Page images
PDF
EPUB

He vested the control of Methodism, its interests and property, in a Council of one hundred, whom he nominated, and who afterwards coopted new members. In 1795 the Conference took the first step towards secession by allowing the preachers to administer the sacraments if the congregations so desired. In 1836 ordination by the hands of senior ministers was adopted.

Wesley is described as low in stature, of slight figure, but well proportioned. His frame was muscular, being capable of great exertion, and he exhibited all the symptoms of a sound constitution. His features were clear cut and fine, and his complexion was singularly fresh and healthy, even to the end of his life. His countenance was expressive and benign; and it was a common common thing for persons who were much prejudiced against him to change their opinion on seeing him for the first time, and from that moment to become admiring friends.1 His attitude in the pulpit was graceful and His action calm and natural, yet pleasing and expressive. His voice not loud, but clear and manly. His style neat, simple, and perspicuous, and admirably adapted to the capacity

[ocr errors]

easy.

1 Urlin, from Hampson, Whitehead, Coke and Moore.

of his hearers. His discourses in point of composition were extremely different on different occasions. When he gave himself sufficient time for study he succeeded; but when he did not he frequently failed. . . . His sermons were always short, seldom more than half an hour, and sometimes not so long.

"For fifty-two years or upwards he generally delivered two, frequently three or four sermons in a day. But calculating at two sermons a day, and allowing, as a writer of his life has done, fifty annually for extraordinary occasions, the whole number during this period will be 40,560. To these might be added an infinite number of exhortations to the society after preaching, and in other occasional meetings at which he assisted. "In social life Mr. Wesley was lively and conversable. Having seen much of the world in his travels, and read more, his mind. was well stored with an infinite number of anecdotes and observations; and the manner in which he related them was no inconsiderable addition to the entertainment they afforded. And in private life among his friends his manner was equally sprightly and pleasant. It was impossible to be long in his company, either in public or private, without partaking of his placid

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

cheerfulness, which was not abated by the infirmities of age or the approach of death, but was conspicuous at fourscore and seven as at one and twenty."1

Dr. Johnson wrote of him: "Mr. Wesley's conversation is good. He talks well on any subject. I could converse with him all night."

When Wesley died, the number of members was 76,968. Since then the increase has been so great that above 18,000,000 people are now receiving Methodist instruction in various parts of the world. The Wesleyan Methodist body in the United Kingdom has now 459,569 members, and 955,518 Sunday scholars.

The Methodist New Connexion was started in 1797 by Alexander Kilham. It has 30,526 members, and 84,474 Sunday scholars.

The Primitive Methodists began in Staffordshire in 1810 under Hugh Bourne. They have 195,750 members, and 456,331 Sunday scholars.

The Bible Christians were founded in 1815 by William O'Bryen. They have 26,336 members, and 41,086 Sunday scholars.

The United Methodist Free Churches represent three secessions, amalgamated in 1857.

1 Whitehead.

They number 68,017 members, and 193,464 Sunday scholars. The number of Sunday scholars in all these cases probably suggests a little inquiry.

The chief biographies of Wesley are:
Hampson Sunderland, 1791.

Whitehead, 2 vols. : Dublin, 1805-6.
Coke and Moore (reprinted): Derby, 1843.
Southey, 2 vols. (reprinted): London, 1864.
Watson 1831.

Jackson (3rd ed.): London, 1862.

Wesley's Journals, 4 vols: London, 1864. Urlin, Wesley's Place in Church History: London, 1870.

Hockin, Wesley and Modern Methodism.

Rigg, Churchmanship of John Wesley: London, 1879.

Tyerman, 3 vols. London.

Urlin, Churchman's Life of Wesley: London (to which I am indebted for most of the facts in the foregoing sketch).

VIII

SIMEON

THE TEACHER OF VITAL RELIGION

HERE is only one man at Cambridge,"

THE

says Canon Overton, the historian of the English Church in the eighteenth century, and of the Evangelical Movement, "whose services to Evangelicalism at all equalled those of Isaac Milner. It need scarcely be said that that man was Charles Simeon, the voluntary performer of that work for which, of all others, our universities ought most carefully to provide, but which, at least during the eighteenth century, they most neglected-the training of our future. clergymen." And Macaulay ascribes to him, through his wonderful power over generations of young students and ministers, an influence greater than that of an archbishop of Canterbury.

Charles Simeon was, like William Laud, born at Reading; on September 4th, 1759, thirtytwo years before the death of John Wesley.

« PreviousContinue »