16 AUGUST 1919, Page 23

Wesley the Anglican. By the Rev. David Baines-Griffiths. (Macmillan. 4s.

6d. net.)—John Wesley was so great a man that any book about him is interesting. The special function of this little book is to emphasize Wesley's attachment to the Church in which he was born and ordained, and from which he would never separate, though he was compelled by the force of circum- stances to organize his followers. The failure of the Episcopate to avail itself of the incomparable services of John Wesley is one of the saddest pages in the history of the Church. Throe years after Wesley had revised the Prayer Book for the use of American Methodists he wrote (on January 2nd, 1787) :- " I went over to Deptford, but, it seemed, I was got into a den of lions. Most of the leading men of the society were mad for separating from the Church. I endeavoured to reason with them, but in vain ; they had neither sense nor even good manners left. At length, after meeting the whole society, I told them : If you are resolved, you may have your service in church hours ; but remember, from that time you will see my face no more.' This struck deep ; and from that hour I have heard no more of separating from the Church."

The author was a well-known New York minister, who came back to his native country last winter to undertake a mission

on behalf of the unity of the English-speaking countries but died suddenly at Liverpool. His little book is admirably written. The quotations from Wesley's Journal will, we are sure, gain

new readers for that most remarkable work.