England Before and After the Wesleyan Revival by James Nickel B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A. Copyright...

EnglandEnglandBefore and After the Before and After the Wesleyan RevivalWesleyan Revival

by James Nickelby James Nickel

B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A.B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A.

Copyright © 2009www.biblicalchristianworldview.net

http://www.biblicalchristianworldview.net/

GovernmentGovernment

What do you think?What do you think? External.External.

CivilCivil Internal.Internal.

SelfSelf Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

definition of government:definition of government: 1. Control; restraint. Men are apt to 1. Control; restraint. Men are apt to

neglect the government of their temper neglect the government of their temper and passions.and passions.




The self-governing Christian is a The self-governing Christian is a world changer–salt of the earth; world changer–salt of the earth; light of the world.light of the world.

No salt?No salt? No light?No light? World plunged into darkness.World plunged into darkness.




Galatians 5:22, “The fruit of the Galatians 5:22, “The fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control.”Spirit is ... self-control.”

II Corinthians 3:17, “Where the II Corinthians 3:17, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”



Self-government is the basis of civil Self-government is the basis of civil government.government.




John Adams, second president of the John Adams, second president of the United States under the Constitution of United States under the Constitution of 1787, “We have no government armed 1787, “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.”government of any other.”



1818thth Century England Century England

Charles Dickens, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities,A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us.”before us, we had nothing before us.”



1818thth Century England Century England James Viscount Bryce (1838-1922), James Viscount Bryce (1838-1922),

British jurist, historian, and politician, “If British jurist, historian, and politician, “If the spiritual oxygen which has kept alive the spiritual oxygen which has kept alive the attachment to Liberty and self-the attachment to Liberty and self-government in the minds of the people government in the minds of the people becomes exhausted, will not the flame becomes exhausted, will not the flame burn low and perhaps flicker out? ... burn low and perhaps flicker out? ... Without Faith nothing is accomplished, Without Faith nothing is accomplished, and Hope is the mainspring of Faith. and Hope is the mainspring of Faith. Throughout the course of history every Throughout the course of history every winter of despondency has been followed winter of despondency has been followed by a joyous spring time of hope.”by a joyous spring time of hope.”

((Modern DemocraciesModern Democracies, Vol. II, pp. 663 & 670), Vol. II, pp. 663 & 670)Copyright © 2009

www.biblicalchristianworldview.net


England Before Wesley …England Before Wesley …

Purge of Light.Purge of Light. Persecution of the Puritans (left for Persecution of the Puritans (left for

America).America). After the Oliver Cromwell died, Charles II After the Oliver Cromwell died, Charles II

took the throne and by that time (1660), took the throne and by that time (1660), the mass Puritan exodus was completed.the mass Puritan exodus was completed.

Puritans = self-government.Puritans = self-government. No light, no salt, no prophetic word.No light, no salt, no prophetic word.




Ruling class:Ruling class: Many became members of the “Hellfire Many became members of the “Hellfire

Club.”Club.” Systematically destroyed every kind of Systematically destroyed every kind of

moral standard.moral standard. Known for their:Known for their:

Loose living.Loose living. Love of liquor.Love of liquor. Weakness to bribery (special interest Weakness to bribery (special interest

groups).groups).Copyright © 2009




Deism.Deism. God is the “absentee landlord.”God is the “absentee landlord.” God is the Alpha, but not the Omega or God is the Alpha, but not the Omega or

anywhere inbetween.anywhere inbetween. Free thinkers.Free thinkers.

Appealed to reason.Appealed to reason. Latitudinarianism = “free from any Latitudinarianism = “free from any

restraints” of belief.restraints” of belief. Soon led to freedom from any Soon led to freedom from any

restraints on behavior.restraints on behavior.Copyright © 2009




Influence of the success of science Influence of the success of science no need for God. no need for God.

Absence of dependence upon God for Absence of dependence upon God for everything.everything.

The “ball” is in man's court.The “ball” is in man's court.




A man with no eternal purpose has no A man with no eternal purpose has no present purpose.present purpose.

Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.we die.

Consumption oriented, not production Consumption oriented, not production oriented.oriented.

