When the tide turned
for Wesley
Based on Wesley's
Diary
Copyright © 2025, Odilon Massolar Chaves
All rights reserved to the author.
It is allowed to read, copy and share for free
Article 184 of the Penal Code and Law 96710 of
February 19, 1998.
Book based on John Wesley's explanatory notes on
the Bible
Books published in the Wesleyan Digital Library:
458
Books published by the author: 566
Booklets: 3
Address: https://www.blogger.com/blog/stats/week/2777667065980939692
Translator: Google
All glory to God!
Odilon Massolar Chaves is a retired Methodist pastor, with a doctorate
in Theology and History from the Methodist University of São Paulo.
His thesis dealt with the Methodist revival in England in the eighteenth
century and its contribution as a paradigm for our days.
He was editor of the official Methodist newspaper and coordinator of the
Theology Course.
Copyright Statement: These files are in the public domain and are
derived from an electronic edition that is available on the Ethereal Library of
Christian Classics website.
Rio de Janeiro –
Brazil
===============================
Table of Contents
· Introduction
· Summary of the book's chapters
·
Time with nephews, a
Lord friend and children
·
Death of wife,
protective angels and no time to rest
· The tide turned, pleasant weather
· Caring for the poor
·
Seeking to protect
the present generation
· Letters to nephews
· Investing in Methodism in America
·
Wesley at the age of
83
===============================
Introduction
===============================
"When the tide
turned" is an expression of Wesley, stating that now he and Methodism were
no longer persecuted. On the contrary, the invitations for him to preach in
churches were so numerous that he could not attend to everyone.
On January 19, 1783,
a Sunday, he said: "I preached in St. Thomas's Church in the afternoon,
and in St. Swithin's in the evening. The tide has now turned, and I have more
invitations to preach in churches than I can accept."
This book has 34
pages and is based on Wesley's diary, in the period of his early 80 years of
age
The chapters are
divided as follows: Summary of the chapters of the book; Time with nephews, a
Lord friend and children; Death of his wife, protective angels and no time to
rest; The tide turned, pleasant weather; Caring for the poor; Seeking to
protect the present generation; Letters to nephews; Investing in Methodism in
America; Wesley in his 83 years of age.
During this period,
he had the news of the death of his wife, who had abandoned him.
It was a time when
Wesley did not yet see difficulties in his health to minister: "My
eighty-third year of life. I'm in awe of myself. It is now twelve years since I
had any sense of weakness. I am never tired (such is the mercy of God!), both
writing and preaching, and traveling. One of the natural causes, without a
doubt, is my continuous exercise and the change of area. How the latter
contributes to health, I don't know, but it certainly did!"
A book based on
Wesley's Diary that shows his victorious trajectory in the period of his 80
years of life.
The Author
===============================
Summary of the book's
chapters
===============================
Time with nephews, a
Lord friend and children
I spent a pleasant
hour at my nephews' concert. But I felt a little out of my place, among
gentlemen and ladies. I love music and the company of the poor much more
Death of wife,
protective angels and no time to rest
Annex to Miss S.
Harvey has a nice garden and she has made a shady path around the neighbouring
prairies. How glad I would be to be able to rest while I am here. But rest is
not for me in this world! In the evening, many of the villagers had gathered,
so that the large hallway of their house was full. I would gladly hope that
some of them would receive the seed in fertile soil and bear fruit with
patience.
The tide turned,
pleasant weather
I preached at St.
Thomas's Church in the afternoon, and at St. Swithin's Church in the evening.
The tide has now turned, and I have more invitations to preach in churches than
I can accept.
Caring for the poor
Observing the deep
poverty of many of our brethren, I determined to do what I could to relieve
them. I spoke several times with some who were in good condition, and received
forty pounds. Then I inquired who were the most needy, and visited them in
their own homes. I was surprised to find no murmuring spirits among them, but
many were truly happy in God, and all seemed exceedingly grateful for the
scanty help they had received.
Seeking to protect
the present generation
May God permit me, if
possible, to protect the present generation from charting its way back to
perdition! Let all preachers who are still alive to God unite as one man, in
fasting and prayer, lifting up their voices like a trumpet; be present, in
season and out of season, to convince people that they are bankrupt; and
constantly exhorting them to repent and "do the first works." This is
especially true: to get up in the morning, without which neither their soul nor
body will be able to remain healthy.
Letters to nephews
"Many years ago
I observed that, as it pleased God to give you a remarkable talent for music,
so he had given you a shrewd apprehension of other things, an ability to make
some progress in learning, and (what is of far greater value) a desire to be a
Christian.
But in the meantime,
I have often suffered for you, fearing that you have not followed the right
path.
