This is a regular feature on Methodist history by John Singleton prepared especially for distribution by United Methodist News Service. Wesley anticipated most of the forms of social work later carried on in the town and city missions of Methodism. Labor homes, schemes of work for the unemployed, prison visiting, poor man's loan offices and banks, medical dispensaries and schools were included in his schemes. The story of his personal charity would be a complete thesis in itself.
Many people believe that the abolition of slavery was hastened by the Methodist revival.
He co-operated with the national abolition committee in England and one of his last letters was one of support to Wilberforce, the great campaigner against slavery. Wesley's hands-on enthusiasm for popular education made him a pioneer publisher of cheap literature. He filled his preacher's saddle bags with cheap books for them to distribute. Wesley's more than 400 publications constituted a working library for his schools, his preachers and growing congregations. For general questions about The United Methodist Church, please call InfoServ at 1.800.251.8140.