Queen of the Rectory
QUEEN OF THE RECTORY
"'One more thing,'' added Annesley as Wesley paused at the door of his study. ''I know you can't afford a coach on thirty pounds a year, and so I'll lend you mine for a few days. You'll need it in order to assemble all the odds and ends that are required for housekeeping. Just let me know ahead of time."'
After Susanna and Sam were married in early 1689, money was extremely tight. John Dunton's planned magazine had not yet appeared. But, Susanna shared in the excitement of listening to the plans for the forthcoming paper. It's title, it was agreed, would be the Athenian Gazette. Both John and Sam felt that it would be a world-molding paper, and Susanna was confident they were right.
The new parish was small, but exciting. The vicar was a pleasant man and several members of the parish were unusually kind to them. They brought in dishes, pictures, fruit—and a much-needed broom.
Finally Sam decided that it was time to borrow the coach and revisit some of the historic places in London. ''I especially want to visit St. Giles,'' he said.
''And pay your respects to John Milton?'' asked Susanna.
""How did you know?"'
""You're both poets, aren't you?"'
'"That was mighty sweet of you, Susanna.'
Samuel Wesley's eyes misted as he stood before the grave of John Milton on the left side of the church.
Shaking his head, he murmured, ''Sukey, John Milton was the greatest!''
'Even though he was a Dissenter?'' teased Susanna.
'"Yes, even though he was a Dissenter.''
As they held hands, Susanna quoted the opening lines of Milton's poem, Paradise Lost:
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Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste
Brought death into the world...
Kissing her soundly, Samuel exclaimed, ""That was great. It's too bad Paul forbade women to preach."'
''What was that?'' Susanna glanced at him sharply.
''Oh, nothing."'
''Have you been reading John Knox again?"'
not! And I promise that I'll never read him again—at least when you're around."'
They both laughed.
As Sam and Susanna were looking around the church, a bent old man shuffled up to them. "'And so you're Susanna!'' he exclaimed.
"'I remember when your father was the vicar here. He showed a lot of courage when he refused to accept Anglican ordination and had to leave here. But the Lord has blessed him and that's why they call him the St. Paul of the Dissenters. A few weeks ago I found a copy of a letter he mailed to the parish on November 14, 1661.
That was just a few months before he had to leave.
You wait here and I'll get it.''
While seated in a nearby pew, Susanna read the letter that had been printed on a fine piece of parchment. The well-thumbed document read:
I never yet, that I remember, went through my parish, without some heartaching yearnings toward my charge, to think how many thousands here are posting to eternity, that will in a few years be in heaven or hell, and I know not so much to ask them wither they are going. While God continues me your watchman, I shall affectionately desire, and solicitously endeavor, to keep myself pure from the blood of all men; and that, not only for the saving of my own soul, by delivering my message, but that you may also be saved by entertaining it.
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It continued on in this fashion and was signed, Samuel Annesley.
"'T wish you had another copy,'' said Susanna.
'*This is great and I'd like to keep it.''
'"Take it home,"' replied the old man. '"'I've read it so many times I almost know it by heart.''
The grave of John Fox was at the front of the building, just beneath the pulpit. ''His book, Fox' Book of Martyrs, has done more to spread Protestantism throughout England than any book other than the Bible,'' said Samuel as he and Susanna paused in front of it. '*I almost feel that I am standing on holy ground!
Few people realize the great power that can be spread by a book."'
''1'm glad you do,"' replied Susanna softly. Then b] as Samuel stood reverently before the grave she asked,
"*Do you know the story of how Fox was inspired at St. Paul's?''
Samuel shook his head.
'Then, sir, let's go to St. Paul's. I'll show you something that will inspire you for the rest of your lite;'"
As the coach moved into the street, Susanna said to the coachman, ''Take us to Whitehall.'' Then turning to Samuel, she added, ''Father was going to bring me here, but he ran out of time. So now we can see the place together.''
'*And what place are you talking about?"'
'"The place where Charles I was executed.''
why would you want to see that?''
'*Because of a poem I read about the event."'
After the coach had parked, an old man tottered up to them. ''Would you like me to tell you the story?'' he asked.
"That terrible event took place just over forty years ago,"' he said. ''The date was January 30, 1649—and
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was there. Indeed, I was one of the guards! A large platform had been built right beneath those windows."'
He pointed to a series of high windows with his cane.
'The platform was draped in black and it was surrounded by a guard mounted on horses. Some feared a rescue attempt.
'The day was cold, and those in charge wanted to complete the execution in the morning. But at the last moment, someone remembered a forgotten detail.
That detail was that the instant Charles I lost his head, his oldest son would become Charles II!
'To keep that from happening, a bill was rushed through the House which said, 'no person whatever should presume to declare Charles Stuart: (son of the late Charles) commonly called the Prince of Wales, or any other person to be king, or chief magistrate of England and Ireland...
''Finally, at about two o'clock His Majesty stepped out of the window onto the platform. Fearing he might tremble because of the cold, he wore two shirts. Then, after handing a letter which he had written for his son to the chaplain, the King said, 'I go from a corruptible crown to an incorruptible crown.' Then, without flinching, he knelt and laid his neck on the block.
'"The moment the King's head was severed, a loud groan, like the sound of an incoming tide, rose from the people.
The poet, Andrew Marvell,-was present. Later he wrote a poem about the event. The first lines go:
He nothing common did, or mean, Upon that memorable scene, But with his keener eye The axe's edge did try.
'"His Majesty, King Charles I, was a martyr. He taught a lesson all of us should remember—"'
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''And what was that?'' asked Samuel as he fumbled for a tip.
Drawing himself to full height, and speaking like an archbishop at the wedding of a king, the guide said,
"King Charles, God bless him, took advantage of his disadvantage!"'
After Samuel had slipped a coin into the old man's waiting palm, he said, ''Thank you, sir. I will remember that."'
On the way to St. Paul's, Susanna asked, ''How much did you give him?"'
