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Methodism is of British origin. It
began as a revival movement within the
Church -of England in the early 18th
century. It constituted part of the
greater 'Evangelical Revival' - the religious
awakening which took place in many parts of
the Protestant world during that century.
The Methodist movement was directed by the
Rev John Wesley, a Church of England clergyman.
To a great extent Methodism retains Wesley's
theological emphases and the flexible system
of Church order which he developed, and it
is therefore necessary to know about his life
and work.
| John
Wesley was born on 17 June 1703
in the Lincolnshire village
of Epworth where
his father, Rev Samuel Wesley
was Rector. The rigorous upbringing
under the direction of his remarkably
strong-willed mother, Susannah,
influenced him profoundly. She
gave weekly missionary instruction
to her children. Wesley's genius
lay in organizing his converts
together in groups to confirm
the faith of one another, and
this is the chief reason why
Methodism survives to this day.
Wesley disapproved of the trivial
and frivolous lives of the rich,
but cared deeply for the poor.
He lived frugally and gave away
a large part of his income.
In the winter of 1783, at the
age of 81, he went begging from
door to door in London on behalf
of the starving. Under Wesley,
Methodism exercised a humanizing
influence over a large section
of the British people. He was
a pioneer of education. (Click
here to read more about John
Wesley.) |
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man chiefly responsible for
the establishment of Methodist
missions, and in particular
the mission to Sri Lanka, was
the Rev Dr Thomas Coke. He was
a Welshman, born
at Brecon in October 1747.
He
went up to Oxford University
as a Gentleman Commoner of Jesus
College, and in 1775 he took
the Degree of Doctor of Civil
Law. He had a large private
income - unlike most Methodists
- and many influential friends.
(Click here to read more about
Dr. Thomas Coke.) |
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Dr. Thomas Coke, amidst trials and tribulations,
organized a group of missionaries to
travel with him to Sri Lanka. The British
Conference, when first approached with
the subject of the commencement of a
mission in Sri Lanka, many rose in opposition.
But Dr. Coke pushed ahead, won the approval
of the Conference and set sail for Sri
Lanka.
Unfortunately,
Dr. Coke was not able to see his dream
realized, as he passed away at sea.
Rev. James Lynch was named as leader
and the remaining missionaries continued
on their journey. |
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The death of Dr. Coke not only took away
the leader of the missionary group
but also deprived the group of
all their financial support, as
all the funds were in Dr. Coke's
name. But with the help of John
Birch Mr. Thomas Money, the missionaries
arrived in Sri Lanka and set forth
with their mission.
After
six hazardous and eventful months
and a voyage, Methodists were
at last preaching the Gospel in
Sri Lanka, and the Mission to
Asia was begun. Dr. Coke's vision
was realized, thus.
The
British Conference which met in
Preston in June 1963 passed the
resolution granting autonomy to
the Ceylon Church. The Chairman
of the Ceylon District was present
on the occasion, and received
the warm greetings of British
Methodism under whose wing the
Ceylon Church had come of age.
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The Service of Inauguration of the Ceylon Methodist Conference was held on 18 June 1964. During this ceremony, the President of the British Conference, Rev Dr Frederic Greeves, inducted the Rev Frederick Stanley de Silva as the first President of the Conference of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka |
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