Spend, not save.Spend, not save. John Maynard Keynes (20John Maynard Keynes (20thth century economist), century economist),

“In the long run, we are all dead.”“In the long run, we are all dead.” Note the declining purchasing power of the Note the declining purchasing power of the

dollar.dollar.Copyright © 2009




Slave trading: John Newton (1725-Slave trading: John Newton (1725-1807).1807).

Labor problems.Labor problems. Ruling class despises middle class Ruling class despises middle class

merchants.merchants. Horrors of Industrial revolution statistically Horrors of Industrial revolution statistically

skewed by the Lords to do these people in.skewed by the Lords to do these people in. Looked for dirt and reported only dirt.Looked for dirt and reported only dirt.

Lower classes desperately poor; had to Lower classes desperately poor; had to rob in order to eat.rob in order to eat.




Criminal laws and barbarous prison system.Criminal laws and barbarous prison system. John Wesley's John Wesley's JournalJournal, “I visited one in Marshalsea , “I visited one in Marshalsea

prison, a nursery of all manner of wickedness. O prison, a nursery of all manner of wickedness. O shame to man, that there should be such a place, shame to man, that there should be such a place, such a picture of hell upon earth!”such a picture of hell upon earth!”

160 offenses for which you could be hung: 160 offenses for which you could be hung: picking pockets, grabbing food or goods and picking pockets, grabbing food or goods and running, shoplifting, stealing fruit, snaring a running, shoplifting, stealing fruit, snaring a rabbit on someone else’s property.rabbit on someone else’s property.

Common scene: family having a picnic in Hyde Common scene: family having a picnic in Hyde Park watching the “show” at the gallows.Park watching the “show” at the gallows.




Loss of will to live.Loss of will to live. Why? No present purpose.Why? No present purpose. Average life expectancy: 40 years.Average life expectancy: 40 years. People died, not from lack of medicine, People died, not from lack of medicine,

but from lack of proper care for but from lack of proper care for themselves.themselves.

Infant mortality: from 1730-1749, 75% Infant mortality: from 1730-1749, 75% of the children died (most were fed of the children died (most were fed bottles of gin).bottles of gin).




““The Gin Age.”The Gin Age.” Henry Fielding, Henry Fielding, On the late Increase of On the late Increase of

RobbersRobbers (1751), “Should the drinking (1751), “Should the drinking of this poison (gin) be continued at its of this poison (gin) be continued at its present height during the next twenty present height during the next twenty years, there will, by that time, be very years, there will, by that time, be very few of the common people left to drink few of the common people left to drink it.”it.”

William Hogarth's paintings. e.g., “Gin William Hogarth's paintings. e.g., “Gin Lane.”Lane.”



Public Domain




PubPub (public) house.(public) house. Payday: Sunday in the pub.Payday: Sunday in the pub. Every fourth building was a pub.Every fourth building was a pub. ““Drunk for 1 penny, dead drunk for 2 Drunk for 1 penny, dead drunk for 2

pennies and free straw.”pennies and free straw.” Good places advertised Good places advertised cleanclean straw. straw.




Perverted conceptions of sport and Perverted conceptions of sport and entertainment: dogfights, bull entertainment: dogfights, bull baiting, cock fights.baiting, cock fights.

Gambling: a national obsession.Gambling: a national obsession. In In Tom JonesTom Jones, immorality depicted , immorality depicted

as “good sport.”as “good sport.” Decadence of drama and theater.Decadence of drama and theater.




Ignorance, lawlessness, and Ignorance, lawlessness, and savagery. Samuel Johnson, savagery. Samuel Johnson, LondonLondon (1738), “Here malice, rapine, (1738), “Here malice, rapine, accident conspire, and now a rabble accident conspire, and now a rabble rages, now a fire; there ambush, rages, now a fire; there ambush, here relentless ruffians lay, and here relentless ruffians lay, and here a fell attorney prowls for prey; here a fell attorney prowls for prey; there falling houses thunder on your there falling houses thunder on your head, and here a female atheist head, and here a female atheist talks you dead.”talks you dead.”Copyright © 2009




From 1700-1740, England From 1700-1740, England experienced a slow and certain drift experienced a slow and certain drift to religious decay, public to religious decay, public corruption, the profaneness [Latin, corruption, the profaneness [Latin, pro: before or outside, fanum: pro: before or outside, fanum: temple] temple] disrespect for God's disrespect for God's authority and laws.authority and laws.




