Fire and Peril

CHARLES WESLEY'S infancy was longer than that of most children, and he was still a helpless babe when, on the night of the 9th of February 1709, Epworth Rectory was burnt down. Mrs. Wesley wrote a short account of this calamity to her eldest son at Westminster five days afterwards, in fact as soon as she had found shelter, rest, and clothing.

" DEAR SAMMY, " Epworth, Feb. 14th, 1708-9.

" When I received your letter, wherein you complained of want of shirts, I little thought that in so short a space we should all be reduced to the same and indeed a worse condition. I suppose you have already heard of the firing of our house, by what accident we cannot imagine; but the fire broke out about eleven or twelve o'clock at night, we being all in bed, nor did we perceive it till the roof of the cornchamber was burnt through, and the fire fell upon your sister Hetty's bed, which stood in the little room joining upon it. She awaked, and immediately ran to call your father who lay in the red chamber ; for, I being ill, he was forced to lie from me. He says he heard some crying ' Fire ! ' in the street before, but did not apprehend where it was till he opened his door ; he called at our chamber, and bade us all shift for life, for the roof was falling fast, and nothing but the thin wall kept the fire from the staircase.

" We had no time to take our clothes, but ran all naked. I called to Betty to bring the children out of the nursery ; she took up Patty, and left Jacky to follow her, but he, going to the door and seeing all on fire, ran back again. We got the street door open, but the wind drove the flame with such violence that none could stand against it. I tried thrice to break through, but was driven back. I made another attempt and waded through the fire, which did me no other hurt than to scorch my legs and face. When I was in the yard, I looked about for your father and the children ; but, seeing none, concluded them all lost. But, I thank God, I was mistaken. Your father carried sister Emily, Sukey, aud Patty into the garden ; then missing Jacky, he ran back into the house to see if he could save him. He heard him miserably crying out in the nursery, and attempted several times to get up-stairs, but was beat back by the flames ; then he thought him lost, and commended his soul to God, and went to look after the rest. The child climbed up to the window and called out to them in the yard ; they got up to the casement and pulled him out just as the roof fell into the chamber. Harry broke the glass of the parlour window and threw out your sisters Matty and Hetty ; and so, by God's great mercy, we all escaped. Do not be discouraged, God will provide for you.

" SUSANNA WESLEY.'' One can imagine how rapidly the fire spread through a house built only of timber and plaster, with a thatched roof, and how difficult it was to get out with life and limb safe, without stopping for clothes or wraps. A day or two afterwards Mr. Wesley, who apparently was unaware that his wife had summoned up strength and energy to write to her eldest boy at Westminster, wrote a more detailed account to the Duke of Buckingham : — " Righteous is the Lord, and just in all His judgments ! I am grieved that I must write what will, I doubt, afflict your Grace, concerning your still unfortunate servant. I think I am enough recollected to give a tolerable account of it.

" On Wednesday last, at half an hour after eleven at night, in a quarter of an hour's time or less, my house at Epworth was burnt down to the ground — — I hope, by accident, but God knows all. We had been brewing, but had done all ; every spark of fire quenched before five o'clock that evening — at least six hours before the house was on fire. Perhaps the chimney above might take fire (though it had been swept not long since) and break through into the thatch. Yet it is strange I should neither see nor smell anything of it, having been in my study in that part of the house till above half an hour after ten. Then I locked the doors of that part of the house where my wheat and other corn lay, which was threshed, and went to bed.

" The servants had not been in bed a quarter of an hour when the fire began. My wife being near her time, and very weak, I lay in the next chamber. A little after eleven I heard ' Fire ! ' cried in the street, next to which I lay. If I had been in my own chainber as usual, we had all been lost. I threw myself out of bed, got on my waistcoat and nightgown, and looked out of the window; saw the reflection of the flame, but knew not where it was ; ran to my wife's chamber with one stocking on, and my breeches in my hand; would have broken open the door, which was bolted within, but could not. My two eldest children (Susanna and Emilia) were with her. They rose, and ran towards the staircase, to raise the rest of the house. Then I saw it was our own house, all in a light blaze, and nothing but a door between the flame and the staircase.