'SA shilling."'
'An entire shilling?"'
'Y es; of 'course'?
Susanna bit her tongue to keep from making comment. But inwardly she thought, We get only 30 pounds a year, and that 1s equal to only 600 shillings —and that is less than two shillings a day.
St. Paul's was so surrounded by debris, the coachman had difficulty in finding a place to park.
Webb-like scaffolding clung to every section of the building. ''Sir Christopher has determined that this will be his masterpiece,'' muttered Samuel.
Unable to enter the building, Samuel and Susanna stood near the main entrance. ''And now let me tell you about John Fox,'' said Susanna. ''During the reign of Henry VIII, Fox almost starved to death. In that condition, he came into St. Paul's, here, to rest and pray. While he was wondering what to do, for he was utterly penniless, a stranger sidled up to him and thrust some money into his hands. This stranger told him, 'Help is on the way."'
""And was it?"'
''It certainly was. Three days later, the Duchess of Richmond asked him to tutor the children of the Duke of Norfolk while the Duke was imprisoned in
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the Tower. In this way he supported himself until he was able to write his famous book.''
"'And that means that we can count on Providence!'' exclaimed Samuel, a faraway look in his eyes.
While Susanna and Samuel were discussing the providence of God, a distinguished looking man strode over to them. 'Interested in the cathedral?"' he asked.
Susanna studied him carefully for a brief second.
Then she exclaimed, "'I know you. You're Sir Christopher Wren! You've been in our home at Spital
Square."' iF Sir Christopher smiled. ''Yes, your father is a friend of mine. I gave him an autographed copy of my plans for a new London.'' Then changing the subject, he asked, ''How do you like the new building?'
'It will be a masterpiece,'' said Samuel.
do you know how it's being paid for?"' asked the architect.
'"Through a tax on coal?'' said Susanna.
right. Coal is a pretty dirty substance and yet it is contributing to what will be one of the finest cathedrals in all of Europe.'' Sir Christopher eagerly rubbed his hands together.
"I'm puzzled about one thing,' said Susanna.
''And that is, how are you going to keep the pillars and that gigantic dome from falling down?"'
> ''Simple. We are following the eternal laws of God!
I learned about them when I taught astronomy. Amos wrote about the plumb line, and prophet that he was, he knew its laws are unchanging. Plumb lines never lie! They were used on Solomon's Temple, and we're using them here on St. Paul's Cathedral.''
After that final statement, Sir Christopher stepped over to a wagon overflowing with lumber.
'"And now where shall we go?'' asked Samuel.
'Pie Corner!''
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''And why Pie Corner?'' asked Samuel.
''Because that's where the Great Fire of 1666 that burned four-fifths of London reached its maximum."'
''And what do you want to do there?''
''Meditate.''
He studied her carefully. ''Are you feeling all right?"
"Ofcourse?
The coachman stopped at the famous spot and '
Susanna and Samuel stepped out. ''This is where the Great Fire reached its maximum,"' said Susanna. "'It started in the house of a baker by the name of Thomas
Farriner. How it started, no one knows. It started between one and two in the morning. The fire raged from September second until the sixth. It reached its limits here. Tens of thousands were left homeless. And if Sir Christopher had had his way, the new London would be the most beautiful city in the world."'
While on their way back to their lodgings, Samuel had a sudden question. ''Are you going to start another Great Fire?''
replied Susanna. ''But I hope that '"'T hope so,' the fire I start—I mean we start—will not only burn all of London, but all of the United Kingdom as well.
And then I hope that it spreads all over Europe, and then all over Asia, and then all over America, and Africa, and Australia, and all the islands in all the seas.
Yes, and I hope it burns all over the world."'
As he stared, Samuel exclaimed, ''I didn't know that I had married a firebug!''
''Marriage, sir, has many surprises,'' she replied.
'All my life I've been raised in a Christian home.
But much that I have seen and read has not been Christian—'"'
''What do you mean?"'
'Ts it Christian for Catholics to burn Protestants,
QUEEN OF THE RECTORY
and for Protestants to burn Catholics? Was it Christian for the Puritans to destroy Anglican houses of worship? Was it Christian to launch the Crusades whose sole purpose was to drive the Muslims out of Bible lands?''
'You sound like a Christian revolutionary!
"Tam. And, sir, you and I together must start a
fire of truth that will sweep the world... ."'
'""But there are only two of us.''
"That doesn't matter. The Great Fire was probably started by only one person.'' As she spoke, the confidence in her voice kept becoming more and more firm. Then she wilted like-a spring flower. ''But, Sam,
I have a difficulty. I can't find out what God wants me, Susanna Wesley, to do.''
''Maybe your trouble is that you are expecting God to assign you to a big task. Maybe your compass is being deflected by personal ambition.
. .You know, Sukey, some of the truly great people are the ones who were faithful in doing simple things—''
Paaike?""
"Like Mary, the mother of Jesus; St. Francis of Assisi—and even your father."'
While gripping his hand with a tight squeeze, Susanna replied, "'You may be right. Anyway, I'm going to keep praying for divine directions."'
Samuel's face suddenly came alive with a new understanding. As he peered into Susanna's face, he said, 'A little over 300 years ago Pope Boniface VIII decided he needed a painter to add decorations to one of the buildings in Rome. And so he sent out messengers to find the best painter in Europe. One messenger called on Giotto di Bondone. 'You have a great opportunity,' announced the man from Rome.
'Lend me some of your best paintings so that I can show them to the Pope.'
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''Instead of selecting a painting, Giotto merely dipped a brush in some crimson paint and drew a circle.
Swish, just like that. Handing it to the messenger, he said, 'Take that to the Pope.' He then turned to the wall frescoe he was painting and added an eye to a mule.
'"The messenger scowled. 'But that's just a circle!
Don't you realize that a commission from the Pope will make you both rich and famous? Lend me a masterpiece. I promise, we'll take good care of it."'
'* "The circle is enough,' replied Giotto.
