May 1737

MAY  1737

May 1737 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees © All Rights Reserved

May 1737 finds John Wesley reaching out to many nationalities and peoples.  He remarks how he is not yet able to communicate and preach because of language barriers to the French and Dutch in this developing Colony of Georgia and Spanish Florida.   Read the complete diaries and Journal of John Wesley.   In addition, start with the introduction of this Wesley’s Warming Journey Blog and then each month from February 1736.  This blog carries you from Wesley’s landing at Tybee Island in 1736 eventually through to his warming at Aldersgate back in London in 1738.

These events in Spanish Florida, also known as the Colony of Georgia were shaping the heart and soul of John Wesley.  When Wesley said his heart was strangely warmed in England at Aldersgate in 1738, it wasn’t the first time he talked about the heat of his heart.  In a letter to one of his earlier women friends in 1730 Wesley wrote, “…Is it a fault to desire to recommend myself to those who so strongly recommend virtue to me?  Tell me, Aspasia, -- tell me, Selina, -- if it be a fault that my heart burns within me, when I reflect on the many marks of regard you have already shown.” Tyerman, Vol. 1, 1872, p. 77.  We continue to be indebted to the deciphering of Wesley’s journal and diaries by scholars in publications as early as 1909 and 1938.

SIXTH SAVANNAH JOURNAL cont.

Picture of early Florida borders as West Florida and East Florida during American Revolution and between Treaties of Paris 1763 and 1783.  Wesley lived before, during and after the American Revolution and would have been aware of this changing border.  He was also aware of the great conflict between “Popery” and “Protestantism” during the Atlantic Zone of Conflict period which loomed over America’s development.  Scan Image by Brenda Rees © from Great Uncle's collection:  T.T. Wentworth, Jr. founder of T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum

Having arrived back in Savannah, Wesley wrote, “… found my little flock in a better state than I could have expected.”

Tuesday, May 3, 1737 – Wesley is going to start a garden in the “glebe” on 300 acres to provide for himself, his successor and to “give many of these poor people a sort of relief ….”

Wednesday, May , 1737 – An unusual letter from Wesley has survived that illustrates a change from “Christian Cheerfullness” to austerity.  Curnoch wrote, “In the early Oxford days John Wesley was one of the brightest ornaments of university society.”  See earlier blogs about his women friends from 1726.

Saturday, May 7, 1737 –  The world was John Wesley’s parish, and in the early days of Georgia and Spanish Florida the world was gathering.  Wesley wrote, “I took a walk to Hampstead, a little village of ten families about five miles south of Savannah.  But I found no one there with whom I could talk, they not understanding mine, nor I their Dutch.  From thence I went to Highgate …. But neither could I converse with these, who spoke French only, except one family.”  Of special note is his Journal entry about Miss Sophy  and his concern if he could admit her to Communion.  He is troubled that “she had left off fasting, and because she neglected all the morning prayers, though still acknowledging her obligation to both, which made a wide difference between her neglect and that of others.”  Delamotte advises him to wait judgement until he talks with her.

Wednesday, May 18, 1737 – “I discovered the first convert to Deism that, I believe, has been made here,” Wesley wrote.

Wednesday, May 25, 1737 – Here we see an entry that illustrates the struggle between Protestants and Catholics from England being transferred over to the new world.  It was not just a struggle between England and Spain for control of Spanish Florida and developing British Colonies, their different faiths took center stage in their conflict.  Catholic and Spanish St. Augustine established in 1565 had been at the expense and  slaughter of the French Protestants at Fort Caroline, established in 1564.

Wesley wrote in his Journal, “I was sent for by one who had been a convert to the Church of Rome, but desired to return to the Church of England; being deeply convinced (as were several others), by what I had occasionally preached, of the grievous errors the Church of Rome is in, and the great danger of continuing a member of it.”

He continued, “Upon this occasion I cannot but observe the surprising infatuation that reigns in England, and especially in London.  Advice upon advice did we receive there, to beware of the increase of Popery; but not one word do I remember to have heard of the increase of Infidelity…. This was quite surprising, for these very plain reasons: (1) because as bad a religion as Popery is, no religion at all is still worse; a baptized Infidel being twofold more of a child of hell than the [fiercest] Papist in Christendom; …. (3) because as difficult as it is to recover a Papist, ‘tis far more difficult to recover an Infidel. …”  He adds that there is an Italian or two around, but he can’t yet speak their language.

Friday, May 27, 1737 –  Mrs. Musgrove, our Florida connection lady, is ill.

Sunday, May 29, 1737 – Wesley is pleased with the progress of the children and said, “we observed the Spirit of God to move upon the minds of many of the children.”  It was “Whit Sunday” and four scholars were admitted “to the Lord’s Table” after several weeks of instruction.

administrative note:  need to change March to April on previous blog entry

April 1737

April  1737

April 1737 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees © All Rights Reserved

(Edit typo: March to April on some of these entries.)

