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To the METHODIST SOCIETIES.
London, June 24, 1793.
Dear Brethren^
w,
HEREAS feveral unkind Letters and Reports, have been fpread abroad in dif¬
ferent parts of the Kingdom, which are calculated to injure the Character, and prevent the
wjefulnefs of Mr .James Rogers ; We think it our duty to fend forth this Letter.
Mr. Rogers was the AJfijlant of the London Circuit the two years preceding the
prefent: and, on account of feveral untorefeen circumftances, has been obliged to remain in
London a third year. He being, by the rule oi Conference, about to go to another Cir¬
cuit ; we wifh (with all due fubmiffion to our Country Friends] to fay juft as much as is
iieceflary to prevent falfe afperfions from having any weight in the candid breaft of the
real friends of Methodifm, as eftablifhed by the late Rev. John Wejley.
Mr. Rogers attended the Lon don Circuit, while Affiant, with the greatejl fidelity :
and we believe, that no perfon was more confcientious in the difcharge of the Truft repof-
ed in him: particularly as to the difcipline of fo large a body of people ; which we be¬
lieve was very ably managed by him.
He ftudioufly attended to, and Jlridly abode by, the diredions of the Society; whom
he conftantly acquainted with, and confulted in every matter of importance, fince the
death of Mr. Wejley ; and, efpecially refpefting the circumftances that preceded the fuits at
Law, which were commenced againft us, by feveral of the Trufiees, and a Combination of
their friends ! As a Preacher, his Labours have been blefled, and well received by the
Congregation at large : and our Temporal and Spiritual concerns, have confiderably increas¬
ed fince he came to London. We are fenfible his fituation has been (through the com¬
plex ftate of things) peculiarly trying, and his exercifes various and unavoidable; all
which he has fupported with Chrifiian fortitude.
We,' therefore, truft and hope, that all falfe afperfions, and refiedions, refpeftbng Mr.
Rogers, will fall to the ground : as wz fully believe, his moral Charafter unimpeachable by
any perfon, or perfons: except by fuch as ftrive to raife falfe reports, founded only in.
revenge !
Having faid thus much on the fubjeft ; forgetting all malice, hatred, and firife: and,
wilhing the fame mind td all thofe who have done, what they would not wifti another to do
unto them We fubferibe ourfelves, Yours, with all due refpeft,
By Order of the General Committee,
GUSTAVUS GIDLEY, Secretary.
N. B. The Comrnittee were chofen by the Society.—viz.—Nominated by the Leader of
each Clafs; and approved of by the reft : two, or three out of every Clafs, in, and about
London ; to aft for the Society at large.
Alfo approved and fignedTby
George Whitfield,
John Shaw,
James Ward.
Charles Wheeler,
James Senols,
William lyler. )
Philip Rawlings, ?
Edward Turner. )
John Stubbs, ?
John Edington. $
Richard Ball, )
John Payne. $
George Briggs, )
Lojtus Highland. $
William Bicknell, ?
Roger Thomas. $
Robert Giaham, )
William Weede• S
Samuel Tooth,
John Davis,
Wright Turnell,
Thomas Windjor,
William Warr.
Steward for the Book-Room.
Stewards for the Circuit: and
for the Society, at the New Chapel,
Ditto for the Poor.
Stewards for the Society at Wefi-Street.
Ditto for the Poor.
Stewards for the Society at Spitafields»
Ditto for the Poor
Stewards for the Society at Snows fields*
Stewards for the Society at Wapping.
Auditors: who examine the
Stewards accompts quarterly.