William Hogarth

1697-1764

   William Hogarth was an English artist and engraver who depicted scenes from his time, sometimes realistically and sometimes using caricatures. Many of his engravings revealed his social concern; they depicted a money-loving society that preyed upon women, children, and people who were poor.

   Ironically Hogarth rejected Methodists. He seems to have shared the prejudice of many of his day. One his drawings, for example, attacked Methodists as "enthusiasts" full of "Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism." Actually John Wesley opposed enthusiasm but because he emphasized religious experience, some branded him as an enthusiast never-the-less.

   Hogarth's engraving links enthusiasm with madness, sexual and religious excitement. One preacher in the drawing who may represent John Wesley preaches from a text "I Speak as a Fool" and terrorizes the congregation with puppets of a witch and a devil. John Wesley's book of sermons sits upon a book about witches. A man who appears to be George Whitefield watches the wild scene. His journal is shown in a basket sitting on top of a book on demonology. Another clergyman is shown in a sexual embrace of a woman.

   Methodists of Wesley's day encountered much prejudice from many quarters. Even worship gatherings were disrupted by shouting or, worse yet, violence, such as throwing stones. Hogarth's drawing reflects some of the feelings that may have been behind attacks on Methodists in England.

   The two pictures on this page depict violence shown against Methodist clergy in England and Ireland.

For Further Study

• Anti-Methodist Publications (1743)
• Definition of Enthusiasm
• The Nature of Enthusiasm, a sermon by John Wesley
• William Hogarth, a collection of dozens of his illustrations with commentary (commercial site)
  • Beer Street and Gin Lane
  • Enthusiasm Delineated / Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism
• William Hogarth's Realm, biography, art, interactive learning (commercial site)

Return: Quiz Questions

   This quiz is based on information in John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life copyright © 1996 Charles Yrigoyen, Jr.

   The drawing near the top of most the web pages for Holiness of Heart and Life depicts the Reverend John Wesley (1703-1791) at age 48. All of the black and white drawings have been scanned by Nancy A. Carter from public domain nineteeth century or early twentieth century Methodist history books. Please acknowledge this web site, John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life, http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/, if you reproduce these. Sorry, the graphics are available only in the 72 dpi resolution you see here.

E-mail: acraig@gbgm-umc.org