April 1737 gives John Wesley somewhat of a break from the drama of his relationship with Miss Sophy.  Enthusiastically, John Wesley spends more of his time investigating and pursuing how to save the souls of slaves and the “negroes” and learning Spanish from Dr. Nunez.  Read the complete diaries and Journal of John Wesley if time allows and available.   In addition, start with the introduction of this Wesley’s Warming Journey Blog and then each month from February 1736.  This blog carries you from Wesley’s landing at Tybee Island in 1736 eventually through to his warming at Aldersgate back in London.

Again, these events in Spanish Florida, also known as the Colony of Georgia, were shaping the heart and soul of John Wesley.  When Wesley said his heart was strangely warmed in England at Aldersgate in 1738, it wasn’t the first time he talked about the heat of his heart.  In a letter to one of his earlier women friends in 1730 Wesley wrote, “…Is it a fault to desire to recommend myself to those who so strongly recommend virtue to me?  Tell me, Aspasia, -- tell me, Selina, -- if it be a fault that my heart burns within me, when I reflect on the many marks of regard you have already shown.” Tyerman, Vol. 1, 1872, p. 77.  How older books treated this relationship is interesting.  Again, this gives reason why today’s reader might endeavor to read the entire Journal and Wesley’s extensive comments for themselves.  See my earlier blog entry about these early women friends of Wesley.  He was in a personal correspondence circle with these exceptional women and their letters reveal John Wesley’s early special relationship with women.

We continue to be indebted to the deciphering of Wesley’s journal and diaries by scholars in publications as early as 1909 and 1938.

SIXTH SAVANNAH JOURNAL

Picture of Early Spanish Mission.  The Spanish still claimed this part of Spanish Florida.  The Treaty of Madrid of 1670 between England and Spain set the border at 32/30 – up near Hilton Head, North Carolina.  Photograph by Brenda Rees ©

Sunday, April 3, 1737 – Wesley wrote, “This and every day in this great and holy week we had a sermon and the Holy Communion.”

Monday, April 4, 1737 – This day finds Wesley learning Spanish “in order to converse with my Jewish parishioners; some of whom seem nearer the mind that was in Christ than many of those who call Him Lord.”  Wesley had already learned how to read and translate and was now learning how to preach in Spanish.  Dr. Nunes, A Spanish Jew, was his teacher.  Spelling of Nunes by Curnoch.

Friday, April 8, 1737 –  This is Good Friday.  On this day, Miss Sophy dominates his Journal entry.  He tried to relay messages to Miss Sophy through Mr. and Mrs. Burnside.  Feeling that he was not having an effect, he spoke to Miss Sophy in person “under Mr. Causton’s shed.”  It was not a private conversation.  His advice was “controverted” and he repeated in his Journal, “I will avow before all the world, ‘In things of an indifferent nature you cannot be too obedient to your husband; but if his will should be contrary to the will of God, you are to obey God rather than man.’  It may be observed that this day, of her own free choice, she fasted till the evening.”  There is some concern in the colony about the Indians.

Sunday, April 10, 1737 – Paustoobee came on Easter Sunday and Tomochichi came the next day.

Tuesday, April 12, 1737 – Wesley is strong about rules being followed.  This time a preacher is not following procedure for weddings.  “Being determined, if possible, to put a stop to the proceedings of one in Carolina, who had married several of my parishioners without either banns or licence, and declared he would do so still, I set out in a sloop for Charlestown.”  He discussed this with the minister of Charlestown and the Bishop of London’s Commissary.

Friday, April 15, 1737 – Wesley is in Charleston.  He is busy visiting notables including a publisher.  Wesley makes an interesting comment about garden and grounds of a Mr. Guy.  He says it is the most pleasant place he has seen in America and reminds him of England.  Then he says most Americans are too lazy to raise such a garden.

Sunday, April 17, 1737 – Days in Charleston are spent with Rev. Charleston.  Wesley is pleased with him.

Tuesday, April 19, 1737 – Wesley tried to leave Charleston, but bad weather caused him to return.

Saturday, April  23, 1737 – Wesley learns his passage home by water is not possible, but Mr. Thompson, minister of St. Bartholomew’s, near Ponpon, offers him his horses. On this trip he meets a “negro” who “seemed more reasonable than the rest.”  Wesley questioned her about her faith.  After a long conversation with her, Wesley said, “The attention with which this poor creature listed to instruction is inexpressible.  The next day she remembered all, readily answered every question; and said she would ask Him that made her to show her how to be good.”

Sunday, April 24, 1737 – Wesley preached at Ponpon chapel.  He is impressed that many traveled “eight, ten, or twelve miles to hear the gospel.”

Wednesday, April 27, 1737 – Wesley is at Mr. Belinger’s plantation.  Rain keeps him there until Friday.  He meets a woman who had an Indian mother and a Spanish father.  Another said, “’When I lived at Ashley Ferry, I could go to church every Sunday, but here we are buried in the woods.  Though if there was any church within five or six miles, I am so lame I cannot walk, but I would crawl thither.’”

