1784] Ji£V. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 247 



take place. He being pressed by our friends on this side the water for 

 ministers to administer the sacraments to them (there being very few 

 clergy of the Church of England then in the States), he went farther, 

 J am sure, than he would have gone if he had foreseen some events which 

 followed. And this I am certain of — that he is now sorry for the 

 separation. 



But what can be done for a re-union, which I wish for ; and to accom- 

 plish which Mr. Wesley, I have no doubt, would use his influence to the« 

 utmost? The affection of a very considerable number of the preachers 

 and most of the people is very strong towards him, notwithstanding the 

 excessive ill usage he received fi'om a few. My interest also is not 

 small; and both his and mine would readily and to the utmost be used 

 to accomplish that (to us) very desirable object; if a readiness were 

 shown by the bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church to re-unite. 



But there are many hindrances in the way. Can they be 



removed? 



1. Our ordained ministers will not — ought not to — give up their right 

 of administering the sacraments. I do not think that the generality of 

 them, perhaps none of them, would refuse to submit to a re-ordination 

 if other hindrances were removed out of the way. I must here observe 

 that between sixty and seventy out of the two hundred and fifty have 

 been ordained presbyters, and about sixty deacons only. The presbyters 

 are the choicest of the whole. 



2. The other preachers would hardly submit to a re-union if the pos- 

 sibility of their rising up to ordination depended on the present bishops 

 of America. Because though they are all, I may say, zealous, pious and 

 very useful men, yet they are not acquainted with the learned languages. 

 Besides, they would argue. If the present bishops would waive the 

 article of the learned languages, yet their successors might not. 



My desire of a re-union is so sincere and earnest that these difficulties 

 almost make me tremble, and yet something must be done before the 

 death of Mr. Wesley, otherwise I shall despair of success; for though my 

 influence among the Methodists in these States, as well as in Europe, is 

 increasing, yet Mr. Asbury, whose influence is very capital, will not 

 easily comply — nay, I know he will be exceedingly averse to it. 



In Europe, where some steps had been taken tending to a separation, 

 all is at an end. Mr. Wesley is a determined enemy of it, and I have 

 lately borne an open and successful testimony against it. 



Shall I be favored with a private interview with you in Philadelphia? 

 I shall be there, God willing, on Tuesday, the 17th of May. . . . 



In the meantime permit me with great respect to subscribe myself, 



Ps.ight Reverend Sir, 



Your very humble servant in Christ, 



Thomas Coke. , 

 Right Rev. Father in God, Bishop White. 



