Susanna Wesley

by Kathy McReynolds

The story of one of Church History's most revered women. In a period of twenty-one years, Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) bore nineteen children. Ten survived infancy. Two grew up to be influential church leaders whose legacies live on almost three centuries later. This biography recounts the story of a woman who used her strong leadership and faith to raise well-educated and spiritually disciplined children. Her unwavering devotion to God and family in the face of grief, poverty, and a sometimes difficult marriage is a tremendous inspiration. Adam Clarke wrote of her, "I have been aquatinted with many pious females-Susanna Wesley has excelled them all." Meet the godly mother of John and Charles Wesley.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long wanted to read a biography about the great Susanna Wesley. I was happy with the book by Kathy McReynolds. I had done some research into the biographies of Susanna and many of them focused on her being dominated by men and other worldly trumped up interpretations instead of narrowing in on the very hope of her life-her faith in Jesus Christ and her dedication to her family.

Susanna Wesley was born in England in 1669; the 25th child in the family. She was the mother of John and Charles Wesley who were later dubbed the founders of Methodism. Charles Wesley’s hymns have found their way to all Christian hymnals. Some of his more famous hymns include, “Rejoice, the Lord is King!,” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” and “Hark the Herald Angles Sing.”

Susanna was fiercely dedicated to Christ and the Bible. She was extremely well read and self-taught that was encouraged at an early age by her famous father. She left behind a large legacy of letters and writings that continue to impact people today. As her children grew and attained adulthood she continued to teach them through letters. She bore her testimony constantly. The object of all her letters was to make sure they were living by the Bible.

She gave birth to 19 children in the space of 21 years. She outlived two of her adult children. Ten of her children died young, one of which it believed to have been killed by persecutors. They lost their home to fire twice; one of the fires was believed to be intentionally started. Their fields were also set on fire, their cattle stabbed and their dog’s leg was brutally cut. The persecutors “shouted out obscenities to them and fired their guns in front of their home during all hours of the night.” All of this occurring while her husband sat in prison.

She was revered by her husband and her sons spoke highly of her. She also understood her role as wife and mother and was devoted to them.

Susanna is also famously known because she homeschooled all of her children. Her tenants and practices on child rearing are well known. She expected strict discipline out of her children but also smothered them with love.

Susanna Wesley is a woman worthy of emulation and study.

[Cathy Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susanna Wesley was an inspiring woman. She was really ahead of her time. While she recognized her husband as her head, she was a force to be reckoned with and was able to change his mind several times. She was strong-willed from childhood and well educated. She raised her children firmly and strictly, but they never doubted her love. It is without question, that her influence greatly affected them, and therefore affects many still today. This was a short audiobook, well researched, and includes her own words in letters to her family.

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to find an audio version of this book and I quite enjoyed it. It's very interesting how biographies on the same person/family differ upon their outlooks and such from author to author. I am glad I was able to listen to this book.

What I Liked: I liked the positive view on Susannah Wesley and her family. I felt that the book was well researched and I so enjoyed getting to hear quite a lot of Susannah's own writings. I felt that this book really made me think and consider certain events in Susannah's life in a better light.

I walked away from this book with a deeper appreciation for Susannah's influence upon her large family and her meekness toward her family as well as her boldness in the faith. I'm thankful for her high standards and Biblical teaching that solidified the faith of her own sons, John and Charles Wesley. I definitely admire Susannah Wesley, a lot.

What I Didn't Like: I can't really think of anything I didn't like about this book.

I give this book 4/5 stars for an excellent look into the life of Susannah Wesley and her family.

[Jenel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I didn’t realize how much I had to be grateful for this pioneer of the faith. She held Bible studies her home for the community while her husband pastor was away from home and single handily brought hundreds of people to Christ. She had to stop the meetings after he returned, but it so influenced her sons John and Charles as children that they used her model in founding the Methodist church. Also, mom to 19 kids, which she personally discipled and wrote theology textbooks for because girls didn’t get a formal education at the time. Very inspiring.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders)]

A brief and interesting account of the life of a matriarch. Her life was one lived not without tragedy and great hardship. Her determination, perseverance, strength of character, and faith is to be admired. The included writings and letters from both Susannah and her sons, Charles & John Wesley (founders of Methodist denomination), added an element of authenticity to this biographical narrative.

[Janalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short 3- hour audio book i found on Hoopla while I stitched.

A Christian woman who bore 19 children, only ten lived to adulthood. She talks about their education and religious training.

A different time, 1700's, when parents reared by breaking the will of the child at a very young age so they would be obedient to them. Seemed to work as long as they had lots of love to cushion them. Plus the strong principles and strict rules that defined the family unit. So much of it non existent today.

My favorite parts were the letters her husband wrote to her and the letters she wrote to her kids .

[Kelsey Shenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible woman! I really enjoyed the audio version of this book, however I can’t give it 5 stars because there were a few parts that felt excessive in explaining more of the church history around her life and that was not what I was hoping for in learning more about Susanna Wesley. I will dive deeper into more books as I wish I could hear more of her personal writings. Regardless, this is a great book that is a very short listen if you want to dip your toes into learning about an exceptional woman of faith.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I thought I knew about Susanna Wesley but was amazed at what a strong personality, perseverance, education and will that she had. I had always heard she had 19 children but did not realize that she only raised 10 that survived infancy. When she knew of a right way to conduct her life or her children's life she plowed straight ahead and made it happen.
This is a great story to encourage us to do whatever God is calling each one to do and be faithful in it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this biography were difficult to get into, but overall it was a good look at the woman who raised John and Charles Wesley. Susanna was a woman who brought up her children with "religion" in their life. She wanted them to worship God, but it was later in her life that she learned about a saving grace. She was a strict woman with her children, but showed them love as well. An interesting biography.

[Lady Safari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

I love stories of strong and inspirational woman in a time period where woman were only considered to be part of the furniture!


I loved her spunk and the way she embraced and stood firm in her beliefs.

Thank you to both the author and narrator.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. Kids rated it higher than I would have. Long extracts from her letters, writings and a lot of history & background that made listening to it a little dense and it didn't quite grab the kids.

[Sylvia Pottle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read but getting to read some of her letters gave such insite into her vast knowledge of the Gospel. I enjoyed this read a lot. I wanted more.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hagiographic but informative

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook about Susannah Wesley. Not only was it inspiring it was also encouraging. I am amazed at the letter writing between her and her children. I also found the religious instruction she gave her children interesting.

[Mathias Seiwert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing woman of faith in Jesus...

[Kimberly Thornbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9.
Inspiring.
Did not make me feel guilty. Put her culture in context for me.