Wesley also noted, “And perhaps one of the easiest and shortest ways to instruct the American negroes in Christianity would be, first, to inquire after and find out some of the most serious of the planters.”

Saturday, April 30, 1737 – Wesley has taken a boat and arrives back in Savannah before noon.  He found his flock well.  He said, “Here I found my little flock in a better state than I could have expected.”

March 1737

March  1737

March 1737 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees

March 1737 finds John Wesley at the climax of his personal relationship with Miss Sophy.  Expectedly, John Wesley’s writings are again dominated by Miss Sophy.  I still recommend one read the entire journal and diary entries during this time.   Wesley had resolved to “be more wary in the future … and the following week … touched her not.”  Delamotte had stepped outside to leave John Wesley and Miss Sophy alone.  Miss Sophy had a Lot and property in her own right and was probable beneficiary of the Causton’s property.

These events in Spanish Florida, also known as the Colony of Georgia, were shaping the heart and soul of John Wesley.  When Wesley said his heart was strangely warmed in England at Aldersgate in 1738, it wasn’t the first time he talked about the heat of his heart.  In a letter to one of his earlier women friends in 1730 Wesley wrote, “…Is it a fault to desire to recommend myself to those who so strongly recommend virtue to me?  Tell me, Aspasia, -- tell me, Selina, -- if it be a fault that my heart burns within me, when I reflect on the many marks of regard you have already shown.” Tyerman, Vol. 1, 1872, p. 77.  How older books treated this relationship is interesting.  Again, this gives reason why today’s reader might endeavor to read the entire Journal and Wesley’s extensive comments for themselves.  See my earlier blog entry about these early women friends of Wesley.  He was in a personal correspondence circle with these exceptional women and their letters reveal John Wesley’s early special relationship with women.

We continue to be indebted to the deciphering of Wesley’s journal and diaries by scholars in publications as early as 1909 and 1938.

SIXTH SAVANNAH JOURNAL

Picture of page from Wesley’s diary.  The important work of deciphering Wesley’s diaries was accomplished and reported in published works as early as 1909.  Photograph by Brenda Rees ©

Wednesday, March 2, 1737 – Wesley only had “coffee at six in the morning and tea at three in the afternoon, the day was kept as a strict Lenten fast.”

Thursday, March 3, 1737 – Wesley wrote, “Yet on Thursday evening, after we came from her, Mr. Delamotte was deeply concerned.  I had never seen him in such uneasiness before.  He said, with many tears, ‘He found we must part, for he could not live in that house when I was married to Miss Sophy.’  He said, ‘I did not know my own heart; but he saw clearly it would come to that very soon, unless I broke off all intercourse with her.’ I told him, ‘This was a point of great importance, and therefore not to be determined suddenly.’  He said, ‘I ought to determine as soon as possible; for I was losing ground daily.’ I felt what he said to be true, and therefore easily consented to set aside the next day for that purpose.”   Wesley did write a letter to the Bishop of London and read Wake’s Epistles.  Wesley’s 9 p.m. diary entry said, “Talk with Delamotte of Miss Sophy, he sad; private prayer.”

Friday, March 4, 1737 – This day finds Wesley unable to make a decision until he once again speaks to the topic of heart.  “… At length we agreed to appeal to the Searcher of hearts.  I accordingly made three lots.  In one was writ ‘Marry’; in the second, ‘Think not of it this year.’  After we had prayed to God to ‘give a perfect lot,’ Mr. Delamotte drew the third, in which were these words, ‘Think of it no more.’  Wesley wrote he was able to say cheerfully, ‘Thy will be done.’  The next lot cast determined he was to speak to Miss Sophy only in the presence of Delamotte.

Wesley also took care of business on this day with a letter to the Trustees for Georgia, 21 men, with an account of the year’s expenses. 

Monday, March 7 , 1737 – The weekend had been somewhat usual with prayers and writing.  Except, Mellichamp had arrived on Saturday.  On Monday, Wesley rode with Causton to “his plantation, four miles from Savannah.”  When he went in the house, Causton’s niece, Miss Sophy, went out.  Wesley, remember, had stated not to talk to Miss Sophy without Delamotte’s presence.  However, Wesley soon said in his Journal, “Yet after a short struggle, the evil soul prevailed in me, and I went.  Immediately she catched hold of both my hands, and with the most engaging gesture, look, and tone of voice said, ‘You never denied me anything that I desired yet, and you shall not deny me what I desire now.’ I said, ‘Miss Sophy, I will not; what is it?’ She answered, ‘Don’t say anything to her that offered me the letter the other day.  My refusing it has given her pain enough already.’ I replied, ‘I will not. And if you had told me of it before, I would not have told your uncle of it, as Mr. Williamson did.’ She said, ‘Did he?’  Well, I find what you have often said is true.  There is no trusting any but a Christian.  And for my part, I am resolved never to trust any one again who is not so.’  I looked upon her, and should have said too much had we had a moment longer.  But in the instant Mr. Causton called us in.  So I was once more ‘snatched as a brand out of the fire.’”

