JOHN WESLEY'S LOVE PASSAGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 156, 16 May 1862, Page 6

JOHN WESLEY'S LOVE PASSAGE.

-(From tho Sat.uKdny Jlcivew). . A curious pamphlet has lately been reprinted from an ixLition published by a Mr. Hook, in 184S, ot a transcript of a M.S. in the British Museum, unrter lao titile—" Narrative of a Remarkable; Transaction in tbfe early life of John. Wesley.",,, We are md.eb.ted t<i Mr. Russell Smith for ttyß'new edition, •which-w enriched and illustrated 1 b:yJR fiview v of the' work-1 by: the Rev. Joseph Hunter. IMs;i-evtew/.pe.rfectly vindicates'tba autbenticjtypf ,theJVI.S- . which in J.he ; . Britisb Museum "AdjL'MSS. 7118"— and' details ■ iw history. It ooHftistsirfiwo^parte^-one aaial'J-atiye:, in prose, which is a copy, and avowedly, written by an sunanueuxis, aiid another .1 narrative iv verge. i;i John, Wesley's ownJiaiidwriting.' Tlie two narratives re-; late to to the TKune 'transaction. Ab-jiit the .transaction itself there can .be no dispute. There is not one of Wesley's biographers who does not speak, with more or'less distinctness, of Wesley's intention to marry one Grace Murray, and of the fact that the marriage was prevented by Charles Wesley. INo suspicious are entertained by Mr. Hunter of the genuineness of this document; nor, on its tii-st publication, was any dispute raised on this point. Ike evidence on this" head la tomplete and unassailable.' Differing in this respect from Colletfs forgery of certain love-letters purporting to.be written by John Wesley in life youth, this " Narrative" is undoubtedly a genuine fragment of biography, of which the principal person concerned—the celebrated John Wesley himself—says, "Hardly has such a case been from the "beginning o,f the world.'' A lost chapter in -any hagiology has its interest. When a dropped stick is taken up in the personal biography of one who, for good or for evil, has influenced the religious life of millions; it is, as a mere contribution "to the curiosities of literature, valuable ; but in a psychological point ofview the study of this strange and bewildering love-story, with all its labyrinth of romance and religion,thehei'o and heroine, of which were John Wesley and his servant-maid, has another and superior value. N0 doubt the first aspect of the thin-; is its utter grotesqneness. Ne sit ancUlce tibi amor pimori might be a sate counsel to libertine patrician, but the leading crises of Briseis and Tecmessa one would hardly expect to find ruling the most influential preacher and the greatest ecclesiastical innovator of the eighteenth century. Yet this is the substance of the present narrative. In the yeai-rMS, John Wesley being of the mature na» of forty-five, a conference of the Methodist Society was held in London, -in .which " after a'free and friendly debate," tlie remarkable conclusion was arrived" at—probably with a view as well to certain sweet smarts raging in"WesleyVown bosom as to a charitable desire that the world should not absolutely come to an end—"that a believer might mairy without suffering loss in his soul." Two or three months afterwards we find John Wesley—or rather John Wesley finds himself sick in bed at Newcastle, " attended continually by Grace Murray," a widow of thirty-three, who in a very odd way seems to_ have been'his companion in travel, a fellow-laborer in attending to the societies, and at the same time his private sen-ant Wesley,.after " observing her temper, sense, and behaviour," "sliding into it I know not how," told her. " If ever I marry, I think you will be the person." Grace Murray snaps, at the offer, and from that time, as the prose narrative has it. " I conversed with her as my own." Iv the poetical tovm Wesley puts it . My soul a kindred spirit found; By Heaven entrusted to my care The daughter of my. faith and prayer. From heaven tho grateful ardor came, Pure from the dross of low desire ; Well pleased I marked the guiltless frnmo [flame Nor dared to damp the sacred fire; Heaven's choicest gift on man bestowed,^ Strenuthenina our hearts and hands in God. <r *- » » * From that glad hour, with flowing love, i leaven's latest, dearest gift I