Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

COLLETT - GILPIN.

comparative rubbish, real religion was scarcely, if at all, discernible. And I have much reason to fear that those seminaries which, if well conducted, would be highly calculated to promote the interests of true religion, are, in a considerable degree pernicious to the souls of many who enter them. Leaving this in the hands of the great Governor of the universe, allow me, Mr. Editor, to address a few words to the leaders and principal friends in our congregations, relative to that class of men whose cause I am advocating. Recollect, my dear friends, that from the number of preaching-houses and chapels in each circuit, if you do not encourage your local preachers, you will soon have little or no preaching at all. Your travelling preachers exert themselves in general to the utmost of their ability, and some of them exhaust health and strength in your service. Did you know the very great difficulty a superintendant has in forming a plan so as to divide the labours of the travelling preachers among the various places, you would, I am convinced, abstain from those pressing applications for the travelling preachers; which, though proceeding from the best motives, only contribute to embarrass the superintendant, and, when known to the local brethren, must hurt their feelings.

My dear friends, let me beg of you to consider more attentively than you have ever yet done, the situation of your local preachers; many of them busily employed all the week in the manufactory, warehouse, or behind the counter; stealing from their sleep, their meals, or their domestic enjoyments, all the time they possibly can, to prepare for the Sabbath, besides abridging themselves of many of the comforts of life that they may purchase a few necessary books; and that, on the only day in which they can remain at home in the bosom of their families, and enjoy domestic peace and comfort, in all seasons and all weathers, they often walk five, ten, or even twenty miles, and preach two or three times, receiving no other emolument than a little

33

necessary refreshment for all this mental and bodily exertion and labour of love. Let me then ask you, can you bear to wound the feelings of such a man, by receiving him in a cold distant manner, inquiring of him why the superintendant did not come, or why some other travelling or local preacher was not sent? Is it likely that after such a reception the good man should feel either liberty to preach or that affection for his hearers which is so essential to his preaching with comfort to himself or with a probability of his being useful to his audience! Add to this, perhaps, he sees many of the usual hearers absent themselves rather than hear him. Judge of the painful feelings that must agitate the breast of this worthy man, thus circumstanced, as he takes his solitary walk home at night, and ask your own hearts if he is likely to improve under such depressing circumstances? He is not; and, doubtless, many useful labourers are thus prevented from entering the vineyard, and others discouraged from persevering; and many souls may now be perishing in ignorance through the chilling fastidiousness of some nice-eared critics; who, because the heavenly bread of life is not presented to them in such a vehicle as they approve of, will not only not taste themselves, but do their utmost to prevent those from feeding who are not so fashionable and so nice in their ideas. Ye that do thus are no true Methodists.-J. COLLETT.

[Mr. Gilpin's Ministry.]

"THIS desolation of the congregations appeared most of all in Northumberland and the parts adjoining which are called Kiddesdale, and Tindale. For in these quarters especially in that time, the word of God was never heard of to be preached amongst them but by Mr. Gilpin's ministry. So that once a yeare it was his custome to make a journey amongst them. For which purpose he would usually take the opportunity of Christmass holidayes, when in re

D

[blocks in formation]

spect of frost and snow other men were loth to travell. That time he liked best, because then there came many holy-days together, and the people would more usually assemble upon the holy-dayes, where as at other times they neither would come together so easily, nor so often. He got himself a great deale of estimation and respect amongst this people both by preaching and by distribution of monies to the poore in his journey, being sometimes benighted before he was aware, and forced to lodge in the snowe all night. In which extremity, he commanded William Airy, who for the most part attended upon him, to trott the horses up and downe, and neither to permit them nor himself to stand still, whiles he himself, in the meane while did bestirre himselfe sometimes running sometimes walking, as not able to stand still for cold."-Life of Gilpin.

[Story of Jonathan Pyvah.]

"A LITTLE before the conclusion of the late war in Flanders, one who came from thence gave us a very strange relation. I knew not what judgement to form of this, but waited till John Haime should come over, of whose veracity I could no more doubt, than of his understanding. The account he gave was this: Jonathan Pyvah was a member of our society in Flanders. I knew him some years, and knew him to be a man of unblamable character. One day he was summoned to appear before the Board of General Officers. One of them said, 'What is this which we hear of you? we hear you are turned prophet, and that you foretell the downfall of the bloody House of Bourbon, and the haughty House of Austria. We should be glad if you were a real prophet, and if your prophecies came true. But what sign do you give, to convince us you are so; and that your predictions will come to pass?' He readily answered, 'Gentlemen, I give you a sign. To-morrow at twelve o'clock, you

shall have such a storm of thunder and lightning, as you never had before since you came into Flanders. I give you a second sign: as little as any of you expect any such thing, as little appearance of it as there is now, you shall have a general engagement with the French within three days. I give you a third sign: I shall be ordered to advance in the first line. If I am a false prophet, I shall be shot dead at the first discharge. But if I am a true prophet I shall only receive a musket-ball in the calf of my leg.' At twelve the next day there was such thunder and lightning as they never had in Flanders. On the third day, contrary to all expectation, was the general battle of Fontenoy. He was ordered to advance in the first line. And at the very first discharge, he received a musket-ball in the calf of his left leg.'

