Not all those who traveled with Mr. Wesley when he was an old man were as quick to help him out as the driver you just read about. Even though John was old, he was still active and still sometimes preached four times a day. One of the preachers who traveled with John at this time was a man named Bradford. He was helpful, but at the same time he could be quite cross.
One day John, now 85 years old, asked Bradford to mail some letters. Bradford said he would listen to Mr. Wesley preach first and go later. When John explained that they should be taken right away, Bradford refused to go at all. Bradford made more unkind and provoking comments.
The next morning Wesley asked Bradford, “Will you beg my pardon?” (This means to say you are sorry.)
“No,” replied Bradford.
“You won’t?” asked John again.
“No,” repeated Bradford.
“Then I will beg yours,” said Mr. Wesley.
Poor Bradford was now so ashamed of himself that he cried like a child. The quarrel thus ended because John was willing to say he was sorry for the quarrel even when it was the other man who was unkind.
May you and I remember this whenever others say unkind words to us! “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” Proverbs 15:11A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1).