The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32) — John Shaqi
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
It could not be otherwise than that one whose heart had been so drawn
to God, should be mightily animated, at the sight of such an alteration
in the college, the town, and land; of mens reforming their lives, and
turning from profaneness and immorality, to seriousness and concern
for their salvation, and of religion’s reviving and flourishing almost
every where. But as an intemperate zeal, soon mingled itself with that
revival of religion: so Mr. Brainerd had the unhappiness to have a
tincture of it. One instance of which it is necessary should be related.
In the time of the awakening at college, several students associated
themselves, who were wont freely to open themselves one to another: Mr.
Brainerd was one of this company. And it once happened, that he and two
or three more of these his intimate friends were in the hall together,
after Mr. Whittelsey, one of the tutors, had been to prayer there
with the scholars; no other person now remaining in the hall, but Mr.
Brainerd and these his companions. Mr. Whittelsey having been unusually
pathetical in his prayer, one of Brainerd’s friends asked him what he
thought of Mr. Whittelsey; he made answer, “He has no more grace than
this chair.” One happening at that time to be near the hall over-heard
those words, though he knew not who the person was, which was thus
censured. He informed a woman who went and informed the rector. He sent
for the man and examined him; and he told the rector the words that he
heard Brainerd utter, and informed him who were in the room with him at
that time. Upon which the rector sent for them: they were very backward
to inform against their friend, of what they looked upon as private
conversation, yet the rector compelled them to declare what he said,
and of whom he said it.――Brainerd thought, that what he said in private,
was injuriously extorted from his friends, and that it was injuriously
required of him to make a public confession, before the whole college,
for what he had said only in private conversation.――He not complying
with this demand, and having gone once to the separate meeting at
New-Haven, when forbidden by the rector, was expelled the college.
His expulsion was in the winter _anno_ 1741‒2, while he was in his
third year in college.]
PART II.
_From the time that he began to devote himself to the_ study
of divinity, _till he was examined and licensed to_ preach.
[MR. Brainerd, the spring after his expulsion, went to live with the
Rev. Mr. Mills, of Ripton, to follow his studies with him, in order to
his being fitted for the ministry; where he spent the greater part of
the time till licensed to preach.]――The following account is in his own
words.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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