As Washington, D.C. is mercifully rendered temporarily inoperable, and as the Anglican communion celebrates the feast day of John and Charles Wesley, here are five entries from John Wesley’s Journal to remind us what snow days were like for the devoted cleric.
Saturday, February 23, 1745
“We found the roads abundantly worse than they had been the day before; not only because the snows were deeper… but likewise because the hard frost, succeeding the thaw, had made all the ground like glass. We felt obliged to walk, it being impossible to ride, and our horses several times fell down while we were leading them, but not once while we were riding them, during the whole journey. It was past eight before we got to Gateshead fell, which appeared a great pathless waste of white. The snow filling up and covering all the roads, we were at a loss how to proceed.
Many a rough journey had I before, but one like this I never had; between wind, and hail, and rain, and ice, and snow, and driving sleet, and piercing, cold: But it is past: those days will return no more, and are, therefore, as though they never had been.”
Thursday, February 20, 1746
“Before we came to Aldridge-Heath, the rain changed into snow, which the northerly wind drove full in our faces, and crusted us over from heat to foot in less than an hour’s time. We inquired of one while lived at the entrance of the moors, which was our best way to Stafford. ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘Tis a thousand pound to a penny, that you do not come there today. Why tis four long miles to the far side of this common; and in a clear day, I am not sure to go right across it: And now all the roads are covered with snow; and it snows so, that you cannot see before you.’ However, we went on, and I believe did not get ten yards out of the way till we came into Stafford.
In the evening we reached Roger Moss’s house. I preached on Rom. iii. 22, and joined a few together as a society.”
Tuesday, February 10, 1747
“I was wondering, the day before, at the mildness of the weather; such as seldom attends me in my journeys. But my wonder now ceased: the wind was turned full north, and blew so exceeding hard and keen, that when we came to Hatfield, neither my companions nor I had much use of our hands or feet. After resting an hour, we bore up again, through the wind and snow, which drove full in our faces. But this was only a squall. In Baldock-field the storm began in earnest. The large hail drove so vehemently in our faces, that we could not see nor hardly breathe. However, before two o’clock we reached Baldock, where one met and conducted us safe to Potten.
About six I preached to a serious congregation.”
Friday, March 1, 1765
“I read prayers and preached at seven in the morning. It was noon before we could procure a post-chaise. We then pushed on, though the snow lay deep on the ground, to the great inn at Hockerill, the dearest house I ever was at.”
Wednesday, April 25, 1770
“In the morning, we were informed, so much snow had fallen in the night, that we could get no farther. And, indeed, three young women, attempting to cross the mountain to Blair, were swallowed up in the snow. However, we resolved, with God’s help, to go as far as we could. But about noon we were at a full stop: The snow, driving together on the top of the mountain, had quite blocked up the road. We dismounted, and striking out of the road warily, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, with many stumbles, but no hurt, we got on to Dalmagarry, and before sunset, to Inverness.”
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