Many of God’s greatest preachers and pastors were supported by unnamed or unsung women – their patient wives.
Susanna Mason was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, in about 1725. Her family had been Baptists for several generations, going back to the old country. Susanna was converted at about the age of twenty, joining a scriptural church and maintaining her Baptist convictions throughout her life. Along came a promising young, Protestant man named Isaac Backus. They married on November 29, 1749. At some point Susanna and others were able to convince Isaac that the churches of the New Testament were baptistic in doctrine, and Isaac Backus became one of the shining lights of the New England Baptists.
Susanna eventually gave birth and raised nine children, with comparatively little help from her husband. Backus spent much of his time traveling, preaching, and debating with the religious leaders and politicians of the day. When he was home, he was busy writing, publishing books that are still read by Baptists today.
After her passing, Isaac wrote of his wife: “Her prudence and economy did much toward the support of our family… and her exemplary walk and conversation caused her to be highly esteemed by her acquaintances in general. In several revivals of religion among us, and in one just before der death, she most heartily rejoiced, and was much engaged.”
Shortly before her death, Susanna said, “I am not so much concerned with living or dying, as to have my will swallowed up in the will of God.” On this day in 1800, five days before her 51st wedding anniversary, Susanna Backus quietly departed this world, having successfully raised several children and one outstanding Baptist preacher.
– Source: This Day in Baptist History, Cummins & Thompson