" I ran back to my wife, who by this time had got out of bed naked and opened the door. I bade her fly for her life. We had a little silver and some gold — about £20. She would have stayed for it, but I pushed her out ; got her and my two eldest children down-stairs (where two of the servants were now got) and asked for the keys. They knew nothing of them. I ran up-stairs and found them, came down and opened the street door. The thatch was fallen in all on fire. The north-east wind drove all the sheets of flame in my face, as if reverberated in a lamp. I got twice on the steps, and was drove down again. I ran to the garden door and opened it. The fire was there more moderate. I bade them all follow but found only two with me, and the maid with another (Charles) in her arms that cannot go, but all naked. I ran with them to my house of office in the garden, out of the reach of the flames; put the least in the other's lap; and, not finding my wife follow me, ran back into the house to seek her. The servants and two of the children were got out at the window. In the kitchen I found my eldest daughter, naked, and asked her for her mother. She could not tell me where she was. I took her up and carried her to the rest in the garden ; came in the second time and ran up-stairs, the flame breaking through the wall at the staircase ; thought all my children weresafe, and hoped my wife was some way got out. I then remembered my books, and felt in my pocket for the key of the chamber which led to my study » I could not find the key, though I searched a second time. Had I opened that door, I must have perished.

" I ran down, and went to my children in the garden, to help them over the wall. When I was without, I heard one of my poor lambs, left still above stairs, about six years old, cry out dismally, ' Help me ! ' I ran in again to go up-stairs, but the staircase was now all afire. I tried to force up through it a second time, holding my breeches over my head,, but the stream of fire beat me down. I thought I had done my duty ; went out of the house to that part of my family I had saved, in the garden, with the killing cry of my child in my ears. I made them all kneel down, and we prayed God to receive his soul.

"I tried to break down the pales, and get «my children over into the street, but could not ; then went under the flame, and got them over the walL Now I put on my breeches and leaped after them. One of my maid-servants that had brought out the least child, got out much at the same time. She was saluted with a hearty curse by one of the neighbours, and told that we had fired the house ourselves, the second time, on purpose. I ran about inquiring for my wife and other children; met the chief man and chief constable of the town going from my house,, not towards it to help me. I took him by the hand and said, ' God's will be done ! ' His answer was : ' Will you never have done your tricks ? You fired your house once before ; did you not get enough by it then, that you have done it again ? ' This was cold comfort. I said ' God forgive you ! I find you are chief man still.' But I had a little better soon after y hearing that my wife was saved, and then I fell on. mother earth and blessed God. I went to her. She was alive, and could just speak. She thought I had perished, and so did all the rest, not having seen me nor any share of eight children for a quarter of an hour ; and by this time all the chambers and everything was reduced to ashes, for the fire was stronger than a furnace, the violent wind beating it down on the house. She told me afterwards how she escaped. When I went first to open the back door she endeavoured to force through the fire at the fore door, but was struck back twice to the ground. She thought to have died there, but prayed to Christ to help her. She found new strength, got up alone, and waded through two or three yards of flame, the fire on the ground being up to her knees. She had nothing on but her shoes and a wrapping gown and one coat on her arm. This she wrapped about her breast, and got safe through into the yard, but no soul yet to help her. She never looked up or spake till I came, only when they brought her last child to her bade them lay it on the bed. This was the lad whom I heard cry in the house, but God saved him almost by a miracle. He only was forgot by the servants in the hurry. He ran to the window towards the yard, stood upon a chair, and cried for help. There were now a few people gathered, one of whom, who loves me, helped up another to the window. The child seeing a man come into the window, was frightened, and ran away to get to his mother's chamber. He could not open the door, so ran back again. The man was fallen down from the window, and all the bed and hangings in the room where he was were blazing. They helped up the man the second time, and poor Jacky leaped into his arms and was saved. I could not believe it till I had kissed him two or three times. My wife then said unto me, * Are your books safe ? ' I told her it was not much now she and all the rest were preserved, for we lost not one soul, though I escaped with the skin of my teeth. A little lumber was saved below stairs, but not one rag or leaf above. We found some of the silver in a lump, which I shall send up to Mr. Hoare to sell for me.

