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 1 
 
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 6 
 
REV. Wm. H. WINANS. 
 
/ 
 
 T M 1^: 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 A.isr A.COOXTNT ' 
 
 OF THK 
 
 BRIEF BUT BRILLIANT CAREER 
 
 OF 
 
 WM. HENRY WINANS, 
 
 WESLEYAN PREACHER, 
 
 . '' CONTAINING 80MK EXTBACT3 FROM 
 
 HIS CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNAL 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY, BUT HAPPY 
 DEATH OF HIS BROTHER WILBUR: 
 
 BY 
 
 CONRAD VAN D TJ S E N, 
 
 MINISTER OF THK QOSl'F.L, AUTHOR OF "THE INDIAN CHI.F *' 
 "PRACTICAL THKOLOOY," "THE PRODIGY," &a, &C. 
 
 TORONTO: 
 PUBLISHED BY A. DREDGE & CO. 
 
 t 1810. 
 
S,t.S V*» dI" the'offlce of tho Minister of Agr.- 
 culture. - V 1 , » 
 
 1 ■><- 
 
 ."■ .t 
 
M 
 
 TO 
 
 DOCTOR AND MRS. WINANS, 
 
 PARENTS 
 
 OF THE SUBJECTS OF THIS » 
 
 [MEMOIR, 
 
 THIS VOLUME 
 
 18 
 AFFECTIONATELY 
 DEDICATED BY THE 
 AUTHOR 
 
 'ft 
 
w 
 
 EttEOTYPED BY ROBERTSON & COOK,- 
 
 PBIWIED AND 8TE1 
 
 , THK DAILY TK.,«»RAPH VRIHTISO H.CBK. TORONTO. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This work has not been written in view of 
 .making any panegyrical aUusions tx) the subject 
 of the memoir, but to glorify the Grace of God 
 ;in a youthful, but eminont instnmient in the 
 hands of God in saving sinners. Nor has it been 
 written because of anything exclusive in its his- 
 torical importance. But the author trusts that 
 the intrinsic value of this volume will be found 
 in its remarkable exhibition of sublime christian 
 character. 
 
 Also it is hoped that the examples and lessons 
 of personal religion, with which it abounds, may 
 render the work valuable to all classes of chris- 
 tians, who may give it a perusal. It is especially 
 recommended to the consideration of young Min- 
 isters and Sabbath Schools, as it affords a rare ex- 
 ample of unaffected and deep-toned piety and use- 
 fulness of a youthful, but faithful laborer in our 
 Lord's vineyard, who accomplished more for the 
 salvation of souls during his brief ministeriai 
 •career, than has been accomplished by some old 
 *" veterans of the Cross," during a long pilgrimage. 
 
6 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 That his example of piety, zeal, and success m 
 the ministry may be preserved to the world, this 
 Tolume has been written, and is now presented to 
 the public,with the best wishes,and fervent prayers 
 of the Author, that it may prove a blessing to 
 many, by influencing them to imitate this pattern 
 of youthful piety. 
 
\i 
 
 in- 
 
 lis 
 to 
 srs 
 to 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEU I. 
 A licniarkable Instance of the Power of Divine G^ac(^- - 
 Errors in some Parents in Regard to Children being 
 Recognized Members of the visible Church of Christ- 
 Method by which a Mother controlled her sou 11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Karly Business Habits- Mental Culture— Paternal Exami^lo 
 Appreciated— Piety in the Whirl of Business— Token 
 of Brotherly Affection lj> 
 
 CHAPTER III, 
 
 First Attempt to Preach— Impression about Duty View 
 
 of the Dazzling Splendors of Heaven 28 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Increasing Desire to bo useful— Humility leads to Happi- 
 ness— Twenty-first Birth-day— Letter to Parents 34 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Ardent Desire for the Salvation of Souls— Singular Choice 
 of a Text— Blessings enumerated— Feeling not to be 
 substituted for Faith 43 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Preaches before the London District Meeting— Admitted on 
 Trial— Appointed to the Strathroy Circuit— Illness- 
 Labored with Great Success part of the Year on 
 Exeter Circuit 51 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Removed to Strathroy Circuit— Low State of Religion on 
 the Circuit— Means used for a Revival— An Address 
 • before a "Social" 5g 
 
 I 
 
ta CONTKNTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 S«rmon8 not Pictuns— KfTcot of a Sermon on Prayer -An 
 Overwhelming Scene at the Family Altar—Keflex In- 
 fluence of Prayer M 
 
 CHAPTKU LX. 
 
 ISeoond Yenr on Strathroy Circuit-~Great Anxiety for Suc- 
 cess in the Work — Writes to his Sister-Extract of a 
 letter giving an Account of a "Splash in Water " .... 71 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Prasperity of the Work in Rural Part:! of the Circuit — 
 A Memorable (Quarterly Meeting — Views on Sanctifi- 
 ration- Manner of Preparing a Sermon 78 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Manner of Conducting a Revival Lleeting — Wants of 
 the People — A Contrast — Great Awakenings — A Con- 
 gregation of Aged Persoas 84 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 A Congregation of Roman Catholics, "Church" People, 
 and Presbyterians — A Hard Day's Work — Conversa- 
 tion about Hay and Oats to Oain a Sinner's Confidence 90 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A Great Day's Labor in Exeter — A Prediction— A Flame 
 Lighted Up — A Cloud of Mercy burst — Manner of 
 Preaching 9i 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Ministerial Association — Strange Views of some Preachers 
 about Revivals — Progress of the Work — A Great Love 
 Feast — Missionary Anr»:versarics 100 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 Great Revival in Ingersoll — Letter to his Brother — Self 
 Abasement 106 
 
C'ONTHNTH. 
 
 9 
 
 CHArTKR XVI, 
 
 KflTect pro'uccd by Singing Work piogresHos- Uererouco 
 to the Life of Stoner-Sclf Kxiiiniaation — Sermon in 
 the Chiimber of a Dying Hrotlu'r — Partial Failure when 
 Preaching before District -Meeting 112 
 
 CHAPTKU XVII. 
 Brief Rt'view of Past Vear'a Labor Appointed to Ingoi-soll 
 
 Circuit 
 
 119 
 
 CHAPTKll XVIll. 
 
 Perseverance almost Omnipotent — Kxtract of u Loiter to 
 Parents— Knowledge of G'o<l'.s Favor -A Field ^Meet- 
 ing — Attended "Fairs'* -A Proclamation Delivered 127 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 I'rosperity of the Work -Illness - Resumes his Labor — 
 • Special Dlessings Prayed For— Christmas Day's Labor 
 — Declining Health — Extract of a Letter to Rev. Mr. 
 Holmes 137 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Confined to his Room -Tokens of Christian A tlection— Afflic- 
 tions, llessengera of Morcy — ContidiMice in Christ — 
 Last Moments — Closing Scene -Churches draped in 
 Alourning 145 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Brief Account of the Life and Happy Death of Wilbur 
 Winans — !Man originally designed to Bloom in Youth — 
 A I^aw Violated — Law of Mortality — A Hard Beaten 
 Path-way to the Ocean of Eternity— Journey of Life 
 Brief — A Strange Scene — Wilbur's Health, Agility, &c. 
 — Innocent Amusements — Business Habits — Gained 
 Confidence and Esteem — Outward Walk — Not Under 
 Excitement, l)ut from Sense of Duty Served the Lord 161 
 
10 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI L 
 
 Wilbur's Hculth Declines — Delusive Convalescence — Mani- 
 festations of God's Favor — Fear of Death removed — 
 Cleansed from All Sin — Last Conflict with the Adver- 
 sarj'— A Flood of Joy — ixoodness of God- -Resignation 
 to the V»''ill of Gcd — Usefulness During Illness — Happy 
 in midst of Pain an Afflictions ,. 156 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII, 
 
 Expressions of Gratitude — A Happy Day— Class Mates, 
 in a Sabbath School, Influenced to serve the Lord — 
 Whispering Praises of God — Promises fulfilled — Proof 
 of the Excellency of Religion — Cause of Joy in Death — 
 Triumph in Last Moiaent — Obituaiy by the Rev. A. 
 Edwards 160 
 
 '\ 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Strange Mortality — liOss of a Daughter and Three Sons- 
 A Heart Wrung with Bitter Pangs — "My Lambs".. 
 
 . 16& 
 
THE SUCCESSFUL YOm(G EVANGELIST. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 A Kemarkable Instance of the Power of Divine Grace — Error* 
 in some Parents in Regard to Children being Recognized Mem- 
 bers of the Visible Church of Christ — Method by which a Mother 
 controlled her Son. 
 
 A RE>tARKABLE instance of the power of Divine 
 Grace was wonderfully manifepted in the useful 
 life, and very brief but brilliant career of William 
 Henry Winans, the subject of our sketch. He 
 was the eldest son of Dr. Henry B. and Melison 
 Winans, of Exeter, in the western part of Canada. 
 
 A short account of a circumstance that occurred 
 when he vras a bo}^, subsequently written by him- 
 self in his Journal, does not appear to have been 
 designed, by him, for publictition ; but as he states 
 merely to keep in remembrance the " past mercies 
 and blessings of the Lord so freely bestowed upon 
 him.'* 
 
 As it describes the method by which his mother 
 controlled him when a small boy, I will give it a 
 place in the closing part of this chaptei, hoping 
 
12 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 I > 
 
 
 i:u 
 
 Hi 
 
 that mothers who may chance to read it, may be 
 interested and profited by a careful perusal of it. 
 Also, it will be observed that he refers to his 
 father's unwillingness to allow him, when only 
 about eight years old, to have his name enrolled 
 upon a class-book, when he so anxiously desired 
 to become an acknowledged member of the church. 
 This is an error into w^hich many pious Metho- 
 dist parents have fallen. It is a pity that so 
 many devout christians suppose that they should 
 not influence their children to become membei*s af 
 the visible Church of Christ until they arrive at 
 more mature age, and become responsible for their 
 own actions. They suppose that after their chil- 
 dren grow up in sin, and then, repent and become 
 converted to God, that is the right time for 
 them to be admitted as members of the Metho- 
 dist Church. This kind of performance they con- 
 sider their duty, instead of influencing ther chil- 
 dren, from infancy up, through all the stages of 
 human life (v;hile under their control) to partake 
 of the " Lord's Supper," and attend class meet- 
 ings, and all other public and private means of 
 grace, and thus train up their children in the 
 church, and emphatically members of the Church 
 of Christ. 
 
POWER OF DIVINE GRACE. 
 
 13 
 
 Children should be taught that the sacred pale 
 of the Church is around them, and that, for their 
 daily walk and conduct they are responsible to 
 their God, to their parents, and to the Church of 
 which they are members. Being thus instructed 
 they will be encouraged in the use of the means 
 to obtain, possess and enjoy, even in childhood, 
 and in youth, that experimental religion which is 
 essential to shield them from the snares of the 
 " great adversary," comfort them in life, and give 
 support in the-hour of death. 
 
 The extract from his Journal, is as follows : 
 " A short sketch of my early days to bring to 
 memory the many wonderful dealings of the Lord 
 to me, even from childhood, &;c. 
 
 " I was born in the town of Rockford, Illinois 
 
 » 
 
 U. S., in the year 1840. My parents were both 
 pious members of the Methodist Church in that 
 part of the country. I w^as early led to the house 
 of God, and taught in ways of righteousuess — 
 often talked to in reference to salvation. In the 
 year 1841, my parents moved to " Fairplay," a 
 small towi;! in the State of Wisconsin. Here my 
 first recollection begins. I have a remembrance 
 of the place, its appearance, its situation, its in- 
 habitants, &c. I can now see before me the old 
 
1^- 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 house on the hill; it was of hewn logs, height, a 
 stoiy and a half; although not much of a residence 
 it was the best in that place, and considered quite 
 a house. When about five years old I was sent 
 to school, to a little school house in the suburbs. 
 How well I remember the first morning, and the 
 awful horror I had of the "school master." Unfor- 
 tunately, the man's name was "Skinner,'' this of 
 course conveyed to my mind the idea of skinning, 
 and as I thought, he cruelly skinned the boys 
 alive, I suppose I got this from hearing some of 
 the larger children comparing him to a skinner. 
 After sundry preparations, such as cleaning, comb- 
 ing, and many directions to be a "good boy/* 
 thoughtfully given by my mother, I started, and 
 managed to get to the school house, but could not 
 enter until the teacher came out and kindly spoke ' 
 to me, at the same time taking my hand and lead- 
 ing me in. Only those who recollect their first 
 days in school can imagine my feelingij. Every 
 child stared at mc, although they had often played 
 with me before. Oh ! how my hdart beat ; but I 
 lived through it, and soon became much attached 
 to the awful 'Skinner' and his school. 
 
 " Fairplay was situated in the midst of a mining 
 <iistrict, and was a kind of headquarters for ' all 
 
ERllORS IN PARENTS. 
 
 15 
 
 soi'ts.' There was a gi'eat amount of swearing, 
 drinking, and consequently plenty of fighting con- 
 stantly going on. It was a remai-kable thing if 
 one daj'^ passed without bloodshed. While here, I 
 took the liberty to try my moufch at swearing ; 
 but my punishment was such that I never tried 
 it since. My uncle George, living with us at the 
 time, was forever teasing me. One afternoon I 
 was on the verandah playing, and he caught my 
 head between his knees, and thus held me for some 
 time, of course this was not very pleasing to me. 
 After trying in vain to get free I became vexed 
 and angi'ily cursed him. My mother being in the 
 room near heard me. She came out, took me by 
 the hand, led me up stairs to her room, put me 
 inside and locked the door. She did not speak 
 to me ; this hurt me more than a good whipping. 
 I was left to my own thoughtskfor two hours, and 
 oh ! what a two hours ! I tried to amuse myself 
 every way I could, but all to no purpose; I marked 
 on the window with my fingers; counted the panes 
 of glass, the nails and cracks in the floor and wall, j 
 imagined these were rivers, used feathers for boats ^ 
 and every other childish thing I could think of.j 
 Finally I gave up to a flood of tears. Oh! how^ 
 bitterly I wept ! I felt I had done wrong. My,, 
 
i 
 
 k; 
 
 succ;k8!sfui. young evangelist, 
 
 mother came up to the door and kindly asked me 
 if I wanted some tea ? In a moment my old temper 
 again rose, and I said no, she turned and left with 
 a sad countenance. The next time she came she 
 brought the Bihle, read a chapter and explained it 
 to me. Still, I was hard and rebellious, but when 
 she knelt down to pray, and I saw the big tears 
 falling down from her eyes, I could hold out no- 
 more. She prayed for me, and then I prayed for 
 myself; I rose from my knees a wiser and better 
 boy. This was my first and last oath. That cir- 
 cumstance is as clear to my mind, this day, as^ 
 though it was an occuri'enco of yesterday. 
 
