Thomas Coke Founder of Wesleyan Missions

by Francis Bourne Upham

Suffering persecution with other Early Methodists, he was turned out of his pulpit in the Church of England, hooted and jeered by mobs and nearly thrown overboard by a sailor who growled, "We have a Jonah aboard." John Wesley sent him as the first president of the Irish Conference, which grew under his leadership from 6000 to 28,000 souls. He crossed the Atlantic eighteen times in his duties to the American Methodists, turning his steerage-class berth into a spiritual, scholarly sanctuary of glory. When Wesley sent him to America after the Revolution, he was quick to recognize the changed nature of the church in the new republic. His ability to adapt to new ways and attitudes led to the establishment of the first Methodist college in America, and to a successful ministry as Superintendent with Asbury. But his greatest renown was won in his recognition of the needs of those in other lands who had yet to hear the gospel. Whether it was among the despised Irish, the blacks of the West Indies, American Indians on the frontier or his intended parishioners in India, he labored incessantly to bring the Good News that Christ died freely for all men everywhere. Here is the account of a giant among missionaries, the friend and consultant of John Wesley, and the ambassador of Heaven ...

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