the women of methodism

Front matter

EUR APG ~ ie Cote See rire : a ETO A Ot!

Be ean

THE

Contents

BROW UCTION 5s ele ens Hee iscccune s'cvee savarseesC ieee eae —9 Women ~in«Charety HIstory.. = cots «8s 00s 055 foisrewis « ecleesnweths cite 9 Their Peculiar Activity in Methodism............ Nee Ae 10 Wiesloy and. W Omen ics ct scission > oe ee Dswcals seep Oe ssa bad ae tales 14 He organizes their Activity in Religion........... eee SenpNenets 12

Part I Susanna Wesley And Wesleyan Methodism

Page Pago CHAPTER I. Her Barly Tale... c.csccsr- shee 56 SUSANNA WESLEY. ed saan and Usefulness ... 61 Religious Condition of Bogiend og | Mrs: Fletcher's Public . woes . in the Eighteenth Century.. Her M Epworth Rectory.............. 34 er Marriage to Fletcher...... 66 arly Life and Character of Mrs. _ ae Hap ‘e Madeley Linch eae baat ep Her ote cee ee ae | Hier Dieabhsre ds ane op dcidonke 008 69 Her Howeat Samuel Wesley. 29 Mode Mementoes........... (i vated aA ~ Rectory..........+- 32 a eenon settee eeeeeeee a ts RON eee eee 93 | Parah Wyan...........-..e.es Its singular Domestic System.. 35 A ir zeit to her........ 75 Adam Clarke’s Opinion of the Hor lai er Life

Famil 40

Domestic Trials.............., 41| Sarah Crosby.

The Rectory the Cradle of Meth- Wesley Corres onds with her. . 80 Rare Bice Oe Sed See pa 43 Sketch of her Life............ 82

Mrs. Wesley’s Influence on her zee WPeatins res Sate take oie 86 Ran and! Methods, 43 Sarah Lawrence............... 8T

Important Examples .........- 44 Her Devotion and Usefulness.. 90

Werveathy.c.20 cade cneces tees 4g , Women and Methodism....... 9i

Results of her Ageney in the Religious World 50 seem eee wrens

Present Extent of Methodism.. 53 CHAPTER II.

MARY FLETCHER AND HER COM- PANIONS.

Her Relation to Wesley........ 56 HICH BAX ACCEL or ccnyeeienisinieitle tie 56

Chapter III. Further Notices Of Wesleyan Women

Lady Fitzgerald. .... «sacs sep Her Sufferings.......

Her Death by Fire Hester Ann Rogers............ 9e

6 CONTENTS.

Page Page Sketch of her Life........... 98 | Grace Murray.........--+ee0 114 Interview with Fletcher...... 102) Her Character... c.cc-02 aces 114 She witnesses Wesley’s Death. 103 | Sketch of her Life............ 115 Her own Death............-- 103 | Wesley in Love with her..... 117 Elizabeth Ritchie (Mrs. Mort- Her Account of herself....... 119 AMNOF)awietete cist e oes ci Saselavwiele ors 104 | Wesley’s Disappointment .... 124 Her Relations with Wesley... 104| His Interview with her in Old IMYStrOInI crocs). secrete et 1 Sih PCE Ee PIE BS 127

She resides with Wesley His Unfortunate Marriage with

Her Usefulness........... ne Mis, Vizelle,....->.mssasoer 128 JG OU, eee Sean BEA eeeer oT Dinah Evans........... -. 129 Lady Maxwell ........ astue techie 110 | The Heroine of a Novel . 130 Her Co-operation with Wes- Sketch of her Life........ .- 180

6 PA Oe SELINA, COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON, AND CALVINISTIC METHODISM.

THE COUNTESS OF “HUNTINGDON. / Trevecea College. ...:..-....- 161 Unity of Calvinistic and Armin- Interesting Scenes there...... 163

iun Methodism............. 145 | Lady Huntingdon’s Connec- Sketch of the Life of Lady TOR. w oisra clare anor eete 164

Huntingdon Wace ois: see sie 146 | Consequences of Whitefield’s Her Relations with Wesley... 147] Death .................005- Whitefield and his Noble Hear- The Countess’s Plans for

CRs chutes oor e tes Nemes 150: }( . Amenics. 230605 0. sue ae a 165 Her Female Companions..... 150 | Missionary Scenes...........- 167 Her Travels and Usefulness.. 151 | Her Death................2.- 170 Her Control of Calvinistic Her Charities oc.s ies .t ect ee 171 ei Methodism: ..)/cc. Pet. ous 152 | Her Character .............-. 171 Lord Dartmouth............. 157 | Results of Calvinistic Method- Remarkable Scenes........... LOT | OVism. ...<.ceinte cn Metere os eae 172

PAR PAL.

