Last modified on September 26, 2018, at 17:28

Holy Club

The Holy Club was a 1729 established organisation at Christ Church, Oxford, established by brothers John and Charles Wesley, who later contributed to the formation of the Methodist Church.[1][2][3]

Jeering college students scoffed at these "Methodists" who tried to systematically serve God every hour of the day.[3] They set aside time for praying, examining their spiritual lives, studying the Holy Bible, and meeting together.[3] In addition, they took food to poor families, visited lonely people in prison, and taught orphans how to read.[3] Members of the organization celebrated Holy Communion frequently and fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays until 3 P.M.[1][2] Fellows of the Holy Club also studied and discussed the Novum Testamentum Graece as well as the Classics.[1] Critics of the Holy Club on the Oxford Campus said:

By rule they eat, by rule they drink,
By rule do all things but think.
Accuse the priests of loose behavior.
To get more in the laymen's favor.
Method alone must guide 'em all
When themselves "Methodists" they call.[3]

This organisation is often said to be the root of the influential Methodist Church.[1]

Notable personalities

The individuals listed below are notable members of the Holy Club who distinguished themselves later in life.

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Holy Club. Christianity Today. Retrieved on 2009-05-28.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Holy Club. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on 2009-05-28.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Keysor, Charles W. (1996). Our Methodist Heritage. Good News. ISBN 0912692278. 

See also

External links