"A Brand Plucked From the Burning"

 

Image Source: DiscoverQuotes.com

    On this, America's Independence Day, ironically, I found a story from England to share:

    Samuel and Susanna Wesley were parents of  19 children, 9 of which survived infancy. Samuel was a minister in the Church of England in the late 1600's  to early 1700's.  These parents were extremely conscientious to train their children in the knowledge of the Scriptures from the earliest ages. 

    One night in 1709, their home caught on fire.  Starting in the corn room, it spread quickly to the dry thatched roof.  Pieces of burning thatch dropped onto 12-year-old Hetty's bed, waking her.  She ran screaming to her parents, who quickly gathered their children as best they could, guiding them down the burning staircase. Leaving all their possessions to the fire, they desperately shielded their children from the smoke and flames to the safety outside. Susanna was late in her pregnancy with her last baby. Her legs and face were burned during the escape. 

    As they gathered outside the house, they took count of their children. To their horror, one was missing.  5-year-old John woke up to the light of the flames dancing on the other side of the curtains that surrounded his bed.  He thought it was the sunlight of day and was wondering why he had not been awakened to come to morning prayers yet. He laid still, not wanting to awaken anyone. After a bit, he peeked out of his curtain to see the flames and began calling for help.  When no one came, he ran down the hall and to an open window, climbing up on a chest to see out.  He could see the family servants and townspeople working to get water to the flames.

    Samuel desperately tried to enter the inferno twice to rescue his son -- even using his pants to shield his head, but was unable to pass through the raging flames. In grief, he gathered his family together to pray.  No one saw little John waving from that second-story window and calling for help, except a neighbor.  This neighbor quickly grabbed another man and climbed on top of his shoulders to rescue John, just as the roof collapsed. Minutes later, the entire home was totally engulfed. 

    As John was reunited with his family, Samuel cried, " Come, neighbors, 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."  Some days later, Samuel referred to the incident said, " Is not this John, a brand plucked out of the burning?" (This is a reference to Zechariah 3:2)

    Two years later, Susanna wrote in her journal, "I do intend to be more particularly careful of the soul of this child, that Thou hast so mercifully provided for, than ever I have been, that I may do my endeavor to instill into his mind the principles of They true religion and virtue.  Lord, give me grace to do it sincerely and prudently, and bless my attempts with good success."

    John Wesley grew to adulthood and became the founder of the Methodist church. He was a prolific preacher of the gospel, calling believers to lives of holiness and fighting for the abolition of slavery. We have no way to count the number of souls in heaven as a result of his sermons. 

    I read this story on the heels of hearing Pastor Rob's introductory sermon on Christian parenting this past Sunday.  Challenged anew through both of these, I was reminded of the vital responsibility God places on parents to guide our children in the Scriptures, prayer and faith. We cannot see the dangers He guards them from on a momentary basis.  I was challenged to see that my husband and I have an urgent calling to train each child in the knowledge of the Lord! The Lord delights to use godly parents, and desires to use them. May we be faithful to follow His instructions. Imagine the impact on our world if more Christian families followed God's plan! 

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks💓