As I Came Through Sandgate, by John Telford

❰

1 2

❱

When he had finished his service the people stood gaping and staring upon him with the greatest astonishment. He told them: “If you desire to know who I am, my name is John Wesley. At five in the evening, with God’s help, I design to preach here again.” At that hour a vast crowd covered the hill where he intended to preach, from top to bottom. He had never seen such a huge congregation either at Moorfields or Kennington Common. He stood where he could have all in view, and in a strong, clear voice preached from the words, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.”* The people were ready to tread him under foot out of pure love and kindness, so that he could not get out of the press for some time, and had to go back to his inn another way.*

by John Telford 1851-1936

From ‘Wesley Anecdotes’ (1885) by John Telford (1851-1936), based on John Wesley’s journal.

* From Hosea 14:4.

* In his journal, Wesley tells us that despite his precautions, when he arrived at his inn he found a committee waiting for him. They begged him to stay on for a few more days, but he had to disappoint them, as arrangements had already been made to return south to Yorkshire.

Précis

At the end of his sermon, Wesley introduced himself by name and then promised to return that evening. When evening came, an enormous crowd gathered to hear him. His text this time was from Hosea; and so moved were the keelmen and their families, that Wesley was obliged to take a back road to regain the sanctuary of his lodgings.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

How did the residents of Sandgate react to John Wesley’s visit?

Suggestion

They gathered in vast and affectionate crowds.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Sevens

Tags

Read Next