BARBARA HECK AND AMERICAN METHODISM.

CHAPTER I. wine Riteene Barbara Heck’s Early Life.... 180 cue ales oyage to America........... 182 Her Position in American Ec- Philip Embury., cee 183 clesiastical History.......... 175 | Falling Away of the Palatines. 184

Rion ee 176 | Their Restoration............ 185

CONTENTS. % n Page Page Names of the First Congrega- Rachel Hulings....... Sedans 247 ABO sic syarcisisteieieneiaitn =: aoe TSB Mens Ghamier on. scree cae 248 Captain Webb ..........:...- 188 | Martha F. Allison............ 248 The old Rigging Bib in as ais 188{ Eleanor Dorsey.......0...... 248 First Chapel and Parsonage.. 189 | Extraordinary Example....... 250 ‘Wesley’s Missionaries........ 192} Asbury among the Holston The Palatines retire to North- MOUNTAIDE 25563 vsicies ete 252 Orn NOW VOFK <0. = a0: sar 192) First Conference beyond the Death of Embury............ 198)" Alleghantes.. 0 Oto... oe 252 The Emburys and Hecks go to Mrs. General Russell......... 258 Be eked CABBAGE a si sk sis so nis 193 o Upper Canada..... seeeeee 193 CHAPTER III.

— oan Methodism at 19g | ZATER WOMEN OF AMERICAN METH- Gea Losee....... pilose cs (PR ee 256 e First Itinerant in Canada. 194 cadet Se op ie Rae

Death of Paul Heck.......... 197 Catharine Livingston; “Mrs. Death of Barbara Heck... color ee ee Descendants of the Emburys the early and late Women of and Hecke. ost et eS. 198 Methodist Histor: a 257 The ‘‘ Old Blue Church” Grave- dors The Garrettson Homestead... 257 WEEE cnleiis clei ips sass aivic aes 1995203 as Scenery...) 958 The Heck Homesteads....... 200 ce harniCarrotsont tn ne. 959 Extraordinary Results........ 207 Catharine Garrettson’s Social SURO natsmei we se reroaer «ae 261 CHAPTER Ib Sketch of her Life........-0s 261 ASBURY AND HIS FEMALE FRIENDS. | President Olin’s Estimate of Asbury and Celibacy......... O18). Wer Characters, .,..<crscieoces-s:0 265 Marriage and Location of The ‘‘ House Warming”’...... 267 PCRONONB yc caisaine cose ts oe DIE) (oOravelers Kesh? . yc.0c vee 268 Asbury’s Character .......... 214| Asbury resting there......... 268 His Influence over the Higher ISO UGHS Bon beam arOnsnnn dont 270 CNASREB is aogier loan dello sae 215 | Asbury among the Livingstons 271 Mary Wilner sec. sca cee ssc 217 | Death of Madame Livingston. 272 Masry: Wtllace'.c 2% iicl- sicieiereis ae 218 | Catherine Suckley............ 272 Mist Baker sacs <0 te cs becree DUO Mehics.Of ASDUTY .~.ceicsnccense 272 MSE VAN HILO \ac wma cnaiare cee 220 | Her Character and Death..... 273 Sketch of Judge White’s Fam- Ann Wilkins, a type of Female HV ban octane ete Ss 224| Missionary Character...... . 275 Mrs. Senator Bassett ......... SION EMCY WN torcry ewe syleiola aie sem eee 276 Services of her Family to Her Self-sacrifice:. 0.2.2.5. 277 INetho disniten tah <ostesisiesae 229 | Her Blessed Death........... 279 Bohemia Manor.............. 229| Eliza Garrett, a Model of Fe- Mary: Binialisi cisics cts ecc'e ne 931" male Laberality. .cse.cce-. 281 Methodism in Dorchester The Garrett Biblical Institute. 285 County, Maryland ......... 230 | Its Prompt Establishment.... 289 Garrettson Imprisoned ....... 234 | Its Extensive Patronage...... 291 Prudence Gough............. 235 | Its Karly Fraits,.......2.<.... 291 Pifecat: Perry Ha... se0-.:s lune 235 | Its Promise for the Future.... 292 Sophia Gough: s....0..2.6c0ec 243| A Prominent Object of Con- ‘Asbury’s emale Friends in nectional Centenary Effort.. 292 IBA MATOTO ters ete esis oe) seve a. PAO NMLCCIS EAM Yee) alos) csieia sisieie cleieters 293 Mis MOOTG Is clasts aie: o:e/s1010.si0:019. 016 946 )| Conclusion... 0... s00dsee sir 293 Mise O WAN Gis octets ses + ve 2 c/s 247 | Responsibilities of Women for Mise lripletta sc ciecctsee sciccr 247, the Present and future..... 294

