1754.

1754Age 51

WESLEY began the year 1754, as an invalid, at the Hotwells, Bristol. On the first Sunday of the year, he commenced writing his “Notes on the New Testament,”—“a work,” says he, “which I should scarce ever have attempted, had I not been so ill as not to be able to travel or preach, and yet so well as to be able to read and write.” With the exception of the time prescribed for his taking exercise on horseback, two hours for meals, and one for private prayer, he spent sixteen hours a day on this,—the greatest work which he had yet attempted. For a few days, his brother assisted him in comparing the translation of the evangelists with the original, and in reading Dr. Heylyn’s Lectures, and Dr. Doddridge’s Expositor. In ten weeks, hisrough draftof the translation, and the notes on the four gospels, was completed.

He now returned to London, and, retiring to the village of Paddington, he spent nearly the whole of the next three months in writing, with the exception of coming to town on Saturday evenings for the purpose of taking part in Sunday services.

Thus half of the year 1754 was spent in needed retirement, and in comparative silence. After an intermission of four months, Wesley preached, for the first time, at Bristol, on March 26. On Easter Sunday, he preached a sermon in West Street chapel, Seven Dials, which was the means of the conversion of Alexander Mather, who then, for the first time, saw and heard him, but afterwards became one of his chief counsellors.[209]A month later, he preached to a densely crowded congregation, in what had been Sadlers Wells theatre; and, with less or more frequency, in other places in the metropolis until Whit Sunday, when he once more took the evening service at the Foundery; but writes, “I have notrecovered my whole voice or strength; perhaps I never may; but let me use what I have.”

In this way were spent his convalescent months of enforced retirement. Wesley found it impossible to live a life of inactivity.

Whitefield was off to America, having embarked in the month of March. Where Charles Wesley was employed we have no means of knowing. Of Wesley himself a few glimpses will be obtained in the following extracts from letters written during his seclusion.

Three days after his arrival at Bristol Hotwells, he wrote as follows to his friend Blackwell.

“Bristol,January 5, 1754.“Dear Sir,—If I write to my best friends first, I must not delay writing to you, who have been the greatest instruments, in God’s hands, of my recovery thus far. The journey hither did not weary me at all; but I now find the want of Lewisham air. We are (quite contrary to my judgment, but our friends here would have it so) in a cold, bleak place, and in a very cold house. If the Hotwell water make amends for this, it is well. Nor have I any place to ride, but either by the river side, or over the downs, where the wind is ready to carry me away. However, one thing we know,—that whatsoever is, is best. My wife joins me in tender love both to Mrs. Blackwell, Mrs. Dewall, and yourself.”[210]

“Bristol,January 5, 1754.

“Dear Sir,—If I write to my best friends first, I must not delay writing to you, who have been the greatest instruments, in God’s hands, of my recovery thus far. The journey hither did not weary me at all; but I now find the want of Lewisham air. We are (quite contrary to my judgment, but our friends here would have it so) in a cold, bleak place, and in a very cold house. If the Hotwell water make amends for this, it is well. Nor have I any place to ride, but either by the river side, or over the downs, where the wind is ready to carry me away. However, one thing we know,—that whatsoever is, is best. My wife joins me in tender love both to Mrs. Blackwell, Mrs. Dewall, and yourself.”[210]

A fortnight after this, Whitefield addressed his old friend thus.

“London,January 19, 1754.“Dear Mr. Wesley,—As my embarking for America seems to be very near at hand, your question must necessarily be answered in the negative. However, I thank you for your kind offer, and earnestly pray, that, wherever you are called to labour, you may find the work of the Lord prospering in your hands. I did not know, that there was any demur between you and those with whom you have been for some time connected; and I am sure, God is my witness, that I want to draw no man from them. People, money, power, are not my objects. We have blessed seasons here; the glory of the Lord fills our new Tabernacle. I hope you find your present illness sanctified. That is a sign of special love. Adieu, I am in great haste. But with greater love, I subscribe myself, dear Mr. Wesley, yours most affectionately in our common Lord,“George Whitefield.”[211]

“London,January 19, 1754.