 " In the year 1846, we nioved to Galena ; here 
 we lived some time, and in the winter of 1849, 1 
 attended a protracted meeting, conducted by the 
 Rev. Mr. Phelps, and experienced religion. I was 
 very anxious to joifi the church, but my father 
 thought me too young ; yet I then had as correct 
 views of my dut}' as ever I have had since. Not 
 joining the church, and when from under the pa- 
 ternal roof, having no special restraint, I shortly 
 afterwards lost what I had obtained. Part of 
 the time, while in Galena, I attended school, and 
 the rest of the time I was in a store, although 
 
 young. 
 
 ■ ~'i 
 
 /'*i 
 
 ,;-.^;- 
 
EARLY TEMPTATIONS. 
 
 17 
 
 "Even hero, in youth, tho Lord was my sup- 
 porter. In 1852, wo moved to Canada; the first 
 winter I spent in a store in Picton, with Paul 
 Washburn; in tho summer following we moved 
 to Georgetown; I was immediately placed in a 
 store, kept by Henry Wright, and for three years 
 I wjvs off and on in his employment. 
 
 " Not long after this, I went to Brampton, and 
 engaged in a store with Mr. Bucham. Here I 
 spent one winter; trade with him being pretty 
 dull, wo tried in various ways to amuse ourselves ; 
 he being a great chequer player, of course, wanted 
 me to learn, too; which I did. When tired of 
 chequers we tried marbles, and so we spent hour 
 after hour. One day, when playing chequers, we 
 were interrupted by customers coming in, and 
 when we resumed the game, he said I had moved 
 the 'men' on the board. I denied it, for I had 
 not. He persisted in it. So I said I would not 
 finish the game, vz-hen he snatched up the board 
 and split it over his knee, and then put it in the 
 stove, so it ended for a time. In about a week he 
 made another, and brought it out to play, to which 
 I refused. He got in a rage, but I was firm, this 
 ended my playing chequers ; but it created such 
 a thirst for it, that I had hard work to break it 
 
i :(:( 
 
 I \y 
 
 I ='« 
 
 !! > 
 
 i i :l 
 
 li'll 
 
 18 
 
 SUCCESSFUIi TOUNO EVJlitraELIST. 
 
 off. I fomained with him about eight or nine 
 months ; then wont home. Soon after, I engaged 
 in a store of Cha.^. Dolson's, in Georgetown, and 
 stayed with him until ho broke up business." 
 
 Some parents appear to manifest a concern when 
 they discover any tendency of early piety in their 
 children, they fear that, in them, the old adage 
 may be verified — "a young saint, an old devil." 
 But we have known many youths in their tender 
 'years deeply pious, and when grown up to mature 
 age, continue to be patterns of piety, and pillars in 
 the Church of Christ. Too seldom is piety to God 
 cultivated in the infant mind. Parents should 
 not fail to encourage their children in the earnest 
 pursuit of experimental religion in early life; and 
 also, influence them to grow up within the sacred 
 pale of the Christian Church. ^'?^& ii^> -^ ».vvj /k :.fr 
 
 It is not to be wondered at, that infant piety 
 is so very rare in some families, when we con- 
 sider the general listlessness of parents in the 
 discharge of duty to their families — duties which 
 
 are verily fraught with a dreadful responsibility. 
 It is fondly hoped that all who read these 
 pages may be influenced to imitate the parents 
 of this youth, in the right method of controlling 
 and cultivating early piety in the hearts of 
 children. .. 
 
E^LT BUSINESS HABITS. 
 
 19 
 
 r-iM,{f^-^i:^'f; - -*is 
 
 ^r:^'. 
 
 r,. mar,' 
 
 tm r^iV-^ CHAPTER n. 
 
 Ewly Business llaWta— Mental Culture— Paternal Erample 
 Appreciated— Piety in the Whirl of Business— Token of 
 Brotherly Affection. »- ^- ^ 
 
 From childhood he was distiuguisod for being 
 sprightly, affable, and checrfid, and possessed one 
 of the most kind and affectionate hearts that ever 
 throbbed in the human breast. When only eight 
 or ten years of ar^e, he evinced an early develop- 
 ment of mind. In his deportment he was even 
 then like a man in minature. He was fair and 
 comely, bright and lively; gloom never rested on 
 his brow. Also, he was of a business-like turn 
 of mind. When but a boy, he could transact busi- 
 ness quicker, and more accurately than some 
 "business men " of riper years, and much expe> 
 rience. He had early opportunities in a common 
 school to obtain the rudiments of an English edu- 
 cation, and subsequently made considerable pro* 
 ficienoy in the classics, and most of the solid 
 branches of literature at the Normal School, in 
 Toronto. In his studies he was more distinguished 
 for lively, quick, sprightliness, than for slow, deep 
 mental plodding. 
 
 Judging from observation^it often appeamihat 
 
20 
 
 SUOCESSrUL TOUNO BVANQELISl 
 
 H^! 
 
 ^ 
 
 I 
 
 1 '■: 
 
 :n 
 
 Bome people i^va naturally more wayy/ard and iu- 
 olined to go asti^y than others. Admitting this 
 principle, William Henry did not require that de- 
 gree of restraint that was necessary for many other 
 youths of his ago. Ho not only possessed a warm 
 and au aHTectioiiato heart, but a noble soul, and 
 always maintained a character for truthfulness and 
 sterling integrity. 
 
 The tender admonitions and christian example 
 of pious parents were highly appreciated and ob- 
 served by him, not only in childhood and in youth 
 but in more mature age; even up through his 
 brief career in life, he continued to acknowledge 
 his appreciation of paternal example and instruc- 
 tion. Such was the warmth of hia affection, and his 
 daily walk, and willing obedience to his parents, 
 that he could not but be the more esteemed by 
 them. Indeed, many have thought he was almost 
 an idol in the family. He was also a general 
 favorite among his associates. An artless, sweet 
 spirited little girl, was once asked by her father, 
 " Why it was that everybody loved her so much?** 
 In her childlike simplicity, she replied, she "Did 
 not know, imless it was because she loved every- 
 body." This principle held good in his case — 
 he was esteemed and loved by aU who knew him. 
 
 .-■ii «.! '•.>■ 
 
 ■iSif.* 
 
 rV: 
 
UABLT PI£T7. 
 
 ^K 
 
 21 
 
 Ako, he waa the subject of many prayers, and 
 under the hallowing influence and example of 
 pioui3 paroiita he waa converted to Qod, according 
 to his own account, at an early age, and ever after 
 adorned his profession by a uniform and consistent 
 course through life. 
 
 ' In the autumn of 1856, previous to his attending 
 the Normal School, in Toronto, he was employed 
 as a clerk in a large and respectable dry goods 
 store in that city; but even in the whirl of busi- 
 ness, he maintained that deep tone of piety which 
 is the only shield for a youth surrounded by the 
 many snares and pitfalls of ruin for the wayward, 
 which are to be found in the metropolis of any 
 country. - 
 
 His piety was as constant as it was uniform 
 and even when engaged in the blustering commer. 
 cial scenes in a city store, or when subsequently 
 pursuing his studies at the Kormal School, his 
 mind was constantly absorbed in spiritual things. 
 His thoughts, affections, and desires, ail seemed to 
 go out continually after the Great Foimtain of 
 Bliss. Keligion was his constant theme, and in 
 it his soul took delight; even at this early part o 
 his history, his diary abounds with exultations 
 and praise to God, for His abounding mercy and 
 grace. -' 
 
SUCCESSFUL yoUNa EVANGEUST. 
 
 iMi! 
 
 ill 
 
 III one part of his diary he Hpcaks of being on- 
 gaged in a prayer meeting with the people of God 
 and two pernons "came forward, oue neekiiig par* 
 don, the other Bauctitlcatioii/' and that, oa faith 
 began to be exeruiyed, and the interebt of the meet- 
 ing waa ribiLg, they were diaturbed by the fire 
 onglnea which came ruahiug along the aidewalk 
 drawn by crowda of men, ahouting fire, which 
 nearly broke up the meeting. Then he expresses 
 hi 3 deep regret and aurpriae, that men will run, 
 «\rork, and -iweat, and riak their Uvea to save a 
 houBO from burning, while they, themselves, axe 
 oxpoaed to the fire that will never be quenched, 
 and make no etfort to eacape, or to uae his own 
 language, " while they, themselves, are standing on 
 the brink of perdition, they close their eyes to 
 the danger of their position." His sympathisdng 
 heart began to yearn over impenitent sinners. On 
 the next Sabbath morning he writes as follows : 
 
 "Beautiful quiet morning, all through the week 
 I have been looking and waiting impatient for thy 
 coming, and now here I welcome thee-^' Sabbath 
 of rest.' My pen cannot now write all the thoughts 
 which fill my crowded mi»d; I have given roin 
 to fancy and away she flies, ravished with the 
 sights which lie before me, but I check its flight 
 
 :""*^v 
 
 >"V. 7K ■■-■:-''■ 
 
J .'I » i 
 
 gon- 
 Ood, 
 
 faith 
 meotr- 
 e firo 
 ewalk 
 which 
 )res86B 
 Jlrun, 
 save a 
 'es, are 
 inched, 
 is own 
 ling on 
 jyes to 
 
 Uiizing 
 jrs. On 
 Iowa: 
 leweek 
 for thy 
 Sabbath 
 noughts 
 renroin 
 ith the 
 ts flight 
 
 ■I 
 I 
 
 "Si 
 
 i 
 
 HIS BENEVOLENCE. 23 
 
 to dwell on things real and aubstantial. My soul, 
 how la it with thoe? Is thy peace made with 
 Qod ? Search and answer honestly. Yes, for me, 
 X believe His precious blood was shed, and now I 
 accept the proftered gift. I do believe, even now^ 
 and peace is mine. I praise the Qivar of all good 
 for the knowledge I have of salvation, for this 
 peace in my borders, for the hope — yea, the full 
 assurance I have of a crown in heaven — to God 
 be all the glory." ^ 
 
 He seemed to breathe the devout feelings ot a 
 heart subdued by divine grace^ and consecrated 
 all to the service of God. 
 
 Hia benevolence was equal to his unaffected 
 piety, and quite beyond his pecuniary means. One 
 or two instances of his generosity I wiH here no- 
 tice : when met by a poor boy, in the streets of 
 Toronto, asking for alms, he inquired of the boy 
 respecting his parents, and on being told his father 
 was lame, and his mother not able to work and 
 that they were in distress, he requested the boy 
 to show him where they lived. The lad replied, it 
 was a mile from where they stood "No matter," 
 ftaid he, "Show me the place." He followed the 
 boy to his poverty-stricken home, and found things 
 as had been represented. He heard their tale of 
 
i 'i! 
 
 iiiiii 
 
 
 
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 1 :l 
 
 ii '" 
 
 : 
 
 
 1 
 
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 If 
 
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 - 
 
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 p ■,■.■■'■- -.--v 
 
 
 
 \ 'V 
 
 
 
 
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 ! ■'' 
 
 
 
 
 
 24 succESflPtJL romSQ svanqbust. 
 
 woe, and then took the boy with him, purchased 
 what provisions he could and sept the lad home 
 with the bov/rUy. His life was characterised by 
 such acts of generosity and kindness to all he 
 found in affliction. This kind of benevolence and 
 generosity was evinced in his Life at an early age. 
 When only nine or ten years old, a poor woman 
 lived near his father's; she had three small chil- 
 dren to provide for; one of them had been a long 
 time ill, and she was quite destitute. His parents 
 noticed for some time he would hurry through 
 his morning work, before going to school, and then 
 ran in great haste in the direction where the poor 
 woman lived. After a few weeks, the poor woman 
 informed his parents that William Heiiry had 
 voluntarily called on her every day for a long 
 time, to see if she needed anything from the mar- 
 ket ; and would bring in for her wood and water 
 to last her through the day, and then run off to 
 school From childhood, whenever he met with 
 infmoQ or aged persons, they were sure to conf- 
 mand his sympathy, attention, and respect. 
 
 Every paragraph in his diary gives indications 
 of a devout heart. He writes as follows: *'I ask 
 thy aid, O God. To-night I give myself wholly 
 to Thee for safe keeping — take me Lord, all I 
 
 -V'-: 
 
HIS PIE1T. 
 
 25 
 
 hftve, soul, body, and spirit, only let^me be thine 
 in time, and in eternity." . 
 
 And on another occasion he exclaims, ''Every 
 day I feel more and more the need of living near 
 ^veiy near to God." Every day from that period 
 of his life, to the end of his brief career, divine 
 grace seemed to shine forth in him in soft celestial 
 brightness, and his piety so devout and yet fer- 
 vent, that it appeared more angelic than human 
 He was not only a youth of deep-toned piety, but 
 he was gentlemanly, unaffected and modest in his 
 deportment, and possessed not only a warm and 
 affectionate heart but a noble souL Not haughty 
 or ostentatious ; and no sycophant, but regardles 
 of personal applause, he was independent in spirit 
 He was also quiet and affable, and won the favor 
 of many by beiug affectionate to alL When but 
 a youth he was distinguished for innocent cheer- 
 fulness, and natural refinement of manners, and 
 was, therefore, loved by the young and esteemed 
 by the aged. 
 
 His ardent desire for holiness of heart may be 
 seen from the record he makes of his pursuit afte- 
 it. Evin when his mind was necessarily engaged 
 in the business of the store of his employer, he 
 writes in his diary as follows : " Tuesday, 25th. — 
 
T'v 
 
 ■f 
 
 ■*:■■■/-■:/ 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 1 ' 
 
 in 
 
 
 I did not go to prayer-meeting this evening, aa 
 I could not get away from the store in time ; but 
 after all the clerks left I had a good meeting alone 
 with my Saviour, and a profitable one too, and 
 now in my room I still feel very happy." ~*?,rr"- 
 
 ■^oon after this, when looking back upon his 
 past life, he ad.ds — " I am still growing in grace; 
 this week has truly been a profitable one to me; 
 my peace aud joy flow like a river ; and when I 
 look back and see how little re3,l experimental 
 imd heartfelt religion I once enjoyed, I wonder 
 I was not cast off". But bless the Lord, He opened 
 my eyes to see where I was, and by His grac^ 
 assisted me to make a fresh start for the kingdom, 
 and for the last six weeks I have been endeav-!^ 
 oring every day to make a frill surrender to Him." 
 