''When the Pope saw the circle he frowned. Then he asked, 'Did Giotto use a compass?'
'"No, he just drew it freehand. His brush just went swish—"'
'"The Pope pondered for a long time. He studied the circle from one angle and then another. Finally, he said, 'It is a remarkable circle. And it does take a lot of skill to produce a circle like that without a compass. I truly believe that Giotto is the right man. Summon him to Rome immediately!'
Susanna smiled. ''That's a good story,' thoughtfully. 'I?ll remember it.''
> she said
rk (EX i Mother A few weeks after their trip to Pie Corner, Susanna got up from breakfast, went to the other end of the table, and put her arms around Samuel. ''I've just learned a new equation,'' she whispered.
"Like Newton's equation about gravity?"'
"It's not that complicated. But it's just as true.'
"*And what is it?"'
''One plus one equals three!''
He studied her without understanding for a long moment. Then, just as the mantle clock was chiming seven, a smile of understanding dominated his face.
'"'When's it due?'' he asked.
P 'It's not an it! It's a he. And if you don't mind, sir, his name will be Samuel.''
''Samuel? And why Samuel?''
''For many reasons. Your name is Samuel and Father's name is Samuel. And besides that, I've been thinking about Hannah and Elkanah, the parents of Samuel in the Bible."'
Samuel laughed. ''But you know you're going to
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have a baby. Hannah prayed that she would have a baby.'"'
'"True. But Hannah promised God that she would give her son to Him. And just as Hannah gave her son to the Lord, I—that is we—will give our children to the Lord. And it may be, Sam, that our children will help change the world!'
'"You have a lot of faith."'
'"Of course I have a lot of faith. Hannah's God is our God!'' She started clearing the table. Then she stopped. ''Do you know why my father was named
Samuel?"' avellime we '"His mother was like Hannah. She wanted a child.
Then my great-grandmother began to pray that God would give my mother a son. When my mother knew she was pregnant, my great-grandmother became seriously ill and died. But before she died, she said,
'If it's a boy, he should be named Samuel, for J have asked him of the Lord.' And from the very beginning,
Father knew that he would become a minister. He went to Oxford when he was fifteen."'
'"That's an inspiring story, Sukey; and I'm glad that you have faith that our children will change the world. But don't you have any faith that my books will do some changing? Listen to this. Here are some lines from my Life of Christ.'' From inside his Bible he took a sheet of paper and read:
The Father's image He, as great, as bright, Clothed in the same insufferable light; More closely join'd, more intimately one
With His great father, than the light and sun.
Equal in goodness and in might, True God of God, and light of light.
MOTHER
''Oh, Samuel, that's equal to, or even better than John Milton. I'm so proud.''
Samuel Wesley, Jr. was born in the Annesley home on February 10, 1690.
The Athenian Gazette's first issue came off the press a few weeks later, on March 17, 1691. Scheduled each
Tuesday and Saturday, the penny paper became popular. Its purpose was indicated by the subtitle:
Athenian Gazette; or Casuiststical Mercury, all the Nice and Curious questions Proposed by the Ingenious.
Soon Samuel was dipping his quill to write articles on such intriguing subjects as whether the soul is eternal or pre-existant from creation, whether every man has a good and bad angel attending him and why there are spots on the moon.
On a Sunday night after Junior was asleep, Susanna brought out a sheet of paper and laid it on the table.
"'Before our marriage,"' she said, "'we agreed to compare our genealogies. Let's do that now. If my divine calling is to raise a strong family, I want to know what kind of blood will be flowing in their veins!"'
Susanna and Samuel studied the charts.
you can see,'' commented Susanna, "'I don't know too much about my relatives. But I do know that for many generations' back they were fine, honorable people. Also, most of them were Christians, and most of them leaned toward Dissent. As you know, my grandfather on my father's side died when
Father was only four. Father looked up his parents' names in his baptismal record in a church building dedicated to St. Mary. That record records: 'Samuell the Sonne of John Anslye, and Judith his Wife.'
was baptized on March 27, 1620—the year the Pilgrims founded Plymouth Colony. Grandfather
'Anslye,' as he spelled it, was wealthy. And since Father was his only child, he inherited his estate. But
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Genealogy: Samuel and Susanna Wesley Guy of Welswe Anneslie a in 10th Century Thane Domesday Book Bartholomew Westley* John Anslye (1600-1671) | John Wesley** Samuel Annesley*** (1620—) (1636-1670) ah aa Samuel Susanna (1662—) (1669—) Married in 1689 *Dissenting minister. Lost his living due to Act of Uniformity on St. Bartholomew's Day, 1662.
he signed his name Westley.
Annesley's first wife died after giving birth to her first child—a son. The second wife, mother of Susanna, had 24 children. She was the daughter of a John White.
when the two thousand ministers lost their pulpits due to the Act of Uniformity, Father was generous, and so he is no longer a rich man.
''Mother's father was John White, a Puritan lawyer and minister. He was also a member of Parliament and a distinguished author. Father visited his grave and copied his epitaph. IT know it off by heart:
Here lies a John, a burning, shining light, Whose Name, Life, Actions alike are White.
''Father's first wife was named Mary. She only had one child, my half brother, Samuel, Jr. Sam is now a businessman in India. I've heard that he's rich.
Mary died in 1646. Father then married my mother in 1652."'
Having made quick calculations, Samuel said, '*Since you were your mother's twenty-fourth child, and since you were born on February 20, 1669, your
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mother must have had twenty-four children in less than seventeen years!'' He shook his head. ''How do you explain that?''
Ciwine. | They both laughed.
'*Will you do as well?''
''Perhaps. We already have another coming."
'"'T don't know. But I think it will be a girl."'
''Now, let me explain my family tree.'' said Samuel eagerly. Bending over the chart, he explained each point with his index finger.
''My father's father, that is my grandfather, was Bartholomew Wesley. He was a graduate of Oxford.
