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Who was Susan Wesley?

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Susan Wesley

A mother who raised the most influential preacher for England and the United States JOHN WESLEY.

Wesley was a preacher. He preached over all of England. He rode from town to town preaching over a hundred thousand messages during his 87 years. He made long and dangerous journeys dozens of times across the Atlantic. He was so dedicated and responsible to deliver that he once walked six miles to an appointment when he was 85 years old.

In 1922, Britain's Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, said that Britain owed more to the movement of which Wesley was the inspiring leader, than to any other movement in the entire course of history...”

Her life is a testimony, which a dedicated mother with a vision can carry out for her children.

Susanna Wesley had 19 children. John was number 15. She fed and clothed her children. She ran the family ranch and wrote Bible classes as a pastor's wife. In addition to all those full-time jobs, she was the elementary school teacher for her children. He had the discipline to give each of his children an hour of his undivided attention and time each week.

One of his sons taught for twenty years at one of the most renowned Universities in England. We still sing the hymns of his youngest son, Charles Wesley.

The key to Susan Wesley's entire educational program was for the child to accept authority as early as possible.

Mrs. Wesley said, "The parent who indulges the self-will of the child does the work of the devil."

Susan Wesley was wise enough to accept that her children would never

they would acknowledge his love, benefit from his wisdom, and enjoy his fellowship until they had accepted his authority. The entire program of

Susan of the training and development of her children was motivated and surrounded by love, the children had tremendous affection for their parents, the

love dominated the relations of the family circle. When John Wesley was 81 years old, and had long been the most famous preacher in the world, he wrote of his great desire to see "Epworth", (where he was raised during his childhood) saying: "the place I love more than any place in the world.”

How did Susan Wesley form that love and affection in her children? Susan Wesley knew what she wanted for her children. She dedicated herself to building character in them so that they could achieve the goals she had set for themselves.

Someone defined character as the quality of "doing the right thing, even if you don't feel like it." Do you want to have a responsible child with a desire for achievement? Do you want your son or daughter to grow up interested in the world and what is going on? Do you want an honest son…a happy son?

None of these things will just “pass”. Children are born disorganized and with their own will. They can become what you want if you are willing to dedicate yourself to doing so. Your baby can be a blessing to you…and to the world. He may be blessed in the process, but you have to be willing to give yourself over to developing his character.

 

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