Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-03
WHERE JOHN WESLEY LIVED
HIS OLD HOME IN LONDON IS NOW A
TREASURED MUSEUM.
1t IL Filled With Relics of the Found.
er of Methodism-There He Lived
and Worked and Died.
The $4,000 Teapot.

The Methodists had a great time over in
London the other day when John Wesley's
old house. in City road, was dedicated as a
museum of Methodism. There isn't a Meth
odist in America or anywhere else who
doesn't regard Wesley's mission with rev.
erence, and it is but fitting that the old
house adjoining the birthplace of the Meth
ocist 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 removed. Preparations
are being made for the housing Of mission
workers. for the building will not be mere
" a museum. A part Of 1t will be devoted
to practical church work.
The first floor. however. will be preserved
intact, with all the precious relies. It is a
plain brick building. finished in October.
three rooms of the first floor. The front
room, with its windows facing City road,
MAS the sitting room Of the preachers who
was his study and bedroom as well. the
room in which he died. The study opens
the the rear of Of the eo house. e. : This was was the f,A Closet ct
where the apostle of Methodism was wont
to pray. the most hallowed spot of all.
Rare Old Relics.
In the front room stands Wesley's book
case: also John Wesley'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 to-day as when it started the
great evangelist on his ceaseless Journeys.
or call to early morning service at 5 o'clock.
In the next room, the bedroom and study
combined, is the bureau with its cunning
secret drawers where Wesley kept his pri-
thirty-two portraits of early Methodist
preachers and other ministers-placed there.
it Is said. by Wesley.s own hand n IN thu TINS
nous size from which in the early hours
OF the Sabbath morning. Wesley would pour
out the tea while he discussed matters OF
moment will those other early leaders Of
the Methodist church.
The old teapot is one of the most inter-
estinF 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
American tourist recently offered o.ooo 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 LONDON
refused.
Where Methodism Was Born.
wesley's old house is directly adjacent to
the City road mission, the first permanent
place of worship occupied by the Method
lists, and which is still their principal gath
ering place in London. The foundation
John Wesley on April q, III. In eighteen
months the building was completed, and
the opening services were preached by Mr..
It is now substantially the same in its
leading features as in the days Of John
Wesley. Portico in front was erected in
1915. For thirty years there were only two
rows of seats in the gallery. The space pc
hind was a level platform generally filled
on Sundays. No one was allowed to claim
numbers paid the seat rents regularly.
Down to the time Of Wesley's death tho
sexes were set apart. The founder insisted
on this arrangement, and although many
| circumstances were made to him by trus-
tees and others, he continued inexorable
Az 1t Now Looks.
The chapel stands back from City road
some forty yards. In the front space there
are trees of large growth, planted since
| Mr.. wesley's days, which in summer al
| most hide the view Of the chapel from the
street, and whose spreading leafy branches
| give most graceful shade. Passing through
the entrance gates the fine bronze statue OF
| Wesley is Immediately in front. It is the
| work of Mr.. John Adams Acton. A little to
the right Is the monument erected IN ss,o IN
the Wesleys, who lies inferred in Bunhill
Fields, on the opposite side of City road:
| The greatest names OF tn0 MetnOOlSL
church are craven upon the memorials,
which literally cover the walls Of the edi-
flee. The burial grounds are also rich in
| tradition. This was the first burial place
| possessed by the Methodists. and from the
burial register it appears that no less than
| 5,452 persons have been inferred there.
The chapel divides the burying space
into two parts, and the greatest interest
| centers in the portion at the rear Of the
chapel. Here is John Wesley's grave and
tomb. The tomb Is q modest, unpreten-
tious erection. built in 1910 by his sons
and successors in the Christian ministry,
the Methodist conference, in token of their
filial admiration, reverence and love-"
Close by Wesley's grave Is that of the
Biblical scholar and philologist, DR.. Adam
Clarke. A singular but appropriate device
is cut into the stone. a burning candle,
and on a band encircling the rays Of light
the motto, "Alios Serviens Consumer Tin
serving others I am myself consumed).
The Three Little Men.
John Wesley was small of stature. al
were also his two close companions. his
brother Charles and the Rev. Mr.. Thomas
Coke. One of the b~iographers says: These
three little men made a great change in
the moral world-John Wesley, the found
er of one of the largest churches in Christ
Am