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John
Wesley’s father, Samuel, was a dedicated pastor, but there were those in his
parish who did not like him. On February 9, 1709, a fire broke out
in the rectory at Epworth, possibly set by one of the rector’s enemies. Young
John, not yet six years old, was stranded on an upper floor of the building.
Two neighbors rescued the lad just seconds before the roof crashed in. One
neighbor stood on the other’s shoulders and pulled young John through the
window. Samuel Wesley said, “Come, neighbors, let us kneel down. Let us give
thanks to God. He has given me all my eight children. Let the house go. I am
rich enough.” John Wesley often referred to himself as a “brand plucked out
of the fire” (Zech 3:2; Amos 4:11). In later years he
often noted February 9 in his journal and gave thanks to God for His mercy.
Samuel Wesley labored for 40 years at Epworth and saw very little fruit; but
consider what his family accomplished!
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Wycliffe
Handbook of Preaching and Preachers,
W. Wiersbe, Moody Press, 1984, p. 251
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