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05/15/2002 Entry: "John Wesley's letters"

From the United Methodist News ServiceIt is interesting to speculate how, if they had been at his disposal in the18th century, Methodism's founder might have taken advantage of today'scommunication techniques...

John Wesley's skills as a speaker and conversationalist could have markedhim out as a TV or radio broadcaster; his engaging in public debate throughthe newspapers of his day and the diligence with which he wrote his journalare evidence of how the world of journalism might have been at his feet;while his aptitude for writing and distributing books would surely have puthim in the forefront of contemporary religious publishing.

But there is another area of communication in which both John and CharlesWesley excelled: letter writing. The e-mail would surely be flying aroundbecause the two brothers wrote thousands of letters during their lifetimes.

They wrote quite a few to each other, but John in particular was a prolificcorrespondent with people in all walks of life. Using his letters as a vitalmedium of communication, Wesley was quick to admonish local leaders andpreachers in the burgeoning Methodist movement if he felt they weredeparting from the rules or were in danger of going their own way in mattersof organization or doctrine.

Conversely, he was always quick to praise and encourage, especially when heknew that local Methodists were struggling under difficult circumstances.His pastoral letters reveal a loving empathy rooted in his personalknowledge of people and of the persecution they often endured.

Many of Wesley's letters offer a strong defense against criticism of themovement and of him personally. Whether concerning doctrine, hisrelationship with the Church of England, the appeal of the Methodistmovement to working-class people, or the disposition of early Methodistpreachers to evangelize in the open air, he always seemed to take the timeand the trouble to make a careful - and often lengthy - reply to those whowrote to him. Some of his letters now seem tedious in the extreme, but manyare fascinating, and some express a tenderness and love that many may findsurprising.

Fortunately, many of the letters survive and, thanks to Methodist scholarsand compilers, provide us insight into Wesley's mind and motives.

Being a member of Wesley's family did not necessarily shield one from histrenchant criticism. "Alas! my brother!" he wrote to his Anglicanbrother-in-law, the Rev. Westley Hall, in August 1743, "Who will tell youthe plain truth? You are a weak, injudicious, fickle, irresolute man, deeplyenthusiastic, and highly opinionated of yourself, and therefore a fit toolfor those who apply to your weak side, vanity." There was more to it ofcourse, but one of the hapless Hall's ill-advised actions had been to "jilt"one of Wesley's sisters and marry another. Despite the harsh tone, Wesleystill signed himself "your true friend and affectionate brother."

Wesley and other early Methodists often experienced harassment, whichsometimes led to physical violence. Usually they accepted it patiently, butfrom time to time Wesley believed it was necessary to offer lawfulresistance.

A particular incident in Newcastle in 1745 led to the following briefletter, addressed to a Robert Young: "I expect to see you, between this andFriday, and to hear from you that you are sensible of your fault. Otherwise,in pity to your soul, I shall be obliged to inform the magistrates of yourassaulting me yesterday in the street. I am your real friend, John Wesley."Young did in fact meet with Wesley and promised him "a quite differentbehavior."

Wesley's advice to Methodist preachers was always careful and concerned. "Mydear brother, [i]n public preaching, speak not one word against opinions ofany kind," he wrote in November 1747. "We are not fighting against notions,but sins. Least of all should I advise you once to open your lips againstpredestination. It would do more mischief than you are aware of. Keep to ourone point, present inward salvation by faith, by the divine evidence of sinsforgiven."

Sound advice was also offered to another preacher, Thomas Capiter, inFebruary 1753: "It is a constant rule with us that no preacher should preachabove twice a day, unless on Sunday or on some extraordinary time; and thenhe may preach three times," wrote Wesley. "We know nature cannot long bearthe preaching oftener than this, and therefore to do it is a degree ofself-murder." He went on to advise preachers not speak for more than an hourat a time (including prayer) and not to speak louder than the number ofhearers required.

Evidence of the advantage of rising early to preach was given in a letter tohis brother, Charles, from Dublin in April 1748. "I began expounding theActs of the Apostles at five in the morning," he wrote. "The room was prettywell filled today, but they increase continually. I see more and more of thefolly of giving place to the devil. Our preachers put off preaching till sixin the morning, that more people might come. And now four times (more) comeat five than ever came at six."

We know how Wesley's marriage to Mary Vazeille came to a sad end, but it sawhappy days too. "My dear love," he wrote from Newcastle in May 1752. "Yourname is precious among this people. They talk of you much, and know not howto commend you enough, even for those little things, your plainness ofdress, your sitting among the poor at preaching, your using sage tea, andnot being delicate in your food. Their way of mentioning you often bringstears into my eyes."

Many of Wesley's letters (and those written to him) are available today incollected volumes that have been edited over the years, particularly thoseby Frank Baker. The letters reflect Wesley's gifts as a great communicator.Above all, they reveal a depth of pastoral concern, a skill as an advocatefor the Gospel, a genius for organization and a wonderful attention todetail.