that the letter publilhed in that Journal,

that the letter publilhed in that Journal,

C " 8 ) reader, who may wifh for more accurate information, to the third Journal, page 29 to 2>7 of the fifth edition, printed in 1775. It is however to be obferved* that the letter publilhed in that Journal,

?S only an. abridgement of the original, and fuch an abridgement as has confiderably defaced it, by the omiffion of fome of it's moft nervous and pointed expreffions.

After allowing, in the beginning of the letter his father's pofition, " that the glory of God, and the different ways of promoting it, are to be our fole confideration and direclion in the choice of any courfe of life," he obferves "that courfe of life tends moft to the glory of God, in which we can moft promote hoiinefs in ourfelves and others;" and lays it down as incontrovertible, that " whatever ftate is beft for an individual, muft https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) be bed for thofe who are to be inftruftcd by him."

He then goes on to (how, that Oxford mult be beft for him, and conduce mofl to his improvement, becaufe there he enjoyed the converfation of his feled friends, retirement, freedom from care and from unprofitable company, befide the advantages of public prayers twice a day, and weekly communion. Speaking of retirement, he introduces a reflection, which, were it not evident that he is perfectly ferious, might be confidered as a ftroke of humour. " I have not only as much, but as little company as I pleafc.

I have no fuch {hing as a trifling vifitant, except about an hour in a month, when I invite SOME OF THE FELLOWS to breakfaft.

Unlefs at that one time, no one ever takes it into his head to fet foot within my door, except he has fome buVOL. I.

I https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

C '30 ) finefs of importance to communicate to me, or I to him. And then, as foon as he has difpatched his bufinefs, he immediately takes his leave."

Without his prefent advantages, he contends, that it would not be pofliblc for him to guard * ibr one month' againfl: intemperance in eating, drinking, and fleeping ; againfl irregularity in fludy; againfl lukewarmnefs in his affections and remiflhefs in his actions; and againfl foftnefs and felf-indulgence, which he infifts, is " dire&ly oppofite to that difcipline and hardfhip which become a foldier of Jefus Chrifl."

From thefe confiderations he fuppofes, that was he otherwife circumflanced,hemuflbecome "an eafy prey to any impertinent company, to the cares of the world and the defire of other things, which would then roll back upon him with a full tide :" and https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

he therefore concludes, that his refidencc at Oxford was of abfolute neceflity and importance, and with him, related not merely to " (he degrees of perfection, but to the very effencc and exiflencc" of his religious character ; Agitur dc vita et fanguuie Tumi.

" The point is, whether I (hall, or fliall not work out my falvation ; whether I fhall ferve Chrift or Belial."

Fromthefeobfervations,with regard to himfelf, he proceeds to an acknowledgment, that '* God has made us for a focial life, to which academical fludies are only preparatory;" and adds, that "there is not fo contemptible an animal upon earth, as one that drones away life, without ever labouring to promote the glory of God and the good of man; that a fuperlative degree of contempt is, on all accounts, due to a college drone j a I 2 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

wretch that hath received ten talents, and employs none; that is not only promifed a reward by his gracious Matter* but is paid before hand for his worfc. by his generous founder, and yet works not at all; and that it is impoffible to fay enough againfl: the drowfy ingratitude, the lazy perjury of thofe, who are called harmlefs or good fort of men, a fair proportion of whom I mud to our (hame confefs, are to be fqund in colleges."

He does not however conclude ht« philippic without putting in an exception.

" This will not conclude againft a college life in general. For the abufe does not deftroy the ufe. Though there are fome here, who are the lumber of the creation, \t does not follow, that others may not be of more fervice to the world in this Ration, than they could in any other." Among other inftances, he fup. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 133 ) pofes it may be fo with himfelf; for, fays he, " I can be holier here than any where elfe, if I faithfully ufe the bleffings

I enjoy.

And to prove, that the holier any man is himfelf, the more he will promote holinefs in others, there needs r.o more than this one poftulatum ; '* the help which is done upon earth, God doth it himfelf."

If fo ; if God be the fole agent in healing fouls, and man only the inftrument in his hand, there can no doubt be made, that the more holy a man is, he will make ufe of him the more, bccaufe he is more willing to be tiled; becaufe, the more pure he is, he is the fitter inftrument for the God of purity ; becaufe he will pray more, and more earnestly, that he may be employed, and that his fervice may tend to his

Matter's glory ; becaufe all his prayers, for employment and fuccefs therein, will https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( '34 ) more feverety pierce the clouds; becaufe, the more his heart is enlarged, the wider fphere he may a& in without diflraclton f and laflly, becaufe the more his heart is renewed in the image of God, the more God can renew it in others by him, without deftroying him by pride or vanity."

Among other arguments, for which he concluded, that he ought to remain at Oxford, he adds what he calls " the plenteoufnefs of the harveft;" or, in other words, the opportunity he had of doing good. " Here, fays he, arc poor families to be relieved; children to be educated; work-houfes, in which both old and young want, and gladly receive the word of exhortation. Here are prifons to be vifited, wherein alone is a complication of all human wants : and laflly, here are the fchools of the prophets. Here https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

are tender minds to be formed and ftrengthencd ; babes in Chrift to be inftrutted and perfefted in all ufeful learning. Of thefe in particular we mud obferve, that he who gains only one, does thereby as much fervice to the world as he could do in a parifh in his whole life; for his name is legion ; in him are contained all thofe who (hall be converted by him. He is not a fmgle drop of the dew of heaven, but a river, to make glad the city of God."

The argument employed by his father, when he tells him that Epworth was a " a large fphcre of acYion, where he would have the charge of two thoufand fouls,'* he turns to his own purpofe.

" Two thoufand fouls! I fee not how any man living can take care of one hundred; at lead I could not; I know too well, • quid valeant humcri.' Becaufe the weight I https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

have already upon me is almoft more than I am able to bear, ought I to increafe it tenfold ?

" imponere Pelio Oflam Scilicet} atq. Oflse frondofum involvere Olympum."

To an objection, urged againft his refidcnce at Oxford, taken from the contempt and diflike, which he had acquired from his fingularittes, he gives an anfwer, that will furprife thofe who are not well acquainted with his manner of thinking on this fubjeft.

He not only denies that honour and reputation are receflary to ufefulnefs in the world, but contends, that every " true Chriflian will be contemned; that till he is fo, no man is in a (late of falvation ; and that contempt is abfolutely necefTary to his doing his full meafure of good in the world."

To eftablifh thefc pofitions, he adduces the example of Chrift and his apoftles, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) who were dcfptfed by wicked men; and quotes thefe expreffions of our Lord* w the fervant is not greater than bis lord*

If they have perfecuted me, they will alfo pcrfecute you. Becaufe ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

He concludes the whole in the following language, as animated as any we remember to have feen from his pen.

" Where then is the fcribe ? where is the difputer of this world ? where is the replier againft God, with his fage maxims, he that is defpifed, can do no good in the world. To be ufeful, a man mult be efteemed.

To advance the glory of God, you muft have a fair reputation.'

Saith the world fo ? But what faith the Scripture? Why, that God hath laughed the heathen tongues of wifdom to fcorn. It faith, that twelve defpifed followers of a defpifed mafler, all of whom https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( '38 ) were of no reputation, who were eftcemed as the filth and offfcouring of the world, did more good in it, than all the tribes of Ifrael. It faith, that the defpifed

Mafter of thefe defpifed followers left a ftanding direction to us and our children, c blefTed are ye/ not accurfed with the heavy curfe of doing no good, of being ufclefs in the world, • when men (hall revile you and persecute you, and fay alt manner of evil of you falfcly, for my name's fake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for greatis your reward in heaven.'

Thefe are part of my reafons for chufing to abide, till I am better informed, in the Ration wherein God has placed me. As for the flock committed to your care, whom, for many years, you have diligently fed * with the fincere milk of the word,' I truft in God your labour fiiall not be in vain, either to yourhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

felF or them. Many of them the Great Shepherd has, by your hand delivered from the band of the deftroyer; fom<r of whom are already entered into peace, and fome remain unto this day For yourfelf, I doubt not, but when your * warfare is accompliflied,' when you arc

made perfect through fuffcrings,' you fhall come to your grave, not with forrow, but as a (hock of corn, full of years and vi&ories; and he that took care of the poor fheep before you was born, -vill not forget them when you are dead."

