The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-09-28


family Of at least one child per annum.
Their next removal was to Epworth, to
the living of which Mr.. Wesley had
been presented by Queen Mary. While
living at Epworth, and year or two
before the birth of John Wesley, an I'M
accountable incident broke in upon the
harmony of the family. The worthy
rector was after the straitest sect OF his
religiona High Churchman. One morn
ing after the family prayers he said to
his wife, "Sukey, why did you not say
amendsto the prayer for the King!'
Because" she replied, II do not believe
the Prince of Orange to be King" I'm
that case" said he, tive must part"
And part they did: Unable to bring his
wife to his way of thinking, he left his
house, went to London, and remained
there for year without seeking his
family. At the end of that time the
King died, and as Mrs. Wesley could
now respond to the prayers of her hus-
band with a good conscience, he returned
to his home, and the harmony of the
family was restored. We confess to an
utter inability to understand how any
sane man, with common sense, could
indulge in such freak of mulishness.
Mr.. Wesley was substantially good
man, but his infrmities were of char
acter to sorely try his wife. He was
conscientious, and faithful as a preacher
and pastor, but his peculiarities made
him many enemies, and involved him
in almost perpetual difficulties. 1t was
| the talents and piety of his wife that
made the Epworth rectory center of
| benefcent influences that have already
blessed nations, and which are one day
| to bless the whole world. Mrs. Wesley
| was the mother of no less than nineteen
| children. Several of these died young,
| but her son speaks of the beautiful Sc
renity with which his mother wrote,
conyersetl, and transacted business when
surrounded by cher thirteen children"
Her husband was smitten with mania
for writing poetry, and between making
sermons and Cheating rhymes" he was
SO much occupied as to leave not only
in ms nahtblafafs but the management en- z
wife. And she ''looked wen TO the ways
of her household" During the whole
of her married life the family was pinch
ed and cramped with poverty. Her
husbands salary at EpWorth was NOM
inally two hundred pounds a year, but
| it really amounted to less than two
thirds that sum. tits simply impossible
to supply the reasonable wants of the
| family from resources SO slender. There
W dS IL lstch vi tilc COIHloItS VI me, anu oII
one occasion the husband and father was
sent to Jail for debts he was unable to
pay. Their house was twice set on fire
BY enemies; in the first instance it was
badly damaged and on the second Occa-
sion burned to the ground with almost
everything OF value 1T contained. When
II was rebuilt and the family occupied 1t
again, they had, in the language OF the
father, ssiittie more than Adam and Eve
had When they first set up housekeep--
ms Referring TO the circumstances 1aal1 OF
the fahlly, Mrs. wesley says. 'Slrlctiy
| speaking, never qua want Dread out
g5len l had 50 much care TO get IL beiore
= L Vas en-, ahd so mueh care 10 pay tor
= after, q o5lqn made II very unpleasant
70 me. AND think to nave bread ON
sHeh terms IS the next degree oil wretch
eaass.5 to hayingnon!ea at all.o Nothing
eattlo h9 more pe&mliIul man tne fortl-
Tue. WIN '%pieh MRS Wesley pore up
ealeies OF her position. Living in q
hoase th35 Was unfinished and not 1alf