The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., founder of the Methodists. Vol. 2 (of 3)Tyerman, L. (Luke)
History
The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., founder of the Methodists. Vol. 2 (of 3)
Tyerman, L. (Luke)
Methodism; Wesley, John, 1703-1791
The conference of 1749 was held in London, on the 16th of November and
following days. The chief subject discussed seems to have been, the
possibility of joining all the societies in the kingdom in a general
union; and the desirability of investing the stewards of the London
society with power to consult together for the good of all.
The conference being ended, Wesley retired to his friend Perronet’s, at
Shoreham, that he might be at leisure to employ his pen. Here he spent
about a fortnight; then a week at Lewisham; and about another week at
Newington.
We conclude, as before, with a list of Wesley’s publications during
1749.
1. “Excerpta ex Ovidio, Virgilio, Horatio, Juvenali, Persio, et
Martiali. In Usum Juventutis Christianæ. Edidit Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ
Presbyter.” 12mo, 242 pages.
2. “Caii Sallustii Crispi Bellum Catilinarium et Jugurthinum. In Usum
Juventutis Christianæ. Edidit Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Presbyter.” 12mo, 110
pages.
3. “Cornelii Nepotis excellentium Imperatorum Vitæ. In Usum Juventutis
Christianæ. Edidit Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Presbyter.” 12mo, 100 pages.
4. “A Short Latin Grammar.” 12mo, 48 pages.
5. “A Short Account of the School in Kingswood, near Bristol.” 12mo, 8
pages.
6. “Directions concerning Pronunciation and Gesture.” 12mo, 12 pages.
This last publication was intended, “_in usum juventutis Christianæ_”;
but it was also meant for his helpers, and may still be profitably
studied by numbers of Wesley’s ministerial successors. “A good
pronunciation is nothing but a natural, easy, and graceful variation
of the voice, suitable to the nature and importance of the sentiments
we deliver.” “The first business of a speaker is so to speak, that
he may be heard and understood with ease.” Persons with weak voices
are recommended to strengthen them, by “reading or speaking something
aloud, for at least half an hour every morning.” “The chief faults of
speaking are—1. The speaking too loud. 2. The speaking too low, which
is more disagreeable than the former. 3. The speaking in a thick
cluttering manner, mumbling and swallowing words and syllables, to cure
which defect, Demosthenes repeated orations every day with pebbles in
his mouth. 4. The speaking too fast, a common fault, but not a little
one. 5. The speaking too slow. 6. The speaking with an irregular,
desultory and uneven voice. But, 7. The greatest and most common fault
of all, is, the speaking with a tone—in some instances womanish and
squeaking; in others singing or canting; in others high, swelling, and
theatrical; in others awful and solemn; and in others, odd, whimsical,
and whining.” In reference to gesture, Wesley remarks, that it is
more difficult for a man to find out the faults of his own gesture
than those of his pronunciation; because he may hear his own voice,
but cannot see his own face. He recommends the use of a large looking
glass, after the example of Demosthenes; or, what is better still, to
have some excellent pattern constantly in view.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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