From Samuel James Way at Montefiore, North Adelaide, Australia to [Lewis] Court.
23 May 1915.
He enjoyed very much the enclosures in Court's last letter. The souvenir of the `semi-jubilee' of Greenbank United Methodist Church was most inspiring. He wishes that he had been aware of its contents when he was visiting Plymouth in 1891. Many memories are awakened by the preachers-Hugh Price Hughes, [Frederick William] Bourne, [Alexander] Trengove, [John Cleverdon] Honey, [John] Luke, [Arthur] Hancock and [John] Dymond.
He has been wondering where the Bible Christian museum should be located. Shebbear would be the most appropriate place, followed by Bideford, Plymouth and Exeter.
The "Bane of Britain" is not the most inspiring theme for a poet, but Court has done very well. "In Time of War" is a particularly fine poem.
Way was very pleased to receive Court's portrait and the photograph of Greenbank Church. He thinks that the drawing of the South Doorway of Llandaff Cathedral also originated with Court. If Way ever visits England, he will be sure to visit that cathedral.
He saw Miss [Katherine] Thorne the day before yesterday. She is very enthusiastic about the Bible Christian centenary and has drafted the letter which Court asked her to write.
Way has written to Dr Richards and [William Francis] James asking them to become Joint Secretaries of the local committee. He has also written to the President of Conference [Octavius?] Lake and had a long talk with James Ashton yesterday. All things considered, he is hopeful that they will have enough for a reasonable consignment [of exhibits].
[Richard] Pyke's circular will be a very useful guide for the Australians in their celebrations, while [William Henry] Cann is delighted that the first celebration is to be in Exeter where he was received into full Connexion.
3 June 1915.
By this mail, Court will receive the following.
- Some photographs from Dr Richards, most of which he would like to have returned to him.
- A packet of documents from [William Francis] James, some of which he would like to have returned, particularly the two old Cardiff preaching plans. In this packet is a copy of the report of the breakfast given to Way's father [James] upon reaching his ministerial jubilee in 1876.
- From Way himself is an enlarged portrait of John Thorne and some small copies of the same. A large portrait of Miss Thorne and one of Mr and Miss [Katherine] Thorne and Way. Two portraits of Way, one from 1891 and the other from July 1914. A photograph of a bronze medallion of [James Way] executed on 17th June 1904, the occasion of his eightieth birthday [in reality the centenary of his birth]. A visiting card of James and Catherine Thorne, which he does not think has ever has been published. A copy portrait of William and Catherine O'Bryan, which was given to John Thorne in 1875, and a [photograph] of James and Jane Way, and one of John Thorne and Way himself taken during a walking tour in Cornwall in 1869.
He has also enclosed a letter to Court from Miss [Katherine] Thorne. She had intended to copy it, but there was insufficient time. She passed her eighty-eighth birthday in November last.
Notes .
- Hugh Price Hughes (1847-1902) was born in Carmarthen. He studied at University College London and Richmond College, before entering the Wesleyan ministry in 1869. He founded the Methodist Times in 1885, and in 1887 was chosen as the first Superintendent of the new West London Mission, one of the successful experiments of the Forward Movement. Hughes was elected President of Conference in 1898 and participated in the Grindelward conversations between Anglicans and Free Churchmen in 1892-95. He was one of the founders of the National Evangelical Free Church Council and served as its first President in 1896. Hughes was deeply interested in politics and became prominent in 1890 for his attacks on the Irish politician Charles Parnell. He was instrumental in bringing the Wesleyan Methodists closer to the Liberal party.. Source: Encyclopedia of World Methodism and Who was Who 1897-1914