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John Wesley 1703-1791
John Wesley was born on June 17th 1703 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. He was the second son of Samuel, the Nonconformist rector at Epworth. He was educated at Charterhouse school and Christ Church, Oxford. In 1725 after graduating he was made a deacon by the Bishop of Oxford and the following year elected a fellow of Lincoln College. He was ordained as a Priest on 22nd September 1728.
In Oxford 1729 John joined his brother Charles, Robert Kirkham, and William Morgan in a religious study group that was derisively called the “Methodists” because of their emphasis on methodical study and devotion. Taking over the leadership of the group John helped it to grow in numbers. The “Methodists,” also called the Holy Club, were known for their frequent communion services and for fasting two days a week. From 1730 on, the group added social services to their activities, visiting Oxford prisoners, teaching them to read, paying their debts, and attempting to find employment for them. The Methodists also extended their activities to workhouses and poor people, distributing food, clothes, medicine, and books and also running a school.
In 1735 John joined a mission in Geogria, America, to spread the Gospel to local Indians, returning to England in 1737.
In 1738 John convinced himself of the need to proclaim the Good News of Salvation by Faith, and ceaselessly did so at every opportunity. This incurred the displeasure of the established Church of England, who excluded him from services. Wesley turned to church societies and then the unchurched masses, travelling widely as a preacher in his mission to convert and lead them to join societies for continuing fellowship and spiritual growth. In 1743 he published a book of rules for these Methodist societies. Because few ordained priests apoproved of his methods, he used experienced lay preachers. In 1784 he began to ordain these men himself and emphasised the independance of his Methodist societies.
In his old age John Wesley became a reveered figure in Britain.