APRIL 1738
April 1738
Wesley's Warming Journey
By Brenda Rees © All Rights Reserved
April 1738 This is the last month before his “warming” at Aldersgate. On April 1 Wesley resumed writing in his diary, but in a new way. John and Charles Wesley both are practicing extempore prayer. John Wesley continued to be influenced by Peter Bohler. Faith in a moment is the question.
If you are new to this blog, consider starting with the Introduction of Wesley’s Warming Journey Blog and then each month from February 1736. Earliest months were grouped together, but Blog is now by month. This blog carries you from Wesley’s landing at Tybee Island in 1736 eventually through his warming at Aldersgate back in London America Florida
THE JOURNAL – “PART THE SECOND”
From February 1, 1738 – August 12, 1738
A Chair used by Wesley in his home. Wesley Chapel is nearby. Brenda and Lane Rees in London Florida
Saturday, April 1, 1738 – Wesley is pleased to be at Mr. Fox’s society. He said, “…I could not confine myself to the forms of prayer which e ere accustomed to use there.” A Richard Morgan had written Wesley in 1735 that they enjoyed Sunday nights at Mr. Fox’s.
Sunday, April 2, 1738 – “Being Easter Day, I preached in our College chapel … “, Wesley wrote. John Wesley spent time with the Kinchin family. In his dairy, they are brothers Charles, Stephen and James with a sister, Miss Molly.
Monday, April 10, 1738 – Wesley had spent his days reading and in conversation with the Kinchin family. On this day, the concern is that Miss Molly has become ill. The family was in Woodmancot.
Tuesday, April 11, 1738 – Molly appeared to be better.
Saturday, April 15, 1738 – Wesley is very concerned about the health of Miss Molly. He wrote in his diary that he arrived at Woodmancot at seven. He read Haliburton to her. A surgeon, Mr. Lawrence, refused to bleed her.
Wednesday, April 19, 1738 – John and Charles Wesley travel to London
Saturday, April 22, 1738 – Wesley met with Peter Bohler. Wesley wrote that he had “no objection to what he said of the nature of faith” and several other points, but he “could not comprehend what he spoke of an instantaneous work.” Wesley could not understand how faith could “be given in a moment; how a man could at once be thus turned from darkness to light, from sin and misery to righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost. I searched the Scriptures again touching this very thing, particularly the Acts of the Apostles; but, to my utter astonishment, found scarce any instances there of other than instantaneous conversion; scarce any so slow as that of St. Paul, who was three days in the pangs of the new birth; … “
He heard about Molly.
Sunday, April 23, 1738 – Wesley struggled with faith. He said, “I could now only cry out, ‘Lord, help Thou my unbelief!” He asked Bohler if he “ought not to refrain from teaching others.” Bohler told him, “No; do not hide in the earth the talent God hath given you.”
Tuesday, April 25, 1738 – John Wesley spoke to Delamotte’s family and a Mr. Broughton. He shared his thoughts on faith. Charles Wesley is angry that he shared.
Wednesday, April 26, 1738 – Wesley left the papers the Trustees for Georgia had given him for his appointment to Georgia
In his Journal, Wesley wrote, “In the day or two following I was much confirmed in the ‘truth that is after godliness’ by hearing the experiences of Mr. Hutchins, of Pembroke College
In the diary there is an unexplained break from Sunday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 23, 1739.