" Mr. Smith of Gainsborough, and others, have sent for some of my children. I have left my wife at Epworth, trembling ; but hope God will preserve her, and fear not but He will provide for us. I want nothing, having above half ray barley saved in my barns unthreshed. I had finished my alterations in the Life of Christ a little while since, and transcribed three copies of it. But all is lost. God be praised !

" I know not how to write to my poor boy (Samuel) about it ; but 1 must, or else he will think we are all lost. Can your Grace forgive this ? I hope my wife will recover and not miscarry, but God will give me my nineteenth child. She has burnt her legs, but they mend. When I came to her, her lips were black. I did not know her. Some of the children are a little burnt, but not hurt or disfigured. I only got a small blister on my hand. The neighbours send us clothes, for it is cold without them.

" SAMUEL WESLEY."

The rector wrote pretty cheerfully considering how great was the trial. The books which he had carefully collected one or two at a time, and paid for with money which could only be spared by self-denial, were only a little less dear than his children, and his collection of Hebrew poetry and hymns was of considerable value. A large number of letters from friends and literary connections were also consumed, as well as papers connected with the Annesley family and the parish registers. One item alone was left, and that was a hymn of six verses, written by Mr. Wesley, and set to music by, as is supposed, either Purcell or Dr. Blow. It is incorporated in the Methodist hymn-book, and is the only specimen of the elder Mr. Wesley's versification it contains : the opening words are "Behold the Saviour of Mankind." Then there was the well-worn though useful furniture, and the clothes of all, the little store of money and the indispensable comforts prepared for the expected babe, all were swept away in a few minutes. The children were scattered ; but Emilia, the eldest girl, who was about seventeen, remained to take care of her mother in the lodgings where she and her parents were domiciled at Epworth, and became her patient and cheerful nurse and constant companion for nearly a year. She was an unusually well-educated girl, having shared the lessons given by the father to Samuel as long as he remained at home, and it was intended that she should earn her own living as soon as she was old enough, as a governess. She loved her mother with the adoring fondness sometimes seen in an eldest daughter who is old enough to sympathise with her parent's trials, and regarded the months in which she had her almost to herself as one of the happiest times of her life. All day long she was busy, but in the evening she read either aloud or to herself, and was very happy and contented.

In March 1709, about a month after the fire, Kezia was born, and proved to be the last of Mrs. Wesley's children. That she should be ailing and delicate was only to be expected, considering what her mother, who was just forty years of age, had gone through.

Five months later Mrs. Wesley, at the request of a neighbouring clergyman, wrote to him a little further account of the fire : — " Epworth, August 24th, 1709.

" On Wednesday night, February 9th, between the hours of eleven and twelve, some sparks fell from the roof of our house upon one of the children's feet. She immediately ran to our chamber and called us. Mr. Wesley, hearing a cry of fire in the street, started up (as I was very ill he lay in a separate room from me), and opening his door, found the fire was in his own house. He immediately came to my room, and bid me and my eldest daughters rise quickly and shift for ourselves. Then he ran and burst open the nursery-door, and called to the maid to bring out the children. The two little ones were in the bed with her; the three others in another bed. She snatched up the youngest, and bid the rest follow, which the three elder did. When we were got into the hall, and were surrounded with flames, Mr. Wesley found he had left the keys of the doors above-stairs. He ran up and recovered them a minute before the staircase took fire. When we opened the street-door the strong north-east wind drove the flames in with such Tiolence that none could stand against them. But some of our children got out through the windows, the rest through a little-door into the garden. I was not in a condition to climb up to the windows, neither could 1 get to the garden door. I endeavoured three times to force my passage through the streetdoor, but was as often beat back by the fury of the flames. In this distress I besought our blessed Saviour for help, and then waded through the fire, naked as I was, which did me no further harm than a little scorching my hands and face. When Mr. Wesley had seen the other children safe, he heard the child in the nursery cry. He attempted to go up the stairs, but they were all on fire, and would not bear his weight. Finding it impossible to give any help, he kneeled down in the hall and recommended the soul of the child to God.