 He was not only pious, afiable and kind to hiar 
 associates, but his fraternal attachments were very 
 strong. On the 27th of September, 1859, (hi» 
 only sister's wedding day), he wrote the following 
 lines in her album : — ;y y ai . i,f 
 
 " Dear Sister — None but an affectionate brother 
 can know the emotions caused by hearing that 
 respected and affectionate, though familiar term, 
 'Sister.' To-day my thoughts are canied back 
 to scenes of our younger days, when in childhood 
 
LETTER TO HIS SISTER 
 
 P 
 
 we mingled our voices in youthful glee; when we 
 united our hearts and anticipations in the pros- 
 pects of years of riper age, and of the subsequent 
 hours spent in social enjoyments, Christian and 
 fraternal communion. But those days, months, and 
 years have passed away, and to-day I feel the time 
 has arrived when we, for a while, perhaps forever, 
 must part. But what a consolation to know 
 that, though separated on earth we may meet in 
 heaven. 
 
 "I know there are otherffwho can urge stronger 
 claims on your affections, yet I will hope to be 
 remembered as an affectionate brother, and when 
 far away, as you may chance to leaf this tablet 
 of friendship, and your eye fall upon the famiKar 
 name * Will', you may raise your heart in prayer 
 for him who claimed you as an only sister. 
 
 '*That the choicest blessings may ever fall 
 npon you, and upon him, who has this day taken 
 your hand, is the prayer .of your aflfectionate 
 brother. ;^ v 
 
 '* Brampton, Sept 27, 1859. "Will." 
 
 f.Cli ',■'■'-• 
 
28 
 
 SUCCESSFUL TOUNQ EVANGELIST. 
 
 ' ^im'-f:--'''^'"''"^^ 
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 
 i * 
 
 I- '• ' 
 h \ 
 
 ! i; 
 
 (i 
 ..lii 
 
 ^ FixBt Attempt to Preacb— Impreasioiu about Daly— View of the 
 Dazzling Splendors of Heaven. 
 
 As PREVIOUSLT intimated, he commenced as 
 clerk in a large dry goods store, in Toronto, where 
 > lie continued till the business of his employer was 
 closed, and then engaged in the store of William 
 . Neelands, Esq., in Brampton, where he continued 
 . till some time in 1858, and then entered the Nor- 
 . mal School, in Toronto. No doubt there are many 
 in Brampton who well remember his youthful, but 
 . successful efforts in doing good. He frequently 
 <■ went from house to house, and invited people 
 out to prayer-meeting, and a revival of religion 
 ensued. One of the clerks in the store in which 
 he was employed, through lus influence, became 
 anxious for salvation. After the business of the 
 day was closed, they remained together in the 
 store, with doors closed, and continued in prayer 
 till near midnight, when the penitent's heart waa 
 made glad, and both returned home rejoicing. 
 
 On leaving the Normal School, he commenced 
 to teach a school near the village of Exeter, in the 
 County of Huron. The Rev. Mr. Chapman was 
 the Superintendent of the Exeter Circuit that 
 
FIRST ATTEMPT TO PBEACH. 
 
 29 
 
 year, and under his directions and superintend- 
 ence, he commenced his labors as a ]<jcal preacher. 
 
 We may form some idea of the exercise of his 
 mind on his first attempt to prea<^h from what he 
 writes in his Journal, on the 21st of August, 1861, 
 soon after his arrival in Exeter, he states: 
 
 "To-morrow ev^jning, according to appointment, 
 I go to 'Roger's School House' to speak a few 
 words to the people, and lead the prayer-meeting. 
 Oh, how weak I feel! May the Lord help me!" 
 
 Then, on his return, after making his fii'st eflfort 
 to preach, he wrote as follows: "I went up to the 
 school house at the time appointed — found quite 
 a congregation. My heart grew faint, but oh, how 
 it beat; my breath grew short. All the way I had 
 been looking to the Lord for help, and on my 
 arrival my mind was darker than ever; still my 
 only hope was in Christ. WeU. after singing a 
 hymn we engaged in prayer. While on my knees 
 I felt much liberty, and found the dark cloud 
 passing away. 
 
 "I find many things unpleasant are to be passed 
 over, and we must do the best we can. For in- 
 stance, there were only three candles in the house, 
 two of which were placed on the desk before me. 
 
'! ? 
 
 
 SUCCESSPUL YOUNG EVANGEUSt. 
 
 ill 
 
 ■•' i'l! 
 
 the other was placed on the ladies' side of the 
 house. The greater part of the congregation might 
 have been Hottentots for aught I could see. To 
 me this was anything but pleasant, I would like 
 to see the people when I speak to them. The 
 next diflSculty was, I had to use my fingers as 
 snuffers before I could begin speaking, but after 
 that, I never thought of fingers, snuflers, nor of 
 any lack of candles. 
 
 "Like many other new beginners, I made a 
 few blunders in the commencement; I called the 
 * Epistle of Petf^r/ the 'Epistle to Peter,' and made 
 several blunders in reading the chapter, and it 
 seemed that something had got into my throat, 
 my knees grew weak and trembling; I nearly lost 
 my sight, but thank the Lord, he helped me 
 through, for after I got right in the work, I found 
 the Lord at my right hand to support me. The 
 portion of Scriptures on which I spoke was 1 ' 
 Pet. 2nd chap, and 7th verse, 'Unto you, there- 
 fore, which believe he is precious.' I had some 
 liberty, but not that power I would Ske to have 
 had. Oh, may the Lord give me power from above, 
 if I try to speak I must have help. I care not for 
 sermons — ^such as the world, and cold phlegmatic 
 professors would call great, nor for the produc- 
 
DAZZLINO SPLEND0B8 OF HEAVEN. 
 
 81 
 
 ti6Ds, that in a popular sense may be called great. 
 Oh, my Lord grant that my weak efforts in ser- 
 monizing may tend to promote Thy glory, by 
 quickening believers, and awakening sinners to a 
 sense of their condition." 
 
 The next Friday evening he attended a prayer 
 meeting in Exeter, and the preacher, present, being 
 quite unwell, requested him to conduct the meeting, 
 which he did, but states, It was with a dark mind 
 he gave out the hymn, and that his "prayer was 
 coldness and barrenness," that he "knew it, and 
 keenly felt it," and that " this state of mind con- 
 tinued until nearly the close of the meeting, when 
 the cloud broke, and a shower of grace descended," 
 his soul was deh^ged with a flood of light, his cup 
 ran over, he obtained a "Benjamin's portion,'' and 
 was abundantly blessed. In such cases we always 
 wish for more, and so it was in this instance, 
 for he states that he " still felt an ardent desire 
 for a nearer approach to the fountain," and on 
 returning to his room, he states, "There is nothing 
 like pressing the suit when the communication is 
 clear, and we know we have a hearing." He then 
 adds, 'my poor soul had a shower — and never 
 until to-night have I felt as I should feel on the 
 subject of preaching. I was prostrated. Oh, the 
 
SUCCESSFUL TOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 I 
 
 .4 
 
 
 ■^•i 
 
 '.III! 
 
 insigLnficance of self! The weakness, and yet tlie 
 imagined strength; the debasement, and yet self- 
 exultation; the poverty, and yet boasted riches; 
 the pro'fessed dependence, and yet glorying in 
 self-independence ; and yet for such poor weak 
 worms Christ died. I felt as if I would sink under 
 the burden^ for souls, that rested upon me." 
 • #««*«« 
 
 It appears, at this time, his duty to devote his 
 life entirely to the work of the ministry was more 
 deeply impressed on his mind than ever before, 
 and in his Journal he exclaims: "Oh, the agony 
 of my mind, I called upon the Lord to enlighten 
 and show me the path of duty, and if it was His 
 will, I should go out to labor in his vineyard, 
 give me strength in my weakness." And he states 
 that while he then lay at his Saviour's feet, wait- 
 ing for the descent of the promised blessing, hia 
 soul was filled with light and glory; he declared 
 that this was a "fore-taste of the heavenly king- 
 dom." He appears to have been completely over- 
 whelmed in view of the dazzling splendors of 
 heaven, a clear sense of his duty, and the burden 
 of souls resting upon him, he again exclaimed: 
 " Oh Lord, use me as an humble instrument in 
 saving souls, but let me be hid behind the Cross — 
 
MANIFESTATION OF GRACE. |9 
 
 myself hid, und entirely out of the question. " Oh 
 how indifferent I have been while on every hand 
 sinners have been posting their way to ruin, and 
 I did not say a word to th**iii!" 
 
 After he had experienced this glorious manifes- 
 tation of the presence of the Lord, which seemed 
 to him, af it did to the disciples who witnessed 
 the bewildering and dazzling splendors of Christ's 
 transfiguration on " Tabor's top," he prayed more 
 earnestly for a preparation for the work before 
 him, and asked for grace to overcome what he 
 felt to be his besetting sin, which was levity, that 
 his constant life might daily speak his experience, 
 and that his experience might grow brighter and 
 brighter every day. He readily renounced all the 
 facinating pleasures and pursuits of this world 
 for the service of God, and like the Apostle Paul 
 counted all things but loss for the excellency oi 
 the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord, kf -. .^f^ 
 
 ■ :,f "i 
 
 r 
 
M 
 
 SUCCESSFUL TOUNQ EVANQEUST. 
 
 , : i\ 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 II :i 
 
 _-... ..-.-/ 
 
 Increasing Desire to be Useful — Humility Leads to Happiness — 
 Twenty-First Birth-Day — Letter to Parents. ,, , 
 
 From this period of his history ho appears to 
 have indulged in increasing desires ±o render 
 himself more useful in the service of the Lord; 
 and for this purpose called forth all the powers 
 of his mind to attain to that state of holiness and 
 zeal in the cause of God. that characterized the 
 saints of old. 
 
 He believed it was his privilege to attain to 
 that degree of grace that was enjoyed, and shone 
 forth so eminently in the life of Wesley, Whit- 
 field, Fletcher, Baxter and others who consecrated 
 themselves entirely to the service of God. 
 
 His prayers were unceasing for grace to enable 
 him to riake an entire consecration of himself to 
 the will and service of the Lord. He continued 
 to seek more earnestly for the sanctifying influ- 
 ence of the Holy Spirit, and inquired "Shall I be 
 satisfied with a few crumbs when there is a full 
 table spread — a free and bountiful feast ? Shall 
 I be satisfied with a drop now and then when I 
 may be abundantly watered with the dews from 
 heaven ?" Then he further incjiiircd, "Shall I be 
 
:#- 
 
 DESIRE TO BE USEFUL. 
 
 35 
 
 lukewarm and carele.ss tibout spiritual things, 
 when I might he filled with glory and with Go(' * 
 And then with anxious heart exclaimed, " I must 
 have these blessings ; by the grace of God I will 
 live for them till 1 live in the full enjoyment of 
 them!" Then he exclaimed, *'0h, awake my 
 drowsy soul and come forth into light for this 
 full, free salvation. Oh, blessed Jesus ! '' 
 
 "Take me body, spirit, soul, 
 L Only Thou, possess the whole, "i 
 
 \:i 
 
 •«t 
 
 On Monday evening the 2Gth of August, T8G1 •" 
 he wrote as follows : , 
 
 " Tills has been a precious day to my soul 
 While in prayer before God, Oh, how I was 
 blessed ! I find grace given to overcome every be- 
 setting sin. But Satan appears in diflferent garbs, 
 and will even tempt us while humble, to be proud 
 of our humility." ; -^ .,- v m^ . ., . . 
 
 Again he exclaimed, "Lord Jesus cleanse and 
 keep me thoroughly clean. Oh, Lord keep me ' 
 humble at Thy feet ! " 
 
 He appears to have well understood that to be 
 happy, and secure from the storms of Sa* <n, we 
 must be humble — that even the little shrubs in 
 the valley remain in safety and unmoved by the^'" 
 [tempest, while the lofty pines and sturdy oaks on - 
 
36 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 1! 
 
 ill-! 
 
 I-: .. ,;;:! 
 
 tho mountain's brow uto Hwcpt away by the fierce 
 winds and howling tempest. If we would escape 
 the storms wo must keep out of the tops of tho 
 trees — we must lie low at the foot of the Cro^s, 
 then we are secure. ...A . . 
 
 lie appears not to have forgotten the^ sentiment 
 of an humble christian who was asked, "what is 
 the first step towards heaven?" He answered, 
 humility. And what is the second step ? He an- 
 swered, humility. And the third? The answer 
 was humility. To bo exalted we must be humble. 
 
 The next evening he writes in his Journal, 
 ** To-dty, my school began again. I find much 
 pleasure in teaching the little ones. There appeal's 
 to be a growing attachment between us. This is 
 whh.t I want that I may be able to govern them 
 by love, not from slavish fear.'' 
 
 His constant desire to do good was apparent in 
 every move he made. He adds, " I have this day 
 been much in thought, in regard to my present 
 state — what I might be, and what is my privilege 
 and my duty, and in what manner I may best 
 devote my time in doing good. I find to be useful 
 I must be singular in regard to the world- —I must 
 give up company." Then he implores aid, and 
 adds: "Oh, Lord direct me how to act; my natui© 
 
 
 
GIVES UP COMPANY. 
 
 87 
 
 is such that often Satan teirpts mo in such a 
 manner that T know it not, till I find myself drawn 
 away from spiritual and divine things, nnd thus 
 T am often thrown off my guard, and though not 
 "ommitting any act of sin, I find my mind liable 
 to wander from God, when in company more than 
 when alone, or in ccmipany with those wlio love 
 and serve the Lord. My only plan is to 1)0 less 
 in compjiny, unless it in to do good, and not for 
 the purpose of being fashionable or pleasing, nor 
 to satisfy whims of my own or thoMo of any one 
 else. This I conceive to be duty. But I do not 
 intend to bo a gloomy christian, b;it shall strive 
 to be cheerful, lioly nnd happy, and hope to have 
 grace to suj)port me in any circumstance or posi- 
 tion in which I may be accidentally thrown." 
 
 On Wednesday morning, the 21st August, he 
 wrote as follows in his Journal: "And is it possible , 
 that I am twenty-one years of age already! Oh, 
 how time flies! It seems onlj' yesterday I was a 
 light-hearted child, to-day a man — twenty-one. 
 But I can hardly claim that title. What have I done 
 all this time, and how little good have I accom- 
 plished ? Merely nothing to what I might have 
 done; much of my time has been wasted; I see it I 
 HOM ' I deeply feel it, and always shall ; but it 
 

 38 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 \m'' 
 
 vw 
 
 shall teach me to improve every moment in the 
 future. I have my plan for life laid out, and by 
 the help of the I^ord I shall try to improve my 
 time in future so that I may, in some humble 
 degree, atone for wasted hours, which. canno1< be 
 recalled. ' ' > . , . , 
 
 " This morning I spent an hour in examining 
 my own heart*, mj'' desires and intentions, and to 
 measur(3 all by the Bible." 4, ; ,y, 
 
 The lively example of consistent piety that 
 shone forth in the daily walk of this youth should 
 not be lost, but imitated by professing Christians, 
 old and young ; he was no idler ; his hours were 
 carefully rin})roved in securing both mental and 
 spiritual attainments; his whole aim was to do 
 good, and by every possible acquirement and 
 effort he endeavored to accomplish something in 
 the vineyard of his divine Lord and Master. 
 
 And now, on his birth-day, when he arrived at 
 the age of manhood, though he had all through 
 childhood and youth, maintained strictly moral 
 and religious habits, he mourns over misspent 
 hours, and resolves to improve his time more as- 
 siduously for the salvation of souls and the» glory 
 of God. 
 
 Though he had now arrived at the age of man- 
 
tx 
 
 LETTER TO PARENTS. 
 
 m 
 
 » 
 
 nthe 
 idby 
 ^e ray 
 imble 
 loiibe 
 
 7 
 
 lining 
 and to 
 
 y that 
 should 
 istians, 
 rs were 
 ;al and 
 to do 
 it and 
 ling in. 
 
 ived at 
 
 irough 
 
 moral 
 
 lisspent 
 
 lore as- 
 
 e» glory 
 
 
 hood, he still is actuated by a spirit of meekness 
 and a childlike disposition, as appears from the 
 following letter he wrote to his paients at this 
 
 time: 
 
 •iv..*r:-. 
 
 "Exeter, Auffiisti 2l, u^uj.. 
 
 * My Dear Parents, — I cannot let this morn- 
 ing pass without, in some measure, placing my 
 thoughts on paper. I awoke early this morning 
 with the idea that I am really 'twenty-one/ though 
 I assure you I leel no particular physic.il altera- 
 tion; I feel inwardly va,gueness, and a sense of 
 my nothingness in trying to answer the questipn, 
 What am 1? ,, , ^ v .,:+-fti,, 
 
 "And is it possible that I am twenty-one so 
 soon ? Oh, how time flies ! It appears only as 
 yesterdr.y, that I vas a light-hearted boy, to-day 
 a man, (as far as years are concerned) and in many 
 things rx)y judgment is not much improved. I 
 have just been examining my own heart, my will, 
 desires a^^d intentions; I tried to nieasure myself 
 by the Bible, but hardly dare stand the test. Oh, 
 the depravity of the heajt; I spent much time 
 taking a retrospective view of my life, and oh, 
 what scenes from childhood up, circumstances 
 which, for years, have been buried in forgetful- 
 ness, now are laid before me ; I see my life as a 
 
40 
 
 SUCCESSFCL YOUNG EV^INGELIST. 
 
 ' ' m 
 
 i; 
 
 ill 
 
 panorama ; the waywara steps ; the broken com- 
 mands ; the disobeyed laws of nature ; transgress- 
 ing the will of my parents; the attempts to de- 
 ceive; the moments of anger; th3 di.^satisfaction 
 of my position in life with much unthankfulness; 
 coveting a higher situation in the world; the houra 
 spent in idlenesa; the good resolves made and 
 broken ; the lost opportunities of doing good ; the 
 vows not performed ; the grieving of the Holy 
 Spirit ; the days, weeks and months spent in a cold, 
 heartless and careless manner. Oh, my God, what 
 a page of wretchedness and depravity, and this 
 has been the manner in which I have be ii v.vu- 
 celling my debt, and what is that ? f see it in 
 everything; my birth in a land of Christianity; 
 always have had a sufficiency of food and raiment; 
 nev^e • suffered from hunger or cold; supplied with 
 all the common necessaries in life, above many 
 more deserving than I ; never have been perse- 
 cuted; scarcely know, from expirience, what trials 
 or difficulties are ; blessed with good health, and 
 kind friends, two dear brothers and an affec- 
 tionate sister, tender artd pious parents, Vvdio have 
 often prayed for me. For all these blessing's con- 
 ferred upon me, how thankful should I l)c to the 
 Lord. I feel it my duty to render to Him all my 
 
 Jll 
 
LIVES BY RULE. 
 
 41 
 
 ransomed powers. I have afresh consecratod my- 
 self to Hini for time aud eternity. At times I 
 have prayed to be made a fit temple for the in- 
 dwelling of the Holy Spirit. But never before so 
 clearly understood their full meaning, £is I did 
 this morning. 
 
 " F<p' the better employment of my time, I 
 have commenced to live by rule — having a stated 
 time for the performance of every duty. I have 
 never before been so situated that I could do this. 
 I think I now can, and shall make the effort. I 
 ha^-e divided my time to the best of my judgment, 
 and when I see I can improve my plan I will 
 do BO. ' 
 
 ** From what I have often said, when at home, 
 you know how I looked at the future. As to my 
 future occupation, this much I know, if I live 
 near the Lord He will direct me. I shall strive 
 to improve my mind as well as I can, and ask the 
 Lord to direct me through life. 
 
 " Dear parents ; although 1 am now from under 
 "^ your nnmediatc care and direction, by being " of 
 age" — arrived at manhood, and absent from you, 
 I yet I would feel deeply afilicted, did I for a mo- 
 ment imagine that you felt Jiay less regard for 
 mv welfare ; and your will and wishes shall still 
 
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 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANOELio* 
 
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 be regarded by me as ever ; and your advice and 
 direction as thankfully received. I shall expect 
 it given the same as ever. Why, I never in my 
 life thought so little of myself, or less of my own 
 judgment, than I do now. 
 
 "My heart is too full to-day to express my 
 
 feelings. But I can assure you that, by the grace 
 
 of God, I intend to meet you both in heaven, 
 
 where families will never be separated. * ^ 
 
 iM<>'*.'h " Your affectionate son, *- 
 
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DESIRES WI.SDOM. 
 
 43 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 •s/tK 
 
 
 Ardent Desire for the Salvation of Souls— Singular Choice of 
 a Text — Blessings enumerated— Feeling not to be substituted 
 for Faith. 
 
 Having commencecl to labor as a local preacher, 
 in addition to his duties and attention t,o his 
 school, he states that, duiing the latter part of the 
 last week, he was much engaged, studying and 
 preparing for his Sabbath work, and that goirg 
 to his appointment on Sabbath, he cried mightily 
 to the Lord for aid. He deeply folt his need of 
 wisdom and strength ; but feeling confident that 
 the Lord had called him to the work, though 
 trembling under the awful lesponsibility, and 
 feeling it his duty to obey, he went forth trusting 
 in the Lord, and states he verily felt the Lord 
 present with him while he spoke to the people, 
 but mourns on account of such a lack of power, 
 to accompany the Word, and cany conviction to 
 every heart. He ardently desired the salvation 
 of souls, without any ostentation, or attempt to 
 make a rhetorical flourish. His whole aim was 
 to win souls to Christ, and to accomplish this, he 
 earnestly sought for the baptism of the Holy 
 Spirit, to prepare him for usefulness. 
 

 m '.•■{■■ 
 
 44 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELLST. 
 
 '■^ He states, at first he missed his way — tha^ 
 when he desired the power and had it not, it 
 seemed he had supplied it by noise ! b it when he 
 found the Spirit in power accompanied the word, 
 he spoke in a lower tone, E^ade less noise, but the 
 unction was there. " * ' 
 
 ' On one occasion he states that, on arriving at 
 his appointment, he found the house full. He took 
 for his text the 52nd Psalm, and 1st verse, — 
 " Why boasteth thou thyself in mischief, mighty 
 man? The goodness of God endureth continu- 
 ally " He adds, '' It was a strange text, but I 
 could not give it up, I had chosen another sub- 
 ject, bnt while on my knees praying, this subject 
 came so forcibly to my mind that I gave the other 
 up, and took this, and did the best I could with 
 it." He then prayed that God's blessing might 
 attend the effort. His prayer was heard, and 
 victories were accomplished. At his outset in 
 the work, much good attended his efforts. In his 
 weakness he was strong in the strength of the 
 Lord. 
 
 He continued daily to sit in judgment upon 
 himself, and call in question his motives, words 
 and actions. In reference to which he says, — 
 
 " As my life passes before me, I see it all as a 
 
BLESSINGS ENUMERATED. 
 
 panoramii — my wayward steps — ^broken vowa, 
 violated ruie^, <lo.siring a liiglier position, coveting 
 more wealth and honour, and greater powers of 
 mind, instead of being thankful for and contented 
 with one talent, and iraproving on what I have. 
 Also, hours misspent, good res(^utions and vows 
 broken, opportunities lost tor <loing good, grieving 
 the Holy Spirit — days, weeks and months, spent 
 in a cold, careless and formal state, in the church." 
 He then exclaims, — " O my God, wliat a chart of 
 wretchedness and depravity : and this is the mise- 
 rable manner I have been trying to cancel my 
 debt of gratitude to the Giver of all my mercies. 
 And these mercies still continue to abound. I 
 see them as follows : — My birth in a Chnstian 
 coimtry : favoured wi^h kind friends and blessed 
 with affectionate and pious parents, by whom 
 many prayers have been offered up for me : and 
 I have always been blessed with food and raiment : 
 never suffered much from cold or hunger: never 
 have been persecuted : scarcely know, from expe- 
 rience, what trials or afflictions are, and blessed 
 with health both in body and mind." 
 
 He appeal's t<j have been sensible of the obli- 
 gations resting upon him, for the inestimable 
 blessi'jgs tha^ continued to abound, and he 
 
iSii 
 
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 I- 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
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 "A 
 
 i: 
 
 4k^ 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 l?esolved to consecrate all upon the altar of the 
 Most High. It is the duty of the Christian to 
 remember past mercies, in order to secure, and 
 l>e thankful for future blessings. . 
 
 The next Sabbath morning he exclaimed, " 
 how pleasant to the soul this hallowed day of 
 rest;'' but reproaches himself for losing on hour 
 in sleep longer than was absolutely U'^cessary, 
 and resolves to economise and better improve his 
 time in future, so as to gain one hour each day 
 which he could add to the time set apart for self- 
 examination and prayer. He resolved by faith 
 to lay hold upon salvation in aV its fullness, and 
 
 draw plentifully from the well of salvation, and 
 be invigorated, refreslied and strengthened to 
 perform every duty. 
 
 On the second Sabbath after his twenty-first 
 birthday he asks himself the (question, "And how 
 am I prospering in the spiritual way ? " and then 
 records his own answer — "Bless the Lord for this 
 state of mind; I know, to-day, the bl:od of Jesus 
 Christ cleansetli me from all sin." And then 
 offers devout prayer that he might continuQ to 
 advance in this wav of holiness, and ever retain 
 the witness of this cleansing power, and be deli- 
 vered from all the love and pollution of sin. 
 
FEELING AND FAITH. 
 
 47 
 
 ^r\t\ on -the next Sabbath morning he exclaimed 
 
 " Morn of the Lord, again thou'rt hero, 
 With light, and joy, and inward peace. 
 
 iLiOrd of the mom, dispel my fear, * 
 
 My soul from inward sin release." 
 
 It appears he had entertained great fear of 
 faUing into the sin of ingratitude, and frequently 
 prayed to be saved from it. His mind had been 
 much exercised during the week on the mode of 
 living by faith on the Son of God. 
 
 On a close examination of himself he found 
 that he had been living and looking for feeling, 
 instead of the exercise of faith. That in time 
 past, when in secret devotion he had prayed for the 
 Lord to fill him with gloiy, joy and gladness, and 
 that he had been abundantly blessed, and some- 
 times overwhelmed with the glory and presence 
 of the Lord. But he now found that he had 
 been more anxious to live in that joyful state of 
 mind, than to gain strength by an increase of 
 living faith in God. Or in other words, he had 
 " spent more time, day after day, agonizing for 
 this overpowering and joyful feeling, and hallow- 
 ing sens tion imparted to his own soul, than he 
 had in praying for sinners and for grace, strength 
 of faith, and wisdom to enable him to perform 
 I his duty in promoting the glory of God in the 
 salvation of sinners. 
 
TfT 
 
 48 
 
 SUCCKSSFCL YOUNG EVANGKLIST, 
 
 HI 
 
 liifiiiil 
 
 He began now to see he had Honiething to <\o. 
 that he might be instrumental in influencing 
 others to seek for happiness. And to bo success- 
 ful in this, he felt the need of jnore wisdom and 
 faith. He felt that he had something to do 
 besides always seeking to feast his own soul on 
 the dainties of heaven. And then resolved to 
 "be up and doing," nnd keep awake to his duty. 
 And while striving to keep his faith in lively 
 exercise, and agonizing and praying for the sal- 
 vation of otliers, he not only felt a consciousness 
 of the favour of God for doing his duty; but 
 besides this, he felt also, that dazzling glow of 
 divine love in his h(*art, and ovein\'^helming joy 
 that was unutterable, and in this way obtained a 
 double portion, and again rejoiced, oiiitv/v, -^m 
 
 He often wondered at the amazing mercy of 
 
 God in condescending to t-tike up His abode in 
 
 our poor hearts, once the seat of base desires, old 
 
 haunts of evil passions, and unholy thoughts, and 
 
 yet to be now a place for the indwellin?^ of the 
 Holy Spirit. what a thorough scouriijg and 
 
 cleansing we need, to make us lit temples for the 
 
 Holy Spirit to dwell in. He rejoiced to know 
 
 tl,j,t all this is the high privilege of the tine 
 
 believer in Christ Jesus. In view of this, he felt 
 
 
 —;—- n^ 
 
.aV:l 
 
 DESIRES REDEMPTION. 
 
 y 
 
 % 
 
 humbled and expressed a desire to be ever found 
 
 at the l3et of his Saviour, and exclaimed 
 
 " For m« He left His Father's throne above, 
 For me He suffered grief and shame, , , 
 
 For me He shed His precious Blood, , , ., , 
 
 For me the Lamb of God was slain." ' • ' ' - 
 
 Then he asks "And shall I be cold and luke- 
 warm ? " He at once resolved to go or^ to greater 
 heights and depths in the divine life. He saw a 
 wide margin before him, and felt that to bj\sk in 
 the love of God is like swimming in a boundless 
 ocean that has neither bottom or shore. His 
 love is vast as eternity, it is just like Himself, for 
 'God is love." . , 
 
 This devoted youth was resolved never to rest 
 ■only in the enjoyment 6f full redemption, and to 
 be " swallowed up in God," which he conceived 
 to imply being dissolved in love. He thanked 
 the Lord" for the sweet joy he found in believing, 
 And in living by faith on the Son of God. He 
 continued to trust in the Lord for wisdom and 
 grace to continue making advances in the divine 
 life. His ardent desire to obtain grace to live by 
 faith was manifest by his holy breathing in the 
 
 following lines — 
 
 " Preparing grace, Lord, I ask, 7^ 
 
 Now from Thy fullness givej 
 Fit me, fit me for my task. 
 
 And let me in Thee lire." 
 
 i^s 
 
50 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 While engaged in teaching school, he continued 
 to exeri an extensive influence for good over the 
 tniiids of all placed under hia instruction, often 
 conversing with them about spiritual tilings, and 
 he enforced his kind precepts by his ^consistent 
 walk as a devout and sincere Christian. His 
 appeals at the throne of grace, for those com- 
 mitted to his care, were fervent, and his labours 
 as a local preac^h'. ■• were abundant. He was no 
 idler in the vineyard, but often preached two or 
 three times on Sabbath. Hi* rich and fervent 
 expositions of the Word of God were not in vain, 
 but ^iere listened to with great profit and delight. 
 He girded himself for the holy combat, and in all 
 devotional exercises would read, au'' speak with 
 great jinimation. ' 
 
 He was sound in theology, and his sermons 
 practical and remarkable for usefulness. His 
 intelligence and deep piety made him very 
 attractive as a preacher. His sermons often 
 appeared as the outburstings of a soul of fire* 
 burning with fiery zeal to save souls. His heart 
 ^ seemed to glow with a love of divine truth, which 
 gave him a freshness of thought, and warmth of 
 feeling, which produced a sprightliness, and a 
 chaa'm to his pulpit efforts. 
 
. ♦. 
 
 ' PREACHES HIS' TRIAL SERMON. 
 
 ■3^ 
 
 «. ' 1 
 
 CHAPTER Vr. 
 
 Piwrcliw before the London District MeotinR— Admitted on 
 Trial — Appointed to tli« Strathroy Circuit — Illuoss — Labored 
 with great success part of the year on Exoter Circuit. 
 
 Having beon cordially recommended ])y the 
 Quarterly Meeting, of the Exeter Circuit, he pro- 
 ce(?l:lod to the London District Meetlnj^* in May, 
 18G.S, accompanied by Mr. A. Freeman, the Re- 
 cording Stewai'd of that circuit. He was called 
 on to preach a trial sermon before the [jreachers 
 of that District, and then, after examination on 
 his Christian experience, litcjrary attiiinments, 
 &c., he was cordially recommended to the Con- 
 ference to enter the itiii rant work. The Con- 
 ference that year met in Toronto, and lie was 
 admitted on trial and appointed to the Strath- 
 roy circuit, to travel as the junior preacher, 
 "under the superintend an ce of the Rev. L. O. 
 Rice. But at this time he was taken very ill, 
 and for several weeks confined to his bed. 
 During his illness, arrjangements were made to 
 supply his place on the cirr lit. As soon as his 
 health was sufficiently restored, so that he could 
 engage in his work, (his place on the Strathroy 
 circuit being supplied by another,) arrangements 
 
'1 
 
 
 m'l 
 
 li .*i:' 
 
 ^ 
 
 SUCOEHSFUL YOST^d EVANGELIST. 
 
 were made for him to labour as the third preacher 
 on the Exeter circuit, under the superintendance 
 of the Rev. Mr. Chapman. 
 
 He expressed great gratitude to God for His 
 goodness in restoring him to health and strength, 
 and for His sustaining grace, to comfort and sup- 
 port him while on a bed of affliction. He had 
 Buffered much during his illness, though he never 
 complained, but said he found it good to h^ 
 afflicted. He had longed to be able to speak and 
 again work for his divine Master, and now being 
 restored to health, according to the arrangement 
 of his superint^idant, he, and the Rev. Mr. 
 Holmes — the second preacher on the circuit, en- 
 gaged in conducting a protracted meeting, in a 
 neighbourhood where many were unconverted, 
 and wayward. They visited from house to house, 
 prayed with the people, and invited them out to 
 the meeting that evening. The work immedi- 
 ately commenced. ' ti- ■■■y'-^-i- '"^^::'^^ -''^^ ^ ,»^> ' V ^3!;;ki 
 
 The next day (Wednesday) these two young 
 disciples continued to visit indiscriminately all 
 the families in that locality, and prayed with 
 them, and invited all to attend the meeting. 
 In this way they secured a full house every 
 evening, when they would preach a short sermon 
 
 I 
 
RELIES ON THE PROMISES. 
 
 53 
 
 
 achcr 
 iance 
 
 >rHis 
 
 engtli, 
 
 d sup- 
 
 e had 
 
 never 
 
 to V"3 
 
 ak and 
 r being 
 gement 
 ?v. Mr. 
 ;uit, en- 
 g, in a 
 1 verted, 
 o house, 
 n out to 
 iiamedi- 
 
 young 
 ately all 
 ed with 
 meeting. 
 se every 
 :t Bennou 
 
 cm some practical subject, and urge the people to 
 seek the Lord, The spirit of awakening went 
 abroad throughou t the neighbourhood ; light from 
 heaven broke in upon the people, and scores were 
 savingly converted to God. ' ^^i'a >ii >- ..rw-.v= 
 
 In opposition to the opinion of many pious but 
 faint-hearted preachers of the Gospel, he belived 
 that wherever and whenever the means are used, 
 for the salvation of souls, the end xoill be attained. 
 
 Observation teaches us, that wlien a preacher, 
 with a tongue of fire, anxious to promote the 
 glory of God, in full reliance on the promises of 
 he Lord — " Lo I am with you," goes forth in the 
 strength of the Redeemer, and daily visits and 
 prays with his people, and continues to point 
 them to the cross, they will feel its attraction, 
 and souls imll be s.^ved. If we act our part, the 
 work must be done. All who believe and live for 
 a present salvation obtain it. The groat secret of 
 success is, in living near th(- Lord. The burden 
 of thought with him was, " How can I attain to 
 more holiness of heart?" This he desired, that 
 he might be useful in saving souls. He often 
 exclaimed, " O what need have I of living near 
 the foot of the cross !" ^ ww imt mM dX. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 2oth of August, 1863, in 
 
 . 
 
K'l. 
 
 ^•^^:,.*im-:..-\<'i:-'A ■..'S!*5S''-:i;v- I'MH 
 
 SUCCESSPIJL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 W 
 
 V'\ 
 
 •St .. 
 
 his journal he wrote thus: "Yesterday I visited 
 thirteen families, and found my own bouI greatly 
 blessed in the work. In the evening I preached 
 from " Christ Jesus came into the world to save 
 sinners." The Lord was very near. We had a 
 glorious meeting. Forty were forward, seeking 
 salvation." .:_ :. ;, . 
 
 Such were the means employed, and souls were 
 converted, and the work continued to spread in 
 every direction. While looking at the work 
 before him, he said he trembled, seeing there 
 were so many souls in that locality unsaved, and 
 that, through his faithfulness or unfaithfulness, 
 they may be saved or lost. He was eager to save 
 Bouls, and exclaimed, "There must be faithful 
 visiting, earnest prayer, and lively faith, then the 
 work will continue to prosper." ~- .- - ;>--... 
 
 In other parts of the Circuit he laboured with 
 equal success, lie states: 'Last night I preached 
 from the " Stony Heart,'" and we had a very good 
 prayer meeting at the close — five penitents came 
 forward and manifested a desire for salvation." 
 Then he adds, " I am convinced if we perform 
 our duty the 'ark will go forward.'" And so it 
 proved to be, for many were brought into the 
 fold of Christ. Sinners were saved. 
 
HIS FIRST CIRCUIT. 
 
 55 
 
 This was his first circuit, and he swept round 
 it like a comet, lighting a flame wherever he 
 went. In all the exercises in which he engaged, 
 the object appeared to be holiness of heart, and 
 the salvation of souls. He adds, "Every day in 
 my associations, with ministers and all others, I 
 feel the need of a baptism of the Holy Spirit. I 
 am a wonder to myself, aware that, after all 
 that has been done for me, I ought to be more 
 holy. I feel this daily, and by God's grace will 
 strive to consecrate all upon the altar of the 
 Lord. 
 
 Such were the devout aspirations of his heart, 
 every day on the stretch for holiness, that he evi- 
 dently appeared to continually grow in grace 
 and usefulness. He continued to Labour on the 
 Exeter circuit till February. 
 
 : I 
 
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 '%^ 
 
 hi- 
 
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 "^■i^-^wH 
 
 
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 $6 SUCCESSFUL YCUNG EVAiTGELIST. 
 
 . ^ , (.Mu vi- TC^ CHAPTEE VIT. 
 
 iif 
 
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 Removed to Stratkroy Circuit— Low State of Religion on the 
 Circuit — Hea,ps used for a J^evi^al — ^4^ address before a 
 ' "Social. ., ( ^.> r . 
 
 The person who had been sent to fill his place 
 at Strathroy failed, which rendered it necessary 
 for him to labour on that circuit to which he 
 had been appointed by the Conferenoe, the re» 
 maining pait of the Conference year. f 
 
 On his arrival there, in February^ he found 
 the societies in a sad state of confusion. But 
 he avoided taking pai't with any of the con- 
 tending parties. He acted as a peace-maker 
 amongst tj\e contentious, and as such he was 
 blessed, W...^"'' ■ - v.:,^' ''"'■:=... ^-v ::■',.„;.,• fj^... 
 
 In his journal he states, ^' This week has been 
 one of much enjoyment. My peace has flowed 
 like a river. A consciousness that I am fully the 
 Lord's, is a source of joy." And looking forward 
 to the approaching Sabbath, he adds, * To-morrow 
 I hope to have a good time — a happy, prosperous 
 day. I believe for it — especially that there may 
 be some fruit from my feeble labours, and souls 
 be savingly converted to God." 
 
 Nothing less than the conversion of souls satis- 
 
 :t 
 
 V' '•■'-:;'■: A- 
 
 ■!''f-. 
 
HIS ELOQUENT PREACHING. 
 
 57 
 
 fied him ; for this he laboured incessantly, and 
 
 • 
 
 when preaching, he would often appear so inspired 
 and elated with the hope of success, that his 
 countenance, glowing with bright intelligence, 
 would appear lighted up and brightened with 
 animation. And when under the inspiration of 
 true devotion, and in the immediate act jf divine 
 worship, he appeared to contract a greatness of 
 mind that raised him above his equals ; and then 
 he would utter forth words that seemed to roll 
 from the furnace of a soul of fire. 
 
 In the faithful discharge of duty, he sometimes 
 became so inspired as to be at once exalted to a 
 state veiy little lower than an angel. ..ij.,? * 
 
 After his arrival in Strathroy, finding the So- 
 ciety in such a state of contention, his mind was 
 greatly exercised, and on the 18th day of March 
 he wrote in his journal as follows : , i\,,inii- J * a 
 "I have felt, since coming here, that I need 
 much more wisdom and grace. My position is 
 very peculiar, and sometimes trying. I have < 
 found much need of being very watchful, lest I • 
 bring a reproach on the caise of God, by thought- 
 less words or actions. I wish my life to fully « 
 accord with my profession. I intend, by the help I 
 of the Lord, to preach plainly and pointedly to : 
 
58 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVaI;GELIST. 
 
 ii-i 
 
 
 the people : and were I to preach the Gospel and 
 then not live it, I could accomplish no good, but 
 bring a reproach on the cause of my Divine 
 Master, I therefore feel my need of a more full 
 ajid entire consecration to God — the actual enjoy- 
 ment of sanctifying power — holiness, entire holi- 
 ness of heart. For this I am praying and be- 
 lieving." 
 
 AU the powers, affections and desires of his 
 
 i, f 
 
 soul, verily, appeared to be continually going out 
 after the Lord, and every emotion of his heart, 
 and affection of his soui, centred upon Him — the 
 source and fountain of bliss. In reference to a 
 full conformity to the will of God, and growth in 
 grace, he further states, on a certain occasion — 
 " I had chosen my text, ' According to your faith 
 it shall be done unto you,' and while meditating 
 upon it, I came to the state of the Christian, and 
 thought, if according to his faith it would be done 
 unto him, what faith have I ? and can I consist- 
 ently urge upon my hearers to do that which I 
 have neglected, namely, to believe for that deeper 
 work of grace, to be whoUy sanctified, soul, body 
 and spirit ? So I bowed before God, and wrestled 
 and prayed, and believed, and by His grace was 
 enabled to lay " my all" upon the altar, which 
 
WRESTLES AND PIlAYf«. 
 
 sanctifieth the gift. And, by grace, was deter- 
 mined to bind it forever upon that altar, not to 
 be removed. Still, I felt no iinusnal sensation, 
 nor did I at that moment realize any direct evi- 
 dence that any special change had then been 
 wrought. But in faith I continued to look up, 
 believing the evidence would be given. His pro- 
 mise then presented itself to my mind, ' He that 
 cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.' And 
 I said, Lord Jesus, I come — I come, Thou wilt not. 
 Thou canst not cast me out, for thy promise is 
 sure, and cannot fail. While trying to believe, I 
 at once obtained assistance — my faith increased. 
 I could trust in the atoning blood to cleanse. All, 
 all was consecrated upon the altar, and I could 
 exclaim, Lord, I am wholly thine; and at that 
 moment I was wonderfully blessed. what a 
 heaven of bliss was let down into my soul. And 
 now I realize that God has accepted me fully. I 
 love God with all my heart ; more supremely 
 than ever before. There is a change. I know it. 
 
 yes, I am convinced of this fact, Jes^^ is mine, 
 and I am His. And now there still remains a 
 sweet inward peace, after the rapture is past, and 
 
 1 can preach as I never could before ; but all is 
 through the aid of the Holy Spirit, all — aU is of 
 the Lord. 
 
\ ' 
 
 00 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNQ EVANGELIST. 
 
 "As far as 1 know, there is nothing in my 
 heart contrary to the will of God. I love God 
 with all my heart, and soul, and strength. And 
 I love his people. I love all men, but more than 
 ever hate their sins. , . 
 