The reply to this is by Samuel WefIcy, junior, and dated Devon, February 81734-5- " Your friends, retirement, frequent ordinances, and freedom from care, are great bleffings. All, except the laft, you may expect in a lower degree elfewhere.

Sure all your labours are rot come to https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

C 140 ) this, that more is absolutely neceflary for you, for the very being of your Chriftian life, than for the falvation of all the parifh priefts in England!

'Tis very ftrange!

" To the qlieftion, * what good have you done at Oxford,' you are not careful to anfwer j how comes it then, you are fo careful about the good you might do at Epworth ? * The help that is done on earth, he doth it himfelf,' is a full folution of that terrible difficulty.

" The impoffibility of return, the certainty of being difliked by them that now cry you up, and the fmall comparative good my father has done, are good prudential reafons ; but, I think, can hardly extend to confcience.

You * can leave Oxford when you will.* Not furely to fuch advantage. ' You have a probability of doing good there.' Will that https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

good be wholly undone, if you leave it?

Why Jhould you not leaven another lumpi " What you fay of contempt is no thing to the purpofe; for, if you will goto

Epworth, I'll anfwer for it, you fhall, in a competent time, be defpifcd as much as your heart can wifii. In your doctrine, you argue from a particular to a general. To be ufeful, a man mull be efteemed, is as certain as any proportion in Euclid; and I defy all mankind to produce one inftance of directly doing fpiritual good without it, in the whole book of God.

" You join to contempt, hatred and envy. But the firft is very hardly confident, the latter utterly incompatible

it; fince none can envy another, but for fomething he efteems.

" God, yrho provided for the flack https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

before, will do it after my father's death."

May he not fuffcr them to be what they once were, almoft heathens ? And may not this be prevented by your miniftry?

" It could never enter into my head, thatyoucoutdrefufeonany other ground, than a general rcfolution againft a cure of fouls. I (hall give no pofitive reafon for it, till my firft is anfwered.

The order of the church (lakes you down; and the more you ftrugglc, will hold the faftcr. If there be fuch a thing as truth, I infift -upon it, you mutt, when opportunity offers, either perform that promife, or repent of it: utrum mavis ?"

This letter was anfwered as follows, on the 15th of the fame month.

Neither you nor I have any time to fpare ; fo I mud be as fhort as I can.

" There are two questions between https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 143 ) us, one relating to being good; the oth;r to doing good. With regard to the for xner, you allow I enjoy more of friends, retuement, freedom from care, and .divine ordinances than I could elfewhere; and I add, 1.1 feel this to be butjuft. enough. 2. I have always found lefs than this to be too little for me ; and therefore, whatever others do, I could not throw up any part of it, without manifeft hazard to my falvation.

" As to the latter, I am not careful to anfwer what good I have done at Oxford, becaufe I cannot think of it, without the utmoft danger. I -am careful about what good I may do at Epworth, firft, becaufe

I can think of it without any danger at all; and fecondly, becaufe, as matters now ftand, I cannot avoid thinking cf it without fin. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

" Another can fupply my place at Epworth, better than at Oxford : and the good done here is of a far more diffufive nature. It is a more extendve benefit, to fweetenthe fountain, than to do the fame" to particular ftreams.

" To the objection, ' you arc defpifed at Oxford, therefore you can do no good there, I anfwer; firft, a Chriftian will be defpifed any where; fecondly, no one is a Chriftian, till he is defpifed; thirdly, his being defpifed will not hinder his doing good, but much further it, by making him a better Chriftian.

Without contradicting any of thefe propofitions, I allow, that every one, to whom you do good directly, muft efteem you firft or laft.

N. B. A man may defpife you for one thing ; hate you for a fecond j and envy you for a third. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( I4J ) " God may fuffer Epworth to be worfe than before." But I may not prevent it without hazard to my own foul.

" Your laft argument is ignaratio elenchi, or implies thefe two propofi tions; firft, " you revolt againft any parochial cure of fouls;" fecondly, " the prieft who does not undertake the firft parochial cure that offers, is perjured."

Let us add a third; " the tutor who, being in orders, never accepts a parifli, is perjured :" and then I deny all three."

The followinganfwer is without a date, but we may fuppofe it was returned immediately.

"You fay, 'you have but jufl enough/ Had ever man on earth more ? ' You have experienced lefs to be inefficient.'

Not in the courfe of the priefthood, to which you arc called. In that way I am Vox. I.

K https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

perfuadedj though * he that gathereth much hath nothing over ; yet he that gathereth little, hath no laac '

' There is danger in thinking of" the good you have done; but not of what youmay.' Vain glory lies both ways.

But the latter was your duty; fo was the former j unlefs you can compare two things, without thinking of one of them.

' The good at Oxford is more diffitfive.'

'Tis not that good you have promifed. You deceive yourfelf, if you imagine you do not think of what you have done. c Your want may be better fupplied at Epworth.' Not if my father is right in his fucceffions.

A Chriflian will be defpifed every where. No one is a Chriftian till he is fo. It will further liis doing good.'

If univerfal proportions, I deny them all.

Efteem goes before the good done, as https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

well as follows after it. * A man may both defpife and envy. '1 rue. He may have both a hot and cold fie of ague.

Contempt in general is no more compatible with, than necefTary to benefiting others.

" I faid plainly, I thought you had made a general refolution. As to taking the firft offer, I fuppofed an opportunity, a proper one; and now declare my judgment, mould you live ever fo long, in the ordinary courfe of providence, you can never meet another fo proper.

' An ordained tutor, who accepts not a cure is perjured.' Alter the term into, * who refolves not to accept,' and I'll maintain it, unlefs you can prove either of thefe two ; firft, * there is no obligation at taking orders ;" fecondly, ' this obligation is difpenfed with:' both which I utterly deny."

K 2 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) Such was the controverfy on this 'important occafion. We do not fcruple to call it important; for fuch it certainly

and fuch mint be every queftion, on the refult of which mail depend the choice of that fituation, which is to give it's colour to every future circumftance of life.

In one refpect, the difputants feem to have been well fuited to each other.

There was on both fides the ftrictefl: probity, and the moft unequivocal integrity and it is obvious, that the conduct of Mr

John Wefley was perfectly difmterefted.

At lead it was decidedly free from any bias on the fide of worldly intereft. The rectory of Epworth mull have been a fituation full as refpectable as a fellowfhip at Lincoln j and in all probability, confidering the ftrict difcipline of Mr Wefley, and the comparatively fmall https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

C '49 ) number of pupils he had under his tuition, more advantageous. Of the labour in either cafe, we mail fay nothing. Whatever had been his fituation, it would have made no difference with him. Such was the activity of his mind, and fuch his views of the neceffity of laborious ufefulnefs, that, whether he had accepted of a living, or retained his fellowfhip, he would equally have appeared,, as he was for more than fixty years, the moft diligent and induftrious of mankind.

This conceffion, which the fullefl: conviclion of his integrity has extorted, lays us under no neceffity of entirely approving his conduft, or of adjudging him the vi&ory in this debate. The judgment of moft of our readers, will give the right fide of the argument to the elder Mr Wefleys : and there are feveral reafons to incline us to the fame opiK3 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) nion. The injunctions of a veneiahle, declining parent, the welfare of a numerous and dependent family, and the unanimous concurrence of a whole parifh,are confutations of fuch moment, as to leave us no difficulty in fuppofing, that their voice was the voice of God. And on a review of his obje&ions, we cannot help thinking, that feveral of thefe were frivolous, and imaginary; that his religion had in it too much buttle and bufinefs, with too deep a tin&ure of aufterity; that, in fome inflapces, he impofed, both on himfelf and others, a yoke not unpofed in the Scriptures, and which human nature is little calculated to fupport; and that he conceived many things to be neceflary, which we greatly doubt whether they were fo, even in his cafe ; but arc certainly not neceflary to mankind in general. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

One exception we mud make in his favour. Tho' we think it not in human nature to defpife a good man, we are perfuaded that there is, in all countries, a defcription of men, fo naturally and fo univ-erfally wicked and corrupt, as to have conceived an invincible averfion to every thing thai is good. Perhaps we may go a flep farther. They hate it as much, becaufe it is good, as becaufe it is contrary to their own character and purfuits: and like the Athenian, who was out of all patience with hearing fo much of Ariftides the Jufi:, they arc ever ready to fliow their malignity againfl fuperior merit. But we hope, for the credit of humanity, that this is not defcriptive of a general charafter.

