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THE WOMEN AROUND JOHN WESLEY AT HOME ... - Kristoffersen

THE WOMEN AROUND JOHN WESLEY AT HOME ... - Kristoffersen

THE WOMEN AROUND JOHN WESLEY AT HOME ... - Kristoffersen

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SAMUEL <strong>WESLEY</strong> – AN UNUSUAL PRIESTLet us return to 17 th Century England. The clergyin the Congregations throughout the Country were morefond of attend parties and participating in social gatheringsthan to write sermons and deliver them in the Church.The common idea concerning the social functionof the clergy is mirrored in the outlook of Samuel Wesley,Sr., when one studies his history. When Samuel shouldleave his Parish, he wished that his son John Wesley, whowas university Lecturer or Fellow of Lincoln College,Oxford, should take over his Parish. The motive for thisrequest to appoint John Wesley was that this would hindera “fox-hunter” to be appointed to Epworth. The clergy hadthree interests at that time, which one could see pictured ona shield. The three symbols on the shield were; a fox head,a clay pipe for tobacco smoking as well as a beer jar.It belonged to the spare time activities of the upperclass to converse with the beer can in one hand, smoking aclay pipe as well as to go fox hunting.To be honest one should say that there wereexceptions from the common ideas concerning the clergy.Samuel Wesley was one of the Priests who did not fit intothe picture described. In his Sermons he encouraged hisCongregation to live a more Christian life. In his honestdescription of the life of his members of the Congregationhe obtained both friends and foes. It was also Samuel whoadvised the members of the Holy Club in Oxford to taketime for prayer and fast.8

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