LP LV--John Wesley and The Embassy

A tube ride on the Northern line brought me to Old Street followed by a nice walk to John Wesley's Chapel and Bunhill Cemetery. First entering the old, classic cemetery I realized I was in a special place for non-conformists. These are people who did not go with the flow, who were a little subversive at times, who expressed something new that was not always embraced by church leaders or government officials. At the same time, their brilliance and contributions were recognized as deserving of some kind of memorial. These were the movers and the shakers from the past whose lives are felt many years beyond their death but whose time on earth was spent in controversy, in taking a different path, sometimes in suffering for their individuality.




Walking slowly and quietly, I first came to the marker for William Blake. I then spent a few minutes pondering the life of poet William Blake whose rich, romantic poetry was filled with colorful encouragement to live creatively and mystically as opposed to the teachings of the Anglican order. Walking onward, I saw the tombstone of Daniel Defoe, popular for Robinson Crusoe and for propelling the idea of the novel forward. His work as a writer and a pamphleteer was wrought full of symbolism and analogy, resulting in many followers and, alas, many detractors. A few more steps brought me to John Bunyan the famed writer and preacher. Known for the allegory The Pilgrim's Progress, he was a colorful and energetic preacher embraced by Baptists, Quakers, and Protestant sects. Imprisoned for his outspoken beliefs but later released, he is now highly regarded by Anglicans and Protestants for his social and religious reforms that had far reaching influences.



Time to go across the street and see the chapel and home of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. I walked into the main chapel and saw beautiful stained glass, ornate engravings on the sides, wooden pews, and an austere pulpit. Looking up in the balcony was the pipe organ with gold, well organized pipes spreading out on either side of the console. Being alone in the quiet church (London is rarely quiet) gave me some meditative solitude and I found myself in gratitude for the lives of John and Charles Wesley who so profoundly ushered in a new way to live a life of religious piety. Later I descended the steps into the Wesley museum where I learned how Methodism began and all of its powerful implications for the future. John Wesley's relentless dedication to sharing the Gospel and reaching all people found a wide audience that continues to thrive today throughout the world. As I walked around looking at portraits, reading history, and seeing artifacts, I found a listening station. Attaching the headphones, I clicked on And Can It Be and heard a glorious choir and organ sing all five stanzas of the great hymn. Luckily since I was the only one in the museum, I could conduct to my hearts content and did so!



Leaving the museum, a sweet lady asked if I would like to see John Wesley's house. Smiling, I said yes and we went across the courtyard to the home. On the way, we walked by a room full of people and I overheard a discussion on charity for the homeless in the area. It was great to see Methodism at work in the world. Arriving at Wesley's home, we took the stairs and looked at his kitchen, dining room, his library, his bedroom, his sitting room, and his guest floor for visiting preachers. I saw his chair that allowed for different sitting positions while writing or reading and I saw a strange contraption called a horse chair to simulate the riding of a horse. In the corner sat an odd looking machine that the guide said was a health stimulator to help with ailments. The recent discovery of electricity by Benjamin Franklin caused Wesley to create this medical wonder to help charge the body to prevent baldness, indigestion, sleeplessness, and stop colds. Quickly asking the guide if I could try it for my own balding situation, she said no and had a little trouble controlling her laughter. I spent a few minutes studying Wesley's books and seeing the chart of preachers at churches around the UK. Then and often now, a centralized plan provided every church to have a preacher, often different each week.









As in most homes and spaces in London, the stairs, doorways, beds, and chairs were designed for smaller people and I had to imagine myself as shorter with a smaller frame. In his home was a small prayer room with a kneeling bench. It was in this room that Methodism was borne. John Wesley, his brother Charles, and several generations afterward all led lives of preaching, music, prayer, and social action. Time for me to move on but not before seeing the organ of Charles Wesley located in the small chapel on the side of the larger church. Wondering if he played And Can It Be on the organ, I left in awe of a Godly family whose insistence on relevance and compassion, in spite of persecution from the Church of England, created a religious denomination that continues to thrive in today's world.





Curious about Embassy square where the American Embassy is located, I got back on the tube and headed to Marble Arch for the walk. Arriving at the beautiful park located in the center, I immediately saw statues of Eisenhower, Roosevelt, Reagan, and the bold symbol of freedom, the American Eagle. Trying not to think too much about the protesters in the area or the guards with submachine guns walking around, I had a prideful moment when I realized the significance of the American Embassy in London. Finishing my American walk, I headed back to the room to get ready to see Matilda.