During recent reading in a book on John Wesley's life, I came to some child-training information which Susannah Wesley, his mother, used in the rearing of her 10 children who lived; out of 19 she bore, nine died.
John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist Church. His mother was the one to whom he corresponded and from whom he received much inspiration and enlightenment early in his life.
Susannah Wesley gave serious attention in the early training of her many children. She had seven surviving girls and three sons. To them she gave the following training.
"When a year old they were taught to fear the rod, and cry softly. Thus the odious voice of crying of children was rarely heard around the house. Only sickness was reason enough for drinking between meals. And, they always ate the food that was provided for the remainder of the family."
"Moral and religious training began early. In order to form the minds of children, the first thing to be done is to conquer the will. Unless this is done, the result is stubbornness and obstinacy, which are never conquered without painful severity to both parent and child."
"Where the will of the child is subdued many troubles are avoided. No wilful transgression ought to be forgiven without chastisement. Whatever checks it promotes their future happiness and piety. So the parent who studies to subdue it works together with God in renewing and saving a soul. The parent who indulges it does the devil's work, and makes religion impracticable, salvation unattainable ... to damn the child, soul and body forever."
I quote extensively from the mother of long ago, early 18th century, for it struck me as a very healthy discipline for children and family. If children do not learn this at home, they go out into society without a proper attitude toward authority and law. The child is largely what the home has made him.
The best way to provide the right home and training for the children is to partner with the Lord. And, who knows, he or she may become another John Wesley to bless the world as his mother, Susannah, did.
