Susanna Wesley's Epworth Memoirs by Colin Ella - part 6 My Rectory School
Whilst Samuel was shut away in Lincoln gaol I thought I could help him with some financial assistance so I sent him my rings to help him buy nourishment. I should have known better for Samuel sent the rings back almost immediately.
I had seriously underestimated my man's fighting spirit and stubborn pride. The attacks from some of the local louts continued and more damage was inflicted on our ourbuildings, and a couple of doors were rendered useless.
I had been reading some of Richard Baxter's advice where he urges parents to face up to their spiritual duties. He had a special word for mothers writing. 'Remember this, you are more with your children while they are little ones than their fathers; be therefore learning them as soon as ever they are capable of learning. Your may not be able to do such eminent work as men but you may train up children that may do it, and then you will have part of the comfort and honour. What a deal of pains you are at with the bodies of your children more than their fathers, and what do you suffer to bring them into this world; and will you not be at such pains for the saving of their souls?
You are naturall;y of more tender affections than men, and will it not move you to think that your children should perish for ever? Oh, I therefore beseech you, for the sake of your children of your bowels, teach them, admonish them, watch over them, and give them no rest till you have brought them over to Christ'
I was deeply moved by Baxter's words and knew I had to follow his advice in the raising of my own offspring. But I was also influenced by Timothy Rogers who preached the sermon at my sister, Elizabeth's, funeral. Rogers remarked, 'Mothers can do great service to religion by leaving good advice to their children.' I do not recall his sermon in detail but I knew his main point was that women should study , learn, and acquire knowledge in many areas; draw up rules for the good order of her family and communicate with them for the good of all.
I took to heart the words of these eminent Divines in the training of my children in order and discipline from the cradle onwards. Each of them was taught to fear physical correction by crying softly, and we never suffered the odium of bawling infants. At meal times my children learnt to eat whatever was put in front of them and were seated around around their own little table where we could oversee them. They were taught never to shout out for anything but to make their whispered requests through the maid. The maid put all our children to bed between seven and eight o'clock and left them to go to sleep on their own. We did not not believe in sitting by a child until it fell asleep.
All our children were taught to be courteous, both to servants and each other. They had to be polite at all times and always had to address each other with brother or sister before their names. They had six hours of lessons daily and in no time at all most of them could read better and more quickly than most women did in a lifetime.
Discipline was very firm but fair. Loud talking or playing was penalisd and they were never allowed to leave their places without good reason. Running in the yard, gardens, or the street, without permission was always met with heavy punishment. All this regime worked admirably and my children made rapid progress in their educational. moral, and spiritual development. They always worked with a welcome industry that was a pleasure to behold. Their behaviour at all times was a delight to witness and I thanked God for blessing us with such a rewarding family of sons and daughters.
Next week in Part 7 - A Disastrous Blaze
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Epworth
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
