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: England
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 [...]
Noisy Meetings!
The Problem of Praiseless Praise and Joyless Joy! Most Christians are used to passion in their gathered church meetings. It would be strange, in a perfectly logical sense, to encounter strict formality, dull routine and lacklustre praise (how can you praise someone blandly, with praiseless praise, joyless joy?) The Bible repeatedly exhorts us to praise [...]
Leading From the Front
Every season of spiritual reform encounters resistance. Every culture-changing spiritual breakthrough is accompanied by resistance. It is naïve of us to imagine, or hope, it might not be so. As the Christian message had ever increasing impact outside the acceptable confines of the local churches and into the culture of 18th Century England, the leaders [...]
A Massive Fist Fight With John Wesley in the Middle!
This is getting silly! Having failed to secure a hearing with a Judge in Wednesbury, the crowd decide to march Wesley to a Justice of the Peace in nearby Walsal. It’s not clear exactly what they thought they would accomplish; possibly to have Wesley censured for disturbing the peace. (Read the first part of the [...]
John Wesley hustled to a Judge by 200 Ruffians
Late one evening, in Wednesbury, England, the famous Evangelist John Wesley found the house he was staying in surrounded by an angry mob. He called the ringleaders inside and spoke wisely to them. (Read the first part of the story here, the second part here) Sensing the crowd would be pacified, Wesley decided to go [...]
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 [...]
Surrounded by the Mob – Wesley in Wednesbury
Persistence in the midst of Persecution In their mission to bring the Christian message to every town and village in Great Britain, the 18th century Methodist preachers travelled extensively. They would arrive at a place, attempt to preach in one of the churches or, failing that, in a market place or at a fair. Their [...]
Don’t Become Weary of Doing Good
God gives us encouragements in the midst of difficulties. And each encouragement is deeply appreciated. Your leadership challenge may be tough for reasons that are entirely outside yourself. It’s great to hear news of numerical breakthroughs and blessing in other places. We’re often helpfully stirred to pray and believe for greater breakthrough in our own [...]