John Wesley, Founder of Methodism
Declaring, The world is my parish, John Wesley traveled
over 250,000 miles (mostly on horseback), preaching over 44,000
sermons, holding meetings, visiting the prisons, aiding the poor,
championing social reforms and befriending the common people. He
was a practical theologian—promarily concerned about develping
a faith that worked in everyday living. Wesley gave himself daily
to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study and devotion
as the means to a vital relationship with God. It is said of him
that his personal influence was greater perhaps than that of any
private gentleman in the country.
| Teach
us, O God, to use this world without abusing it; and to receive
those things needful for the body, without losing our part in
thy love, which is better than life itself. Amen. |
A Chronology of John Wesley:
1703 - Born on June 17, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England,
the 15th child and second surviving son of Samuel and Susanna Wesley.
1709 - Rescued from the fire at Epworth rectory—"A
brand plucked out of the burning."
1720 - Admitted to Oxford University; graduated in 1726.
1725 - Ordained a Deacon and preached his first sermon.
1729 - Returned to Oxford as a Fellow and, along with his
brother, Charles, organized the Holy Club.
1736 - Arrived in Savannah, Georgia; served there until
1737; mission mostly failed.
1738 - Conversion experience at Aldersgate on May 24.
1739 - Open air service at Bristol where he preached to
3,000 people.
1744 - First Methodist Conference, in London.
1778 - Opened the City Road Chapel in London on October
2nd.
1791 - Wesley's last sermon was preached at Leatherhead,
Surrey, England.
1791 - Died on March 2nd, in his 88th year.
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