Susanna Wesley

LAST YEARS. 203
few years married to the sometime apothecary of
Epworth, the terribly impecunious Mr. Harper, became
a widow, and, leaving Gainsborough, came with a true
and favourite servant to remain with her mother at the
Foundry.
It must also have been at this juncture that Mrs.
Wesley gave her testimony, in one instance, at least, in
favour of lay preaching. John Wesley's work was that
of an evangelist and organizer, whose parish was the
world ;
he rode from place to place strengthening the
churches, and it was necessary that someone should be
left in charge at the Foundry. The person selected was
Mr. Thomas " Maxfield, a young man of good sense and
piety." His duties were to meet the classes and bands,
and read and explain the Scriptures. From this to
and he soon did
preaching a sermon was only a step,
it, speaking with much earnestness and eloquence.
John Wesley was greatly disturbed when he heard of
it and came quickly home. His mother saw that something
was wrong, and asked what it was. " Thomas
Maxfield has turned preacher, I find," was the curt
answer of the man whose natural desire was to be head
and chief in whatever he undertook. Mrs. Wesley
soon gave him her opinion on the matter :
" John, you know what my sentiments have been.
You cannot suspect me of readily favouring anything
of this kind. But take care what you do with respect
to that young man for he is as
; surely called of God
to preach as you
are. Examine what have been the
fruits of his preaching, and hear him yourself/'
The mother's words had weight, and Maxfield
preached before his master. "It is the Lord," exclaimed
John Wesley,
" let Him do what seemeth Him
good. What am I that I should withstand God ?"