In the last issue we compared the themes of today’s political campaigns with the issues John and Charles Wesley faced in 1772 – 232 years ago. The political and social issues at that time were jobs, health care, food and the economy. Sound familiar? The problems in England then were very similar to our own, and the emphasis in Wesley’s preaching reflected many of the same issues we hear today. From Iowa to New Hampshire, to South Carolina, Oklahoma and beyond … the same themes are proclaimed by the presidential candidates. So how does Wesley suggest those political themes be addressed?
 First he addresses the matter of hunger. “What remedy is there for this sore evil — many thousand poor people are starving,” Wesley asks. Then he answers his question with the obvious, “Find them work, and you will find them food,” he reasoned. “But how can the price of wheat and barley be reduced?” Wesley asks. He answers his question by launching a sweeping plan of social reform for England. 
Wesley asserted that the price of beef and mutton could be reduced by increasing the breeding of sheep and cattle. It’s the old supply and demand formula. This surely would be done if the number of horses decreased. Furthermore, sheep and cattle do not require as much grazing acreage as horses. Thus the price of land could be reduced, and taxes would be reduced by paying off the national debt, thus saving over two million pounds a year. “But will this ever be done?” Wesley asked.  “I fear not, at least, we have no reason to hope for it shortly, for what good can we expect for such a nation as this?”
John Wesley became rather provoked with the political maneuvering of his day. His plain talk approach to social and issues was not always appreciated by those in control, but clearly represented the needs of the people to whom he was called to minister.