The History of Methodism Podcast
Jul 14, 2026 · 17 min · 14 segments
In this episode, we continue in 1741 with the challenges faced by John and Charles Wesley in Bristol and London, ending with John's first earnest journey into the midlands as the revival spreads…
Wilson PruettHost
John Wesley is in Bristol at the turn of the new year, ready for the service on New Year's Day that has become a tradition.
The new year, though, does not erase the challenges he and his movement are facing.
He writes in his published journal, quote, "I explained if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
But many of our brethren I found had no ears to hear, having disputed away both their faith and love.
In the evening, out of the fullness that was given me, I expounded those words of St. Paul, indeed of every true believer.
Wesley's learning and wisdom guide him, but also the experiences of those around him and how they have understood and seen God in their lives.
Especially in his journal account, John does not get very far from the concrete and particular lives of the people he encounters in revival.
The new collection of Psalms and hymns, which John and Charles published in January of seventeen forty-one, does not include a new preface and only a few new hymns by his brother Charles.
Two-thirds of the hymns having come from earlier editions John and Charles had already produced.
While John may have felt some clarity of direction in leaving Fetter Lane and focusing on the foundry in London, there is an indecision still found in this collection of hymns.
As far as the revival itself goes, Charles writes John a letter in early January which shows a strange lack of unity between the brothers.
Charles writes, quote, "If George Whitefield has declared against the truth, George Whitefield will come to nothing." But earlier in that same letter, Charles had written, quote, "In leading souls, we seem nearly agreed.
For the presumptuous self-willed, self-conceited, you are not so much used as I, but perhaps I am self-conceited in thinking so." He then urges John to come to London because then he would understand what is going on there.
The modern editors, S.T. Kimbrough and Kenneth Newport, speculate that this is because he had been drawn to the Stillness Party during this season.
John Wesley is in Bristol at the turn of the new year, ready for the service on New Year's Day that has become a tradition.
The new year, though, does not erase the challenges he and his movement are facing.
He writes in his published journal, quote, "I explained if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
But many of our brethren I found had no ears to hear, having disputed away both their faith and love.
In the evening, out of the fullness that was given me, I expounded those words of St. Paul, indeed of every true believer.
Wesley's learning and wisdom guide him, but also the experiences of those around him and how they have understood and seen God in their lives.
Especially in his journal account, John does not get very far from the concrete and particular lives of the people he encounters in revival.
The new collection of Psalms and hymns, which John and Charles published in January of seventeen forty-one, does not include a new preface and only a few new hymns by his brother Charles.
Two-thirds of the hymns having come from earlier editions John and Charles had already produced.
While John may have felt some clarity of direction in leaving Fetter Lane and focusing on the foundry in London, there is an indecision still found in this collection of hymns.
As far as the revival itself goes, Charles writes John a letter in early January which shows a strange lack of unity between the brothers.
Charles writes, quote, "If George Whitefield has declared against the truth, George Whitefield will come to nothing." But earlier in that same letter, Charles had written, quote, "In leading souls, we seem nearly agreed.
For the presumptuous self-willed, self-conceited, you are not so much used as I, but perhaps I am self-conceited in thinking so." He then urges John to come to London because then he would understand what is going on there.
The modern editors, S.T. Kimbrough and Kenneth Newport, speculate that this is because he had been drawn to the Stillness Party during this season.
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