We know John Wesley as the chief founder of our Methodist tradition. He was a man who sought the invigoration of a sleepy Church of England establishment and ended up creating a new church as he traveled from England to America.
But did you know that one of the most formative experiences in this man of faith’s travels was an experience of pure terror?
In January of 1736, Wesley was crossing the Atlantic Ocean and it is safe to say that he was not the most secure of sailors. As he recorded in his journal, on the 26th the ship was buffeted by severe storms. Large waves broke across the ship and he feared for his life.
Among the other passengers on the ship was a group of strangers who spoke a different language and seemed to hold foreign customs. These were Moravian Christians from Germany and they had already impressed Wesley by performing modest, servile tasks for the English passengers aboard the ship. When asked why they did this, the Moravians remarked, “Our loving Savior has done more for us.”
Now, as storms rocked the ship and the wind ripped the main sail into pieces, Wesley and many of the English passengers were screaming and crying. Yet the Moravians sat huddled together calmly, singing hymns. Water poured below decks and Wesley asked the Moravian leader if he was afraid.
He answered, “I thank God, no.”
This struck John Wesley as an amazing example of strong Christian faith. He began wondering what his own terror meant about the state of his soul. If he had such fear, did he really trust God to deliver him? And if not, was he really a Christian?
After this traumatic experience, Wesley maintained a deep curiosity about the Moravians and their ways. He enjoyed rich friendships with members of this pilgrim church and worked with them in America and in England, even traveling to Germany to meet with Moravians on their own ground. Eventually, heirs of the German Moravian Christians would unite with English and American Wesleyans to form our current denomination, the United Methodist Church.
The Atlantic crossing terrified Wesley, yet he did not rest in fear and trauma. In the midst of his terror he was able to see another way. He saw passengers exhibiting trust in God in the midst of the storm. In his journal, Wesley did not complain about the storm of January 26, 1736. Instead he wrote,
“At twelve the wind fell. This was the most glorious day which I have hitherto seen.”
Pastor Jason and fellow travelers from Galilee Church
Have you ever felt God’s steadying hand in the midst of a storm? Leave a comment and let us know about it.
One Response
I live and attend church in Herndon (Methodist), but my car’s navigation happened to take me by Galilee church for the first time, and the name intrigued me so I googled it later. I had just received some devastating news impacting my family. I immediately came across your posting about Wesley’s encounter on the ship with the Moravians and it caused me to reflect and gave me strength and some peace. I later printed it out and hung it across from my desk. Shows you never know when honoring god like you did, will help someone else. Thank you!