viewed ; "While pleased each moment to improve. We urged our way with strength renewed. m * -* * ■* ' Oft, (though as yet the nuptial tie Was not) clasping her hand in mine, " What force," she said, " beneath the sky, Can now our well-knit souls disjoin ?" But the course of such true and Arcadian love, even in the apostle of a revived gospel, did not run smooth. We must condense as we can this strange story. ■ '- •'■■ '• ■ Wesley's declaration of love occurs on August 4, 1748." The two turtles travel together through Yorkshire and Derbyshire, and in September the lady is left in Cheshire with one John Bennett, an itenerant preacher. Already the fair and spiritual reader had gone through a courtship from one Brydon> also a-Methodist preacher. As soon as Wesley was off the s«eue, Grace Murray, and Bennet commence love-making-, or perhaps renew au old and dormant flirtation; and the lady accepts.Bennet at once, formally promises to become his wife, aud writes a wonderful letter, to Wesley, asking his consent and blessing, " believing' it to be the will of God." A regular complication occurs. The gay and spiritual widow retains, tlie. two strings to her bow, and is alternately on and off with Wesley.apd Bennet; and, after much dissimulation on every side,'upon Wesley urging the doctrine of precontract in his own favor, she is on with the old love, though not quite oft'with the new. Bennet is dismissed, and in 1749, when Wesley goes on-a missionary .tour. in..lrel(iml, Grace Murray, now affianced to him. at. .Dublin by a contract de •pre'scnti, accompanies'; him in tlie triple character of domestic servant, friend, aud coapostle. For several months, in a position which, in anybody but an apostle, might have had its dangers, Wesley*leads about a sister who is not~ a wife. The episode with Bennet was believed to be over, and in September this unmarried couple of fellow-travellers retun to Bristol.. Here the fair, Grace ".hears.f.oine. idle tales concerning'me [J. "W.] and Molly Francis," and in a sudden fury of jealousy recalls. Beunet by a secret, and loving letter. • Bennet, surprised and pleased, promises to meet her when she came to the North, where, still in company with Wesley, she soon arrives. Here the three met at Epworth, in Lancashire: "A- curious scene now comes on." "Wesley retaliates, accepts"the'widow's decision, and not only gives her up, but thinks it right that they, i.e. Grace and Bennet, should marry without delay, 'i'lic lady, however, is a match for this move. She takes to her bed, and sending- for poor perplexed J.\V., a<Hures him from this vantage ground " that she loves him a thousand times better than she ever loved Bennet; but she is afraid, it she does not marry Bennet, he will run mad/* and therefore resolves tomarry Bennet, while professing: her .unalterable" love for Wesley. After aday or two of this curious gams, Wesly brings the matter-to an issue, and leaves the lovely Abigal with this final declaration on her part—" I am determined . to live and die with you.'" The two turtles, again re-' conciled, and Bennet once more dismissed, set out to Berwick; visiting the Societies; on very amicable, and of course apostolic terms; "yet," pays Wesley, "I could not consent" to her repeated reqnest tomarry me immediately." In this, game of cross purposes, it seems that, as soon as either party is inclined for instant matrimony, Barkis is not willing. Whether it was that Wesley was resolved ito pay the lady in her own .coin,.. or., wietuer Jbe .began ,serio.usly._to.. fore-,, seethe consequences to his position and usefulness of marrying a domesticl ■servant)' lie again hung back. He must satisfy Bennet. He. muat procure his bro : ther Charles- Wesley's consent.