Coded diary of Methodist Church co-founder Charles Wesley is cracked after 270 years

DailyMail.uk ^ | 26 August 2008 | Daily Mail Reporter

[yankeedame]

Coded diary of Methodist Church co-founder Charles Wesley is cracked after 270 years

Charles Wesley, Christmas carols
composer DM 3.1.2002
P51

A 270-year-old diary, written in code, has been cracked for the first time to reveal a secret history of the Methodist church, it emerged today.

After nine years of painstaking work, more than 1,000 handwritten pages from 1736 - 1756 have been deciphered from the personal diary of co-founder Charles Wesley.

He helped establish Methodism with his brother John and also wrote many well-known Christmas carols, including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

The long passages of ‘hidden’ material in his journal give a fascinating insight into the personal life and religious beliefs of the younger Wesley.

Charles used his shorthand code to write about sensitive matters including his sharp disapproval of his brother John’s marriage, and their disagreements over the Church of England.

Cracked the code:
Professor Kenneth Newport

The Rev Professor Kenneth Newport, Liverpool Hope University’s pro vice-chancellor for research and academic development, used photocopies of the original manuscript to unlock the secrets of the code.

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. Nice piece of detective work.
It seems likely that the accusation of sexual misconduct was slander.

[eccentric]

Could anyone recommend a good biography of the Wesley family?

[TheBattman]

At the risk of offending some here on FR...

I truly believe that John and Charles would not recognize today’s Methodist Church. And to take it a step farther, I believe they would likely be disappointed in many ways...

[SunkenCiv]

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[ken21]

lol!

and, didn’t he have sex with some of thomas jefferson’s slaves?

[null and void]

No wonder I couldn’t understand it. I was using “TESLA”.

Shocking!

[Ciexyz]

Since at least one of the Wesley brothers did missionary work in the American colonies, could Native American words be part of the code?

[AzSteven]

***The Rev Professor Kenneth Newport, Liverpool Hope University’s pro vice-chancellor for research and academic development, used photocopies of the original manuscript to unlock the secrets of the code.***

At least he didn’t use a “peepstone” in a hat.;-)

I am wondering what the university's anti-vice chancellor has to say about all this, unless he is off trying to halt some students from drinking and smoking...

[dodger]

Yes, things have gone downhill with the ‘United’, among many other lamestream Protestant churches this past generation ...

[stockpirate]

It is reported to have also reveled the following:

“Behold a saviour will arise in the land of the brave, his name shall be called Obamma, (meaning carrying the smell of an unwashed goat) and he will speak to many, and many shall follow him as there is no accounting for the number of the stupid”

[Jessarah]

Could anyone recommend a good biography of the Wesley family?

There are several biographies on Susannah Wesley, the mother of John and Charles and something like 19 other children. I have not read them, but they are on my "to read" list. She was suppose to be a remarkable woman.