Tuesday, March 8, 1737 – Wesley has a very lengthy Journal entry this day.  He quoted Miss Sophy’s statement, “’I shall never deceive you ….  I will never take any step in anything of importance without first consulting you.’”  Wesley wrote of his turmoil to break off with Miss Sophy.  There is an additional bad letter from Millichamp.  Mrs. Causton and Miss Sophy quarrel and Wesley interjects that Miss Sophy would be welcome at his house.

Wednesday, March 9, 1737 – A shock of a day for Wesley.  When he arrived at Mrs. Causton’s the next day, she said, “’Sir, Mr. Causton and I are exceedingly obliged to you for all the pains you have taken about Sophy.  And so is Sophy too; and she desires you would publish the banns of marriage between her and Mr. Williamson on Sunday.’  So much for Monday’s conversation and promises.  Mrs. Causton added, “’Sir, you don’t seem to be well pleased.  Have you any objection to it?’  I answered, ‘Madam, I don’t seem to be awake.  Surely I am in a dream.’  She said, ‘They agreed on it last night between themselves after you was gone.’”  Much more is said of consent, shock and the circumstances.  Wesley eventually meets Miss Sophy and Mr. Williamson and Williamson mentions last night’s agreement.  Wesley said he wouldn’t believe it unless he heard it from Miss Sophy.  There is issue about a proper “banns” and marriage.  To further confound Wesley, Miss Sophy said to him, “’Sir, I have given Mr. Williamson my consent – unless you have anything to object.’”  The marriage was a benefit for Mr. Williamson more so than Miss Sophy.  Wesley also questioned Mr. Williamson’s character.

The next few days are full of drama and tense conversation.  Wesley later wrote, “I came home and went into my garden.  I walked up and down, seeking rest but finding none.  From the beginning of my life to this hour I had not known one such as this.”  Wesley continued and even said, “Yet one way remained, to seek to God – a very present help in time of trouble.  And I did seek after God, but I found Him not.  I forsook Him before:  now He forsook me.  I could not pray.  Then indeed the snares of death were about me; the pains of hell overtook me.  Yet I struggled for life; and though I had neither words nor thoughts, I lifted up my eyes to the Prince that is highly exalted, and supplied the place of them as I could: and about four o’clock He so far took the cup from me that I drank so deeply of it no more.”

Then, Causton visits Wesley and said he did not approve of marriage and included, “’If you loved her, how could you possibly be so overseen as not to press her when she was so much moved?’  He added, ‘I will tell her my thoughts of it once more, and, if you please, so may you.  But if she is not then convinced I must leave her to herself.’”

Wesley and Miss Sophy have a chance to talk but it is soon interrupted by Williamson.  Delamotte is also pacing outside.  At one point, Williamson told Wesley he was not to see Miss Sophy until they were married.

Delamotte and Wesley went to her Lot and read while Miss Sophy looked from Mr. Williamson to Wesley.

Friday, March 11, 1737 – Miss Sophy left for Purrysburg.  Wesley began the day with prayer and singing.  Wrote ‘pain.’  He drank two cups of coffee.  He wrote about pain all day.

Saturday, March 12, 1737 – “On Saturday … she was married there; this being the day which completed the year from my first speaking to her!”  A question is presented as to the strict legality of Miss Sophy’s marriage.  Banns, as required, were requested by Mrs. Causton for her niece to be published, but Miss Sophy was married before such occurred.  Wesley was in much pain and even wrote his will.

Tuesday, March 15, 1737 – Mr. Williams paid visit to Wesley in his home and was angry.  Denied Wesley the opportunity to see Sophy.

Sunday, March 20, 1737 – Wesley and Sophy meet in the street and she tells him her husband does not want her to speak to him again.  It should be noted that at this point, Wesley has not denied Communion to Sophy.

Thursday, March 24, 1737 – Mr. Robert Howe’s house is consumed by fire.  The night before, he had led a class meeting.  A collection was made and only one man refused to contribute.  Wesley collected the money over several days.

Saturday, March 26, 1737 – Wesley read an account of Miss Sophy to Mrs. Burnside.

Thursday, March 31, 1737 – Wesley visited a Mr. Young.

FEBRUARY 1737

FEBRUARY  1737

February 1737 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees

February 1737 finds John Wesley consumed with thoughts and concerns about Miss Sophy.  John Wesley’s writings are filled with his “Miss Sophy” situation.  The following brief notes only hint at the obsession Wesley had with Miss Sophy.  I highly recommend getting your own copy of Curnoch’s extensive publications of Wesley’s diaries and journal and reading this month in complete detail.

