John Wesley’s wife, Molly Vazelle

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS
DAVE HANSON

When John Wesley was 47 years old he married Mary (Molly) Vazelle, a wealthy widow with four grown children whose merchant husband had died four years earlier. She was 41 years old. They agreed that all her assets would go to her children.

Their relationship was stormy. She was jealous of the time Wesley spent traveling and became furious at his correspondence with women. He made the mistake of telling her that she could open and read any letters that came to him. She went with him on several of his preaching missions and was miserable at the conditions they had to endure. She actually destroyed some of Wesley’s journal.

One day a visiting pastor knocked on Wesley’s door. It came open, revealing John on the floor with Mary dragging him by his long hair.

She left him several times, but returned. Finally she left again and John said, “I did not ask her to leave, but I will not ask her to return.” They were married for 20 tumultuous years and separated for 10. He returned from one of his preaching mission to learn that Molly had died and was buried.

John Wesley was poor husband material. His life was consumed by his mission to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land.