Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-04-04
WESLEY's ROMANCE.
THE SWEET, SAD LOVE STORY OF
THE GREAT PREACHER.

The Struggle Between His Affection For
SOPHIA canston and What He Believed
to De His Religious Duty -Partlsans Of
Each Side Took Active Parts.
1t was at the house of Governor OgIe-
thorpe in the early days of Georgia,
says a writer in the Boston Herald.
In the evening Sophia Canston was
there, and the general had her sing for
them some old love songs of England
and Scotland, and snatches from the
operas Of London. She danced, too, and
recited. and completely overwhelmed
the pious youth with her beauty and
accomplishments
That night, under the palmetto trees
near the governors house. with the dark
eyed, handsome girl beside him, and
with her entrancing voice in his ears,
with the Cypress wine and Grimaldi's
decoction hot in his blood, John Wesley
became aware that he loved her.
The revelation was a shock to him,
for he had been preaching celibacy since
he was a small boy. He had felt him.
self welded to the church, to his great
faith and mission in life. The strife of
spirit threw him into fever
Miss Canston did tho only thing that
a young lady in her state of mind could
do. She nursed him, and he allowed
her to. This circumstance was sufficient
proof to their friends that marriage was
certain. If more proof was needed, he
rayed of her in his delirium. Miss Can
ston brought her aunt to hear him, and
between them they fancied him quite
decided to marry Sophia. He asked her
many times if she would or could marry
him, ''and if he should indeed marry
her." He went through with the mar
riage ceremony Of the Church of Eng
land, for the benefit of imaginary cou-
pies who stood at his bedside.
After his recovery Wesley's friends
came to congratulate him on his engage
ment. But ever since his miraculous
rescue from fire in his childhood he had
been,convinced that he had been singled
out by his Maker for some special pur-
pose, and now he was prostrating him
self before an earthly idol and forget
ting his mission.
Alarmed for his soul, he rushed TO
the bishop and the Moravian mission
aries for advice. They had the same
hard, unrelenting convictions which tor
mented Wesley, and they advised him
to give up his idol and turn to his God.
Wesley knew not what to do. He wan
dered in the forests praying aloud for
light as to his walk before God. He
kne1t under the blooming grape vines
and shielded by the long, gray moss
from any living eye sought wisdom
and comfort.
That night he asked advice second
time of the elder.
"We have considered your case, " said
the bishop. "Will you abide by our de-
cision?"
81 will abide by your decision.
Then the bishop said, ave advise
you to proceed no further in this mat
ter. !"
80 be itp' said Wesley, and that
was the end.
Poor Sophia was heartbroken, Her
relatives were incensed and compelled
her to marry Mr., Williamson, though
she begged Wesley to intercede in her
behalf. Even after she was married she
wrote to Wesley and cast pitiful glances
at him until in his desperation one day
he forbade her to attend holy commun-
ion. He explained this afternoon on
technical grounds, but the tide had
turned and the people of Georgia were
against him. A charge of slander was
instituted, but the assailants, knowing
| that they had small chance of success,
| delayed the trial from week to week
until life in Georgia became unbearable.
He made arrangements to leave the col
ony. But even in this the FCanstons
thwarted him. He was forbidden to
leave the province.
He never went cut that Sophia did
not pass and repass him several times,
and often she was known to look in
upon him when he was at prayer in his
own house.
During all these trials he continued
to conduct his parish rs usual, although
he was sort Of prisoner at large. At
o'clock one evening the little flock
gathered in the church for prayers.
Wesley led as usual. Delamotte was
there with the friends who still re-
manned loyal. After the service Wes.
ley was seen to return to his'home But
the faithful Delamotte had planned an
escape from this slow torture. Three
faithful friends led the young clerical
Through the darkness to the pier. There
an Indian skiff bore him down the river.
A sailing vessel was in waiting, and
soon John Wesley was leayinglthe land
of his love forever