With this exception, we take the liberty of entering our caveat againfl one material part of Mr Wefley's argument. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

His reafonings on the fuppofition, that contempt Is neceflary to fuccefs in ther miniftry, though ably and mgenioiifly fupported, will fcarcely be aflented to.

It appears indeed fo contrary to nature and feeling, and is fo evidently oppofed by reafon and obfervation, that we know not how to admit it. From the hiftory of our Saviour and the Apoflles, it does not appear that their chief ufefulnefs wasin thofe places where they were defpifed and oppofed, but on the contrary, where they were mod efteemcd and carefled.

The contempt which St. Paul found among the Jews, was the reafon of his departure to the Gentiles : and we find it particularly noticed of one city, that our Lord could not do " many mighty works there, becaufe of their unbelief."

What is there underftood bv unbelief is https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

obvious. They rejected his miiiion-, and treated him with contempt.

Another circumftance to be obferved is, that Mr Wefley, as his brother takes notice, argues from a particular to a general. Becaufe the Jews, in the infancy of Chriftianity, hated Jefus Chrift and his Apoftles; and becaufe he had predicted, that they mould be expofed in the courfe of their miniftry to much perfecution, he thence infers that, in the more advanced ftages of Chriftianiry, the fame prejudices fliould remain, and every

Chriftbn be hated and defpifed by the majority of mankind. But it is by no means clear to us, that this reafoning will (land the teft.

It has been contradicted, in thoufands of inftances, by matter of faft.

Many have there been in all ages of the mod excellent characters, who not only did not fufier averfion and contempt, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) but were univerfally beloved and efteemed. We give Addifon as an example.

The cafe of the Apoltles was peculiar.

The downfal of fuperftitions almoft coeval with the world, the deflrucYion of polytheifm, and the extirpation of a religion, which the laxity, as well as abfurdity of it's principles, and the impurities which it not only tolerated, but enjoined, had rendered peculiarly pleafmg to the depraved and vicious tafte of it's votaries, were the avowed objefts of their million: fo that the oppofnion they had to contend with, might naturally be expe&ed.

We admit particular exceptions. There may be exempt cafes and peculiar occafions, when good men are not treated as they deferve. But in the prefent ftate of the world, we need not fcruole to fay, that where fuch perfons meet with decided and general oppofition,thefaultmufl in agreat https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) •meafure originate with themfelves. There is a want of prudence or abilities, or fome defeft in their judgment or deportment, which has a tendency to create diflike, and to fruftrate their good intentions. We fay this with the more confidence, as we fpeak from obfervation; having often heard fentiments from the pulpit, difguftingly abfurd and indefenfible; and having been witnefles to improprieties and extravagancies in religious characters, which, though they did not amount to immorality, could not fail of the effeft we have juft mentioned.

It may be remarked, by the way, that there has been of late much falfe reafoning on thefe fubjech, from an idea, that there mud be an exaft parallel between Chriflians of the prefent and apoftolic age, and between the minifters of every fubfcquent period, and the apofllcs themhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

felves.

An idea, thar> which nothing1 can be more abfurd. We might as wdi fay, that every Chriftian minifter mufl be as capable as they were of healing the fick or of railing the dead i That we ought to be as pious, as the primitive Chriflians, and the prefent minifters of religion as anxious for the falvation of mankind as the apoftles were, is indifputably true: but we deny, that fimilar piety mufl; be neceflarily produ&ive of limilar perfecution.

To fuppofe this, were to fuppofe, that to this moment, Chriftianity has done nothing for mankind ; that the increafe of religion does not check the fpirit of intolerance and perfecution ; and that the world is, in this age, as corrupt and flagitious, as illiberal and uninformed as in the carliefl: ages. All which is abfolutcly falfe. Religious reformation, and the progrefs of https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

learning and fcience have long been in a certain degree proportioned to each other. The improvements in the arts of peace; the numerous inflitutioni in air moll all countries, for humane and charitable purpofes; the more liberal manner in which war is conducted j with the comparatively fmall number who now /all a facrifice to the third of power and the ambition of princes, are full and unequivocal demonftrations of the mild and pacific influence of the religion of Jefus.

This is not all. The judgment of any candid and difpaffionate enquirer will at once decide upon thefe paradoxical pofitions ; " to be ufeful, you muft be defpifed.

The being contemned is abfolutely neceflary to a CSiriftian's doing his full meafure of good in the world." How fo ? Do men then go for inftrucYion to thofe they defpife ? Are we difpofed to https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

fubmit to the decifions of tbofe, whole principles we abhor, and whofe talents we hold in contempt^ It is iropoffi>ble. We muft of neceffity efteem a man who is ufeful to us; and the efteem muft be prior to the ufefulnefs.

That xt God will employ thofe moft, who are fitteft to be employed; that thofe are fitteft, who are moft holy; and that, as contempt is a glorious means of advancing holinefs, God will moft employ thofc who are'moil defptfed," is an argument that reminds us of the famous deduction of Themiftocles, by which he proved, that his little boy governed the world. The failure of one Jink deftroya the chain. Should it even be granted, that contempt may advance holinefif, which will require fome proof (fon we have no great idea of " Beelzebub cafting out Beelzebub") we are yet to rehttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

member, that a man may be fufficiently in contempt, without the lead capacity for public ufefulnefs: and that contempt is no fmall prefumption' againft him.

And though it fliould be granted, that a bad man may hate his more excellent neighbour for his piety and his excellencies, it is not in his power to defpife him.

Hatred and contempt are fcarcely confiftent.

Contempt and envy are totally incompatible. Nor does it at all mend the matter, to fay, that " a man may defpife you for one thing, hate you for a fecond, and envy you for a third." We are now confidering tills defpifed perfon in one fimple point of view, as a real Chriftian : and in this view, it is nGt poffible that thefc contrary paflions fliould be exercifed upon the fame object.

We have already hinted another objection, that (truck us very forcibly; https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

and that is, that Mr Wcfley was perhaps too pofitlve, and depended too much on his own judgment. His /father feems to have entertained the fame idea, where he bints the neceffity of " bending his mind to the will of God." When a man's owa opinion is contrary to that of feveral of the mod fenfible people in ihe nation ; when thefc perfons arc his neareft relations; and when their judgment fo clearly concurs with the voice of a whole pari(h, it feems not improper to conclude, that there is in it fomething providential, and that he ought to doubt his own judgment, and to fufpend his determinations.

And what friend of Mr Wefley's is there, fo bigoted as to fay, he could not i>e miltaken ? It is very poflible, he might conceive fome things to be materially hurtful, which" were not fo dangerous as he apprehended; and that he https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

C 161 ) might fuppofe his falvation abfblutcly to depend upon the fociety, and other advantages he enjoyed at Oxford, when in reality it was not fo. Add to this, that his reafenings on this fabjeft feem to argue too much confidence in outward means, and too little in the grace of God: as if it were impoffible he mould be kept from evil in the fame circumftances as other men ; and as if (to ufe the language of his brother) ' more were neceffary to the very exiftence of his chriftian life, than to the falvation of every other clergyman in the kingdom."

Strange indeed!

Thus, with the freedom of hiftory, but without any intention of offence, have we hazarded our opinion on this occafion.

And though we differ, and prefume that mod people will differ from Mr Wefley, and conceive that he faw VOL. I.

