John Wesley didn't desire for Methodism to be a denomination but a group of people who loved the Lord within a denomination. So a true Methodist may attend an Orthodox, Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Anglican, Presbyterian, or some other denomination and still be a Methodist...
London, September 20, 1788
To The Reverend Francis Asbury:
There is, indeed, a wide difference between the relation that you stand with the Americans, and the relation where I stand with all Methodists. You are the elder brother of the American Methodists: I am, under God, the Father of the whole family. Therefore I naturally care for you all in a manner no other persons can do. Therefore, I, in a measure, provide for you all, for the supplies which Dr Coke provides for you, he could not provide, were it not for me, were it not only permit him to collect, but also support him in so doing.
But, in one point, my dear brother, I am a little afraid, both the Dr and you differ from me. I study to be little, you study to be great. I creep, you strut along. I found a school, you a College! Nay, and call it after your own names! O beware! Do not seek to be something! Let me be nothing and “Christ be all in all!”
One instance of this, of your greatness, has given me great concern. How can you, how dare you, suffer yourself to be called Bishop? I shudder, I start at the very thought! Men may call me a knave or a fool, a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content: But they shall never, by my consent, call me Bishop! For my sake, for God’s sake, for Christ’s sake, put a full end to this! Let the Presbyterians do what they please, but let the Methodist know their calling better. Thus, my dear Franky, I have told you all that is in my heart. And let this, when I am no more seen, bear witness how sincerely I am your affectionate friend and brother.
John Wesley
Noting:
1. He didn't call him 'Bishop Asbury.'
2. Cokesbury College - The name is formed from its two founders, Coke and Asbury.
London, September 20, 1788
To The Reverend Francis Asbury:
There is, indeed, a wide difference between the relation that you stand with the Americans, and the relation where I stand with all Methodists. You are the elder brother of the American Methodists: I am, under God, the Father of the whole family. Therefore I naturally care for you all in a manner no other persons can do. Therefore, I, in a measure, provide for you all, for the supplies which Dr Coke provides for you, he could not provide, were it not for me, were it not only permit him to collect, but also support him in so doing.
But, in one point, my dear brother, I am a little afraid, both the Dr and you differ from me. I study to be little, you study to be great. I creep, you strut along. I found a school, you a College! Nay, and call it after your own names! O beware! Do not seek to be something! Let me be nothing and “Christ be all in all!”
One instance of this, of your greatness, has given me great concern. How can you, how dare you, suffer yourself to be called Bishop? I shudder, I start at the very thought! Men may call me a knave or a fool, a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content: But they shall never, by my consent, call me Bishop! For my sake, for God’s sake, for Christ’s sake, put a full end to this! Let the Presbyterians do what they please, but let the Methodist know their calling better. Thus, my dear Franky, I have told you all that is in my heart. And let this, when I am no more seen, bear witness how sincerely I am your affectionate friend and brother.
John Wesley
Noting:
1. He didn't call him 'Bishop Asbury.'
2. Cokesbury College - The name is formed from its two founders, Coke and Asbury.
