Once upon a time in London
The chronicle of the herculean pillars and colossal structure that mount Karlsrhue Gardens, was not a legacy that was induced overnight; the vigorous efforts and commendable sacrifices of countless personalities from across the world is what bestows upon the Karlsrhue structure, its true elegance. If one was to contemplate on the legacy of the double blue, they’d certainly be baffled by the monumental proportion of history this establishment holds. Nevertheless, “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step”
Our story goes back decades, nay, centuries, and regardless of where you begin, you will always end up with this very icon, who’s relentless diligence towards his mission is the sole reason for the existence of the double blue heritage, he goes by the name… John Wesley.
John Wesley, born on June 28th, 1703, was the fifteenth child of Samuel Wesley, a clergyman from Epworth, Lincolnshire. He received his early education at Charterhouse School, London and was nominated by his schoolmaster for a scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, a leading college of the Oxford University, to which he was admitted as an undergraduate in 1720. He pursued his education in the streams of classics and logic and very much enjoyed his ‘Oxford Life’. It was at Oxford that he started to maintain a diary, an old red note book in which he would sometimes write in code (only accurately and fully deciphered in 1972).
After completing his BA, Wesley followed the traditions of his family by taking Holy Orders and was made a deacon at the Christ Church Cathedral in September 1725. Three years later he was ordained. In 1726 after being examined, he was duly elected to a fellowship at Lincoln College. In 1729 the Rector summoned him to become a tutor at Lincoln. Wesley was a conscientious tutor in Greek Testament.
He began to think deeply about religion and spent hours in the Bodleian library, mulling things over and discovering new strands of Christian thought. A group of likeminded individuals began to meet together on a regular basis, forming what became known as a ‘Holy Club’. It grew rapidly. The club met together to read, study scripture and undergo rigorous self-examination of their Christian lives. They would also take part in works of charity, especially by preaching to prisoners in the city.
In 1732, the term ‘Methodists’ was first coined to describe these men meeting in Oxford as it reflected the method and order of their lives. They tried to ensure that every hour of the day had its proper purpose.
Some unfavorable criticism followed and some defected from the society. John also began to lose his reputation as a tutor since students and parents feared indoctrination. In March 1733 he was even confronted by a mob at the gates of the college but this left him undeterred.
Wesley tormented himself with thoughts on faith and what it meant. Gradually his ideology began to change and he began to preach “salvation by faith alone” rather than “salvation through righteousness and good deeds”. As with nearly all shifts in ideology, it was greeted with some apprehension.
Over the course of the following year, Wesley worked extremely hard preaching all over the country in an attempt to reinvigorate the Church. He began to write hymns, and also put his mind to medicine: he set up free clinics, which were some of the first in England to use electricity. He also wrote “Primitive Physick: An Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases” published in 1747. His hope was to aid the education of the common people so that they had something practical to use to help themselves.
However, it was not until 1751 that Wesley formally left the University of Oxford. In February that year, he finally married Molly Vazeille, a forty-year old widow. By getting married, Wesley relinquished his right to continue as a Fellow of Lincoln -married men at that time were not accepted as Fellows. His marriage unfortunately was not one of love but more of convenience, and because he was so often away, both were unhappy.
Over the course of the next few decades, Wesley strove to build the Methodist movement so that it did not simply fade away when he died. He was probably spurred on to do so after he recovered from life threatening tuberculosis at the age of 51.
In 1781, Molly passed away but Wesley did not attend her funeral, as relations between them had been bad. Three years later, at the age of 81, Wesley made real progress for the future of Methodism. He signed a declaratory deed poll that meant ‘The Conference of the People called Methodists’ now had 100 legally named preachers. Towards the end of the 1780s, his health began to fail but he continued to give sermons until 1791 when he became very weak. On March 2nd of that year, he died aged 88.
John Wesley was a powerful personality whose passion and devotion to his cause led him to explore and profoundly change people’s views on Christianity. Throughout his life his eloquence, his determination and, sometimes, dictatorial nature enabled him to influence many people, thus aiding the process of secularization within the Church. Wesley’s achievements spanned decades, his longevity enabling him to see Methodism’s development from the first small societies at Lincoln College and Fetter Lane to the chapels of later years. He planted the seed of a new denomination, the Methodist Church, which was to grow and flourish in Britain and across the world for many years to come.
It is an immense honour that the cross and the shells, of the present college crest are derived from the “Coat of Arms” of none other, and indeed quite appropriately from that of Rev. John Wesley himself.
Wesley College, Colombo was founded, on March 2nd 1874, in honor of the date, Rev. John Wesley passed on.
Thus, the tale of the double blue chronicle shall always originate from this exact assiduous luminary, one of the greatest evangelists in the history of the Christian church and his everlasting perseverance and sacrifice towards his mission. A preacher of great power and an organizer of genius, who founded Methodism in the face of intense opposition and laid the foundations of a future world-wide expansion.
And our story shall always begin… once upon a time in London.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can”
- John Wesley
Article written by : Murthaaz Barry | Double Blue
Sources :
“John Wesley (1703–1791) from the Bodleian Library, Oxford University” — www.wesleycollegecolombo.info
“The Wesley Coat of Arms by Frank Baker” — www.divinityarchive.com