- He must sendan account of the proposed marriage to all the Societies." In other words, he wanted to prevent the match' with Bennet, and yet; not "to", commit; himself. irrevocably. He wished^ to keep';the woman bound by her promise, and himself free not to fulfil his own engagement. Something of the.same.sort of irre-. solution—if we are" not to callit: treachery or duplicity—hasbeeu assigned.'by.bne.o.fWesley.bjographers, . Dr. Whitehead, as the causeof the failure of an earlier affair de cceur^ ■of the author of Methbdism^biis Georgian love suit with Miss_Sophy Caustpn; but in this case th# timid or'vacillating- lover-foundloul toils cost, in the furens quidfaiminU' possif, what' might come' of trifling iwitb:, ,the'; feelings;- of t.a > liigh- ■- spirited and vindictive woman.;-;; However,! under/, these circumstances, Wesley and Grace ; Murray find : themselves at Berwick in September 3749,:. From:; Berwick they travel together? to.: Newcastle, where they " cottvers«_together.till late at-night,'.Land_"..she. pave me all assurances of the most.intense.affec.tion.'' The natural consequences follow.- - The" re-union of thelovers revives the old flame; .mittnal. pledges are revived; the solemn promise to take each other is repeated with new formalities, and'tlie old contract at Dublin iflPi-eh'6wedin the presence of-witnesses,'under; date September 21; and on that, day, when Wesley soes to Whitehayen, looking after me till 1 was up tlie hill:- -' - - ■----;■ >..;■.in. .'.-....■■. .;.:.",.-/"■;; At this moment Charles Wesley, comes on the stage, in consequence of a letter from John, informing him of the whole affair, and enclosing the copy of a letter of a strong remonstrance which" lie had written to Benneton,ilip7th -of Septeiuber/iaiuVauVjvMcik he', asserts his- Intention -to nmrry:the fair; Grace., > Charles is of course-.stupefled at, the. news..,. He .flies down from Bristol'to'Leedsi-finds "all the town in an-up-roar, and the Societies ready ilo-tflji! in pieces." At length tlie brothers meet^Gh.arles,urgcs John against the degrading matcH, and "insists on the precontract between Grace andßenuet. ■.Itdoesinotexactly appear wliat»the immediate result of,the fraternal, counsel was» l 0 Greß tvas^the'casiiistry •'aisplayea' on; .tlie-; knotty paint.ACtfae-fc® eontrjicte en.tereiantp-.bydthe^ Jady. Charles. AVes,ley.sets out for Newcastle to see, Grace Mvn>ay/I"lofiii'We'sl^y-'k.alonel"lofiii'We'sl^y-'k.alonejJand-inin''seal of perplexities. He fasts, lie prays, he asks light and direction ; his mind swoys back.waitfs ;and,vfoiwards; but lie writes a letter to Grace, which letter does not appear. Whitefield next comes on the scene, but

does riot mend matters. Wesley • felt, that.he w.as playiag a dduble part." At' length; •on1 -'Moiidny,istb Oct., Cbas. jWesley, wjho ; had not been idle in the meantime, returns to the \to.wn"6f White'haven, and announcjs that Bennet and.Gi^cvhad bsen married on the iircvicuk Tuesday.* i-We' left -Ariadne in i\axos, that i> »t K«vr<sist!e, ' looking Kf ; er- ra.c ins •«-we mean', JohnrWesley^-ridinc up Hineley Hill, fehe hid quite disrwssMall thoughts of BenTiet: ; Her "neani was w.ith her. ajffiinced' lbver" at" Wfcitehaven anxiously waitinE.liw.Jetufh. 'But' John Wesley has dreams, and sad presages, "and instead- of presenting himself, sentfs, as^we Tiiwe 'seen; -only -the mysterious ' iettor: Vndias soon as'tfifsioKer'froto'Whitehaven-iir--r'ves. sodoqsCharJesWe«ley,whotake'a thematferand. the Kly, in hand-4-and a high/ hand too.- Sending for Bennst to Newcastle,'the liegmning-oftheead is not :far'distant.; Chafjes Wesley lays the whole blame upon John, "as', having used his whole art and authority to seduce another man s wife, i.e., Jonu Bennefc's affianced wife. The rest ot it v. 0 pwler to tell in John Wesley's own vorda :— This was the scope of all his (Charless) discourse with Grace Murray at Newcastle. The e.ftect ot what he and J. B. said (for they spoke just alike) was that all in the house (unless one or two that were instant in prayer) were set on fire, tilled with auger and confusion", and driven to their wit's end. S. Proctor would leave the house immediately; John WMttout would preach with Mr. W..np more ;. Mat. Emngton dreamed the house itself was all in flames (and most certainly it was) ; another dreamer went a step further, and saw Mr. W. in hell fire ; Jane Keath was peremptory, "JohnW. is a child of the devil, coming pretty near J. B. himself, whose repeated words were, f< If John AY. is not damned, there is no God." When J. B. was so clearly convinced '-'the fault lav all in me," G. M. aud