Notes from Wesley’s deciphered diaries and Journal.  Material is “accumulated for its elucidation.”  Curnoch wrote (1909) “an unusual shorthand had to be learned … a cipher without a key deciphered.”

New to Wesley's Warming Journey Blog by Brenda Rees?  Go to beginning blog of Introduction and February 1736.  Follow by month.  Hope to have rearranged soon for easier access.  Enjoy.

SIXTH SAVANNAH JOURNAL

Picture of Christ Church in Savannah.  To fully appreciate this, one needs to study the border dispute between Florida and Georgia.  While John Wesley was worshiping at this site, the land was claimed by Spain and England had yet to defeat the Spanish in this area.  Photograph by Brenda Rees ©

Tuesday, Feb.1, 1737 – “Being the anniversary feast, on account of the first convoy’s landing in Georgia, we had a sermon and the Holy Communion.”   Miss Sophy’s other love interest, Mellichamp, is out of jail and is considered dangerous.

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1737 –  Wesley is informed and against Miss Bovey’s desire to marry Mr. Burnside.  Curnoch eludes that Wesley is against this marriage because he desired to make her a deaconess.

Thursday, Feb. 3, 1737 –  Wesley, “I was now in a great strait.  I still thought it best for me to live single.  And this was still my design; but I felt the foundations of it shaken more and more every day.  Insomuch that I again hinted at a desire of marriage, though I made no direct proposal.”  Wesley said if Miss Sophy had “closed with me at that time” he would have made a “faint resistance” and viewed it later as a narrow escape.  Ingham and Delamotte are not in favor of his marriage to Miss Sophy.  Mr. Toltschig seems more open.

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 1737 – Wesley, “The next morning I was obliged to go down to Savannah.  There I stayed about an hour; and there again I felt, and groaned under the weight of, an unholy desire.  My heart was with Miss Sophy all the time.  I longed to see here, were it but for a moment….”

Monday, Feb. 14, 1737 – Wesley had regularly been recounting his thoughts and feelings about Miss Sophy in his Journal.  “About seven in the morning, I told her in my own garden, ‘I am resolved, Miss Sophy, if I marry at all, not to do it till I have been among the Indians.’”

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1737 – By today, Miss Sophy had told Wesley that she would not visit him alone anymore and no longer study French.

Monday, Feb. 21, 1737 – Wesley writes to Hird in Frederica.

Thursday, Feb. 24, 1737 – It is decided Ingham should go back to England.  Wesley told Miss Sophy that he or Ingham needed to return to England.  Miss Sophy said, “’What, are you going to England? Then I have no tie to America left.’”  Wesley asked Miss Sophy what she meant.  She replied, “’You are the best friend I ever had in the world….’”

Sunday, Feb. 27, 1737 – Wesley, “After all the company but Miss Sophy was gone, Mr. Delamotte went out and left us alone again.  Finding here still the same, my resolution failed.  At the end of a very serious conversation, I took her by the hand, and perceiving she was not displeased, I was so utterly disarmed, that that hour I should have engaged myself for life, had it not been for the full persuasion I had of her entire sincerity, and in consequence of which I doubted not but she was resolved (as she had said) ‘never to marry while she lived.’”

He resolved to “be more wary in the future … and the following week … touched her not.”

January 1737 Wesley's Warming Journey

JANUARY  1737

January 1737 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees

Between the end of December, 1736 and January, 1737 is a time in which Wesley first offers an extempore prayer.  In this Fifth Frederica Journal, Wesley is visiting Frederica for the fifth and last time.  Nehemiah Curnoch, in published 1909 book , reprinted in 1938, gives details from Wesley’s deciphered diary.  Material is “accumulated for its elucidation.”  Curnoch wrote (1909) “an unusual shorthand had to be learned … a cipher without a key deciphered.”

FIFTH FREDERICA JOURNAL cont.

Mural of Darien, a Scotch Highlander settlement near Frederica.  John Wesley would visit this disputed borderland in Spanish Florida and the developing Colony of George in 1736 – 1737.  Bishop Hendrix of Kansas had provided one of the missing Georgia Diaries that filled in gaps in Wesley’s Journal.  Photograph by Brenda Rees ©

After spending New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 1736 in the woods, John Wesley begins a new year and his evangelistic endeavors with a wild, raw early American experience.

Saturday, Jan.1, 1737 – Provisions short.  Had “barbecued bear’s flesh….”

Sunday, Jan. 2, 1737 –  At Darien, Scotch Highlanders settlement, 20 miles from Frederica.  “I was surprised to hear an extempore prayer before a written sermon,” Wesley wrote.  In diary, evening entry

7¾  “Mrs. MacKintosh’s supper and singing; I prayed extempore

Monday, Jan. 3, 1737 –  Wesley left Darien in a periagua for Frederica.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1737 –  Wesley arrived in Frederica for the fifth time and stayed with the Hirds.  For most of this last visit to Frederica, Wesley stayed indoors and limited personal contact to Hirds and Westons.

