Readings from the works of great preachers from 1500 to the present day
6-John Wesley's sermon, ' The Almost Christian,' preached at
St. Mary's, Oxford, before the University on July 25, 1741
Read by Stephen Murray
Wesley first preached this sermon on June 28, 1741. In the open air at Charles' Square. London. ' to the largest congregation that .. was ever seen there.' He later re-wrote it in his rooms at Lincoln College. Oxford, and in the journal for July 25 he says: ' It being mv turn (which comes about once in three years) I preached at St. Mary's, before the University. The harvest truly is plenteous. So numerous a congregation (from whatever motives they came) I have seldom seen at Oxford. My text was the confession of poor Agrippa, " Almost thou persuades! me to be a Christian." I have " cast my bread upon the waters." Let me "And it again after many days! " '