Quotes by John Wellman

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’” – John 14:6-7””

“In October of 1774 he sneaked away from Paulerspury with one of his old friends to hear John Wesley preach. Willy had heard about John Wesley as long as he could remember but wasn’t sure just what it was that made everyone talk about Wesley. As far as Willy knew he was just a preacher. Locals told stories about Wesley’s previous visits. Back in 1769 when Wesley spoke in Northampton, there was an aurora borealis the likes of which none could recall. The sky fired streaks of orange and white and scarlet. Many a sinner came forward that night, they said. A year later Wesley came back to preach from the Book of Job: ‘Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee!’ “Wesley””

“The women did not know how he visited Englishmen in Calcutta during the day, only to be treated with contempt. Even a prominent clergyman to whom he had an introduction written by John Newton had refused to see him. And on his return to Manicktullo the two women now openly berated him. In his diary he wrote: I am in a strange land, alone, no Christian friend, a large family - and nothing to supply their wants...I am dejected, not for my sake but my family’s...In the evening (I) poured out my soul to God; but still my burden continued. The next day (I) had a pleasant time in prayer to God in the morning but afterwards the abusive treatment I receive from her who should be a help to me quite overcame my spirits. I was vexed, grieved, and shocked. I am sorry for her who never was hearty in the undertaking, her health has been much impaired, and her fears are great, though five parts of six are groundless...Oh that I may have wisdom from above...[10]””

“So Newton introduced the two travelers to William Wilberforce., About the same age as William, Wilberforce was said to be a force in the House of Commons, constantly haranguing evils of slavery. He was a thoroughly good man who also thought it was high time England stopped persecuting Catholics. Wilberforce was part of a London circle of evangelical intellectuals called the ‘Clapham Sect’ because they all lived in Clapham, a new area of fine homes south of London. Mansions there were built in revived Classical style with columns. The wealthy evangelicals also included Charles Grant and Sir John Shore, another longtime official in the East India Company. These men seemed agreeable to converting heathens, yet remained silent about missionary work in India.””

“Through Thomas, William met John Newton, nearly 70, a well-known Anglican churchman once from Olney. Newton had been a slave runner, his soul redeemed during a violent storm at sea. About God’s saving grace he had written a poem, later set to music and sung widely as a hymn called ‘Amazing Grace’. After being introduced to John Newton, William had a momentary lapse of confidence in his mission. “But what if we are turned back because we have no licenses?” he asked Newton. The crusty Newton seemed surprised at the timidity in the question. “Why, conclude that your Lord has nothing for you to accomplish there.” He gave William a stern look. “But if he has something there for you to do, no power on earth can stop you!” He quickly dismissed William’s worry. “Say, I know you good men surely must oppose the abomination of slavery. I want you to meet the man who will champion its abolition to a conclusion.” So””

“Next morning at 10 o’clock William had a unique opportunity. For it was he who would deliver the sermon for the meeting. And to the discomfort of many there he preached on Isaiah 54. “‘Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes’!” he exhorted his fellow ministers. Once again he had delivered his message of obligation to convert the heathen. Finally he concluded, “Brothers, expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” Young John Ryland looked shaken. “Brother Carey, I think you have proved our negligence in this cause of God.” Bringing John Ryland to the cause was a great step forward. William knew he already had one powerful ally in Andrew Fuller. But at the business meeting later, not only was no money allocated toward a missionary society but not one minister seconded William’s motion to form a society. William slumped in his chair, his mind reeling. “This””

“Finally, William would wait no longer. He was baptized on October 5 in the Nene River at Northampton by John Ryland. Ryland and his father had become spiritual advisors to William too. “They too are Baptists,” noted William of the two who pastored the College Lane church in Northampton. William Carey was now 22, a journeyman shoemaker with an ashen, fever-sickened face and bald head. He had little energy for working.””

“He had never been around such searching souls as he found in Piddington. They nurtured him, much as the women of nearby Bedford had nurtured the great John Bunyan in his days of doubt. Willy read all about that in Bunyan’s Grace Abounding. There seemed little argument in the meetings over the old question of whether good works or faith or both saved a soul. Most everyone believed faith alone was enough. The real issue these days was Calvinism. Calvin’s belief in predestination seemed always at the forefront of discussions. “If we are all predestined to salvation or damnation what good is it for a person to try to do anything about it?” asked one. “The””

“Willy began to avidly read the Bible and books from Nichols’ small library. Books by Jeremy Taylor taught him how a person tries to attain greater holiness in his life. Apparently this quest for personal holiness was the thrust behind John Wesley’s Methodism too. For the first time Willy began to think maybe a Christian needed to do more than attend church.””

“How wrongly Willy had judged Mister Nichols. Among his numerous prayers now he prayed for Clarke Nichols. And when Mister Nichols announced he was going to marry Frances Howes in October of 1777 Willy prayed for her too. He had a second chance. He was going to change his life. The counterfeit shilling had proven once and for all he was a sinner. And he wanted to change like John Warr had changed, for his fellow apprentice had surely become more tolerant, more loving, before Willy’s very eyes. Willy””

“Only when Clark Nichols was not in the shop did the boys argue religion. Or at night up in the attic where they bunked the boys would argue. Willy deemed himself a loyal churchman of the Church of England. John War was a Dissenter. In Piddington John Warr had joined a group of Dissenters who had been meeting since 1767. They now had a meeting house in Hackleton. Large indeed at about 200, the group was made up of field workers, domestic servants and shoemakers. “Go to the Scriptures, Willy,” advised John Warr. “Decide for yourself what God says.” Willy””