The Washington times., 1903-06-28
Born June II, 1908.
Entered Charterhouse School Jan. 28, 17I5.
Ordained Priest Sept p, l720
Sailed for the United States Oct. IA, 1855.
Sailed for England Dec. 22, 1z5z.
Married Feb. 2, 1850.
Died March 2, 1891.
Two HUNDRED YEARS ago last
Wednesday John Wesley. the fiji

teenth son OF his father Samuel,
himself a clergyman. was born in Ep-
worth Rectory, Lincolnshire. England.
He was educated by his mother. whose
methods seem a bit harsh to our modern
minds. The good wife was exacting and
gave young John but a single day TO
learn the alphabet. Yet the boy
fourished under this stern, non-con-
formist training and early showed a
frmness Of mind and reflective char
acter His rescue from a fire in Feb
ruary, 17Os, fixed itself in his memory
as a work OF Divine Providence. His
father used to gaze at his fifteenth son
very often and say with a sigh: "Our
Jack will do nothing unless he can give
a reason for it
School Life at Charterhouse.
At eight years OF age he was admitted
to communion with the faith of his par
ents. which was non-conformist. John
shefheld, first Duke of Buckingham
and Normandy, one of the governors
of Charterhouse School in London. ad
mitted little Wesley TO that institution
shortly afterward. His father appears
TO have had some Of the hard, practi-
cal common sense, "the saving COM
mon sense" Of which the poet sings in
his compositions. It was at his order
that the little fellow ran thrice round
the Charterhouse green each morning
and thus strengthened somewhat
weak constitution. His career as
schoolboy is epitomized by his brother
Samuel, then head-usher at westmin-
ster: He was a good scholar and
learned Hebrew"
June "a. 1920. young Wesley was
elected scholar of Christ Church. OK
ford. He made a reputation for being
a diligent and a sprightly student, much
pinched for money. and with a fine
seorn for weak little fellows.
The same qualities which distinguish
ed him as a boy. strength OF purpose.
the ability and the desire TO think for
himself, turn for religious reading
and confidence in his own powers,
grew and bore fruit during his career as
an Undergraduate.
Determines to Become Minister.
In May. 1913. he confides TO his
diary his intention OF taking or
ders, with his mothers warm
approval She wrote to her son: "Your
father and 1 think alike" and advised
him to apply himself to the study Of
practical divinity" II was during this
period that Wesley read and pondered
much during the midnight hour over
the Imitation of Christ, ?" Taylor's Holy
Living and Dying" and works which
tended to inculcate the religion of
the heart. During this period, also.
he found difficulties with the Anglican
articles OF predestination. In his let
ters home he expressed his strong alb
horrence of the more rigid principles
OF Calvinism.
deacon by John Potter. Bishop of OK
ford. and preached his first sermon
October 16, at South Leigh. near Whit
ney. Oxfordshire. The following March
he was elected fellow OF Lincoln Col
lege, no mean tribute to his character,
his skill in close reasoning and his
refined classical taste. His father writes
to friend with pride-you can see his
face flushing with pride as he says: MY
Jack is a fellow Of Lincoln"
Enters Upon Active Ministerial Life.
In August. 1927. he became his faith
er's curate. living and officiating main
ly at Wroot, and paying visits to Ok
ford when he was ordained priest by
Bishop John Potter. September %, 1928.
About this time he read '"The Chris
tian Perfection" and the Serious
Call" OF John Law, which books set
him higher standard OF religious life
and made everything appear In a new
view"
Beginnings Of Methodism.
On November 22. 1923. he returned to
Lincoln College to fulfill the statutory
obligations Of his fellowship. and was
placed in charge OF a number Of
pupils. He found his brother Charles
associated with william Morgan. Of
Christ Church. and Kirkham. OF Mer-
ton College. John Wesley Joined these
serious minded young fellows. who had
been already dubbed ''Metbodists" from
their strict rules of study and rellgl
Gus observances, including weekly com
munion. He at once became recognized
leader OF the little community and was
called by the Merton wits Curator of
the holy club"
But John Wesley and his friends were
HadS of the stun TO stand wear ord