"And yet all this profited nothing, either for temporal or eternal happiness. When the war was over, he returned to England; but the story was got before him in consequence of which he was sent for by the Countess of St-s, and several other persons of quality, who were desirous to receive so surprising an account from his own mouth. He could not bear so much honour. It quite turned his brain. In a little time he ran stark mad. And so he continues to this day, living still, as I apprehend, on Wibsey Moonside, within a few miles of Leeds."-Quare? WESLEY, vol. 10, p. 163.

[Mr. Howel Haris's Family at Trevecca.]

"DURING my travels in these parts, I had an opportunity of visiting the late Mr. Howel Haris's family at Trevecca; the house stands at a little distance from Lady Huntingdon's School, and although it has the appearance of a gentleman's seat, yet is a place of great industry. The family consists of about one hundred and twenty persons; they occupy a farm of four or five hundred acres; the women are employed in making flannels and the men in various

YEWDALL-COKE.

branches of business. They follow the example of the Primitive Christians in having all things common. They have but one purse, and all eat at the same table, only the men and women are in different rooms. They are remarkably prudent, industrious, sober, and temperate; their clothes are very plain, but decent; and the decorum and regularity observed by them is almost inconceivable. They rise every morning at five o'clock, and spend an hour together, in singing, prayer, reading or expounding the Scriptures. At eight o'clock they breakfast, and employ the remainder of the hour in religious exercises, as they do likewise from one to two o'clock, when they dine. At eight o'clock in the evening they assemble again and unite in the worship of God, till ten, when they retire to rest. They have also fellowship meetings. The whole family evince a high degree of the fear of God, and many of them experience a large measure of divine peace and happiness."Z. YEWDALL.

[Question of Public Schools.]

"THE public schools have their excellencies no man can doubt; but that they have their evils also, it would be folly to deny. It is deemed a branch of common politeness to study the appetite in subordination to the health of a person advanced to a state of maturity. But in most public seminaries rigid discipline predominates over all. Fettered with an inflexible rule which refuses to bend to any circumstances or conditions, except those of imperious necessity, the governor and governess deem it no contemptible virtue to disregard the feelings of such as are committed to their care. Tenacious of their rights, pre-established usage determines every case. robust may conform, but the infirm must sink beneath the exercise of authority to which their strength is wholly unequal. In every department of life, we behold variety. No human law can enforce discipline

The

35

uniformly; without becoming oppressive to some or affording laxity to others. In both these cases the end is defeated by the very measure which was instituted to secure it; the law becomes tyrannical, and in proportion as it is thus applied, is manifestly unjust."-DOCTOR COKE.

[Take care of Aged Ministers.]

"THIS forms a new era in the life of a Methodist preacher, which all other ministers of the Gospel are unacquainted with. When his strength for labour fails him, he no longer draws his support from any circuit, or society, but is made a supernumerary, and derives a small assistance for his future support from a fund to which he paid, during his health, one guinea per annum: (now a guinea and a half.) When in his regular work, he found a house in every circuit, to which he was appointed, ready furnished for the accommodation of himself and family; but no sooner does he cease to fill the place, as an effective man, but he quits his house, and leaves all the furniture, which is the property of the society, to his

successor.

"Thus when his head is silvered by age, or his strength gone by affliction, he has to begin the world again. At that period of life, after long arrangements, the successful tradesman retires to reap the fruits of his industry. The worn-out servant of God, in the evening of life, has every thing to provide, and, in some cases, very little to provide with; and while the minister in the establishment, settled in his parish, can call in the aid of a curate when he is no longer able to do the duty of his station and yet retain his living; and the aged minister over a dissenting congregation, has his assistant while he continues to exercise the pastoral care over his flock; the itinerant, worn out in the service of his blessed Master, is placed in circumstances directly opposite to these.

"If I might be allowed to advocate the

[blocks in formation]

cause of such, I would say to the friends of itinerancy, look well to your aged ministers, particularly at the time they are quitting active service; make it your business to enquire into their circumstances, that you may help them. Some of you can call to recollection that under the word of truth spoken by them, you were first convinced of sin; that to them you made known your views and feelings; that they directed you the way to God through Christ, and that when they were holding up the ability and willingness of Jesus to save sinners, you were encouraged to trust in Christ; and were saved. Some of your dearest relatives have gone to glory, through their ministry. Have not these a claim on your bounty? Forget them not in their old age."-Quære? WESLEY.

wwwwwww

[Painful Treatment of the Christian Ministry.]