8 CONTENTS

APPENDIX, Page Page SKETOH OF THE AMERICAN LADIzs’ | Ladies’ Centenary Volume.... 300 OENTENARY MOVEMENT. POCO REGS ono apa Stutes donrrtaminse 300 OT giB ro lseeigie> ae aeerinwic sd Funds—Reports .........-... 3800 Primary Dostgnie.< case Mina) Word <.....ccadsoeo Sac . 801

Enlargement of Plan..

Connectional Character

Relations of the Connectional Fund to Female Education. 298

PLANS OF OPERATION.

Certificates <..oc.cccccsscesce Branch and Auxiliary Associ-

BONG Aa. Saale’ okies cee oe and Congregational Action . aeeesee oee eeeeceses

EXTRACT OF AN ADDRESS BY REV, ©. H. FOWLER.

Members of the Centenary Committedn.. <.c-miew,<3 saasee 804 tee eee eee ew arene nary Fun Officers of the Ladies’ Association and its Branches...... 304 Life Members ihc an tt oesas

WOMEN OF METHODISM.

Introduction

Women in Church History — Their Peculiar Activity in Methodism — Wesley organized Female Activity in Religion — Wesley and Women —Character of his Female Correspondence — His Appreciation of Woman — Her Honorable Place in Methodism.

THE agency of women in religion has formed some of the most interesting, if not some of the most salient, facts of ecclesiastical history. Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna, historic figures in the scenes of the advent and childhood of the Messiah; Mary and Martha of Bethany, the Magdalene, and Joanna, “the wife of Herod’s steward,” and “Susanna, and many others which ministered unto” Christ “of their substance ;” Phcebe, the Deaconess, of Cenchrea, “a succorer of many and myself also,” says Paul; Damaris, his convert in the Areopagus; the four prophetesses, daughters of “ Philip the Evangelist” of Cesarea; Lydia, of Thyatira; Priscilla, who, Paul says, had “ for my life laid down her own neck,” “unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the

Churches of the Gentiles,” and in whose house was sustained the infant Church of Rome; Junia, who with her husband was Paul’s “ fellow-prisoner,” and “of note among the apostles;” Tryphena and Tryphosa, “who labored in the Lord,” and Persis, “which labored much in the Lord;” Doreas, and the “elect lady” of St. John, with others, are revealed to us in mere glimpses of the sacred history, but sufficiently to give to the record some of its most genial traits, and to prefigure that effective and exalted position, ecclesiastical and social, which Christianity was about to assign to their sex, and which has had so momentous an influence on European civilization that the greatest historical philosopher of our age has deemed it necessary, in an elaborate vindication of Christianity, to devote a chapter to “Christ and Women.” With the development of the Church followed also the development of the dignity and activity of woman. Its postapostolic periods are studded with illustrious female names; that of Helena is forever associated, in ecclesiastical history, with Constantine, that of Monica with Augustine, Eusebia with Gregory of Nissa, Paula with Jerome, Marcella with Athanasius; and great cities and states have been proud to identify saintly women with their own history: saints Cecilia, Genevieve, Theresa, Elizabeth.

