The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-21
nsmets very precious among the people; and
he has laid q foundation that hope neither
men nor devils will ever be able to shake"

v.
Landing at Deal on Feb. 1. ,T3s. John Wesley
FASTENED to London. That he had made the
acquaintance OF tho MOravinns. and acquired
the German, spanish and italian tongues so
that he could read and speak them. seemed 10
him sufficicnt compensation for all his hard
ships. Abou. a week later he met Peter Bob.
Ter. and, ever after. regarded tho meeting with
this devout Moravian rs q turning point In hts
spiritual development. Peter Boiler. nine
years younger than John Wesley. had been edu-
Gated at the University of Jena, where he
studied theology. lie became n Moravian at
10. and was ordained 10y Count Zlhz-
endorf At p5. He was on his way
to Carolina when he met Wesley In
London. In letter to Xinzendorf he
anslyzed John Wesley. averrlng that Of faith In
Jesus. Wesley had no other iden than the gen.
ernlity OF people had. They Justify Themselves.
and therefore they always take IL for granted
that they believe already. and try to prove their
faith by their work. And thus. SO plague and
torment themselves that they are. Mt heart very
miserabie." Boiler advised Wesley to preach
faith until ho experienced It," On tho 18th OF
May. 1913, Wesley spoke In two different
churches, but in each was informed that he
could not be allowed to occupy the pulpit again.
On the 9th he was listened to with the same re-
suit. md this result followed whenever he ap-
peared. On June Is of the same year Wesley,
with several companions. undertook q jour
ney by way Of Rotterdam to Herrnhut, the
chief settlement OF tho Moravlans. From Frank
fort they proceeded to the castle at Ronneburg.
the abode Of Count Znzcndorf. whero they re-
mained two weeks. While treated with kind
mess here. Wesley was not allowed TO partako Of
tho Lords Supper. one reason given for the
prohibition being that his head had gained an
nscendanoy over his heart by August. 1880.
Wesley Ind arrived at Herrnhut. a settlement
formed by Moravians in lI22. about thirty
miles from Dresden. While at this place
Wesley was for n time led into n form OF
mystical Authorization. and also COMPOUNDED
the witness OF tho Spirit with sanctiilca-
tion. 1t was hero that he heard Christian
David. tho founder OF tho settlement. who five
years before had guided missionaries to Green
land II was tho success OF this man. n mo-
chnnic without education. who had never seen
q Bible until he was 30 years old. aud up
to that time had been a bgoted Roman Catho-
lie. which prepared Wesley at q later period
to estimate at their proper relative value tho
itinerant evangelist, full OF zeal and spiritual
power. and the student, cold. reserved. and da-
lectical, strong In tho letter. but weak
in the spirit Wesley eventually came to
doubt whether tho sentiments OF his
friend touching certain essential
points were scriptural. aud he was finally con-
strained to analyzo the views and claims OF
Count Zinzondorf with a frankness hardly to
no distinguished from severity. The outcome
Of his acquaintance with tho Morav ians las been
defined by Julia wedgewood: "Ad-
herence to tho church was. In his mind, no
longer the first condition of mem bership in
any society with which he was associated.
The birthday OF q Christian was already shifted
from his baptism to his conversion. and. in
that change. tho partition limo OF two great
systems Is crossed"
There had been formed about this period In
parts OF London and In lts vicinity number OF
smell assemblies or societies. consisting chiefly
Of members OF tho Established Church, who
met In private houses. On his return from
Germany Wesley wont to aud fro. speaking In
these societies wherever he could obtain a
hearing. and. presently. acquiring a good deal
of influence among them. IL was at this time
that George Whlieneld. who had been preach
ng In America. returned and sought n meeting
With Wesley. Tho former had already obtained
m extraordinary reputation, and had be-
gun to speak in tho open air. Wesley
had difficulty in adapting himself to that
method. but, eventually. he followed White
ield's example, being. In truth. constrained
thereto by his disbArment from tho churcho.
For preaching in tho open air. his brother.
Charles Wesley. was cited to Lambeth and
by the Archbishop OF Canterbury
With accommodation. Though somewhat in
undated thereby, John Wesley. encouraged by
Nhitefeld. preached the very next Sunday at
Noorhelds to 10000 persons. and at two other
'oints on the sane day. From this timo for
ward. Wesley preached almost necessarily
Every morning he read prayers and preached
eading and expounding the Scriptures also in
me or moro OF the London societies every even
ng; on Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. and FRI |
lay In several contiguous places; on Saturday, |
II tho afternoon: on Sunday. in the early morn.
ng; again ut eleven. at two. and at Ave, travel
ing many miles between these services.