 " People may call this what they please. I am 
 the Lord's. If 'holiness,' 'Christian perfectioji/ 
 or 'perfect love,' consists in having the heart 
 cleansed from all poUution, and the love of sin 
 destroyed, and all the soul beating and throbbing 
 in perfect unison with the v/ill and word of God, 
 and a desire to know nothing but Christ, with a 
 full reliance on his merits, and an entire trust in 
 him, then I have it. Bless the Lord, I will jDraise 
 Him, 'let all the people praise Him.' And 
 although so unworthy, I am still wonderfully 
 favored. I have been unfaithful, yet not for- 
 gotten. Ever, Lord, may I realize the neces- 
 sity of trusting in and leaning upon Thee my 
 Saviour for support, and go forward, striving for 
 more and still more of tliis heavenly unction. 
 The Lord helping me, so will I do.**"" -t: "i f / 
 
 Such were the aspirations of a devout soul on 
 full stretch for holiness of heart, and such the 
 efforts to obtain all the mind that was in Christ. 
 Then on Saturday evening he again writes in his 
 
 M 
 
 ■-^fii'![j,,-.i^n' 
 
HE EXHORTS TO CHRISTIAN UNITY. 
 
 61 
 
 ctiqji,' 
 heart 
 of sin 
 obbing 
 f God, 
 with a 
 rust in 
 I ])raise 
 And 
 lerfully 
 lot for- 
 neces- 
 hec my 
 ang for 
 unction, 
 
 'u.'- ■ ■■ ■-< ■ 
 
 soul on 
 uch the 
 Christ. 
 33 in hia 
 
 journal as follows: " I have been living a new life 
 this week, not at all as before ; I seem to breathe 
 a different atmosphere, and see through a different 
 medium; I have stronger faith; ray cup is full." 
 
 Having obtained a fresh baptism of the Holy 
 Spirit, he undertook to make peace among the 
 contending parties who were disturbing the peace 
 and harmony of their societies, and, as if inspired 
 in the cause, to make reconciliation between the 
 contending parties after much thought and prayer 
 on the subject. On the evening of the 20th of 
 April he attended their "Ladies' Aid Society," 
 and at the close he was called on to read a portion 
 of the Holy Scriptures and pray ; he read part 
 o^ the eleventh chapter of St. Luke, commencing 
 at the 20th verse, and then proceeded to address 
 them as follows — * 
 
 "The words I have just read are those of 
 Ohrist, and were we to deal as plainly and 
 honestly with our hearers, how frequently would 
 we be blamed ? But feeling iSiat it is our duty 
 to so act, allow me, in love for your souls and 
 the cause of God, to unburden my mind. 
 
 -^'I had thought from the spirit T saw manifested 
 at Bro. J. and Bro. A.'s houses, that I would not 
 attend any more [the Ladies' Aid Society], But 
 
w^ 
 
 m 
 
 62 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 after making it a subject of prayer this <3ay, I 
 felt convinced that I should attend and do my 
 duty ; though a heavy cross it may be. 
 
 "I am glad the meeting Imxs, thus far, passed off 
 so pleasantly this evening. But can I forget 
 what I saw night before last, and at other times 
 as well, since I came among you ? No ! and all 
 .this meeting would require is a "match," and the 
 flame would bum as furiously fis ever. 
 
 " brethren, it has been a sad grief to me to 
 observe the state of feelinor amonor the members 
 cf the church. And it will never heal a wound 
 by covering the diseased pa^'t with a scab, but 
 you must probe to the seat of the disease. Here 
 we have only the outward appearance of friend- 
 ship, I fear, the hatred is as deep and strong as 
 ever. This I have witnessed in the street, in the 
 social circle, and even in the house of God. Yes, 
 brethren, I have seen two members of our own 
 church, here in Strathroy, rise from their knees 
 at prayer meeting, and would not speak to each 
 other at the door, as they met passing out. I 
 have seen two members, nearly side by side in 
 church, yet pass out as if they were the greatest 
 strangers. Is this the religion of the Bible? Is 
 
 ir Saviour tauefht we should 
 
 spirit 
 
 have ? But you say you have been wronged. 
 
 I 111 
 
''! 
 
 FORGIVENESS ENJOINED. 
 
 63 
 
 Well, that does not alter the case a whit, for if 
 you love only those who love you, what do you 
 more thau Lhe world ? Sinners do the same. 
 What are we taugjit m regard to such matters f 
 "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there 
 rememberest that thy brother hath aught against 
 thee " — mark the expression — " if he hath aught 
 against thee," not if thou hast aught against him, 
 " Leave there thy gift bofore the altar and go thy 
 way ; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then 
 come and offer thy gift." Now, you know your 
 brother has soivicthing against you — why not be 
 reconciled? Is such conduct acccptjiblo to God? 
 You are here this evening, who will not meet in 
 class with thy brother, but you will meet at 
 the same time, in another (;lass, in the next 
 room ! What is the difference before God ? One 
 is just as hateful and sinful in His sight as the 
 other. The i)rinciple is the same; and I posi- 
 tively declare before God and you this moment, 
 if your feelings are such as will not allow you to 
 meet with yo:v: brother, and such as to exclude 
 you froia i'ollou'slii;) with him here, they are such 
 as ^vill exclude you iv )in heaven. May God have 
 mercy on us. O brpthren, if judgment were to 
 at the house of God, who would be ab 
 
 begin at i 
 
 stand ? AVho are ready for the trial. 
 
 to 
 
 "I 
 
04 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 m 
 
 " Now, I Hpcak not from rumor, but from what 
 I have seen with my own eyes, and heard with 
 my own ears. What some of you have isaid. You 
 make your excuses to me and to others, but they 
 are not such as will excuse you before God. And, 
 brethren, if these things are not settled here, they 
 will be at the bar of justice, in the day of judg- 
 ment. Thank the Lord some of you are yet free, 
 to you my words do not apply. But to you who 
 indulge in feelings of enmity — for your soul's sake 
 — for the sake of God's cause — for heaven's sake, 
 get right, in the sight of a holy God. Fearful is 
 your responsibility ! I go and talk to sinners, and 
 what do they say ? — ' Look at your own church 
 members — look at the meetings of the ' Ladies' 
 Aid Society.' O how you tie my hands from 
 usefulness. How can I work, when such things 
 exist among you ? You use the 'Lord's prayer;' 
 and I have known men offer up tliat petition 
 when, if judged by their fruits, and God should 
 hear and atiswer their prayer when they say, * for- 
 give us our tre.spiusse.s as we forgive them that 
 trespass against as,' they would be sent down to 
 hell in a moment. I fear, if there is no change 
 in these matters, God will visit us with heavy 
 judgments. , , ■ 
 
 yv:; 
 
FORGET AND FOliaiVE. 
 
 15 
 
 '* What I have said here, I have said to many 
 of you personally ; and I would rather say it now 
 to all, if they were present, and regret that all the 
 memhers concerned are not here to-night. Nor 
 do I think it proper to speak as I have to a mixed 
 congregation ; nor can I get the opportunity to 
 address those concerned, on this subject, ^ivon at 
 a prayer meeting — for some of you I have never 
 seen at a prayer meeting since I came to Strath- 
 roy~which is the reason why I have taken this 
 opportunity to speak on the subject. The Lord 
 knows how I have felt about this matter, and 
 how I dreaded this duty. And now allow me to 
 say, I think both sides have erred. There is no 
 doubt of it. We are all liable to err, but let us 
 try to ' forget and foi^ive ;' pray in your closets 
 about it. Ask for pardon ; plead for mercy, lest 
 He visit us with a stroke Let us go home with 
 9, fresh determination to be honest with ourselves 
 and with each other." ♦ ♦ • («.';« 
 
 He spoke kindly, but pointedly, to them, and 
 then held a prayer meeting among them, and all 
 returned home, evidently in a better state of feel- 
 ing, and much good was accomplished; for, not 
 long after that, all were united in the bonds ^ 
 christian love and friendship. <: *'*' 
 
w 
 
 60 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 fff'V^'sd i.:4t^s>i''^v.' 
 
 ■:4 
 
 1. 
 
 
 CHAPTER Vra. 
 
 Sermons not PictnTcs — EfiTect of a Sennon on Prayer — An Ovet- 
 whelming Sceue at the Family Altar— Reflex Influence <J 
 ' Pi-ayer. 
 
 He endeavored to guard against every evil, 
 and practially contract the habit of believing in 
 Christ every hour for full redemption. No power 
 of the mind appeared wanting to render him use- 
 ful as a preacher, and none existed in excess. 
 His piety was deep and fervent, and his mind well 
 cultivated. All his mental endowments were 
 good, but not very brilliant, though possessing a 
 lively imagination. His sermons were not mere 
 pictures, decorated with artificial flowers, or em- 
 bellished by rhetorical flourishes, but richly evan- 
 gelical, practical and sound in theology, delivered 
 with tender emotions, in words that seemed to 
 fall from the lips of one whose heart was over- 
 flowing with the love of God. As a speaker he 
 was very impassioned, and his words seemed to 
 flow from the fountain of goodness. He only 
 lived to accomplish the great purposes of life. 
 
 On one occasion, preadiing on the subject of 
 prayer, he took occasion to show many reasons 
 why prayer is not always answered ; one he 
 
 :i.l!! 
 
jr evil, 
 ing in 
 power 
 m use- 
 excess, 
 id ■well 
 J were 
 ssing a 
 )t mere 
 or em- 
 y evan- 
 livered 
 med to 
 ,s over- 
 aker he 
 med to 
 ^e only 
 life. 
 
 bject of 
 reasons 
 one he 
 
 'M 
 
 WHY PRAYER IS NOT ANSWERED. 
 
 6Y 
 
 noticed particularly was, when we do not pray in 
 a right spirit, but indulge in hard and unkind 
 feelings against other members of the church. 
 His words appeared as if coined in the mind of an 
 angel, and an awful solemnity rested upon the 
 audience. Each seemed to receive " a portion of 
 meat in due season." His pathetic appeals to the 
 hearts of his hearers were most overwhelming. 
 
 The next morning two members of the s^me 
 church, who had indulged for some time in unkind 
 feelings against each otlier, started from their 
 respective homes at the same time, to seek for a 
 reconciliation, and on their way they mv3t. One 
 said to the other, " I was going to your house.' 
 " Well," said the other, " I was going to yours," 
 They were both on the same errand — to confess ' 
 their faults to each other, and seek reconciliation, 
 which was soon accomplished ; and they together 
 entered the nearest neighbor's house, and joined 
 in prayer, found free access at the throne of grace, 
 and returned home rejoicing. In referring to this 
 circumstance, they subsequently admitted they 
 " could not withstand such preaching, and indulge 
 in hard feelings against a neighbor." They have 
 oontinued mutual friends ever since. 
 
 Seldom do we find such a combination of excel- 
 
 '\ 
 
 A 
 
 V'^f* 
 
 iisP-l 
 
 im 
 
 %■ 
 
'in 
 
 ♦ ■ 
 
 l!l' ! 
 
 9 ;:! 
 
 68 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 lencies in one person ; such gentle manliness and 
 broad humane sympathy; such matured judg- 
 ment ; such burning earnestness in the cause of 
 God, and such completeness of character, in a 
 young man of his tender age. - i i- ;,^a ■ v * 
 
 He wiis consistent, uniform, and unremitting in 
 his labors, and became more and more attractive 
 in preaching. Also, he had great faith in prayer ; 
 apparently artless and simple, but always earnest 
 and appropriate. ' . -< * : :i 
 
 His parents informed me of a circumstance 
 which I will here relate : " ' 
 
 On one occasion, when visiting his paternal 
 home, on a New Year's morning, as often was the 
 case, he lead in family devotion, and, after nam- 
 ing each member of the family as he prayed ; 
 he then, in the most solemn manner, dedicated 
 all of them to God. Before he concluded his 
 prayer, they were all so overwhelmed with the 
 presence and power of God, that they remained 
 on their knees a considerable time after he ceased 
 to pray vocally. They all received a shock of 
 divine power, and the glory of the Lord filled the 
 house, and all were constrained to say, as did the 
 disciples, when they witnessed the dazzling and 
 bewildering glory that was manifest at the trans- 
 
 '/ -'■■ 
 
BELIEVING PRAYER. 
 
 69 
 
 was the 
 
 9 
 
 er nam- 
 
 mm 
 
 prayed ; 
 
 .'S^^H 
 
 edicated 
 
 B 
 
 ided his 
 
 H 
 
 v^ith the 
 
 1 
 
 emained 
 
 
 16 ceased 
 
 
 jhock of 
 
 
 aUed the 
 
 
 8 did the 
 
 
 ;ling and 
 
 
 he trans- 
 
 - im. 
 
 jSguration of Christ, on Tabor's top— "Lord, it is 
 good for us to be here." , ^ 
 
 Instead of praying, on all occasions, for every 
 thing he could think of, he only prayed for what 
 he could reasonably expect, and what he hoped to 
 receive in answer to prayer. ' - - ^ v >% 
 
 Physical exercise is necessary to increase ditP 
 strength, and promote a healthy state of the body. 
 In like manner, when we engage in the exercise 
 of a high act of devotion, in spiritual life, it 
 conduces to the strengthening of the soul, and 
 increases spiritual health. , . • 
 
 Also, belie ving-prayer has a reflex influence 
 upon the heart of the Christian. When we come 
 into the presence of God in sincere prayer, the 
 self-reflection necessarily connected with that act 
 of devotion, calling to mind His past mercies and 
 our present unworthiness and past sins ; and then 
 reflecting upon the grand figures by which His 
 august character is pourtrayed before us — His 
 moral and essential attributes — His inflexible 
 justice and unboundea mercy, meeting in Christ; 
 and then ; contemplation of the power of the 
 Holy Ghost and ardent desires for the fulfilment 
 of the great and soul-cheering promises in the 
 Gospel, must necessarily re-act upon the soul of 
 
S!i1 
 
 70 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 tlie believer, which is one benefit derived from 
 
 acts of true devotion, besides the direct answer to 
 prayer. •- i 
 
 Let infidels assert that it is absurd to suppose 
 that by prayer Christians can change the course 
 of nature; stiU we know that sincere prayer, 
 ofiered in faith, produces an inflex and leflex in- 
 fluence upon the heart of the supplicant, for by it 
 he draws from heaven a sweet and divine life to 
 the soul, and then breathes it back to God in an 
 ofiering of praise and thanksgiving. Thus, by 
 prayer, we not only strengthen every faculty and 
 power of the soul, but also, the prayer of faith 
 moves the hand thit upholds the universe, and 
 gives a victory over all our spiritual foes ; even 
 
 
 "Satan trembles when he sees 
 rhe weakest saint upon his knees." 
 
 •'"f;; J:-'M r*^. 
 
 ■'f* ?;"■ '^-j -! .''•■ r .?/. i' i' I. ■*•'- 
 
 
 fi<tmm 
 
 
STRATHBOT CIECmT — SECOND- TEAR. 71 
 
 
 CHAPTER rX. 
 