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great difficulties, where in reality there were none but what his own imagination had created, it is impoflible not to admire and give him the full credit of his conrcientioufnefs and integrity. Perhaps in this cafe his judgment was erroneous and his reafonings inconclufive ; but it muft at leafb be granted, that, as the fubjeft prefented itfelf to his mind, he could not, with a good confcience, have attcd otherwife than he did. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press

Or HIS MISSION TO AMERICA.

W 'KEN we firfl: became acquainted with the fubject of this chapter, it was not without fome furprife.

Having feen in how determined a manner Mr Wefley had oppofed himfelf to the follcitations of his friends, with regard to Epworth, we naturally expected, that nothing lefs than ftern neceflity .could have induced him to quit his beloved retirement. The contrary however was the faft.

In one of his excursions to London, he met with a gentleman (Dr Burton) who was one of the .truftees for the new colony at Georgia:

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and was induced, by his felicitations, though with fome reluftance, to give up his pupils, and to leave his native couatry.

Not long after the correfpondence we have fo particularly confidered, we find him embarked. On the 14th of Ottober 1735, accompanied by a Mr Ingham of Queen's College, Mr Delamottc, fon of a merchant in London, and his brother Charles, he went on board the Simmonds, off Gravefend, bound for Georgia. In thj: fame (hip was Mr Oglethorpe, who was afterwards a general officer, and died a few years ago at a very advanced age. Mr Wefley's chief object was the miffion to the Indians, whom, however, from the troubles that prevailed on the continent, he had little opportunity of inftrucYing.

While the (hip remained in the river, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 16S ) he wrote to his brother Samuel, informing him, that he had prefented his. father's Comment on Job to the Queen, who rewarded him with many fmiles and good words. In this letter he greatly obje&s to the ufual mode of education j finds fault v/ith many of the claflics, efpecially Ovid, Virgil, and Terence's Eunuch, as being calculated to inflame the ienfual appetites, and to cherifli the love of grandeur and ambition; and as totally contrary to that purity of heart, which, he obferves,is much more important than elegance of ftyle. He tells him, that he, as well as bimfelf, was called to the converfion of heathens; that his fcholars were fo many fouls committed to his care, to prepare them for eternity; and that he therefore conjured him to banifh the claffics, with their poifon, from his fchool, and introduce, inftead of them, fuch chriftthttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

an authors as would work, together with him, in " building up his flock in the knowledge and love of God."

Here again we are conftrained to enter our diflent; having no idea that the languages can be taught with any propriety, or to any degree of perfection, but by the claflics. But in this inftance, his opinion in 1735 and in 1777 was exa&ly contradictory. In the fecond volume of the Arrhinian Magazine, is a letter from a clergyman, who afks whether a religious fchoolmafter may ufe the claffics in his fchool; and he anfwers, " doubtlefs he may." We cite this as one proof, among others, that, in the latter part of life, he was lefs rigid than in his youth.

On Friday, the 17th of October, the fhip being fiitl in the river, he preached without notes, and adminiftered the facrament on the quarter deck. The firft https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

time of his preaching in this manner was accidental. He had gone to Allhallows', in London, to hear Dr Heylin, who, at that time, was much followed. The Doctor not coming, Mr Wefley was requefted to fupply his place; and having no notes about him, he preached extempore.

By heavy gales and contrary winds, he Was detained fome time in the channel, and did not get out to fea till the ioth of December.

Among the paffengers were twenty-fix Germans, -who were going to fettle in America: and here commenced his acquaintance *vvith the Moravian brethren, which he cultivated for fome time with great affiduity. He gives them an excellent character, and particularly commends their humble and chriftian deportment during the pafiage, and their calm and refolute

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behaviour in the moment of danger.

Nitchman, the Moravian bifhop, began to learn Englifh, Mr Wcfley German, and Mr Dclamotte Greek.

Mr Charles Wefley wrote fermons, and Mr Ingham inftrutted the children.

To- (hew Mr Wefley's love of difcipline, and and his fondnefs for doing every thing by rule, it will not be amifs to tranferibe his account of the manner in which they fpent the day. " We now began to be a little regular. From four in the morning till five, each of us ufed private prayer.

From five to feven we read the Bible together, carefully comparing it (that we might not lean to our own underftandings) with the writings of the earHeft ages. At feven we breakfafted ; at eight were the public prayers.

From nine to twelve, learnt the languages, and inftructed the children. At twelve we https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

met, to give an account to one another what we had done fince our laft meeting, and what we defigned to do before our next. At one we dined. The time from dinner to four we fpent in reading to thofe, of whom each of us had taken charge, or in fpeaking to them feverally, as need required. At four were the evening prayers; when either the fecond leflbn was explained (as it always was in the morning) or the children were catechifed and inftrufted before the congregation. From five to fix we again ufed private prayer. From fix to feven I read in our cabin to two or three of the paflengers, of whom there were about eighty Englifh on board, and each of my brethren to a few more in theirs.

At feven I joined with the Germans in their public fervice; while Mr Inghatn was reading between the decks, to as many as https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

defired to hear. At eight we mef to inftruct and exhort one another. Between nine and ten we went to bed, where neither the roaring of the fea, nor the motion of the fhip, could take away the refremmg fleep which God gave us."

None can fay that the time was not well filled up. But we doubt whether fo unremiting an attention and fuch a multiplicity of bufinefs is not too much for the human mind.

We remember the obfervation " neque femper arcum tendit Apollo."

If the bow be not fometimes unftrung, it will foon lofe it's elafticity.

We fufpeft too, that rough weather, and the various changes incident to a paflagc by fea, muft frequently have interrupted this ceconomy.

On Thurfday, the 15th of January, 1736, feveral were much exafperated https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

with Mr Wefley, for having complained to Mr Oglethorpe of the unequal diftribution of water, which was put into better hands. From the 17th to the 25th they had violent ftorms ; the fea going frequently over the fhip, and breaking through the cabin windows.

He obferves that the " Englifh were exceedingly frightened, while the Germans, men, women, and children were perfectly calm," which he afcribes to the power of religion. From the Germans, fays he, " I went to their trembling neighbours, and pointed out the difference in the hour of trial, between him that ferveth God, and him that fervcth him not."

On the 29th they fell in with the fkirts of a hurricane, which however did no damage; on the 4th of February they faw land; and on the 6th, after a ftorhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

my paffage, firft fet foot on fhore, on a ftnall uninhabited ifland, near Tybee, where they kneeled down and returned God thanks. Mr Oglethorpe immedi* ately fet off for Savannah.

During this paffage it was that Mr Wefley, "judging it might be helpful" to him, difcontinued the ufe of fiefh and wine, and confined himfelf to vegetables, chiefly rice and bifket.

He alfo left off eating fuppers ; and his bed having been wet by the fea, he lay upon the floor,, and flept found till morning. He adds, " I believe, I fhall not find it needful to go to bed, as it is called, any more."

While the fhip lay off Tybee, feverai Indians came on board, fhook hands, and welcomed them to America.

They expreffed a defire to be inftru&ed, as loon as they were at liberty from the confufions of war ; but added, " we https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 173 ) would not be made chriftians as the Spaniards make chriftians; we would be taught before we are baptized. ** It is fubmitted to the judicious reader, how far Mr Wefley's reply to thefe Indians •was juft and feafonable.

There is but one, he that fitteth in heaven, who is able to teach man wifdom. Though we are come fo far, we know not whether he will pleafe to teach you by us or no. If he teaches you, you will learn wifdom; but we can do nothing." He defcribes them as being tall, well proportioned men, with a remarkable foftnefs in their fpeech, and gentlenefs in their whole beJiaviour.

From the conventions he and other Europeans had with the Indians, it appears that their notions of religion were very crude and imperfett; that they had fome idea of the interpofltion of invifible beings, in the governhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( '74 ) tnent of the world; and fome notion of the morality or immorality of certain actions. They thought it foolifh in white men to b'uild great houfes, as if they were to live for ever; and condemned that practice, fo common among the favages, of taking medicines to procure abortion.

