Summary

This medal was issued by the Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1901 as part of an effort to raise 10,000 pounds. The 'historic roll' shown on the reverse was signed by donors who donated one guinea or more. The obverse of the medal shows Rev. Joseph Rennard Orton and Rev. John Wesley. Orton was born in 1795 in England, and entered the ministry in 1826. He was posted to Jamaica, and in 1831 arrived in Sydney. He continued his preaching in New Zealand, Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia. Orton conducted the first ordained Christian service in Victoria in 1836. He died in 1842 on a voyage back to England. Wesley was born in 1703, became a leader in Bible study and was ordained a Church of England minister in 1728. He rode on horseback to preach throughout England, wrote over 400 books and was the inspiration for the establishment of the Methodist Church, combining evangelical preaching with social concern. He became one of the most significant figures in British social and religious reform in the eighteenth century and one of the most significant church leaders of all time. Wesley died in 1791.
Mint: Stokes.

Obverse Description

Conjoined busts of Orton and Wesley left; around, WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, VICTORIA & TASMANIA. 1835 - 1901. at left, ORTON; at right, WESLEY

Reverse Description

Scroll inscribed HISTORIC / ROLL / 1901; around, TWENTIETH CENTURY

Edge Description

Plain

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