John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist church. Apparently he also had very strong views of...you guessed it, TEA!
Tea was something he thought about day and night. It was a topic that he struggled with and eventually it violated his conscience to such a degree that he gave it up altogether, becoming a tea-totaller in 1746 after 27 years of drinking it. He had suffered a tremor in his hand, and after giving up tea he said the tremor disappeared. He also noticed that he began to save money. Money which, he encouraged his Methodist followers, should be given to the needy.
He wrote passionately against tea, saying, "When you drink tea it has brought you near the chambers of death." (Chrystal)
What did he recommend instead? ALE. That's right, folks. No tea for us good Christians. Let's get loaded on beer instead.
Apparently this continued to weigh heavily on his conscience because twelve short years later he began drinking tea again. In fact, he began drinking 'copious' amounts of tea again (prayerideas.org). He was also presented either a half or full gallon teapot by famed porcelain artist himself, Josiah Wedgewood! (Sources conflict here as to the size)
Present day Methodists recommend abstinence or responsible drinking. They have no official position on tea.
Works cited:
The True History Of Tea (Mair and Hoh)
Tea: A Very British Heritage (Chrystal)
prayerideas.org
methodist.org.uk
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