Investing in
Methodism in America
After it became clear
to me, I took action, which had been weighing my mind for some time, and
appointed Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey to serve the desolate sheep in America
Wesley at the age of
83
My eighty-third year
of life. I'm in awe of myself. It is now twelve years since I had any sense of
weakness. I am never tired (such is the mercy of God!), both writing and
preaching, and traveling. One of the natural causes, without a doubt, is my
continuous exercise and the change of area. How the latter contributes to
health, I don't know, but it certainly did!
===============================
Time with nephews, a
Lord friend and children
I spent a pleasant
hour at my nephews' concert. But I felt a little out of my place, among
gentlemen and ladies. I love music and the company of the poor much more
===============================
23/01/1780 – Sunday.
An Appeal of the Protestant Association to the People
of Great Britain
In the evening I
retired to Lewisham, to prepare a piece (who could believe it) for a monthly
magazine. January 12, 1780 City Road "To the Editor of the 'Public
Advertiser'".
Sir, "Some years
ago, I was sent a pamphlet entitled "An Appeal of the Protestant
Association to the People of Great Britain." [1]
12/16 – Saturday
(London).
I received a second message from Lord George Gordon,
sincerely wishing to see me
1781
01/25 – Thursday.
I spent a pleasant hour at my nephews' concert. But I
felt a little out of my place, among gentlemen and ladies. I love music and the
company of the poor much more
06/28 – Thursday.
Today I am seventy-nine years old, and, by the grace
of God, I feel no more infirmities in my old age than I did when I was
twenty-nine years old.
I preached at eleven o'clock in the main
street in Selby to a large and quiet congregation; and, in the afternoon, in
Thorne. Today I am seventy-nine years old, and, by the grace of God, I feel no
more infirmities in my old age than I did when I was twenty-nine years old.
09/11 – Friday.
I went to Kingswood. Sweet recess! Where all things
now are as I hope
I went to Kingswood.
Sweet recess! Where all things now are as I expect. But "man was not born
to lie down in the shade. Let's work now, so we can rest later."
09/12 – Saturday.
I spent time with the kids
I spent some time
with the children and they all behaved well. Several of them are quite
conscious, and few rejoice in God's favor.
===============================
Death of wife,
protective angels and no time to rest
Annex to Miss S.
Harvey has a nice garden and she has made a shady path around the neighbouring
prairies. How glad I would be to be able to rest while I am here. But rest is
not for me in this world! In the evening, many of the villagers had gathered,
so that the large hallway of their house was full. I would gladly hope that
some of them would receive the seed in fertile soil and bear fruit with
patience.
===============================
1 782
10/11 – Friday.
I went to London and was told that my wife died on
Monday
I went to London and
was informed that my wife died on Monday. That afternoon he was buried, though
he was not informed of it until a day or two later.
03/29 – Friday. (Good
Friday).
While we were ministering, I heard a low, light,
solemn sound, just like that of an Aeolian harp
I arrived at Macclesfield, in time enough to
attend Mr. Simpson on the laborious service of the day. I preached to him
morning and afternoon, and we administered the sacrament to about one hundred
and thirteen people. While we were ministering, I heard a low, light, solemn
sound, just like that of an Aeolian harp. He continued for five or six minutes,
and so touched many that they could not hold back their tears. He gradually
disappeared. Strange that no organist (that I know of) has thought of that. In
the evening, I preached in our home. Here there was such harmony that art could
not imitate.
05/14 – Tuesday.
In three of
these factories, no more lust or profanity were found, because God has put a
new song on their lips, and blasphemies have been turned into prayers
A few years ago, four spinning and weaving
factories were established at Epworth. In these, a large number of young women,
boys, and girls were employed. All his talk was profane and irresponsible, down
to the last degree. But some, finding themselves by chance in a prayer meeting,
were suddenly stabbed in their hearts. They never had rest until they managed
to win their companions. The whole scene was changed. In three of these
factories, no more lust or profanity were found, because God has put a new song
on their lips, and blasphemies have been turned into prayers. I visited these
three factories today and made sure that religion touched them deeply. No
frivolous words were heard, and they looked at each other with love. It was
exceedingly good to have been there, and we rejoiced together in the God of our
salvation.
06/1 – Saturday.
I spent some time with forty poor children whom Lady
Maxwell keeps in school
I spent some time
with forty poor children whom Lady Maxwell keeps in school. They were promptly
put into reading and writing and learned the principles of religion. But I
observed in them all the love of refinement. Even if they are poor, they must
have some fragment of finesse. Many don't have shoes on their feet, but ragged
girls don't go without their puckers. 06/15 (in Kelso).
