Produced by Emmy, Darleen Dove and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) [Illustration: _Frontispiece._ "'You seem half starved, dear,' he said."--_Page 33._] THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY. Told to Boys and Girls. BY MARIANNE KIRLEW, _Author of "The Red Thread of Honour," etc., etc._ WITH PREFACE BY REV. DINSDALE T. YOUNG. [Illustration] London: ROBERT CULLEY, 2 AND 3 LUDGATE CIRCUS BUILDINGS, FARRINGDON STREET, E.C.; 2 CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, E.C. TO THE SACRED MEMORY OF THE Dear Mother, WHO BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE SOUGHT TO BRING UP HER CHILDREN IN "THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD"; THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED BY HER DAUGHTER. * * * * * "_That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace._"--PSALM CXLIV. 12. PREFACE. THE Story of John Wesley is one of which the world does not easily weary. There is perennial freshness in it. "Age cannot wither it." We may indeed almost affirm that it has an "infinite variety." It is specially important that this remarkable history should be re-told for young people. The youth of England ought to be fully conversant with John Wesley's unique personality and immortal work. John Wesley's name is far above mere denominationalism. He belongs to all the churches, for he belongs to the "Holy Catholic Church." He is a great national and historic figure. It has ever been claimed by some, whose authority is high, that John Wesley was the saviour of modern England. Surely there is large truth in this. The great religious leader was indeed one of the most potent political forces England has known. If there be even an approximation towards fact in such a claim, then how important for young England to know the record of a man so supremely distinguished. Certainly, on any ground, these pages meet a distinct want; and I think it will be the judgment of readers, that they meet it admirably well. Here John Wesley's life is traced clearly, even to the point of vividness. The style in which the story is told, will be found to add to the intrinsic interest of the recital. The author of this life of Wesley is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of her subject, nor does she forget to apply the lessons, with which this wonderful life-story is crowded. If the _children_ of our land could be fired with enthusiasm for the truths John Wesley taught and lived, what a blessed outlook would there be for England! We earnestly pray, that many a young reader may be stirred to the very depths of his being, by the narration here so attractively given. "'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished."