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women in Wesley’s circles | Women’s History Month

women in Wesley’s circles | Women’s History Month

Last updated on: March 22, 2022 at 1:51 am by Rev. Jared V. Ingle

women in Wesley’s circles | Women’s History Month 2022-03-22T01:51:26-04:00 Rev. Jared V. Ingle

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The third woman is the women who have gathered at Aldersgate, a mixed meeting in this sense. Later, there are the women who gather at the mixed meetings the Wesley brothers preach throughout the land.

First of all, we have to establish from the start marriage is not regarded the same way during John Wesley’s time. Romanticism has not quite taken hold, and does not have the same meaning we ascribe to the term or era now. Revisionist history begins in the 1930’s. Therefore, it is good to study original documents, or study those who do so with such prestige that what they pass along from historical sources is considered original (i.e. quotations and historical narratives).

Secondly, let’s allow these portions in Wesley’s story to serve up some new facts, without reading too much in.

Third, please do not try to deconstruct it. Deconstructionism, one of the predecessors of postmodernism is beginning about the same time. For instance, there are gross negligences in certain prison systems. Some atrocities must be deconstructed, and it’s about the same era. However, Wesley is part of a renewal movement. Have you heard of the modern methods of historical criticism, or higher criticism? Wesley is on the brink of an era of post-critical scholastic development, a post- postmodernity, if you will.

With this in mind, let’s consider five leading ladies, or groups of women, in Wesley’s life after he has become a man, an Oxford graduate and tutor, and a minister.

After all, it is Women’s History Month, and it is now a month that has gone global. I can only imagine it makes some women’s world go around.

i. women on the way to Georgia

John Wesley visits Georgia in North America. This is a missions trip of sorts. Georgia encompasses everything from the eastern seaboard to not quite the Louisiana region. On the way over, he is traveling with other Christians as well. A storm arises scaring everyone, except for one particular group of other Christians.

there are men, women, and children

Wesley is amazed at the group’s ability to remain at peace and still. It is one thing in that time for seasoned mariners to be a little edgy. Contrariwise, it is baffling to find women who are at such peace in a storm of great magnitude.

Therefore, Wesley consults with them all about their faith, even after reaching Georgia safely, including one of the main men leaders. Various Christian groups today may be related to these men and women, but this is not the point.

The women influence him with their quiet strength. My guesstimate is that they are with the Continental Reformers. Later in his ministry, Wesley visits Count Zizendorf with his crew for an extended stay, and the indication is that this is a tutelage for Wesley. Count Zizendorf also offers something like a Protestant monastery or retreat center for both men and women, something of a rarity in those times.

The first woman is a band of women with the men on the way to Georgia.

ii. the woman in the colony of Georgia

The second woman is a real romantic interest in Georgia. They at least kiss in a traditional sense. Perhaps this lady is a girl and Wesley likes it too much, but that is all merely conjecture.

For other information, pay me for all my high school and graduate notes on the English Reformers, and Continental Reformers who influence them.

the lady in Georgia is not a platonic friend

There may not be any reason why this interest does not work out, other than some possible political interests that are at odds. It’s possible this lady is in the line of nobility, or from the family of an appointed colonial leader. If this is the case, Wesley would most likely have to remain in Georgia for the foreseeable future.

iii. the women at Aldersgate

The third woman is the women who gather at Aldersgate, a mixed meeting in this sense. Later, there are the women who gather at the mixed meetings the Wesley brothers preach throughout the land.

These Oxford Dons, like the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield, form classes or bands. Their method is refined with time, so others call them the Methodists, almost jesting, but they are teaching at Oxford, not just preaching. However, there is a renewal movement, less formal is some ways, allowing for women at Alders-gate.

In graduate school, I have been asked by about four discerning ladies to join Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, a Pentecostal movement.

Wesley has some sort of second experience after salvation at these meetings, sitting near the back of the meeting house, as men and women worship and participate with a passion he has not yet witnessed to this point.

iv. the missus

The fourth woman is the one he is married to. Wesley does not marry-up, however there is the possibility the two are from different walks of life.

Antoine-Jean-Gros | Marie-Therese-France--public-domain

Perhaps Wesley’s wife is hoping he will settle-in and find a local parish. However, scholars have stated that in Wesley’s ministry, he travels over 100,000 miles on horseback.

Wesley and his wife have a home, but the Methodists eventually establish a headquarters building with a small upstairs flat for him

He is often in need of this central location, weary from travel, on his way home to where his wife awaits. It’s not like he can give the missus a ring on the telly.

His wife is also blessed with some type of great dowry, or familial source of wealth. It is said this lady has a large treasure chest! The question the lady asks, in a way is that, money is no object so what do you want to do.

v. Fletcher, the hostess, and the fellowship

John Wesley is busy tutoring and lecturing at Oxford, all the while traveling the land preaching extemporaneously (something Whitefield inspires him to do). He is writing letters and small doctrinal booklets like an archbishop (Metropolitan) from the line of Greek Fathers, or like Paul to Timothy or Titus.

Charles Wesley is composing entire hymnbooks.

They need someone to assist as they form doctrine for the Methodists. The man is John Fletcher, the younger protoge they hope to turn the reigns over to. Unfortunately, he experiences an untimely death. However, he is tracing Pentecostal-Charismatic phenoms within the movement.

a hostess is running a successful methodist fellowship

This meeting is attracting attention, perhaps like the meetings of John Wesley’s mom. John Fletcher is invited to attend, along with others, and by implication both/and the Wesley brothers.

At one point, if not at many others, it is documented that there is glossolalia occurring. People are speaking in tongues, no need for interpretation, speaking in their own prayer languages.

pic credit: Antoine-Jean Gros | Marie Therese of France | 1778-1851 | public domain. John Wesley is married to a woman named Mary. Since there are no public pictures of Mary I can find, this is a person from about the same era. There is no rhyme or reason to the choice, and no disrespect meant, but who does not have the Christian name Mary during those days?

further readings:

Kenneth Collins | A Real Christian: The Life of John Wesley | CLICK HERE

Collins and Jason Vickers, editors | The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey | CLICK HERE

Meesaeng Lee Choi | visit or call Asbury Theological Seminary to enquire about Choi’s dissertation on holiness and sanctification, and some other publications and presentations. John Wesley’s idea of entire sanctification is difficult to limit. Doctrinal statements, paragraphs in a confessional treatise, or church website bullet point lists do not do it justice. Choi’s dissertation alone covers over 300 terms Wesley shares for sanctification, his robust definitions of them, and Meesaeng Lee Choi is also Pentecostal | CLICK HERE

David Watson | The Early Methodist Class Meeting: Its Origins and Significance | CLICK HERE

Larry Wood | The Meaning of Pentecost in Early Methodism: Rediscovering John Fletcher as John Wesley’s Vindicator and Designated Successor | CLICK HERE

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