John Wesley Issue 2 | 1983

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The word that best characterizes John Wesley’s life is faith, which became the means to almost superhuman efforts in evangelizing, in promoting good works of every kind, and in organizing men and women for a life of fulfillment through Jesus Christ. Indefatigable energy and boundless hope led him through a time of persecution to a time of nation-wide recognition. Through it all he remained humble and wholly dedicated to God’s work through men.

All of Europe legislated or fought wars to clarify lines of monarchial succession as either Protestant (as England) or Catholic (as Austria). The English government added a Prime Minister to guarantee the people’s rights under the Hanoverian Succession. Everywhere serfdom was being abolished and slavery coming under attack. England came to dominate the seas and pave the way for Empire. America was the first of two great late-century revolutionary centers; the other was France.

Inventions and advances in all the sciences thrust the world into a new age. Discovery was still advancing too with the voyages of Cook. The evangelism of Whitefield and Wesley struggled against Deism and atheism. Where the century led France to divisive revolution, it led England to a new appreciation of the universe in Romanticism.

Year

John Wesley

England

World Events

1698

Jeremy Collier successfully attacks immorality and profaneness on the English stage

1699

Captain Kidd buries treasure near New York

1701

Act of Settlement establishes Protestant Hanoverian succession in Britain

1702

Anne Queen of England [Anne Queen of England ] (to 1714)

Cotton Mather publishes ecclesiastical history of New England

1703

John Wesley born [John Wesley born ]

Jonathan Edwards, New England puritan divine, born

1704

Isaac Newton publishes Optics, ...