THE BLESSED JOHN WESLEY (MAY 24TH)

An Anglican Icon of the Blessed John Wesley, from St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England

Anonymous, Edited by Bp. Joseph Boyd (Ancient Church of the West)

On March 9th, 1791, when John Wesley was carried to his grave, he left behind him a good library of books, a well-worn clergyman's gown, and a badly smeared reputation. But also, an England moved to the very depths and a Church thrilled through and through with an awakened spiritual life. John Wesley was a man who truly possessed both Apostolic vision and gifts, but most importantly he was a man who lived in view of eternity. "Consumed by the thought of the shortness of time, the great work to be done, and the need for haste in doing it, on he marched, preaching, pleading, warning and guiding . . ."

John Wesley was a man mighty in faith and prayer. Time and again people possessed with devils were brought to him and in answer to prayer the demons were cast out. Not only were evil spirits cast out, but the sick were healed as well. As Wesley preached, the power of God often came upon his listeners, and hundreds would fall under the power of the Spirit. Then, in answer, to prayer their souls and bodies were healed. A physician became offended at the cries of many who fell under the power of God. He attended Wesley's meeting and a lady he knew fell under the power. "Great drops of sweat ran down her face, and all her bones shook. But when both her soul and body were healed in a moment he acknowledged the finger of God."

On another occasion when Wesley was traveling the preaching circuit, his horse suddenly became lame. With no one near to offer help, he stopped and prayed. "Immediately the horse's lameness was gone."

Wesley pleaded with men to repent and by faith make peace with God or suffer in hell. People who had entertained false hopes of salvation through anything other than repentance and God’s grace had their  hearts softened and their minds turned back to Christ by his plain preaching. Wesley believed that those who failed to warn the sinner and backslider, themselves stood under the judgement of Christ. He was determined to declare the whole counsel of God, offering the love of God in Christ and giving warning of the dreadful consequences. 

Many Protestants do not realize that John Wesley was an Anglican priest and believed in Apostolic Succession. Due to this belief, he was reportedly consecrated as a Bishop by the Greek Orthodox Bishop Erasmus of Arcadia, so that he could ordain his followers and they could rightfully celebrate the Eucharist in all of the many chapels that they established throughout Britain. His episcopacy was kept secret due to laws prohibiting foreign churchman from acting in any capacity within the United Kingdom. Wesley's goal was to revive the cold, dead, overly political national Church of England with the truth of the Gospel, a fresh outpouring of repentance, a return to the ancient teachings of the Early Church Fathers, and a weekly celebration of the Eucharist. While his followers abandoned his vision of restoring the Anglican Church to Orthodoxy after his death, founding the Methodist Denomination, John Wesley certainly would have lamented this decision. 

COLLECT 

ALMIGHTY GOD, Who inspired Thy servant John Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls and endowed him with eloquence in speech and poetry: Kindle such fervor in Thy Church, we entreat Thee, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to Him and be saved; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

(The first four paragraphs were based upon a hagiography possibly written by Mr. David Smithers, but many sites carry this text without attribution)