University of Oxford, England -- 9 X 12 Pen & Ink and Watercolor
When we think of greatness, we often think of those women and men who have left their mark upon this world through major achievements -- the inventors, the record holders, the first persons to accomplish particular tasks, etc. Yet I find that more often than not, the most profound change in this world is brought through ordinary people doing ordinary things. The tower in this painting was designed at the close of the 17th Century by Sir Christopher Wren, who was no stranger to great accolades. At the base, countless students have passed through the gate, many of whom also seemed destined for greatness. Tucked away in the shadows, however, sets a small booth where countless porters have served to guard the entrance, people whose names may never appear in the history books. Yet, for some, their impact can be felt today.
The following recounts the impact one such porter had in the early 18th Century upon a young John Wesley -- the founder of a world-wide movement of personal, social, and spiritual reform:
Late one night he [John Wesley] had a conversation with the porter of his college, which began with pleasantry, but ended with a point that deeply impressed the merry student:
"Go home and get another coat," said Wesley.
"This is the only coat I have in the world, and I thank God for it," replied the porter.
"Go home and get your supper, then," said the young student.
"I have had nothing to-day but a drink of water, and I thank God for that," rejoined the other.
"It is late, and you will be locked out, and then what will you have to thank God for "
"I will thank him that I have the dry stones to lie upon."
"John," said Wesley, "you thank God when you have nothing to wear, nothing to eat, and no bed to lie upon; what else do you thank him for "
"I thank him," responded the good man, "that he has given me my life and being, a heart to love him, and a desire to serve him;" and the porter's word and tone made Wesley feel that there was something in religion which he had not as yet found. (taken from John Wesley the Methodist; Text scanning, proofreading, MS Word conversion, and other modifications by Ryan Danker. Copyright 1999 by the Wesley Center for Applied Theology. Text may be freely used for personal or scholarly purposes or mirrored on other web sites, provided this notice is left intact. Any use of this material for commercial purposes of any kind is strictly forbidden without the express permission of the Wesley Center Online at Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID 83686. Contact the Wesley Center Online for permission or to report errors.).
