These words form the very heart of the gospel, and I was reminded of them when I was recently re-reading John Wesley's journal.  This book gives a great insight into his dedication in winning converts and spreading the message of the Gospel, with pictures of many vivid incidents in his life, such as the incident we discussed with the children, when as a child of six, he was rescued from the upper storey of his burning home.  Forever afterward, he regarded himself as a "brand plucked from the burning"- someone God had spared to fulfill a special mission (See children's story on the fire).  He was a precocious child, able to read at six, and a master of Greek and ready for university at the age of eleven, although he had to wait several more years before he was admitted to Oxford University.  There, he distinguished himself by his methodical lifestyle, rising as early as 4 a.m. to make good use of his time, and for this reason he and his friends (a "Holy Club" of eight that included George Whitfield and Charles Wesley) became nick-named the "Methodists".
 
 

What is the first date that you can remember, looking back on your life?  Probably your birthday!  And June 17th, 2003 is the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of John Wesley.  The picture on the left shows his birthplace at Epworth, Lincolnshire, now restored.  There are many events currently to celebrate his birthday, including some in Vancouver, and today we will have our special celebration, singing some of the many hymns written by John's brother Charles, and using a number of John's original prayers.  Yesterday (May 24th) was also a very special day for those in the Methodist tradition- it marks the anniversary of the day when Wesley went (rather reluctantly) to a small chapel in Aldersgate (near the City Road Methodist Church in London, picture on right) and felt his heart "strangely warmed".  He had previously tried to be a missionary, with little success, but now, very quietly, he found a new commitment to Christ which carried him forward in a remarkable life of prayer, fasting, self denial and commitment to the work of his Lord.

One of the first things that struck me in the journal was the remarkable distances that John travelled- thousands of miles per year, mostly on horseback, and (always a methodical man) he did not waste time on his travel- always, he was reading, meditating and preparing sernons as he rode.  He preached a total of 42,000 sermons over the course of his lifetime- although never more than four on one day! At first, he was much in demand to fill pulpits, as often the person appointed to a parish enjoyed the stipend but not the preaching!  However, the message of a salvation that extended to all was not well received by the wealthy, who alone attended many of the churches, and soon he was banned from many pulpits.

George Whitfield decided that the answer to this problem was to take the preaching to the countryside, and meetings on the hills around Bristol were soon attracting large crowds of miners, with many conversions.  Whitfield, who was at this time committed to work in the U.S.A., had to return to America, but Wesley remained doubtful about preaching other than in the sanctuary of the established church.  Finally, to test Whitfield's plan, he tossed a coin, and decided that God had said "yes" to the outdoor preaching.  Still, John conscientiously arranged his gatherings at times that would not interfere with church services.  He had a powerful voice, and could speak to three thousand people without the aid of a microphone!  He commented "God gave me so clear and strong a voice that I believe scarce one word was lost."  At one time, he preached from his father's tombstone, in Epworth churchyard, and his voice is said to have carried 150 metres.  One day, he encountered the swell Beau Nash.  Nash challenged him- "Your preaching frightens people".  "Have you heard me preach?" asked John.  "No," said Nash, "but that is what I hear".  "Well", said John, "I wouldn't care to base my opinion of you on what I hear!"  A nearby lady called out to Nash "You just take care of your body, but we take care of our souls, and we find the food for our souls here."  This is a comment we might take to heart in an era when church attendance has become an option rather than a perceived need.

Often, his audience was enthusiastic, but at times there was noisy opposition that even his strong voice could not overcome.  "It was like the roaring of the sea", he noted in his journal.  When the crowd became violent, he moved towards an open door, but was pulled back by a group shouting "knock his brains out" and "kill him".  He continued his attempts to speak, but after 15 minutes, his voice failed.  When he got his second wind, the leader of the gang recognised his pluck, and said "Sir, I will spend my life for you.  No one will touch a hair of your head."  Two others joined him, and he was helped and guarded out of town.  John's journal comment is typical:  "I lost only a little flap of my waistcoat, and a little skin from one of my hands.  I never saw such a chain of providence before: so much convincing proof that the handof God is in every person, over-ruling all as it seems good to Him."  On another occasion, he was in danger of being thrown into the river.  He was not afraid for himself- after all, I can swim, he reasoned.  But what about my papers? (like Methodist lay preachers to this day, he no doubt carried one or more sermons in hos coat pocket).  When preaching in the gardens near Whitechapel, he was confronted by a herd of cows.  Their masters began throwing stones at him, and one struck his eyes.  He wiped away the blood, and continued preaching, commenting that the cows appeared wiser than their masters.  "But what a blessing to suffer for Him."  At a meeting in Chelsea, smoke bombs and fireworks were thrown into the room where he was, but he continued preaching, and his followers continued to listen.  Would we continue to come to church if we met such opposition?

His audience were largely the poverty-stricken multitude- ill-clothed, poorly housed, starving, and often seeking refuge in drunken behaviour; despite all the other claims on his time, he made frequent collections for the relief of poverty, set up dispensaries to provide medicine and sought out physicians for the sick; indeed, he is credited by many with averting the horror of a revolution such as occurred in France.  His message regarding money was simple: "Earn all you can.  Save all you can.  Give all you can."  He had considerable organizational skills.  Converts were given "tickets" and assigned to a class with a leader where they met regularly for bible instruction and spiritual development.  Maybe this is what our "pods" need?  He recognised that one could not just convert- it was also necessary to feed the convert.  He himself spent much time visiting- sometimes for as much as twelve hours per day, again a lesson for us as we face emptying churches- he was active in communicating a vibrant relationship with Jesus.  On a visit to Newcastle, he was shocked by the drunkenness and swearing, even of young children.  He began siging Psalm 100 (Make a Joyful Noise...).  At first, few took any notice.  But soon 500 were listening.  He was amazed.  "People were ready to tread me under foot out of pure love and kindness."  He promised to return that evening, when a vast crowd gathered on the hillside, and 850 people took out membership in the Methodist Society.

At the age of 73, he finally accepted with reluctance the reality that his followers in the Methodist Society had indeed become a new church, and a few years later he ordained Dr. Thomas Coke as the U.S.A. superintendent a few years later.  In 1791, his brother Charles died at the age of 72, after writing some 600 hymns. John realised "Time has shaken me by the hand, and death is not far behind.  I hope I shall not live to be useless."  He preached the last of his 42,000 sermons at the age of 77, and died a month later.

John was a man for 18th Century Britain, a nation in great need.  His philosophy: "Sir, you wish to serve God?  You cannot serve Him alone.  Find companions.  The Bible knows nothing of a solitary religion".  In 21st Century Squamish, God has put us here to work for Him.  Let us work with the enthusiasm and commitment of John Wesley.