JOHN WESLEY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4054, 30 May 1938, Page 5

JOHN WESLEY

THE METHODIST 81-CENTEN-ARY. LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. Over 40,000,000 Methodists throughout the world last week commemorated the conversion of the Rev. John Wiesley, M.A., which took place on Wednesday, May 24th, 1738, and from which day the history of the Methodist Church is dated. Wesley was born in the Anglican Rectory, Epworth, England, being one of 19 children—two of whom have left an enduring impression and influence behind them that have made an impact on all races of people that can never be fully reckoned nor comprehended—particularly by the nonre’igious people in the world. This Bi-Centenary was fittingly commemorated in the local Methodist Church, where special services were held during the week, concluding last evening, when the final service of the series was conducted by Rev. G. E. Brown, of Hamilton East. DEPLORABLE SOCIAL CONDITIONS. During the local commemoration services the various speakers emphasised the fact that the I'eligious world of Wesley’s day—and the social life of the common people—needed such a man as Wesley was, and only as John Wesley could be. English life at this time was at its lowest moral ebb, for morals and religion were in a dark and murky state. Men swore and talked obscenely, even in the presence of women. Every sixth house in London was one in which alcoholic spirits were sold; hundreds of the clergy made no profession of personal godliness; many of them knew nothing of the vital message they were supposed to preach. The masses of the people were sunk deeply in degradation and unclean living. Social conditions were ripe for a national revolution —conditions which essentially followed when a people were vile, base and debauched, as truly the English people were—-when Wesley came into possession of that glowing spiritual experience which was to react on the national life of England to such an extent that England was saved from a bloody revolution, and Wesley effected instead— a none the less real and radical change in the lives of the people so that the national effect of his preaching on the social life of the people had been rightly termed ‘Trie Bloodless Revolution.” “NEW AND VIVID.” John Wesley’s gift to the world was a new and vivid experience of the reality of inward religion that lifted men and women out of the doldrums of lifeless ritualistic formalities into the glowing warmth of a new and deeper God - consciousness • that made religious theories a rich and radiant reality and joyful experience of God, and which so enthused Wesley that he went forth to preach to a needy world his new experience of God with a courage and fearlessness that cowed and awed rough, villainous men who challenged his message and threatened his physical wellbeing. They marvelled that such tenacity of purpose and fearless courage should be found in a man so frail and so small of stature. John Wesley’s gift t-» the world will never pass away, even though the Church he left behind should eease to exist. The. spiritual and moral effects of his preaching would live as long as the human race endured. SPIRITUAL SINCERITY. Samuel Wesley, father of the Wesleys, who was Rector of Epworth, was a man of quiet disposition, marked by a spiritual sincerity which was extraordinary for his age—but it was the mother, Susannah Wesley, who most deeply effected the lives and careers of her two outstanding sons, John and Charles. As a student, John Wesley was most exemplary in preparation for Holy Orders. He prayed and fasted often, rigidly and regularly attended Holy Communion, and m general conduct— strictly conformed to all outward acts of piety and religion. The supreme moment of Wesley’s life came about 8.45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24th, 1738, as he sat listening to a Moraican reading- Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. In his own words he said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed,” and in that moment he entered mto that vital experience of God which changed his whole life and career, with such a potential dynamic force that his subsequent preaching of the Gospel made him one of the outstanding messengers of Jesus Christ in the long history of the British people. Soon after this the doors of the Church he loved so much were closed against him, and when he was denied a parish in which to labour he said “The World is my Parish.” His first open air service was held at Bristol, followed by one at Bath—then he preached to the colliers at Kingswood. and from those services he went all over England preaching the Gospel with such force and appeal that thousands were converted. WESLEY’S CAREER. Wesley was a hard worker. He began his day at 4 a.m., and it was a common custom to have a public service at 5 a.m. He travelled an average of 5000 miles a year and preached 15 sermons a week. The first indoor services were held in the Old Foundry in what was now called “Finsbury Square.” There were several spacious rooms in the buildings of the Old Foundry, one being used as a day school—for Wesley was a keen educationist, another room was set apart for the suffering p'oor where they could obtain medical relief. Still a further room was used as a book depot, for distribution of religious books. John Wesley was the pioneer of cheap and useful literature. He established Children s Homes — orphanages were as old as Methodism. The first Methodist Church (which was still in use) was erected in City Road, in the year 1777. Wiesley’s first text in the new Church was “What hath God wrought?’ John Wesley passed away at 10 a.m. on March 2nd, 1791, his last words being:—“Best of all is —■ God is with us.” And thus there passed the man who, without doubt, was the most outstanding and effective preacher in

British history. A man whose labours were so richly blessed by the( God he so heroically served and loved. t AT OTOROHANGA. LOCAL COMMEMORATION. Methodists from all parts of the Northern King Country celebrated the bi-centenary of the Church and held various services in the Ideal Church. John Wesley’s famous hymns were featured—outstanding solos being rendered by Miss N. Walters, Mrs Wilshier, and Messrs H. E. Walters, R. Stamp and C. Rogers. Mr Haines, the organist, provided Church music of outstanding merit. METHODIST BAZAAR. The Miethodist community of Otorohanga and district held a very successful annual bazaar in the Town Hall Annexe. It was opened by Mr F. iW. Walters, of Rangiatea and, as a result of generous patronage to the comprehensive array of stalls for the sale of goods, home confections, and garden and field produce, etc., the local Church will benefit to the extent of £35.