J. C. Ryle, Anglican bishop (1885), J. C. Ryle, Anglican bishop (1885), “England seemed barren of all that “England seemed barren of all that is good. How such a state of things is good. How such a state of things could have arisen in a land of free could have arisen in a land of free Bibles and professing Protestantism Bibles and professing Protestantism is almost past comprehension. is almost past comprehension. Christianity seemed to lie as one Christianity seemed to lie as one dead.... Morality, however much dead.... Morality, however much exalted in pulpits, was thoroughly exalted in pulpits, was thoroughly trampled under foot in the streets.”trampled under foot in the streets.”Copyright © 2009



LightLight

Isaiah 60:1-3, “Arise, shine, for your Isaiah 60:1-3, “Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, Lord is risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the deep darkness the people; but the Lord will rise over you, and His glory Lord will rise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The nations will be seen upon you. The nations [Gentiles] shall come to your light, [Gentiles] shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your and kings to the brightness of your rising.”rising.”



John Wesley (1703-1791)John Wesley (1703-1791)

Public Domain




Small of stature (5’3”, 128 lbs).Small of stature (5’3”, 128 lbs). 1738: at Aldersgate, his heart was 1738: at Aldersgate, his heart was

“strangely warmed.”“strangely warmed.” First sermon (April 1739) at a coal mine. First sermon (April 1739) at a coal mine.

“As they listened to the message of the “As they listened to the message of the grace of God, tears made little white grace of God, tears made little white rivers down their black cheeks.”rivers down their black cheeks.”

In the next 50 years, he preached 40,000 In the next 50 years, he preached 40,000 sermons (average of 3/day) and traveled sermons (average of 3/day) and traveled an estimated 250,000 miles on an estimated 250,000 miles on horseback.horseback.




““The world is my parish.”The world is my parish.” ““Gain all you can, save all you can, Gain all you can, save all you can,

give all you can.”give all you can.”




““Christianity is essentially a social Christianity is essentially a social religion; to turn it into a solitary religion; to turn it into a solitary religion is indeed to destroy it.”religion is indeed to destroy it.”

Not social gospel absolutized or Not social gospel absolutized or personal gospel absolutized.personal gospel absolutized.

The gospel reforms man so that he The gospel reforms man so that he might reform society.might reform society.



““Do nothing as a gentleman Do nothing as a gentleman [wanted to be served all the time]; [wanted to be served all the time]; ye are the servants of all.”ye are the servants of all.”




““When He first the work began, small When He first the work began, small and feeble was His day; Now the and feeble was His day; Now the word doth swiftly run, now it winds word doth swiftly run, now it winds its widening way; More and more it its widening way; More and more it spreads and grows, ever mighty to spreads and grows, ever mighty to prevail; sin's strongholds it now prevail; sin's strongholds it now overthrows, shakes the trembling overthrows, shakes the trembling gates of hell.”gates of hell.”


George Whitefield (1714-1770)George Whitefield (1714-1770)

Between 1736 and 1770, preached Between 1736 and 1770, preached 18,000 sermons (mostly open air).18,000 sermons (mostly open air).

Ben Franklin estimated that he Ben Franklin estimated that he could speak to 30,000 people in the could speak to 30,000 people in the open air and be heard clearly.open air and be heard clearly.




Both Whitefield and Wesley, as Both Whitefield and Wesley, as fellow Methodists, agreed to fellow Methodists, agreed to disagree amiably in their doctrinal disagree amiably in their doctrinal differences (Wesley was Arminian differences (Wesley was Arminian Methodist and Whitefield was a Methodist and Whitefield was a Calvinist Methodist).Calvinist Methodist).

There was a country to saveThere was a country to save. .



Traveled to American thirteen Traveled to American thirteen times.times.

God used him to unite this nation God used him to unite this nation as as one nation under Godone nation under God..

He influenced the founding of over 50 He influenced the founding of over 50 colleges in America.colleges in America.

He founded many orphanages.He founded many orphanages.