It may be doubted whether any section of ecclesiastical history since Mary, “the mother of Jesus,” is richer in female characters than that which records the “ Religious Movement of the Eighteenth Century called Methodism.” Years elapsed before that movement took the form of distinct sects; and even after its ecclesiastical unity was somewhat broken, its moral unity was still maintained down to about the end of the century. It pervaded and revived the nonconformity of England, enlisting in the ranks of Calvinistic Methodism not a few of the leading dissenting ministers of the kingdom. It influenced considerably the Established Church, drawing some of its best clergy into co-operation with Calvinistic or Arminian Methodism, according to their theological predilections; while it roused, chiefly as Arminian or Wesleyan Methodism, the great mass of the degraded population, and was initiated by a woman — Barbara Heck —in its unparalleled career among the mixed population of America. Calvinistic Methodism was founded by the Countess of Huntingdon, in co-operation with Whitefield, and mostly controlled by her; and with her were associated some of the most notable women of the aristocracy of the day. Wesleyan Methodism was, however, to have the chief honor of developing female activity in the Methodistic movement. Wesley’s legislative genius, equal, as Macaulay affirms, to that of Richelieu, provided effective occasions for the influence and talents of females. He introduced into his system the stated Prayer-Meeting, the weekly Class- Meeting and Band-Meeting, and the Agapa of the Moravians and the ancient Church. His strict prejudices as a Churchman could hardly interfere with the participation of prudent and devout women in these select and social services. Many remarkable examples of female talent came under his attention on these occasions, and he could not consent that such talents should be repressed or hid “in a napkin.” It was not long before he appointed women as official leaders of female Classes and Bands. He thus organized the agency of women in the Church. Their impressive exhortations in prayer-meetings, comprising both sexes, became generally recognized as proofs of remarkable means of usefulness with which the new cause was providentially endowed. The “circuit system” of the ministry gave intimate relations to societies scattered over one or two hundred miles; they all had the same two or three pastors ; their ecclesiastical business was transacted as a common interest; they were almost as one society, so that not only active laymen but active women, in any one “preaching appointment,” were generally known throughout the circuit; the latter, therefore, as well as the former, went often on religious visitations from place to place over large districts of the country. Some of these women, like Mary Fletcher,

Hester Ann Rogers, Ann Crosby, Sarah Ryan, and Grace Murray, addressed large assemblies, irresistibly attracted by their modest eloquence. Wesley at last recognized them, not as preachers, but as following the example of the apostolic “ Deaconesses” and “ Prophetesses.” He counseled and regulated their labors, as we shall see; and there is hardly a recorded intimation of any unseemly consequence of this very extraordinary innovation.

Wesleyan Methodism was virtually founded by Susanna Wesley. Wesley’s education, by his remarkable mother, had impressed him with the highest idea of Christian womanhood. The genial associations of his early home at Epworth, sanctified by the affections and ennobled by the intelligence of his talented sisters, could not fail to incline him to a just appreciation of woman. ‘There was also, perhaps, inherent in the very constitution of his rare mind, a refined and feminine delicacy, which instinctively sympathized with whatever was virtuous or elevated in the sex. His female friendships form a most interesting feature in his extraordinary history; women and children everywhere spontaneously confided themselves to the benign and magical charm of his influence, receiving his word as that of a divine prophet or a beloved father. The greater portion of his printed correspondence was with females, and it is pervaded by the most tender, pure, yet fervent sentiment. Many of these friendships were formed when he was in advanced years, but while his correspondents were yet in the bloom and sensitive tenderness of their young maidenhood: he addressed them as his daughters, they revered and loved him as their father and guide; and his long life enabled him to continue the correspondence when many of them were venerable, not only with years, but with virtues and services. Mary Fletcher, Hester Ann Rogers, Ann Ritchie, Grace Murray, Lady Maxwell, Lady Fitzgerald, survived him. Two of them ministered at his dying bed, and all mourned his death as that of a beloved parent.