“Dear Mr. Wesley,—As my embarking for America seems to be very near at hand, your question must necessarily be answered in the negative. However, I thank you for your kind offer, and earnestly pray, that, wherever you are called to labour, you may find the work of the Lord prospering in your hands. I did not know, that there was any demur between you and those with whom you have been for some time connected; and I am sure, God is my witness, that I want to draw no man from them. People, money, power, are not my objects. We have blessed seasons here; the glory of the Lord fills our new Tabernacle. I hope you find your present illness sanctified. That is a sign of special love. Adieu, I am in great haste. But with greater love, I subscribe myself, dear Mr. Wesley, yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

“George Whitefield.”[211]

For four years past, Henry Venn had been curate of St. Matthew’s church, in Friday Street, London. Twelve years before, he had entered St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he was reckoned one of the best cricket players in the university. His last game was in 1747, in a match between Surrey and All England, and was played a week before his ordination. As soon as it was over, he announced his intention not to play again. His friends asked him why. He answered, “Because I am to be ordained on Sunday; and I will never have it said of me, ‘Well struck, parson!’” He now began to read Law’s “Serious Call”; kept frequent fasts; and abandoned his gay companions.[212]In 1754, he wrote the following to Wesley.

“London,March 21, 1754.“Dear Sir,—I have often experienced your words to be as thunder to my drowsy soul, I presume, though a stranger, to become a petitioner, begging you would send me a personal charge, to take heed to feed the flock committed unto me. If you consider the various snares to which a curate is exposed—either to palliate the doctrines of the gospel, or to make treacherous allowances to the rich and great, or, at least, to sit down satisfied with doing the least, more than the best, among the idle shepherds,—you will not, I hope, condemn this letter, as impertinently interrupting you in your noble employment, or think one hour lost in complying with its request. It is the request of one, who though he differs from you, and possibly ever may in some points, yet must ever acknowledge the benefit and light he has received from your works and preaching; and, therefore, is bound to thank the Lord of the harvest, for sending a labourer among us, so much endued with the spirit and power of Elias; and to pray for your long continuance among us, to encourage me and my brethren, by your example, while you edify us by your writings. I am, sir, your feeble brother in Christ,“Henry Venn.”[213]

“London,March 21, 1754.

“Dear Sir,—I have often experienced your words to be as thunder to my drowsy soul, I presume, though a stranger, to become a petitioner, begging you would send me a personal charge, to take heed to feed the flock committed unto me. If you consider the various snares to which a curate is exposed—either to palliate the doctrines of the gospel, or to make treacherous allowances to the rich and great, or, at least, to sit down satisfied with doing the least, more than the best, among the idle shepherds,—you will not, I hope, condemn this letter, as impertinently interrupting you in your noble employment, or think one hour lost in complying with its request. It is the request of one, who though he differs from you, and possibly ever may in some points, yet must ever acknowledge the benefit and light he has received from your works and preaching; and, therefore, is bound to thank the Lord of the harvest, for sending a labourer among us, so much endued with the spirit and power of Elias; and to pray for your long continuance among us, to encourage me and my brethren, by your example, while you edify us by your writings. I am, sir, your feeble brother in Christ,

“Henry Venn.”[213]

One of Venn’s acquaintance, at Cambridge, was Mr. Samuel Furley. He it was who recommended Venn to read Law’s “Serious Call,” which led to his adopting a new mode of life. Furley was still at college, and was only twenty-two years of age. Like Venn, he also wrote to Wesley for advice, and received the following answer.

“Bristol,March 30, 1754.“Dear Sir,—I received your letter, and rejoiced to find, that you are still determined to save yourself, by the grace of God, from this perverse generation. But this cannot possibly be done at Cambridge (I speak from long experience), unless you can make and keep one resolution, to have no acquaintance but such as fear God. I know it may be some time before you will find any that truly bear this character. If so, it is best to be alone till you do, and to converse only with your absent friends by letter. But if you are carried away with the stream into frequent conversation with harmless, good natured, honest triflers, they will soon steal away all your strength, and stifle all the grace of God in your soul.“With regard to your studies, I know no better method you could pursue, than to take the printed rules of Kingswood school, and to read all the authors therein mentioned, in the same order as they occur there. The authors set down for those in the school, you would probably read in about a twelvemonth; and those afterwards named, in a year or two more: and it will not be lost labour. I suppose you to rise not later than five; to allow an hour in the morning and another in the evening for private exercises; an hour before dinner, and one in the afternoon for walking; and to go to bed between nine and ten. I commend you to Him who is able to carry you through all dangers, and am, dear sir, your affectionate brother and servant,“John Wesley.”[214]

“Bristol,March 30, 1754.