As I was going down the stairs, the carpet slipped
under my feet and, I don't know how, turned me around, throwing me backwards,
with my head first, up six or seven steps
As I was coming down the stairs, the carpet
slipped under my feet and, I don't know how, turned me around, throwing me
backwards, with my head first, six or seven steps. It was impossible to recover
until I reached the ground. My head bounced, once or twice, from the edge of
the stone stairs, but I felt as if I had fallen on a cushion or a pillow.
Has not God commanded his angels to watch over us, to
keep us in all our ways?
Dr. Douglas ran,
quite distressed, but it was not necessary. I got up as well as ever, having
suffered no injury except the skinning of one or two of my fingers. Has not God
commanded his angels to watch over us, to keep us in all our ways?
14/07/1782 – Sunday.
The preacher spoke out very vehemently against these
"brainless and itinerant fanatics"
I heard a sermon in the old Church of
Birmingham in which the preacher expressed himself very vehemently against
these "brainless and itinerant fanatics," but he lost his
authenticity altogether, and had not the slightest conception of the persons
whom he intended to describe. [2]
07/17 – Wednesday.
But rest is not for me in this world!
I went to Leicester; Tuesday the 18th to
Northhampton, and on Friday the 19th to Hinxworth in Hertfordshire. Annex to
Miss S. Harvey has a nice garden and she has made a shady path around the
neighbouring prairies. How glad I would be to be able to rest while I am here.
But rest is not for me in this world! In the evening, many of the villagers had
gathered, so that the large hallway of their house was full. I would gladly
hope that some of them would receive the seed in fertile soil and bear fruit
with patience.
===============================
The tide turned,
pleasant weather
I preached at St.
Thomas's Church in the afternoon, and at St. Swithin's Church in the evening.
The tide has now turned, and I have more invitations to preach in churches than
I can accept.
===============================
1783
01/01 – Wednesday.
May I begin to live
today!
5/01/1783 – Sunday.
We meet
to renew our commitment to God.
We meet to renew our
commitment to God. We have never met on such an occasion as this, without a
blessing; but I don't know if we ever had such a large congregation. [3]
01/19 – Sunday.
The tide
has now turned, and I have more invitations to preach in churches than I can
accept
I preached at St.
Thomas's Church in the afternoon, and at St. Swithin's Church in the evening.
The tide has now turned, and I have more invitations to preach in churches than
I can accept. [4]
02/21 – Friday.
But this is nothing to me
At our annual
meeting, we looked at our annual accounts and made sure that the money (just
for expenses) was more than £3,000 for the year. But this is nothing to me;
What I get from it, annually, is nothing more, nothing less, than thirty
pounds.
03/23 – Sunday.
I got a friend to give me electric shocks, all over my
body, through my legs and chest, several times a day
Finding that I was
still feverish, with an oppression in my chest and a continual tendency to
cramp, I got a friend to give me electric shocks, all over my body, through my
legs and chest, several times a day. God blessed this, so that I had no more
fever or cramp, nor oppression and stiffness in my breast. In the afternoon I
ventured to preach three-quarters of an hour, and found no injurious effect of
it.
03/25 – Tuesday.
Here I came across Dr. Horne's "Commentary on the
Psalms"
In the afternoon I
reached Hilton-Park, about six miles north of Wolberhampton. Here I came across
Dr. Horne's "Commentary on the Psalms." I cannot yet comprehend his
aggrandizement of the Psalms. They seem even more important to him than the New
Testament. In some of them he hardly makes any comment on it, the
eighty-seventh in particular.
05/23 – Friday.
I thought,
"Even this can be a reason for prayer," and I left excitedly. The
horse, instead of getting worse, got better and better
I set out for Derby,
but the blacksmith had so definitely incapacitated one of my horses that many
told me that he would never be in a condition to travel again. I thought,
"Even this can be a reason for prayer," and I left excitedly. The
horse, instead of getting worse, got better and better, and in the afternoon
(after having preached at Leek on the way) he brought me safely to Derby.
07/01 – Tuesday.
I visited as many friends as possible, and we left
with great affection
That opened up a new path for me, because it was a new
world
This opened a new
path for me, because it was a new world, where the land, the buildings, the
people, the customs, were such as I had never seen before. But those with whom
I conversed were of the same spirit as my friends in England, and I was much
more at home in Utrecht and Amsterdam than in Bristol or London.
07/06/1783 – Sunday.
We rejoice to meet once again our English friends
We rejoiced to meet
once more with our English friends in the new chapel, and to see that they were
refreshed by the report of the gracious work which God is working in Holland
also. [5]
07/19 – Tuesday.
