Perhaps the most phenomenal aspect of Wesley's life was his rigorous preaching career. Travelling between only about fifty cities, he is estimated to have journeyed over 250,000 miles, and to have preached some 42,000 sermons.
Wesley, who was always as "methodical" as his circumstances would allow, normally rose at 4:00, preached at 5:00, and was on the road at six. Following is what might have been a typical week in his journeys.
- Mon. 13. -- I set out northward. We had fine weather for a while; then the wind rose, and the rain came down amain. We were thoroughly wet before we came to Stroud, but took no cold at all. At six the House was, as usual, quite filled, though the wind and rain kept many strangers away. The people appeared to be all alive, and ready to devour the word. Afterwards we had a love-feast, at which many, both men and women, spoke, with all simplicity, what God had done for their souls.
- Tues. 14. -- After preaching to a large congregation at five, we rode toward Tewkesbury: Notice having been given of my preaching about noon at a house a mile from the town. But we could not get to it; the floods were so high; so I intended to go straight to Worcester. But one informing me a congregation from all parts was waiting, we set out another way, and waded through the water. This congregation too seemed quite earnest; so that I did not regret my labour. But the going and coming was hard work, so that I was a little tired before we came to Worcester.
I began preaching about six in the riding-house. Abundance of people were deeply attentive. But toward the close, a large number of boys made a great noise. When we came out, men and boys joined together, in shouting and pushing to and fro. Many were frighted, but none hurt. Hitherto could Satan come, but no farther.
- Wed. 15. -- My horse being lame, and part of the road very bad, I did not reach Mr. Lee's, of Coton, till noon. The house is delightfully situated in his park, at the top of a fruitful hill. His Chaplain had just begun reading Prayers. Afterwards he desired me to give an exhortation. So I could not take horse till half-hour after one, when I had eight-and-twenty miles to ride on a lame horse. I came, however, to Shrewsbury between five and six, and preached to a large and quiet congregation. As we returned, the rabble were noisy enough; but they used only their tongues. So all was well.
- Thur. 16. -- We rode, with a furious wind full in our face, to Chester. Friday, 17, and the next days, we had a refreshing season, with a loving people, and in a loving family. The congregations were not small in the mornings; in the evenings exceeding large. And all who attended, behaved as if they not only understood, but relished, the good word.
- Sun. 19. -- Elizabeth Oldham called upon me. She told me, "Some time since my mother said, 'Call my son to see me die.' He asked, 'Have you any fear of death?' She said, 'O no! That is gone long since. Perfect love casts out fear. Do not you see him? There he is, waiting to receive my soul!' She then sang with a clear voice,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
And ended her song and her life together. (Journal, 1769)
Here is another interesting snapshot of a day of preaching
- Wed. 21. -- The House was filled at five, and we had another solemn opportunity. About eight, calling at Hinckley, I was desired to preach: As also at Forcell, ten or twelve miles farther. When I came to Coventry, I found notice had been given for my preaching in the park; but the heavy rain prevented. I sent to the Mayor, desiring the use of the Townhall. He refused; but the same day gave the use of it to a dancing-master. I then went to the women's market. Many soon gathered together, and listened with all seriousness. I preached there again the next morning, Thursday, 22, and again in the evening. Then I took coach for London. I was nobly attended; behind the coach were ten convicted felons, loudly blaspheming and rattling their chains; by my side sat a man with a loaded blunderbuss, and another upon the coach. (Journal, 1779)
Inevitably, there were distractions and attempted disruptions of his services, particularly during the earlier years. Wesley, and often his congregations, seemed to weather such interference with surprising equanimity.
