Susanna Wesley's Epworth Memoirs by Colin Ella - part 9: A Family Together Again
A year after that terrible fire we moved into our new Rectory. It looked very handsome from the outside, but inside, as ever, we were very short of furniture.
We planted mulberry, cherry, and pear trees in the surrounding gardens and walnut trees in the croft.
My children were soon back into their previous vein of civil behaviour and politeness and once again made excellent progress in their studies.
Jacky's remarkable escape from the fire was, to me, a sign from God, and I made up my mind to be very careful in regard to his wellbeing.
I felt he had a great future and tried to instil into his mind the principles of true religion and virtue.
I tightened up my household rules with what I called my bye laws.
These included a list of punishments for certain misdemeanours like, lying, cheating, quarrelling and the like.
My orders were fair and reasonable, not over severe, and obedience and high standards of behaviour were always commended.
It was a charter which I felt gave my offspring a good grounding in manners and respect, and prepared them well for later lives.
My eldest daughters taught their younger siblings and I also introduced the singing of psalms at the beginning and ending of lessons.
Each morning and evening my children read psalms and sections of the New Testament alternately.
They always had to be about their private prayers before they were served breakfast or joined the family.
In addition I arranged regular interviews with each of my children in order to give tham further individual help in the faith and to allow them to discuss their personal development in private.
These more intimate meetings were usually held in the evenings and I saw Molly on Monday, Hetty on Tuesday, Wednesday was for Nancy and Thursday for Jacky. I saw Patty on Friday and Charles on Saturday. I also saw my eldest girls together on Sunday evenings.
They were really young women then and we enjoyed many enjoyable theological discussions.
At this time I also wrote some little manuals of religious instruction - by no means great marvels of learning, but I believe I made good use of my time in composing them.
Samuel was never slow to criticise my efforts but I was undeterred.
I felt that my children were glad of a mother's efforts and her concern for their spiritual life.
I only wrote out of my loyalty to God and my conscience in the proper raising of a family.
I always thanked God that I had been born into a christian country, had received plenty of early training in Christian principles, and had parents and relatives who had set me good examples.
I had good books, wholesome conversation, and was kept free of accident. I married a good, orthodox churchman who drew me away from heresy.
At Epworth I was at times covetous. I desired better furniture, more adequate clothing, and greater financial security. I asked God's forgiveness and under his guidance I learnt that it was much better to be contented without riches than with them.
Next week in Part 10 - Our Rectory Church.
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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
