[64] The Morning Post of April 8, 1889, referring to the death of Sir F. Gore Ouseley, says “He was a member of an ancient Irish family . . . which gave to the world the Wellesleys, the Wesleys, and the Ouseleys, all springing from the same stock;” all three names being only varied forms of the same. A clergyman, Rev. L. H. Wellesley Wesley, now of Folkestone, combines the two names.
[65] Samuel Wesley, the father, was himself originally a dissenter, but afterwards conformed to the established church. He was appointed to the benefice of South Ormsby in 1699 and afterwards held the Rectory of Epworth, and that of Wroot. His eldest son, Samuel, born about 1692, was an Under Master in Westminster School for several years, and later became Head Master of the Grammar School at Tiverton, in Devonshire.
[66a] This has been re-issued by Mr. A. C. Fifield, as No. 16 of “The Simple Series,” 6d., 1905.
[66b] As a proof of his regard for the church we may quote his remark (given in Christian Sects of the 19th century, W. Pickering, 1850) “The Church of England is the purest in Christendom.”
[66c] The first Conference was held in London at “The Foundry,” June 25, 1744. It consisted of only 10 persons, viz., the two brothers, John and Charles Wesley, three beneficed clergymen, John Hodges, Rector of Wenvo, Henry Piers, Vicar of Bexley, Samuel Taylor, Vicar of Quinton, and John Meriton, with four Methodist preachers, viz., John Downes, John Bennett, Thomas Richards and Thomas Maxfield. At this gathering “The Rules of a Helper” were adopted, which form to this day a part of the “discipline” enjoined on Wesleyan Ministers.
[68a] Mr. Carr Brackenbury died August 11, 1818, aged 65, and the Stamford Mercury of the time says of him, “He powerfully and eloquently preached the glad tidings of the gospel during many years, in numerous Wesleyan Chapels, in various parts of the kingdom. He had previously to his intimacy with Wesley been a celebrated character on the turf.”
[68b] The aged son of the last named is still (1905) living at Alford, and several grandsons are dispersed about the country.
[70a] Horncastle News, August 31, 1907.
[70b] The first Sunday School was held in the British School (later the Drill Hall) east of the Wong, from 1812 to 1848.
[71a] We may add that at the time of writing (1905) a Wesleyan Church House is about to be erected in Westminster, a fine building in the Renaissance style of architecture, which is to cost £140,000, the firm of Lanchester & Richards being contractors for the work.