Kunle Adelabu
The Council of Knights, Lagos Chapter of the Methodist Church Nigeria, on Wednesday, held a special service in celebration of the founders of Methodism, Revs. John and Charles Wesley.
The celebration, tagged, ‘Wesley Day with Most Preached Sermon of John Wesley and Most Popular Hymns of Charles Wesley’, held special service at the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral, Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu.
At the special service, biographies of Revs. John and Charles Wesley, tagged ‘In Reminiscence’, were read by Sir Teju Ogunjimi and Lady Adetutu Ogunnaike.
Also, John Wesley’s most preached sermon, ‘The New Birth’, was read in parts by Dame Yewande George, Sir (Dr) Ayo Ajayi and Dr (Mrs) Princess Omovrigbo Idialu. The Rev. Oluyinka Olatunbosu delivered the precis, exposition and meditation on John Wesley’s sermon.
The Choir of Excellence, Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral Choir, Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Church Cathedral, Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu, conducted by Sir Soji Onafowokan, KCW, thrilled the audience most of whom were Knights to Charles Wesley’s most popular hymns: ‘EMHB 1 with tune: Richmond, Nativity & Lydia’, ‘EMHB 431 with the tune: Bithynia, Curvdale & Blaewern and ‘EMHB 578 with the tune: Cambridge & Carlisle’.
Dame (Princess) Adetope Tychus, Chairman, Council of Knights, Lagos Chapter, in her welcome address, narrated how both English brothers formed the Methodist movement and its doctrines.
“As we all know, John Wesley, the father and founder of our dear and esteemed Church was born 320 years ago, June 1703 to be precise. He was raised as an Anglican clergyman, evangelist and founder of the Methodist movement in the Church of England. John Wesley was a young priest, obsessively anxious about sin, death, and God’s judgement. He was very concerned about what Christians must do to be saved”, she said.
“He started a Journal in 1735, which was like a guideline of Methodism. John Wesley’s life was centered on God’s forgiveness which we, as His followers, must make the cornerstone of our faith.
“John and Charles Wesley, both of whom were students at Oxford University in England, worked together to spread the Methodist movement. Charles was a prolific hymn writer who wrote over 6,500 hymns during his lifetime and accompanied his brother John, on missionary trips.
She charged congregants to emulate the Godly lives of the founder of Methodist Church and be good examples to others.
“As we listen to the most preached sermons of John Wesley, render the most popular hymns of Charles Wesley, I want to urge us all, especially Worthy Knights, to be Christlike in all our undertakings. We are called out to be men and women of integrity, true to God and true to man. We should let our life shine like a city set on the mountain so that the world will see the likeness of Christ in us”, Dame Tychus said.
“According to records, John Wesley, during his lifetime, experienced a true sense of Salvation, forgiveness and peace. Such peace that passes human understanding is what we should all crave for and my prayer is that, through the merciful work of God and His grace, we all shall be so blessed in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
“The Wesleyans philosophy has become the confessions of almost 74 million Methodists across 135 countries around the world, both in hymns and sermons. No wonder we are gathered here once again to celebrate the lives and times of John and Charles Wesley”, she said.
Secretary, Council of Knights & Chairman Planning Committee, Sir Oluwatosin Olaniyan, KCW, in his remark, thanked guests for honoring the invites by the Council Knights and others for their support towards the success of the Wesley Day celebration.
Among other notable dignitaries at the event were: Rt. Revd. Dr S. Olu Osundina, JP, Bishop of Ikorodu; The rt. Revd. Joshua Olukayode Adeogun, Bishop of Ereko; Knights and dignitaries that attended the Wesley Day are Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Sir (Otunba) Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works, Sir (Engr.) Chief Olukayode Shoderu, President, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Sir David Sunmoni, Pro – Chancellor and Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, former Commissioner for Information & the Agbaakin of Ikorodu.