Our conference began, in which two important points
were considered: first, the case of the Birstal House and; second, the state of
Kingswood School.
===============================
Caring for the poor
Observing the deep
poverty of many of our brethren, I determined to do what I could to relieve
them. I spoke several times with some who were in good condition, and received
forty pounds. Then I inquired who were the most needy, and visited them in
their own homes. I was surprised to find no murmuring spirits among them, but
many were truly happy in God, and all seemed exceedingly grateful for the scant
help they had received
element.===============================
08/05 – Tuesday.
Early in the morning, I was taken with the most
impetuous flow. Within hours, he was joined by a violent and almost continuous
cramp
Early in the morning,
I was taken with the most impetuous flow. Within a few hours, he joined a
violent and almost continuous cramp; First, on my feet, legs, and thighs, then
on my side and my throat.
Considering the
extreme case, a grain and a half of opium was given to me, in three doses. This
especially stopped the cramp, but at the same time it took away my speech,
hearing, and power of locomotion, and stopped me from head to foot; so that I
lay down as a mere stump.
For a few days I grew worse and worse, but on Friday I
was removed to Mr. Castleman's house
I sent a message to
Dr. Drummond who, from that moment on, answered me twice a day. For a few days
I grew worse and worse, but on Friday I was removed to Mr. Castleman's house.
However, my head was not affected and I had no pain, despite a continuous fever.
But I continued slowly to recover, so that I could
read or write an hour or two at a time
But I continued
slowly to recover, so that I could read or write an hour or two at a time. On
Wednesday, the 13th, I had a vomit, which almost tore me to pieces, but
nevertheless did me good. On Sunday, the 17th, and the whole of the following
week, my fever gradually subsided, but I had continual thirst and little or no
strength.
I spent an hour with the convicts, and, finding that
it had not worsened, on Sunday, the 24th, I preached in the new Hall, morning
and afternoon.
Nevertheless, because
I did not wish to be unoccupied, Saturday, the 23rd, I spent an hour with the
convicts, and, finding that it had not worsened, on Sunday, the 24th, I
preached in the new Hall, morning and afternoon. And as my strength was now, in
some measure, restored, I determined not to delay any longer, and to set out on
Monday, the 25th, reaching Gloucester in the afternoon. In the afternoon I
preached at the Town Hall, and I believe it was not in vain. [6]
09/03/1783 – Wednesday.
They all advised me to start preaching there
I consulted with the
preachers as to how best it would be to proceed with the trustees at the
Bristal House, to persuade them to establish the Methodist plans. They all
advised me to start preaching there. So I preached on Thursday afternoon and
met with society. I preached again on Sunday. On Friday, the 5th, about nine
o'clock, I met with nineteen healers, and, after exhorting them in peace and
love, said: [7]
"All I wish is that this house may be established
under the Methodist plans
"All I desire is
that this house may be established under Methodist plans; and that the same
clause which is inserted in the rules of the London Chapel, shall be inserted
also in the rules of this house, namely: 'In case the doctrine or practice of any
preacher, in the opinion of the majority of the trustees, is not in accordance
with Mr. Wesley's Sermons and Notes on the New Testament, another preacher
shall be sent in three months.'" Five of the trustees were eager to accept
our first proposals; the rest did not. Although it did not obtain the proposed
purpose and, in this sense, only my work for my pains; Still, I don't regret
the trip.
I did my part; that others carry their own burdens
I did my part; let
others carry their own burdens. Returning almost by the same route, I arrived
on Saturday, the 13th, and reached Bristol. In the same way I received a good
reward for my labors, the recovery of my health through a journey of five or six
hundred miles.
09/26 – Friday.
Observing the deep poverty of many of our brethren, I
determined to do what I could to relieve them. I spoke several times with some
who were in good condition, and received forty pounds.
Observing the deep
poverty of many of our brethren, I determined to do what I could to relieve
them. I spoke several times with some who were in good condition, and received
forty pounds. Then I inquired who were the most needy, and visited them in
their own homes. I was surprised to find no murmuring spirits among them, but
many were truly happy in God, and all seemed exceedingly grateful for the
scanty help they had received.
1/10 – Wednesday.
All my spare time this week I have spent in visiting
the rest of the poor and asking for them
I preached in Bath to such a congregation as I
had not seen there for a long time. All my spare time this week I spent in
visiting the rest of the poor and asking for them. By this I collected about
fifty pounds, and was able to relieve most of those who were in great distress.
10/27 – Monday.
Above twenty years, she has been a class and group
leader and extremely useful
I spoke with M.F. I
have never heard of such a case before. She was in society almost from the
beginning. He found peace with God twenty-five years ago. And the pure love of
God, a few years later.
