wesley family in epworth; blog early & backwards....

so, just to keep you on your toes, i am beginning my blog this afternoon, as we returned from epworth and dinner is delayed. so, i am starting early, and have just placed pictures as they have come.

to the left is the outside of the wesley home in epworth; not the original rectory, as the first one burned down. the story is that john was 5 and asleep, and a fire broke out; john was rescued, and his mother, susanna, a most advanced woman for her day (the 1700's) said that john was saved for a purpose! the wesley family, father samuel -- a not-so-popular rector -- had to pay to replace the house. when he died, suzanna had to finish paying for the house and move! so we visited and toured the house. we just couldn't take pictures, so there is this one and a little later down the blog is the front of the house. there is also an herb garden picture. above is the outdoor toilet, with a pull-chain!

here is the herb garden; notice that a box hedge, according to the wesley's is a sure cure for baldness! (actually, i'm not interested!)

the church below is the methodist church in town. do remember that john and charles never had a church of their own; perhaps the experience with their father caused them never to want to be a parish minister; john road around and preached. and as a result, on horseback, it took john probably 3 days to travel to visit his family from oxford. it took us 5 hours to drive!

the stained glass, the baptismal fount, cindy preaching on father samuel's grave -- like john did, and the outside of the family church would have been on the property of the estate of the family. samuel walked to church across the fields, complete with his white wig; john never had a wig, but brother charles did!

honestly, the congregation hated samuel, but loved the family, so that is why the wesley's stayed for 40 years. when john returned, he was not invited to preach in the church, and thus preached later that sunday evening, standing on his father's grave. a huge crowd gathered; cindy from our group demonstrated today. suzanna, the mother of 19 children -- 10 lived -- did a 'bible study' in the rectory for over 200 people!

here john is remembered in the community on his 300th birthday (2003). it was commissioned by a woman who lives in the area; suzanna would be so proud!





the one picture we could take in the house was in this room, where 'wax john' is housed. he was only 5 foot 2 (and no one seems to know if he had eyes of blue....). but, what an interesting household. suzanna spent quality time with each of her children throughout the week, in religious study and music. she home-schooled all of her children, beginning at the age of 5, in the kitchen while she prepared meals and did the laundry. samuel was up in his study writing unsuccessful pros and a dismal commentary on the book of job.

at our morning service, we remembered our journal writing. on sunday, june 6th 1742, john recorded this: "a little before the service began i went to mr. romley, the curagte, and offered to assist him either by preaching or reading prayers. but he did not care to accept of my assistance....accordingly at six i came, and found such a congregation as i believe epworth never saw before...and cried, 'the kingdom of heaven is not meats and drinks, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy ghost.'"

here is the outside of the wesley rectory. they have people to clean now....

and here is the beautiful estate i talked about yesterday. the sun rose beautifully today, and a walk before 7:30 prayers was delightful. then breakfast. the gift of soup was given to us at lunch in epworth.

but, the call of dinner has been made by "mrs. slocum's twin sister" (does anyone remember the pbs 'are you being served' series? honestly, mrs. slocum is here!" i am trying to finish my blog -- everyone has come out to visit and we are a chatty group, and so i sent them in, but mrs. slocum has come out and said "i thought you were hungry" -- steak pie and lemon something.

so, i leave you with god's peace, and a picture of this fountain that has no water, but is beautiful none the less.

god's peace, to you and to everyone!