In the Westminster Journal, Wesley replied to a correspondent, who had represented Methodism as “an ungoverned spirit of enthusiasm, propagated by knaves, and embraced by fools.” By it, “the decency of religion had been perverted, the peace of families had been ruined, and the minds of the vulgar darkened to a total neglect of their civil and social duties.” Wesley says: “I am almost ashamed to spend time upon these threadbare objections, which have been answered over and over. But if they are advanced again, they must be answered again, lest silence should pass for guilt.”
His first journey, in 1761, was an excursion to Norwich, extending from January 9 to February 7. One Sunday he spent at Everton, where he preached twice for his friend Berridge. Ash Wednesday he divided between Berridge at Everton and Hicks at Wrestlingworth. “Few,” says he, “are now affected as at first, the greater part having found peace with God. But there is a gradual increasing of the work in the souls of many believers.”
At Norwich, Wesley found about three hundred and thirty persons who professed to meet in class; but “many of them were as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke.” “All jealousies,” however, “and misunderstandings were vanished; but how long,” he asks, “will they continue so, considering the unparalleled fickleness of the people in these parts?”
Returning to London, Wesley spent some days in visiting the classes, and ascertained that, after leaving out one hundred and sixty “to whom he could do no good at present,” there were still in the London society 2375 members. His reason for excluding the 160 is exceedingly indefinite. Were they immoral? If so, why could not Wesley be of use to them? Were they consistent Christians, but, by some means, beyond Wesley’s reach? Perhaps they were; but if so, while such a reason might be sufficient for removing them from membership with a mere society, it was insufficient for removing them from the church of Christ.
The life of Wesley was full of anxiety. It could hardly be otherwise. A man cannot be the leader of a great movement without incurring great responsibilities. Wesley had had to settle many a hard question already. In 1760 and succeeding years he had another. He had shocked the prejudices of his clerical brethren by appointing unordained men to preach; now he had to decide whether women should be allowed to exercise the same sacred function. Sarah Crosby, a godly female, left London for Derby, at the commencement of 1761, and began to meet classes with great success. On February 8, when she expected a class of about thirty persons, she found, to her surprise, a congregation of about two hundred. She writes: “I found an awful, loving sense of the Lord’s presence. I was not sure whether it was right for me to exhort in so public a manner; and, yet, I saw it impracticable to meet all these people by way of speaking particularly to each individual. I therefore gave out a hymn, and prayed, and told them part of what the Lord had done for myself, persuading them to flee from sin.”[419] On the Friday following, she did the same to another equally large congregation; and says: “My soul was much comforted in speaking to the people, as my Lord has removed all my scruples respecting the propriety of my acting thus publicly.”
This was a startling step to take. The new preacheress wrote to Wesley on the subject; and he answered her as follows.
“London, February 14, 1761.
“My dear Sister,—Miss —— gave me yours on Wednesday night. Hitherto, I think you have not gone too far. You could not well do less. I apprehend all you can do more is, when you meet again, to tell them simply, ‘You lay me under a great difficulty. The Methodists do not allow of women preachers; neither do I take upon me any such character. But I will just nakedly tell you what is in my heart.’ This will, in a great measure, obviate the grand objection, and prepare for J. Hampson’s coming. I do not see, that you have broken any law. Go on calmly and steadily. If you have time, you may read to them the Notes on any chapter before you speak a few words; or one of the most awakening sermons, as other women have done long ago.
“The work of God goes on mightily here, both in conviction and conversion. This morning, I have spoken with four or five who seem to have been set at liberty within this month. I believe, within five weeks, six in one class have received remission of sins, and five in one band received a second blessing. Peace be with you all! I am your affectionate brother,
“John Wesley.”[420]