First published in 1959 by the publishing arm of the Methodist Church in England and only available second hand (at considerable cost), this is an intriguing book. Evidently the author was a specialist on the beginnings of Methodism in the eighteenth century and of John Wesley in particular. The book, only one hundred and twenty seven pages long has the express purpose of looking at John Wesley as his contemporaries saw him, how did he appear to his family and friends, his critics and his enemies. By careful examination of the journal of John Wesley and other literature a picture is deduced as to what kind of man Wesley was. The general view conveyed by other literature is that he was a rather austere, imperious and perhaps an unattractive personality, an autocrat ruling his Methodist kingdom with a very strong-arm. Though we must bear in mind that the author of this book obviously has profound sympathies with Methodism, with Wesley in particular and is quite antagonistic to those who hold more Calvinistic views of God’s truth this book is helpful in the way it paints Wesley in different hues which are a helpful balance. The Wesley that emerges from this study is an attractive man, single-minded and also sociable. It is a new portrait and although the author does understate the less attractive elements of his subject the overall picture endears John to us. It is the convinced view of Maldwyn Edwards that Wesley possessed two qualities that usually do not reside in the same person, on the one hand a great strength and on the other a sweetness of disposition. Apparently Wesley described himself as ‘the friend of all and the enemy of none’. Charles Wesley, the brother of John and famous for his hymns seems to have been quite different in temperament to his brother, he does not come out well in this book. However, comparisons are notoriously faulty. Charles’s wife wrote of her brother in law that he was born “with a temper which scarcely any injuries could provoke, ingratitude ruffle, or contradictions weary. This disposition peculiarly qualified him to govern: but he was so far from arrogating authority or demanding submission, and his gentleness and forbearance rendered him so much the object of love amongst the people who placed themselves under his care that they considered ‘their sovereign pastor as a sovereign good….” Well, there is commendation indeed from one living close to both brothers. I think lessons abound from reading books like these, and if you can get hold of a copy read and learn.
