DAY 30

MORNING

PSALMS 144–146

Psalm 144:4 “Man is like a breath his days like a fleeting shadow.”

“Nothing left but a library of books, a clergyman’s gown and the Methodist Church”

Wesley travelled to Leatherhead in a two-horse chaise to what was his last preaching engagement at 7am on Wednesday 23 February, 1791. His health deteriorated afterwards and as he
lay on his bed during his last moments on
 this earth, he once cried out in a remarkably strong voice, “The best of all is, God is with us!” he died at 10 o’clock on Wednesday,
2 March. Memorial services were held in numerous cities and villages across the British Isles.197

On his tombstone in Wesley’s Chapel on City Road, London, the inscription reads.
“Rev John Wesley ... a man in learning and sincere piety scarcely inferior to any in zeal, ministerial labours and extensive usefulness superior perhaps to all men since the days of St Paul. Regardless of fatigue, personal danger and disgrace he went out into the highways and hedges calling sinners to repentance 
and publishing the Gospel of peace. He was the founder of the Methodist societies and 
the chief promoter and patron of the plan of itinerant preaching which extended to Great Britain and Ireland, the West Indies and America with unexampled success. He was born 17 June, 1703 and died 2 March, 1791, in sure and certain hope of eternal life through the atonement and mediation of a crucified Saviour. He was 65 years in the ministry
 and 52 an itinerant preacher. He lived to see, in these kingdoms only, about 300 itinerant and 1000 local preachers raised up in the midst of his own people and 80,000 persons in societies under his care. His name will be ever had in grateful remembrance by all who rejoice in the universal spread of the gospel of Christ.”198

Because of his charitable nature he died poor. It has been said that when John Wesley was carried to his grave, he left behind 
him “a good library of books, a well-worn clergyman’s gown and the Methodist Church”. He had lived up to those challenging words that he had often given to his itinerant preachers: “The church has nothing to do but save souls; therefore spend and be spent in this work.”

Prayer

Lord, you set John Wesley apart to be your vessel to see a national awakening unto revival in the 18th century. We thank you for our godly heritage and all that you did 
in the past, but we call out to you today, “Set your chosen vessels apart for a national awakening today. Do not let the candle go out. Let your Church in this land catch the vision to do nothing but save souls, TO SPEND AND BE SPENT for this work. Restore the Gospel to England ONCE AGAIN we pray!”

197 Pollock, J. Wesley: The Preacher, 257–260.

198 Wesley, J. Volume 5, 45

DAY 30

EVENING

PSALMS 147–150

Psalm 149:4 “He crowns the humble with salvation.”

Kingswood in One Short Year: 1739

In one short year, 1739, much had 
been done among the poor colliers of Kingswood. Wesley wrote in his Journal:

27 November 1739

Few persons have lived long in the west of England, who have not heard of the Colliers of Kingswood; people famous from the beginning hitherto, for neither fearing God nor regarding man: So ignorant of the things of God, that they seemed but one remove from the beasts that perish; and therefore utterly without desire of instruction, as well as without the means of it ... Many last winter used tauntingly to say of 
Mr Whitefield, “If he will convert Heathens, why does he not go to the Colliers of Kingswood? In spring he did so. And as there were thousands who resorted to no place of public worship, he went after them into their own wilderness, “to seek and save that which was lost”. When he was called away, others went into the highways and hedges to compel them to come. And by the grace of God, their labour was not in vain. The scene is already changed. Kingswood does not now as a year ago, resound with cursing and blasphemy. It is no more filled with drunkenness and uncleanness, and the idle diversions that naturally lead thereto. It is no longer full of wars and fightings, of clamour and bitterness, of wrath and envyings. Peace and love are there. Great numbers of the people are mild, gentle and easy to be intreated. They do not cry, neither strive and hardly is their voice heard in the streets.

Years later after Wesley’s death, one secular journal, and The Gentleman’s Magazine a secular magazine that had scorned Wesley, wrote:

“The great point in which his name and mission will be honoured is this: he directed his labours towards those who had no instructor, to the highways and hedges; to 
the miners in Cornwall and the colliers in Kingswood ... by the humane and active endeavours of him and his brother Charles,
a sense of decency, morals and religion was introduced into the lowest classes of mankind; the ignorant were instructed; the wretched relieved; and the abandoned reclaimed. Though his taste was classic and his manners elegant, he sacrificed that society in which 
he was particularly calculated to shine; gave up those preferments, which his abilities
 must have obtained and devoted a long life in practising and enforcing the plainest duties. Instead of being ‘an ornament to literature’, he was a blessing to his fellow creatures; instead of ‘the genius of the age,’ he was the servant of God!”

Prayer

We thank you, Lord, for the huge legacy that John Wesley left, one that was recognised even by his enemies. As you “crowned the humble” Kingswood miners “with salvation” in one short year, the year of 1739, we cry out to you, Lord, DO IT AGAIN. Just as a fire was lit in this land 275 years ago, we pray DO IT AGAIN! Lord, do not let the fire go out! Light the fire AGAIN, we pray!

TOMORROW, SATURDAY JUNE 14 IS GLOBAL OUTREACH DAY

PLEASE LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE TO INFORM YOUR PRAYERS:-

www.globaloutreachday.com

199 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 251–252.

200 Pollock, J. Wesley:The preacher, 261.