Being plain spoken, he wasn't popular with his parishioners. Bartholomew was the father of my father, John Wesley, who was born in 1636.
'"'My father, John Wesley, married the daughter of John White, another outspoken man. And since
John White refused to use the Book of Common Prayer, Archbishop Laud had him arrested—"'
Susanna's eyes widened. ''Did the Archbishop have his ears cut off?"'
''No, he merely had him imprisoned. Then, when the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662, both
Grandfather Bartholomew and my father were put out of their pulpits because they refused to accept ordination from the Church of England.
'Since Grandfather Bartholomew Wesley had a background in medicine, he earned a living practicing medicine. Father, however, knew nothing about medicine, and so he could not do that. Those were hard times, for I was born just four months after he was driven from his pastorate. But the Lord took care of him. He went to the Presbyterians and Baptists and Independents. They kept him busy.
MOTHER
A few weeks after this conversation, Samuel returned to their lodgings in a vibrant mood. ''Guess what?'' he asked, beaming with enthusiasm.
""What?"'
'"The Marquis of Normandy has arranged for us to be appointed to South Ormsby—''
''And where is that?"'
"It's up north in Lincolnshire about eight miles from Spilsby. ['ll be ministering to about two hundred and fifty people. And, Sukey, I won't be just the curate. I'll be the vicar.''
''And how much is the living?"'
'"My salary is 50 pounds a year, and that includes a rectory to live in. Being out in the country, we'll have room for the children and a lot of quiet for my writing.''
Susanna shared Samuel's enthusiasm even though she knew Lincolshire was a backward place. Henry
VIII had dubbed it ''one of the most brute and beastly of the whole realm."'
Susanna's eyes overflowed as she assumed her seat in the carriage and stretched out her arms for baby
Samuel. South Ormsby was a little over one hundred miles to the north, and never had she been such a long distance from home. She might never see her father or the rest of her family again.
Soon the coachman flicked his whip. The four to five day journey was extremely hazardous. The roads were poor. The mud was deep. And there were reports that highwaymen lurked ahead. ''What will we do if a bandit stops us?'' asked Susanna.
'"The Lord will take care of us,'' assured Samuel.
He patted her on the shoulder. ''And we don't have much to steal, except my books. Maybe a Greek New
Testament would do a bandit a lot of good!''
Susanna was expecting her new baby any day.
''What will we name it?'' she asked.
"If it's a girl—and it will be—her name should be Susanna,' said Samuel. ''Yes, she should be named after the queen of the rectory—and that, my love, is exactly what you are!"'
SORROW
very thoughtful of you,'' replied Susanna.
The roads were rough. On three occasions they had to stop and wait for Susanna's stomach to settle. She worried about the baby that was almost due and she worried about the child in her arms. Samuel, Jr. was vigorous enough. He had cut three teeth. But he had not uttered a single word. Not even "'mama."'
'I hope his mind's all right,'' said Susanna after spending an hour trying to get him to speak.
"Maybe he'll talk when he has a brother or sister,"' suggested Samuel.
Susanna had heard of the wolds in Lincolnshire and now on the fifth day of their trip as they drove through them she fell in love with their rhythmic appearance.
The wolds—small cone-shaped hills—reminded her of buns crowded together in a baker's window.
Soon their carriage was creeping by the spacious lawns of the Marquis of Normandy's mansion, a wide brick building with six sets of tall windows stretching across the first floor and another six across the second floor. The flat roof was faced with a series of miniature brick turrets like those of a castle.
Marquis is the one who arranged for our appointment,'' said Samuel, nodding at the imposing building. "'Since I'll be his chaplain, we'll be visiting him in his home. I do hope that his home won't make you disappointed with the rectory."'
worry about that, sir. As long as I have you, I'll be happy.'' Susanna gave him a tight squeeze.
The rectory was deplorable. But as Susanna looked through it, she tried to be optimistic. ''We'll be alone,'' she said, ''and there is a wide yard for the children!"'
Samuel was more realistic. In a poem he described their home and location:
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In a mean cot, composed of reeds and clay, Wasting in sighs and the uncomfortable day;
Near where the inhospitable Humber roars, Devouring by degrees, the neighboring shores.
The North Sea lapped at the shore less than a dozen miles away, and the ''inhospitable'" Humber River, several miles wide across its mouth, cut deep into the mainland some twenty miles to the north. The church was made of stone, had a square tower, twin chapels, and was peaked by three crosses. It was a satisfactory building, and Samuel was pleased.
Soon a desk was installed in the study and Samuel got busy with his articles for the Athenian Gazette and the final chapters in his long poem about Christ. Often when he wrote lines which he felt were unusually good, he read them to Susanna. Once he said, ''I'm doing the Transfiguration. What do you think of this?'' He then read:
To Tabor's mount He beckon'd from the sky, Two glorious saints who reign'd enthroned on high;
Moses, the leader of God's chosen band.
5) '"You're doing well,' poem stirs the world!'' she replied. ''I hope your The baby was born soon after the move. As Samuel predicted, it was a girl. She was christened Susanna.
Other babies followed in rapid succession.
Emilia made her appearance in January, 1692. Little Susanna became seriously ill in the winter of 793.
Night after night Susanna sat up with her. But they lost the battle. Little Susanna died that spring. Emilia was now cutting teeth—and talking. Her first word was ''mama."'
But Samuel, Jr. remained as silent as a doorknob.
His hearing seemed normal, and his loud crying proved that his vocal chords were healthy.
SORROW
''Maybe Emilia will teach him to talk,'' suggested Samuel.
Susanna dabbed at her eyes. ''If he would say just one word I would be happy.'' But the silence continued. Susanna held him by the fireplace and prayed for him. There were no visible results.
During that year when little Susanna died, there was one bright spot. Samuel's long poem was completed and a few months later he eagerly opened the package that contained his author's copies. The book had been issued by Charles Harper. It contained 349 pages and there were sixty copper plates.
