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Chapter11InchapterIX.Igavethereaderafewtypicalinstancesofmyadventuresandworkinmyearlydays,andendedbyspeakingoftheincreasingburdenonmyheartforthesoulsofmen;thatburdenincreaseddaily,untilitbecamealmostunbearable.Athome,abroad;bynightandday;atworkorrest,theoneabsorbing,overwhelmingthoughtwasthespiritualconditionofthosearoundme.IhadseenJesuscrucified,andthatvisionhadchangedthewholetrendofmybeing.O,howIyearnedtocommunicatethegoodnewstomenwhowereindarkness.Isawthemultitudespressingontoruin,andllongedtorushinandsavethem.Theyappearedtomeassheepwithoutashepherd.ForgetfulofGod,andunmindfulofeternalinterests,theypursuedthepathofruin.OfteninthestreetthefeelingsofmyheartwouldovercomemeandIwouldburstintotears.Icouldunderstandthen,ifneverbefore,theyearningimpetuosityofsomeoftheprophets.Thesorrow,andeventheverycrossofChrist,seemedareasonablething.Theself-reprobationofPaulforhisownkinsmenaccordingtothefleshappearedquitenatural,andallthesufferings,persecutions,andhardshipsofourearlypreacherstobringmentoGodstoodoutbeforemymindasthenecessaryoutcomeoftheirbeliefs.TheagonyofJamesCaugheywhenhecriedout:“Lord,savesoulsorIdie,”mysoulalsoexperienced.IknewthenwhyJohnSmith,ofearlyMethodistfame,couldlieprostrateforhoursashepleadedforthesalvationofthepeople.IcouldunderstandwhyWilliamBranwellcouldspendthirty-sixhoursin“aholeintheground,”intercedingforpowerthathemightmoreeffectuallypreachtheWord.IfeltIwouldgladlyyieldupall–life’sambitions,honours,fame,-andbecometheoff-scouringofallmen,ifIcouldbutsavesomeintotheknowledgeofJesusChrist!Ilongedtodevoteeverymomentofmylifetowarnmentofleefromthewrathtocome.Buteverydoorseemedclosed.lwaspoor,Iwasunknown,lhadnofriendsintheecclesiasticalcourts.lwastheonlyoneofmyfamilywithaChristianstanding,and,greatestbarrierofall,Iwasmarried.Thislastseemedaninsuperableobstacletotheministry.Besides,Ihadneitherbooksnormoneynormentalqualification.AllIpossessedwasaconsumingpassiontoblessandsavemen.ButIhadaninsatiabledesiretolearn.WhilecultivatingthedevotionalandtheevangelisticsidesofmylifeItriednottoforgettheintellectual.Iknewthathavingbeenawakenedsolateoutofthesleepofsin,naturemustworkathighpressureifIwastowalkinstepwiththegoodandtruearoundme.IresolvedthatwhateverpowersIpossessedshouldbeutilisedtotheutmost.Myfirstattemptsatself-improvement,togetherwithanaccountofthetoolsIworkedwith,havealreadybeenplacedbeforethereader.IhavelivedlongenoughtoseethewisdomofthecourseIpursued.Therockonwhichmanyanevangelistsplitsis-shallowness.Heisinblissfulignoranceoflife’slargerissues.Hethrumsoncertainkeyssooftenthattheystrikediscordsinsoulswherelargerchordswouldawakenmusic.OurownChurchhasactedontheassumptionthataculturedpastoratewasnecessary,butthatanymancouldsavesoulswhohadagoodpairoflungsandastrongfist.Butamanmustdomoreinthesedaysthanshout,“CometoJesus,”ifhewouldwinmentoGod.TheaverageintelligenceoftheBritishpeopleduringthelasttwentyyearshasgoneupconsiderably.AsIvaluemysoulIcouldnotpossiblyaddresspeopleto-dayonspiritualmattersasIdidyearsago.Theirintelligencewouldresentit.TheChurchshoulddevotehermostgiftedsonstothisimportantwork–savingmen.PrimitiveMethodismisfiftyyearsbehindinthismatter.Herstatesmenlackvision.Wehaveageniusforarithmeticandeducation,butwefailoftinseizingspiritualopportunities.Myfearisthatunlessmorewisdomisdisplayedinthismatterthesceptreofevangelismsolongourownmaypastoothers.Thedangerofmanyanevangelistisnarrownessofview.Afewthoughtsandafewaddressesservehimforalifetime.Heseemsperfectlyobliviousofthefactthatlifebeingprogressivethesoul’s

