Between 1715 and 1717 the Wesley home experienced an oppression that was known throughout the family.  The home began to experience demonic manifestations both day and night.  During the daytime, latches of the children's rooms would go up and down with no one present.  At night, the sound of ratcheting wheels and spilling coins would be heard throughout the house.  As the family tried to sleep, pewter plates and glass bottles would clank and rattle each other.  Actually, the frequency of the oppression was such that the young girls just thought it was fun.  Mysterious knocks and groaning would take place at odd times during the day.  It would be experienced in all sections of the house, except the study of the father.  Often, Susanna Wesley would stamp on the floor, and the oppression would return the favor.

Susanna and her husband realized it commenced as they started to pray.  Apparently, this all began when the father, who was a pastor, began to preach against withcraft.  When Susanna told it to stop, it would stop.  Family members said that it would even go so far as to materialize in the kitchen, in the form of a white rabbit. 

This account, from the book The Occult Sciences by Rev. Edward Smedley(1855), was taken from the accounts in Susanna's diary, as well as that of the father. 

What does it teach us?  It tells us that spiritual warfare is real, and that it can be present in a church leader's home!  It tells us that such occurrences are to be listened to, as even people of the stature of John and Charles Wesley experienced them.  It tells us to not be afraid, as the power of Jesus is greater, and Jesus stopped them.