“Dear Sir,—I received your letter, and rejoiced to find, that you are still determined to save yourself, by the grace of God, from this perverse generation. But this cannot possibly be done at Cambridge (I speak from long experience), unless you can make and keep one resolution, to have no acquaintance but such as fear God. I know it may be some time before you will find any that truly bear this character. If so, it is best to be alone till you do, and to converse only with your absent friends by letter. But if you are carried away with the stream into frequent conversation with harmless, good natured, honest triflers, they will soon steal away all your strength, and stifle all the grace of God in your soul.

“With regard to your studies, I know no better method you could pursue, than to take the printed rules of Kingswood school, and to read all the authors therein mentioned, in the same order as they occur there. The authors set down for those in the school, you would probably read in about a twelvemonth; and those afterwards named, in a year or two more: and it will not be lost labour. I suppose you to rise not later than five; to allow an hour in the morning and another in the evening for private exercises; an hour before dinner, and one in the afternoon for walking; and to go to bed between nine and ten. I commend you to Him who is able to carry you through all dangers, and am, dear sir, your affectionate brother and servant,

“John Wesley.”[214]

In the fourth week of the month of May, Wesley held his annual conference. He writes: “The spirit of peace and love was in the midst of us. Before we parted, we all willingly signed an agreement, not to act independently of each other; so that the breach lately made has only united us more closely together than ever.”

The breach, here referred to, was the withdrawal from the itinerant work of Samuel Larwood (whom Wesley buried two years afterwards), Charles Skelton, John Whitford, and one or two others, who had become dissatisfied with the itinerant plan, and with their position as mere evangelists. Wesley hoped that the evil was ended; but it was spread more widely than he imagined, as will be seen hereafter.

The appointments of the conference week will throw some light on the state of Methodism in London, in 1754; and it may gratify the curious reader to see a copy of the plan for the week beginning May 20, and to learn how often, and inwhat places, public services were held. The following is a literatim copy from Wesley’s manuscript, with the exception of the figures for the appended notes.

Notes:—1Foundery.2Spitalfields.3Snowsfields.4Wapping.5Sadler’s Wells.6The chapel in West Street, Seven Dials.7Westminster.8Days of week.9John Fenwick.10Robert Swindells.11Joseph or John Jones.12James Deaves.13Perhaps James Jones.14Christopher Hopper.15John Edwards.16Charles Wesley.17Deptford, Charles Perronet.18John Haime, or John Haughton, or John Hampson.19William Roberts.20Christopher Hopper, or William Roberts.21Joseph Cownley.22Thomas Mitchel.23Deptford, Thomas Mitchel.24John Wesley.25Thomas Walsh.26Jacob Rowell. (SeeMethodist Magazine, 1855, p. 224.)

We thus find seven preaching places in London, of which Sadler’s Wells theatre was one; sixteen preachers were employed, and thirty-seven sermons preached during the week the conference held its sittings.

The writer cannot refrain from giving another Methodist curiosity belonging to 1754. In his nearly complete set of society tickets, many are remarkable; but one, issued in the present year, is without a fellow. The ticket was given, by John Hampson, senior, to Otiwell Higginbotham, a man of considerable property, who lived at Marple, near Stockport, and, evidently, was intended to serve, not for one quartermerely, but for four. With the exception of a single line being substituted for a plainly ornamented border, the following is a copy:—

“To him that overcometh will I grantto sit down with Me on My throne, evenas I also overcame, and am set downwith My Father in His throne.”March 25, 1754.Otw[l.][l.]Higginbottom. J. H.June 25.September 29.December 25.

“To him that overcometh will I grantto sit down with Me on My throne, evenas I also overcame, and am set downwith My Father in His throne.”

March 25, 1754.Otw[l.][l.]Higginbottom. J. H.

June 25.

September 29.

December 25.

On the 8th of July, Wesley, though still in enfeebled health, set out, for the first time, to Norwich, accompanied by his brother, by Charles Perronet, and by Robert Windsor. The whole city was in an uproar respecting the infamous conduct of James Wheatley. The mayor was employed in taking the affidavits of the women whom Wheatley had endeavoured to corrupt. The people were so scandalized and exasperated, that they were ready to rise, and tear the poor wretch to pieces. For four days, the Wesley brothers remained, in retirement, at the residence of Captain Gallatin, transcribing the “Notes on the New Testament.” On the 14th, Charles ventured to preach in the open street, and the congregation was “tolerably quiet, all things considered.” Five days later, his brother returned to London—being so seriously unwell as to necessitate his again taking the advice of Dr. Fothergill. Charles continued at Norwich some weeks longer. His congregations became large; and, on one occasion, he had three magistrates and nine clergymen among his auditors. He received the sacrament from the hands of the bishop; and took a lease for seven years, of a large old brewhouse, to serve as a place for preaching. A little society of eighteen members was instituted. Wheatley’s people were furious and abusive. The city swarmed with papists, antinomians, and Socinians. The opposition was fierce, and, in some instances, brutal; but Charles Wesley was thoroughly aroused; becameas courageous as ever; and preached with amazing power, and with great success. Methodism was now fairly started in the city of Norwich.