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necessitiesconstantlyenlarge.Themanwhocannotmeettheclaimsofbothintellectandheartinthesetimesislimitedinhisrangeofusefulness.Theboysofto-dayknowmoreoftheBiblethanthemenoffortyyearsago.Evangelistshaveoftencomplainedtomethatthemissionstheyconductedwerechieflysustainedbytheignorantandtheunlearned.Thattheintelligentandtheculturedmostlystoodaloof.Butwhyisthis?Isitbecauselife’sculturemakesthesoulindifferenttospiritualthings?Nocertainlynot.InninecasesoutoftenitisbecausethemanwhowouldconverttheintelligenttoChristhasnomessagetotheirsoul.Heprates,andprates,andprates,butlikeasixth-ratemusicianbangingonthekeys,herepelsanddisgustswhereheshouldcharmandsave.Herepeats,likeaparrot,whathehasrepeatedathousandtimesbefore,heedlessofthefactthattheeffectofhismessageontheheartswhichhearhimisnomorethan“soundingbrassortheclangingcymbal.”

“Onlybelieve,andyoushallbesaved;Andheavenisyoursforever,”----

representsaboutalltheGospelthatsomemissionpreachersknow,Thedangerofallspecialistsliesjusthere,whethertheypreachersorevangelists.HighercriticsofLowercritics,scientistsorphilosphers.Absorptionofthemindinasingleideamaysonarrowthesoul’svisionthattheidea,whichistruewhensetintherightperspective,maybefalseifmadethecentreofawholesystem.BecausesomescientistscannotseetheworkingofabsolutemindinitsmanipulationofatomstheyrejecttheideaofGod.Themanwhodealswiththesoulhasanawfultask.Thehearthewouldtouchwithredeemingtruthislikethekeyboardofanorgan.Heneedsthewisemindandthedefthand,formuchoflife’sdiscordistheresultofuntrainedfingerssmitingthekeys.Butnoattemptsatself-tuitioneasedthestrainonmyheart.Heavierdidtheburdenbecome,untilonedayIfeltIcouldbearnomore.Longasmemorylaststhatdaywillliveinmysoul.AllthehourshasbeenfilledwiththoughtsofGodandHisclaimsonhumanlife.ThoughtslikeChrist’slovemademefeelthatIshouldliketoclasptheworldinmyarmsandbearitwilallitssinandsorrowandheartache,toHisblessedfeet.WhentheeveningcameIretiredalone,andpouredoutmysoulforlightandguidance.IpleadedthatGodwouldeitheropenadoorformetoenteralargersphereofusefulness,oreasethepressureofpainonmysoul.IwaswillingtostayinthehumblesphereIoccupied,or,ifHewilled,Iwasreadyforservicerightuptodeath.ButcontinueasIwasIcouldnot.Myvigilsunfittedmeformydailytoil,andifnotlightenedwouldprostratemeentirely.Myprayerended,Ibecamemorecalm.ThenextmorningthepostmanbroughtaletterfromatownwhichIhadnoknowledgeofexceptbyname–MeltonMowbray.ItwaswrittenbytheRev.SamuelBarker,nowofClayCross.Itcontainedarequestformetogoandconductafortnight’sspecialservicesinaplacecalledLongClawson.The

