The Mockery of Methodism

The Mockery of Methodism

In 1843, the great Methodist movement was shaking the foundations of Great Britain.  John Wesley traveled the country on horseback, living modestly, worshiping devoutly, and preaching fiercely.  His mannerisms and his teaching engendered both praise and ridicule.  The following circumstance is recorded in Wesley’s personal journal.

On Monday, October 31^st, Wesley and his companions entered the city of Newcastle.  That Wednesday an advertisement was published for a comedic play that Friday which was scheduled which stated that there would be an added portion to the play, a ‘farce,’ which they called “Trick Upon Trick, or Methodism Displayed” intended as open mockery to Wesley and his work.

That Friday, Moot Hall in Newcastle was packed to the max.  They literally had to construct seats on the edges of the stage to handle the overflow.  The crowd was estimated to be 1,500 people.

As the comedians began the first act of farce, the newly constructed seats collapsed, the supports giving way “like a rotten stick.”  It took some time, but order was restored and the play went on.  During the second act, the more expensive seats, the ‘shilling seats’ also cracked and sank down several inches.  This caused a mild panic and a number of people ran for the door and did not return.  Once order was restored, they continued the play.

When the third act began, the entire stage suddenly sank six inches.  The actors retreated to the back and had to be coaxed back onto the stage.  Near the end of the third act, the cheaper ‘sixpenny seats’ collapsed to the ground without warning.  More people fled the hall.

With only 200-300 people remaining in the hall a man named Mr Este, who was playing the irreverent Methodist in the farce, announced to those remaining that the cast was resolved to continue the production.  Literally as he was speaking, the stage suddenly sank six more inches, sending Mr Este fleeing to the safety of the back and the few remaining patrons to the door.

Wesley was careful to note that not a single person was injured - a fact he attributed directly to the mercy of God.  He concluded the account in his journal with a wry statement: “Which is most surprising – that those players acted this farce the next week – or that some hundreds of people came again to see it?”

https://ccel.org/ccel/wesley/journal/journal.vi.v.xvi.html