12 x 19 inches, produced specifically for the Wesleyan Methodist Twentieth Century Fund. The Fund was proposed in 1898 in an effort to raise one million Guineas in an effort to revitalize churches, missions, and ministry training in the movement. The fascinating detail of the fund was that it prohibited any person from giving more than 1 guinea. And each person would sign a roll which would then be collected and bound collectively. 

You can read more about the roll and see its impressive binding and preservation here: Wesleyan Historic Roll | Wesleyan Methodist Historic Roll | My Wesleyan Methodists

As part of the effort to raise funds, the Methodists opened an exhibition of historic memorabilia and ephemera related to the history of Methodism. Presumably, the items in this folder were a part of that exhibition. 

Included are:

1. A pair of important unpublished letters by Charles Wesley, fair copies notated as in the hand of Charles Wesley III; perhaps gathered by him and fair copies made as they were sent to him by his grandfather's friends families and the recognition of their historical value was being recognized. The original recipient copies appear to not be extant. Transcriptions of the letters below, including one written to important Welsh Revivalist, Howell Harris.

2. A very fine group of woodcuts, prints, and engravings related to John Wesley and the Wesley family, including some exceptionally scarce early examples.

3. A group of miscellaneous ephemera.

CHARLES WESLEY LETTERS:

1. Regarding the Methodist Awakening in Ireland

"My dear Bro'r.

Trust in the strength of Israel. He hath his way in the Whirlwind. The Fierceness of Men shall turn to his Praise. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. All things shall work together for our Good & the Furtherance of the Everlasting Gospel. 

The Advice annext in Your Case. I got as soon as I came hither, but know not where to send it you. It seems to me round about way, but I shall talk tomorrow with the Counsellour & some of her Christian friends & shew your last & take farther Counsel. The Wonderful Counsellour direct us & we are sure to carry our Cause.

My Bro writes glorious News from Ireland. He can easily now, He says over-run the whole Country. Never did our Lord set before us a wider Door. Give Him the Glory & remember us in all yr Prayers.

Your truly Loving & Faithful CW

The Foundry. April 26"

2. To Howell Harris Regarding His Arrest for Preaching & Offering Communion without a License

"Dear Howell,

The Inclosed I shd have sent by Tuesdays Post but upon my showing it to Mr. Balimer & other Friends they advised me to defer it till we might farther consult abt it. Yesterday we all agreed That Counc'r Glanville's Advice of Applying to the Lord Chancellor was utterly improper for us & that we shd take a shorter & more effectual way & petition to his Majesty. Glanville's Paper I keep (being useless to you) for the sake of yr Case to which it is annext. By Whitsun Wednesday my Bro'r must be here at our Conference. He takes Garth & Bristol in his Way and must meet you if possible at the latter. I shall with God's leave make a third. And without any more Counsellours we may draw up the Appeal to Balimer & then communicate it of Need be to any other approved Friends; but to no one soul without Apparent Necessity, for divulging our design wd be Disappointing it. 

Keep the Particulars of this to yrself & send word by the Return of the Post when yr Trial is & where. As whether you can fix the time of being at Bristol. I expect more exact Accounts of my Brother's Missions next Post. 

The Lord be Your Shield & Your Exceeding great Reward

Farewell in Him.
The Foundry, April 28"

Both on non-fibrous paper dating to c.1800-1820.

2. WOODCUTS & ILLUSTRATIONS

a. A charming 1791 woodcut of Wesley in right facing profile by J. Johnson of London. Stained at upper left.

b. An unattributed right facing engraving of Wesley, right facing profile, probably early to mid-19th century.

c. A 1791 woodcut of Wesley preaching, engraving by J. Tookey and published by W. Bent, April 2, 1791. 

d. An engraving by T. A. Dean, after J. Jackson, of John Wesley preaching with a facsimile of his autograph. Circa mid 19th century. 

e. A rather naïve woodcut of Charles Wesley Junior playing the organ, circa mid 19th century. 

f. 1824 fine engraving of John Wesley published by George Smeaton.

g. c.1900 full page print of The Bible Used by Mr. Wesley on His Journeys and the Official Seal. 

h. Fine quality engraving of the Wesley Monument in Westminster Abbey, sculpted by John Adams, and engraved by H. C. Balding.

i. Attractive right facing profile woodcut of John Wesley by Wm. Bromley, c.1791

j. Fine quality engraving of the tombstone of John Wesley

k. Very fine woodcut of Samuel Wesley, brother of John Wesley, by Ridley. c. 1790's

l. Fine left facing engraving of John Wesley published 1838 by G. Virtue and engraved on steel by J. Rogers. 

m. Engraving of Susanna Wesley, c. early to mid 19th century by Dean. 

n. 1824 Engraving of John Wesley preaching by Fry after Bland of 1765, published Kershaw, 1824

o. John Wesley M.A., Grandfather of John and Charles. Engraved by T. A. Dean. Early to mid 19th century. 

p. 1820 left facing engraving of John Wesley by W. T. Fry. Foxed. 

q. Quality engraving of Charles Wesley with facsimile autograph; c. 1820's. 

r. Quality engraving of City Road Chapel, 1864. 

s. c.1880 Print of The Foundery, Moorfields, London, 1740 by Landells.

t. Impressive engraving of Charles Wesley in the pulpit after the painting by William Gush and executed by J. Cochran. Published 1828. Handsomely preserved; relaid at some point. 

u. Large format engraving of The Tomb of the Revd John Wesley by J. Brain. Larger format, but foxed and with margin stains and tears. 

3. MISCELLANEOUS EPHEMERA

a. Admit ticket to the Wesleyan Methodist Conference at Bradford, 1878, signed by W. B. Pope. 

b. A charming c.1898 "Everlasting Silver Leaves from Table Mountain, Cape Town South Africa" printed by Van de Sandt and having three of the fabled Silver Leaves, with the middle one painted presumably with a missionary ship. Probably missionary sent with an included donation for the fund. 

c. 2pp 1898 ALS from W. P. Workman regarding the acquisition of various Wesley prints, some of which are present in the folder, for the production of a History of Kingswood. It is addressed to Rev T. E. Westerdale of London.

d. An 1891 8pp large format article: The Present State of Australasian Methodism by W. F. James

e. 8 nicely preserved 19th century Wesleyan Methodist unused Certificates of Baptism

f. 3 large folio ledger sheets with the names and addresses of around 100 persons and titled, "East London Mission. To Extinguish Debt of 25,000." It is dated 1910. 

The chief value of course is in the really wonderful assemblage of important early Wesley engravings and the unpublished Charles Wesley fair copies.