At Savannah Mr Wcfley became a c <juainted with Mr Spangenberg and, ether Germans, and attended at the confecration of a bifhop; when he tells us, that thefimplicity andfolemnity of the occafion made him almoft forget the feventeen hundred years between, and imagine himfelf in one of thofe affemblies, 'where form and ftate were not; but Paul, the tentmaker, or Peter, the fifherman, prefided; yet with the demonftration of the ipirit and with power.' https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

By the dire&ion of Mr Oglethorpc, a houfe was built for the miffionaries-, who, on their arrival at Savannah, were received with great cordiality. Mr Wefley entered upon, his miniftry, on Sunday, the 7th of March 1736, by preaching from the epiftle for the day; and obferves that, when he faw the number of people crowding into the church, the deep attention with which they received the word, and their ferioufnefs afterwards, he " could not believe, that this ferious, attentive people fhould after* wards trample under foot that word, and fay all manner of evil falfely of him thajt fpake it."

Colonifts have generally been remark ed as an obftinate and ungovernable people j but perhaps the fault was not wholly in the Georgians. The Americans are not to be managed, but by a delicate and https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

Ikilful hand. His father had obferved to him, that, in order to do good to mankind, " a particular talent is neceffaxy, great prudence as well as fervor/'

Mr Wefley's conduct (to fay the leaft of it) was, on many occafions, capricious and fanciful: in fome instances, abfolute and defpotic. He gave great offence by jnfifting upon baptizing their children by immerfion, which, though provided for in the rubrick, was not at all neceflary, and which no clergyman did but himfelf.; while his experiments upon his own conftilution, firft, leaving off meat and winej then giving up fuppers, and laftly, confining himfelf to bread, in order to try

" whether life might not be fuftained by one fort, as well as by variety of food,** were by no means calculated to imprels his parifhioners with the moil favourable opinion of his judgment. It is not prchttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

tended there could be any intrinfic evil in fuch experiments ; but they certainly were not judicious. They had at lead a whimfical afpect, and induced in many •who obferved him, a fufpicion, that he laid too great a ftrcfs on bodily aufterities and trifling circumftances, which have nothing to do with a man's falvation, nor any neceffary connection with his chriflian character. Mr Wefley was of the contrary opinion; as will appear from his own words, written when he firfl entered upon his bread diet. " To the pure all things are pure. Every creature is good to them, and nothing to be rejected.

But let them, who know and feel that they are not thus pure, ufe every help and remove every hindrance; always remembering, he that defpifeth little things, fhall fall by little and little."

VOL. I.

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During his refidence on the continent, he frequently laboured, not only with hk tongue, but with his hands ; and continued his cuftom of eating little, of fleeping lefs, and of leaving not a moment unemployed. In fome Tefpccts he was admirably calculated for a miffionary in a cold, inhofpltable clime. For fo fmall a perfon, he pofiTefled great mufcular ftrength, a found and vigorous conftitution, with a moft ardent and indefafigable mind.

He expofed himfelf, with the utmofl indifference, to every change of feafon, and inclemency of weather. Snow and hail, ftorm and temped had no effeft on his iron body. He frequently lay down on the ground, and flept all night, with his hair frozen to the earth. He would fwim over rivers, with his cloaths on, and travel till they were dry j and all this without any apparent https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( V9 ) injury to his health. He feems alfo to have poffefled great prefence of mind and intrepidity in danger.

Going from Savannah to Frederica, the pettiawga, in which he was, came to an anchor. He wrapt himfelf up in a cloak, and went to ileep upon deck: but, in the courfe of the night, he rolled out of his cloak, and •fell into the fea, fo faft afleep, that he did not perceive where he was, till his mouth was full of water. He fwam round to a boat, and got out.

On his arrival at Frederica, he found his brother exceeding weak, from the flux, with which he had been fome time confined: but he recovered from the moment he favv him! The medical men would fay, that the joy, occafioned by his arrival, had a fudden effeft on his conftitution, and gave an impulfe to the fyftem., favourable to convalefcence. Mr

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( i8o ) Wefley faw it in another point af vie-sr. and fays, " this hath Cod wrought!"

Returning to Savannah, they agreed to advHe the people, thofe who were the mod ferioas, to form themfelves into a fociety, and to meet once or twice a week, in order to reprove, in(lru£t, and exhort one another j and, fiom thefe, to feledt a fmaller number, for a more intimate union. With each of thefe divifions the two brothers frequently converfed, and met them all together, on Sundays, at Mr Wefley's houfe. Here was the origin of the future ceconomy of claffes and bands.

On Sunday, the 9th of May 1736, he began to divide the public prayers into three fervices, in conformity to the original inftkutkm of the church.

The morning fervice began at five; the communion office and fermon at eleven j https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

the evening fervice at three. Mr Og!ethorpe, on his return from the fourh, gave orders againft the profanation of the Lord.'s day, by fifhing and fowling; and Mr Wefley fumnved up, ait Frederica, what he had feen. and heard among them, inconfiftent with chriftianity.— " Some were profited, and the reft deeply offended."

From this time, the offence became general.

Many of his friends grew fhy.

They confukred his fermons as fatires upon particular perfons ;. and fome determined they would hear him no more. He now obferves that, during a violent thunder ftorm, he foun-d he had »ot yet conquered the fear of death.

Going for Cuarlefbown with his brother, who was about to embark for Europe, they were in danger of overfetting in a boat. The maft fell, through the vioM i https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

lence of the ftorm, but the failors got it into the boat, and, by a vigorous exertion, rowed on fhore.

On his return to Savannah, finding:

Mr Oglethorpe was gone, he flayed only one day; and leaving Mr Ingham and.

Mr Delamotte, fet out once more for Frederica. In walking to Ihunderbolr,. he was excefiively wet by the rain; and obferves, that the general idea of the unwholefomenefs of the rains and dews, in America, is a mere vulgar error; that he had frequently been wet with the rains, and had lain many nights expofed. to the dew, without the lead injury.

And fo, continues he, " might any one, if his conftitution were not impaired by the foftnefs of a genteel education!"

If the parifliioners of Savannah and Frederica did not receive much benefit from his inftrudYions, it certainly was not https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

for want of diligence on his part. He fcems to have been fully employed, during his refidence among them, as will appear from the account publifhed in his hiftory of methodifm, which we infert in his own words. " On the Lord's day, the Englifli fervice lafted from five to half paft fix. The Italian (with a few Vaudois) began at nine. The fecond fervice for the Englifli, including the fermon and the holy communion, continued from half paft ten till about half paft twelve. The French fervice began at one. At two I catechifed the children.

About three began the Englifli fervicc.

After this was ended, I joined with as many as my largeft room would hold, in reading, prayer, and finging praife.

And about fix, the fervice of the Germans began, at which I was glad to be M 4 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

prefent, not as a teacher, but as a learner."

"What immenfe labour was this! And what an idea mufl it give us of his irtduftry and perfeverance, rf we confider, that, befides the French and Italian, which we know not whether he acquired here or at Oxford, he Fcarnt German, that he might converfe with the Moravians, and Spaniih, for the fake of his

Jewifti parifliioners!

We particularly notice a remark he makes about this time. He had been fent for to a perfon, who became a convert from popery.

On this occafion he obferves, that he had received many advices to beware of the increafe of popery, but not one caution againft the progfefs of infidelity; which, fays he, is a little extraordinary; for, " in every place where 1 have yet been, the number of https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

Converts to popery bore no proportion to that of the converts to infidelity."

He adds, that as bad a religion as popery is, no religion is ftill worfc; thar the ftate of a deifl is more datigcrous than that of a papift; and that he had "known many of the latter reconverted, but not one of the former." There is undoubtedly much propriety in thefe remarks

It is certain however, that deifts have fometimes been reconverted. Lord Rochefter is a memorable inflancc: and, if we miftake not, Mr Wefiey himfelf has had the pleafure, fince that time, of feeing feveral examples of the fame kind.

But the good catholics will hardly thank him for the affociation; though many of our readers will perhaps join him in fuppofing, that to allow popery to be better than infidelity, is to fay all that can be feid upon it. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 186 ) Of his ufefulnefs in America, as we have little information, we can form no accurate conception. All that we can learn of it, muft be from his own account, which is as follows: " All in Georgia have heard the word of God".

