John Wesley: THINKER

John Wesley was well-educated and intensely fascinated by all aspects of human existence. While his thoughts were normally occupied with matters of divine importance, we find scattered throughout his writings glimpses of well-defined opinions on a variety of other topics.

Music

Medicine

Experiments

Human Greatness

Longevity

Music

Although his brother Charles was the true musician of the family, John wrote a number of songs and was a great appreciater of good music. The singing of hymns was a regular part of their worship services. However, the value of any musical piece was for him based primarily on its effectiveness as a means of communicating the things of God to the soul of the believer.

Fri. 24. -- I returned to London. Wednesday, 29. I heard "Judith," an Oratorio, performed at the Lock. Some parts of it were exceeding fine; but there are two things in all modern pieces of music, which I could never reconcile to common sense. One is singing the same words ten times over; the other, singing different words by different persons, at one and the same time. And this in the most solemn addresses to God, whether by way of prayer or of thanksgiving. This can never be defended by all the musicians in Europe, till reason is quite out of date. (Journal, 1761)
Sat. 22. -- I was much surprised in reading an "Essay on Music," wrote by one who is a thorough master of the subject, to find that the music of the ancients was as simple as that of the Methodists; that their music wholly consisted of melody, or the arrangement of single notes; that what is now called harmony, singing in parts, the whole of counterpoint and fugues, is quite novel, being never known in the world till the popedom of Leo the Tenth. He farther observes, that as the singing different words by different persons at the very same time necessarily prevents attention to the sense, so it frequently destroys melody for the sake of harmony; meantime it destroys the very end of music, which is to affect the passions. (Journal, 1768)
Thence we went on to Bolton. Here are eight hundred poor children taught in our Sunday-schools, by about eighty masters, who receive no pay but what they are to receive from their Great Master. About a hundred of them (part boys and part girls) are taught to sing; and they sang so true, that, all singing together, there seemed to be but one voice. The House was thoroughly filled, while I explained and applied the first commandment. What is all morality or religion without this? A mere castle in the air. In the evening, many of the children still hovering round the House, I desired forty or fifty to come in and sing,

Vital spark of heavenly flame.
Although some of them were silent, not being able to sing for tears, yet the harmony was such as I believe could not be equalled in the King's chapel. (Journal, 1787)

Medicine

While Wesley occasionally experienced the reality of divine healing [see Supernatural Events], his first instinct in most cases of human ailment was to apply the medical wisdom of his day. He was a contemporary of George Washington, whose dying illness was treated by bleeding with leeches, and of Benjamin Franklin, whose experiments with electricity were beginning to unveil mysterious powers that Wesley only suspected it contained.

Mon. 4. -- At my leisure hours this week, I read Dr. Priestley's ingenious book on Electricity. He seems to have accurately collected and well digested all that is known on that curious subject. But how little is that all! Indeed the use of it we know; at least, in some good degree. We know it is a thousand medicines in one: In particular, that it is the most efficacious medicine, in nervous disorders of every kind, which has ever yet been discovered. But if we aim at theory, we know nothing. We are soon

Lost and bewilder'd in the fruitless search.
(Journal, 1768)
Sun. 27. -- A little before I took horse, I looked into a room as I walked by, and saw a good old man, bleeding almost to death. I desired him immediately to snuff vinegar up his nose, and apply it to his neck, face, and temples. It was done; and the blood entirely stopped in less than two minutes. (Journal, 1755)
Mon. 29. -- We rode through vehement wind, and many hard showers, to Launceston. This gave me a violent fit of the tooth-ache, which, however, did not hinder my preaching. Such a night I never remember to have passed before; but all is good which lies in the way to glory. Tuesday, 30. We rode to Camelford, where my tooth-ache was cured, by rubbing treacle upon my cheek. (Journal, 1757)
Thur. 14. -- I read Prayers and preached in Clutton church: But it was with great difficulty, because of my hoarseness; which so increased, that in four-and-twenty hours I could scarce speak at all. At night I used my never-failing remedy, bruised garlick applied to the soles of the feet. This cured my hoarseness in six hours: In one hour it cured my lumbago, the pain in the small of my back, which I had had ever since I came from Cornwall. (Journal, 1780)

Experiments

In his years of traveling, Wesley had endless hours to speculate on many subjects, and occasionally took it upon himself to test ideas that seemed viable. Here are a couple of concepts that received his personal examination.

