cannot leave my mother." Then they said: "Will you go if your mother
gives her consent?"

"Yes," said John, feeling quite sure she would never give it.

So he went to Epworth and told his mother all about the matter. Then he
waited for her reply. Mrs. Wesley loved her "boy" John very, very
dearly, and if he went to America she might never see him again, and yet
her answer came: "If I had twenty sons, I would give them all up for
such a work."

Even after obtaining this unexpected consent, John did not decide to go
until he had asked the advice of his brother Samuel and his friend Mr.
Law, both of whom advised him to undertake the work. Then both he and
his brother sent in their decision to General Oglethorpe, and began
making preparations for their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Now I want us to imagine ourselves at Gravesend, a place on the river
Thames near London. Look at all those ships in the docks! See, there is
one that looks just ready to sail! Can you read the name of it?
"S-i-m-m-o-n-d-s"--"Simmonds." Yes, that is its name. Let us button up
our coats, as it is a sharp October day, and watch the passengers go on
board.

Look at that little man with the nice face, and a lot of colour in his
cheeks! What long hair he has! and how smooth it is! It looks as if he
brushed it a great deal. See, he is looking this way, and we can notice
his beautiful forehead and his bright eyes. Why that must be Mr. John
Wesley! And, of course, that is his brother Charles talking to some
gentlemen on the deck. See, he is holding a book close to his eyes--he
must be short-sighted. Listen, how the others are laughing! I expect he
is making a joke. Now he is walking off arm in arm with one of his
companions. He seems to be still loving-hearted and full of fun, the
same Charlie he was at Westminster School only grown big.

A number of Germans were also on board the "Simmonds," all bound for
Georgia. Before they had been many days at sea, John Wesley found out
that they were earnest Christians, and he began at once to learn German
in order that he might talk to them.

The brothers had not taken their father's advice about fasting; they and
some other Methodists who were their fellow-passengers still thought
they ought to do with as little food as possible, and with as few
comforts. They ate nothing but rice, biscuits, and bread, and John
Wesley slept on the floor. He was obliged to do it one night, because
the waves got