" SUSANNA WESLEY/' Man's extremity is God's opportunity; and John Wesley believed that it was at the moment when his father was thus recommending his spirit to the God who gave it, that he awoke, and not before ; adding : 4< I did not cry, as they imagined, unless it was afterwards. I remember all the circumstances as distinctly as though it were but yesterday. Seeing the room was very light, I called to the maid to take me up. But none answering, I put my head out of the curtains and saw streaks of fire on the top of the room. I got up and ran to the door, but could get no further, all beyond it being .in a blaze. I then climbed up on the chest which stood near the window; one in the yard saw me, and proposed running to fetch a ladder. Another answered, ' There will not be time ;

but I have thought of another experiment. Here, I will fix myself against the wall, lift a light man and set him upon my shoulders.' They did so, and he took me out of the window. Just then the whole roof fell in ; but it fell inward, or we had all been crushed at once. When they brought me into the house where my father was he cried out : ' Come, neighbours, let us kneel down ; let us give thanks to God ! He has given me all my eight children ; let the house go. I am rich enough.' The next day, as he was walking in the garden and surveying the ruins of the house, he picked up part of a leaf of his Polyglot Bible, on which just these words were legible : Vade : vende omnia quo habes ; et attolle crucem, et sequere me"

There are not many discrepancies in the three accounts ; for father, mother, and son were all clearheaded people, and John Wesley's mind throughout life was singularly free from anything like " muddle/r In fact the organization of Methodism is sufficient proof of the accuracy with which his brain worked. He neither forgot nor fancied, hasted nor rested, but did everything with such well-aimed precision that his rules and regulations were living forces instead of dry bones.

The fire made more change in the lives of Susanna and Hetty (Mehetabel) than in those of the other children, for their uncles Samuel Annesley and Matthew Wesley sent for them to come and stay in London ; and then was laid the foundation of a very warm attachment between the latter and his clever, sprightly nieces. It does not appear, however, that they were able to give much information of what followed the calamity to their brother at Westminster, for in June he wrote the following letter to his mother : — " St. Peter's College, Westminster, " MADAM, June 9th, 1709.

" Had not my grandmother told me, the last time I was there, that you were near lying-in, at which time I thought it would be in vain to write what you would not be able to read, I had sent you letters over and over again before this. I beg, therefore, you will not impute it to my negligence, which sure I can never be guilty of, while I enjoy what you gave me — life. My father lets me be in profound ignorance as to your circumstances at Epworth, and I have not heard a word from the country since the first letter you sent me after the fire ; so that I am quite ashamed to go to any of my relations for fear of being jeered out of my life. They ask me whether my father intends to leave Epworth. Whether he is rebuilding his house ? Whether any contributions are to be expected? What was the lost (last?) child, a boy or a girl ? What was its name ? Whether my father has lost all his books and papers ? If nothing was saved ? To all of which I am forced to answer, ' I can't tell, I don't know ; I 've not heard.' I have asked my father some of these questions, but am still an ignoramus. If you think my ' Cowley ' and ' Hudibras ' worth accepting, I shall be very glad to send them to my mother, who gave them to me. I hope you are all well, as all are in town.

" Your most affectionate son, "SAM WESLEY."

As the mother, just then, had more time than usual on her hands, it is more than probable that she answered her boy's questions, though her letter has not been preserved. She wrote to him again in the autumn of the same year, as follows : — " Ep worth, October 1709. " MY DEAR SAMMY, " I hope that you retain the impressions of your education, nor have forgot that the vows of God are upon you. You know that the first-fruits are Heaven's by an unalienable right, and that, as your parents devoted you to the service of the altar, so you yourself made it your choice when your father was offered another way of life for you. But have you duly considered what such a choice and such a dedication imports? Consider well what separation from the world, what purity, what devotion, what exemplary virtue, are required in those who are to guide others to glory ! I say exemplary ; for low, common degrees of piety are not sufficient for those of the sacred function. You must not think to live like the rest of the world ; your light must so shine before men that they may see your good works, and thereby be led to glorify your Father which is in heaven. For my part, I cannot see with what face clergymen can reprove sinners, or exhort men to lead a good life, when they themselves indulge their own corrupt inclinations, and by their practice contradict their doctrine. If the Holy Jesus be indeed their Master, and they are really His ambassadors, surely it becomes them to live like His disciples ; and, if they do not, what a sad account must they give of their stewardship !