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lettercontainedanearnestappeal,andahintthattheacceptanceoftheinvitemightleadtosomethingbeyond.Herewasa,remarkableandpositiveanswertomyprayerofthenightbefore.Mt.BarkerhadtravelledatIlkestontwoyearsbefore.FromIlkestonhewenttoLincoln,andfromLincolntoMelton.FromthetimeheleftIlkestontothedayhewrotefromMeltonIamnotawarethatIevereithersawhimorcorrespondedwithhim.Thereasonforhiswritingtheletterwhichdecidedmyfuturewasasfollows:-Ontheafternoonofthedaywhenmysoulhadreachedcrisis,Mr.Barker,havingtopreachatLongClawson,waswendinghiswaytothehouseofMr.J.B.Miller,thecircuitstewardfortea,Overthetea-cupstheconversationturnedontheworkofGod.Thespiritualconditionofthechurchesonthestation,togetherwiththenumberswhowereunsaved,haddeeplyimpressedbothMr.Barkerandhischiefofficer.Christianswerecold,thesocietieswerelow,andsoulswereveryrarelysaved.Thepeoplegenerallylayinthearmsofthewickedone.Mr.Millerexpressedastrongdesireforsomeboldattempttoreachthepeople.Whatcouldbedone?Themembersweremostlypoor,andanyspecialeffortwouldmeanconsiderableexpense.“Well,”saidMr.Miller,“Godhasblessedmeinmybusiness,andIfeelImustmakesomereturntoHim.Ihavemoney,canyoufindtheman?AtthatmomentmynamewassuggestedtoMr.Barker,andhesaid,“Iknowtheman.”Thatnight,thenightwhenIhadprayedforGod’sintervention,thelettertowhichIhavereferredwaswritten.Theletterwhichtomemeantsomuch,whichchangedmywholecourseoflife,andhasresultedinthesalvationofthousands.Onsuchtriflingeventsdogreatissuesrest.Afewdaysafterwards,withbundleandstick,IwasonmywaytoMelton.ItwasSaturdayafternoonwhenIarrived.ThinkingthatmydestinationforthemissionwasclosetoMelton,ImademyselfcosyafterteaatMr.Barker’s,foraquietandpleasantevening.ButmycomfortwasdisturbedbyMr.BarkerinformingmethatIhadbetterputmyselftogetherforawalk-ofsevenmiles,thatbeingthedistancetomyfirstspiritualbattle-ground,Long-Clawson.Itwasratherarudeshaking,butIshoulderedmycrossintheshapeofmystickandbaggage,andinthecompanyofmyfriendmadefortheroad.Tome,thatwalkwasintotheunknown.NeitherMr.Barkernormyselfwereconsciousofwhatthefuturehasrevealed.WetalkedofJesus,ofthenecessitiesofmen,andofthegreatneedforamightyawakeningofreligiousinterest.Wearrivedatthepartingoftheways,closebyavillagecalledKettleby.There,withmutualprayersandblessings,weseparated.“Godownthisroadsomedistance,”saidMr.Barker,pointingwithhisfingerinthedirectionindicated,“andyouwillcometoaroadwhichturnssharplytotheleft.Takethatturn,andgoonforseveralmilesuntilyoucometothefootofasteephill.Afewyardsfurtheronyouwillcometoacottageontheleftsideoftheroad;knock,andwhoevercomestothedoor,tellthemyouarethepreacher.”

