[1] These statistics have been compiled by the author, who has carefully examined the plans of all the English circuits for the year 1864.
[2] Horace Mann’s “Census.”
[3] Methodist Magazine, 1856, p. 335.
[4] Stevens’ “Centenary of American Methodism.”
[5] To prevent confusion, the reader is reminded that in 1751 the old English calendar was set aside, and that introduced by Pope Gregory XIII., in 1582, substituted in its place. This was done by act of Parliament for the purpose of harmonizing the computation of time in England with that of the rest of Europe. In consequence of this alteration, the anniversary of Wesley’s birth, since 1752, has been, not the 17th, but the 28th of June.
[6] See Crowther’s “Portraiture of Methodism.”
[7] Clarke’s “Wesley Family,” vol. ii., p. 321.
[8] Benson’s “Apology,” p. 1.
[9] Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 92.
[10] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 116.
[11] The following is a memorandum in Wesley’s own handwriting:—“Joan. Westley ad nominat. ducis de Bucks admiss. in fundat. Carthus. 28 Jan. 1713–14.—— ad Univ. 24 June, 1720.”
[12] A Letter to the Rev. T. Coke, LL.D., and Mr. H. Moore, by “An Old Member of Society.”
[13] Andrew Tooke was only usher of the school during Wesley’s residence. The master was Dr. Thomas Walker. Tooke succeeded to the mastership at Walker’s death, in 1728. (See Carlisle’s “Concise Description of the Endowed Schools in England.”)
[14] Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 92.
[15] Letters published by Priestley.
[16] Original letters in Wesleyan Times, 1866.
[17] Manuscript letter.
[18] Methodist Magazine, 1784, p. 606.
[19] See “Life and Times of Rev. S. Wesley,” p. 251.
[20] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 117.
[21] A story is told by the Rev. John Reynolds, in his “Anecdotes of Wesley,” p. 8, to the effect that Wesley was deeply moved while at Oxford, by an odd interview which he had with the porter of his college. This man late one evening went to the young collegian’s room, and said he wished to talk with him. After a little pleasantry, Wesley told him to go home and get another coat. The porter replied, “This is the only coat I have in the world, and I thank God for it.” Wesley said, “Go home, and get your supper.” The man responded, “I have had nothing to-day but a drink of water, and I thank God for that.” Wesley remarked, “It is late, and you will be locked out, and then what will you have to thank God for?” “I will thank Him,” replied the porter, “that I have the dry stones to lie upon.” “John,” said Wesley, “you thank God when you have nothing to wear, nothing to eat, and no bed to lie upon. What else do you thank Him for?” “I thank Him,” returned the poor fellow, “that He has given me life and being; and a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him.” Reynolds says this was related by Wesley himself, and that the interview made a lasting impression on Wesley’s mind, and convinced him there was something in religion to which he was as yet a stranger.
[22] Wesleyan Times, Jan. 29, 1866.
[23] Wesley’s Works, vol. iii., p. 382.
[24] Wesley’s Works, vol i., p. 341.
[25] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol i., p. 118.
[26] “Life and Times of S. Wesley,” p. 390.
[27] Only a part of this letter has been heretofore published.
[28] Methodist Magazine, 1845, p. 359.
[29] Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 93.
[30] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 8.
[31] Ibid. vol. vi., p. 425.
[32] A mistake for 1725.
[33] Wesley’s Works, vol. iii. p. 202, and vol. xi., p. 351.
[34] Wesley’s Works, vol. xi., p. 351.
[35] See “Life and Times of S. Wesley,” p. 394.
[36] See letter dated July 18, 1725, in Wesleyan Times of April 23, 1866.
[37] Mrs. Wesley here seems to use the word “repentance” in the sense of regeneration.
[38] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 129.
[39] “Life and Times of S. Wesley,” p. 395.
[40] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 176.
[41] Wesley’s Works, vol. iii., p. 420.
[42] Methodist Magazine, 1797, p. 425.
[43] Lincoln College consisted of a rector, twelve fellows, two chaplains, etc. The students numbered about fifty. The Bishop of Lincoln was visitor. The room occupied by Wesley is still designated “Wesley’s room,” and a vine creeping round its window is called “Wesley’s vine.”
[44] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 136.
[45] Dr. Morley was rector of Lincoln College. He was elected July 18th, 1719, and died at his rectory of Scotton, near Gainsborough, June 12th, 1731. He used great influence in procuring Wesley his fellowship.
