METHODIST BICENTENARY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

METHODIST BICENTENARY

John Wesley In Bristol

The tricentenary of the first Methodist chapel was celebrated at Bristol recently, saysl “The Observer,” London, with a service at the historic “New Room in the Horsefair,” which John Weslys opened on Sunday, June 3,1739. This is the oldest Methodist shrine in existence. Wesley wrote in his journal : “.Money, it is true, I had not, nor any human prosJpeet or probability of procuring it; but I knew ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof,’ and ip His name set out, nothing doubting.” A congregation of 2500 people gathered in and about the building to bear bis first sermon. Six years after its opening 11 people met in the New Room for the second Methodist conference. Later the chapel needed repair, and in 1748 Wesley had to see to it. He speaks in his journal of meeting “about 60 of the society in Bristol to consult about enlarging the room; and. Indeed, securing it, for there was no small danger of its falling upon our beads. In two or three days £230 were subscribed. We immediately procured experienced builders to make an estimate Qf the expense; and I appointed live stewards (besides those of the socio!y) to superintend the work.” So the New Room was rebuilt and enlarged. Nearly two centuries later, in 1930, thanks to the gift of Mr. Edmund 8. Lamplough, the chapel was restored under Sir George Outley’s direction to its original form. Now the backless benches' are once more in place, the woodwork is in its first tints, and everything is complete, down to the cand'.esconccs and hatpegs. John Wesley, it is said, spent more days and nights at the New Room than in any other place during his 50 years as a travelling preacher. His brother, Charles, had just as intimate an acquaintance with the room, in which he preached during 22 years in charge ot the Bilstol Society. A statue of John, on horseback, altoady stands close to the chapel. Now Charles Wesley has also been commemorated by a bronze statue, thought to be the only one that exists of the poet of Methodism. • Beau Nash, Master of the Ceremonies, was' taou at bis zenith as ruler of

Bath, and friends urged Wesley hot to preach in the city for fear, as he pul it, “of what a noted man was to do to me.” Unheeding, he went —and so gained a much larger audience. His sermon impressed the listeners, but while he was speaking Nash appeared and began to question him arrogantly, saying that his preaching frightened people out of their wits. Then came the famous passage Wesley: Sir, did you ever hear me preach? Beau: No. Wesley: How then, can you judge of what you never heard? Beau: Sir, by common report. Wesley: Common report is not enough. Give me leave to ask, sir, is not your name Nash? Beau: My name is Nash. Wesley: Sir, I dare not judge of you by common report; I think it not enough to judge by. At this point 'Wesley recorded iu the journal, Nash “paused awhile and, having recovered himself, said, ‘I desire to know what this people comes here for’; on which one replied, ‘Sir, leave him to me: let an old woman answer him. You, Mr. Nash, take care of your body; we take care of our souls; and for the good of our souls we come here.’ He replied not a word, but walked away.”