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LeavingMr.BarkerIwalkedalongthinkingofmyposition,myhopes,myfears,andwonderedwhatlife’spathwouldleadtointheprovidenceofGod.Kneelingontheroad-side,Ipouredoutmysoulinprayer.Iknewthatthatfortnight’smissionwastobemylife’stest.TheissueIwasresolvedtoacceptasGod’ssignforthefuture.Thepeculiarityofmypositionmadesuchevidencenecessaryfortheguidanceofmyfeet.ThecallofsomeisconfirmedbytheChurch,Irequiredthe“signfromheaven.”IprayedtoGodHemightletthemissionfailonmyhandsratherthanallowmetobedeludedastowhatmytrueworkwastobe.AtthesametimeIresolvedtodomybesttomaketheservicesasuccess,andtobeginmyworkatonce.RisingtomyfeetIpressedalonguntilIcametoafieldwheretwomenwerechoppingturnipsforsomesheep.Betweentheroadandthefieldtherewasahigh,thick-sethedge,andsofarasIcoulddiscover,therewasnogateintothefieldfromtheroadonwhichIstood.Stoppingsuddenlyonmywalk,Isummonedthementolistentome.Themenhaltedthemachineandstaredatmeinastonishment.Ithenopenedmycommission,andurgedthem,iftheyhadnotalreadydoneso,toatonceseeksalvationthroughthemeritsofJesusChrist.Atfirstthemendidnotseemtounderstandmymeaning;butasIproceededthetruthgraduallydawneduponthem,andtheyturneduponmewithcomicalfury.Findingtheirragedidnotmakeanyimpression,theycommencedtolaughandjeer.ItisremarkablewhensomeevangelistsareopposedhoweasilytheycanpassfromtheGospeltothelaw.LorenzoDow,Iremember,onedaywhenaddressingacrowdintheopen-air,madeapulpitofahugecask.Thequalityofthecontentshedidnotknow.Somewags,ashorttimebeforehecommencedtheservice,hadloosenedthecoveringatthetopofthecask.Dow,duringhisaddress,became,aswashiscustom,muchexcited.Givinganenthusiasticjump,theboardsgaveway,andhewentintothecaskalmostuptohisneckIndirtywater.Hisexcitementwascooled.Releasinghimselfasbesthecouldhefinishedhisexhortationinadifferentkey.HehadcommencedItwithmercy,buthesignificantlyendedwithfireandbrimstone.AndI,leavingCalvaryasquicklyasIcould,hurledatmytwoopponentsafewterribleitemsoutoftheRevelationofJohn.FindingIcould‘makenoimpression,withafinalmaledictionIpassedon.SoonafterIcameupwithalabouringman,andpreachedJesustohimuntilIreachedthefirsthouseontheroad.ItwasthehouseofDavidChester.Knocking,aboyansweredthedoor,andIinformedthemthat“Iwasthepreacher.”Anescortwaskindlyaffordedme,andsoonafterIwascomfortablyhousedunderthehospitableroofofgoodMr.Miller.ItwasSaturdaynight.ThevillagerswerebusypreparingfortheSabbath.Mymissionwasappointedtocommencethenextday.ButthatnightIvisitedafewfaithfulsoulsandrequestedthemtomeetmeinthechapelthenextmorningatseveno’clockforintercessionandpraise.Nextmorningwemet,fourofus,andpleadedthatthemightoftheSpiritofGodthatdaywouldbemanifest.Thedaypassed,butnodistinctsignofgoodwasseen.Thecongregationswerefair,butastrangechillrestedupontheservices.Atnightbutoneortwoengagedinprayer,adumbsilencewasonalltherest.AtthecloseIrequestedthosewhohadprayedtostay,andwhenwewerealoneIsaid,“Wemustformaholyconspiracytobreakthroughthespiritualcoldnessaroundus.WeneedalargeamountofDivinewisdomandguiletocatchmen.WhenIhavedonepreachingandweentertheprayermeeting,willyouwhoarehereprayround,androundagain,andagain,untilthefireiskindledinsomeotherhearts?”Sotheypromised.Butstilltheheavenswereasbrass.Fournightspassedandmattersbecameworseandworse.NotasinglesinnerhadcometoJesus.Prayer,preaching,toil,allappeareduseless.Thistomewasaterribletrial.IbegantothinkthatIhadmistakenmycalling,andthatallmyimpressionsaboutbeingcalledtowinmenwereonlyhuman.OnthefourthnightwhenleavingthechapelIwasdumb,Ifeltstunned.MyfailureappearedtobeGod’srebuke.Ihadaskedforasign,andthesignwasunfavourable.WornandwearyIretiredtomyroom,butnottorest.NearlythewholeofthatnightIspentwithGod.The

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experiencesofthatnightcannotbeputintowords.ItwasmynightofwrestlewithboththeAngelandthedemon.ThatnightsoimpressedtheexistenceofapersonaldevilonmyconsciousnessthatIhaveneverdoubteditsince.MarkRutherfordsays,“Theideaofanactuallyexistingdevilisexploded.”ButMarkRutherfordhasattendedthewrongschool.LethimpassthroughtheoneIdidandhewilldoubtnolonger.ItoldthefishermenofGrimsbythatIknewtherewasadevilbecauseIhadseenhim.TheprecedingexperiencewaswhatIhadinmymind.MychieftemptationduringthisterriblenightlayinthethoughtthatIhadmistakenmymission;thatIwasdeludingmyself;thatmydesirestodevotemylifetospiritualservicewerebasedonself;thatIhadnotthenecessaryqualifications,andthatindealingwiththedestiniesofmenIwasplayingwithedged-tools.Blindandignorant,Imightnotonlyfallintotheditchmyself,butdragotherswithme;andinproofofallthisargument,therewasthefactthatthoughIhadtoiledalmostsuperhumanlyinthemission,therewasnosignofblessing.Theseandmanyotherthingstoremysoul.Asthemorningdawnedapowerfulimpulseseizedmetostealawayquietlyfromtheplaceandreturninghome,writealetterofexplanationandapology,andhenceforthceaseallthoughtsofthelargerministryofJesus.But,no,Ireasoned,Ididnotseekthiscause,thecausesoughtme,andthoughitshouldcostmemylife,Iwouldstayandseetheend.ThenextnightIfeltmorefreedominpreaching,andattheclose,tomyjoyofheart,Godgavememyfirstsoul.Oh,howquicklythemorningdawnedinmysoul!Temptationwasmastered.Allhardnessofheartmeltedlikesnowunderasummerssun.Thefountainsofthegreatdeepwerebrokenup.Tearscamelikerain.Iburstintosong:

“Jesus,theNamehighoverall,Inhell,orearth,orsky;

Angelsandmenbeforeitfall,Anddevilsfearandfly.”