The moment Samuel laid the book down, Susanna opened it. Aloud she read the title page:
The Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: An Heroic Poem. Dedicated to her most sacred Majesty; in Ten books.
Attempted by Samuel Wesley.
Susanna inwardly smiled at the word attempted.
Aloud she said, ''Oh, Sam, it's wonderful, and I'm so proud of you!"'
In 1694, twins, Annesley and Jedediah, snuggled into Susanna's arms. They both died the next year.
The second Susanna was born in 1695.
Mary was born in 1696.
In time, Mary was nicknamed Molly. With her cradled in his arms, Samuel stepped over to Susanna. ''Look Sukey,'' he said, ''Molly has the brightest eyes I've ever seen."'
''Maybe God has a special purpose for her to accomplish,'' replied Susanna, getting up.
As the babies were being born—and buried— Samual's pen kept scratching out articles and poetry.
He wrote quickly and with little revision. Sometimes he produced two hundred verses in a single day.
The Marquis of Normandy, a scholar, became a
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warm friend of the Wesleys. Together, they discussed science, literature, the New World, the Bible. But then he moved and the Earl of Castleton took over his mansion. The earl was a proud man and his morals were typical of the high society of that time. He was not married to the woman who lived with him. Moreover, everyone knew it.
Just after lunch one day, an expensive carriage stopped at the rectory and the earl's mistress knocked at the door. ''I've stopped by to see the vicar's wife,"' she said sweetly.
In time her visits became regular.
''T don't like this,'' grumbled Samuel after her fourth visit.
''But maybe I can help her,'' replied Susanna.
Samuel snorted. ''I doubt it. She knows that it's wrong to live with a man to whom she's not married. b And I'm afraid she's casting a shadow over my ministry. You know Paul said, 'Abstain from all appearance of evil' (I Thess. 5:22)."'
'And, sir, what are you going to do about it?''
"'T don't know."'
Susanna walked across the room and then she returned. ''I think there is something that you and I ought to pray about together,' she said.
''And what is that?''
''Junior! He's nearly four and he hasn't uttered a word. He can walk and hear and run—and eat. But he won't say anything!'' She wiped her eyes and blew her nose. '"This morning while I was having my quiet time the Holy Spirit directed me to Matthew 18:19.
There, I read the words of Jesus, 'Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.'
'And what shall we be agreed on?'' asked Samuel.
SORROW
"That Junior will start speaking. If he would just say one word—one little word— I would be happy!''
As they rose from their knees, Susanna said, '' Now we've agreed on that, and I'm going to believe that God will fulfill his word.''
Samuel smiled and embraced her.
The next December, Queen Mary became a victim of smallpox. Thinking of others, she allowed all her servants who had not had the disease to stay away.
Heartbroken, and in spite of the danger, King William lingered by her bedside. Mary struggled hard. But she lost her fight on December 28, 1694.
Queen Mary's death shocked all of England, especially members of the Church of England. William had left matters concerning the church in her hands, and she had done a good job. She was generous, compassionate, understanding.
In the midst of the national sorrow, Susanna continued to coax Junior to speak. Day after day, while holding him on her lap, she said, ''Now say mama— ma-ma.'' She articulated the letters as distinctly as possible, and exaggerated the movement of her lips.
But each time Junior either ignored the lesson, pushed his hand into his mother's mouth, or slipped onto the floor to play with Emilia.
Then on a spring day an uninvited tomcat moved into the rectory. The full-grown cat was completely black except for the tip of his tail and his right paw.
These areas were spotlessly white. Friendliness was his motto. Loud purring was a specialty and he was generous with his meows, licks, friendly bites, and rubs. Likewise, he was an individualist. When feline fashion decreed tails down, his flagpoled up; and when fashion decreed tails up, his trailed behind.
what's his name?'' asked Samuel as he blotted his signature with a bit of sand.
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'*Barnabas!"'
'*Barnabas?''
Samuel frowned. He searched Susanna's face.
''And why did you name him Barnabas?''
''Barnabas means son of consolation! And that's what he is. The children love him."'
The readership of the Athenian Gazette continued to expand.
Soon it attracted well-known authors.
Johnathan Swift, Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and later author of Gulliver's Travels, became a contributer; and so did Daniel Defoe—the former Daniel
Foe—who had grown up with Susanna in London.
Intriguing questions demanding answers kept showing up on Samuel's desk. '"'Listen to this,'' said
Samuel, facing Susanna across the supper table. '"This man wants to know the exact day Adam fell! And this man wants to know the height of the Tower of Babel."'
Samuel shuffled through more letters and then held up another written on green stationary. '"Listen! This lady wants to know if Peter and Paul used notes when they preached!''
Many of the questions were trivial. They and their answers provided entertainment, but that was about all. And then one afternoon just after the earl's mistress had taken a lot of Susanna's time, a pointed question came in. After reading it several times, Samuel went to Susanna. ''Here's a question I have to answer," he said, ''and I'm afraid my answer— one way or another—will disturb a lot of people. I need your opinion. Here's the question:
I'm a chaplain in a certain family which is not as religious as I could wish it. I am forced to watch the women drinking, gambling, and so on.
If I say anything I will lose my living. But I do not want to be condemned as a partaker of another
SORROW
man's sins. I would like to know how far a chaplain should go in taking care of the morals of the family with which he lives, and who employ him. Your answer may be of great use to many besides myself.
Samuel eased himself into a chair across from Susanna. ''Well, Lady Solomon, how should I answer that? And please remember the good earl and his mistress read the Athenian Gazette!''
Susanna bit her lip. "'I-I really don't know. Why don't you tell him to seek directions from the Lord?"'
thus escape a direct answer?'' asked Samuel, his voice rising. As the subject was discussed, Junior brought Barnabas into the room and sat with him in the center of the floor.
Samuel thumped the letter on his knee. '"The problem is touchy because far too many know about our problem here in South Ormsby.''
"You mean the earl's mistress?"'
Samuel nodded. "'Sukey, I must deal with that problem or the Lord will hold me accountable!'
