11G History of Methodism 



The establishment of his college continued to be a 

 subject of great anxiety. In a letter dated Charleston, 

 February 10, 1770, he wrote: 



I have more than once conversed with the Governor of Georgia, 

 in the most explicit manner, concerning an act of the Assembly for 

 the establishment of the intended Orphan House College. He most 

 readily consents. I have shown him a draught which he much ap- 

 proves of; and all will be finished on my return from the northward. 

 Meanwhile the buildings will be carried on. Since my being in 

 Charleston I have shown the draft to some persons of great eminence 

 and influence. They highly approve of it, and willingly consent to 

 be some of the wardens ; near twenty are to be of Georgia, about six 

 of this place, one of Philadelphia, one of New York, one of Boston, 

 three of Edinburgh, two of Glasgow, and six of London. Those of 

 Georgia and South Carolina are to be qualified— the others to be 

 only honorary corresponding members. 



The last letter Mr. Wesley wrote to his old friend 

 was in part on the subject of his intended college: 



Lewisham, February 21, 1770. 

 My Dear Brother : — Some time ago, since you went hence, I 

 heard a circumstance which gave me a great deal of concern, namely, 

 that the college, or academy, in Georgia had swallowed up the Or- 

 phan House. Shall I give my judgment without being asked ? Me- 

 thinks friendship requires I should. Are there not, then, two points 

 which come in view — a point of mercy and a point of justice ? With 

 regard to the former may it not be inquired, Can any thing on earth 

 be a greater charity than to bring up orphans ? What is a college, 

 or academy, compared to this? Unless you could have such a col- 

 lege as perhaps is not on earth. I know the value of learning, and 

 am more in danger of prizing it too much than too little; still, I 

 cannot place the giving it to five hundred students on a level with 

 saving the bodies, if not the souls too, of five hundred orphans. But 

 let us pass from the point of mercy to that of justice. You had 

 land given and money collected for an orphan house. Are you at 

 liberty to apply this to any other purpose — at least, while there are 

 any orphans in Georgia left ? I just touch upon this, though it is an 

 important point, and leave it to your own consideration whether 

 part of it, at least, might not properly be applied to carry on the 



