The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-04-19
Twin Cities to Observe
Wesley Bicentenary

Methodists of st. Paul and Mime
apolis will celebrate the John Wesley
bi-centenary the latter part of next
month, probably May 27, although this
date has not been definitely decided
upon. An effort is being made to Sc
cure a number of prominent out-of-
town speakers who will address audi
ences both in this city and in Mime
apolis. John Wesleys life was an in
tensely interesting one, for he was a
fighter from the beginning, but aside
from the interest that always centers
in the leaders of men and especially
in leaders of great religious move
ment, there was an additional senti-
mental interest in John Wesleys life
that makes him a romantic figure to
all womenkind. Men remember that
he founded Methodism, but women
will dwell on the fact that five women
loved the handsome evangelist and
will read with avidity the account of
these episodes while they skip the
more serious accounts of his teachings,
the religious battles that he fought
and the victories that he gained. That
one so we'll beloved and by SO many
should have found no happiness when
1lildlIS ne USSdIIlS a UChCN1Sb
other Geographic fact that lends an
additional touch of romance to the
great Methodist's life. From one of
his contemporaries has been handed
down a description of his personal ap-
pearance and of his manner of con-
Quoting himself He was a charming
man." says one, handsome, with a
fine face, smooth forehead, aquiline
nose and bright, piercing eye. His
manner was sprightly and studiously
courteous, his laughter winning and
his conversation delightful DR.. John
son greatly enjoyed talking with him"
OF the five love affairs Wesley had,
three were with widows and he final
ly married a widow. The elder Weller's
waring to his son, Beware O. vidders,
Samivel," was undoubtedly too preju-
diced to apply to the whole class of
women who have been deprived by
death of their husbands, but it is GER
tainly true that if John Wesley had
been rendered similar advice his life
might have been happier.
Miss Betty Kirkham, Wesley's first
love, was the younger sister of Robert
Kirkham, one of the earliest Oxford
MethOdists, and an intimate friend of
Wesley. The growing attachment be-
tween the two young people seems to
have been quite we'll known. Wesley
was then twenty-four years of age,
and had been a fellow of Lincoln col
lege for nearly a year.
About two years before the founding
of the Holy club, Robert says, in
letter, referring to Betty: You have
often been in the thoughts of M. B.,
which l have curiously observed, when
with her alone, by smiles and signs,
and abrupt expressions concerning
you. Shall this suffice?"
Wesley's sister Martha also wrote:
81 suppose you saw your Varanese
DEITY Kirkham). l cease to wonder
at your silence for the sight of such a
woman. so known so loved might
well make you forget. I really have
myself vast respect for her, as /
must necessarily have for one that is
SO dear to you"
In referring to q meeting with Bet
ty, Wesley himself says: "In speak
ing of her with a lovers enthusiasm:
ON this spot she sat- Along this path
she walked Here she showed that
lovely instance of cOndescension,' were
reflections which, though extremely
obvious, could not but be equally pleas
Ing, and gave a new degree of beauty
to the charming arbor, the fields, the
meadows, and Horrel itself"
But all these tender emotions came
to naught SO far as Betty Kirkham was
concerned. They drifted apart, and
Betty married another man.
Mrs. Pendarves, widow, succeeded
to Betty Kirkham'S place in WesleyS
affections. She was the elder daughter
of Bernard Granville, brother of Lord
Lansdowne. At the age of seventeen
she married Mr.. Pendarves, a Cornish
gentleman, a fat, equity and ungainly
man forty-three years older than her.
self, who in his later years became ad-
dicted to iDtemperance. Fortunately for
her he died soon, and left her widow
with a fortune at the charming age of
twenty three.
She made her home in London, pay
Ing visits to her friends in the country
and in Ireland. She moved in the ex-
elusive social circles, and was in high
favor at court. George Ill and Queen
Charlotte honored her with their init
mate friendship, and even provided her
with house at Windsor, so that they
might have near one whom they pro-
foundry admired
Lord Baltimore sought her hand in
marriage, ana, after winning her affec-
lions, broke the engagement on some
preteXt. Soon after this occurrence the
correspondence between Wesley and
Mrs. Pendarves began. She was then
tWenty-nine and he was twenty-seven.
They seemed to have been previously
acquainted. There is some significance
in the fact that Wesley's first letter to
her accompanied some copies of Miss
Betty Kirkham's letters to him. Mrs.
PendarVes was grieving over a lover
lost, and Wesley still cherished tender