John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of Methodism, attended Oxford University in 1720 and was ordained deacon in 1725. He returned to Oxford in 1729 and became the leader of the “Holy Club” or Methodists, which had been organized during his absence by his brother, Charles. He went to Georgia as a missionary in 1735. He returned to England at the end of two years, saying: “I went to America to convert the Indians, but O who shall convert me? Who is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of unbelief?” He had been impressed by the piety and faith of the Moravians in a storm while crossing the ocean, and they now became his spiritual guides. While attending one of their prayer meetings on May 24, 1738, he obtained the conscious knowledge of sins forgiven and of his acceptance with God. From this time until his death in 1791 he was unremitting in his labors as a preacher and organizer of the Methodist church. He traveled more than 250,000 miles and is credited with writing and preaching over 40,000 sermons. His zealous efforts and pious life produced one of the most influential Protestant denominations.
