Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-20
THE WESLEY MUSEUM.
Home of Founder of Methodlsm in Lon
don Restored.
(From the New York Herald)

CFrom the New York Herald)
The Methodists had a great time over
in London the other day when John
WesIey's old house, in City road, was
dedicated as a museum of Methodism.
There isn't a Methodist in America or
anywhere else who doesn't regard Wes-
ley's mission with reverence, and it is
but fitting that the old house adjoining
the birthplace of the Methodist church,
in which the founder of that sect lived
and died, should be rescued from decay
and preserved in as near its original
state as possible.
The work of restoration has already
been accomplished The building was
found to be in a state Of dilapidation, but
every vestige of decay has been re-
moved. Preparations are being made for
the housing of mission workers, for the
building will not be merely a museum.
A part of it will be devoted to practical
church work.
The first floor, however, will be pre-
served intact, with all the precious
relics 1t is a plain brick building, fin
ished in October. 1873 The interest CEN
tiers mainly on the three rooms OF the
first floor The front room, with its win
dows facing City road, was the sitting
room of the preachers who lived with
Mr.. Wesley, while the second was his
study and bedroom as well, the room in
which he died The study opens into
small room of triangular shape, to the
rear of the house This was the closet
where the apostle of MethodiSn was
wont to pray, the most hallowed spot or
ALL
In the front room stands Wesley's
bookcase, a well made and elegant
piece Of furniture, with doors glazed in
trellis kind of pattern. Also John Wes-
ley's chair, occupied by the president
of each London Wesleyan conference
since the founders death. And here
also is John Wesley's antique side table,
made Of oak, inlaid with walnut. On the
landing is the famous clock, keeping as
good time today as when 1t started the
great evangelist on his ceaseless jour
news, or called to early morning SER
vice at o'clock.
In the next room, the bedroom and
study combined is the bureau with its
cunning secret drawers, where Wesley
kept his private papers. On the inside
of the doors are thirty-two portraits of
early Methodist preachers and other
ministers-placed there it is Said by
the celebrated teapot of enormous size
from which in the early hours of the
Sabbath morning Wesley would pour
out the tea while he discussed matters
of moment with those other early lead
ers of the Methodist Church.
The old teapot Is one of the most in
teresting relics to be enshrined in the
museum. Wesley was a great tea
drinker, and he was very fond of this
old pot, which was presented to him by
Wedgewood, the famous potter of STAFF
fordshire. An enthusiastic American
tourist recently offered $4,000 for the
old teapot, despite the fact that 1t is
cracked and minus a part of its spout.
Greatly in need of money as the Lon
don Methedists may be, the offer was
promptly refused.
Wesley's old house is directly adjacent
to the City Road Mission, the first per-
manent place of worship occupied by
the Methodists, and which is still their
principal gathering place in London.
The foundation stone of this old struc-
ture was laid by John Wesley on April
81, TIT In eighteen months the build
ing was completed, and the opening SER
vices were preached by Mr.. Wesley on