Now! Then! John Wesley visits “the new house of the Germans” (the Moravians) at Pudsey, which is financed by overseas donations

28 April 1747: John Wesley visits “the new house of the Germans” (the Moravians) at Pudsey, which is financed by overseas donations

Aquatint by R. Havell from a painting of Fulneck Moravian Settlement by Charles Henry Schwanfelder (Schwanfelder 1814).

John Wesley. 1827. The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 2/4. London: J. Kershaw. Get it:

Excerpt

One of Pudsey would take no denial; so I promised to preach there at eight o’clock. Coming before the hour, we walked to the new house of the Germans. It stands on the side of a hill, commanding all the vale beneath, and the opposite hill. The front is exceeding grand, though plain, being faced with fine, smooth, white stone. The Germans suppose it will cost, by that time it is finished, about three thousand pounds. It is well if it be not nearer ten. But that is no concern to the English brethren; for they are told, (and potently believe,) that “all the money will come from beyond sea.”

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To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

Abbreviations

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Original

I preached at eight at the place appointed, and thence rode to Dewsbury, where I was to preach at noon.

But first I called on the Minister, Mr. Robson; and in an acceptable time. Abundance of little offences had arisen, and been carefully magnified by those who sought such occasions. But we both spoke our minds without reserve; and the snare was presently broken.

After sermon, Mr. R. having sent a note to desire I would call upon him again, I went and passed such an hour as I have not had since I left London: we did not part without tears. Who knows how great a work God can work in a short time?

234 words.