Saturday, Jan. 22, 1737 – Mr. Tackner and Mr. Hird are in a dispute.

Sunday, Jan. 23, 1737 – Wesley admonishes “two or three who were going a – shooting; … they made light of it and went on.”

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 1737 – Wesley hears of sloop in river preparing to travel to Savannah.  Wesley’s first thought is of Miss Sophy.

“After having beaten the air in this unhappy place for twenty days, at noon I took my final leave of Frederica.  It was not any apprehension of my own danger, though my life had been threatened many times, but an utter despair of doing good there, which made me content with the thought of seeing it no more.” Curnoch 312,313

Wesley reads Machiavelli’s Works.  Weather is stormy and foggy.

Monday, Jan. 31, 1737 – At Skidoway, then Thunderbolt and finally Savannah.  He met Miss Sophy with Mrs. Musgrove at Cowpen.

Wesley wrote in his Journal, “For indeed from March 13, 1736, the day I first spoke to her, till that hour, I cannot recollect so much as a single instance of my proposing anything to her, or expressing any desire, which she did not fully comply with.”  Curnoch 313, 314

December, 1736

December  1736

December 1736 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees

Just as John Wesley and other colonists in Georgia and Spanish Florida did not celebrate Thanksgiving in 1736, there were no special celebrations leading up to or on Christmas.  What Wesley was doing included his duties, pastoral visits, concern about Miss Sophy, writing hymns, praying, and without much ado, surviving in this wild new land (at least new to Europeans and others involved in this great Atlantic Zone development and conflict in Spanish Florida and the developing Colony of Georgia).  It is also a time in which he first offers an extempore prayer.

FIFTH SAVANNAH JOURNAL cont.

Wesley wrote in his Journal:  “In the beginning of December I advised Miss Sophy to sup earlier, and not immediately before she went to bed.  She did so; and on this little circumstance (for by this she began her intercourse with Mr. Williamson) what an inconceivable train of consequences depend!  not only ‘All the colour of remaining life’ for her; but perhaps all my happiness too, in time and eternity!”

Brenda Rees visiting with "John Wesley" at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

Wednesday, Dec.1, 1736 – Wesley read and studied German.  Weather very cold.

Friday, Dec. 3, 1736 – In his diary Wesley wrote “severe frost” and then by twelve “warm”.  Moses Nunes came, also Mr. Hermsdorf.  With Nunes he seems to have read Spanish.  He buried a German.

Sunday, Dec. 5 –  Wesley read Freylinghausen’s Gesang-Buch and Thomas a Kempis.  Sixty were present for afternoon catechizing.  Curnoch lets us know that  “a devotional book, Nicodemus; or, A Treatise on the Fear of Man, is named.  Leter it gave a title to one of Wesley’s lost Journal note-books.  Still later it was translated and abridged for the Methodist Societies.”

Monday, Dec. 6 – Wesley wrote in his diary:  Curnoch tells us “From this time onward shorthand was studied and practiced, until, in the Diary, it was substituted for the abbreviated longhand and cipher hitherto used.”

4        Prayed with them; German.  Mild, wind.

5        On business; read prayers, expounded; Miss Sophy came; 13 present

6        Talked; sat within; Hickes.

7        German

8        With Miss Sophy; French; in talk; German

9        Prayed with them; began shorthand

10   Shorthand; garden; shorthand.

11   Shorthand; German.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1736 – An important day for Florida mention.  He travels to Cowpen with Miss Sophy and Delamotte.  Curnoch said,  “With Mrs. Musgrove he read an account of Florida.”  Also, Wesley wrote “Hearing a poor woman was dangerously ill, I went to her immediately.  She told me that she had long wanted to speak with me, and had sent several messengers – who never came – that she had many things to say.  But the time was past; for her weakness prevented her saying more, and on Friday the 10^th God required her soul of her.”

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1736 – Mrs. Hawkins shows up and he writes “Cave!”.

Friday, Dec. 17, 1736 – Wesley wrote in his diary: 

            5 m.rpbxl12tb.

Curnoch tells us “The interpretation is this:  at five o’clock he meditated.  Read prayers; began exposition of the last twelve chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, ending the service with a psalm from the New Version (Tate and Brady).  The line might have been undecipherable but for the Calendar.  The book appointed for Second Lessons in December is the Acts.  There were three festival days with their special Lessons;  allowing for these, the ‘last twelve’ chapters would finish the book and end this year.”

Curnoch continued that the day was also noteworthy as Wesley “abjured” his classical studies of Homer and Horace and read Plato instead.  The Second Morning Lesson was the story of St. Paul’s visit to Mars’ Hill and his sermon on the Athenian ‘altar to the Unknown God.’