InthathourofholyblissIknew,inpart,thesecretofthecross.TherearetimeswhenthecrucifixionoftheLordseemsmorenaturaltotheheartthansupernatural.Thatwassuchatimetome.IknewnowwhyforthejoysetbeforeJesusHeenduredthecrossanddespisedtheshame.Iknewalso,inpart,thereasonformykeentemptation-itwasmywildernessexperience.ItwasSatan’slastattempttoturnmefrommylife’smission.ThankGod,hefailed.Theresultsofthatfirstseriesofmeetingsliveto-day.FromtheresultantharvesttheSaviourhasgatheredsomefruitfortheheavenlyhome.Thechurcheswerestirred.Manywereledtoseekahigherlife.Strangesightswerewitnessed.Some,Ibelieve,whosenamesIcouldgive,receivedtheir,lastcall.Itappearedasthougheternalthemesweretheoneabsorbingtopic.Thosewhopassedthroughthemeetingsandwhoseeyesarefollowingthesepageswillfeelthetenderthrillastheyrecallthespiritualglorywhichnightafternightrestedonthepeople.Greatgracerestedonusall.Thisautobiographyisbutafragment.ScenesandincidentscrowduponmeasIwrite,fullofbeautifulandlivinginterest.Inafteryears,ifGodaffordtheleisure,theyshallbegiventotheworld.Everyhouseintheplacewasvisitedbymyselfpersonally.Someremarkableconversionstookplaceinthisway.Notonlythepoor,buttherichweremovedtoseeksalvation.IfeltthatIwasresponsibletoGodforeverysoulintheplace,eventothevicar.ForthefirsttimeImethimIsolemnlyaskedifherwasconverted.Hestopped,stared,lookedatmefromthecrowntosole,andthen,withoutaword,thinkingnodoubt,Iwasaveryimpudentfellow,hepassedon.Ifthepeoplewouldnotletme

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goinsidetheirhousestopray,kneelingbeforethedoorIprayedoutside.Thissoongotreporteduntilsomeoftheworldlywhentheyknewitwasmyknock,wouldsay,“Forgoodness’sake,lethimcomeinorhewillarousethewholedistrict.”Thelittlechurchissetinthecentreofthevillage,likeadivinesentinelguardingtheinhabitantsfromevil.Thechurchyardtomeisclassicground-God’sacre,indeed,bothtomemoryandfeeling.Nospotissorichandpregnantwithhallowedmemoriesasthis.OnegraveafteranotherremindmeofthoseIwontotruth.Theyoungandtheoldlietherewhom,Ipointedtotheredeemingcross.The-lasttimeIwasgoingthrough,aladywascarefullycleansingthedustfromthelettersonastone.Hercountenancerevealedhertendergrieffortheonebeloved.Iwatchedherforsometimeinsilence.“Wastheonewhoseformliesthererelatedtoyou?”Iasked.“Yes,sir,mysister,”sheanswered.“Ialsoknewher,”Ireplied.“Irememberyearsago,whenalmostastranger,knockingatherhouse-door,andenteringherhome.IkneltonthehearthstoneandprayedherintothearmsofJesus.Ibelievethatthatvisitwastoyoursisterthebeginningofdays.”Yes,thememoryandpowerofthosefirstservicesabide.Graceandgloryresteduponthepeople.Theclosingscenesofthatfirstmissionwereremarkable.TheHouseofGodwastheplaceofweeping.Strongmenbowedatthemercy-seat.ThechiefresultofthemissionuponmyownheartwastheconfirmationoftheconvictionthatGodhadmarkedmeforHisservice.Ireturnedhomewithoverflowingjoyandtoawaitthelargercall.Thejoyofaspiritualwarriorreturningfromthestrifeisbeyondcompare.Hisvictoriesarespiritual.Heblightsnohomes;hespillsnoblood.LikethetriumphsofJesus,theslainoftheSpiritweresharersofmybliss.Heartswerefilledwithpurity,andhomeswithsong.Ipersonallyknowofsevensavedinthosemeetingswhohavegainedtheircrowns.IthankGodforthese,andforthosewhoformanyyearsintheValeofBelvoirandinmanypartsoftheworldarepreachingtoothersthetruththatsavedtheirsouls.ToGodbealltheglory!AshorttimeafterwardstheQuarterlyMeetingmet,andMeltonpassedthefollowingresolution:-“ThattheRev.S.BarkercorrespondwithMr.Flanaganwithaviewofsecuringhisservicesforsixmonths,attherateofonepound,sevenshillings,perweek,withtheunderstandingthatintheeventofasecondengagementafurthersumofmoneyshallbegivenifmoneymatterswarrantit.”WhenthecallcameIdidnothesitateamoment.Godlivedandhewasleading;thatwasquiteenoughforme.ThedaybeforeIsaid“good-bye”totheoldsceneswasaverybusyone.Themorningcamewhenthehugefarmer’swaggon,whichMr.Millerkindlysent,drewupatmyfrontdoor.Thegoodswereloadedandwewerereadytostartonourlife-longpilgrimage.Irememberthedaywell.ItwasWednesday,andtheRev.W.Durrance,whowasthensuperintendentministeroftheIlkestonStation,cametoaskifIwouldgiveafarewelladdressinthechapel.Ithankedhim,butdeclined.“Mylastwords,”Isaid,“shallbespokeninthisstreettothepeopleamongwhomfortenyearsIhavelived.TheyknewmewhenIwasaservantofsin,andtheyhaveknownmesinceIbecameafollowerofJesusChrist.TheyarethepeopletojudgeifIamworthytogoandcommendthegraceofGodtoothers.”Askingtheloanofachair,ourownallbeingpackedup,awomanwithwhomIhadoftenpleadedforGod,handedmeoneofhers.ShoulderingthechairIstartedupthecentreofthestreetsinging:

