Aldersgate or Fetter Lane

increase in frequency. However, as will be noted, the occurrences prior to January 1,
20
1739 are less dramatic than those that would occur after.
Three of the five events in the last half of 1738 may not even be considered
“supernatural occurrences” in the sense of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit revealed in a
signs and wonders. For instance, on June 3 Wesley was cowed by an old enemy and was
tempted not to respond, “but after I had prayed, faintly, as I could, the temptation
vanished away.” 70 No other potential supernatural events occurred until November 8
when Wesley and his brother Charles visited a man condemned to death. John writes, “It
was the most glorious instance I ever saw of faith triumphing over sin and death. … A
few moments before he died … he calmly replied, ‘I feel a peace which I could not have
believed to be possible. And I know it is the peace of God which passeth all
understanding.” 71 On December 10, as Wesley preached, “the great power of God was
with us, and one who had been in despair several years received a witness that she was a
child of God.” 72 These three events are not as demonstrable signs and wonders
experiences as would occur later.
The most traumatic event, which may even be considered a failure on Wesley’s
part, occurred on night of November 20, 1738. Wesley “was greatly troubled in dreams”
and “waked in an unaccountable consternation” and was unable to return to sleep. He
later learned that in a nearby lodge at about that same time a to-be student of Wesley’s
tried to shoot himself with a pistol. The gun did not go off. However, an hour later, the
70
Wesley, “June 3, 1738,” Works, vol. 18, 253.
71
Wesley, “November 8, 1738,” Works, vol. 19, 20-1.
72
Wesley, “December 10, 1738,” Works, vol. 19, 27.