While few things, perhaps nothing, could more completely and more gracefully exhibit the intimate or interior life of primitive Methodism than a thorough record of Wesley’s friendships and correspondence with women, and their ageney in the Methodistic revival, scarcely anything could better illustrate the excellence of his own character. A distinguished contemporary, an ardent Churchman, who knew him well,* addressed to Robert Southey an elaborate letter on the character of Wesley, treating particularly of his relation to his female associates.+ This

* Alexander Knox, Esq., Secretary to Lord Castlereagh in Ireland. Knox’s private letters to Bishop Jebb make some important vindications of Methodism. Jebb’s “Thirty Years’ Correspondence,” ete.

T This letter is given in the Appendix to the last volume of Southey’s Life of Wesley.

testimony is too important to be omitted here, notwithstanding its length. ‘Mr. Southey,” he says, “will agree with me that the characteristic openness which marks all Mr. Wesley’s letters, and makes them be felt as a disclosure of his very mind and heart, is never more conspicuous than when he is writing to his friends of the female sex. It is certain that Mr. Wesley had a predilection for the female character ; partly, because he had a mind ever alive to amiability, and partly from his generally finding in females a quicker and fuller responsiveness to his own ideas of interior piety and affectionate devotion. To his female correspondents, therefore, (as it strikes me,) he writes with peculiar effluence of thought and frankness of communication. He, in fact, unbosoms himself on every topic which occurs to him, as to kindred spirits, in whose sympathies he confided, and from whose recommunications he hoped for additional light on those internal concerns which were ever uppermost in his mind and nearest to his heart. Accordingly, in these prompt effusions all Mr. Wesley’s peculiarities are in fullest display. On the closest examination, no sentiment, no inclination, will be found to reflect the slightest shade on Mr. Wesley’s moral principles or feelings. Whatever mixtures there may be of speculative error or injudicious guidance, the ultimate object is uniformly pure and excellent; be the prescribed means of advancement what they may, the point aimed at is consummate virtue in every temper and in every action.

I must add that the character of the letters is uniform; they are in the strictest harmony with each other, and, indeed, with everything else which proceeded from him. It is the same John Wesley, whether he addresses individuals or addresses thousands ; expressing his quick conceptions with an unsuspecting frankness, as if there were not a thought in his mind which he wished to conceal, and as if he had no wish whatever, except for the spiritual good of those who sought his instruction. He so literally talks upon paper as to make it inconceivable that he should have conversed with them in any other style than that in which he wrote to them; and while he is unreservedly and ardently the friend of all to whom he writes, the flow of his affection is so pure and so paternal as to exclude the possibility of imagining that its simplicity could ever have been marred by the shadow of an opposite mixture. Such, I think, would be the impression on my mind, solely from the letters themselves; but when I read them with that decisive comment which my own recollections afford, I feel with a certainty, which mathematical demonstration could not exceed, that never for one moment was the evidence of those letters falsified, or their spirit departed from, in the actual intercourse of Mr. Wesley’s life, in whatever circumstances he might have been placed, or into whatever society he might have been thrown. It continually appears, from Mr. Wesley’s mode of writing, that his female disciples consulted him as one to whom they ascribed the spirit as well as the wisdom of an apostle.

The subjects treated of establish this fact, and present, as it were, the reflected image of as unqualified a confidence as could be placed in a human being. We have, then, virtually, in these letters the great body of Mr. Wesley’s female friends bearing to his character the most unimpeachable as well as the most concordant witness. And let it be remembered that this evidence is given on the fullest knowledge; as, from Mr. Wesley’s constant itinerancy, his friends had ever-recurring opportunities of observing him, in every point of view and in all possible conjunctures. It is also obvious that Mr. Wesley’s female correspondents were sincerely pious, and that the species of piety which influenced them, however chargeable with weakness, is perfectly opposite to every kind of moral laxity. Their respect and veneration, therefore, for Mr. Wesley is a conclusive evidence of his uniform rectitude of conduct; for had there been any _variation in this respect, it must have been observed by some or other of those intimate female friends ; and had such a discovery, at any time or in any instance, been made, esteem and veneration would instantly have been changed into horror and detest- 2 ation. I can, besides, say, from my own knowledge, that some of Mr. Wesley’s female friends possessed acute discernment and solid understanding. On the whole, is it not obvious that, in the intimate intercourse which Mr. Wesley had for so many years with them, and countless other females of similar character, continued, uniform imposition was impossible, and that the argument hence arising in support of Mr.