The Wednesday and Friday Charlestown Collection psalm was

Through every Age, eternal God,

Thou art our Rest, our safe Abode;

High was Thy throne ere Heaven was made,

Or Earth, Thy humble Footstool, laid. (Watts:  Psalm xc.)

The first verse in the first Methodist Hymn-book by Watts:

Ye holy souls, in God rejoice;

Your Maker’s praise becomes your voice.

Great is your theme, your songs be new;

Sing of His Name, His Word, His Ways,

His works of nature and of grace,

How wise and holy, just and true!

Charles Wesley is not around to influence John Wesley’s hymn selections.

Note:  No special Christmas events mentioned.  No shopping.  No giving of gifts.

Monday, Dec. 20, 1736 – Wesley uses some longhand, but his Diary is in shorthand.  John and Charles Wesley use this method to keep prying eyes from reading their correspondence.

Wednesday, Dec. 22 1736 – Delamotte and Wesley, with a guide, become lost.  They sleep on the ground overnight.  “The ground was wet as well as our clothes, which in a short time (it being a sharp frost) were as hard as the tree we lay against.”  They survive and rest at Mrs. Musgrove’s.

Saturday, December 25, 1736 – Many of Wesley’s Journal entries at this time are lost, but his Diaries fill in many gaps.  Curnoch said, “There is no trace of special Christmas Day celebration, except the sermon and Holy Communion.  An hour or two he devoted to hymns.  In the evening he buried a German.  The record is partly in shorthand and partly in longhand.”

FIFTH Frederica JOURNAL

Huts and houses at Frederica.  Photograph by Brenda Rees

Historical markers are very helpful and entertaining as one travels about America.  My Great-Uncle T.T. Wentworth, Jr., had significant influence in promoting this custom in Florida.  However, historical markers should be read with caution.  For example, the marker at Frederica reads that John Wesley visited Frederica four times.  Of course, we see here that he visited Frederica five times.  I published this observation first in my “John Wesley in Spanish Florida” (short title) paper.  We also have historical markers in Walton County, Florida that are not quite accurate.  Alaqua, with an early Methodist Church, served as the first county seat of Walton County.  Eucheeanna has a marker stating it is the first county seat.

This was Wesley’s Fifth and Last Journey to Frederica.

Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1736 – Wesley, with Mr. Delamotte continued travel to Frederica.  “… and I with a better guide set out for Frederica by land.  We stayed that night and the next morning at the Cowpen and in the evening came to Fort Argyle.  It stands pleasantly on the high bank of the river Ogeechy, having woods at a little distance on every side.  Here we were obliged to stay til the next afternoon.  Then we went on to Cooanoochi river, over which we swam our horses by the side of the small canoe in which we crossed it ourselves.  We made a fire on the bank, set up our blankets for a tent, commended ourselves to God, and, notwithstanding the rain, slept quietly till the morning.

Friday, Dec. 31, 1736 – “After riding through woods between thirty and forty miles, we made a good fire, and cheerfully ended the old year.”

Wesley’s notes written in these harsh conditions, real that it during this trip is probably the first time Wesley offered extempore prayer.

In his notes, Curnock states that “It seems to have been Mr. McLeod of Darien who first introduced him to Haliburton’s Life.  McLeod is an early Walton County, Florida name.

November 1736

November  1736

November 1736 

Wesley's Warming Journey

By Brenda Rees

A collection of Wesley's writing.  Photograph by Brenda Rees

John Wesley was not preparing for nor did he and others celebrate Thanksgiving in this part of Spanish Florida and the Colony of Georgia in 1736.  In addition to his regular duties, he is increasingly concerned about the direction of his relationship with Miss Sophy and his desire to minister to the natives.  Curnock points out that it is clear Wesley’s library and reading is extensive during this time.  Wesley had no idle moments.  Some records of his library and reading were destroyed, but later restored with review of his diaries.  BR

FIFTH SAVANNAH JOURNAL cont.

Monday, Nov. 1, 1736 – John Wesley wrote “She was eighteen years old.  And from the beginning of our intimate acquaintance till this day, I verily believe she used no guile:  not only because even now I know no instance to the contrary, nor only because the simplicity of her behaviour was a constant voucher for her sincerity; but because of the entire openness  and of all her conversation, answering whatever questions I proposed, without either hesitation or reserve, immediately and directly.

In Curnock’s review of Wesley’s diaries we see that “He arrived in Savannah on Sunday afternoon, and fell at once into the routine of daily services, private devotions, and pastoral business; to which were now added the extraordinary duties involved in the arrangement entered into with the Caustons and Miss Sophy.  She slept at home, and spent her mornings and evenings at the parsonage, alone, or more frequently with Wesley and Delamotte and their guests.  In the evening Miss Bovey came, and others, to share the readings and singing which still formed the main feature of the society-meetings.

