Christopher Idle’s abridgment of
The Journey of John Wesley (272 pages, Herts: Lion Publishing, 1986) portrays the founder of Methodism as a fervent evangelist, an inspiring social activist, and intensely committed to a life of rigorous personal discipline. Upon his return to Britain from Germany in 1739, his reputation as a fervent evangelist began to emerge on a national scale. Though inclined to believe that preaching was meant to be performed inside a church, Wesley quickly recognized the value of using the outdoors as a venue to share the gospel. Following an invitation from his colleague George Whitefield, Wesley began “open air” preaching to large crowds throughout the region, expounding on the Scriptures with sermon titles such as, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink”, and “Christ, our wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption”. As he preached, listeners commonly experienced conviction of their sins, would often plead for mercy, and yield to unusual physical manifestations. Following one oration, Wesley reports that a woman in the crowd “sunk down…in a violent agony both of body and mind; as did five or six persons…at whose cries many were greatly offended”. Despite the offending outbursts, harsh criticisms from various Anglican clerics, and even harassment from angry mobs, thousands of people responded positively to his dynamic invitations to repent and receive Christ. Reflecting on the missional value of his outdoor evangelistic campaigns, Wesley states, “What a marvel the devil does not love field-preaching! Neither do I: I love a commodious room, a soft cushion, a handsome pulpit. But where is my zeal, if I do not trample all these things underfoot in order to save one more soul?” Wesley’s obsession “to save one more soul” fuelled his ministry throughout his entire life and became one of the defining features of early
evangelicalism.
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