This week in Christian history: ‘Martyr Synod,’ John Wesley attacked, Puritan leader dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, August 20, 2023

John Wesley attacked in Roughlee – Aug. 24, 1748

John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of Methodism. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when Methodist founder and leader John Wesley was attacked by a mob in a British town called Roughlee while preaching.

According to Welsey himself, he had traveled to Roughlee with fellow evangelist William Grimshaw and had begun preaching outdoors around 12:30 p.m.

“I had about half finished my discourse when the mob came pouring down the hill like a torrent. After exchanging a few words with their captain, to prevent any contest I went with him as he required,” wrote Wesley.

“When we came to Barrowford, two miles off, the whole army drew up in battle array before the house into which I was carried with two or three of my friends. After I had been detained above an hour, their captain went out, and I followed him and desired him to conduct me whence I came.”

According to Wesley, “the mob soon followed after” him as he tried to leave; however, he was ultimately given safe passage when the unnamed captain fought them off.