“As any reader of her letters and journals will affirm, Susanna Wesley was fully capable of sustained theological essays. Hers was a facile pen, her favorite topic was “practical divinity,” and more than a few letters or longish journal entries might easily pass for publishable essays.”
This opening quote comes out of Charles Wallace’s stealthy publication titled, Susanna Wesley; The Complete Writings. I will attempt to share not only the strong feminist edge to this woman, at a time when a female voice was rarely in charge of her own destiny, but even more importantly, her incredible exegeting of the scriptures and the importance of her Methodist tenants. (It should become apparent as to who was one of John Wesley’s greatest influences in
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Supposedly, Samuel was actually quite a bit shorter and older (19 to her 13) and had a very authoritative tone when engaging in conversation. She also discovered that they had a similar familial background and a strong religious affiliation in common, both leaving their respective father’s “dissenter’s group” to join the Church of England. Subsequently, after Samuel completed his education at Oxford, they were married and took up residence in a small apartment on the river Thames.
Once ordained in the Church of England, Samuel jumped between several different positions with none of them paying much of a salary. While he was a chaplain on a naval vessel, Susanna lived in a boarding house. Finally, Samuel acquired a position in the London suburb of Newington Butts with a salary of 30 pounds a year. Money was always tight for them, but there was love and they made it work. Shortly after, their first son, Samuel (Jr.) was born and they were very
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By this time, King William had died, and a legitimate ruler came to the throne-Queen Anne. I named my daughter Anne for her”. Strong opinions stated by a strong woman.
Aside from the continuous financial issues, Susanna had hoped once they moved to Epworth, into a much larger rectory, (as well as Samuel's 200-pound salary increase), that things would improve. Unfortunately, Samuel had to meet his own travel expenses, ministering away from home and when he decided to try his hand at farming, due to his inexperience, that too went belly up and added more debt to their already tenuous situation.
Ultimately, between two fires, Samuel disappearing for months at a time seemingly to punish her “speaking her mind”, he being put in debtor’s prison, and the loss of their 9 children, I believe had she not clung tightly to her faith, I have no doubt she would have perished