 Second Year on Strathroy Circuit — Great Anxietyfor Saccess in 
 the Work — Writes to his Sister — Extract of a letter giving 
 an Account of a "Splash in Water." 
 
 At the Conference, in June, 1864, he was again 
 appointed to the Strathroy circuit, under the 
 superintendence of the Rev. 1. Barber, and his 
 usefuhiess still continued to increase. '■ 
 
 At the close of his first Sabbath, aftei* Confer- 
 ence, he seemed to have sat in judgment on him- 
 self, for the little success that apparently had at- 
 tended his labors in that circuit during the last 
 three months of the year. Though to him it ap- 
 peared to be com.paratively little, yet much good 
 had been accomplished in clearing the way for a 
 general revival. He had succeeded in getting 
 many difficulties settled, and contending parties 
 reconciled to each other. Indeed, much good 
 had been accomplished in that time, but to him 
 it appeared nothing to what he desired to see 
 accomplished. r -o • 
 
 He continued eager for the conversion of souls, 
 and knowing that the secret of success lies in a 
 dose and uniform walk with God, he resolved to 
 seek for still more holiness of heart. __ .„ . 
 
m 
 
 
 72 
 
 SUCCESSFUL TOUNG IfiVANOELIST. 
 
 'I 
 
 On the 15th of that month he wrote in his 
 Journal, as follows : * * 
 
 " I am just entering upon another Conference 
 year; the mercies of God are still around me; a 
 year ago this day I was on a bed of pain, rolling 
 in agony, but to-day am in health and strength; 
 it becomes me to be truly thankful to the Lord 
 fDr his goodness and mercy." ,„ >. , ,. i>^; .^v ; ^ 'n^^ i ? ? 
 
 He rejoiced that some success had attended his 
 labors during the past year, and that during the 
 first part of the year, while laboring on the Exeter 
 Circuit, he had witnessed the conversion of many, 
 very many, precious souls. ,,,»i, ^^^ .-;.;- 
 
 But he adds, "Where tens have been convert-ed 
 there might have been scores brought into the fold 
 of Christ." He then resolved to be more holy 
 and zealous in his Master's work, and said : 
 
 "I tremble at entering upon the labors of the 
 present year, and wonder what will be the result. 
 Will my success, in being useful, depend on my 
 faithfulness to God ? Father of all our mercies, 
 Thou only knowest; not my will but thine be done; 
 let me be useful in any sphere ifc may please Thee. 
 
 '' The conversion of souls shall be the object of 
 my life; but I feel the want of higher attainments, 
 and will depend on the Lord for success." -u^. ^^^ 
 
ppi 
 
 l\ 
 
i*: ■ 
 
 GEO. E. A. WINANS, M. D. 
 
RETURN OF HIS BROTHER. 
 
 It appears he was resolved to hold the promise 
 given by our Saviour, just before he ascended to 
 his native heavens — "Lo, I will be with- you." 
 
 His appointments were in the town of Strath- 
 roy, and also some in the adjoining neighborhood. 
 At one time writing to his sister (Mrs. Freeman) 
 he states: * 
 
 "Bro. Barber has taken a severe cold and it has 
 affected his lungs, so that he is not able to preach 
 this week, but my health was never better, the 
 Lord gives me strength for my day." 
 
 At this time his brother George having returned 
 from General Grant's army in the United States, 
 and evidently in a decline, he further adds in his 
 letter : — 
 
 "I am sorry to hear dear George is so poorly* 
 I wish you would be more explicit in writing 
 about him ; how is his cough, night-sweats, appe- 
 tite, (fee? What does he think of his own case 
 by this time, and what is fathar's opinion of him, 
 and why not have Dr. Carson come up froni 
 Whitby and see him ? If the roads were not so 
 bad, and I could leave my work, I would run up 
 again soon, and see him ; I am glad I went up ' 
 when I did, I enjoyed my visit very much.'' 
 
 He appears to have been much concerned about 
 
pi 
 
 74 
 
 SUC0ESSrUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 the Health of his brother wl|0 had been some time 
 a surgeon in General Grant's army, in the Ameri- 
 can war, but had now returned with a broken 
 constitution. Ho evidently felt deep sympathy 
 with his afflicted brother, but his chief object was 
 to labor for the good of souls. To show his ardent 
 desire for the salvation of souls and his zeal ip. 
 the great work in which he was engaged, I will 
 here give an extract from a letter he wrote to his 
 brother George, which also gives an indication of 
 his deep concern for the afflicted : 
 
 "My Dear Biio. George: — On my arrival 
 home I found my juvenile class waiting for me. 
 * * * The rest of the day was spent preparing 
 for the Sabbat which was a good day to my 
 soul; the next day (Monday) I commenced special 
 services at one of our country appointments ; the 
 roads were very bad and the nights dark and 
 stormy, but the people came out through all, and 
 t^uite a good number have been forward as 
 seekers. 
 
 " On Wednesday Bro. N. took me out in his 
 buggy to the evening meeting ; on our way we 
 had quite an adventure ; night overtook us ; the 
 roads were so very bad it made travelling slow ; 
 going over a swampy place we found the water 
 
 ■i.:»' 
 
LETTER TO HIS BROTHER. 
 
 had raised so that it appeared like a little lake, 
 but on we went until the horse began to splash, 
 and we found the waggon going over, when we 
 jumped out, landing in the water ; thcrt^ we were, 
 horse and buggy off the bridge, and both of us 
 standing in the water, and It was so dark wo could 
 not see the horse. Bro. N. waded to the other 
 side of the horse, and after several unsuccessful 
 efforts brought the buggy out, then we proceeded 
 as well as we could ; Bro. K. stopped at a houfie 
 on the way, and I proceeded on foot to the 
 school house, got a local preacher to commence 
 the meeting while I took off boots, socks, &;c., and 
 arranged my affairs as well a« I could with wet 
 clothes, and then addressed the people ; we had 
 a first-rate meeting after all. 
 
 " On Saturday I returned to my appointments 
 in the town; seldom have I ever had such great 
 liberty in preaching ; in the morning I preached 
 on the subject of Fj^* ith, and we had some real old 
 fashioned Methodist shouting. ^ 
 
 "In the evening I preached about 'Naaman, 
 the leper,' and at the close twelve penitents pre- 
 sented themselves at the altar, seeking the Lord, 
 and nearly thirty seeking for holiness of heart ; the 
 Lord waa very near and several were 
 

 ?§ 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 converted to God, and others were made to re- 
 joice in the possespion of a clean heart through 
 faith in Christ. 
 
 *' Monday evening we had a large Bible class, 
 the whole time was spent in discussing the sub- 
 ject of holiness, and last evening we had our usual 
 weekly lecture, and in the absence of Bro. Barber, 
 my Superintendent, I lectured on 'Striving to 
 enter in,' &;c., several penitents came forward, 
 some of whom obtained peace through believing ; 
 they 'entered in through faith,' and returned home 
 rejoicing. ^ - , , .l.r 
 
 " To-day is one of the most stormy we have 
 had fc^ a long time ; I cannot help contrasting the 
 face of nature with my heart — how calm and 
 serene is all within. 
 
 'Dear George,! wish I could step into your room 
 and talk with you a while to-day, I do so much 
 wish your experience to be clear — clear as noon- 
 day. There is so much in Christ to enjoy; so 
 much for you in your present state; no doubt you 
 are in a state of grace, but I scfmetimes think it 
 requires more grace to suffer the will of God, than 
 to do his will ; you know what I mean when I 
 Bay, look for a fulness in Jesus ; try, dear George, 
 and throw off all indifference (we are so apt to be 
 
H 
 
 CONOGRK FOB BIS BROTOEII. 
 
 n 
 
 sluggish in our devotions) in the exercise of faith. 
 God may spare your life for some time yet, but 
 if you must soon go, be determined to go under 
 full wiil for glory ; the more here the more there ; 
 try and trust in the Lord for all, and trust him 
 now; your means of grace, in your weak state, 
 are not as they otherwise might be, but you have 
 a ready, willing Saviour near — very near you, 
 and how willing to come to our rescue — when 
 me open our hearts how willing to enter ! let 
 him fully occupy — get the cleansing blood by 
 faith applied afresh ; I well know your feelings 
 may not be so rapturous as some others, but you 
 need not care for that. The question is, how is 
 your faith ? 'According to your faith be it unto 
 
 you' 
 
 "Dear George, I feel more anxious iJian ever 
 for you to obtain that fulness m Christ; O press 
 after it — press into it, and trust your Saviour ia 
 li£s and in death, &c. 
 
 " Yours affectionately, &c., 
 
 "WM.H. WiNANa" 
 
 I f 
 
 U 
 
 l' 
 
«.l^WPP«|i 
 
 78 
 
 SUCCESSFUL rOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 • '>">*lv;-T'!f''*^ -h^-^'i' 
 
 ' ' ■ *(' "Jf-^.o-w ?>jf(^t' 
 
 '•*•■> 
 
 1 v^r 
 
 IliH- 
 
 ^ CHAPTER X. 
 
 
 ('■f'-V* 
 
 : 
 
 llii^f:: 
 
 n i^ 
 
 Prosperity of the "Work in the Rural Parts of the Circiiit — 
 A Memorable Quar«:erly Meeting — Views on Sanctificjation — 
 Manner of Prepariag a Sermon. x\ -tf » -, .1 », 
 
 Though he had felt somewhat discouraged on 
 commencing his work in Strathroy, on account of 
 the low state of religion among the members of 
 the church ; yet now iie had the satisfaction of 
 seeing the "Ark" begin to move. He had labored 
 in the strength of the Lord for a few months ; 
 and now, fruit began to appear. His special 
 efforts to get the members of the church uniJ'-cid 
 and waked up in the town, and revivals of reli- 
 gion promoted throughout the other parts of the 
 circuit, appeared to be owned and blessed of the 
 Lord. His system of visiting and pniying with 
 the people, proved verj^ profitable : and his style 
 of preaching was energetic and forcible, practical, 
 solemn, and well calculated to promote revivals. 
 Such were the result-s of his efforts wherever he 
 labored, for, in all cases, believers were quickened 
 and sinners converted. 
 
 Again, when writing to his sister, (Mrs. Free- 
 man,) in reference to the state of the work in the 
 several parts of the circuit, he adds : — 
 
A GLORIOUS QUARTERLY MEETING. 
 
 79 
 
 " The work still goes on, more than a hundred 
 penitents have been forward seeking the Lord, 
 and nearly all have found peace and pardon. * * 
 
 " Our Quarterly meeting was a glorious one. 
 ' We expected Brother Burch to preach for us, but 
 he did not come, so I had to fill the * gap.* My 
 text was, 'For Christ also hath suffered for sins,* 
 &c. Our fellowship meeting I never saw equalled. 
 Just think of over sixty speaking in Gospel order, 
 one at a time, in an hour ! The young converts 
 took the lead, and kept ic the first twenty-five 
 minutes. I never before heard so many bear the 
 cross for the first time. Old professors here say 
 it was such a time as they had never before known 
 in their day. There was no wild fire, but a deep 
 hallowing influence of the Holy Spirit seemed to 
 rest upon the whole congregation. One hundred 
 and forty-one partook of the sacrament. 
 
 " Notwithstanding the exceedingly bad state of 
 the roads, the house was crowded. How good 
 l.he Lord is to us ! We are thinking of taking 
 this week to ' marshal our forces' foi a fresh at- 
 tack on the cause of the enemy, and in the mean- 
 time work on in our usual means of grace. 
 
 " One pleasing feature of the work now is, the 
 members of the church are not only seeking, but 
 
 s <.. 
 
ipl ' II" 
 
 s.j 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 obtaining the blessing of holiness. Last Sabbath, 
 and during this week, I have been preaching on 
 the subject of ' perfect love/ and purpose, by the 
 help of the Lord, to preach two sermons more to 
 this people, on Sanctification. I have long be- 
 lieved it a duty, as well as a privilege, to enjoy 
 and proclaim it, and urge others to seek for it. ^ 
 
 " Never, imtil lately, did I so clearly understand 
 the difference between justification and sanctifi 
 cation. I had read and heard many things on the 
 subject, but there always rested a mist about it 
 But now I aee it as clear as noon-day; last Sabbath 
 afternoon a clearness of ideas flashed on my mind 
 never before enjoyed; it appears to .iiC, so plain, 
 I ha'^'e no difficulty now in explaining it to others; 
 I feel almost carried awa^ with it; O, it is so 
 sweet, so beautiful, so glorious, so heavenly, and 
 Christ like. Dear sister, make it your gi-eat point 
 of attainment — don fc feed on husks, while there 
 is substantial tood." * * * * 
 
 A person may read and, to a considerable 'Ex- 
 tent; understand the doctrine of sanctification, but 
 as the things of God are understood by the spirit, 
 it is essentially necessary that we enjoy it, in 
 order to fully comprehend it in all its power and 
 glory. Most people wish to see and fully compre- 
 
BENEFITS OP PASTORAL VISITATION. 
 
 81 
 
 head these things, then they will believe ; but we 
 ' inust bdieve, then we can see the things of the 
 gpirit, through faith they are revealed to us ; so 
 it wa« with him — ^the " mist ' was not all removed 
 from his mind until he experienced the blessing 
 more fully, then he foimd no difficulty in explain- 
 ing it to others. ' < . 
 
 The battle now seems to have been set in com- 
 plete array — the members of the church, at many 
 of the country appointments, were seeking for 
 holiness, and sinners were converted to God. 
 
 We ofbsn complain about the apathy of our 
 people, and ardentlj' desire to see the work of the 
 tord revive, and sometimes wonder it does not ; 
 but if all who stand upon the walls of Zion would 
 take the course pursued by this young Evangelist, 
 we would soon have a jubilee throughout the 
 whole christian world. Nations would be bom 
 n a day. 
 
