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Return to Methodists name list from "Methodism in the Channel Islands" by R.D. Moore (1952)
Pages 33-37
On the 23rd February 1787 Adam Clarke is writing to Wesley: "A few days ago I had news which brought comfort to my soul. I learnt that most of the inhabitants of Alderney understand English. I propose to go there immediately . . . tomorrow if the Lord spare my health and if the wind and weather permit I reckon on embarking for that Island."
Wesley duly replied warmly commending this attempt. Clarke's further letter of 16th March tells what happened. News of his intention had reached the Governor, who threatened that if Adam Clarke landed he would transport him to the Casquets! The result was that none of the ordinary trading-boats would take him. At last he found one that would take him by night—and tradition says it was probably a smuggler's boat!
He landed at little Hannaine Bay, thanked God for a happy voyage, climbed up the rocks and found himself in Alderney indeed—but alone, without a friend or a friendly roof. Walking toward the town he came to a small cottage. Pierre Barbenson and his wife Elisabeth lived there. They were old and poor but they welcomed him, gave him food and lodging and offered their little home as a preaching-place. Adam told them he would preach that evening if they could get an audience. The news spread. a crowd soon fathered and he preached to them of the reign of God. Very weary he dismissed them with the promise to preach again the following evening. He retired to bed and had been there about twenty
minutes when his elderly hostess begged him to come down. Another crowd had come, 'important people', she said, including a Jurat, and were asking to hear him. (This Jurat was Jean Ollivier whose son later became a Methodist minister.)
The house was full when he descended again so he preached to them and then explained his motives in coming to Alderney. The result was a series of invitations to preach, ending with a well-attended service in the English Church. Next day when he intended to return many would have detained him. The tide did not rise high enough to float the boat so he returned to town and once more addressed a great company, promising to send them a preacher. Near midnight he re-embarked—but it took twenty-one hours to get back to Guernsey. Arrangements were made for de Quetteville to visit Alderney and Adam Clarke sat down to tell John Wesley all about it.
On the 2 6th March Wesley replied:
"You have reason to praise God for giving you such favour in the eyes of the poor people of Alderney. And I am in hopes our brother de Quetteville will meet with a blessing in watering the seed which is already sown. But I observe in the map the name of another Island, not very far from Alderney. Are there none that understand English in the Isle of Sark? If there are, I cannot tell whether you arc not a debtor to those poor souls also? "
It was not until a few years later, when more French preachers were available, that this suggestion bore fruit, and Sark also was evangelized.
Jean de Quetteville, accompanied by Pierre Arrive, reached Alderney on i8th March. They preached and paid them repeated visits during the summer but found it hard to maintain their fidelity. "The hearers appear to pay attention to the word but I do not think they want to bear the cross. The Lord have mercy on their souls I"
Yet the seed had been sown, and lived, and grew, and brought forth fruit at length.
On 3rd March 1787 Wesley wrote to Adam Clarke: "After staying a few days in Bristol, I am engaged to visit the intermediate Societies between Stroud and Chester. I must then hasten to Dublin, or I shall not have time to go through the four provinces of Ireland. I shall not, therefore, have a day to spare before the Conference. Possibly after the Conference I may be able to stay two or three weeks. And if so, I shall pass away to Southampton, in order to spend two or three days at Guernsey and as many in Jersey. This will we do if God permit. I am glad you are minded to make a trial at Alderney. If God send you. He will make a way for you. The hearts of all men arc in His hands. To His care I commend you. "
The Conference took place in Manchester that year and the Minutes give the number of members as;
Here is a typical record in outline of Wesley's activities at the age of eighty-four. After presiding at the Conference he preached twice and administered Communion to more than twelve hundred people. Next day he reserved a coach for fourteen preachers from Manchester to Bristol. Two breakdowns en route made it a journey of nineteen hours. Arriving at 7 p.m.. there was a congregation awaiting him so he preached to them immediately. The following day he travelled eleven hours to Gloucester and preached in the evening. Next day, starting at 2 a.m„ he reached Salisbury at 4 p.m., and again preached in the evening. The following morning at four he started for Southampton where-he preached three times on the 9th and 10th August. On the 11th, accompanied by Dr Coke and Joseph Bradford he boarded The Queen—a sloop, bound for Guernsey.
Being storm-bound in the Solent they sheltered at Yarmouth (I.O.W.) where he preached four times in the market-place. A favourable wind which enabled them to restart changed to danger again and drove them into Swanage. Here also he found a small company and preached to them in the Presbyterian Church. On the Tuesday with a fair wind they put to sea, but owing to another threatening change they had to land in Alderney about sunset, not without peril. They remained there only one night, but Wesley preached at Braye, at the Old Forge near the harbour, then (as his Journal tells us) with five beds in the same room they "slept in peace". The following day they reached Guernsey. Wesley's account of "first impressions" would serve for today, but as usual he makes it plain that his real interest is in the work he has come to do:
"Soon after we set sail, and after a very pleasant passage, through little islands on either hand, we came to the venerable castle, standing on a rock, about a quarter of a mile from Guernsey. The Island itself makes a beautiful appearance, spreading as a crescent to the right and left, about seven miles long, and five broad, part high land, and part low. The town itself is boldly situated, rising higher and higher from the water. The first thing I observed in it was very narrow streets, and exceeding high houses. But we quickly went on to Mr de Jersey's, hardly a mile from the town. Here I found a most cordial welcome, both from the master of the house and all his family. I preached at seven) in a large room, to as deeply seriuos a congregation as I ever saw, on ‘Jesus Christ, of God made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption’.
Thursday, 16th. I had a very serious congregation at five in a large room of Mr de Jersey's house.
In the evening I preached at the other end of the town, in our own preaching-house. So many people squeezed in (though not near all who came) that it was as hot as a stove. But this none seemed to regard; for the word of God .was sharper than a two-edged sword.
Friday, 17th. I waited upon the Governor, and spent half-an-hour very agreeably. In the afternoon we took a walk upon the pier, the largest and finest I ever saw. The town is swiftly increasing: new houses starting up on every side.
In the evening I did not attempt to go into the house but stood near it, in the yard, surrounded with tall, shady trees, and proclaimed to a large congregation, ‘God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth'. I believe many were cut to the heart this hour, and some not a little comforted.
Saturday, 18th. Dr Coke and I dined at the Governor's. I was well pleased to find other company. We conversed seriously, for upwards of an hour, with a sensible, well-bred agreeable man. In the evening I preached to the largest congregation I have seen here, on Jeremiah 8 v22; and they were all attention. Surely God will have a people in this place.
Sunday, 19th. Joseph Bradford preached at six in the morning at Montplaisir les Terres to a numerous congregation. I preached at half-an-hour past eight, and the house contained the congregation. At ten I went to the French Church where there was a large and well-behaved congregation. At five we had the largest congregation of all; of whom I took a solemn and affectionate leave, as it is probable I may not see them any more till we meet in Abraham's bosom.
Wesley was mistaken—he had not done with Guernsey yet, as we shall see. On Monday 20th August he embarked for Jersey.