Susanna Wesley
This is the story of Susanna Wesley, 1669-1742 Mother of Charles and John Wesley, who were founders of the Methodist Church. Susanna and her husband, Samuel, had nineteen children, ten of whom survived to adulthood. Her son Charles became a well-known hymn writer and her son John became the found of Methodism. Susanna was brought up in a Puritan home as the youngest of twenty-five children. As a teenager, she became a member of the Church of England. She became the wife of a chronically debt-ridden parish rector in an English village. She said, "I have had a large experience of what the world calls adverse fortune." Nonetheless, Susanna managed to pass down to her children Christian principles that stayed with them.
This is the story of Susanna Wesley, 1669-1742 Mother of Charles and John Wesley, who were founders of the Methodist Church. Susanna and her husband, Samuel, had nineteen children, ten of whom survived to adulthood. Her son Charles became a well-known hymn writer and her son John became the found of Methodism.
Susanna was brought up in a Puritan home as the youngest of twenty-five children. As a teenager, she became a member of the Church of England. She became the wife of a chronically debt-ridden parish rector in an English village. She said, "I have had a large experience of what the world calls adverse fortune." Nonetheless, Susanna managed to pass down to her children Christian principles that stayed with them.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
TEACHING IN PUBLIC.<br />
Ill<br />
before him, and doubtless he described the nutbrown<br />
maiden of his choice as eloquently in his<br />
letters home as in the lines which describe her as one<br />
who<br />
" Made her little wisdom go<br />
Further than wiser women do "<br />
;<br />
or more at length when he says<br />
:<br />
" Her hair and skin are as the Berry, brown ;<br />
Soft is her smile, and graceful is her frown ;<br />
Her stature low, 'tis something less than mine ;<br />
Her shape, though good, not exquisitely fine.<br />
Though round her hazel eyes some sadness lies,<br />
Their sprightly glances can sometimes surprise.<br />
But greater beauties to her mind belong<br />
:<br />
Well can she speak, and wisely hold her tongue.<br />
In her, plain sense and humble sweetness meet :<br />
Though gay, religious ;<br />
and though young, discreet.<br />
Such is the maid, if I can judge aright,<br />
If love or favour hinder not my sight.<br />
'11<br />
Perhaps you ask me how so well I know ?<br />
I 've studied her, and I '11 confess it too.<br />
I 've sought each inmost failing to explore ;<br />
Though still the more I sought, I liked the more.<br />
Oh, to see my Nutty smiling,<br />
Time with amorous talk beguiling,<br />
Love, her every action gracing,<br />
Arms still<br />
open for embracing,<br />
Looks to mutual bliss inviting,<br />
Eyes delighted and delighting,<br />
Spotless innocence preventing<br />
After-grief and sad repenting ;<br />
Neither doubting, both believing,<br />
Transport causing and receiving ;
Change language