9/12/03
Works of Mercy
based on Chapter 4 of John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and L!fe
by Charles Yrigoyen,m Jr.
WORKS OF MERCY
In Wesley�s writings we see that his view that love is the essence of Christianity. Wesley believed in piety�inward holiness, as the last chapter showed. But he also believed that inward holiness must manifest itself in outward holiness.
�So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.� James 2:17
What are the works of mercy (according to Wesley�s sermons)?
� feeding the hungry
� clothing the naked
� helping the stranger
� visiting the sick
� visiting prisoners
� comforting the afflicted
� instructing the ignorant
� reproving the wicked
� encouraging the well-doer
John Wesley has a reputation for having practiced what he preached. Here are some of the ways he performed works of mercy. -- _
MONEY AND THE POOR
�Gain all you can; save all you can; give all you can.�
HEALTH, MEDICINE, AND THE SICK
Started �Visitors of the Sick�
Studied and wrote about medicine and health
PRISONS AND PRISONERS
Visited, preached, prayed, provided food and clothing
SLAVERY
Shared the gospel and taught slaves
Argued against slavery��the execrable sum of all villainies�
Last letter�to William Wilberforce, on slavery
EDUCATION
Published books, pamphlets, etc and made them widely available (cheap)
Founded schools
Supported Sunday Schools
WAR
�Who can reconcile war, I will not say to religion only, but to any degree of reason or common sense?�
�People can never be considered reasonable creatures till they know not war anymore.�
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