On his return to London, Wesley was ordered, by Dr. Fothergill, to repair to the Hotwells, at Bristol, without delay. He did so; but such was his restless activity, that, within three weeks, he started on a preaching tour to Taunton, Tiverton, and other places. On September 5, he held the quarterly meeting of the Cornish stewards at Launceston. At Plymouth, he preached in the new chapel, recently erected, but which, though three or four times the size of the old one, was not large enough to contain the congregation. On September 10, he got back to Bristol, “at least as well as when” he left it. In eight days, he had preached eight times, besides travelling, visiting, and meeting his societies.

He now spent three weeks more at Bristol, during which he opened the first Methodist chapel at Trowbridge, a chapel built by Lawrence Oliphant, who, while a soldier, had been converted under the preaching of John Haime, in Flanders. Wesley writes: “September 17.—I rode to Trowbridge, where one who found peace with God while he was a soldier in Flanders, and has been much prospered in business since his discharge, has built a preaching house at his own expense. He had a great desire that I should be the first who preached in it; but, before I had finished the hymn, it was so crowded, and consequently so hot, that I was obliged to go out and stand at the door; there was a multitude of hearers, rich and poor.”

About the time that Wesley preached at the opening of Trowbridge chapel, Samuel Bowden, M.D., bespattered the Wiltshire Methodists by the publication of a satirical poem, entitled “The Mechanic Inspired; or, the Methodist’s Welcome to Frome,” dedicated to Lord Viscount Dungarvan. A few of the first lines of this scurrilous production will suffice as a specimen of all the rest:

“Ye vagabond Levites, who ramble about,To gull with your priestcraft an ignorant rout,Awhile your nonsensical canting suspend,And now to my honester ballad attend.The dupes of sly, Romish, itinerant liars,The spawn of French Prophets, and mendicant friars;Ye pious enthusiasts! who riot, and rob,With holy grimace, and sanctified sob.”[215]

“Ye vagabond Levites, who ramble about,

To gull with your priestcraft an ignorant rout,

Awhile your nonsensical canting suspend,

And now to my honester ballad attend.

The dupes of sly, Romish, itinerant liars,

The spawn of French Prophets, and mendicant friars;

Ye pious enthusiasts! who riot, and rob,

With holy grimace, and sanctified sob.”[215]

Such were some of the choice epithets heaped upon Wesley and his helpers by this refined and accomplished son of Æsculapius.

On September 27, Wesley thought he “had strength enough to keep a watchnight, which he had not done before for eleven months;” but, at eleven o’clock, he almost lost his voice; and, the next evening, at Weavers’ Hall, Bristol, it entirely failed. He now set out for London, halting at Salisbury on the way. While here, he walked to Old Sarum, “which,” says he, “in spite of common sense, without house or inhabitants, still sends two members to the parliament.”

On October 4, he arrived in London, where he seems to have continued during the remainder of the year. It was a year of great feebleness and affliction; but Wesley, though an invalid, crowded into it as much work as would have been done by any ordinary man in the best of health. What were the works he published?

1. “An Extract of the Rev. John Wesley’s Journal, from November 25, 1746, to July 20, 1749.” 12mo, 139 pages.

2. “An Answer to all which the Rev. Dr. Gill has printed on the Final Perseverance of the Saints.” 12mo, 12 pages.

This is a poem of thirty-seven stanzas of eight lines each, many of which are scorchingly sarcastic. The tract is now extremely scarce, and hence we give the following lengthened quotations. The devil, addressing the elect, is made to say—

“God is unchangeable,And therefore so are you,And therefore they can never fail,Who once His goodness knew.In part perhaps you may,You cannot wholly fall,Cannot become a castaway,Like non-elected Paul.

“God is unchangeable,And therefore so are you,And therefore they can never fail,Who once His goodness knew.

“God is unchangeable,

And therefore so are you,

And therefore they can never fail,

Who once His goodness knew.