Restoration of Self-GovernmentRestoration of Self-Government

Sir C. Grant Robertson, Sir C. Grant Robertson, England Under England Under the Hanoveriansthe Hanoverians, “At a time when , “At a time when Bishop Butler asserted that Christianity Bishop Butler asserted that Christianity was wearing out the minds of men, was wearing out the minds of men, Wesley kept the English people Wesley kept the English people Christian ... It is certain that into the Christian ... It is certain that into the moral fibre of the English people, even moral fibre of the English people, even in the classes most anxious to in the classes most anxious to repudiate the debt, were woven new repudiate the debt, were woven new strands by the abiding influence of strands by the abiding influence of Methodism.”Methodism.”



Restoration of Self-GovernmentRestoration of Self-Government

Another historian noted that the Another historian noted that the early Methodists were like “a cluster early Methodists were like “a cluster of chaste snowdrops growing on a of chaste snowdrops growing on a foul rubbish heap.”foul rubbish heap.”

Even secular historians grudgingly Even secular historians grudgingly admit that this revival prevented a admit that this revival prevented a French Revolution type blood bath French Revolution type blood bath in England.in England.

This revival restored self-This revival restored self-government to Englandgovernment to England..Copyright © 2009



England After Wesley …England After Wesley …

Isaac Watts: 600 hymns Isaac Watts: 600 hymns (O God, Our Help (O God, Our Help in Ages Past, I Sing the Mighty Power of in Ages Past, I Sing the Mighty Power of God, When I Survey the Wondrous CrossGod, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, , At the CrossAt the Cross, , Alas, and Did My Saviour Alas, and Did My Saviour Bleed, Am I a Soldier of the Cross?Bleed, Am I a Soldier of the Cross?, , Jesus Jesus Shall ReignShall Reign, , Joy to the World)Joy to the World)..

Philip Doddridge: 370 hymns (Philip Doddridge: 370 hymns (Great God, Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand)We Sing That Mighty Hand)..

William Cowper: William Cowper: There is a Fountain There is a Fountain Filled with BloodFilled with Blood..




John Newton, ex-slave trader wrote John Newton, ex-slave trader wrote many well-known hymns: many well-known hymns: Glorious Glorious Things of Thee are SpokenThings of Thee are Spoken, , Amazing GraceAmazing Grace..

James Montgomery: James Montgomery: Angels from the Angels from the Realms of Glory, Go to Dark Realms of Glory, Go to Dark GethsemaneGethsemane..




John Wesley also wrote many hymns.John Wesley also wrote many hymns. Charles Wesley: over 6,500 hymns Charles Wesley: over 6,500 hymns

(Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, (Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Hark the Herald Angels SingHark the Herald Angels Sing, , Christ Christ the Lord Is Risen Todaythe Lord Is Risen Today, , Rejoice, the Rejoice, the Lord is King, Arise, My Soul, Arise!, Lord is King, Arise, My Soul, Arise!, Depth of Mercy! Can There Be, Love Depth of Mercy! Can There Be, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, Jesus, Divine, All Loves Excelling, Jesus, Lover of My Soul …Lover of My Soul …




… … And Can It Be That I Should Gain)And Can It Be That I Should Gain) – – v. 4:v. 4:

“ “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night; bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.”I rose, went forth and followed Thee.”




Abolition of slavery peaceably and Abolition of slavery peaceably and lawfully (slave owners reimbursed): lawfully (slave owners reimbursed): William Wilberforce (1759-1833).William Wilberforce (1759-1833).

Sunday laws: closed down pubs.Sunday laws: closed down pubs. Reform of penal code.Reform of penal code. Prison reform: John Howard (1726-Prison reform: John Howard (1726-

1790).1790).




Infant mortality.Infant mortality. 1750-1769: 63% died.1750-1769: 63% died. 1770-1789: 51.5% died.1770-1789: 51.5% died. 1790-1809: 41.3% died.1790-1809: 41.3% died. 1810-1829: 31.8% died.1810-1829: 31.8% died.

No medical changes (will to live No medical changes (will to live restored).restored).




Robert Raikes (1735-1811): Sunday Robert Raikes (1735-1811): Sunday schools (1780).schools (1780).




From 1780 to 1870, the Church took From 1780 to 1870, the Church took the lead in education (most schools the lead in education (most schools supported by churches and supported by churches and Christian individuals).Christian individuals).

1811: Anglicans formed the National 1811: Anglicans formed the National Society for Education.Society for Education.

1814: British & Foreign School Society.1814: British & Foreign School Society.



