Polynesian., 1852-02-21
REV. JOHN WESLEY.

REV. JOHN WESLEY.
No writer of modern times appears to have been
more deeply penetrated with the declaration of our
Lord, "How hardly shall they that have riches en-
ter into the kingdom of God" His three maxims
on this subject were, sect all you can, Sare all
you can, G,ve all you can. p" 81 defy," says he
all the men on earth, yea all the angels in heaven
to find any other way of extracting the poison from
riches. And call God to record upon my soul,
that advise no more than practise. l do, bless
ed be God, gain, and save, and give, all can
This was the practice of all the young men at Ok
ford who were called Methodists. For example.
one of them himself had thir.yy pounds year he
lived on twenty y-eight, and gave away forty shi-
lings. The next year he received sixty pounds, he
still lived on twenty-eight, and gave away two and
thirty. The third year he received ninety pounds,
and gave away sixty-two. The fourth year he re-
ceived hundred and twenty pounds; still he lived
as before on twenty-eight, and gave away ninety
two to the poor.
1t is said by his bographer that during the
of his life he gave to the various objects of bene-
violence not less than thirty thousand pounds, or
one hundred and thirty-three thousand two hundred
dollars All the profits of his literary labors and
he was his own publisher and all that he received
from other sources, except enough to meet his daily
wants, was given away. What he did himself, al
lowing for the difference of circumstances for he
had no family, he wished his brethren to do He
saw clearly, if protesting Christians grow rich they
generally grow worldly, proud and covetous. Or,
if they barely escape themselves, their children
generally fall victims to the seductons their parents
have thrown around them. Accordingly, we hear
him pathetically exclaming just before his depar-
ture, "Be,rare of boarding. After having served
you between sixty and seventy years, with dim eyes,
shaking hands, end tottering feet give this advice
before sinking into the dust. am panied for You
that are rich in this world"
The following interesting incident furnishes a
fine illustration of the benevolent disposition OF
this great man.
"Mr. Dudley was one evening taking tea with
that emirent artist, Mr.. Gully, when he asked him
whether he had seen his gallery of busts. Mr.. d..
answering in the negative, and expressing wish
to be gratfed with sight of it, Mr. Gully conduct
Ell him thither and after admirng the busts of the
several great of the day, he came to one which
particularly attracted his notice, and on inquiry
found it was the Rev. John Wesley. This bust,
said Mr.. c., struck Lord Shelboune in the same
manner it does you, and there is remarkable fact
connected with it, which as know You are fond of
anecdote, will relate to you precisely in the same
manner and words that did to him. On returning
to the parlor, Mr.. G. commenced accordingly:-
4 am a very old man; you must excuse my little
failings and as | before observed, hear it In the
very words repeated it to his Lordship MyLord,
said l. perhaps you have heard of John Wesley, the
founder of the Methodists o, yes, he replied !;
he-that race of fanatics! Well, my lord, Mr.
Wesley had often been urged to have his picture
TAKEN but he always refused d,-alleging as rea-
son that he thought it nothing but vanity indeed,
so frequently had he been pressed on this point,
that his friends were reluctantly compelled to give
up the idea. One day he called on me on the busi-
ness of our Church. Ibegan the old subject of en-
treating him to allow me to take of his likeness
Well, said l, knowing you value money for the
means of doing good, if you will grant my request,
will engage to give you ten guineas for the first
ten minutes that you sit and for every minute that
exceeds that time you shall receive a guinea
What said Mr.. Wesley, do | understand you
Alright, that you will give me ten guineas for hav-
ing my picture taken? Well, | agree to it. He
then stripped off his coat and lay the sofa and
in eight minutes had the most perfect bust had
ever taken. He then washed his face and count
ed to him ten guineas into his hand. well, said
he, turning to his companion, 81 never till now
earned money so speedily-but what shall we do
with it, They then wished me good morning,
and proceeded over Westminster bridge.
The first object that presented itself to their view
was poor woman crying bitterly, with three chill
dren hanging around her, each sobbing, though
apparently to- young to understand their mothers
grief On inquiring the cause of her distress, Mr..
Wesley learned that the creditors of her husband
were dragging MIN 10 PRISON, alteI having sou ueii
effects, which were inadequate to pay the debt by
eighteen shilings, which the creditor declared
should be paid. One guinea made her happy =
They then proceeded on, followed by the blessings
of the now happy mother.
On Mr. Wesleys inquiring of Mr.. Barton, his
friend, where their charity was most needed, he re-
piied he lnew of no place where his money would
be more acceptable than in Gitspur-street Comp
ter. They accordingly repaired thither, and on
asking the turnkey to point out the most miserable
object under his care, he answered, # they were
come in search Of povery they need not go far
The first ward they entered they were struck with
the appearance Of poor wretch who was gfeedlly
eating some potato skins. On being questioned,
he informed them that he had been in that situation
snpported by the casual aims of compassionate
strangers, for several months, without the hope OF
release. and that he was confined for the debt OF
half guinea. On hearing this Mr.: Wesley gave
him a Guinea, which he received with the utmost
gratitude. and he had the pleasure of seeing nj nm
liberated with half guinea in his pocket Inc
door man on leaving his place of confinement said'
sGentlemen, as you come here in search OF PoVery'
pray 90 up stairs if it be not too late" They IN
stantE proceeded thither, and beheld SIGHT wmcn