Wesleyan Heritage...

John Wesley and the Homeless...

John Wesley, an English minister and contemporary of Charles Dickens, comments on why he responds to homeless and destitute persons: "A poor wretch cries to me for an alms: I look and see him covered with dirt and rags. But through these I see one that has an immortal spirit, made to know and love and dwell with God to eternity: I honor him for his Creator's sake. I see through all these rags the he is purpled over with the blood of Christ. I love him for the sake of his Redeemer. The courtesy therefore which I feel and show toward him is a mixture of the honor and love which I bear to the offspring of God, the purchase of his Son's blood, and the candidate for immortality. This courtesy let us feel and show toward all men; and we shall please all men to their edification" (From John Wesley, Works, vol. 3: Sermons, Sermon 100: "On Pleasing All Men").

--Submitted by John Hay, executive director, Horizon House, a homeless day center, in Indianapolis, Indiana.