Christian History Home > Issue 69 > The Matchmakers
The Matchmakers
When the Wesley brothers agreed to help each other find wives, they never guessed their deal would lead to disaster.
Janine Petry | posted 1/01/2001 12:00AM
In 1738, John and Charles Wesley vowed that neither would wed without first receiving the other's approval. For one brother the agreement confirmed a lifelong love, but for the other it probably ruined any chance for happiness.
Back in 1736 John had found his first love, Sophia Hopkey, in Georgia. A good-natured girl of 18, "Miss Sophy," as John always called her, was one of his first friends in America. John, then 33, felt his heart drawn to her but resolved to watch himself carefully.
Although he enjoyed spending time with Sophy, he feared that a serious relationship would end his career as a missionary to the Indians. After much prayer, he painfully resolved not to marry until he had begun his work.
Following this announcement, Sophy, who usually took breakfast and lessons with Wesley, told him she would no longer meet with him alone. He was, however, permitted to visit her at her home.
After one such visit, John wrote in his journal: "This was indeed an hour of trial. Her words, her air, ...
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