The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-04-28
WESLEY'S ROMANCE.
THE SWEET, SAD LOVE STORY OF
THE GREAT PREACHER.

Sophia Canston and what He Believed
to lie His Religious Duty -Partisans of
Each Side Took Active Parts.
1t 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, 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 enhancing 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 the only thing that
q 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
raved 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 heI
many times il she would or could marry
him, land 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 haC
been convinced that he had been singled
out by his Maker for some special pur
pose, and now he was Frustrating him
self before an earthly idol and forget
ting his mission.
Alarmed for his soul, he rushed Il
the bishop and the Moravian mission
aries for advice. They had the sam,
hard, unrelenting convictions which tor
mented Wesley, and they advised hin
to give up his idol and turn to his God
! Wesley knew not what to do. He wan
, dered in the forests praying aloud TO
J light as to his walk before God. HI
knelt under the blooming grape vines
and shielded by the long, gray mos
. from any living eye sought wisdom
: and comfort.
That night he asked advice seoon
time of the elder.
1--WE have considered your case, " sal
the bishop. "Will you abide by our dc
cision?''
II will abide by your decision.
Then the bishop said, 1--WE advis
you to proceed no further in this mat
ter"
$50 be itp' said Wesley, and tina
was the end.
Poor Sophia was heartbroken. He
relatives were incensed and oompelle
her to marry Mr.. Williamson, thong
she begged Wesley to intercede in he
9 behalf. Even after she was married sh
wrote to Wesley and cast pitiful glance
at him until in his desperation one da
he forbade her to attend holy oommur
ion. He explained this afternoon o
technical grounds, but the tide ha
turned and the people of Georgia wer
against him. A charge of SANDER wa
instituted, but the assailants, KNOWN
that they had small chance Of success
/ delayed the trial from week to wee
until life in Georgia became unbearablt
: He made arrangements to leave the col
ony. But even in this the Canston
thwarted him. He was forbidden :
leave the province.
He never went out that Sophia di
not pass and repass him several times
and often she was known to look i
upon him when he was at prayer in hi
own house.
During all these trials he continue
4 to conduct his parish as usual, althoug
he was sort Of prisoner at large. At
:. o'clock one evening the little f1oc
!. gathered in the church for prayer
Wesley led as usual. Delamotte Wi
70 there with the friends who still r
manned loyal. After the service We
W ley was seen to return to his home. b
,E the faithful Delamotte had planned 6
NJ escape from this slow torture. Thr,
faithful friends led the young cleric
,e through the darkness to the pier. The
If an Indian skiff bore him down the rive
A sailing vessel was in waiting, oil
soon John Wesley was leaving the Lar
~ of his love forever.