Wesley’s perfect moral consistency is irrefragable? Whatever may have been the defects or excesses of Wesleyan Methodism, it has certainly been the most moral of all similar associations; and the ruling claim which held so many thousands in adherence to a standard so much above their original frame of mind and habits of life, was the exemplary virtue of their leader. Any deviation, therefore, from that standard in Mr. Wesley would have been as astounding to his followers as the fall from heaven of a star of the first magnitude. But I can assert, from my own knowledge, that the minds of Mr. Wesley’s people never were disturbed by such a thought. For the last five-and-twenty years of his life I was acquainted with everything material which concerned him or them; and nothing which was or had been reported respecting him could have escaped my cognizance. Yet never, I can aver, was his fair fame sullied by the slightest breath of suspicion; and no intimation ever reached my ears which did not either give witness to, or accord with, his immaculate integrity. It will hardly be denied that, even in this frail and corrupted world, we sometimes meet persons who, in their very mien and aspect, as well as in the whole habit of life, manifest such a stamp and signature of virtue as to make our judgment of them a matter of intuition rather than a result of continued examination. I never met a human being who came more perfectly within this description than John Wesley. It was impossible to converse with him, I might say to look at him, without being persuaded, not only that his heart and mind were animated with the purest and most exalted goodness, but that the instinctive bent of his nature accorded so congenially with his Christian principles as to give a pledge for his practical consistency in which it was impossible not to place confidence. It would be far too little to say that it was impossible to suspect him of any moral taint; for it was obvious that every movement bespoke as perfect a contrariety to all that was earthly or animal as could be imagined in a mortal being. His countenance, as well as conversation, expressed an habitual gayety of heart, which nothing but conscious virtue and innocence could have bestowed. He was, in truth, the most perfect specimen of moral happiness whom I ever saw; and my acquaintance with him has done more to teach me what a heaven upon earth is implied in the maturity of Christian piety, than all I have elsewhere seen, or heard, or read, except in the sacred volume.”

Wesley’s refined sensibility to the influence of woman was too vivid not to have inclined him to marriage, and to the felicities of a Christian home. As early as his residence in Georgia he contracted a matrimonial engagement, which was broken off by the persuasion of his Moravian associates, who doubted the moral fitness of the lady to be the companion of such a man. The slanderous gossip respecting this first “romance” of his life has long since been silenced by a conclusive refutation, and needs no further attention. In 1748, when forty-five years old, he contracted another engagement with Mrs. Grace Murray, who was then thirty-three years of age, and, as we shall hereafter see, was worthy of his best regard. It was defeated by the interference of his brother, Charles Wesley, and Whitefield. The accounts of this case show that it was one of genuine love, as well as of genuine esteem. “TI clearly perceived,” he says, “that I had never before had so strong an affection for any person under heaven.” *

* “Narrative of a Remarkable Transaction in the early Life of John Wesley,” etc., from a MS. in the British Museum, numbered 7,119. This curious paper has been twice published. It is not in Wesley’s handwriting, but professes to be a copy from his original account of the affair; a poem at the end (long before given to the public by his biographer, Henry Moore) is in his penmanship. The poem substan-

INTRODUCTION. Q1

This romantic episode in the life of the great Founder has been variously represented; but every authenticated fact about it reflects most favorably on his heart and conduct, as we shall have oceasion to show. It is one of the best exemplifications of Alexander Knox’s estimate of the man. [I have therefore treated it somewhat amply in the sketch of Grace Murray, giving details never before published in this country. His subsequent marriage, by the advice of his friend Perronet, the venerable vicar of Shoreham, became the greatest affliction of his hfe. Wesley’s incorporation of female agency in his practical system has been one of the most effective causes of the surprising success of Methodism. Its history presents a long list of women whose names have become household words in the families of the denomination, and whose memories the Church will never let die. They rank from the higher circles of life, in which were Susanna Wesley, (related to the Earls of Anglesea,) Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, tially agrees with the maim facts of the prose narrative. I have no doubt that Wesley wrote a similar document, but I have no doubt also that this is an interpolated copy of it. The document, as a whole, does not reflect unfavorably on his moral character, but shows some whimsicalities and weaknesses. It is doubtless a copy of one of those papers which Wesley’s wife, Mrs. Vizelle, carried away from him and notoriously interpolated. The fact that the poem is autographic, while the narrative is copied, confirms the suspicion. It was left to the Museum by a son of Mrs. Vizelle. See the sketch of Grace Murray in this volume.

