on concerning the doings of his wife and the
danger of a "conventicle." Mr. Wesley was sufficiently interested and
apprehensive to write to her and ask what had been done, and whether it
did not look "particular." To this his wife, rather glad to be
challenged, lost no time in replying; and her written explanation to the
head of the house and parish has resulted in our possessing an ample
account of the movement. "As to its looking particular," she said, "I
grant it does, and so does almost everything that is serious, or that
may any way advance the glory of God or the salvation of souls, if it be
performed out of a pulpit or in the way of common conversation." After
giving various reasons for her action, she proceeds: "Now, I beseech
you, weigh all these things in an impartial balance.... If you do, after
all, think fit to dissolve this assembly, do not tell me that you desire
me to do it, for that will not satisfy my conscience; but send me your
positive command in such full and express terms as may absolve me from
all guilt and punishment for the neglecting this opportunity of doing
good, when you and I shall appear before the great and awful tribunal of
our Lord Jesus Christ."
[Illustration: S Wesley]
No wonder that all opposition on the part of the rector from this
moment disappeared, and on returning to his charge he found many signs
of a happy change, and that all things were as if freshened under the
dew of the blessing of God.
IX.
RELATION TO HER SONS.
Susanna Wesley was the life-long counsellor of her children.
Amid those interesting conversations which were held with each member of
the family on appointed days and hours, and which are frequently noted
in Mrs. Wesley's private meditations, we are arrested by the heading of
one of them--"Son John"--and we learn that he became a communicant at
the Lord's table at eight years of age, this important step being taken
by reason of his great seriousness and of the signs of grace that were
seen in him.
His mother gives us another striking glimpse of him, in April 1712, when
the scourge of small-pox attacked five of the children--"Jack bore his
disease bravely like a man, and indeed a Christian without any
complaint."
On recovering he was, through the influence of the Duke of Buckingham,
to whom his father was known, sent to Charterhouse School; but at this
period there is little or nothing recorded of correspondence with his
mother. It is tole
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