Above twenty years
she has been a class and group leader and extremely useful. Ten months ago, she
was accused of drinking and revealing her friend's secret. Informed of this, I
wrote to Norwich (as I believed the charge), that she should no longer be the
leader of a group or a class. The preacher later told her that at her trial she
was unfit to be a member of society. With this, she returned her entry permit,
along with the papers of the group and her class. Immediately, all her friends
(of whom it seemed she had a large number) left her at once. No one knew about
her, nor spoke to her. She was like a dead thing forgotten by everyone!
Thus, we expelled one of the most useful leaders
On probing more
specifically, I made sure that Mrs. W (formerly an ordinary woman) had revealed
her own secret to Dr. Hunt and twenty other people. So the first accusation
disappeared into thin air. As to the second, I truly believe that the
drunkenness of which she was accused, was in reality a fall due to a
convulsion. So we kicked out one of the most helpful leaders we've had for
those wonderful reasons!
11/19 – Wednesday.
In the year 1760, I weighed one hundred and twenty-two
pounds
I went once more to a pleasant family in
Shoreham. For a little while longer that venerable man has been permitted to
remain here, that the flock may not be dispersed. When I was at Sevenoaks, I
made a curious observation. In the year 1760, I weighed one hundred and
twenty-two pounds; in 1783, I weigh not a pound more or less. I doubt that an
example like this will be found in Britain
12/31 – Wednesday,
We concluded the year in the new chapel
We concluded the year in the new chapel, with
voices of praise and thanksgiving.
===============================
Seeking to protect
the present generation
May God permit me, if
possible, to protect the present generation from charting its way back to
perdition! Let all preachers who are still alive to God unite as one man, in
fasting and prayer, lifting up their voices like a trumpet; be present, in
season and out of season, to convince people that they are bankrupt; and
constantly exhorting them to repent and "do the first works." This is
especially true: to get up in the morning, without which neither their soul nor
body will be able to remain healthy.
===============================
1784
02/14 – Saturday.
I asked all our preachers to meet and consider the
proposal to send missionaries to the East Indies
I have asked all our
preachers to meet and consider the proposal to send missionaries to the East
Indies. After the matter was thoroughly considered, we were unanimous in our
judgment that we received no call to go there, no invitation, no providential openness
of any kind.
03/15 – Monday.
Abandon this practice, and Methodism will degenerate
into a mere sect
I left Bristol after
preaching at five o'clock in the afternoon, and preached at Stroud, where, to
my surprise, I found the morning preaching abandoned, as well as in the
neighbouring places. If this is the situation while I am alive, what will
happen when I am gone? Abandon this practice, and Methodism will degenerate
into a mere sect, differing only by a few opinions and modes of worship.
04/05 – Monday.
I was surprised, when I arrived in Chester, to find
that there too the morning preaching was almost entirely abandoned
I was surprised, when
I arrived in Chester, to find that there too the morning preaching was almost
entirely abandoned for this reason: "because the people will not come, or
at least not in winter." Therefore, Methodists are bankrupt people.
Here's the proof. They had "lost their first love"
Here's the proof.
They had "lost their first love" and will never, nor can they regain
it, until they return to "do the first works." As soon as I set foot
in Georgia, I began to preach at five o'clock in the morning; and every communicant,
that is, every serious person in the city attended constantly during the year.
I mean, every morning, winter, or summer; less so in case of illness. They did
so until I left the province.
In the year 1738, when God began his great work in
England, I began preaching at the same hour—winter and summer—and I never
waited for the congregation
In the year 1738,
when God began his great work in England, I began preaching at the same
hour—winter and summer—and never waited for the congregation. If they did not
show up now, it is because they have lost their zeal and, in this case, I
cannot deny that they are fallen people. And in the meantime, we are working to
secure the preaching house for the next generation!
May God permit me, if possible, to protect the present
generation from charting its way back to perdition!
May God permit me, if
possible, to protect the present generation from charting its way back to
perdition! Let all preachers who are still alive to God unite as one man, in
fasting and prayer, lifting up their voices like a trumpet; be present, in
season and out of season, to convince people that they are bankrupt; and
constantly exhorting them to repent and "do the first works." This is
especially true: to get up in the morning, without which neither their soul nor
body will be able to remain healthy.
05/04 – Tuesday.
But many were dejected and weak to want the morning
preaching and prayer meetings, of which there are seldom traces in Scotland
I reached Alberdeen
between four and five in the afternoon. On Wednesday 5th, I made sure that the
morning preaching had been discontinued. Once again, the groups and the select
society became discouraged. But many were dejected and weak to want the morning
preaching and prayer-meetings, of which there are seldom traces in Scotland.