Some have believed* and begun to run well. A few fteps have been taken towards publifliing the glad tidings, both to the African and American Heathens.

Many children have learned how they ought to ferve God, and to be ufeful to their neighbour. And thofe, whom it mofl concerns, have an opportunity of knowing the true date of their infant colony v and laying a firmer foundation of peace and happinefs to many generations." By the African heathens, we fuppofe he means the flaves that were brought to the continent; and by the fteps taken for the inftruftion of them https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) and the Indians, we are moft likely to underftand, the fchool, called Irene, erefted for them, under the infpecYion of Mr Ingham.

Of the fuccefs of it we have not heard.

That his fituation abroad was, upon the whole, extremely unpleafant, we have no doubt.

But the mofl unfortunate event that befel him, was his difference with Mr Caufton, who was ftorekeeper and chief magiftrate of Savannah. Not long before this happened, he complained, in a letter to a friend, that he could not conceive how he " could attain to the being crucified with Chrift," being in a condition he neither dcfired nor expected in America, in eafe, honour, and abundance. As for the eafe and honour of his fituation, we know nothing of it: but the abundance he complains of was certainly no great matter; for the exhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

C 18& ) pences of Mr Delamotte and himfelf, far one whole year, did not amount to fortyfive pounds. The caufe of complaint, fo far at lea ft as if related to eafc and honour, was prefently removed.

The calm was fucceeded by a ftorm. Meeting with Mr Spangenberg, on his way to to Ebenezer, he mentioned his fituation; and having confulted him, with regard fo the conduct he fhould purfue, determined to follow his advice.

Mr Wefley informs us, that he had reproved Mrs Williamfon, Mr Cautton's niece, for fomcthing in her behaviour, that he difapproved.

The reproof was highly refenced by the lady. Soon after he repelled her from the communion; in confequence of which, a warrant was ferved upon him, and he was brought before one of the bailiffs and the recorder. Refufing to acknowledge their auhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

thority, in a matter purely ecclefiaflicat,. he was ordered to appear at the next court held for Savannah. After fome fharp words on the part of Mr Caufton, Mr Weflev wrote to his niece, telling her, that if fhe offered herfelf at the table, on the next Sunday, be would inform her, as he had done before, wherein fhe had done wrong; and then, fays he, *; when you have openly declared yourfelf to have truly repented, I will adminifter to you the myfteries of God."

This was judged rather an aggravation, than a reparation of the offence.

Mr Caufton then declared he would have fatisfacYion, and foon after told many perfons, that Mr Wefley " had repelled Sophy from the communion, becaufe (lie had rejected his propofals of marriage, and married Mr Williamfon."

On this octfafion he takes notice of the " gracihttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( io.o ) ous providence of God, in the leflbns for the week," which turned chiefly on encouragements to patience under fufferings.

His chief fear feems to have been, left this affair mould have induced the people to abfent thcmfelves from the fervice: but his fears were difappointed.

The congregation was more numerous than ufual; and many, he informs us, took notice of thofe words, in the firft leffon, " fet Naboth on high among the people, and fet two men, fons of Belial before him, to bear witnefs againft him."

It is faid that, when the time of trial approached, a jury was packed by his antagonift, compofed of a papift, a Frenchman, an infidel, and about twenty dififenters and others, who, having perfonat quarrels with Mr Wefley,had openly vowed revenge. A charge was given by Mr Caufton, to beware of fpiritual https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

tyranny, and to oppofe the illegal authority that was ufurped over their confcitnces; and a long lift of grievances was found by the grand jury, though not without a proteft from feveral of the jurors. Mr Wefley moved for an immediate hearing, which, on various pretences, was put off; when, having confulted feveral of his friends, and put up advertifements of his intentions to return to England, notwithftanding an order to detain him, on die 2d of December 1737, he <! (hook oft* the duft of his feet, for a teftimony againft them," and left Georgia, having preached the gofpel there (to ufe his own words) not as he ought, but as he was able, one year and nearly nine months.

Such was the leave our miffionary took of America, to which he never returned. This affair has been varioufly, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

C but we fufpecl, in no infl.ar.ce accurately, related. The editors of the Gofpel

Magazine fay, that he left Savannah by night, and on foot, to elude the terrors of a court of juftice.

We -follow -the account, defective as it is, which he publiflied in the Journals. But, on a review of the tranfocYicm, we are particularly ftruck with the oontraft between the reception he met with, and the honour and popularity of Mr Whttefteld, in every part of the continent. It is much to be lamented by Mr Wefley's friends, that, though his American enemies evidently acted in a mod violent and unjuft manner, his rectitude of conduct is not fo clear as might be wifhed.

He does not tell us of what nature was his complaint againft Mrs Williamfon: nor does he deny that he had made his addreffes to this lady j which, if not true, he cerhttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 193 ) tainly ought to have contradicted in the molt exprcfs terms; for, on this circumAance, the public opinion mud be neceffarily fufpended.

If it was true, his behaviour will be naturally afcribed to the phrenzy of difappointed love.

If not, fome other reafon mull remain in referve. But on this queftion it is impoffible to decide. We may conjecture; but we cannot fpeak with certainty.

His brother Charles finding the climate to difagree with his conftitution, had failed for England in July 1736. Mr Ingham left Savannah on the 26th of January 1737. How long Mr Delamottc remained, we are not informed.

Mr Wefley does not bid adieu to the continent, without relating fome melancholy inftances of the cruelty and villanics of the matters of ihips, while the rage for emigration was fo prevalent* Vol.. I.

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It is indifputable, that they ufed infimte art to induce farmers and tradefraen to embark for this land of promife; when, after borrowing their money, and plundering them of their property, they fold them to the planters. The confequence, in many inftances, one of which is related by Mr Wefley, was diftracYion and fuicide.

He alfo gives an account of the fixation of Georgia, it'sfoil, produce, cultivation, and inhabitants. But we have fome doubt of the corre&nefs of the portrait.

The colouring partakes rather too much of they"ombre ; and we perceive, whenever he has occafion to fpeak of America, certain traits of prejudice, that we can eafily account for, but which are fcarcely worthy a philofopher and a citizen of the world.

He gives the following (hocking cha.https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

Tadler of the Georgian Indians: " Every one does that which is right in his own eyes; and if it appears wrong to his neighbour, the perfon aggrieved, fteals on the other unawares, and fhoots him, fcalps him, or cuts of his ears: having only two fhort rules of proceeding, to do what he will, and what he can. They are all, except perhaps the Cho&aws, gluttons, drunkards, thieves, diflemblers, liars. They are implacable, unmerciful murderers of fathers, murderers of mothers, murderers of their own children ; it being a common thing for a fon to fhoot his father or mother, becaufe they are old and pail labour ; and for a woman either to procure abortion, or to throw her child into the next river, becaufe fhe will go with her hufband to the war. Indeed hufbands, flriclly fpeaking, they have none; for any man leaves

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his wife, fo called, at pleafure; who frequently, in return, cuts the throats of all the children (he has had by him. Whoredom they account no crime, and few inftances appear of a young Indian woman's refufing any one. Nor have they any fixed punifliment for adultery; only if the hufband take his wife with another man, he will do what he can to both, unlefs fpeedily pacified by the prefent of a gun or a blanket." That this horrid pi&ure has it's originals in real life, we have no doubt, but we cannot admit it as an univerfal likenefs. We know, on the contrary, that there are many exceptions; and that Europeans have often owed their lives to the clemency of Indians.

Mr Wefley, difappointed in the prime objeft of his miffion, embarked for Europe, at Charleftown, oa Thurfday, the https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.007 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) of December, 1737, made the Lizard-point on the 29th of January, and after a pleafant pafiage3 landed at Deal, en the lft of February, 1738. Mr Whitefield failed through the channel for America, as he entered it, on his return.

On the 3d he came to London, after an abfence of two years and four months.

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His

REFLECTIONS ON HIS ARRIVAL;

HIS C O N -

VERSION AND JOURNEY TO HERNHUTH AND

MARIENBURN.

