The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-04-06

religion; and he rendered up the account of
his meager expenses to the honorable
trustees of Georgia. He visited Fredrica
often to preach to the settlers there. He
studied the Indian language, still in hopes
of going among them. At times he slept
discovered his clothes to have been frozen
to the earth. as well as his long, abundant
hair. Once he was nearly drowned in the
icy river while attempting to cross, but
these were the ordinary experiences OF
early missionaries
TIE CRISIS REACHED.
But now came the crisis of the human
side of the story. Oglethorpe determined
to hasten matters between Wesley and Miss
Canston Accordingly he made "A dinner
at his own house. and Grimadi, his foreign
servant, tempered with the Cypress wine,
but whether by the Generals directions or
not was never quite clear to Mr.. Wesley.
In the evening Sophia Canston was there,
and the General had her sing for them,
some old love songs of England and Scot
land, and snatches from the operas of Lon
don. 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 enhancing voice IN his ears; with the
Cypress wine and Grmaldi's Gecoction 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 himself 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
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 We're needed, he raved of her in
his delirium. Miss Canston brought her
aunt to hear him, and between them they
fancied him quite decided to marry Sophia.
lie asked her many times if she would or
could marry him, land if he should, indeed
marry her He went through with the
land for the benefit of imaginary couples
who stood at his bedside.
After his recovery Wesley's friends came
to congratulate him on his engagement
But ever since his miraculous rescue from
fire in his childhood he had been convinced
that he had been singled out by his Creator
for some special purpose, and now here he
was prostrating himself before an earthly
idol and forgetting his mission!
Alarmed for his soul he rushed to the
bishop and the Moravian missionaries for
ing convictions which 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 be-
fore God. He knelt under the blooming
grape vines and shielded by a long gray
moss from any living Eye sought wisdom
and comfort.
That night he asked advice IA second time
of the elder.
1--WE have considered your case said
the bishop. "Will you abide by our deci-
sion?"
81 will abide by your decision.".
Then the bishop said ave advise you
to proceed no further in this matter"
$50 be it, said Wesley and that was
the end
Poor Sophia was heartbroken. Her rela
tves were incensed and compelled her to
marry Mr.. Williamson, though she beg
ged 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 for
babe her to attend Holy Communion. He
grounds, but the tide had turned and the
people of Georgia were against him
ESCAPE FROM GEORGIA.
| A charge of SANDER was instituted but
the assailtnts, knowing 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 colony. But even in this the
Canstons thwarted him. He was forbidden
to leave the province.
He never went out 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 as usual although he
was a sort of prisoner at large. At 6
o'clock, one evening, the little flock gath
cred 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 cleri-
cal through the darkness to the pier There
an Indian skiff bore him down the river