History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

Wesley's knowledge, and without his recommendation or consent, either then or any time thereafter.
"He, being pressed by our friends on this side of the water for ministers to administer the sacraments
to them . . . went farther I am sure than he would have gone if he had foreseen some events which
followed. And this I am now certain of — that he is now sorry for the separation." Went farther in
what? The organization of an Independent Church? No; but in the ordinations for America, and in
view of the abuse of his confidence in this respect he is now sorry for the separation. And for the
truth of it, unquestioned collateral evidence has been submitted, that he repented with tears of his
proceedings for America. "But what can be done for a reunion, which I wish for, and to accomplish
which I have no doubt Mr. Wesley would use his influence to the utmost?" Dr. Emory, it has been
found, demanded the proof that this letter of Coke's was written with Wesley's privity. He and his
friends can accept either horn of the dilemma. Dr. Coke either here utters matters of fact, or he
invented the statement. If the former, then Coke and Wesley had talked of this scheme before Coke
left England; and, if so, farther, there is but one conceivable motive for it: Coke suggested to Wesley
that in this way Asbury could be brought into subjection again, at least to the extent of recognizing
Wesley, by the restoration of Coke to full coordinate authority with Asbury as Episcopalian bishops.
If this is not satisfactory, then Dr. Coke invented the statement that Wesley would use his influence
to the utmost to accomplish it. It is a serious matter to affirm that he did invent it; but his
tergiversations and other freakish features in association with his aspirations to be a real, live
Episcopalian bishop show that he was capable of it; and, unfortunately for his apologist, it is the
alternative in this case.
Rev. Dr. Kewley, who is primarily responsible for the statement that Coke's letter to White was
written with the privity of Wesley, Alexander McCaine says, was born in Europe, classically
educated, and was intended for the Romish priesthood. He studied medicine, went to the West
Indies, and afterward came to the United States. He professed conversion under the preaching of
McCaine and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, relinquished the practice of medicine, and was
received into the traveling connection, where he remained a year or more. He then joined the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and pronounced upon it a pervert's extravagant eulogy. Finally he left
it, following his logical ultimates, and returned to the bosom of Rome, whence he originally came.
The reader may determine whether such a career intrinsically impeaches his veracity in general.
[1]
McCaine put this record in contrast with that of Dr. John Emory, and although the changes in his
career are on a different line, one can scarcely avoid the conclusion, that if fatal to Kewley's general
veracity they are also fatal to Emory's; but no one not bitterly prejudiced will accept either
conclusion. What then? Kewley's averment is worthy of credence unless it can be shown to be
[2]
antecedently improbable. But just the contrary is the fact. It has been found that the relations of
Wesley and Coke and Asbury at the time were such as to make Wesley ready to entertain such a
proposition as Coke may have suggested to him, so that he felt justified in affirming that he had "no
doubt" of his approval of it.
It is a fact that the proposition was made, that Coke held two interviews with Bishop White in the
[3]
presence of Rev. Dr. Magaw, who, though a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, was
on intimate terms with both Coke and Asbury, and the former, at least, often preached in his pulpit.
It is antecedently probable that in these interviews Coke was more unreserved than in his letter. That
Wesley, whose decease was now known, made parts of the conversations is also known, for Bishop
[4]
White so declares. If, then, Wesley's endorsement of the plan was so enlarged upon by Coke in