he were brought together. Slie fell at his feet, acknowledged she had used him ill, and begged he would forgive her: To satisfy her entirely as to any scruple which might remain with regard to me, one was brought in to assure her " I hn'i, given her up, and would have nothing more to say to her; only I had ordered him to procure some place among the 'country Societies, where she ini K ht. live privately." Upon this, one cried out, " Good God ! what will the world say? He is Lred of her,'nnd so thrusts his Wh— into a corner. Sister M., will you consent to this 7" She answered. No; I will die first." So, seeinff no other way, she frankly declared, " I mill have. J. 8., if he will have me. On Tuesday morning. October 3rd, they were married. They all then rode on contentedly to Leeds, to give me the meeting there, as well that I might haye the pleasure of seeing the bride, as that I migut acknowledge my sin (those were my brother a expressions) before J." B. and them all. But this I was not altogether ready to do ; neither did I apprehend she desired my company any more ; till on Friday, October 6th, I : was informed. Both J. B. aud lus wife desired to see me." I went; but oh ! what an interview ! it was not soon that words could find their way. We sat.weeping at each other, till I asked her, '' What do you say to my brother, to make him accost me thus ?" 'She fell at my feet and said, " she never had spoken, nor could :tyenk against me, uttering many other words to the same effect, m the midst of numberless sighs and tears. Before she rose he fell on his knees too, and asked my pardon tor what he had spoken of me. Between them both I knew not what to say or do. I can forgive, but who can redress the wrong ?• • After dinner I talked with her alone. She averred with the utmost emotion, being also dissolved in tears, 'that she never laid the blame upon me, whom she knew to be entirely innocent; that she would rather die than speak against one'to whom she had so deep obligations : that at the time I first spoke to her at Newcastle she loved me above all persons living ; that after her engagement with J. B. her heart wasdivided till she went tn Ireland ; and then it was wholly -with me, and from that time till J. B. met us at Epworth ; that after his speaking she was divided again, till I talked with her upon tlie road, from which hour she loved me niore arid more, till we parted at Hineley Hill; that, when my brother took her thence she thought he v/as carrying her to' me; that, when she knew more of his design, she told him, "I will. do. nothing till I have seen Mr. W.," but that, when it was told her at Newcastle, among a thousand other tilings,"'" Mr. W. will;have nothing to say to you, then she said, " Well, I will have Mr. B. if. he will have me.>" If these things are so, hardly has such .1 case been from the beginning of the world ! -. . Mr. Hunter is very indignant with Wesley. V Ter-^ haps tha/re was as much of the traitor as of the betrayed in the -matter ; but the case is by no means similar to Swift's treatment of poor Vanessa. Grace and-John were tolerably, well matched, and each pro-bably-played a deep and double game. We. can hardly, with" Mr.' Hunter," call " Wesley's treatment of her abominable :", nor ■ are we prepared to indorse the terms "wrefcli" and " odious," which he applies to the modem apostle. There is more truth in the sober verdict .which he elsewhere pronounces, that poor Bennet was a scapegoat,.and that '.' Grace's conduct and Wesley's conduct are less easily justified or excused." It would be difficult, in a love-chase of this sort, to say whether the event, showed on which side the entire blame lay ; and we may reasonably doubt whether in such" matters the a/Svards of Nemesis are always just. But Grace Bennet died in the eightyningth year of her age,, in something like the odour of : sanctity.; and John Wesley, shortly after the jilting,of, or by, Grace Murray, married a rick-widow,-Mrs. Vizelle, of whom Southey says, ['that j she deserves to be classed in a : triad with Xaintippe and the wife qf Job. as one of the three bad wives." After all that we have said, it is perhaps superfluous to'say. that the Narrative is well worth" reading. The allusions in Methodist history to this Wonderful piece of autobiography are few aud scanty. •; Mr. Hunter accuses the editor of Charles Wesley's Journal, published in 1849,-of disengenuousness in suppressing that portion of it which covers the period-when he was dissuading John Wesley from-the untoward match with ©race Murray. The fact itself, however—that Wesley did.make an offer of marriage" to the " lady" who " was prevailed upon by Charles Wesley to marry John ;Bennet"— : even this authority admits ; and Southey, vol.