In the silence that followed, Emilia brought out some doll clothes and began to dress Barnabas. She fitted him with a shirt, tied a bonnet on his head, and tried to put pants on his other end. But since there was no hole for his tail, she had a problem.
Feeling a twinge of alarm, Susanna said, ''You know, sir, we'll have to be a little tactful. Our living depends on the earl's generosity."'
Samuel's eyes snapped with a new intensity. ""You mean you'd compromise truth for material things?"' he demanded, a scowl dominating his face.
'Not at all. But Jesus said, 'Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves' (Matthew 10:16)."'
'And Shakespeare said, 'The better part of valor is discretion.' But Paul means more to me than
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Shakespeare, and he said, 'Touch not the unclean thing' (II Cor. 6:17).'' With that, Samuel picked up the disturbing question and strode out of the room.
Soon, he was vigorously scratching out an answer.
With a chuckle, he wrote: The pulpit is the most proper, and sometimes the only place to convince strangers of their faults. But private areas are convenient for friends and familiars.
The day after Samuel had mailed his manuscript to London, he was finishing his breakfast when the earl's carriage stopped at the front door.
'It's the earl's mistress,'' said Susanna, excusing herself and going to the door.
''Let me take care of this,'' put in Samuel, reaching the door ahead of her.
'"The earl's gone, and I thought I could spend a couple of hours with you,'' said the woman.
Samuel's quick eyes noticed her finery. She was wearing a huge black hat topped with green feathers, a daringly low-cut dress. Several of her fingers sparkled with pea-sized diamonds.
''I'm afraid, Miss, that you'll have to stop your visits to the rectory,'' said Samuel. "'I'm here to preach righteousness. You're living in sin!"'
As Susanna shuddered, the woman's mouth fell open. Then her cheeks flamed. As she retreated toward her carriage, she shouted over her shoulder,
'"The earl has a lot of power in these parts. You'll regret what you've said!"'
After the carriage had disappeared, Susanna almost collapsed into the nearest chair. ''Did you have to be so blunt?'' she asked.
I'm afraid so.''
'But, sir—''
'Truth is truth."'
''And what will we do if—''
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'God will provide.'' Samuel was as unruffled as a lamppost.
The earl's unhappiness with the Wesleys was felt immediately. Both he and his servants stayed away from services and rumors began to spread that the Wesleys would soon be moving.
Discouraged, Susanna spent more time in prayer.
It seemed that her whole world was falling apart. At one time she felt certain that her purpose in life was to raise and educate a large family—and that perhaps some of her sons would help change the world. But it seemed that this was not to be. Of her seven children, three were dead—and Samuel, Jr. had not uttered a word. Now they were about to lose their living at South Ormsby; and besides that she had learned that her father was seriously ill.
Could it be that God was remembering some sin in her life, and that He had forsaken her? Quickly, she reviewed her past. She thought of her doubts, flashes of temper, times of impatience—and pride.
Yes, she had been proud! She was proud of her father, her quick mind, the many books she had read—and even her good looks. But soon she remebered how she had confessed her sins of pride, temper, impatience, and doubts to the Lord. Moreover, she knew that her sins—all of them—had been forgiven. Deep inside she knew that her failures were not the trouble. What, then, was it?
She opened her Bible and reread the carefully marked promise of Jesus, ''Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, It shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.'' In despair she got on her knees, confessed all the sins she could remember, and searched her heart again. Then she turned to Matthew 7:7 and
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lingered on the words, ''Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you."'
After wiping her eyes and washing her face, Susanna went to the kitchen.
Unhappiness in the parish continued.
Those members who did not stay away from services often left without shaking hands with either Susanna or Samuel. And during her shopping hours at the market, Susanna continued to notice a deepening unrest among the people. Invitations to go out for meals gradually stopped.
'"The fact that we are no longer useful in South Ormsby is as evident as the face of the moon,"' complained Samuel.
Worried, and with a new baby on the ae Susanna was forced to remain in bed.
In the midst of these dark days, another great sorrow touched Susanna's life. Dr. Samuel Annesley worsened and died on December 31, 1696. He was seventy-seven. His last words were triumphant. Those near his bed heard him say, "'Satisfied! Satisfied! O my dearest Jesus, I come!"'
While mourning over her father's death, Susanna received a copy of his will. As she read it, a new ache formed in her heart. She and her father had been close.
He had entrusted her with the family papers. But now it seemed that she had been disinherited. How could it be true? The fourth paragraph of the document was pointed:
'""My just debts being paid, I give to each of my children one shilling, and all the rest to be equally divided between my son Benjamin Annesley, my daughter Judith Annesley, and my daughter Ann Annesley, whom I make my executors of my last Will and Testament."'
Numbed by the blow, Susanna closed the door of her bedroom, and kneeling by a chair, sought peace from the Lord. Then, her cheeks streaked with tears, she washed her face, combed her hair, and went downstairs to see what the children were doing.
Emilia was playing with a handful of clothespins, Susanna was combing Mary's hair, but Junior was nowhere to be seen. She searched through the basement, in the woodshed, and under the beds. Then she opened all the closets. In desperation, she shouted,
'Junior! Junior! Junior!"'
Finally a little boy's voice which she had never heard answered, ''Here I am, Mother.''
Following the sound, Susanna peered under the table. And there she saw Junior. His face was streaked with jam and Barnabas was in his arms. And from that time on Junior had a lot to say—and ask. His favorite question was Why?
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During the next week Susanna taught him to repeat the Lord's Prayer, On February 11, the day after Samuel, Jr. was five,
Susanna called him into her room. She said, "'As I told you yesterday, you will learn to read today.''
Then, speaking slowly and distinctly, she repeated the alphabet, and explained how to pronounce each letter. By noon he could repeat all twenty-six letters.
Later, after lunch, and on the same day, she went over the entire lesson with him. He recited the alphabet perfectly.
