"Enthusiasm"

Third Wednesday of Easter

Lectionary texts:

Acts 4:13-22

John 10:6-10

 

Today we are back to our study of early Methodism. 

 

A chief characteristic of John Wesley and of the entire Methodist movement from his day to the present is organization. There is a committee for everything. In Wesley's days he organized his 30 or so lay preachers into specific territories and specific places for their outdoor preaching. He had rules for them. No preaching more than twice a day except on Sunday. No preaching against the Church of England. 

 

Among lay people he organized his Methodists into Societies and smaller groups called Bands. The bands were generally single sex, so women did lead women's bands and did take part in overall organization of the Societies. All meetings were in homes. Anglican churches, with very few exceptions, did not permit Methodist groups to use their facilities.  These Methodist networks were deeply personal. Members were accountable to one another. They did much care for one another, particularly during times of illness. Agape love abounded in these groups in ways that were largely absent from Anglican Churches. 

 

Wesley accepted people from other denominations ("non-conformists" they were called) into the Methodist societies. He did not require them to convert to Anglicanism. Many of them would not be accepted in Anglican churches. Wesley did, however, always proclaim Methodism's loyalty to the Anglican Church. He saw Methodism as a renewal movement within the Anglican Church. 

 

The Anglican Church did not see it that way. They saw Methodism as more like a cult. The bishops had no  control over Methodism lay preachers. Wesley controlled them. Wesley was continually in trouble with the bishops and came close to being "de-frocked" on numerous occasions. 

 

The main charge against the Methodists was "enthusiasm." The word had quite a different meaning in 18th century England from what it has now. Our equivalent word might be "fanaticism." Methodists were religious fanatics. They talked about their faith all the time. They were constantly praying together. They read the Bible a lot. For those who could not read, other Methodists would read the Bible to them. They got very excited when they heard the outdoor preaching of the lay preachers. In church they sang far too lustily. Faith in Christ was on their thoughts and in their words constantly. 

 

The Anglican Church was a denomination of dignity. Worship was dull but correct. Sermons presented the priests' best theology but were devoid of practical application. Methodism genuinely threatened to change all that. Like an old dog's loyalty to a mistreating master, the Methodists maintained loyalty to the Anglican Church to the end of Wesley's life--in England at least. Things would be different in America.

Forgiving God,

We confess that we have been less in faith than our Methodist forbears. We could not be accused of "enthusiasm." Ours is too often a cross without a flame. Rekindle our fire, O Lord. Lead us to witness. Lead us to a fiery faith and a growing church. In the name of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Faithfully,

Christian