A BOUT this time he obferves, that his mind was full of thought; and that he wrote down part of what occurred to him, as follows : " It is now two years and almofl four months fince I left my native country, to teach the Georgian Indians the nature of chriftianity: but what I have learned myfelf in the mean time ? Why, what I leafl of all fufpected, that I, who went to America, to convert others, was never myfelf converted to God. I am not mad, though

I thus fpeak j but I fpeak the words of https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 199 ) truth and fobernefs; if haply fome of thofe, who ftill dream, may awake, and fee that as I am, fo are they." The remainder of this foliloquy, remarkable as it is, there is no need to tranfcribe.

What we are now concerned with, is the tendency of it; and that is, to fliew that, notwithltanding his zeal, his labours, his fincerity, his charity, and his punctual obfervancc of the means of grace, he " was not a chriftian, becaufe he had not faith."

His notion of faith is, " a fure truft and confidence that a man hath, that, through the merits of Chrift, his fins are forgiven, and he reconciled to the favour of God." So far he agrees with the church of England.

How far his idea ofthe mode of communication will be deemed orthodox, is another queftion. He fuppofes, and we believe it is the doclrine of the Moravian brehttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) thren, from whom it was derived 16 the firft methodifts, that this confidence isconveyed by an immediate influence of the Holy Spirit, who is fuppofcd, by a ftrong perfuafion, in fome way or other, dire&Iy communicated to the mind, to reveal this important circumdance* This is called by fome divines, " the faith of aflurance:" and it is one of thofe peculiar do&rines, in -which Mr Wefley is fuppofed to differ from mod of the proteftant churches. As we (hall probably give this fubjett a more particular confideration in the fequel, we difmifs it for the prefent.

But we cannot pafs over Mr Wefley's reflexions on his own date, without remarking a difficulty we are under.

Of his own character he mult be allowed to be the bed judge. But how fliall we reconcile him with himfelf ? On his rehttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

turn from Georgia, in 1738, he fays he was not a chriftian.

The Journal iir which this is faid, was publifhed in 1775: and yet, giving an account in this fame Journal, of himfelf, and of what he judged to be his flatein 1729, when-he declared his perfuafion, that he was " even then in a ftate of falvation," he adds, in a note at the bottom, " and I believe I was *." How thefe paffages can be made to agree, we are at a lofs to difcover: fince it is generally underftood among the orthodox divines, that if a man has not faith, he is not a chriftian; and if not a chriftian, confequently, not in a ftate of falvation.

There is indeed a diftincYion of his, which, if there were any thing in it, might poflibly do fomething toward reconciling this contradic- * See ift Journal, page 68; and 2d Journal, page 26. Edition 177j. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) tion. He fays, in one place, that he ** had the faith of a fervant, but not of a fan *."

But we doubt the propriety of this diflinction.

Does he mean here, what is called in Scripture, a " fervant of God," or does he not ? If not, he could have no true faith, and therefore could not be in a ftate of falvation. But if he does, then we fay, that in this refpett, the Scripture knows no difference between the phrafes, " fons of God and fervants of God j " confequently, here is a diftinction without a difference.

During his refidenceat London, where he was detained feveral weeks by the truftees for Georgia, he informed his friends of fome reafons, which haftened his return to Englandj and, being advifed to relate them to the truftees, he waited

See note, zd Journal, page 17. Edition 1775. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

twice on Mr Oglethorpe, without having an opportunity to explain: but, attending foon after at the board, he gave them an account of the colony, fo little flattering, and fo contrary to that which had been'given them by others, that he fup* pofes fome of them never forgave him.

It was at this time that he preached in many of the churches in town ; but fuch was the effeft of hisunfafhionable doctrine, that after the firflfermon in every church, he was generally informed, he mud preach there no more. The doctrine, to which we particularly allude, is what he calls " faving faith," which, he informs us, he faw clearly on Monday March the 6th, 1738, and " declared it without delay."

The confequence of this mode of preaching, he fays, was, that God then began to work by his miniftry, as he had never done before. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

He now fpent fome time in vifning fome of his friends and relations ; met with Peter Bohler, Schulius Richter, and other Moravians juft landed from.

Germany ; in whofe company and converfation he exprefles a particular fatiffaftion.

Soon after, going to Oxford to fee his brother Charles, who was faid to be dying, he found him recoverfrom the pleurify.

Here he again met with Bohler, who thought him too philofophical, or too rational (for we cannot tell which) and laconically told him,

mi frater, mi frater, philofophia ifta tua excoquenda eft."

It was by him, he tells us, he was convinced of the want of that faith, whereby alone we are favedj and by his advice he began to preach " falvation by faith alone." Peter's words are remarkable: " preach faith till you have it; and then, becaufe you have it, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

you will preach faith."

The fir(t to whom he preached this do&rine, was a prifoner under fentencc of death/ The effett is not mentioned.

Much-of this fpring was fpent in travelling with Mr Kinchin, a fellow of Corpus, to Manchefter, Holms Chapel, Newcaftle in Staffordfhire, and feveral other towns, where they frequently preached and exhorted, either embracing or making occafions of fpeaking in public and private, in inns and ftables, and wherecver they came, on matters of religion, and with various fuccefs.

Some flared in filent aftonifhment at their reproofs and exhortations; while others feemed thankful and willing to receive inftruction. In fome inftances, prudence held their tongues, and prevented them from embracing opportunities of fpeaking to thofe who attended them at their inns, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) and in other places; and Mr Wefley mentions fome occafions, in which he fuppofes they were providentially rebuked for their negligence. Among other* he gives the following inftance : " The next day, March, i ith, we dined at Birmingham, and foon after we left it, were reproved for our negligence there (in letting thofe, who attended us, go without either exhortation or inftrucYion) by a fevere fhower of hail!"

In the latter end of March, or the beginning of April, he left off his cuftom of confining himfelf to a form of prayer.

This change firfl; took place at the Caflle in Oxford, where he and Mr Kinchin went to vifit a prifoner. They fir ft prayed in feveral forms, and then in " fuch words as were given them in that hour."

The man kneeled down in " great heavinefs and confufion."

After a (hort https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

fpace he rofe up, and eagerly faid, " I am now ready to die. I know Chrifi: has taken away my fins, and there is no more condemnation for me." He adds, " the fame compofed chearfulnefs he fhewed, when carried to execution: and in his laft: moments he was the fame* enjoying a perfeft peace, in confidence, that he was accepted in the Beloved."

Mr Wefley again obferves, that, " on Monday, April id, being at Mr Fox's fociety, his heart was fo full, that he could not confine himfelf to the ufual forms ; and that he did not propofe to be confined to them any more, but to pray indifferently, with a form or without, as he (hould find fuitable to particular occafions."

At this time, his mind having been warmed by the difcourfes of his Moravian friends, he was waiting in anxious https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) expectation for his own converfum. He fays, that he had now no objection to what Bohler had faid of the nature of faith, and of the holinefs and happinefs, which he defcribed as the fruit of it.

But he could not comprehend -what he fpolcc of an inftantaneous work. He could not underftand, " how this faith mould be giren in a moment; how a man could at once be thus turned from darknefs to light, from fin and mifery, to righteoufnefs and joy in the Holy Ghoft." To fatisfy himfelf on this fubjeft, he fearched the Scriptures, particularly the Afts of the Apoftles j and the refult was, tbat, to his utter aftonifhment, he *' found fcarce any other inftances there, than inftantaneous converfions; fcarce any fo flow as that of St,

Paul, who was three days in the pangs of the new birth." The only retreat he https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

now had, was in the difference bet ween the prefent and the primitive times. He was perfuaded, that " God wrought thus in the firft ages of chriftianity •" but the times being changed, he was not certain that he would " work in the fame manner now."

On Sunday, the 22d of April, he was driven out of this retreat, by " the concurring teftimony of feveral living witnefTes, who declared, that God had thus wrought in themfelves, giving them, in a moment, fuch a faith in the blood of his fon, as tranflatcd them out of darknef-5 into light, out of fin and fear into holinefs and happinefs."

Here, fays he, ended my difputing.

