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Wesley (JOHN an English clergyman)

JOHN, an English clergyman; founder of Methodism; born in Epworth, England, June 17, 1703, son of the rector of Epworth; educated at the Charter House, and at Christ Church, Oxford. He took his degree of B. A. in 1724, was ordained deacon in 1725, be- WESLEY came a fellow of Lincoln College, and lecturer and moderator in classics in 1726; and took priest's orders in 1728.

He now gathered together a number of pupils and companions who met regularly for religious purposes, and by so doing acquired the name of Methodists.

Among these companions were Hervey, colonists of Georgia. After a stay of cepted an invitation from General Ogletwo years he returned to England (Febace in his colonists of Georgia. After a stay of two years he returned to England (February, 1738), and in the following May an important event took place inner religious life, namely, his conversion. In June he paid a visit to Herrn- hut, the Moravian settlement, returning to England in September. Early in the following year (1739) he began open-air preaching, in which he was for a time associated with Whitefield. His first chapel was built in Bristol in 1739.

JOHN WESLEY Having now the sole control of the re- Having now the sole control of the redevoted his entire life without intermission to the work of its organization, in which he showed much practical skill and admirable method. His labors as an sion to the work of its organization, in which he showed much practical skill would ride from 40 to 60 miles in a day.

He read or wrote during his journeys, and frequently preached four or five times a day. He held strongly to the would ride from 40 to 60 miles in a day. mally separated from the Church of England. His collected works were published after his death in 32 volumes 8vo. He contributed to the collection of hymns, the greater part of which were written by his brother Charles. He died in London, March 2, 1791.