Result? Result? According to the According to the Encyclopedia Encyclopedia

BritannicaBritannica, Education in England , Education in England (1861), “A striking tribute to the (1861), “A striking tribute to the sterling qualities of self-help and sterling qualities of self-help and religious earnestness which were so religious earnestness which were so characteristic of the Early Victorian characteristic of the Early Victorian period ...”period ...”




““In the vast work of social In the vast work of social organization which is one of the organization which is one of the dominant characteristics of dominant characteristics of nineteenth-century England, it nineteenth-century England, it would be difficult to over-estimate would be difficult to over-estimate the part played by the Wesleyan the part played by the Wesleyan revival.” revival.”

Elie Halevy, Elie Halevy, A History of the English A History of the English PeoplePeople (1815 vol.), p. 372. (1815 vol.), p. 372.




YMCA (George Williams).YMCA (George Williams). Salvation Army (William Booth).Salvation Army (William Booth). L.C.M. (London City Mission).L.C.M. (London City Mission).




Animal protection (R.S.P.C.A. The Animal protection (R.S.P.C.A. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).Cruelty to Animals).

Children's orphanages.Children's orphanages. Health and sanitation improvement.Health and sanitation improvement.




Spread of good, Biblical literature Spread of good, Biblical literature through “literature societies.”through “literature societies.”

The British and Foreign Bible Society.The British and Foreign Bible Society. The Society for the Propagation of The Society for the Propagation of

Christian Knowledge (SPCK).Christian Knowledge (SPCK).




Labor reform (child labor laws).Labor reform (child labor laws).




1776: Adam Smith (1723-1790) 1776: Adam Smith (1723-1790) wrote wrote Wealth of the NationsWealth of the Nations..

Treatise on the outworkings and Treatise on the outworkings and benefits of free enterprise economics.benefits of free enterprise economics.

A nation's wealth does not consist A nation's wealth does not consist merely of gold and silver, but of the merely of gold and silver, but of the character of its people: their initiative, character of its people: their initiative, inventiveness, and willingness to work inventiveness, and willingness to work to produce the necessities of life.to produce the necessities of life.



Free trade movement: in 10 years, Free trade movement: in 10 years, welfare abolished.welfare abolished.



Victorian era:Victorian era: England's greatest period of power and England's greatest period of power and

prosperity.prosperity. Exporter to the world of quality Exporter to the world of quality

education, science, inventions, education, science, inventions, technology, health, medicine (e.g., technology, health, medicine (e.g., quinine from cinchona bark for the quinine from cinchona bark for the treatment of malaria), hospitals, treatment of malaria), hospitals, highways, law, order, and, above all, highways, law, order, and, above all, self-government.self-government.



England After Wesley …England After Wesley … Second Officer Charles Lightoller (1874-1952) of Second Officer Charles Lightoller (1874-1952) of

the the TitanicTitanic..

Public Domain




Senator Smith to Lightoller: “From Senator Smith to Lightoller: “From what you have said, you what you have said, you discriminated entirely in the interest discriminated entirely in the interest of the passengers–first women and of the passengers–first women and children–in filling these lifeboats?”children–in filling these lifeboats?”

Mr. Lightoller: “Yes, sir.”Mr. Lightoller: “Yes, sir.”




Senator Smith: “Why did you do that? Senator Smith: “Why did you do that? Because of the captain's orders, or Because of the captain's orders, or because of the rule of the sea?”because of the rule of the sea?”

Mr. Lightoller: “The rule of human Mr. Lightoller: “The rule of human nature ... had no difficulty in filling the nature ... had no difficulty in filling the boat. The people were perfectly ready boat. The people were perfectly ready and quiet. There was no jostling or and quiet. There was no jostling or pushing or crowding whatever. The men pushing or crowding whatever. The men all refrained from asserting their strength all refrained from asserting their strength and from crowding back the women and and from crowding back the women and children. They could not have stood children. They could not have stood quieter if they had been in church.”quieter if they had been in church.”Copyright © 2009




Colonel Archibald Gracie, survivor of the Colonel Archibald Gracie, survivor of the TitanicTitanic, “ ... There was no man who , “ ... There was no man who asked to get in a boat with the single asked to get in a boat with the single exception that I have already mentioned exception that I have already mentioned (Col. Astor's request to go aboard to (Col. Astor's request to go aboard to protect his wife). No women even sobbed protect his wife). No women even sobbed or wrung their hands, and everything or wrung their hands, and everything appeared perfectly orderly. Lightoller was appeared perfectly orderly. Lightoller was splendid in his conduct with the crew, splendid in his conduct with the crew, and the crew did their duty.”and the crew did their duty.”