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“Hark!thegospelnewsissounding;Christbathsufferedonthetree;Streamsofmercyareabounding;

Graceforallisrichandfree;Now,poorsinner,

LooktoHimwhodiedforthee.”ReachingthetopofthestreetwhereIlived,Iplantedthechairinthecentre,andmountingit,plungedintothethirdverseofthehymn:

"Graceisflowinglikeariver;Millionstherehavebeensupplied;

Stillitflowsasfreshasever,FromtheSaviour’swoundedside:

Noneneedperish,Allmaylive,forChristhathdied.”

Ashortprayerfollowed,andIthencommencedmyaddress.TherumourhadgotabroadthatIwasleavingtobecomeanevangelist,andallinthestreetturnedouttolistentomywordsoffarewell.Itwastomeasadlyinterestingmoment.Amancannottearuptheassociationsofyearswithoutapang.Thefacesofallaroundwerefamiliartome.AndthoughformanyyearsIhavemovedamidotherscenes,Ihavestillafondnessfortheoldhaunts.Hereinmymotleycongregation,werecomradesofmytoil.Theyhadknownmeinthedaysofwandering,andhadmarkedthegraceofGodinme.IlongedthateachofthemshouldknowthesalvationofChrist.MyheartwasverytenderwhenIspoketothemasfollows:”Mydearcomradesandfellow-neighbours,IthankyouallforcomingroundinsuchlargenumberstohearthelastfewwordsIshall,perhaps,everspeaktoyou.Allofyouknowme.Mymanneroflifeforthelasttenyearshasbeenlivedunderyoureyes.Forfiveyearsyouknewmeasaprodigal.Mylifewasgodless.Manyofyouweremycompanionsinsin.YouknowhowwellIservedtheevilone.YourememberhowImadehasteinthepathofruin.Butfiveyearsagotherewasachange,achangethatsurprisedbothmyselfandyou.IwasapprehendedbyJesusChrist.ThegraceofGodmademeanewman.Newhopes,newambitions,newjoysbecamemine.AllthesebecauseGodhadgivenmeanewheart.Fromthattimeoldwayswerecastoff.Lifebecametomeadifferentthing.Isawmanyofmytownsmeninthesamedarknesswhichhadblindedme.AndyouknowhowearnestlyandfaithfullyIhavesoughtyoursalvation.IhavenowbeencalledtodevotemylifetoGod’sservice.ManyofuswillnevermeetagaintillwestandattheBarofGod.Idesireinthatdaytobefoundfaithful,andIaskthatifIhavefailedtowarnanyofyoutofleetoJesusChrist,orifIhavenottriedtolivebeforeyouasIought,thatyouwillchargemenowthatImaydelivermysoulandseekforgiveness.”Noonespoke.Manywereintears.ExhortingthemalltoturntoGod,Iwentaway.(Tobecontinued.)__________________________________________________________________________________ReferencesPrimitive Methodist Magazine 1901/845