John Wesley’s marriage

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS
DAVE HANSON

John Wesley had discussed with a friend whether or not it would be a good thing for him to marry, and on February 2, 1751, he decided to do so. He was 47 years old and his bride, Molly Vazelle, was a wealthy widow with four children. She was 41 years old. Her merchant husband had died four years previously.

It is interesting that this marriage occurred just days after John had urged Methodist ministers not to marry unless there were exceptional reasons to do so. He also urged them if they married not to preach one less sermon.

John had fallen in love with Molly when she became his nurse after he fell on the ice on London Bridge. It was not unusual for John Wesley to fall in love with nurses.

The marriage was not satisfactory to Molly or John. She was at the stage in life in which she wanted to settle down and have a home. John was always the traveling evangelist. Molly became insanely jealous of any women Wesley conversed with or wrote letters of sympathy or encouragement to.

Later, after several trips together, John took a trip without Molly. He wrote what a blessing it was to not have to hear complaints about wet weather, bad beds, poor food, etc., etc., etc.