In the afternoon I spoke to the preachers, and showed
them the harm done to them and to the people, due to each preacher staying six
or eight weeks in one place
In the afternoon I spoke to the preachers, and
showed them the harm done to them and to the people, by each preacher staying
six or eight weeks in one place. Neither could he find a subject to preach
every morning and evening, nor would the people come to hear him. Consequently,
they did not mind staying in bed in the same way as people.
They immediately drew up such a plan for this Circuit,
which they determined to adopt
Whereas, if they
never stayed more than a fortnight in one place, they could find plenty of
subject matter and the people would pleasantly hear it. They immediately drew
up such a plan for this Circuit, which they determined to adopt.
===============================
Letters to nephews
"Many years ago
I observed that, as it pleased God to give you a remarkable talent for music,
so he had given you a shrewd apprehension of other things, an ability to make
some progress in learning, and (what is of far greater value) a desire to be a
Christian.
But in the meantime,
I have often suffered for you, fearing that you have not followed the right
path.
===============================
Samuel 'changed his religion'
Dundee, May 12, 1784
"To my nephew Charles Wesley" "Dear Charles, I do not doubt that
Sarah and you are in trouble because Samuel has 'changed his religion.' More
than that – he changed his opinions and way of worship. But this is not religion;
It's completely different. And you may ask, 'Has he not suffered some loss from
the change?' Yes, it is inexplicable loss; because their new opinion and mode
of worship are so unfavorable to religion as to make it, if not impossible to
one who once knew something better, exceedingly difficult.
'But what then, is religion?'
'But what then, is
religion?' It is happiness in God, or the knowledge and love of God. It is
'faith that works by love, producing righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy
Spirit.' In other words, it is a heart and life dedicated to God; or communion
with God the Father and the Son; or the mind that was in Jesus Christ, enabling
us to walk as he walked. Now, whether he has this religion or not. If he does,
he will not perish at last, notwithstanding the absurd and unscriptural
opinions he has embraced and the superstitious and idolatrous modes of worship.
But these are shackles that will greatly retard him in the race that is set
before him.
if he has not given his heart to God, the case is
inexpressibly worse.
If you do not have
this religion, if you have not given your heart to God, the case is
inexpressibly worse. I doubt he ever will; for his new friends will continually
endeavour to prevent him from putting anything in this place, encouraging him
to rest in form, notions, or outward things, without being born again, without
having Christ in him, the hope of glory, without being renewed after the image
of him who created him. This is mortal sin. I have often lamented that he has
not that holiness, without which no man can see the Lord, though he does not
possess it, yet, in his quiet hours of reflection, he does not expect to go to
heaven without it. But now he is taught, or will be taught, that he alone has
the right faith (i.e., such and such notions), and add to this such and such
outward things, and he is completely saved. He may, indeed, wallow in a few
years in the purgatory fire, but he will surely go to heaven in the end!"
But don't you have to grieve for yourselves? Have you
given God your hearts?
"Therefore, you
and my dear Sarah have a great need to grieve him. But don't you have to grieve
for yourselves? Have you given God your hearts? Are you holy at heart? Do you
have the kingdom of God within you? Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit? The only true religion under heaven? Oh, cry out to him who is mighty
to save, for this necessary thing! Sincerely and diligently use all the means
that God has abundantly placed in your hands! On the other hand, I will not be
surprised, if God allows you to also abandon it for a strong delusion.
neither you nor he can ever enter into glory, except
you are clean from all pollution of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in
the fear of God!"
But whether or not
you are a Protestant or a Papist, neither you nor he can ever enter into glory,
except you are clean from all pollution of flesh and spirit, and perfect
holiness in the fear of God!"
I am, dear Charles,
your affectionate uncle, J. Wesley, August 19, 1784.
"Many years ago I observed that how it pleased
God to give him a remarkable talent for music
Samuel Wesley,
"As I have been concerned since you were a little child, I have often
thought of writing to you. I am persuaded that what is spoken of in love will
be received with love, and if so, if it does not do you any good, it will not
do you any harm either."
"Many years ago
I observed that, as it pleased God to give you a remarkable talent for music,
so he had given you a shrewd apprehension of other things, an ability to make
some progress in learning, and (what is of far greater value) a desire to be a
Christian.