Mon. 31. -- I thought it would be worth while to make an odd experiment. Remembering how surprisingly fond of music the lion at Edinburgh was, I determined to try whether this was the case with all animals of the same kind. I accordingly went to the tower with one who plays on the German flute. He began playing near four or five lions; only one of these (the rest not seeming to regard it at all) rose up, came to the front of his den, and seemed to be all attention. Meantime, a tiger in the same den started up, leaped over the lion's back, turned and ran under his belly, leaped over him again, and so to and fro incessantly. Can we account for this by any principle of mechanism? Can we account for it at all? (Journal, 1764)
In the following days I went on slowly, through Staffordshire and Cheshire, to Manchester. In this journey, as well as in many others, I observed a mistake that almost universally prevails; and I desire all travellers to take good notice of it, which may save them both from trouble and danger. Near thirty years ago, I was thinking, "How is it that no horse ever stumbles while I am reading?" (History, poetry, and philosophy I commonly read on horseback, having other employment at other times.) No account can possibly be given but this: Because then I throw the reins on his neck. I then set myself to observe; and I aver, that in riding above an hundred thousand miles, I scarce ever remember any horse (except two, that would fall head over heels any way) to fall, or make a considerable stumble, while I rode with a slack rein. To fancy, therefore, that a tight rein prevents stumbling is a capital blunder. I have repeated the trial more frequently than most men in the kingdom can do. A slack rein will prevent stumbling, if any thing will. But in some horses nothing can. (Journal, 1770)

Human Greatness

John Wesley had an undying reverence for the sanctity of ruling authority, both in the secular kingdom and in the Church of England. However, he had no illusions about individuals who might occupy positions of status in society.

At the desire of the good old widow, Mrs. M--, I went with Mr. S-- to C--. Lord and Lady M-- were there before us; to whom I was probably

A not-expected, much-unwelcome guest.
But whatsoever it was to them, it was a heavy afternoon to me; as I had no place to retire to, and so was obliged to be in genteel company, for two or three hours together. O what a dull thing is life without religion! I do not wonder that time hangs heavy upon the hands of all who know not God, unless they are perpetually drunk with noise and hurry of one kind or another. (Journal, 1767)
Tues. 25. -- I spent two or three hours in the House of Lords. I had frequently heard that this was the most venerable assembly in England. But how was I disappointed! What is a Lord, but a sinner, born to die! (Journal, 1785)
Tues. 23. -- I was in the robe-chamber, adjoining to the House of Lords, when the King put on his robes. His brow was much furrowed with age, and quite clouded with care. And is this all the world can give even to a King? All the grandeur it can afford? A blanket of ermine round his shoulders, so heavy and cumbersome he can scarce move under it! An huge heap of borrowed hair, with a few plates of gold and glittering stones upon his head! Alas, what a bauble is human greatness! And even this will not endure. Cover the head with ever so much hair and gold; yet,

Death will deprive thee of thy borrowed hair.

(Journal, 1755)

Furthermore, Wesley reserved his own opinions concerning historical accounts of greatness, and of contemporary estimations of wisdom.

Fri. 29. -- I read over an extremely sensible book, but one that surprised me much: It is "An Inquiry into the Proofs of the Charges commonly advanced against Mary, Queen of Scotland." By means of original papers, he has made it more clear than one would imagine it possible at this distance, 1. That she was altogether innocent of the murder of Lord Darnley, and no way privy to it: 2. That she married Lord Bothwell (then near seventy years old, herself but four-and-twenty) from the pressing instance of the Nobility in a body, who at the same time assured her, he was innocent of the King's murder: 3. That Murray, Morton, and Lethington, themselves contrived that murder, in order to charge it upon her; as well as forged those vile letters and sonnets which they palmed upon the world for hers.
"But how then can we account for the quite contrary story, which has been almost universally received?" Most easily. It was penned and published in French, English, and Latin, (by Queen Elizabeth's order,) by George Buchanan, who was Secretary to Lord Murray, and in Queen Elizabeth's pay; so he was sure to throw dirt enough. Nor was she at liberty to answer for herself. "But what then was Queen Elizabeth?" As just and merciful as Nero, and as good a Christian as Mahomet. (Journal, 1768)
I read to-day what is accounted the most correct history of St. Patrick that is extant; and, on the maturest consideration, I was much inclined to believe, that St. Patrick and St. George were of one family. The whole story smells strong of romance. To touch only on a few particulars: -- I object to his first setting out: The Bishop of Rome had no such power in the beginning of the fifth century as this account supposes; nor would his uncle, the Bishop of Tours, have sent him in that age to Rome for a commission to convert Ireland, having himself as much authority over that land as any Italian Bishop whatever. Again, if God had sent him thither, he would not so long have buried his talent in the earth. I never heard before of an Apostle sleeping thirty-five years, and beginning to preach at threescore. But his success staggers me the most of all: No blood of the Martyrs is here; no reproach, no scandal of the Cross; no persecution to those that will live godly. Nothing is to be heard of, from the beginning to the end, but Kings, nobles, warriors, bowing down before him. Thousands are converted, without any opposition at all; twelve thousand at one sermon. If these things were so, either there was no devil in this world, or St. Patrick did not preach the Gospel of Christ. (Journal, 1748)
Sat. FEBRUARY 3, and at my leisure moments on several of the following days, I read with much expectation, a celebrated book -- Rousseau upon Education. But how was I disappointed! Sure a more consummate coxcomb never saw the sun! How amazingly full of himself! Whatever he speaks he pronounces as an oracle. But many of his oracles are as palpably false, as that "young children never love old people." No! Do they never love grandfathers and grandmothers? Frequently more than they do their own parents. Indeed they love all that love them, and that with more warmth and sincerity than when they come to riper years.
But I object to his temper more than to his judgment: He is a mere misanthrope; a cynic all over. So indeed is his brother-infidel, Voltaire; and well nigh as great a coxcomb. But he hides both his doggedness and vanity a little better; whereas here it stares us in the face continually.
As to his book, it is whimsical to the last degree; grounded neither upon reason nor experience. To cite particular passages would be endless; but any one may observe concerning the whole, the advices which are good are trite and common, only disguised under new expressions. And those which are new, which are really his own, are lighter than vanity itself. Such discoveries I always expect from those who are too wise to believe their Bibles. (Journal, 1770)