"THE Christian Ministry is a troublesome and a disgusted institution, and as little regarded by men as they regard their souls, but rather hated as much as they love their sins. The Church is every one's prey; and the shepherds are pilled, and polled, and fleeced by none more than by their own flocks. A prophet is sure to be without honour not only in his own country, but almost in every one else. I scarce ever knew any ecclesiastick but was treated with scorn and distance; and the only peculiar respect I have observed shewn such persons in this nation (which yet I dare say they could willingly enough dispense with) is, that sometimes a clergyman of an hundred pound a year has the honour to be taxed equal to a layman of ten thousand. Even those who pretend most respect to the Church and churchmen, will yet be found rather to use than to respect them; and if at any time they do ought for them, or give any thing to them, it is not because they are really lovers of the Church, but to serve some turn by being thought So. As some keep chaplains, not out of

if

any concern for religion, but as it is a piece
of grandeur something above keeping a
coach; it looks creditable and great in the
eyes of the world; though in such cases he
who serves at the Altar, has generally as
much contempt and disdain passed upon
him, as he who serves in the kitchen,
though perhaps not in the same way;
any regard be had to him, it is commonly
such an one as men have for a garment (or
rather a pair of shoes) which fits them, viz,
to wear him and wear him, till he is worn
out, and then to lay him aside. For be the
grandee he depends upon never so powerful,
he must not expect that he will do any-
thing for him, till it is scandalous not to do
it. If a first or second-rate living chance to
fall in his gift, let not the poor domestick
think, either learning, or piety, or long
service, a sufficient pretence to it; but let
him consider with himself rather, whether
he can answer that difficult question, 1 Who
was Melchisedeck's father? Or whether in-
stead of grace for grace he can bring gift
for gift, for all other qualifications without
it will be found empty and insignificant."-
SOUTH, vol. 4, p. 136.

[blocks in formation]

"It is observed of the Levites, though much of their Ministry was only shoulderwork, that they had yet a very considerable time for preparation. They were consecrated to it, by the Imposition of Hands at the age of five-and-twenty; after which they employed five years in learning their office, and then at the thirtieth year of their age they began their Levitical Ministration; at which time also our Blessed Saviour began his Ministry. But now under the Gospel, when our work is ten times greater, (as well as twice ten times more spiritual than theirs was) do we think to furnish ourselves in half the space? There was

1 A question very hardly solvable by a poor Clergyman, though never so good a divine.

[blocks in formation]

[Notion of Jacob Behmen that the Earth is

to become transparent as Glass.] "NOT that I can believe that wonderful

discovery of Jacob Behmen, which many so with all its furniture and inhabitants, will eagerly contend for, that the earth itself then be transparent as glass. There does not seem to be the least foundation for this, either in Scripture, or reason. Surely not in Scripture: I know not one text in the Old or New Testament, which affirms any such thing. Certainly it cannot be inferred from that text in the Revelation, chap. iv. v. 6, And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like unto crystal. And yet, if I mistake not, this is the chief if not the

lately a company of men called Tryers, | That the best sermons that were ever read, commissioned by Cromwell, to judge of the were never preached."—IZAAK WALTON'S abilities of such as were to be admitted by Life. them into the Ministry: Who (forsooth) if any of that Levitical age of thirty, presented himself to them for their approbation, they commonly rejected him with scorn and disdain; telling him, that if he had not been lukewarm, and good for nothing, he would have been disposed of in the Ministry long before; and they would tell him also, that he was not only of a legal age, but of a legal spirit too; and as for things legal, (by which we poor mortals, and men of the letter, and not of the spirit, understand things done according to law) this they renounced, and pretended to be many degrees above it; for otherwise we may be sure, that their great master of misrule Oliver would never have commissioned them to serve him in that post. And now what a kind of Ministry (may we imagine) such would have stocked this poor Nation with, in the space of ten years more. But the truth is, for those, whose divinity was novelty, it ought to be no wonder, if their divines were to be novices too; and since they intended to make their preaching and praying an extemporary work, no wonder if they were contented also with an extemporary preparation.” SOUTH'S Sermons, vol. 4, p. 63.

Dr. Sanderson's Visitation and Assize

Sermons.

“THOUGH they were much esteemed by them that procured and were fit to judge them, yet they were the less valued, be

cause he read them which he was forced to

do; for though he had an extraordinary memory (even the art of it) yet he was punished with such an innate, invincible fear and bashfulness, that his memory was wholly useless, as to the repetition of his sermons, so as he had writ them; which gave occasion to say, when some of them, which were first printed and exposed to eensure, (which was in the year 1632,)

only scripture which has been urged in ceive that it has any foundation in reason. favour of this opinion! Neither can I conIt has been warmly alledged that all things would be far more beautiful, if they were quite transparent. But I cannot apprehend this: yea, I apprehend quite the contrary. Suppose every part of a human body were made transparent as crystal, would it appear more beautiful than it does now? Nay, rather, it would shock us above measure. The surface of the body, in particular. The human face divine, is undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful objects that can be found under heaven. But could look

you

through the rosy cheek, the smooth, fair forehead, or the rising bosom, and distinctly see all that lies within, you would turn away from it with loathing and horror.”— Quære? WESLEY, vol. 9, p. 252.

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »