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.
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.
