CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF THE 18TH CENTURY: - ( JOHN WESLEY--THE MAN ) [ CHAPTER 5 ] - { PT. 1 }

[ CHAPTER  5 ]  -  ( JOHN WESLEY--THE MAN )  -  { PT.  5 }
 The second person on the list of English Reformers of the eighteenth century whose history I want to consider is a man of worldwide reputation--the famous John Wesley. The name of this great evangelist is probably better known than that of any of his fellow laborers a hundred years ago. This, however, is easily explained. He lived to the ripe old age of eight-eight and for sixty-five years, he was continually before the eyes of the public, doing his Master's work in every part of England. He founded a new religious denomination, remarkable to this very day for its numbers, activity, and success, and rightfully grateful for its extraordinary founder. The story of his life has been repeatedly written by his friends and followers, his works have been constantly reprinted, and his precepts and maxims have been reverentially treasured up and preserved, like Joseph's bones. In fact, if ever a good Protestant has been practically canonized, it has been practically canonized, it has been John Wesley! It would be strange indeed if his name was not well known. Of such a man as this I cannot pretend to give more than a brief account in the short space of a few pages. The main facts of his long and well-spent life, and the main characteristic of his distinct character, are all that I can possibly compress into the limits of this memoir. 

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