History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

lived a celibate and died leaving a large fortune to his relatives in 1847, the oldest Methodist
preacher in the world. His letter to Cooper bears date February 1, 1791, only four weeks before his
decease. It contains his dying legacy to the American preachers, and is significant as declaring his
ruling passion to die Primate of all the Methodists in his societies the world over. It holds a clear
intimation that if, even at this late date, he fully comprehended the nature of the American
"separation" at the Christmas conference of 1784, he did not recommend or endorse it. The legacy
is in these emphatic words: "See that you never give place to one thought of separation from your
brethren in Europe. Lose no opportunity of declaring to all men that the Methodists are one people,
in all the world, and that it is their full determination so to continue:
'Though mountains rise and oceans roll,
To sever us in vain.'"
Under date of February 14, he wrote to Wilberforce encouraging him in his parliamentary labors
to abolish the slave-trade and slavery under British dominion. He continued to visit among his
friends, and, though rapidly failing, as all observed, he preached at Chelsea February 15, at City
Road February 22, and on the 23d, accompanied by Rodgers, rode eighteen miles to Leatherhead,
to visit a magistrate, and in whose dining room he preached from "Seek ye the Lord while he may
be found; call ye upon him while he is near." It was his last sermon. He was brought back to City
Road parsonage and requested to be left alone for half an hour. At the end of the time Joseph
Bradburn, his faithful attendant, found him so indisposed that he sent for his physician, Dr.
Whitehead, to whom the dying patriarch said, "Doctor, they are more afraid than hurt." This was
Friday, February 25. On the 26th he spent the day in drowsiness and sleep. Sunday, 27th, he seemed
better, got up and sat in his chair, looked cheerful, and repeated:
"Till glad I lay this body down
Thy servant Lord attend;
And oh! my life of mercy crown,
With a triumphant end."
Afterward he remarked with emphasis, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth." Miss Wesley, his niece, and
Miss Ritchie prayed with him. "When at Bristol," said he, alluding to his illness in 1753, "my words
were:
'I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.'"
Miss Ritchie asked, "Is that your language now?" "Yes," said he, "Christ is all! He is all!" On
Monday, February 28, his weakness so increased that Dr. Whitehead wished for assistance, but
Wesley replied: "Dr. Whitehead knows my constitution better than any one. I am quite satisfied and
will have no one else." The day was spent in sleep; but he muttered at times scripture verses.
Tuesday, March 1, after a restless night, he began singing:—
"All glory to God in the sky."