Susanna Wesley's Epworth Memoirs by Colin Ella - part 8 - A Scattered Family
It took us a long time to get over the shock of losing our home in the fire but my husband wasted no time at all in persuading the Church Commisioners to get on with the replacing of the Rectory as a matter of urgency.
Workmen soon arrived and set about the work and the walls of our new home soon began to rise. It was to be larger than the previous rectory but I feared it would be just as poorly furnished, but that was something to which I was well accustomed.
Hetty and Sukey went down to London to live with Samuel's brother, Matthew, and I knew they would be very happy and comfortable in Johnson's Court. I sent them some spiritual guidance by way of treatises, so that in some measure, their lessons would continue.
Various parishioners were very kind to us and offered to take care of us. Samuel and I were taken in by neighbours living in a cottage right by our old home so we were able to see progress on our new house everyday.
Kezziah, my nineteenth child was born amidst all this turmoil, and then my family of ten survivors was complete. Emilia, my eldest daughter, was like a mother herself, and often took my place in tending to the needs of her sisters and brothers. I dread to think what might have become of me but for her help and devotion.
I was very upset at the loss of so many of my writings. I had written an account of why I had changed from a Dissenter to an Anglican and had intended to send it to Sammy at Westminster School. I had it all to write up again. I was only thirteen years old when I made my decision to favour the Established Church way back in 1683. My father was very fair about my change of allegiance and he respected my choice.
I never regretted my change of church either for myself or Samuel who had himself made the same decision, We had both become thoroughly disenchanted with the many arguments and rifts in Nonconformity and were attracted to the beauty and order of worship in the Church of England, as well as its studied moderation and deep sense of Christian continuity.
Others in the family too so much regretted the loss of their writings in the fire. Samuel had written so much on many subjects and Hetty had lost much of her poetry. Her brothers and sisters also so missed their small literary efforts and drawing books.
I was concerned about how my children would fare now that they were deprived of the moral and spiritual welfare given them ar home. We had always tried to keep them away from the crude life of the Parish but now they had an unaccustomed freedom and I could see that they were beginning to talk in the rough Lincolnshire accent and pick up songs and sayings which did them no credit. They played with any children - good or bad and even neglected a strict observance of the Sabbath Day.
It was disappointing to see this degeneration in the behaviour of our offspring when it had formerly been so much admired by all who saw them at home. I could not wait to make good this loss and to make some improvements in my system of educating them.
Parents who let their children have their own way in everything are likely to reap the whirlwind. At a young age the will of a young child, freakish and undisciplined as it is will soon govern and control it unless it is brought into subjection. The wayward will leads to the spoilt child who gets the better of its parents and the worst of itself. Indeed, it is cruel to let a child's self-will run uncontrolled, and especially when true religion is doing the will of God, and not our own. The parent that is subduing the will of his child is working with God in the best interests of His child.
Next week in Part 9 - A Family Together Again
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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