I could only cry out, " Lord, help thou my unbelief."

His perfuafion of the truth of this doctrine was increafed, as he informs us, by "• hearing the experiences of Mr HutVOL. I.

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C 2 1 0 ) cfrlns of Pembroke coHcge, and Mrs Foi; two living witnefles, that God can at lead, if he does not always, give that faith, whereof Cometh falvation, in a moment, as lightning falling from heaven."

The day from which Mr Wefley dates his conversion, is May 24th, 1738.

He has introduced it with a ftudied folemiiity, by an enumeration of the various circumftances we have recited, V/ith many more of the fame fort; and it is immediately prefaced by an account of himfelf, from his infancy, till that moment. It was on the evening of this day, that he went to a fociety in Alderfgate ftrect, where fome one was reading Luther's preface to the Epiftle to the Romans.

About a quarter before nine, fays he, while he was defcribing the change that God works in the heart, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

tittough faith in Chrift, " I felt my heart ftrangely warmed. I felt, I did truft in Chrift, Chrift alone for my falvation: and an aflfurance was given me, that he had taken away my finS, even mine, and faved me from the law of fin and death."

He adds, that he immediately began to pray, particularly for his enemies and perfecutors, and declared to all that were prefent what he now felt. With fome intervals of doubt and fear, he continued in this fituation, and went up and down preaching and labouring with all his might.

Various were the effects of thofe peculiar doctrines, which Mr Wefley had preached for fome time before he proleffcd to have experienced them himfelf.

JMany were offended, and among the reft, his brother Charles; who told him, he did not " know what mifchicf he had done, by talking in this manner:" and

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he obferves, that God did indeed.frprq that time " kindle a fire," which he hoped would never be extinguished. The influence of this was fierce and decifive.

Many arc reprefented as falling fuddenly to the ground, in horror and agony not to be conceived, and rifing again with equal expreffions of peace and confolation. Their convcrfions were ufually attended with thefe violent fymptoms; and, for feveral years, few meetings occurred, where Mr Wcfley prefided, without one or more inftances of the fame kind It was not poflible, that fuch tranfattions (hould pafs without notice.

The confufion that too often prevailed, the emotions of the perfons affe&ed, and the exultations of the reft, which were feverely animadverted upon, gave great https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

and general offence. Many infifled, that it muft cither be occafioned by the heat of the rooms and the agitation of the animal fpirits, under difcourfes of the mod alarming nature ; or that it was mere artifice and hypocrify.

As thefe objections were conftantly urged, Mr Wefley has taken much pains to refute them, producing in his journals an immenfe number of converfions, attended with the fame fymptoms ; and fome, even of the objeftors themfelves; who are faid to have fallen to the ground, raving like the demoniacs in the Gofpels, and crying out, that it was *' the juft judgment of God for their wickednefs and unbelief." Among olhcis he particularly instances in a quaker, who was much provoked with their diffimulation.

But he alfo " fuddenly dropt

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The ago* ny he was in, was terrible to behold.

We befought God not ta lay folly to Ilia charge.

And he foon lifted up his head, and cried, now I know, thou art a prophet of the Lord." This happened while Mr Weflcy was preaching at Baldwin-ftreet, where the cries of the people were fucb, that fcarcely could his voice be heard. The reader is referred, for further information, to the firft and fecond journals. It may be obferved here, that Mr Charles Wefley's objections to this new fyftem were gradually removed. His converfion is dated from the zzd of May, 1738, two days before that of his brother.

An account of their proceedings was prefently trp.nfmitted to Tivcrton, by a Mrs Hutton of London, two ofwhofe fons became converts to their opinioiis. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

One of them is the perfon who is Cud to have been honoured fomc •time ago with the notice of majefty. The lady, who found herfelf not a little aggrieved, wrote to Mr Samuel Welley, informing him, that his brother John was become a wild enthufiaft or fanatic, and was drawing her fons into the fame notions. She tells him, that fhe thought him " not a quite right man," and begs that when he would next come to his hpufc, be wpuld " either confine or convert him."

She was particularly difpleafed, that her fan. was about to publifh an abridgement Mr Wefley had made of the life of Haliburton, a Scotch prefbyterian.

She had forbid him to print it; but obfcrvcs, that if his brothers thought it wouldtend to the glory of God, they would foon convince her fon, "that O 4 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

God's glory was to be preferred to hisparent's commands."

Mr Wefley, in hts lively manner, anfwered Mrs Hutton, by combating the\r opinions. He thought it not unlikely, that intenfenefs of thought and want of fleep might have difbrdered bk brother.

He treats their general fyftem as downright madnefs and delufion? and prays that God would " flop the pcogrefs of this lunacy/'

Ic was in the month of May that the firft methodifl; fociety was formed in London. Mr Wefley is particularly careful to diftinguifh the origin of methodifm into three diftincT: periods.

The firft commenced at Oxford, in 1729-; thefecond at Savannah in 1736, when twenty or thirty met at his houfe ; and the lafb in London, on the firfi: of May, 1738, when " about fifty agreed to meet togehttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( "7 ) thcr once a week, in order to a free converl'ation, begun and ended with finging and prayer."

Aboutthis time his friend Bohler em barked for America. On this occafion he contemplates, in a kind of rapture, the happy effects of his arrival in England , fuch, fays he, as will remain " when the heavens and the earth pafs away."

Wefley was now much perplexed with doubts and fears, ccn. ccrning his own flate, and determined to retire for fame time to Germany j hoping that the conversation he would meet with there, might be the means of 'eftablifhing him more fully in the faith.

Taking leave of his mother, he embarked on Tuefday, the 13th of June, 1738; and on Thurfday landed at RON terdam. He arrived at Marienburn on the 4th of July, and was introduced to https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

Count Zinxendorf. During his ftay here the Count look him to vifit the Count dc Solmes, where he " obferved with pteafure the German frugality.

Three of the young counteffes, who were grown up, were dre(fed in linen} the count and his fon in plain cloth."

This obfcrvation reminds us of an anecdote we have heard of Mr Wefley, while in Germany. It is well known, that one of the full principles of moravianifm, is fimplicity; or in other words,tra&abilUyj a principle v«ry proper to be inculcated by the head of a party. One day, the Count had ordered his pupil to go and dig in the garden. When Mr Wefley had been there fomc time, working ift his Ihirt, and in a high perfpiration, he called upon him to get into a carnage that was in waiting, to pay a vifit to a German count: nor would he fuffer him https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

) either to warn his hands or to put on his coat. ' You mufl be fimple, my brother, was a full anfwer to all hi6 remonftranc<s; and away he went, like a crazed man, in ftatu quo. 1 his count we prefume, was the Count de Solmes. The occafion of this extraordinary vifit, which feems to have been intended merefy as a lecture on fimpHcity, he has not taken notice of: but of the authenticity of the anecdote we have no doubt.

From Marienburn he went to Hernhuth.

Here he found an American acquaintance j and attending the conferences and other meetings of the brethren, had frequent opportunities of hearing every thing explained, of which he wilhed to be informed.

Above all, he was much comforted with regard to his own (late, by hearing it ftrongly infiflxd upon, that the ftate of judification https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

( 22O ) ig perfe&ly confident with doubts and fears; and that there is a diftin&ion between faith and the affurancc of faith.

This, if we underfland him right, was one prime object of his journey : and fcich, if we miftake not, was the do&rine inculcated by the brethren* As he has publifhed a particular account of the discipline of the brethren,, we have no doubt, that he now looked forward, which he certainly did not in 1729, to his future labours in thefekingdoms; and made himfelf immediately acquainted with their regulations, that he might form a code for his own focieties.

Of the conftitution of this church, it's officers, and it's difcipline, with the infinity of fprings and wheels in fo complex a fyftem, we fhall not fatigue the reader with the relation.

Our averfion https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.008 Published online by Cambridge University Press

to this fort of manoeuvre in chriflian focieties, forbids us to enlarge on fuch a fubjeft; and induces a wifli, that both the Count, who was the proje&or, and Mr Wefley, who too clofely imitated him, had been more mindful of the chriflian fimplicity.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

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