Wesley, John. Born at Epworth in Lincolnshire, June 17, 1703. An eminent evangelist and divine, the founder of the Methodists. He was the son of a clergyman of the Church of England, and he himself became a clergyman, after having been educated at the Charterhouse School, and at Christ Church, Oxford. The year after Wesley took orders (1725) he was chosen a Fellow of Lincoln College, and was appointed lecturer on Greek; but shortly afterwards he became curate to his father, and labored at Epworth and in the neighborhood, where his father was vicar, until he returned to Oxford in 1729. It was during his residence at Oxford that the first Methodist Society was formed, and his brother Charles (born 1708, died 1788), being accustomed to meet together with a few others for the purpose of mutual edification. Wesley continued to act as tutor at Oxford until 1735, when he was induced to visit Georgia in North America. After about two years he returned to England, and soon after commenced preaching in association with his friend George Whitefield, from whom, however, he separated in 1740 on account of a difference in theological belief. His labors were incessant. During fifty years he traveled all over the country everywhere preaching the gospel, and founding societies. At the same time, he administered the affairs of an organization which at the time of his death embraced no fewer than 80,0000 members, and during the whole period, he was a very copious writer. His works, when first collected, amounted to no fewer than 32 volumes. During the whole of his career he continued still, professedly, a minister of the Church of England. Wesley died in the house adjoining his chapel in the City Road, London, 1791, and in the adjoining graveyard he was buried. His brother Charles, who died three years before him, is chiefly celebrated as the author of numerous hymns, some of which are considered among the best in the language.

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