John Wesley at Barrowford

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Sat, 16/07/2016 - 21:04

 

Pictured is the White Bear Inn at Barrowford, in-between Nelson and Blacko. Not only is it remarkable for having been built in 1607, but it was here on 25 August 1748 that John Wesley was briefly imprisoned by/took shelter from the mob. In his Journal entry he describes preaching at nearby Roughlee, and seeing a mob descend down the hill to take him. He describes them as an army, for they were accompanied by a drummer, and took him to this old house:
 
 
Thursday, 25.—I rode with Mr. Grimshaw to Roughlee. At half-hour after twelve I began to preach.  I had about half finished my discourse when the mob came pouring down the hill like a torrent. After exchanging a few words with their captain, to prevent any contest I went with him as he required.  When we came to Barrowford, two miles off, the whole army drew up in battle array before the house into which I was carried with two or three of my friends. After I had been detained above an hour, their captain went out, and I followed him and desired him to conduct me whence I came. He said he would; but the mob soon followed after; at which he was so enraged that he must needs turn back to fight them, and so left me alone.

Later, wriing to one of the ringleaders, he said:

“And all this time you were talking of justice and law! Alas, Sir, suppose we were Dissenters (which I deny), suppose we were Jews or Turks, are we not to have the benefit of the laws of our country? Proceed against us by the law, if you can or dare; but not by lawless violence; not by making a drunken, cursing, swearing riotous mob both judge, jury, and executioner.  This is flat rebellion against God and the King, as you may possibly find out to your cost.”
 
 
Pictured also are nearby buildings Wesley will have seen, the house now known as Pendle Heritage Centre, and The Lamb Club, both standing when Wesley was persecuted for the gospel.