The story of the way in which John Wesley partly failed in an attempt
to gain back certain seceders from his following is told by the Rev. W.
H. Fitchett, as follows:
According to the Moravians themselves, the dramatic effect of
Wesley’s departure from the building was spoiled by a petty but
ingenious trick. As the persons present came into the room they
placed their hats all together on the ground in one corner;
but Wesley’s hat had been--by design--carried off. When he had
finished his paper and called upon all who agreed with him to
follow him, he walked across the room, but could not discover
his hat! The pause, the search which followed, quite effaced the
impressiveness of his departure, and, as Southey puts it, “The
wily Molther and his followers had time to arrest many who would
have been carried away in his wake.”--“Wesley and His Century.”
(804)
=Diversity Desirable=--See TALENTS DIFFER.
=Diversity in Work=--See HEADWORK.
=Diverting the Mind=--See OFFENDED FEELINGS.
=Divine Wisdom Best=--See PLAYTHINGS, EARTH’S.