We saw earlier how John Lancaster, a prisoner condemned to death in Newgate prison, had come to faith in Christ. Now we see him at his last moment and at his most triumphant. The year was 1748 and John Wesley recorded the events for future generations in his journals. As Lancaster was led out of [...]
Tag Archive: conversion
Come see a Christian triumphing over death!
‘Nothing to Trust in Except the Blood of Christ’
We continue the amazing accounts of grace given to those condemned to death in the 1700’s. John Wesley recorded these testimonies of men facing execution, in his own journals, giving them a wider audience than they might have otherwise had. They had been faithfully visited by Sarah Peters. She shared the gospel with them and [...]
Eternal Life on Death Row – Astonishing Testimonies of Grace
Although John Wesley was disappointed with the lack of response he received in Newgate Prison, London, there was another Christian working amongst the prisoners with great effect. Sarah Peters Sarah Peters, described by Wesley as caring, even-tempered and able to handle pressurised situations well, spent many hours talking with the condemned prisoners. When she died [...]
John Wesley Speaks to a Violent Mob
See the first part of this story here John Wesley, making an entry in his journal for 20th June 1743, wrote, ‘Before five the mob surrounded the house again, in greater numbers than ever. The cry of one and all was, “Bring out the Minister! We will have the Minister!” ‘I desired one to take [...]
Angry Wife Leads to Evangelists’ Acquittal (because she’s no longer angry)
Ever met someone who could give such a tongue lashing that you were nervous of even saying hello?
Well, one poor husband who endured such rebukes for many years found himself in a tight spot – in court. His wife had suddenly stopped her verbal attacks and became considerate and mild – but the husband still [...]
More than a Hymn-Writer: Charles Wesley the Evangelist
Charles Wesley is mainly remembered for his excellent poetic gift. This gift, thoroughly saturated in Scripture, produced some of the church’s best-loved hymns.
If you are in an English speaking church context it is quite likely that you recognize these well known opening lines from Charles Wesley hymns:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the [...]
Violence Seems to Triumph – The First Methodist Martyr
(Methodism and the Mob Part 6)
The Mob Reacts – The Death of William Seward
How do you respond when you hear that a Christian missionary is in trouble for distributing Christian literature, or for some other attempt to communicate the Christian faith?
Maybe your first response is to assume that the believer lacked wisdom. You may be [...]
Preachers Pelted with Dirt, a Cat and a Dead Dog
(Methodism and the Mob Part 5)
William Seward
William Seward was a wealthy supporter of the work that George Whitefield and Howell Harris were doing.
He also helped John Wesley with generous funding for the meeting place in Bristol, even though Wesley was assuming a leadership role there that Seward felt excluded Whitefield (See here for how Whitefield [...]
Threatened at Gunpoint – The Methodist Revival Advances
(Methodism and the Mob Part 4)
Howell Harris did not only preach in Wales, of course, but ventured into England as well.
On one occasion he was preaching with fellow Methodist John Cennick in Swindon in Wiltshire, South West England.
Before long there was a strong reaction and considerable gang of trouble makers were out to stop these [...]
Changing Cultures – Methodism and the Mob
(Methodism and the Mob Part Two)
Early Irritations and Scares
As the popularity of the movement grew, the Methodist preachers found that they were involved in a battle that, although spiritual, often found a physical expression.
Not only did they face resistance from the clergy, but actual violence from gangs who were often paid to disrupt the [...]