Longevity

As is inevitable with people who outlive most of their peers, Wesley contemplated and often made journal entries attempting an explanation for his longevity.

I can hardly believe that I am this day entered into the sixty-eighth year of my age. How marvellous are the ways of God! How has he kept me even from a child! From ten to thirteen or fourteen, I had little but bread to eat, and not great plenty of that. I believe this was so far from hurting me, that it laid the foundation of lasting health. When I grew up, in consequence of reading Dr. Cheyne, I chose to eat sparingly, and drink water. This was another great means of continuing my health, till I was about seven-and-twenty. I then began spitting of blood, which continued several years. A warm climate cured this. I was afterwards brought to the brink of death by a fever; but it left me healthier than before. Eleven years after, I was in the third stage of a consumption; in three months it pleased God to remove this also. Since that time I have known neither pain nor sickness, and am now healthier than I was forty years ago. This hath God wrought! (Journal, 1770)
Tues. 28. -- This being my birth-day, the first day of my seventy-second year, I was considering, How is this, that I find just the same strength as I did thirty years ago? That my sight is considerably better now, and my nerves firmer, than they were then? That I have none of the infirmities of old age, and have lost several I had in my youth? The grand cause is, the good pleasure of God, who doeth whatsoever pleaseth Him. The chief means are, 1. My constantly rising at four, for about fifty years. 2. My generally preaching at five in the morning; one of the most healthy exercises in the world. 3. My never travelling less, by sea or land, than four thousand five hundred miles in a year. (Journal, 1774)
Fri. 28. -- I am seventy-three years old, and far abler to preach than I was at three-and-twenty. What natural means has God used to produce so wonderful an effect? 1. Continual exercise and change of air, by travelling above four thousand miles in a year: 2. Constant rising at four: 3. The ability, if ever I want, to sleep immediately: 4. The never losing a night's sleep in my life: 5. Two violent fevers, and two deep consumptions. These, it is true, were rough medicines; but they were of admirable service; causing my flesh to come again, as the flesh of a little child. May I add, lastly, evenness of temper? I feel and grieve; but, by the grace of God, I fret at nothing. But still "the help that is done upon earth, He doeth it himself." And this he doeth in answer to many prayers. (Journal, 1776)
To-day I entered on my eighty-second year, and found myself just as strong to labour, and as fit for any exercise of body or mind, as I was forty years ago. I do not impute this to second causes, but to the Sovereign Lord of all. It is He who bids the sun of life stand still, so long as it pleaseth him.
I am as strong at eighty-one, as I was at twenty-one; but abundantly more healthy, being a stranger to the head-ache, tooth-ache, and other bodily disorders which attended me in my youth. We can only say, "The Lord reigneth!" While we live, let us live to him. (Journal, 1784)
This day I enter on my eighty-sixth year. I now find I grow old: 1. My sight is decayed; so that I cannot read a small print, unless in a strong light: 2. My strength is decayed; so that I walk much slower than I did some years since: 3. My memory of names, whether of persons or places, is decayed; till I stop a little to recollect them. What I should be afraid of, is, if I took thought for the morrow, that my body should weigh down my mind; and create either stubbornness, by the decrease of my understanding; or peevishness, by the increase of bodily infirmities: But Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God. (Journal, 1789)

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