On the following day, she opened the Bible to Genesis 1:1 and held it up to him. His task was to name each letter in the opening sentence which begins:
I-n t-h-e_ b-e-g-i-n-n-i-n-g G-o-d c-r-e-a-t-e*d:
They continued with each letter, word by word. He completed the lesson by noon, and again she went over the lesson with him in the afternoon.
Susanna knew that Junior was skilled at memorization, since he could repeat the Lord's Prayer. To make certain that he wasn't relying on memory, she had him read those same letters in other books. Within a few weeks, Samuel, Jr. could read the first ten verses of Genesis without hesitation; and by Whitsuntide
(seven Sundays after Easter) he was reading the entire first chapter of Genesis.
Both Susanna and Samuel were amazed at his progress. Susanna set up school for Samuel, Jr. and began teaching him how to spell, how to write, and how to do adding and subtracting. This was the beginning of Susanna's school for her children.
all fi rf = iiss Epworth While shaking a long letter from the bishop, Samuel Wesley radiated with a happiness Susanna had never witnessed before. ''Look at this!'' he exclaimed. ''God has proved His word. You are now looking at the new vicar of St. Andrew's Parish in Epworth."'
''What do you mean?"'
'"This is our new appointment. Epworth is a wonderful place, and our living will be 200 pounds a year. That is four times as much as we are now receiving. And besides, there is land for me to farm, and a nice rectory to live in.''
''And when are we moving?''
'""Next month! Here, take the letter and read it yourself."'
From the bishop's letter, and through other research, Susanna learned that Epworth, some fifty miles northwest of South Ormsby, was a little town of two or three thousand—and that it was the capital of the Isle of Axholme. This ''inland'"' island, formed by rivers and a canal, was in the heart of Lincolnshire.
1 ee
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Some of what she read about Lincolnshire, however, was not pleasant. From a dog-eared book, she learned that Henry, oldest son of James I, had visited this area to hunt stag. The island was smudged with swamps, marshes, shallow lakes. About sixty thousand acres were under water—some of it three feet deep.
Before the royal party arrived, nearly five hundred deer had been driven into a section of the marshes called Thorne Meer. Helpless, their necks just above the surface, the deer had no means of escape from the miniature navy of one hundred boats. As Prince
Henry busied himself with slaughter, a Dutchman focused on something else.
''What would happen,"' reasoned the schemer from Holland, ''if this lowland were drained and cut into farms?"'
King James liked his ideas, and so a contract was signed. Cornelius Vermuyden, the Dutchman, was to drain the area at his own expense, and for payment was to receive one-third of the land. Another third was assigned to the Crown, and the final third was to be divided among the tenants.
Vermuyden sailed down the Trent on the east side of the island. The natives scowled and dubbed his boats, ''A Navy of Tarshish.'' Violence followed.
Boats were wrecked, wagons burned, and dykes cut.
The sluice gates were opened, allowing water to overflow the banks of the river. The people were angered and they felt they had good reason. Vermuydem broke agreements. Also, he did not do a good job. Land that should have been dry was flooded, and large sections of land which should
' have been drained remained under water. In this atmosphere, intrigue surmounted intrigue.
Moreover, the people had long memories.
sill ai at i a ull!
Wi ia ' i | aa $=} ly | > => The more Susanna read, the more her heart ached.
She learned that Lincolshire had been known as primitive country for a long time. More than half a century before, Henry VIII had been caustic. Lincolnshire, he fumed, is ''one of the most brute and beastly areas of the whole realm."'
The day before they were to leave South Ormsby, Susanna paid a farewell visit to the graves of her children in the church cemetery. Lifting her streetlength skirt high, she paused at the little mound over the first Susanna, then she went to the resting place of the unnamed twins.
With her four children about her and a fifth on the way, Susanna took her place in the carriage that was headed for Epworth. There was no single highway to be followed. Occasionally there was a remnant of an old Roman road and sections of military roads over which Cromwell's calvary had galloped.
These
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sections had to be fitted together like a puzzle and Susanna kept fearing that they might get lost. Also, there were no bridges. When they came to rivers, they had to depend on ferries.
After several days of travel, Susanna stepped out of the carriage, and, gathering her weary brood about her, stepped into the rectory. In the language of her day, it consisted of ''five bais, built all of tmber and plaister, covered with straw thatche, the whole building being contrived into three stories, and disposed in seven chief rooms—a kitchinge, a hall, a parlour, a butterie, and three large upper rooms, and some others of common use; and also a little garden, empailed betwine the stone wall and the south."' In addition there was ''one barn of six baies, built all of timber and clay walls covered with straw thatche, with outshotts about it and the house therebye."'
As Susanna and Samuel viewed their new home, Samuel bent over and whispered in her ear, ''God is good! And just think, Sukey, in addition to all of this we'll have 200 pounds coming in each year."
Altogether, there were three acres of land. As Susanna's eyes took in this space, together with the hemp-kiln and a dovecot for pigeons, she exclaimed,
'"This is a wonderful place for our children! And, Samuel, I want you to pray that I will always be a good mother."'
St. Andrews, the stone church at Epworth where Samuel would preach, was not only the most beautiful building in town, it was also an extremely old one.
'"Goes back to the twelfth century,'' said the housekeeper. ''Let me show you around. The various periods of British architecture can be seen here.'' As she spoke, her brown eyes glistened with pride.
"The Early English period (A.D. 1189-1272) can be seen in the chancel area. Look at that beautiful arch
EPWORTH £15 and the table arcades.'' Then pointing to the windows at the west end of the north aisle, she added, ''And they got their place in the Decorated Period (A.D.
1272-1377).''
how about the Tower?'' asked Wesley. ''To what period does that belong?"''
"Oh, that belongs to the Perpendicular Period (A.D. 1377-1574). These walls live with history. During Cromwell's time, the Puritans caused a lot of havoc. They pried up the brass plates over the graves in the floor and melted them for cannon. Also, they tore down the great arch and replaced it with a much smaller one.
the Reformation, when the church was Roman Catholic, there were two chapels over there."'
