The B. L. Fisher Library at Asbury Theological Seminary is pleased to announce it has recently acquired the Bennis Collection, an Irish Methodist archive of original letters to and from Eliza Bennis. She was actively involved in the growth and maintenance of Methodism in Ireland, keeping John Wesley informed of developments there and encouraging many dispirited missionaries by her sound and independent advice. One of the "mothers" of Methodism, Bennis was among the first Methodist converts in Limerick and was a regular correspondent of John Wesley, John Stretton (apostle of Methodism in Newfoundland) and other important figures in the early Methodist movement. "This is a significant acquisition," declared Kenneth J. Collins, Professor of Wesley Studies and Historical Theology and Director of the Wesleyan Studies Summer Seminar. "It is indicative of Asbury Theological Seminary's increasing leadership among Wesleyan-Evangelical institutions and demonstrates our commitment to serious scholarship in the field of Wesleyan studies."
