It is the mid-1760s, and in Dublin’s grand St. Patrick’s Cathedral the famed revivalist John Wesley is preaching with all of his might. He is aware that the congregation of St. Patrick’s is filled with the city’s more successful, comfortable, perhaps self-satisfied souls. And so he thunders against their self-centeredness, rails against their disregard for the poor. “Oh who has courage to speak plain to these rich and honorable sinners?” Wesley writes afterward in his journals.
In the congregation is a young businessman who only a few years before has begun to make his mark in the city. Born in nearby Celbridge and raised on the archbishop’s estate that his father managed, this young man has gained something of a reputation for his skill at brewing beer. In fact, he has purchased a defunct brewery at St. James’ Gate, along the River Liffey, and, having married well and embedded himself skillfully in Dublin’s merchant class, he fully intends to rise.
Now, listening to John Wesley speak of the obligations of wealth, of a God-given duty to care for the hurting of the world, this gifted young man is reminded of values he learned on that archbishop’s estate and at his father’s knee. They are values that resurfaced in the Reformation of Calvin and Luther and that were set aflame and made personal in the Methodism of John Wesley. This rising entrepreneur hears and allows Wesley’s words to frame a vision for his fledgling company: a vision for producing wealth through brewing excellence and then for using that wealth to serve the downtrodden and the poor.
We should be glad that he did, for that young man was Arthur Guinness, the founder of the renowned brewery whose 250th anniversary we celebrate this year.
Arthur Guinness was an Anglican? Really?
Oh, the irony.
#1 So is the very penetrating and notable theologian and author Oz Guinness, if I am not mistaken. He practices his Anglicanism in America, last time I looked. I wish the article would say more about the contributions to mission of this dynasty of believers. If my memory is correct the great German missionary of Sudan Interior Mission fame, Karl Kumm, married into the Guinness line. He has been called “the last of the Livingstones” and made a great contribution to establishing the churches that are producing so many of today’s martyrs. It’s cool when God uses individuals from the same stock over several generations to expand his Kingdom significantly.
I’m about half way through Mansfield’s book “The Search for God and Guiness.” Religion and Guiness beer are entwined in the most positive way. It is a great example of how Christians can use wealth and success for the greater good in creative and practical ways. Reading about the Guiness history certainly helps you enjoy a pint!
To Arthur!!!
I’m on call and cannot celebrate this great good news with my favorite beer tonight. But I shall certainly endeavor to drink Guinness’ very good spiritual health as soon as I may. Glory to God in this saint!
Visiting the Guinness Brewery a few years ago, I learned this tidbit. The proper way to pour a pint of Guinness is to fill it half way, let it settle, and then complete the pour.
The origin of this tradition is that one evening, as Arthur Guinness was pouring a pint, he heard the Angelus Bells ring. The tourguide commented that “Arthur Guinness was a religous man–Protestant, mind you, but religious nevertheless”. So Mr Guinness stopped his pour, said his prayers, and then completed his pour.
And thus a tradition was born.
Arthur Guinness–one for whom we Anglicans can be proud!
I intend to have a pint tonight!
And yet another good reason to consume Guinness!
There are three branches of the Guinness family: the brewing Guinnesses, the banking Guinnesses, and the church Guinnesses. I have known the church Guinnesses since my time as a seminarian in England. Oz Guinness is the cousin of Christopher Guinness, who was my best man, and who is a hospital chaplain in London. His two brothers are also priests, one in the UK and one in Canada. His sister was at college with my wife, and has been a significant figure in Anglican and evangelical education in England. Going back a way, the Guinnesses were significantly involved with the China Inland Mission and Hudson Taylor. I thank God for my contact with the Guinness family, they have meant a lot in my discipleship.