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CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF THE 18th CENTURY - ( CHAPTER 5 ) - { PT. 14 }

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  ( CHAPTER  5 )  -  { PT.  13 } - Acting upon his advice, they laid all their activity and plans before the bishop of Oxford and his chaplain, and his chaplain, and did nothing without full ecclesiastical approval. Cautious, and almost childish, however, as the proceedings of these young men might appear to us today, they were too far in advance of the times to escape notice, hatred, and opposition. A king of persecution and outcry was raised against Wesley and his companions as enthusiasts, fanatics, and troublers of Israel ( 1  KINGS  18:17 ). They were nicknamed the Methodists or Holy Club, and were assailed with a storm of ridicule and abuse. Through this, however, they bravely persevered and held on their way, being greatly encouraged by the letters of the old pastor of Epworth. The real amount of spiritual good that John Wesley did during these eight years of residence at Oxford is a point that cannot easily be determined. With all his devotedness, asceticism, and self-denial, i