In part perhaps you may,You cannot wholly fall,Cannot become a castaway,Like non-elected Paul.

In part perhaps you may,

You cannot wholly fall,

Cannot become a castaway,

Like non-elected Paul.

Though you continue not,Yet God remains the same,Out of His book he cannot blotYour everlasting name.God’s threatenings all are vain,You fancy them sincere;But spare yourself the needless pain,And cast away your fear.He speaks with this intent,To frighten you from ill,With sufferings which He only meantThe reprobate to feel.He only cautions allWho never came to God,Not to depart from God, or fallFrom grace, who never stood.‘Gainst those that faithless prove,He shuts His mercy’s door,And whom He never once did loveThreatens to love no more.For them He doth revokeThe grace they did not share,And blot the names out of His bookThat ne’er were written there.Cast all your fears away,My son, be of good cheer,Nor mind what Paul and Peter say,For youmustpersevere.And did they fright the child,And tell it it might fall?Might be of its reward beguiled,And sin and forfeit all?What naughty men be they,To take the children’s bread,Their carnal confidence to slay,And force them to take heed!Ah, poor misguided soul!And did they make it weep?Come, let me in my bosom lullThy sorrows all to sleep.They shall not vex it so,By bidding it take heed;You need not as a bulrush go,Still bowing down your headYour griefs and fears reject,Myothergospel own,Only believe yourself Elect,And all the work is done.”

Though you continue not,Yet God remains the same,Out of His book he cannot blotYour everlasting name.

Though you continue not,

Yet God remains the same,

Out of His book he cannot blot

Your everlasting name.

God’s threatenings all are vain,You fancy them sincere;But spare yourself the needless pain,And cast away your fear.

God’s threatenings all are vain,

You fancy them sincere;

But spare yourself the needless pain,

And cast away your fear.

He speaks with this intent,To frighten you from ill,With sufferings which He only meantThe reprobate to feel.

He speaks with this intent,

To frighten you from ill,

With sufferings which He only meant

The reprobate to feel.

He only cautions allWho never came to God,Not to depart from God, or fallFrom grace, who never stood.

He only cautions all

Who never came to God,

Not to depart from God, or fall

From grace, who never stood.

‘Gainst those that faithless prove,He shuts His mercy’s door,And whom He never once did loveThreatens to love no more.

‘Gainst those that faithless prove,

He shuts His mercy’s door,

And whom He never once did love

Threatens to love no more.

For them He doth revokeThe grace they did not share,And blot the names out of His bookThat ne’er were written there.

For them He doth revoke

The grace they did not share,

And blot the names out of His book

That ne’er were written there.

Cast all your fears away,My son, be of good cheer,Nor mind what Paul and Peter say,For youmustpersevere.

Cast all your fears away,

My son, be of good cheer,

Nor mind what Paul and Peter say,

For youmustpersevere.

And did they fright the child,And tell it it might fall?Might be of its reward beguiled,And sin and forfeit all?

And did they fright the child,

And tell it it might fall?

Might be of its reward beguiled,

And sin and forfeit all?

What naughty men be they,To take the children’s bread,Their carnal confidence to slay,And force them to take heed!

What naughty men be they,

To take the children’s bread,

Their carnal confidence to slay,

And force them to take heed!

Ah, poor misguided soul!And did they make it weep?Come, let me in my bosom lullThy sorrows all to sleep.

Ah, poor misguided soul!

And did they make it weep?

Come, let me in my bosom lull

Thy sorrows all to sleep.

They shall not vex it so,By bidding it take heed;You need not as a bulrush go,Still bowing down your head

They shall not vex it so,

By bidding it take heed;

You need not as a bulrush go,

Still bowing down your head

Your griefs and fears reject,Myothergospel own,Only believe yourself Elect,And all the work is done.”

Your griefs and fears reject,

Myothergospel own,

Only believe yourself Elect,

And all the work is done.”

The above will give the reader an idea of this rare and curious tract.

3. During the year 1754, Wesley also published eight additional volumes of his “Christian Library,” from Vol. XXXIV. to Vol. XLI. inclusive, and containing invaluable extracts from the works of Dr. Goodman, Archbishop Leighton, Dr. Isaac Barrow, Dr. Samuel Annesley, Dr. Henry More, Dr. Stephen Charnock, Dr. Edmund Calamy, Dr. Richard Lucas, Bishop Reynolds, Richard Baxter, Madame Bourignon, and others.

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