SOURCE: Macdonald, F. W. Introduction to The Journal of John Wesley, Volume I, pp. ix-xiii. London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., 1906.

In the following essay, Macdonald suggests that Wesley's moral and religious motivations for writing be taken into account in the critical discourse concerning his works.

During Wesley's life, and for some years after his death, his countrymen, speaking generally, did not care to claim him as in any sense a national possession. They were quite content to leave him in the private possession of his followers, excellent people, doubtless, but not very interesting or influential. But time is a great readjuster of perspective. The point of view changes; the relative dimensions of men and things alter; great reputations decline and lowly ones enlarge; what was once central in the field of vision passes well nigh out of sight, while the previously obscure moves into the foreground. And...