Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-11
49,
Centenary Canoes.
JOHN WESLEY.


There he stands-the most masterful.
serenest, the most benignant figure in the
religious history of the last hundred years.
In the perspective Of a century he rounds
out with still increasing beauty, symmetry,
and grandeur of character. His work
abides, and his personality abides with it.
He still leads the ever-swelling ranks of the
Methodist host Among his successors a
greater hath not risen, nor is likely to rise
hereafter. He did not merely s.blaze" the
path that led back to New Testament doc
trine, polity, and usage, but he conducted
the march over the Red Sea of early persecu.
ton and the wilderness of conflicting opin-
ion. He was general whose genius originat-
ed the tactics by which victories were won.
Launched upon stormy waters, he held the
rudder with hand always steady, vision
always clear, heart always brave, faith
always strong.
There he stands-a marvel of energy and
patience, moving with directness of aim and
the momentum of a mighty will, and yet
with that reserve-force which is the mark
of highest greatness. He was not comet
sweeping through the heavens, leaving a
transient trail of fire, but a star that swings
and shines in its orbit unchanged through
the circling years. Power and repose, veloc-
ity and steadiness of movement, intensity
and equpoise, are commingled wonderfully
in this man with a mission from God
There he stands-a preacher whose words
stirred vast masses of men and women as
the winds stirred the ocean. but who is him
self calm, ruling the storm he has raised
! His words send thrill of new life into the
| heart of a kingdom, and rouse the wrath of
sleeping hierarchy, but they are words
wisely weighed, hitting the mark, with no
rebound. Illuminated, called, commission
ed anoiuted from ON high, he speaks as the
oracles of God-nOt as the ecclesiastical
scribes of his day, but like his Master, as
one having authority. A scholar, with the
ancient and modern learning at his COM
mand, he breaches to the common people in
language so simple that they hear him glad
ly, and yet with dictions pure and classic
that his printed sermons are to this day the
envy anu admiration of the learned
There he stands-the most prolific writer
of his generation, whose busy brain and tire
less pen sowed the British kingdom broad
cast with Christian reading adapted to the
wants of mankind, and leaving behind :
body of theological literature making a
library In itself, books that are among the
recognized standards of belief for millions
of Christian men and women in all parts Of
the world
There he Stands traveller who felt with
in him the spring of perpetual motion-love
for souls be longed to save-whose parish
was the world. When we read of the num-
Der of books he wrote, the record seems al
most miraculous, if not Incredible.
There he stands-a living embodiment of
positive conviction and catholicity of spirit,
contending earnestly for the faith once Ge-
livered to the saints, and yet ready to clasp
hands with every man who loves truth and
follows Christ. A stickler for order, a man
of method, an organizer of first quality, he
broke through all conventioDalities that
stood in the way of the work of saving souls.
All Christendom claims kindship with him
now, and the church that thrust him forth
from her pulpits fondly insist that he lived
and died in Der Communion. In contact
with him all devout souls feel the throb of a
heart that loved every saint and pitied ev-
cry sinner on earth.
There he stands compact, erect figure,
with face ruddy and clear in complexion,
aquiline nose, eyes clear blue and penetrat-
ing, mouth firm, yet persuasive, a positive
chin limiting power and tenacity. forehead
sloping gently upward until it touches the
white hair that crowns noble head, and
falling back behind his ears heightens the
impression of apostolic simplicity, power,
gentlensss. and saIctity. This is John
Wesley, the chosen instrument of the Lord
fer the revival of New Testament Chris,
| tianity. -NGshgiUe Christian Adpocate.