I feared you weren't born again
But in the meantime, I have often suffered for
you, fearing that you have not followed the right path. I do not say with
respect to this or that series of Protestant or Catholic opinions (all of which
I trample under), but with respect to those more significant questions, which,
if you follow wrongly, whether Protestant or Papist, will perish eternally. I
feared that you had not been born again, and, 'except a man be born again,'
unless he believes in the Son of God, 'he cannot see the kingdom of heaven'; except
if he experiences that inner change from the earthly and sensual mind to the
mind that was in Jesus Christ. If you had fully understood the biblical
doctrine of the new birth, yes, and experienced it; if long ago you had used
the many opportunities to improve that which God has placed in your hand, while
you believed that both your father and I were teachers sent from God!
you may be saved in both, or damned in both, but I
fear you have not been born again; and unless he is born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God
But, alas! What are
you now?" "If I do not worry about this church or that, you may be
saved in both, or condemned in both, but I fear you have not been born again;
and unless he is born again, he will not be able to see the kingdom of God. You
believe that the Church of Rome is correct. So what? If it was not born of God,
it is not of any church. Whether Bellarmine or Luther are right, he is not
renewed in the spirit of his mind in the likeness of him who created him."
"I doubt you were ever convinced of the need for this great change.
And there's now a greater danger than you were in
And there is now a
greater danger than the one you were in; that you are led astray from thought
by a series of new notions, new practices, new modes of worship. All that, if
put together (do not consider whether they are biblical, superstitious, and idolatrous
or not), all, I tell you, if put together, do not correspond to a grain of
true, vital, spiritual religion."
"Oh, Sammy, you're out of your way!
"Oh, Sammy,
you're out of your way! You are out of God's way! You're not giving him your
heart. You haven't found it. It would be good if he had, in the same way,
sought happiness in God! And the poor Zealots, while you are in this state of
mind, will confuse you concerning this or the other church! Fools are blind!
Such guides as these lead men through hidden dangers into the endless pit.
My dear Sammy, your first point is to repent and
believe the Gospel
My dear Sammy, your
first point is to repent and believe the Gospel." "Recognize yourself
as a poor, guilty and powerless sinner! So, get to know Jesus Christ and him
crucified! Allow the Spirit of God to testify with your spirit that you are a
child of God and let the love of God fill your heart, through the Holy Spirit
that is given to you; and then, if I have no better work, I will talk to you
about transubstantiation or purgatory. In the meantime, I commend him to him
who is able to guide him into the whole truth; and I am, dear Sammy." Your
affectionate uncle J. Wesley 9/1 – Wednesday.
===============================
Investing in
Methodism in America
After it became clear
to me, I took action, which had been weighing my mind for some time, and
appointed Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey to serve the desolate sheep in America
===============================
I have appointed Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey to serve
the desolate sheep in America
After it became clear
to me, I took action, which had been weighing my mind for some time, and
appointed Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey to serve the desolate sheep in America
09/02 – Thursday.
I added to them three others
I have added to them three others, who truly,
I believe, will do much for the glory of God.
09/30 – Thursday.
long conversation with John M'Geary, one of our
American preachers
I had a long
conversation with John M'Geary, one of our American preachers who had just
arrived in England. He gave a pleasing account of God's work there, continually
increasing and vehemently importing me to pay a visit to America before my
death. I will make no visit to the new world until I go to the world of
spirits.
11/29 – Wednesday.
The Presbyterian minister offered me the use of his
temple, and I gladly accepted
I met the amiable Mr.
George, formerly a member of the London society. The Presbyterian minister
offered me the use of his temple, and I gladly accepted. This was able to
welcome, I believe, about as many people as the Chapel in West-Street, but it
was not even close to containing the congregation. And God hath uttered his
voice, yes, and that mighty voice; Neither the sadness nor the joy that was
felt that night will be quickly forgotten.
Two
dear souls
12/20 – Monday. I
went to Hinxworth, where I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Simeon, a Fellow of
King's College, Cambridge. He spent some time with Mr. Fletcher at Madeley; two
dear souls, very much resembling each other in the fervor of the spirit and in
the sincerity of their speech. He gave me the pleasant information that there
are three parishes in Cambridge, where the true Bible religion is preached, and
several young people are happy to participate in it.
12/31 – Friday.
We had a solemn night of vigil and foreshadowed the
new year with prayer and thanksgiving
We had a solemn night
of vigil and foreshadowed the new year with prayer and thanksgiving. January
1st. Whether this is the last one or not, may it be the best year of my life!
1785
01/04 – Tuesday.
