John Wesley | Autograph letter signed, complaining of militia training on Sunday to the Earl of Shelburne, 1782

John Wesley

Autograph letter signed, to the 2nd Earl of Shelburne

lobbying against the training of the militia on Sundays, 21 May 1782, two pages, 4to, with integral blank

"If I wrong your lordship, I am sorry for it. But I really believe your Lordship fears God. And I hope your Lordship has no unfavourable opinion of the Christian Revelation...Above thirty years ago a motion was made in Parliament for raising & embodying the Militia & for exercising them (to save time) on a Sunday". The motion was then dropped but has now returned, but "it is expedient to give such a shock to so many Millions of people at once?...For would not they, would not all England, would not all Europe consider this, as a virtual Repeal of the Bible. And would not all serious persons say 'We have little religion in the land now: and by this step we shall have less still'. For whenever this pretty Show is to be seen the people will flock together... the Churches will be emptier than they are already..."

PROVENANCE:

Bowood House Archive; Christie's, London, 12 October 1994, lot 87