The Journal kept by John Wesley from 1735 to 1790 charts his own spiritual journey and the work in which he engaged once converted. These extracts provide an insight into the spiritual ignorance and hostility that existed in his day and the amazing effects of the Gospel in transforming lives. We see the revival that took place as a result of his and others’ evangelistic endeavours and the establishment of Methodism.

Wesley’s incessant travels, – covering thousands of miles each year, often on horseback, and habitually preaching several times a day, – make compelling reading. They challenge us too. What efforts are we making to reach the lost in our day, in which ignorance and hostility to spiritual things still exists?