The Jamesburg record., 1895-09-28
WESLEY'S ROMANCE.
The Sweet, Sad Love Story of the
Great Preacher.

If was at the house Of Governor Ogle-
thorpe in the early days of Georgia. says
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, aud snatches from the
oneras of London. She danced, too, and
recited. and completely overwhelmed
the pious youth with her beauty and
mplishments.
That night. under the palmetto trees
near the governors house, with the dark
eved. handsome girl beside him, and
with her enhancing voice in his ears, |,
with the Cypress vine and Grimaldi's de-
coction hot in his blood, John Wesley
became aware that he loved her.
The revelation was shock to him,
for he had been preaching celibacy since
he was 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 the only thing that
n Young lady i'm lier state of mind could
do. She nursel him. and he allowed
her to. This circumstance was sufficient
proof to their friends that marriage was
certain. If more proof was needed. lie
raved of her i'm his delirium. Miss Cam
ston brought her aunt to hear him. and
between them they fancied hIni quite
l..
many times if She would or could marry
him ''and if he should ind .ed marry
ler 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 bad
been convinced that he had been singled
out by his Maker for some special pur-
pose, and now he was prost rating him
self before an earthly idol and forgetting
his mission.
Alarmed for his soul he rushed to the
for advice. They had the same hard,
unrelenting con rictions that tormented
Wesley, and they advised him to give
up his idol and turn to his God. Wesley
knew not what to do. He wandered in
the forests praying aloud for light as to
his walk before God He knelt under
the blooming grapevines, and shielded
by the long gray moss from any living
eye sought wisdom and comfort.
Tnat night he asked advice second
time from the elder.
We have considered your case :" said
the bishop. 'Will you abide by our
decision -
II will abide by your decision"
Then the bishop said, I'VE advise you
to proceed no further in this matter"
$50 be il said Wesley, and that was
the end
Poor Sophia was heartbrOken. Her
relative. 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 i'm his desperation one day
he forbade her to attend holy commun-
ion. He explained this in the 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
thnt thoU laH email f.ha s,f
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 Canstons
thwarted him. He was forbidden to
leave the province.
He never went out that Sophia did
Tot 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 as usual, although he
was sort of prisoner at large. AT 3
O'Clock che evenii q the little flock
gathered in the church for prayers.
Wesley led as usual. Delamotte was
there with the friends who still remained
loyal. After the service Wesley 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 skff bore him down the river.
A sailing vessel was in waiting, and