WESLEY AS A MAN.
WE are always more or less curious about the personal appearance of a
distinguished character--the eye, the voice, the gesture, etc.
We are told that Mr. Wesley's figure was, in all respects, remarkable.
He was low of stature, with habit of body almost the reverse of
corpulent, indicative of strict temperance and continual exercise. His
step was firm, and his appearance vigorous and masculine; his face, even
in old age, is described as remarkably fine--clear, smooth, with an
aquiline nose, the brightest and most piercing eye that could be
conceived, and a freshness of complexion rarely found in a man of his
years, giving to him a venerable and interesting appearance. In him
cheerfulness was mingled with gravity, sprightliness with serene
tranquillity. His countenance at times, especially while preaching,
produced a lasting impression upon the hearers. They were not able to
dispossess themselves of his striking expression.
While preaching at Langhamrow a young man who was full of hilarity and
mirth had, on his way to church, kept saying to his companions, with an
air of carelessness, "This fine Mr. Wesley I shall hear, and get
converted." He did hear him, but he had never gazed upon such a
countenance before. It put him in a more serious frame of mind, and for
a long time, day and night, whether at home or abroad, that wonderful
countenance was before him so full of solemnity and benignity. It was
the means of his conversion, and he became a worthy church member and
useful class leader.
In dress Mr. Wesley was the pattern of neatness and simplicity, wearing
a narrow plaited stock, and coat with small upright collar, with no silk
or velvet on any part of his apparel. This, added to a head as white as
snow, gave to the beholder an idea of something primitive and apostolic.
The following description of him is given by one who, though not a
Methodist, could properly appreciate true greatness: "Very lately I had
an opportunity for some days together to observe Mr. Wesley with
attention. I endeavored to consider him not so much with the eye of a
friend as with the impartiality of a philosopher. I must declare every
hour I spent in his company afforded me fresh reasons for esteem and
veneration. So fine an old man I never saw. The happiness of his mind
beamed forth in his countenance. Every look showed how fully he enjoyed
the remembrance of a life well spent. Wherever he was he diffused a
portion of his own felicity. Easy and affable in his demeanor, he
accommodated himself to every sort of company, and showed how happily
the most finished courtesy may be blended with the most perfect piety."
In social life Mr. Wesley was a finished Christian gentleman, and this
was seen in the perfect ease with which he accommodated himself to both
high and low, rich and poor. He was placid, benevolent, full of rich
anecdotes, wit, and wisdom. In all these his conversation was not often
equaled. He was never trifling, but always cheerful. Such interviews
were always concluded by a verse or two of some hymn, adapted to what
had been said, and prayer.
There was no evidence of _fret_. He used to say, "I dare no more fret
than curse or swear." "His sprightliness among his friends never left
him, and was as conspicuous at eighty-seven as at seventeen." He was at
home everywhere, in the mansion or in the cottage, and was equally
courteous to all. The young drew to him and he to them. "I reverence the
young," he said, "because they may be useful after I am dead." Bradburn,
one of his most intimate friends, said: "His modesty prevented him
saying much concerning his own religious feelings. In public he hardly
ever spoke of the state of his own soul; but in 1781 he told me that
his experience might, almost at any time, be expressed in the following
lines:
"'O Thou who camest from above,
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of my heart.
"'There let it for thy glory burn,
With inextinguishable blaze;
And trembling to its source return,
With humble prayer and fervent praise.'"
This may not be sufficiently definite for some, but it is quite as much
so as genuine Christian modesty would approve. But it is evident that he
always possessed the "pure, celestial fire," and that its
"inextinguishable blaze" bore him on to deeds of heroic daring
unparalleled in modern times.