[46] “Life and Times of S. Wesley,” p. 399.
[47] Letters published by Priestley, p. 2.
[48] Ibid. p. 8.
[49] Whitehead’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 403.
[50] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 141.
[51] Whitehead’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 407.
[52] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 9.
[53] Wesley’s Works, vol. viii., p. 334.
[54] See Wesleyan Times, Feb. 26, 1866.
[55] Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 93.
[56] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 284.
[57] It is a remarkable fact that Law’s “Serious Call” produced a similar effect on Dr. Johnson. “When at Oxford,” says Johnson, “I took it up expecting to find it a dull book, and perhaps to laugh at it. But I found Law quite an over-match for me; and this was the first occasion of my thinking in earnest of religion after I became capable of religious inquiry.”
[58] Ibid., vol. xi., p. 352.
[59] Wesley’s Works, vol. viii., p. 108.
[60] Ibid. vol. x., p. 387, and vol. xiii., p. 387.
[61] Wesley’s Works, vol. vi., p. 447.
[62] Ibid. vol. xii., p. 10.
[63] Methodist Magazine, 1798, p. 505.
[64] Wesley’s Works, vol. viii., p. 450.
[65] Ibid. vol. iii., p. 340.
[66] “Poems, by S. Wesley.”
[67] Whitehead’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 413.
[68] North British Review, 1847.
[69] Rawlinson’s Continuation of Wood’s “Athenæ Oxoniensis.”
[70] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 402.
[71] Ibid. vol. ix., p. 124.
[72] Ibid. vol. viii., p. 334.
[73] For want of space, the writer, with great reluctance, has been compelled to omit a long biographical chapter respecting these first Oxford Methodists. If life be spared, however, the details, in an expanded form, may be published hereafter. Such a book would serve as a companion volume to the present publication.
[74] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 402.
[75] Methodist Magazine, 1832, p. 793.
[76] The notes of their proceedings, in Wesley’s handwriting, still exist, in a small 18mo volume, possessed by the family of the late Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke. (See Catalogue of Dr. Clarke’s MSS., p. 93.)
[77] Methodist Magazine, 1798, p. 118, etc.
[78] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 20.
[79] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 34.
[80] Ibid. vol. vii., p. 65.
[81] Ibid. vol. xi., p. 352.
[82] Wesley’s Works, vol. xiii., p. 82.
[83] Ibid. vol. xi., p. 498.
[84] Ibid. vol. xiii., p. 288; also, Methodist Magazine, 1781, p. 319.
[85] Wesley’s Works, vol. vii., p. 193.
[86] Wesley’s Works, vol. viii., pp. 334, 487.
[87] Benson’s “Apology,” p. 25.
[88] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 169.
[89] Original letter in Wesleyan Times, May 12, 1866.
[90] See “Autobiography of Mrs. Delany.”
[91] Ibid. vol. i., p. 40.
[92] See original letter, Wesleyan Times, May 28, 1866.
[93] “Autobiography of Mrs. Delany,” vol. i., p. 269.
[94] Methodist Magazine, 1863, p. 134, etc.
[95] “Autobiography of Mrs. Delany,” vol. i., p. 343.
[96] Ibid. p. 410.
[97] Jackson’s Life of C. Wesley, vol. i., p. 11.
[98] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., pp. 6, 11.
[99] Methodist Magazine, 1850, p. 1064.
[100] Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 94.
[101] Methodist Magazine, 1787, p. 229, etc.
[102] Ibid. 1844, p. 818.
[103] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 12.
[104] Wesley’s Works, vol. xiii., p. 288.
[105] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., pp. 190, 191.
[106] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 194.
[107] The text was Romans ii. 29; and the title of the sermon, “The Circumcision of the Heart.”
[108] Wesley’s Works, vol. iii., 202.
[109] Wesley’s Works, vol. v., p. 190.
[110] Methodist Magazine, 1798, p. 607.
[111] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 204.
[112] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 7.
[113] Ibid. vol. xii., p. 14.
[114] See original letter in Wesleyan Times, Oct. 1, 1866.
[115] Wesley’s Works, vol. xiii., p. 288; and Brown’s “Memoirs of Hervey,” p. 2.
[116] Wesleyan Times, April 8, 1861.
[117] Methodist Magazine, 1848, p. 892.
[118] “Life and Times of S. Wesley,” p. 441.
[119] Priestley’s Letters, p. 44.
[120] Ibid. p. 48.
