Wesley Corpus

In the year 1752, he removed into Mr. Hill's family, and entered upon the important province of instructing the young gentlemen. He still feared God, but had not yet an experimental sense of his love. Nor was he convinced of his own fallen state, till one Sunday evening, a servant came in to make up his fire while he was writing some music, who, looking at him with serious concern, said, “Sir, I am sorry to see you so employed on the Lord’s day.” At first his pride was alarmed, and his resentment moved, at being reproved by a servant. But upon reflection, he felt the reproof was just. He immediately put away his music, and from that very hour became a strict observer of the Lord's day. 15. I have heard two very different accounts of the manner wherein he had the first notice of the people called Methodists. But I think it reasonable to prefer to any other, that which I received from his own mouth. This was as follows: When Mr. Hill went up to London to attend the Parlia ment, he took his family and Mr. Fletcher with him. While they stopped at St. Alban’s, he walked out into the town, and did not return till they were set out for London. A horse being left for him, he rode after, and overtook them in the evening. Mr. Hill asking him why he stayed behind, he said, “As I was walking, I met with a poor old woman who talked so sweetly of Jesus Christ, that I knew not how the time passed away.” “I shall wonder,” said Mrs. H., “if our tutor does not turn Methodist by and by.” “Methodist, Madam,” said he, “pray what is that?” She replied, “Why, the Methodists are a people that do nothing but pray; they are praying all day and all night.” “Are they?” said he, “then, by the help of God, I will find them out, if they be above ground.” He did find them out not long after, and was admitted into the Society. And from this time, whenever he was in town, he met in Mr. Richard Edwards’s class. This he found so profitable to his soul, that he lost no opportunity of meeting. And he retained a peculiar regard for Mr. Edwards till the day of his death. 1.