01. Volume 1 Events
Volume 1 Events LETTERS FROM OXFORD NOVEMBER 3, 1721, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1735 PRINCIPLE EVENTS
1703 | June 17 | Born at Epworth. |
1709 | Feb. 9 | Saved from the Fire. |
1711 | May 12 | Nominated for Charterhouse by the Duke of Buckingham. |
1714 | Jan. 28 | Gown-boy at Charterhouse. |
1720 | June 24 | Enters Christ Church. |
1725 | Sept. 19 | Ordained deacon. |
1726 | Fellow of Lincoln College. | |
1729 | Name Methodist given. | |
1735 | Apr. 25 | His father’s death. |
These Oxford letters may be regarded as the introduction to Wesley’s Journal. They cover the formative years of his life, show out of what material the greatest evangelist was made, and confirm the judgment of Mr. Gerard, Chaplain to the Bishop of Oxford, who predicted that Wesley ‘would one day be a standard bearer of the Cross, either in his own country or beyond the seas.’ The first letter links Wesley to his old school, and brings out his scrupulous sense of personal honor. Those to his mother are a noble tribute to her gifts of mind and heart. Amid all the lights of the University she was still one of his most trusted counselors. The letters give many glimpses of life at Epworth Rectory. The Rector’s harshness to Hetty and his resentment of John’s more lenient spirit come out in the letter of December 6, 1726. The correspondence with Mrs. Pendarves (hitherto given to the world in fragments) is now published complete. Dr. Rigg thought Wesley was in love with her, and so did Lecky; but whether that was so or not, we see the young don admitted to the intimated friendship of one of the finest ladies of the time, who felt the warmest esteem and regard for him, and never lost it. The Morgan correspondence takes us to the very heart of Oxford Methodism, and brings out Wesley’s zeal as a tutor; while in a later letter we see his care for one of his friends, about whose state he consults William Law. The correspondence with his father and his brother Samuel as to the living at Epworth strikes a painful note. It was hard for John to refuse the request which they urged; but who can doubt there was a Providence in his refusal His final consent was happily in vain. The last letter, that or the Oxford Churchman who is bounded by rule and order, forms a fiting close to the first stage of Wesley’s life.
Some notable sayings occur in the letters, which give promise to the high courage and broad vision of the future leader of the Evangelic Revival.