John Wesley and his preachers

Currently I'm reading "American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists" and in it the author shares what some of John Wesley's expectations were for his preachers. They were to rise at four a.m. on days they preached at five a.m. and by five a.m. all other days. He expected them to spend an hour every morning and evening in prayer, meditation, and reading the Bible and other books.

He was very concerned that his preachers become better educated. So, not only did he want them to spend an hour every morning and evening for devotions, but he urged his preachers to spend "at least five hours" a day reading "the most useful books." To those preachers who complained about this and said, "I have no taste for reading," Wesley's reply was, "contract a taste for it by use, or return to your trade."

I've got to run - I've got some reading to do!! :-)