- ii. p. 297, seems;to have been aware of the,case, though not of its circumstances. Mr. Watson, another biographer of Johnj Wesley, passes over, this curious incident with a very .timid and anxious step, and only just hints at Charles Wesley's " hasty interpostion to prevent "his brothers marriage with Mrs. Grace Murray,_a very pious and. respectable woman, who wan not in an elevated rank of life." This writer, however, was ignorant, we may charitably suppose, of the facts of the case, when he adds that "probably n eitherj Charles, nor she, was aware of the strength of ■his attachment." What John thought of his brother's interference ■is cler.r from an unpublished.-letter., .quoted j by "Mr. * Watson, in which he bitterly says, "iThe sons of Zeruiah were too strong for me. The whole world fought against me ;, but, above all, my men- familiar friend " Miss Wesley was even more at sea if, as Mr. Watson asserts, " she iaid tlie fault on the lady's want of explicitness." The moral of the whole matter seems to be this very simple oner-that great preachers'ahd apostles would ibe wise were they not to- commit themselves' to any theory, or to make promises on the subject of matrimony, nnd especially not writebooks bu the sinfulness of marriage, lest their own case should turn up against them. What, hampered r p6or. John "Wesley throughout the "transaction" which We have reviewed,, was the unfortunate treatise which he had in his cold youth published in favor of clerical celibacy. Next, the narrative suggests that when middle-aged clergymen choose to establish a flirtatipn with their housekeepers or housemaids, it is better jnot' to keep" a diary of the daily or. reverses of the suit. Somehow or other, one's diary often tiirns up against one: Keligious reformers have -had bad luck this -way. > .This; fragment of. Wesley's Confessions, which are not quite equal to St. Augustine's, i is- pothing .to • Swedenborg's, Diary, yhich was;• printed >t Stockholm in 1859, and certain fragment's of which "have got into print in Englaild. Diaries have a wonderful vivacity. They may lieburied, like Wesley's or. Swedenborg's, for a hundred years !or and yet revive for-the amusement or scandal of another generation. Last of^all; if lover sick apostles, will chronicle-their lpye passages, let them leave the elegiac form of their sad and sweet experiences to Cupid's, professional bards—the Tibulluses and Ovids, the Wollers, or the Moores.. Religious ; erotics are "something' worse "than m offence against taste. If -the verses with which Wesley bewails iiis-hard lot -were nbt.an evidence of drivelling; imbecility; which, must have been, a, brief insanity, we should have a worse charge to bring against the stanzas in which he bewails,, the tragic collapse of his love with Grace Murray:"—' j Such was tbelfriend, than life more dear, : Whom in one luckless baleful hour, (For ever mentioned with a tear) • , The tempest's.unresisted power (Oh ! the unutterable jsmart!)." • . Tore from my. inly bleeding heart. i I Unsearchable Thy judgments are, - Oh Lord, &c." &c. &c: &c.' , k " '■- *'• ■ . Oh ! -why didst Thbu the blessing send ? Or why thus snatch away my friend }. ~v We notice 'several:inaccuracies-in.the reprint.i At page iSjSjwf&.Qißicec and.l were brought-together," "should,be.," Grace and he,", viz., Benriet, (cf. p, 41). .AgaiUj'-atfp. :6'2, liWdfemgembus,''- is Jof -course* " dis^ ingenuous;" and in the preliminary .remarks, ."one, Mrs.| P—" should be "Mr,. ,P—," viz., Pefronol, who was consulted by John" Wesley before his marriage with Mrs. Viielle, in 1751.