On this occasion, we usually distribute coal and bread
among the poor of society
On this occasion, we usually distribute coal
and bread among the poor of society. But now I see that they need clothes as
much as food. So today, and in the days that followed, I walked through the
city and asked for two hundred pounds to buy clothes for those who need it
most. But this was hard work, because the streets were covered with melting
snow, which sank to my ankle, so that my feet were immersed in the melting snow
from morning until night. I resisted very well until Saturday afternoon, but I
was seized with a violent flow, which increased by the hour, until, at six
o'clock in the morning,
Dr. Whitehead came to see me
Dr. Whitehead came to
see me. Their first inhalation did me a lot of good, and three or four more
perfected the healing. If he lives a few years, I hope he will be one of the
most eminent physicians in Europe. I assumed that my journeys this winter were over,
but I could not refuse one more, and on Tuesday, the 17th, I set out for poor
Colchester, to encourage the little flock. They had very little of the world's
goods, but many of them had the better portion.
because I
don't know where I saw such an ill-mannered congregation!
I preached morning
and afternoon in West Street, and in the evening in the chapel at
Knightsbridge. I think it will be the last time, because I don't know where I
saw such an ill-mannered congregation! [8]
03/24 – Thursday
(Worcester).
I've been considering how strangely the mustard seed
grain, planted fifty years ago, has grown
I've been considering how strangely the
mustard seed grain, planted fifty years ago, has grown. It spread throughout
Britain and Ireland, to the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man, as well as to
America; from the Leeward Islands across the continent, from Canada and
Newfoundland. And societies, in all these parts, walk by a rule, knowing that
religion is holy behavior; striving to worship God, not only in form, but
equally "in spirit and in truth."
06/28 – Tuesday.
===============================
Wesley at the age of
83
My eighty-third year
of life. I'm in awe of myself. It is now twelve years since I had any sense of
weakness. I am never tired (such is the mercy of God!), both writing and
preaching, and traveling. One of the natural causes, without a doubt, is my
continuous exercise and the change of area. How the latter contributes to
health, I don't know, but it certainly did!
===============================
By the good providence of God, I finished my
eighty-second year of life
By the good
providence of God, I finished my eighty-second year of life. Is there anything
too difficult for him? It is now eleven years since I felt such a thing as
tiredness; I often speak until my voice fails and I can't speak anymore. I
often walk until my strength is exhausted and I cannot go any further; Still, I
don't feel a feeling of tiredness, but I'm perfectly fine from head to toe. I
do not attribute all this to a natural cause, but to the will of God.
09/14 – Thursday.
There are many corrections like this in this
translation.
I preached in the
afternoon in the ancient Temple on Psalm 74:12. In the old translation it goes
like this: "The help that is done upon the earth, God doeth it
himself". A glorious and important truth! In the new translation, "By
working salvation on the earth." What a wonderful correction! There are
many corrections like this in this translation. One would think that King James
himself put them on.
1786
02/05 – Sunday.
I read Dr. Stuart's book, "History of
Scotland"
This week, while
traveling, I read Dr. Stuart's book, "History of Scotland". He is a
writer indeed! Far above Dr. Robertson, as much as Dr. Robertson is above
Oldmixon. He asserts beyond suspicion, that the accusations against Queen Mary
were utterly unfounded; that she was vilely betrayed by her own servants, from
beginning to end; and that she was not only one of the best princesses in
Europe, but one of the most irreproachable; yes, and of the most pious women!
06/28 – Wednesday.
My eighty-third year of life. I'm in awe of myself
My eighty-third year
of life. I'm in awe of myself. It is now twelve years since I had any sense of
weakness. I am never tired (such is the mercy of God!), both writing and
preaching, and traveling. One of the natural causes, without a doubt, is my
continuous exercise and the change of area. How the latter contributes to
health, I don't know, but it certainly did!
06/30 – Friday.
They were then ready to tear any Methodist preacher to
pieces. Now, not even a dog barks
I took leave of
Barnsley, formerly famous for all manner of wickedness. They were then ready to
tear any Methodist preacher to pieces. Now, not even a dog barks. I preached
near the market square to a large congregation, and I believe the word
penetrated many hearts. They seemed to drink every word. Certainly, God has a
people in this place.
07/01 – Saturday.
where a gentleman built a neat preaching house for the
poor, at his own expense
I proceeded to
Bramley, about four miles from Sheffield, where a gentleman built a neat
preaching house for the poor, at his own expense. As the warning was quick, I
had no need to preach in the vicinity. The congregation was deeply serious as
they expounded what it was to build on rock and what it was to build on sand.
"Getting up early is good for nerves!"
In the afternoon I
spoke very clearly to a packed audience in Sheffield about: "Now is the
time to wake up or sleep." One of the listeners wrote me an anonymous
letter about this. But he could remember nothing of the sermon, except that
"getting up early is good for the nerves!" [9]
===============================
[1] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[2] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[3] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[4] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[5] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[6] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[7] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[8] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
[9] The Diary of John Wesley, the
Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.
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