- Wed. 24. -- I walked round the old Abbey, which, both with regard to its size, (being, I judge, an hundred yards long,) and the workmanship of it, is one of the finest, if not the finest, ruin in the kingdom. Hence we rode to Robin Hood's Bay, where I preached at six in the Lower-Street, near the quay. In the midst of the sermon a large cat, frighted out of a chamber, leaped down upon a woman's head, and ran over the heads or shoulders of many more; but none of them moved or cried out, any more than if it had been a butterfly. (Journal, 1761)
- Mon. 6. -- I rode to St. Mewan, and found a large congregation (notwithstanding the rain) waiting for me. As I came out, a huge man ran full against me. I thought it was by accident, till he did it a second time, and began to curse and swear; on which I turned a little out of the path. He pressed vehemently after me through the crowd, and planted himself close by my side. Toward the close of the sermon, his countenance changed; and in a while he slipped off his hat. When I had concluded, he squeezed me earnestly by the hand, and went away as quiet as a lamb. (Journal, 1750)
- Fri. 18. -- As I was meeting the Leaders, a company of young men, having prepared themselves by strong drink, broke open the door, and came rushing in with the utmost fury. I began praying for them immediately; not one opened his mouth, or lifted up a finger against us: And after half an hour, we all went away together, in great quietness and love. (Journal, 1743)
- Tues. 19. -- Between twelve and one, I preached at Freshford; and on White's Hill, near Bradford, in the evening. By this means many had an opportunity of hearing, who would not have come to the Room. I had designed to preach there again the next evening; but a gentleman in the town desired me to preach at his door. The beasts of the people were tolerably quiet till I had nearly finished my sermon. They then lifted up their voice, especially one, called a gentleman, who had filled his pocket with rotten eggs: But, a young man coming unawares, clapped his hands on each side, and mashed them all at once. In an instant he was perfume all over; though it was not so sweet as balsam. (Journal, 1769)
- Fri. 17. -- In the evening, though it was cold, I was obliged to preach abroad at Newcastle. One buffoon laboured much to interrupt. But as he was bawling, with his mouth wide open, some arch boys gave him such a mouthful of dirt as quite satisfied him. (Journal, 1775)
During most of his life, John Wesley made his land journeys on horseback or on foot; only in his later years did he sometimes travel by carriage. However, the roads in his time were rough and often dangerous. It was only devotion to his God and to the people that motivated Wesley to face as much as 70 miles of travel in a normal day.
- Sat. 23. -- We found the roads abundantly worse than they had been the day before; not only because the snows were deeper, which made the causeways in many places unpassable, (and turnpike-roads were not known in these parts of England, till some years after,) but likewise because the hard frost, succeeding the thaw, had made all the ground like glass. We were often obliged to walk, it being impossible to ride, and our horses several times fell down while we were leading them, but not once while we were riding them, during the whole journey. It was past eight before we got to Gateshead-Fell, which appeared a great pathless waste of white. The snow filling up and covering all the roads, we were at a loss how to proceed; when an honest man of Newcastle overtook and guided us safe into the town.
Many a rough journey have I had before, but one like this I never had; between wind, and hail, and rain, and ice, and snow, and driving sleet, and piercing cold: But it is past: Those days will return no more, and are, therefore, as though they had never been.
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Pain, disappointment, sickness, strife,
Whate'er molests or troubles life,
However grievous in its stay,
It shakes the tenement of clay,
When past, as nothing we esteem;
And pain, like pleasure, is a dream.
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(Journal, 1745)
- Fri. 10. -- The congregation at St. Paul's was very large and very attentive. The Judge, immediately after sermon, sent me an invitation to dine with him. But having no time, I was obliged to send my excuse, and set out between one and two. The north-east wind was piercing cold, and, blowing exactly in our face, soon brought an heavy shower of snow, then of sleet, and afterwards of hail. However, we reached Stilton at seven, about thirty miles from Bedford.
Rest was now the more sweet, because both our horses were lame. However, resolving to reach Epworth at the time appointed, I set out in a post-chaise between four and five in the morning: But the frost made it so bad driving, that my companion came with the lame horses into Stamford as soon as me. The next stage I went on horseback; but I was then obliged to leave my mare, and take another post-chaise. I came to Bawtry about six. Some from Epworth had come to meet me, but were gone half an hour before I came. I knew no chaise could go the rest of the road: So it remained only to hire horses and a guide. We set out about seven, but I soon found my guide knew no more of the way than myself. However, we got pretty well to Idlestop, about four miles from Bawtry, where we had just light to discern the river at our side, and the country covered with water. I had heard that one Richard Wright lived thereabouts, who knew the road over the Moor perfectly well. Hearing one speak, (for we could not see him,) I called, "Who is there?" He answered, "Richard Wright." I soon agreed with him, and he quickly mounted his horse, and rode boldly forward. The north-east wind blew full in our face; and I heard them say, "It is very cold!" But neither my face, nor hands, nor feet were cold, till between nine and ten we came to Epworth: After travelling more than ninety miles, I was little more tired than when I rose in the morning. (Journal, 1758)
Nor was Wesley's compassion limited to his preaching. The following entry was recorded when he was 81 years old.
- Tues. 4. -- At this season we usually distribute coals and bread among the poor of the society. But I now considered, they wanted clothes, as well as food. So on this, and the four following days, I walked through the town, and begged two hundred pounds, in order to clothe them that needed it most. But it was hard work, as most of the streets were filled with melting snow, which often lay ankle deep; so that my feet were steeped in snow-water nearly from morning till evening: I held it out pretty well till Saturday evening; but I was laid up with a violent flux, which increased every hour; till, at six in the morning, Dr. Whitehead called upon me. His first draught made me quite easy; and three or four more perfected the cure. If he lives some years, I expect he will be one of the most eminent Physicians in Europe. (Journal, 1785)
Another challenge Wesley faced was the actual communication of his message to sometimes many thousands of listeners. He was particularly delighted to find a large pit near one of the towns, in which his voice carried clearly across the crowd.
