He guards the lives of his faithful ones Psalm 97:10

• DAY 19 MORNING PSALM 95-97

• DAY 19 EVENING PSALM 98-101

John Wesley often faced persecution. In 1743, the vicar of Eggington, the curate at Darlaston and the vicar of Walsall spread word among the people that cockfighting, bullbaiting and prizefights were in danger, because of the preaching of the Methodists. As a result Methodists had windows broken and houses, shops and workshops shamelessly looted.

When Wesley returned to this area and was staying in Wednesbury in Birmingham in October 1743 a mob surrounded the house where he was staying. Wesley could hear the cry, ‘Bring out the minister. We’ll have the minister.’ Wesley managed to slip out the back door, but while this mob had calmed down another mob roared out of Walsall. The determined mob led by Honest Munchin, the prizefighter shouted ‘Bring him away strip him.’ ‘You needn’t do that I will give you my clothes’ said Wesley, ‘Crucify him’- Wesley was sure he heard the words. His voice then recovered and he began to pray aloud as if oblivious of anyone but Christ. Suddenly the prizefighter turned to him. ‘Sir I will spend my life for you; follow me and not one soul shall touch a hair of your head.’ Two or three others said likewise and out of respect for their ringleader Honest Munchin, the mob departed, but then it returned and began to bay for his blood yet again. One young man escorting Wesley had his arm broken.

The next day an apologetic humble message came from the curate of Darlaston who had heard of Wesley’s courage and now ‘wished all his parish were Methodists.’ At Nottingham Charles was waiting. ‘ My brother came,’ he wrote ’delivered out of the mouth of the lion. He looked like a soldier of Christ. His clothes were torn to tatters.’ Charles Wesley went immediately to Wednesbury (as they had planned) and the young man with the broken arm and the prize-fighter were received into the Methodist society as probationary members. Honest Munchin became a pillar of the Methodists of Wednesbury and Walsall, until his death aged 85 forty-six years later.

• We pray for the raising up of an army of soldiers of Christ, willing to face opposition for your sake Lord, and to preach the Gospel regardless of the cost. You send us out like lambs among wolves, but you are the good shepherd who leads us in paths of righteousness. Give us that peace that the world cannot give, that boldness and courage to share and live out our faith, meekly and humbly even in the face of arrogant hostility. Help us to live more Christlike lives Lord, and give us a deeper trust in you that you truly do guard the lives of your faithful ones.


REFERENCES

Pollock, J. Wesley: The Preacher, Kingsway, 176-181 br /> br />