On this Monday morning he rose at four, spent one hour in private prayer, and read prayers and expounded at five.  Miss Sophy was present.  In the garden he prayed with her, and afterwards walked with Ingham and Delamotte.  The rest of the day was spent mainly in pastoral visitation.  In the evening he resumed worship with the Moravians.  Later he read Valdesso to Miss Sophy.  She returned home shortly after nine.”

Wesley wrote in his Journal: “The temper of her heart towards God is best known by Him ‘who seeth in secret.’  What appeared of it was a deep, even reverence, ripening into love, and a resignation unshaken in one of the severest trials which human nature is exposed to.  The utmost anguish never wrung from her a murmuring word.  She saw the hand of God, and was still.  She said indeed, ‘If it be possible, Father!’  But added, ‘Not as I will, but as Thou wilt!’

Then Wesley wrote:  “Such was the woman, according to my closest observation, of whom I now began to be much afraid.  My desire and design still was to live single; but how long it would continue I knew not.  I therefore consulted my friends whether it was not best to break off all intercourse with her immediately.  They expressed themselves so ambiguously that I understood them to mean that I ought not to break it off.  And accordingly she came to me (as had been agreed) every morning and evening.”

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1736 – At 10 am he “Wrote French” and at 11 am “French; F’G. with French, sung it.  FG is probably Freylinghausen’s Gesang-Buch with French tunes and German hymns.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1736 – Writing an Abridged Grammar of French.  He wrote of Miss Sophy ‘I fear for her.’

Saturday, Nov. 6, 1736 – Indians came.  Wesley “confesses the present arrangement with Miss Sophy is seriously threatening.”

Monday, Nov. 8, 1736 – Wesley started a German Grammar.  He read Christian Priesthood in the morning.  Miss Sophy came as usual.  In addition to all his other duties, Wesley was making a Hymn-book, a French Grammar, a German Dictionary, a German Grammar, a Catechism, and a Selection of Prayers for devotional purposes.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1736 – Wesley goes by boat to Irene and reads Reformed Devotions by Hickes.  He see Mrs. Musgrove, a woman mentioned at one point with Florida connections.

Thursday, Nov. 11, 1736 – A mention of a Mr. Williamson coming with Miss Sophy and Causton.  Mr. Reed and Mr. Robinson from Frederica came.

Friday, Nov. 12, 1736 – Wesley handles a case of a doctor, Mr. Tailfer, and abuse of a distant relation young woman.  Oglethorpe is involved with case.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1736 – Wesley travels to Irene with Ingham and Delamotte and cuts trees for several hours.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1736 – Mrs. Musgrove came.  He buried Mr. Tolney and a child.  He is very busy with Oglethorpe.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1736 – He reads a letter from the Bishop of London ‘for Negro’s Book on Confirmation.’  Oglethorpe is preparing to return to England.

Sunday, Nov. 20, 1736 – Forty children were present for Catechism.  “A letter is written to Sir John Phillips, whose generosity was making it possible for George Whitefield to carry on the work of the Holy Club at Oxford.”  Evening is spent reading to Miss Sophy and Delamotte.

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1736 – Wesley writes a letter to his brother Samuel.  Ingham arrives.  Funeral for Mrs. Musgrove’s only son, Ned.  Wesley said, “In the evening of November 23 I buried Mrs. Musgrove’s only son; who would probably have been quite lost in grief, but that God diverted her from it by the pain of a violent rheumatism.”

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1736 – He rose soon after one in the morning; at two pushed off the boat; at 2:30 set out.  At three they were aground; waded; got off; with Oglethorpe; at four rowed, conversed, sang.  At six it was very rough; at nine they were aground at Dokoume; waded; got off; rowed; over the marsh on Tybee; James Dean and company there; walked to Tybee; in the lighthouse; walked back; ‘sea overtook us; oysters; Mr. How came, slept.’ At four they set out together, and by eight reached Mr. Causton’s.

Thursday, Nov. 25, 1736 – Miss Sophy and others accompany him to Cowpen.  Mrs. Musgrove is very ill.

Friday, Nov. 26, 1736 – Wesley turns to Spanish for six hours at a time.  He takes a break with Hickes, conversation in French and his hourly five-minute prayers.

Saturday, Nov. 27, 1736 – More work on Spanish and sang a Spanish psalm or hymn.  “At ten he read Dr. Bray’s Tracts and at twelve Gilpin’s Life.”

Sunday, Nov. 28, 1736 – Wesley had 37 in his congregation.

Monday, Nov. 29, 1736 – A fast day, he did not eat until 6 pm.

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1736 – Preached to 21 and administered Holy Communion.  Read letters from Charles and buried Ross.  Hymns translated from German sang. Number 306 “To Thee with heart and mouth I sing, To all the earth make known, My heart’s desire, my God and King, What Thou to me hast shown.”

Moss draped tree in Savannah that could have provided a backdrop for many of Wesley's walks in the garden with Miss Sophy and others.  Photograph by Brenda Rees. (c)