The Growth of the Wensleydale Circuit

Two names are inseparably connected with the beginnings of Methodism in Wensleydale - Nicholas Manners the preacher - evangelist, and Christopher Simpson, the native of Redmire, who asked John Wesley to send the preacher. John Wesley himself was no stranger to the Dales as the following extracts from his Journal testify.

...Tues. 14. June 1774 - We crossed over the enormous mountain into lovely Wensleydale, the largest by far of all the Dales, as well as the most beautiful. Some years since, many had been awakened here, and joined together by Mr. Ingram and his preachers. But since the bitter dissension between their preachers, the poor sheep have all been scattered. A considerable number of these have been gleaned up and joined together by our preachers. I came into the midst of them at Redmire. As I rode through the town the people stood staring on every side, as if we had been a company of monsters. I preached in the street, and they soon ran together, young and old, from every quarter. I reminded the elder of the their having seen me thirty years before, when I preached in Wensley Church; and enforced once more 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' When I rode back through the town, it wore a new face. The people were profoundly civil; they were bowing and curtseying on every side. Such a change in two hours I have seldom seen.

...Fri. 27. Oct 1743 - Setting out early in the morning, I had hopes of reaching Wensleydale before it was dark. But it could not be; so in the dusk of the evening, understanding we had five or six miles still to ride, I thought it best to procure a guide. In less than an hour, it being extremely dark, I perceived we were got out of all road. We were in a large meadow, near a river, and (it seemed to me) almost surrounded with water. I asked our guide, 'Do you know where you are?' and he honestly answered, 'No.' So we rode on as we could, till about eight we came to a little house, whence we were directed into a lane which led to Wensley.

...Sun. 30. Oct 1743 - Mr Clayton read prayers, and I preached, on 'What must I do to be saved?' I showed, in the plainest words I could devise, that mere outside religion would not bring us to heaven; that none could go thither without inward holiness, which was only to be attained by faith. As I went back through the churchyard, many of the parish were in high debate what religion this preacher was of. Some said, 'He must be a Quaker'; others 'Anabaptist.' But, at length, one deeper learned than the rest brought them all clearly over to his opinion, that he was a Presbyterian-Papist.

...Sat. 19.June 1744 - I went on to Mr Clayton's at Wensley; and on Sunday the 20th preached in Redmire church on part of John iii., the Gospel for the day. In the afternoon I preached at Bolton chapel, on 'We know that we are of God.' I was much pleased at the serious behaviour of the congregation, both in the morning and afternoon, especially at Redmire, where from a village of about thirty houses, we had more than fifty communicants.