John Wesley, born in 1703 in Epworth Rectory, Lincolnshire was the son of a High Church Anglican Rector and his mother, though linked with a well-known dissenting family, was strong in her religious practice and systematic in bringing up all her children. The discipline which characterised John and Charles Wesley and their followers later was instilled in them from birth.
Educated at Charterhouse and Oxford both the brothers showed profound seriousness in religion and with their friends were nick-named the "Holy Club'. After Anglican ordination John was first Curate in his father's parish and then went on a mission to Georgia in America. Here he appeared to be an arrogant, gloomy, awkward young graduate with little understanding of people. His mission was a pathetic failure. The experience was not wasted however because he met Moravian missionaries during the return voyage whose Lutheran convictions and infectious enthusiasm deeply affected him. It was at a Moravian meeting in Aldersgate in the City of London in 1738, while studying Luther's commentary on the epistle to the Romans, that John Wesley's heart was "strangely warmed'. His ministry was transformed. A great sense of release and joy lit up the life of discipline and duty he had lived so far.
It is said that Martin Luther's chief contribution to English religion came, not at the Reformation, but centuries later through the Methodist revival.
After a year trying to preach in London parish churches and being rejected, he acted independently. Between 1739 and 1778 The Foundry at Moorfields was Wesley's base. He bought the lease and renovated this dilapidated old cannon factory. It included a chapel for 1500 people, a schoolroom, a free dispensary, store-rooms for clothes and food for people in need and accommodation for Wesley, preachers and poor widows. All were to share the same table for meals.
From here Wesley began to travel on horseback near and far, setting up small Methodist societies. He was an amazing preacher, challenging the Calvinist view that salvation was only for the elect.
He declared that God's free salvation in Christ was offered to all men; only believe and trust Christ to forgive sins. He would preach anywhere, in a building or outside, to a small number in a remote village or to hundreds in the new industrial towns. The hymns written by his brother Charles were soon introduced. They proved to be wonderful to sing and at the same time educated people in what their religion was about.
Besides remarkable evangelistic gifts, John Wesley also had a gift for organising. Those who were converted were gathered into small classes where they could speak of their experience and support each other. Individual congregations formed part of a circuit with a superintendent minister and a number of circuits made a district, each with a chairman. Over all was a Conference with a President.
The laity became important in managing local churches and preaching, there being a great shortage of ministers for some time - training was essential.
John Wesley regarded himself as a member of the Church of England to his dying day. Reluctantly, when shunned by the Anglican clergy, he had to ordain ministers to send to America where there were 60,000 Methodist people before he died. In England he had to ordain ministers too to serve the 70,000 members in flourishing churches.
Social work was important from the beginning and missionaries were sent overseas later in his life. See John Wesley and Charles Wesley for more information.
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