Holy Club
| Part of a series on |
| Methodism |
|---|
|
|
|
Organization
|
|
Other topics
|
| Methodism portal |
The Holy Club was an organization at Christ Church, Oxford, set up by brothers John and Charles Wesley in 1729, 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] The club members set aside time for praying, examining their spiritual lives, studying the 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 recited a popular ditty:
| “ | By rule they eat, by rule they drink, By rule do all things but think. |
” |
This organisation is often said to be the root of the influential Methodist Church.[1]
Notable members[edit]
The individuals listed below are notable members of the Holy Club who distinguished themselves later in life.
- John Wesley - founder of the Methodist Church [1]
- Charles Wesley - famous hymn writer [1]
- John Gambold - bishop of the Moravian Church [1]
- John Clayton - distinguished Anglican churchman [1]
- James Hervey - noted religious writer [1]
- Benjamin Ingham - famous evangelist in Yorkshire [1]
- Thomas Brougham - secretary of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge [1]
- George Whitefield - famous clergyman associated both with the First Great Awakening in the United States and the Evangelical Revival in England [1]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Methodist Church in Great Britain: Holy Club
- Man in the Mirror: Lessons from Oxford's Holy Club (Pat Morley)
