Susannah Wesley

In what ways was Susanna a woman ahead of her time, and what characteristics do you particularly admire? Why?

Susanna knew how to build connections with people through kindness and gracious responses. She was able to build community in their parish when Samuel was not.  She believed in the education and spiritual upbringing of her children, and she devoted herself to this goal.  She did not exclude her daughters from this endeavor, believing their intellectual development was more important and a higher priority than their domestic development.  She was organized: Rev. Alfred T. Day, III, General  Commission on Archives and History, said, “She had a spreadsheet before there were spreadsheets.”

 

Earlier this year, I participated in the Women Speak of Faith class in this series (great course).  One week we read and wrote about Susanna Wesley, particularly her written commentary of the Apostles Creed.  I admire the theology she outlines in that commentary.

 

There is a story told of Susanna Wesley. When her husband was absent for a long period of time, out of dissatisfaction with the substitute priest in the parish, she began teaching and preaching to a group of people in her home. Eventually, over 200 gathered. There were complaints to Samuel, her husband. She wrote to him, “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 neglecting this opportunity of doing good when you and I shall appear before the great and awful tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

She was a woman of grace, faith, and intellect.  She was devoted to her family but also to the community in which she lived.  I find much to admire about her.