The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-13
DIR. TILLETT's SERMON.
An Able Analysis of tho Life and Work
of John Wesley.

| Dh. TlLLETT'S SERMON.
An AbIe Analysis of tho Life and Work
| OF John Wesley.
| The announcement that DR.. Wilbur
Tillet5 would preach at Greene Memoir
ial Church last night brought out an
immensefcongregation, and long before
the hour for beginning services people
were returning home because there was
not even standing room in the church.
After reading Scripture lesson and
singing, DR.. Tillett announced his text:
What Hath God Wrought9" Num-
bers 1923.
The doctors theme was the life and
character Of John Wesley. He said:
March2, 1891, about 10 o'clock in the
mornings the spirit of man departed
whose name has been handed down in
history as John Wesley, Methodism
throughout the world has set apart the
month OF March for the commemora-
ton of the death of the founder of the
Church, and it is fitting to speak of him
tonight on this conference occasion, and
consider his life, his character and won
derful work.
When God gets ready to do a great
work he looks for great man, man
not great according to mans estimate
of greatness, but to his own idea.
Dead 100 years? Nay he is just be-
ginning to live. Wherever tho name of
Christ is spoken the name of Wesley is
known. llave you ambition for immor.
tally? l have. | want to do some
good, speak one word, leave one thought,
| one song, one book, or something that
| will live forever
| DO you ask me for John Wesley's
monument? point to no marble slab;
but look to the north, look to tho
south, look to the east, look to the
west, look at America, look into China,
Japan, darkest Africa and the isles of
the sea-there it is.
There is an old proverb which saws
some men are born great, some have
greatness thrust upon them, and some
make themselves great. Those who
are born great inherit great name or
wealth; the events of the times make
others great; and there are those who
make themselves great in spite of cir
cumStances or inheritances
| There are two ideas of greatness. Ac-
cording TO mans estimate the man is
greatest who makes most men his SER
wants. but in the sight of God he is
greatest who serves most. Measured by
this standard John Wesley is one of the
worlds great men-one of Gods heroes.
| DIR. Tillett then briefly sketched Yves
ley's life and proceeded to analytic the
elements of his character.
Wesley was born great. He was de-
scended from long line of preachers
on his fathers side, and his mother was
a preachers daughter. lie inherited
strength OF mind and body and charac-
ter. lie was the instrument in Gods
hands OF q great reform when it was
needed, and he was made great by the
time in which he lived. He had intrin-
sic worth and achieved greatness in ac-
comprising the great results of his life.
Nothing contributes more to his great
ness than the influence of his mother.
Susanna Wesley is truly the mother of
Methodism. From the time he was
rescued from burning house his mother
pelleyed that he was to accomplish a
great work, and spared an hour from
her work Of teaching her children each
morning and evening to pray for her
| children.
1t is said that preachers children are
the worst in the community, but | saw
that is not so. Two to one they succeed
better in life than the children of any
other class, and next to them comes the
Culluren OF plOuS mem DerS OF the church,
You cannot raise the highest ideal of a
man in one generation if you start at
the bottom.
After dwelling on the school life of
Wesley at some length. DR.. Tillett
took up his character in the various
phases of his work.
as preacher Wesley preached an
average OF over two sermons day.
OF all sermon literature there is none
other SO interesting to me. They are
full of the religion which filled the
soul and life Wesley, and often after
reading them l have arisen with tears
in my eyes and asked God to mako me
a better man.
AS an author he wrote an average of
over two volumes year for fifty-fiv We
years, ,besideS compiling many others,
and taking this and the number of SER
mons he preached some idea can be con-
ceived of the laborious life he lived.
AS poet Wesley wrote some of the
finest lyrics in the English language.
| AS theologian he revolutionized the
theology Of all Christendom.
Dr. Tillett closed with a beautiful
peroration, and the entire sermon of
nearly an hours length was listened to
with close attention.