54 History of Methodism 



that a copy of his last and crowning work, the " Dis- 

 sertations on the Book of Job," should be presented 

 to Queen Caroline, to whom, by permission, it was in- 

 scribed. Governor Oglethorpe and Dr. Burton seized 

 the opportunity offered by this visit and arranged for 

 an interview with him on the next day, August 29, 

 when, in behalf of the trustees of the colony, they 

 tendered to him the appointment of missionary at 

 Savannah, in Georgia, presenting at the same time 

 such considerations as were thought most likely to 

 dispose his mind to accept. They were the more ur- 

 gent in the matter, " since in our inquiries," said they, 

 '* there appears such an unfitness in the generality of 

 people. That state of ease, luxury, levity, and inad- 

 vertency observable in most of the plausible and pop- 

 ular doctors are disqualifications in a Christian teach- 

 er, and would lead us to look for a different set of 

 people. The more men are inured to contempt of or- 

 naments and conveniences of life, to serious thoughts 

 and bodily austerities, the fitter they are for a state 

 which more properly represents our Christian pil- 

 grimage. And if, upon consideration of the matter, 

 you think yourselves (as you must do, at least amidst 

 such scarcity of proper persons) the fit instruments 

 for so good a work, you will be ready to embrace this 

 opportunity of doing good, which is not in vain offered 

 to you." Mr. "Wesley took the matter into due con- 

 sideration, and without delay wrote to get the opinion 

 of his brother Samuel, and went to consult in person 

 the Bev. William Law, author of the "Serious Call 

 to a Holy Life," Dr. John Byrom, the poet, the Bev. 

 John Clayton, a fellow-member of the Holy Club, and 

 several others, in whose judgments he had confidence. 

 These all concurring in urging his acceptance of the 



