JUNE, 1736
Wesley’s Warming Journey by Brenda Rees
Brenda Rees (c) All Rights Reserved
Second Frederica Journal cont.
The Altamaha River near Fort Frederica
Tuesday, June 1, 1736 – John Wesley wrote “After praying for him, I was surprised to find one of the most controverted questions in divinity, disinterested love, decided at once by a poor old man, without education or learning, or any instructor but the Spirit of God. I asked him what he thought of paradise (to which he had said he was going); he said, ‘To be sure, it is a fine place. But I don’t mind that; I don’t care what place I am in. Let God put me where He will, or do with me what He will, so I may but set forth His honour and glory.’”
Thursday, June 3, 1736 – Only the Hird family joined him on Ascension Day for Holy Communion. Wesley gave the reason that no one else was there was some woman in the community had said words and the whole community was “in a flame.” The Hirds were a Quaker family who had been baptized by Wesley on board the Simmonds (Nov. 16, 1735) and were considered good friends. Mark Hird was the first Methodist in Frederica.
Artifacts from the Thomas Hird lot in the North Ward area of Frederica. On display at the National Park at Frederica on St. Simons Island
Curnock wrote on page 224 “Much as we wish to do so, it is impossible to study the Diary, and escape from the all-pervading presence of the surgeon’s (Dr. Hawkin’s) wife. Wesley still clung to the belief that this unhappy woman was sincere during those lucid moments …. Others believed her to be a clever hypocrite.”
Sunday, June 6, 1736 – John Wesley calls on a Mr. Lassel, who is apparently dying. Wesley asks him if he is troubled about his imminent departure. Mr. Lassel replied, “Oh no; to depart, and to be with Christ, is far better.”
Monday, June 7, 1736 – Wesley finds Mr. Lassel much weaker and asks if he still desired to die. Lassel said, “Yes; but I dare not pray for it, for fear I should displease my heavenly Father. His will be done. Let Him work His will, in my life or in my death.”
Thursday, June 10, 1736 – Wesley wrote “We began to execute at Frederica what we had before agreed to do at Savannah
Wesley is collecting psalms and hymns for his communicants to sing. Curnock, p 230 said “No. xviii, is entitled Inconstancy. Three of its verses are borrowed from Hicke’s Devotions. They reflect the spiritual condition of those, including Wesley himself, who, in the new ‘house’ at Frederica, sang the hymn on Wednesday or Friday:
Lord Jesus, when, when shall it be,
That I no more shall break with Thee?
When will this war of passions cease,
And my free soul enjoy Thy peace?
Here I repent and sin again;
Now I revive, and now am slain;
Slain with the same unhappy dart
Which, O! too often wounds my heart.”
Saturday, June 12, 1736 – Curnock p 231; “All the duties of the day, including exposition, sick-visiting, and prayer, were faithfully performed, but with constant interruptions by the surgeon and his wife. The harassed pastor’s consolation was Law’s Christian Perfection, singing, and the Greek Testament. Mr. Hawkins did not leave him till eleven o’clock at night.”
Among his Journal, Wesley said, … “I am sent from God to teach you this. A few days are allotted us for that purpose. Would it then be well done in me, because I was pleased with your company, to spend this short time in trifling, and teach you nothing of what I came for? God forbid! I will rather not converse with you at all. Of the two extremes, this is the best.”
Sunday, June 13, 1736 – A great day for Wesley. His plan of society meetings are in place having been actually started the previous Thursday.
June 1736 cont.
Thursday, June 17, 1736 – Wesley’s forward progress with his society meetings soon meets with open resistance. He is giving advice as he recounted for this day “An officer of a man-of-war, walking just behind us, with two or three of his acquaintances, cursed and swore exceedingly; but upon my reproving him, seemed much moved, and gave me many thanks,”
Fort Frederica. The British flag is flying in this tenuous outpost. Picture by Brenda Rees (c)
Saturday, June 19, 1736 – “Oglethorpe returns from the south, and gave orders on Sunday, the 20th, that none should profane the day (as was usual before) by fishing or fowling upon it in the afternoon. I summed up what I had seen or heard at Frederica inconsistent with Christianity, and, consequently, with the prosperity of the place.” …
Tuesday, June 22, 1736 – Wesley is very aware of what the people of Frederica are saying and thinking about his service. “Observing much coldness in Mr. Horton’s behavior, I asked him the reason of it. He answered, ‘I like nothing you do. All your sermons are satires upon particular persons, therefore, I will never hear you more; and all the people are of my mind, for we won’t hear ourselves abused. … Besides, they say they are Protestants. But as for you, they cannot tell what religion you are of…Indeed, there is neither man nor woman in the town who minds a word you say.’” Wesley added in his Journal, “He was too warm for hearing an answer. So I had nothing to do but to thank him for his openness, and walk away.”
Wednesday, June 23, 1736 – Wesley has a conversation with a Mr. M___ about speaking to those about being saved. Mr. M said he wasn’t going to bring the subject up anymore unless the individual was willing to hear him. Wesley responded, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear! Mark the tendency of this accursed principle.! If you will speak only to those who are willing to hear, see how many you will turn from the error of their ways! … But shall you strive no more? God forbid! Strive more humbly, more calmly, more cautiously. Do not strive as you did before – but strive while the breath of God is in your nostrils.”
Wesley was leaving Frederica that evening. He left about 11 p.m. and arrived back in Savannah
Third Savannah
Sunday, June 27, 1736 – Creek Indians visit the area and take over the location where Wesley had planned to have public worship.
Monday, June 28, 1736 – Even with the importance of the Indian visit, their saving a main mission, Wesley demonstrated his versatile detachment abilities by studying German and Spanish along with other multi-tasking duties during the day.
Wednesday, June 30, 1736 – Wesley wrote, “I hoped a door was opened for going up immediately to the Choctaws, the least polished, that is, the least corrupted, of all the Indian nations. But upon my informing Mr. Oglethorpe of our design, he objected, not only the danger of being intercepted, or killed by the French there; but more, the inexpediency of leaving Savannah
