The Sabbath

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17412, 26 May 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

The Sabbath

PILATE'S WIFE.

She could not save him, so her heart was sore; Her eyes were heavy after sleepless J hours, For dreams had shown the agony He bore, And thorny crown (for Him who made the flowers!).

Had she been. Pilate swift she would have freed The silent, hapless prisoner, as He stood, Friendless and sorrowful; too proud to plead With men (His children) thirsting for His blood.

Brave was her warning. For a woman's dream Is but a slight thing for a judge to hear! (So thought poor Pilate) following not the gleam Of faithful conscience, given in vision clear.

When Mary, mother, wept at Calvary, One sighed in Pilate's house for sym-

pathy, For she had seen, in dream, the woeful tree.

—M. Buchanan

JOHN WESLEY.

EVANGELIST AND REFORMER

Wc arc within a few days of "Wesley's Day," May 21. On lhal day, in 1738, John Wesley was Llic subject of a remarkable spiritual experience. It occurred in London, and he believed it to be a fontal and transforming event for him. Many within and beyond the Church of England, of which be was a •minister, think of it. likewise. Hugh Price Hughes was .accustomed to say that Methodism, as history knows it, was born on that day. Methodists of all kinds throughout the world regard Wesley as the human founder of their church fellowship, and, for them, May 2i is a red-letter day. Wesley's remarkable life almost covered the 18th century (1703-1791). Even in his lifetime his range was far beyond England.- He thought in continents. A Hash of his genius foi" phrase-making was seen early in bis career. In 173!', when he was only 30, be said: "I look upon all Ihe world as'my parish." He added: "In whatever part I aril, 1 judge it meet, right, and my hounden duty, to declare unto all who are willing to hear the [ Glad Tidings of Salvation." Holding this conviction, be dared lo disobey one id' I be. most illustrious bishops and teachers of the Englisii Church, Joseph Huller, who told him to leave Bristol, since be was nol commissioned lo preach in thai, diocese. "Here I slay," said Wesley. That Huller said no word., later, against Wesley and bis work in the capital of western England or at Durham afterwards, showed bis noble tolerance, his admisison of the fact lhal genius is a law to itself, and bis knowledge that such work as Wesley's was needed. Matthew Arnold said thai Wesley had a genius for godliness, and Macaulay that lie had a genius for government not inferior lo that of Richelieu. Wesley's claim of the world as his parish was prophetic. Before he died his followers had spread throughou I the United Kingdom and into New Eng-

land—the British American colonies. Methodists now number 35,000,000, and are the largest of all Protestant communities.

Wesley, while chiefly concerned .for spiritual and moral values, showed keen, resourceful interest in all the needs, mental and material, of the people. He was the first popular publisher of books of divinity, poetry, sacred song, science, history, and general literature —including a novel. He was among the first to employ electricity, then newly discovered, for medical purposes. The, poor of London were offered its use, gratis, at his dispensaries His leaflet on the scarcity of provisions, with his Denunciation of Waste, it well worth reading to-day. Whenever there was a political crisis Wesley called the nation to its duty. His pen was busy during the rupture with the New England colonies, which was followed by the Declaration cf their Independence and their formation into the United States. Wesley freely used Dr. Johnson's foolish pamphlet, "Taxation no Tyranny," and issued it under the title, "A Calm Address to Our American Colonies." The British Government ordered copies of this tj be given away at church doors, and a high officer of State proffered services lo Wesley or his followers in recognition. Oilier parties "were excessively angry," says Wesley, "at my little tract', and would willingly burn me and it together."

This well-meant but unwise action by Wesley was followed by one of the noblest o"f all pleas for patience and the brotherly treatment of the Americans. Wesley sent a letter lo Lord North, who was then Premier, which might well have brought peace between Britain, and the American colonies. It was written within roilyeight hours of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, with its decisive results for British interests. Wesley wrote: "I do not intend to enter upon the question whether the Americans arc in the right or in the wrong. But, waiving this, 1 ask. Is it common sense to use force towards the Americans? . .

Thcsc men think, one and ail, be it right or wrong, that they are contending, pro arks et focis, for their wives, children and liberty." Al Ihe close of Ibis letter Wesley makes a memorable appeal. He begged Ihe nalionlo turn lo cod atid seek His help by prayer and fasting. Tftcn he appeals lu Lord North lo do everything be can lo avoid warfare. He cites instances of Impatience and Hardness. Each reference begins with Ihe word, "Remember." This rings like a warning bell: "0 my Lord, if your Lordship can do anything, le| il not be wanting! For cod's sake, for Ihe sake of the King.' of tin' nalion. of *>our lovely family hemembcr Rehoboaml Remember Philip the Second! Remember Charles tile First." Wesley was a champion of liberty for body, mind, and spirit, that condition always keenly desired for all by Die Englishman at his best. His last letter was to Wilberforce, encouraging his efforts to abolish the slave trade. Indeed, Wesley deserves remembrances as a lover of his kind and a servant of humanity. It is good lo find his face, with Wyelffe, Westcott, and others in the great east window .of the latest English calhedral, now rising in Liverpool