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<h2>THE STORY OF</h2>
<h1>JOHN WESLEY.</h1>
<h3>Told to Boys and Girls.</h3>
<h3>BY</h3>
<h2>MARIANNE KIRLEW,</h2>
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TO THE SACRED MEMORY<br/>
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OF THE<br/>
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<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/dear_mother.png" width-obs="165" height-obs="25" alt="Dear Mother," title="" /></div>
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WHO BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE<br/>
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SOUGHT TO BRING UP HER CHILDREN<br/>
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IN "THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD";<br/>
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THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED<br/>
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BY HER DAUGHTER.<br/>
———</div>
<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our
daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of
a palace.</i>"—<span class="smcap">Psalm cxliv.</span> 12.</p>
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<h2>PREFACE.</h2>
<div class='cap'>THE Story of John Wesley is one of which the world
does not easily weary. There is perennial freshness
in it. "Age cannot wither it." We may indeed almost
affirm that it has an "infinite variety."</div>
<p>It is specially important that this remarkable history
should be re-told for young people. The youth of England
ought to be fully conversant with John Wesley's unique
personality and immortal work.</p>
<p>John Wesley's name is far above mere denominationalism.
He belongs to all the churches, for he belongs to the
"Holy Catholic Church." He is a great national and
historic figure. It has ever been claimed by some, whose
authority is high, that John Wesley was the saviour of
modern England. Surely there is large truth in this.
The great religious leader was indeed one of the most
potent political forces England has known. If there be
even an approximation towards fact in such a claim, then
how important for young England to know the record of
a man so supremely distinguished.</p>
<p>Certainly, on any ground, these pages meet a distinct
want; and I think it will be the judgment of readers, that<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</SPAN></span>
they meet it admirably well. Here John Wesley's life is
traced clearly, even to the point of vividness. The style
in which the story is told, will be found to add to the
intrinsic interest of the recital.</p>
<p>The author of this life of Wesley is thoroughly imbued
with the spirit of her subject, nor does she forget to apply
the lessons, with which this wonderful life-story is crowded.</p>
<p>If the <i>children</i> of our land could be fired with enthusiasm
for the truths John Wesley taught and lived, what a blessed
outlook would there be for England!</p>
<p>We earnestly pray, that many a young reader may be
stirred to the very depths of his being, by the narration
here so attractively given. "'Tis a consummation devoutly
to be wished."</p>
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DINSDALE T. YOUNG.<br/></div>
<p><i>Manchester,</i><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>June, 1895.</i></span><br/></p>
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