She waved her hand at a place where the organ stood.
''One was founded by the Marquis of Berkeley. He left money to pay for a perpetual mass to be said for his soul, and the souls of his close relatives.''
As the Wesleys turned to leave, the woman said, '"My name is Sally and I'm lookin' forward to ahearin' you preach next Sunday. Have heard good reports about both of you. But if you'll excuse me,
I want to say one thing—"' She took a step closer and lowered her voice.
After peering all around, Sally confided, ''People on this island hate the king—whichever one he may be. One's as bad as t'other. And so if you have Tory inclinations it would be wise to go easy."'
Nodding diplomatically, Susanna said, '"Thank you very much, and please remember us in prayer. We both want to do the will of God.''
Soon Samuel was busy with his preaching, writing, christenings, visitation. The attendance increased and both he and Susanna were happy.
The new baby was born in 1697, soon after the
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Wesleys moved into the rectory. ''And what are you going to name her?'' asked Samuel.
'"Mehetabel.''
'"Mehetabel!'' He studied her curiously. "And why Mehetabel?"'
'*Tt's a biblical name, and it means God benefits!''
Both of them laughed and Samuel patted Susanna on the shoulder.
Life for the Wesleys was going well. The entire edition of Samuel's poetic Life of Christ had been sold and he was asked to make revisions for a second printing.
While he was in the process of revising the poem, the Poet Laureate, Nahum Tate, wrote a poem that exalted Samuel's book in the highest terms. And this poem was printed in the preface of the new edition!
'"Those lines will sell hundreds of copies,'' boasted Samuel.
''And look, Sukey, the greatest poet of England has called me, Samuel Wesley, me, the 'great bard!' That means he thinks I'm a great poet!''
Holding the book to his heart, be paced around the room. ''Oh, I wish John Milton were here!''
The high moments didn't last. Troubles attacked from almost every quarter. At first the 200 pounds income seemed a fortune. With that, plus the rectory and the income from books, Samuel was certain he could save money. Perhaps even make investments.
But that was not to be.
Earnings from the Athenian Gazette stopped when the last issue was printed on June 14, 1697. Then, there were unexpected expenses. Since the ''Epworth living'? belonged to the Crown—Samuel had been assigned to this pulpit by Queen Mary—he was required to attach a Broad Seal to certain documents.
This required money. Next, there was the First-Fruits tax. This tax was charged to clergymen who had been promoted. It demanded that a portion of the added
EPWORTH
income be paid to the government. Samuel's share was 28 pounds!
Likewise, there was the John of Jerusalem tax.
Originally, this 3 pound tax had been paid because of an ancient agreement to the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem.
But after Henry VIII closed the monastaries, this 3 pounds was paid to him, and then to his sucessors.
In addition to the John of Jerusalem tax there was another 3 pound tax for tithes.
These items, however, were just the tip of Samuel's financial difficulties. After moving to Epworth, the Wesleys found that their furniture was insufficient for either the family or the rectory. Since they had no money, and were already in debt, a friend asked his goldsmith, who also served as banker, to lend Samuel
100 pounds. With this loan they bought furniture and acquired tools for farming.
During their second year at Epworth, the barn fell down. The repairs cost 40 pounds. Samuel's mother was another financial responsibility. Penniless, she barely escaped debtor's prison.
And although Samuel's brother, Matthew, was a wealthy surgeon, Samuel assumed the duty of sending her 10 pounds a year. But this was not the-end of his obligations.
It was customary for parish officials to assign deserted children to people more fortunate. The assigned parents were obligated to house, clothe, and teach the children their trade. When a boy was assigned to the Wesleys, Samuel laughingly remarked that he would train him to become a poet!
Shortly after their move to Epworth, Susanna became concerned about Molly. ''She doesn't seem to grow,' she confided to Samuel.
'"Give her time! Remember how long it took for Junior to speak?''
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''I've been patient for months. When the other children were her age they were twice as big.'' She hesitated. Then she added, "'One day when I picked her up, I noticed a bruise at the base of her spine.
Do you suppose the nurse might have dropped her?''
''Oh, Sukey, I don't think so. Think of the good things. Molly has the brightest eyes of anyone I've ever seen.'
The day after Emilia was five, Susanna called her into her room. ''Emilia, you're going to learn to read today'' she said. And Emilia did. Now Emilia could join Samuel, Jr. in his daily lessons.
Although her health continued to worsen, Susanna maintained her classes and gave birth to more children. John, her tenth, was born on May 18, 1699, and died a few days later. He was followed by Benjamin who came in 1700 and who lived only a short time. A pair of twins appeared on May 17, 1701.
Neither lived long enough to be named. Then Anne was born in 1702. She was Susanna's fourteenth child.
All of these children had been born in twelve years.
Of the fourteen, only six remained alive.
Life for Susanna was hard. But she had learned to make each moment count. Dr. Annesley had taught the power of systematic methods. Susanna used that power. Sustained rhythm became essential. Each day was sliced into sections, and in each fragment she worked at a specific task. In addition, she had become more and more convinced about the power of prayer, meditation, and the constant reading of God's Word.
Sam's debts worried Susanna. And she was concerned about his carelessness with money. It seemed, that money had a way of slipping through his fingers.
Though there were problems, Susanna loved Samuel.
She was proud to address him as sir or master.
EPWORTH
Likewise, she prayed every day that God would bless him and his work.
Susanna's shining dream remained. That dream was that God would enable her to so inspire her children that God could use them to help change the world. Every evening as she stooped over their beds, she prayed that God would guide each one. Moreover, she was convinced that He would do just that.
For a while things seemed to go well for Susanna.
The children were absorbing knowledge. Samuel's poetry was progressing. His books were selling. People in the parish were being helped. Her health was improving. Her sky seemed clear. Then suddenly her world blew apart.
But even stranger than the unexpected blow that almost ruined her life was the fact that it struck at the conclusion of her most sacred hour—family worship.