Captain James Cook (1728-1779 Captain James Cook (1728-1779 explored the Pacific: his accounts of his explored the Pacific: his accounts of his voyages spurred the desire of William voyages spurred the desire of William Carey (1761-1834) to do all he could to Carey (1761-1834) to do all he could to take the gospel around the world.take the gospel around the world.


Public Domain



William Carey founded The Baptist William Carey founded The Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) in 1792.Missionary Society (BMS) in 1792.

Wrote Wrote An Enquiry into the Obligation of An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the HeathensConversion of the Heathens..

““Expect great things from God, Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”attempt great things for God.”

Took the Gospel to India.Took the Gospel to India.



LMS: London Missionary Society LMS: London Missionary Society (1795).(1795).

Robert Morrison: to China.Robert Morrison: to China. David Livingston: to Africa.David Livingston: to Africa.

GMMS: General Methodist GMMS: General Methodist Missionary Society (1796).Missionary Society (1796).

CMS: Church Missionary Society CMS: Church Missionary Society [Anglican] (1799).[Anglican] (1799).



The Great Century of Foreign The Great Century of Foreign Missions (1790-1914).Missions (1790-1914).

From 1790-1850, 19 out of every 20 From 1790-1850, 19 out of every 20 missionaries to Africa died within two missionaries to Africa died within two years of reaching the field.years of reaching the field.

The early missionaries to Africa packed The early missionaries to Africa packed their belongings in a coffin.their belongings in a coffin.

David Livingston, “You can bury my David Livingston, “You can bury my body in England, but bury my heart in body in England, but bury my heart in Africa.”Africa.” Copyright © 2009



Greatest age of expansion of Christian Greatest age of expansion of Christian belief since the first century.belief since the first century.


ConclusionsConclusions

The self-governing Christian is a The self-governing Christian is a world changer: salt of the earth; world changer: salt of the earth; light of the world.”light of the world.”

No salt?No salt? No light? No light? World plunged into darkness.World plunged into darkness.

Galatians 5:22, “The fruit of the Galatians 5:22, “The fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control.”Spirit is ... self-control.”



What do we learn from history?What do we learn from history? Never give up; arise and shine.Never give up; arise and shine.



Robert E. Lee, “The truth is this. The Robert E. Lee, “The truth is this. The march of providence is so slow and march of providence is so slow and our desires so impatient, the work of our desires so impatient, the work of progress is so immense and our progress is so immense and our means of aiding is so feeble, the life means of aiding is so feeble, the life of humanity is so long, that of the of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often tend individual so brief, that we often tend to see only the ebb of the advancing to see only the ebb of the advancing wave and are discouraged. It is wave and are discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope.”history that teaches us to hope.”



In a letter written shortly before his In a letter written shortly before his death, a Confederate soldier wrote, death, a Confederate soldier wrote, “Men who saw night coming down “Men who saw night coming down about them could somehow act as if about them could somehow act as if they stood on the edge of dawn.”they stood on the edge of dawn.”



Yes, it is a time of turmoil, war, Yes, it is a time of turmoil, war, economic catastrophe, cynicism, economic catastrophe, cynicism, lawlessness, and distress.lawlessness, and distress.



But, it is also a time of heightened But, it is also a time of heightened challenge and creativity, and of challenge and creativity, and of intense vitality.intense vitality.

Because of the intensification of the Because of the intensification of the issues, and their worldwide scope, issues, and their worldwide scope, never has an era faced a more never has an era faced a more demanding and exciting crisis.demanding and exciting crisis.



This then above all else is:This then above all else is:

a great a glorious era to live in,a great a glorious era to live in,

a time of opportunity,a time of opportunity,

one requiring fresh and vigorous one requiring fresh and vigorous thinking,thinking,

indeed a glorious time to be indeed a glorious time to be alive.alive.


England Before and After the Wesleyan Revival by James Nickel B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A. Copyright...

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