John Wesley's Teachings, Volume 4 by Thomas C. Oden

Author:Thomas C. Oden [Oden, Thomas C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Published: 2017-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Wesley entered the arena of the antislavery movement very early: before the Clapham Sect, before Shaftsbury, long before the American antislavery movement of the abolitionists was formed in 1833. Wesley wrote this sermon in 1774, at a time when Methodist preaching had been following his leadership on the above points in most areas of the North. The Methodist Church was officially formed in 1784 and was undivided until 1844. The American Methodists were reading Wesley closely from the 1770s to the 1840s. Wesley’s “Thoughts upon Slavery” would have significant impact on the forming of the abolition movement that belatedly ended slavery in America in 1863.

Wesley did not mince words. He spoke with pastoral concern for the souls of those who were engaged in slave trade. He prayed for the redemption of their souls, so their inner intention would be transformed into outward behavior. Wesley overtly sought to influence public policy, not on partisan political grounds, but on strictly moral grounds. He thought the hearts of the traders and planters had to be changed one at a time.54 His words went directly to the heart to those most responsible.

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