To Mrs. ——
Led by aright way — Domestic cares — A Mother’s Trials — Tests ol grace should be welcome — Predictions — Trials — Triumphs — Mrs. Susannah Wesley — Daughters of Sarah — The Wesley Family-Influence of American republicanism on American wives — Quotation from Mrs. W.’s biography — Apology.
Yes, beloved, lie hath, indeed, led us by a right way. Only think of a Father infinite in goodness, wisdom, and love, leading forth his children, and in every strait which the fearful, disquieting career of life may present, saying,
“Cast off the weight, let fear depart,
And every care be gone,”
“For I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee. Led by the hand of the infinitely wise, omnipotent Jehovah! How truly, then, may we encourage and confirm our hearts in the knowledge that we are in verity being led forth in the “right way.” We have committed ourselves to his guidance, and none ever trusted in him and was confounded.
Your beloved babe confines you mostly from those outward active services to which you have been accustomed, — services which you were permitted to see promotive of the kingdom of Christ, and in the performance of which, your own soul was also quickened in the heavenly way. Well, you do not need me to assure you that this is” the
Tests of Maternal Piety. The Mighty have fallen.
right way” for you at the present time; your letter furnishes most conclusive testimony of your confidence in this particular.
One of your own sweet privileges is hereby granted, and you are thus permitted to test, and also to exhibit the power of grace to sustain, in circumstances where thousands of pious mothers are placed, and where, alas! too many are prone to let go their hold on the provisions of grace.. How many who have adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour, when free from the vexatious cares of a little family, have, when their quiet has been thus broken in upon in the order of Providence, become weak as others.
You are aware of the opinion which has obtained with a large class of house-keepers, as to the difficulty, and some might say, impossibility of maintaining unbroken peace, and unquenched zeal, amid the unceasing trial of patience, and untold vicissitudes, to which a mother is exposed in rearing a family.
More especially have I observed those possessed of a higher grade of mind, incHning to pursuits calculated to tell extensively on the world, exposed to severe mental conflicts on this point. And here I must indulge in sorroving reflections — I have seen the mighty fall!
Now, beloved, can I doubt but that our God is bringing you forth by “the right way,” when to
Triumph amid the Ordeal. Tests of Grace should be prized.
the gaze of the world, and also to the knowledge of your own heart, you stand forth confessedly of the class alluded to. And will not my dear sister acknowledge herself signally blest, in being brought through the ordeal, maintaining unbroken peace, unabated zeal, and yet deeper devotedness to the service of her Redeemer.
“Yes,” I hear you ask, “Is it not matter of rejoicing and thanksgiving, that we have the privilege of testing the power of that grace which is so abundantly bestowed in time of need. With you, my dear sister, my whole heart responds, “Glory be to God for these tests.” Not unfrequently it is
said,” If Mrs. only had this and the other
trial to endure, she might not so confidently affirm the sufficiency of grace under all circumstances.” Similar expressions have been made relative to the unworthy one addressing you; and then when called to pass through trials of like nature, and grace has triumphed, observant lovers of Jesus have infoiTned me of the sentiments expressed, which were before unknown to me, and then have I been constrained to say most exultingly indeed, “He hath led me forth by the right way.”
How my admiration of the grace of God has been raised in contemplating the character of Mrs. Susannah Wesley. Surely here was an intellect of the highest order, which well fitted her to shine
Mrs. Wesley. Family Jurisdiction. Republican Principles.
with no common lustre either in the religious or literary world. She was endowed naturally with the most marked independence, originality, and correctness of thought, which capacitated her to act (under God) for herself beyond ordinary abihty. Yet, even an inspired Paul would not, I think, have hesitated in ranking her among the most favorite daughters of her who called her husband, lord.
Scarce would I dare breathe a thought that would reflect other than the highest honor on the memory of the father of the illustrious Wesley, yet I think there are few who have read the interesting history of the Wesley family, but will join me in saying that the husband’s lordly prerogative was maintained quite to the bounds that Scriptural propriety might warrant, and perhaps a little beyond what the gallantry and republicanism of the present day would justify. Can we survey the character of Mrs. Wesley from a more elevated position than this? Had she contended the point of family jurisdiction, from a consciousness of her intellectual superiority, how disastrous had the consequences been to her own peace and the well-being of her family. Modern usage might possibly have sanctioned this. I have known the peace of an entire household shipwrecked here; and from what I have frequently observed, have feared that our republican principles may have affected our
American Wives. A Remarkable Mother.
American wives somewhat unfavorably, inducing a forgetfulness of some express Scriptural injunctions on this point.
Mrs. Wesley’s biographer says thus of her: “Notwithstandincr she allotted two hours of the day for meditation and private prayer, no woman was ever more diligent in business, or attentive to family affairs than she. Remarkable for method and good arrangement, both in her studies and business, she saved much time and kept her mind free from perplexity. She had nineteen children! (think of the amount of physical suffering and care,) ten of whom at least grew up to be educated. This duty fell upon her; and it were scarcely possible that they should have had a better instructor,”
Yet all this, with the advantages which wealth insures, might not by some be pronounced extraordinary excellence. But let it be remembered that this wonderful woman was often called to grapple with poverty and its attendant circumstances, and surely it will be said, though “many daughters have done virtuously, thou excellest them all.”
And now, my dear sister will wonder at such a long chapter on such an unlooked-for subject; and without intending the infliction, I may have taxed her, by gratifying my own feelings in tracing a character so amiable. You will surely
111 health. A Letter received as a Gift.
imagine my health improved to admit of writing such a long letter. But though somewhat improved, yet it is still but seldom I dare take my pen, and when guilty of what my too careful husband might call the ungracious act, I dare not continue its use but a little while at a time; yet I think I can as easily conclude this to be “the right way for me at the present time, as I can conceive it to be “the right way” for you to write your excellent letter, “a line or two at a time, with your dear babe in your arms.” That the Lord moved you to write as you did I cannot doubt, for I had been longing and praying for a letter from you, and when I received it I knelt and thanked the Father of mercies that his Spirit had induced you to write.
May He who has undertaken to lead us forth by a right way to the city of habitation, preserve us unto his heavenly kingdom, and after having been led forth through this changeful world by the right hand of omnipotent love, may we hail each other in the abode of eyer-during rest; and may we also be permitted to greet each member of our beloved households in the city of our God. Yours ever, in changeless love.
“I hate Vain Thoughts.” Satanic Resistance.