Two hundred and seventy-one years ago this evening in London, England, a very religious man was converted to Jesus Christ. His name?
John Wesley. On May 24th, 1738 (about 8:45 PM we are told) Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed.” It would be difficult to find one, let alone two men, who were more “religious” yet unconverted, than John and Charles (Charles was converted before John, 5/21) Wesley. They had Disciple with a capital “D,” they were reading some of the right things, they were active in helping others but were not truly converted.
Quakers know (others should know more than they do) that George Fox was advocating holiness a century (round figures) before Wesley. But Wesley and Wesley (and others) saw a greater surge toward heart purity in their day. While we are not Wesleyan in name, we can appreciate the dramatic and lasting influence the Wesleys had on England and (via Asbury, et al) on our native, needy land.
Personally, I could wish John had had a happier marriage (Charles did), and would have had more haircuts. He is not on a pedestal with me as with some men, but I’m very glad for his salvation, his emphasis on heart purity, and his view of and practice of evangelism. Thank God for the 24th of the 5th month in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven-hundred and thirty eight. Thank God for John (and Charles) Wesley!
Separate-Holy 