The Hutton "Memoirs" state that Wesley made an effort to break off intercourse
between the Society and the Moravians soon after his return from Germany,
but failed, and matters continued to move smoothly until about the time
that Wesley began his field preaching. During the subsequent months
disputes arose among the members, largely on account of views introduced
by Philip Henry Molther, who at that time had a tendency toward "Quietism".
Molther was detained for some time in England, waiting for a ship
to take him to Pennsylvania, he having received a call to labor
in the Moravian Churches there, and being a fluent speaker
he learned English rapidly and made a deep impression on many hearers.
Wesley was much hurt by the dissensions in his Society,
and entirely opposed to Molther's views, and after several efforts
to bring all the members back to his own position, he, on Sunday,
July 31st, 1740, solemnly and definitely condemned the "errors" and withdrew
from the Fetter Lane Society, adding "You that are of the same judgment,
follow me." About twenty-five of the men and "seven or eight and forty
likewise of the fifty women that were in the band" accepted his invitation,
and with them he organized the "Foundry Society".
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