- Sun. SEPTEMBER 2. -- At five in the evening I preached in the natural amphitheatre at Gwennap. The people covered a circle of near fourscore yards' diameter, and could not be fewer than twenty thousand. Yet, upon inquiry, I found they could all hear distinctly, it being a calm, still evening. (Journal, 1770)
During his lifetime, Wesley never cognizantly aspired to begin a separate denomination, but only saw his "Methodism" as a lifestyle that would enhance an individual's loyalty to God, the Church, and the king. While most of his sermons pertained solely to scriptures, he occasionally commented on his understanding of what Methodism really was.
- Sun. 18. -- I preached at eleven on the parable of the Sower; at half-past two on Psalm 23; and in the evening on, "Now abideth faith, hope, love; these three." I subjoined a short account of Methodism, particularly insisting on the circumstances, -- There is no other religious society under heaven which requires nothing of men in order to their admission into it, but a desire to save their souls. Look all round you, you cannot be admitted into the Church, or society of the Presbyterians, Anabaptists, Quakers, or any others, unless you hold the same opinions with them, and adhere to the same mode of worship.
The Methodists alone do not insist on your holding this or that opinion; but they think and let think. Neither do they impose any particular mode of worship; but you may continue to worship in your former manner, be it what it may. Now, I do not know any other religious society, either ancient or modern, wherein such liberty of conscience is now allowed, or has been allowed, since the age of the Apostles. Here is our glorying; and a glorying peculiar to us. What society shares it with us? (Journal, 1788)
- Thur. 22. -- I was a little surprised at a passage in Dr. Smollet's "History of England," vol. xv., pp. 121, 122: --
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"Imposture and fanaticism still hang upon the skirts of religion. Weak minds were seduced by the delusions of a superstition, styled Methodism, raised upon the affectation of superior sanctity, and pretensions to divine illumination. Many thousands were infected with this enthusiasm by the endeavours of a few obscure Preachers, such as Whitefield, and the two Wesleys, who found means to lay the whole kingdom under contribution."
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Poor Dr. Smollet! Thus to transmit to all succeeding generations a whole heap of notorious falsehoods!
"Imposture and fanaticism!" Neither one nor the other had any share in the late revival of scriptural religion, which is no other than the love of God and man, gratitude to our Creator, and good-will to our fellow-creatures. Is this delusion and superstition? No, it is real wisdom; it is solid virtue. Does this fanaticism "hang upon the skirts of religion?" Nay, it is the very essence of it. Does the Doctor call this enthusiasm? Why? Because he knows nothing about it. Who told him that these "obscure Preachers" made "pretensions to divine illumination?" How often has that silly calumny been refuted to the satisfaction of all candid men? However, they "found means to lay the whole kingdom under contribution." So does this frontless man, blind and bold, stumble on without the least shadow of truth!
Meantime, what faith can be given to his history? What credit can any man of reason give to any fact upon his authority? (Journal, 1779)
As with most true preachers of the gospel, Wesley's highest motivation for service was simply the pleasure of his Lord. However, God allowed him to witness the very substantial fruits of his ministry.
- Tues. 14. -- Some years ago four factories for spinning and weaving were set up at Epworth. In these a large number of young women, and boys and girls, were employed. The whole conversation of these was profane and loose to the last degree. But some of these stumbling in at the prayer-meeting were suddenly cut to the heart. These never rested till they had gained their companions. The whole scene was changed. In three of the factories, no more lewdness or profaneness were found; for God had put a new song in their mouth, and blasphemies were turned to praise. Those three I visited today, and found religion had taken deep root in them. No trifling word was heard among them, and they watch over each other in love. I found it exceeding good to be there, and we rejoiced together in the God of our salvation. (Journal, 1782)
- In the afternoon, as we could not pass by the common road, we procured leave to drive round by some fields, and got to Falmouth in good time. The last time I was here, above forty years ago, I was taken prisoner by an immense mob, gaping and roaring like lions: But how is the tide turned! High and low now lined the street, from one end of the town to the other, out of stark love and kindness, gaping and staring as if the King were going by. In the evening I preached on the smooth top of the hill, at a small distance from the sea, to the largest congregation I have ever seen in Cornwall, except in or near Redruth. And such a time I have not known before, since I returned from Ireland. God moved wonderfully on the hearts of the people, who all seem to know the day of their visitation. (Journal, 1789)
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