I would advise you, as much as possible in your present circumstances, to throw your business into a certain method, by which means you will learn to improve every precious moment, and find an unspeakable facility in the performance of your respective duties. Begin and end the day with Him who is the Alpha and Omega, and if you really experience what it is to love God, you will redeem all the time you can for His more immediate service. I will tell you what rule I used to observe when I was in my father's house, and had as little, if not less liberty than you have now. I used to allow myself as much time for recreation as I spent in private devotion ; not that I always spent so much, but I gave myself leave to go so far but no farther. So in all things else, appoint so much time for sleep, eating, company, &c. ; but, above all things, my dear Sammy, I command you, I beg, I beseech you, to be very strict in observing the Lord's Day. In all things endeavour to act on principle, and do not live like the rest of mankind, who pass through the world like straws upon a river, which are carried which way the stream or wind drives them. Often put this question to yourself: Why do I this or that ? Why do I pray, read, study, or use devotion, &c. ? By which means you will come to such a steadiness and consistency in your words and actions as becomes a reasonable creature and a good Christian.

" Your affectionate mother, "Sus. WESLEY.*' Truly the mother set a high ideal before her son ; and though he did not prove to be the genius and divine of the family, she had her reward, in the way in which most human wishes are fulfilled. Samuel was always a good son and exemplary Christian, but it was John who became an apostle and a power in the world. Not the identical thing she desired from 6 * the very birth of her first man-child, and before itr but a better blessing still.

Mrs. Wesley's letters to her daughters are not very numerous, as of course they were at home with her, while the boys were away at school and college. She, however, wrote a very long one, in which was embodied an exposition of the Apostle's Creed, to Susanna while in London, during the year that followed the fire: — "Epworth, " DEAR SUKET, January 13th, 1709-10.

" Since our misfortunes have separated us from each other, and we can no longer enjoy the opportunities we once had of conversing together, I can no other way discharge the duty of a parent, or comply with my inclination of doing you all the good I can but in writing.

" You know very well how I love you. I love your body, and do earnestly beseech Almighty God to bless it with health, and all things necessary for its comfort and support in this world. But my tenderest regard is for your immortal soul, and for its spiritual happiness, which regard I cannot better express than by endeavouring to instil into your mind those principles of knowledge and virtue that are absolutely necessary in order to your leading a good life here, which is the only thing that can infallibly secure your happiness hereafter.

"The main thing which is now to be done is to lay a good foundation, that you may act upon principles, and be always able to satisfy yourself and give a reason to others of the faith that is in you ; for anyone who makes a profession of religion only because it is the custom of the country in which they live, or because their parents do so, or their worldly interest is thereby secured or advanced, will never be able to stand in the day of temptation, nor shall they -ever enter into the kingdom of Heaven. And though, perhaps, you cannot at present comprehend all I shall say, yet keep this letter by you, and as you grow in years your reason and judgment will improve, and you will obtain a more clear understanding in all things.

" You have already been instructed in some of the first principles of religion : that there is one, and but one God ; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; that this God ought to be worshipped. You have learned some prayers, your creed and catechism, in which is briefly comprehended your duty to God, yourself, and your neighbour. But, Sukey, it is not learning these things by heart, nor your saying a few prayers morning and night, that will bring you to heaven ; you must understand what you say, and you must practise what you know ; and since knowledge is requisite in order to practice, I shall endeavour, after as plain a manner as I can, to instruct you in some of those fundamental points which are most necessary to be known, and most easy to be understood. And I earnestly beseech the great Father of spirits to guide your mind into the way of truth.

" I cannot tell whether you have ever seriously considered the lost and miserable condition you are in by nature. If you have not, it is high time to begin to do it; and I shall earnestly beseech the Almighty to enlighten your mind, to renew and sanctify you by His Holy Spirit, that you may be His child by adoption here, and an heir of His blessed kingdom, hereafter."