22 i INTRODUCTION.

(remotely connected with the royalty of England,) Lady Fitzgerald, (of the British Court,) Lady Max-— well, Lady Glenorchy, and others, down to the humble but saintly Hester Ann Rogers, Dinah Evans, the heroine of one of the ablest of English fictions, the Dairyman’s Daughter, a name dear to Christian households in all lands, and Barbara Heck, the obscure foundress of American Methodism, venerated throughout a continent. Wesley still lives in the ever-living influence of these “devout women,” and through them may yet be verified, to no small extent, the prediction of his most popular, but least partial, biographer, who has said, “I consider him as the most influential mind of the last century —the man who will have produced the greatest effects centuries, or perhaps millenniums, hence, if the present race of men should continue so long.”* Methodism still admits the Christian activity of woman; in no religious body, not even that of Quakerism, have her powers more ample scope, and in no other does she accomplish more direct or more important results.

* Robert Southey, Wilberforce’s Correspondenes, ii, 388.

WOMEN OF METHODISM.

PA REoL

SUSANNA WESLEY AND WESLEYAN METHODISM.

Chapter I. Susanna Wesley

State of Religion in England in the last Century — Epworth Rectory — Susanna Wesley — Her early Life and Character —Her Beauty — Her Husband, Samuel Wesley — Life in the Rectory —Its Children —TIts singular Domestic System — Adam Clarke’s Opinion of the Family — Mrs. Wesley’s Religious Habits — The Rectory the Cradle of Methodism — Domestic Trials — Mrs. Wesley’s Influence upon John Wesley and Methodism — Her Death — Results of her Agency in the Religious World — Present Extent of Methodism.

THE agency of woman, in “ The Religious Movement

of the Eighteenth Century, called Methodism,” began

at the very beginning of that important movement, and even prior to its formal initiation. At a period in the history of England when Burnett, Watts, and

Butler were mourning over the decay of religion—

the first declaring that “imminent ruin was hanging

over” the Anglican Church, “and by consequence over the whole Reformation ;” the second that “religion was dying in the world;” the third that “it had come to be taken for granted that Christianity is no longer a subject of inquiry, but is at length discovered to be fictitious”— Divine Providence was providing, chiefly through the domestic piety of a woman, for that resuscitation of spiritual life and apostolic propagandism which has ever since characterized most of the Protestant world. At this very time the principal agents of Methodism were in obscure preparation in the village of Epworth, a rural community of Lincolnshire, with a population of about two thousand souls, occupied in the eultivation of hemp and flax. In the household of the Epworth Rectory can be traced its real origin, amid one of those pictures of English rustie life which have so often given a charm to our literature, and which form, perhaps, the best example of the domestic virtues of religion that Christian civilization has afforded. Susanna Wesley there trained the founder and legislator of Methodism, and to no inconsiderable degree by impressing on him the traits of her own extraordinary character; and, under the same nurture, grew up by his side its psalmist, whose lyrics were to be heard, in less than a century, wherever the English language was spoken, and to be “more devoutly committed to memory,” says Southey, and “oftener repeated upon a death-bed,” than any other poems.

The mother of the Wesleys was the mother of Methodism, says Isaac Taylor, who has given us the philosophy of its history, and she properly belongs to the foreground of our record. She was “nobly related,” being the daughter of Dr. Samuel Annesley, who was the son of a brother of the Earl of Anglesea. She inherited from her father those energetic traits of character which she transmitted to her most distinguished child. He accorded to his daughter the independence of opinion which he claimed for himself, and while yet under his roof, and not thirteen years old, she showed her hereditary spirit by examining the whole controversy between Churchmen and Dissenters, and by renouncing, in favor of the Established Church, the opinions to which her father had devoted a life of labor and suffering. The fact is characteristic; and judging from the evidence of her later history, she possessed, even at this early age, an unusual fitness for such an investigation. Devout, thoughtful, amiable, and beautiful, she was the favorite child of her father, and the change of her opinions produced no interruption of the affectionate ties which had bound them together.