[121] Priestley’s Letters, p. 21.
[122] Priestley’s Letters, p. 17.
[123] Wesleyan Times, Jan. 14, 1866.
[124] Priestley’s Letters, p. 16.
[125] Benson’s “Apology,” pp. 30–32.
[126] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 208.
[127] Priestley’s Letters, p. 18.
[128] Priestley’s Letters, p. 20.
[129] Ibid. p. 43.
[130] Ibid. p. 45.
[131] Ibid. p. 47.
[132] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 23.
[133] Whitefield’s Life, 1756, p. 25.
[134] The writer is perfectly aware that Wesley states (Wesley’s Works, vol. xiii., p. 386) that he continued in his purpose to live and die at Oxford till Dr. Burton pressed him to go to Georgia. This is a fair objection; but the reader will do well to remember that the above statement was made by Wesley in the year 1785; and that it is only reasonable to suppose that Wesley, at the moment, forgot his correspondence with Broughton fifty years previous.
[135] Wesley’s Works, vol xiii., p. 288.
[136] Whitefield’s Life, 1756.
[137] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 446.
[138] Methodist Magazine, 1798, p. 439.
[139] “Memoirs of Hutton.” This is not the place to pursue James Hutton’s history. Suffice it to say, that he became one of the principal Moravians in England; and that it was by his exertions mainly that the Moravian missions in North America were taken under government protection. He was often contemptuously spoken of as “the deaf old Moravian”: but he was a scholar and a gentleman; had intercourse with persons of the highest rank; and was a frequent and almost familiar visitor of George III. and his Queen Charlotte. For many years, his difficulty of hearing was such that he could converse only by the use of an ear trumpet; but his face was always lit up with intellect, and his life was spent in doing good. He died in 1795.
[140] Wesley Banner, 1852, p. 351.
[141] Evening Post, Oct. 14, 1735.
[142] Gentleman’s Magazine, 1733, p. 384.
[143] “Account of the Sufferings of the Persecuted Protestants in the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg.” London: 1733.
[144] Wright’s Memoir of Oglethorpe, p. 77.
[145] Methodist Magazine, 1844, p. 920.
[146] “Reasons for Establishing the Colony of Georgia.” London: 1733.
[147] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 35.
[148] Priestley’s Letters, p. 56.
[149] Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 16, and vol. viii., p. 471.
[150] Ingham manuscripts.
[151] Manuscripts.
[152] Francis Moore, who sailed in the Simmonds, became keeper of the stores in Georgia, and in 1744 published an account of his voyage; and relates, as its principal incidents, that a boy fell overboard, but was rescued by a rope; in the Downs, a servant was set on shore because he had the itch; the passengers had prayers twice a day; Wesley and his friends expounded the Scriptures and catechized the children, and ate at Oglethorpe’s table; the Germans sung psalms, and served God in their own way; and the only person punished during the voyage was a boy for stealing turnips.
[153] Ingham’s Journal.
[154] Ibid.
[155] Ingham’s Journal.
[156] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 256.
[157] Ibid. p. 259.
[158] Ingham’s Journal.
[159] The Old Whig, June 17, 1736.
[160] Gentleman’s Magazine, 1736.
[161] “New Voyage to Georgia,” 2nd edit., 1737.
[162] “A Voyage to Georgia,” by F. Moore. London: 1744.
[163] Ingham’s Journal.
[164] James Hutton’s Memoirs, p. 22.
[165] Methodist Magazine, 1797, p. 371.
[166] Wesley’s Works, vol. xiii., p. 289.
[167] Ibid. vol. xii., p. 15.
[168] Ingham’s Journal.
[169] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 293
[170] Ingham’s Journal.
[171] Rev. C. Wesley’s Journal, vol. i., p. 5.
[172] Thomas and Beata Hawkins sailed to Georgia in the same ship as Wesley (Clarke’s “Wesley Family,” vol. ii., p. 177). Hawkins was a surgeon. His wife was a virago, who well-nigh murdered two constables at Frederica, by breaking a brace of bottles on their heads (Methodist Magazine, abridg. edit., 1862, p. 500).
[173] Wesley’s Works vol. xii., p. 39.
[174] Original letter in Wesleyan Times, Jan. 30, 1865.
[175] Methodist Magazine, 1848, p. 1102.
[176] Moore’s Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 160.
[177] Manuscript letter.
[178] Priestley’s Letters, p. 63.
[179] Methodist Magazine, 1863, p. 731.