 Ministers may neglect pastoral visitations, and 
 beg and borrow all they can from different authors, 
 compile, arrange, and commit to memory, and then 
 repeat elegant sermons, sincerely striving thereby 
 to promote the glory of God, by endeavoring to 
 keep pace with the growing intelligence of the 
 day, and edify their heaiers with their lucid de- 
 
f 
 
 82 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 1' 
 
 1 
 
 Wm'i , ' 'j^*. 
 
 uJk» 
 
 clamations, and in great sincerity strive in this 
 way to do good and promote the glory of God ;^ 
 but by pursuing this course they may preach a 
 long time before they see a revival of religion 
 among their people; such efforts may do some good 
 and promote the cause of morality, but will not 
 accomplish much in painting bright streaks of ah 
 approaching millennium. In opposition to such 
 a course this young herald of the cross, instead of 
 depending on mere theory, he was truly practical, 
 and after selecting his text he would examine all 
 parallel passages of Scripture he could find, and 
 then after availing himself of the use of commen- 
 taries and theological dictionaries, he would form 
 his own views on his subject, arrange, digest and 
 mature it, and then pray over it until he felt the 
 inspiration of it ; then, while his heart was over- 
 flowing with the love of God, proclaimed it, and 
 in delivering his message to sinners the words 
 would flow as from the furnace of a soul on fircj 
 and soon a flame was lighted up in almost every 
 part of the circuit. /,;irr, , . . *; . i 
 
 His maaner of preaching Was devout, earnest, 
 and impassioned ; he frequently moved his audi- 
 ence with solemn excit.ement — and seldom failed 
 to reach the hearts of his hearers by wielding the 
 
"HIS CONVINCING ELOQUENCE. 
 
 « 
 
 weapons of truth upon them ; his appeals to thd 
 unconverted to be reconciled to God, often ap- 
 peared almost irresistible ; when he stood in the 
 pulpit the love that was in his heart flashed from 
 his eyes and trembled on his lips, so that those 
 who heard him, filled with wonder, often were 
 melted to tears. v :' ' ; Jk, j; '■. 
 
 
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 CHAPTEB XI. 
 
 Ifanner of Condtxcting a Revival Meeting— Wants of the 
 : People — ^A Contnuit— Great Awakenings — A Congregation of 
 Aired Persons. 
 
 On the 9th of July, 1864, he wrote in his 
 Journal, and the following entry appears : * '"'^"'' 
 
 "As announced, prayer meeting was held on 
 Thursday and Friday; the Lord was very good 
 and some 'seekers' came forward; the Sahbath 
 was a good day to my soul; I closed the labors of 
 the day preaching at the ' Second Line,' after the 
 sermon seven or eight came forward as 'seekers.* 
 Monday, i^ad the ibllowing days of the week, I 
 haA^e spent in visiting from house to house, and 
 preaching in the evenings ; last evening nearly 
 thirty were at the altar of prayer seeking mercy, 
 many obtained pardon, others are still seeking." 
 
 He does not appear to have been tied to any 
 particular system in conducting revival meetings, 
 but was guided by circumstances, and proceeded 
 as he thought would best promote the interest of 
 the meeting. Sometimes he would ask if any one 
 had a request to make ; if so, to present it, and 
 they would make it a subject of prayer. On one 
 occasion, one arose, an aged person, and earnestly 
 
EFFBCT OF BEVIVAL MEETINOS. 
 
 » 
 
 requested the prayers of preacher and people for 
 her husband, over seventy years old, and yet 
 unconverted. 
 
 Another, a young woman recently converted, 
 desired the prayers of the minister and congrega^ 
 tion for her parents, who were unsaved ; and also 
 for her brothers and sisters. 
 . Another requested the prayers of the congrega- 
 tion for the conversion of a neighbour, now old 
 and yet unsaved. 
 
 Several other requests, one after- another, were 
 presented, till they numbered in all sixteen, spe- 
 cial cases — persons to be the subjects for prayer. 
 And in a few days after, writing in his journal in 
 reference to the revival, he states that nearly 
 every one of them are now seeking religion. 
 
 Every eftbrt he made to promote the interest of 
 Zion, in the conversion of souls, was crowned with 
 a good degree of success. For this his labors 
 were incessant ; he was " instant in season and 
 out of season." 
 
 About the 18th of July he again writes in hi* 
 journal as follows : — " I am stronger than ever in 
 the opinion that what Uie world needs, and really 
 demands, is, not so Aiuch pulpit ability, as visiting 
 pastors. Feeling convinced of my deficiency in the 
 
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 fbnner, I feel confident I may succeed, if faithftd, in 
 the latter. During the last few days, when making' 
 calls, I noticed that my conversation, if properly 
 directed, tends more instrumentally to melt and 
 subdue, than does my public preaching. I fain 
 would have remained all day visiting, but I must 
 be at home to-day a little while ; and on my way 
 I called to see a penitent. She met me at the 
 door weeping, and when I spoke to her about her 
 state of mind, she wept aloud. I knelt right down 
 and prayed with her; the burden was in some 
 degree removed from her heart. She appeared on 
 the right track. I have no doubt she will soon 
 be fully blessed. ' ; . »; , xA 
 
 " During our meetings the Lord has been pre- 
 sent in all our services, frequently scores of 
 penitents were seen weeping under the Word. I 
 think, after all my ioars, my feeble labors were 
 never more signally owned and blessed of the 
 Lord than since I came to this circuit. ! what 
 reason I have for humility and gratitude to God. 
 I never felt my own incompetency for the great 
 work as I do now. When among tho people I 
 see they need my every moment in visiting, and 
 when in my study, and wheil I think of my small 
 attainments, I feel I need more time there. ♦ * 
 

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 MANY CONVERTED. 
 
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 Again he adds : " To-day I feel the Lord very- 
 precious ; in my soul I was greatly blessed while 
 reading His Word on my knees. I was filled 
 with love. Praise the Lord." , . , 
 
 The next Monday morning he writer : "Yester- 
 day the weather was very warm ; my heart was 
 also warm. The Lord was very near to assist me 
 the whole day. At evening I was so weary I could 
 scarcely commence the service ; but when once 
 started I found strength given. When I read of 
 the indefatigable labors of the first Methodist 
 preachers, I am ashamed of my weakness. How 
 much more work they performed than their fol- 
 lowers now do ! May the Lord give me strength 
 for my day, that I may labor on at His com- 
 mand." 
 
 He then adds : " Last week I visited many 
 families, and found my soul much blessed while 
 exhorting the people from house to house. The 
 anxiety of the people for salvation urges me on to 
 greater diligence. Last evening we had a glorious 
 victory — nearly forty were forward, seeking sal- 
 vation. Many were converted, air»d willingly gave 
 testimony to the praise and glory of God. A back- 
 slider said, for three months he had been "ashamed 
 to look any one in the face, but now he was 
 
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 88 
 
 8T7CCES9FTL T0T7NO EVANOELISt. 
 
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 bleflsed — ^his backslidings healed, and he could 
 look up like a man, and was not ashamed to look 
 all the people in the face." 
 
 The spirit of awakening spread throughout 
 •very part of the vicinity, and hundreds flocked 
 to the house of God. The church was so crowded, 
 in many instances, that all could not enter. And 
 seeing the work increasing in every direction, he 
 appeared to feel most deeply his responsibility, 
 and often expressed his fears of incompetence for 
 the work. He was greatly impressed with his 
 own weakness, and prayed earnestly that the 
 Lord would give him wisdom, strength auvl grace 
 necessary for the work ; and favor in the sight of 
 the people, only so far as would tend to promote 
 His glory. 
 
 The next Monday he "writes in his joomal as 
 follows : — 
 
 *' Last week was spent in visiting and praying 
 with the people during the day, and preaching 
 every evening. In visiting, I found many actu- 
 ally famishing for theWord of Life — some old and 
 feeble, and cannot get out to meeting, others are 
 puffed up with pride, and will not come. 
 
 •' Yesterday was a busy day, but profitable to 
 my soul. I lead three classes, preached four times, 
 
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P(R£AOHEK TO TBtE AOBJX ^ 9 
 
 and eomlucted the prayer meeting at the close of 
 the evening service. The house was crowded, and 
 many Ht^ekers forwarc-, several of whom obtained 
 peace and pardon Praise the Lord for His mani" 
 fest goodness." He then adds : — 
 
 " This afternoon, according to ann(5tmoemeiit, I 
 preached to the aged. With one exception, they 
 were all over sixty years old, and the majority 
 unconverted. I never found, in one settlemefnt, 
 so many old people grey in sin. And still they 
 appeared careless and indifferent about their sal* 
 vation." ^ 
 
 He embraced every opportunity to do* good to 
 the aged, as well as to the youth ; by visiting and 
 prajring with the aged and intirm, and by meeting 
 in class, and especially in his visits to SabbatK 
 schools, in which he took great interest. 
 
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 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
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 CHAPTER XII 
 
 A Congregation of Roman Catholics, "Church'' People, and 
 Fresbyterians — ^A Hard Day's Work— Conversation about Hay 
 and Oats to Gain a Sinner's Confidence. 
 
 On the first Sabbath in August, he had two 
 appointments in the country and one the town. 
 Instead of closing himself up all day on Saturday, 
 committing to memory a good sermon or two for 
 the Sabbath, he spent the whole day visiting from 
 house to house, praying with the people, till near 
 evening, and then started to go several miles to 
 reach his first appointment on Sabbath morning. 
 But, before he reached his destination, the sky 
 threatening a heavy shovrer, he called at the house 
 of an aged person, a member of the " Church 
 of England," where he found entertainment till 
 morning. The man of the house he found to be 
 ninety-seven years old, and appeared quite uncon- 
 cerned about spiritual things. 
 
 He was now within a few miles of his first 
 appointment on Sabbath morning, which was at 
 half-past ten ; but, not willing to leave that neigh- 
 borhood without delivering a message of mercy, 
 he obtained permission to preach in the house 
 where he " put up" for the night, and sent word 
 
PREACHES m THE C0T7NTBT. 
 
 91 
 
 through the neighborhood, and collected a con- 
 gregation at eight in the morning. The house 
 was nearly filled, and he preached to them from 
 these words, " I beseech you, therefore, brethren 
 by the mercies of God, that ye present your 
 bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptaWe unto God> 
 which is your reasonable service." His congrega- 
 tion was composed of members of the " Church of 
 England," Presbyterians, and some Roman Catho- 
 lics. Some had never before heard a Methodist 
 preacher; but they found, (as was afterwards 
 stated,) that Methodist preachers "looked and 
 spake'' like other men. But he closely urged 
 upon them their duty and privilege to present 
 themselves sacrifices imto God without delay. 
 The Holy Spirit accompanied the word, and a 
 most solemn awe rested upon all present. 
 
 After preaching at eight o'clock, he proceeded 
 to his next appointment and preached at half-past 
 ten, then to another country appointment and 
 preached at two in the afternoon, and then again 
 in the town in the evening. 
 
 He had just closed a protracted meeting at an 
 appointment on the " Second Line," where more 
 than forty souls had been converted to God and 
 gathered into the fold of Christ; but his eye was 
 
6^ 
 
 SUCCKSSPtrL YOXTNO EVANOISLIST. 
 
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 ftpoh Stiiithtdy, over which he had mourned and 
 pmyed for a revival ; he stated that one of the 
 strongest desires of his soul was the revival of the 
 work of the Lord in Strathroy; he fervently 
 prayed for wisdom, grace and power to perform 
 his duty to the people of that town. 
 
 On Monday, the 15th of August^ he visited 
 several families in the country, and as he was ap- 
 proaching a house the man saw him and, to avoid 
 him, passed through a back door and went to his 
 field; this young preacher entered the house and 
 prayed with the woman and her children; she had 
 attend <^d his revival meetings, and had been con- 
 verted and was nov/ happy in the Lord, but 
 opposed by her husband. She informed him he 
 was the second person that had prayed in their 
 house since their marriage, which was about nine 
 years; she also informed him of her husband's op- 
 position, and said that he had declared he would 
 ** cut the preacher's legs off if he came near him.' 
 Anxious to bring him into a better state of mind 
 he followed him to the field, and to gain acces 
 and secure his confidence, instead of reproaching 
 him for his sins, he began to talk to him about 
 his hay and oats; at first the sinner appeared pale 
 with rage, but after speaking kindly to him about 
 
WINS 80X713 TO CHBIST. 
 
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 tjbat in which he felt most interested, such as his 
 farm, hay, and grain, he calmed down and uttered 
 not one unpleasant word; after a few minutes 
 friendly conversation he left with a promise to 
 call on him again soon. In this way he " became 
 all things to all men," and was successful in win- 
 ning souls to Christ; he would first gain the dn- 
 ner's ccoifideuce and tkm talk about tiie soul 
 
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 CHAPTER XIII. , ., . 
 
 JL Great Day's Labor in Exeter— A Prediction — A Flame 
 Lighted Up— A Cloud of Mercy Burst — Manner of Preaching. 
 
 Sabbath, the Slst day of August, was his 
 twenty-fourth birth-day, and when retrospecting 
 his pp. at hfe he recognised the hand of the Lord 
 in opening up his way. The past year had been 
 filled with care and sometimes with discourage- 
 ments, but with great enjoyment and much suc- 
 cess in winning souIb to Christ at nea:iy all the 
 rural appointments in the circuit. 
 
 The next week he visited his friends in Exeter, 
 and found his brother George still declining in 
 health ; but here he was not idle — on Sabbath 
 morning he taught a Bible-class at nine, and after 
 that addressed a Sabbath School and then preached 
 At eleven; at one o'clock in the afternoon he 
 taught another Bible-class at the school house, 
 where he had previously taught school, after which 
 he addressed the school children; he preached 
 Again at half-^ast two ; the house was full, and 
 znany were outside who could not gain admittance ; 
 the power of Gv>d fell upon the people — sinners 
 ;Vept ASil saint&j^oiced; then^ he again preached 
 
ANXIOUS POR A REVIVAL.., 
 
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 in the church in Exeter in the evening — the honse 
 w&s crowded, and the word of truth was accom- 
 panied with great power, the whole congregation 
 appeared to be shaken as by an earthquake. 
 " On his return to Strathroy, the next week, he 
 seemed to be more than ever anxious for a revival 
 of God's work in that place, and was ready to 
 work for it ; at the close of the prayer meeting 
 on Thursday evening, he annouDced for a prayer 
 meeting again the next morning at half-past five, 
 preaching at half-past seven the same morn- 
 ing, and then pursued the old course — visiting 
 from door to door and praying with the people : 
 he resolved, by the grace of God, to crowd the 
 battle till victory turned on " Israel's side." 
 
 On the next Sabbath, at their prayer meeting, 
 one " professor " obtained the blessing of " perfect 
 love," and soon after several other members com- 
 menced in earnest to seek the same blessing; he 
 mourned over the cold state of members of the 
 church, and collected them together to converse 
 about the great diificulty in the church, on account 
 of many members who appeared so careless and 
 indifferent about spiritual things, and satisfied 
 with their present attainments. He declared the 
 work of the Lord would go on if they would go 
 
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 to work or get out of the- way; all agreed to seek 
 holiness of heart, and he then ventured to pre- 
 dict a copious shower at hand, and declared the 
 church would soon see hotter days; but while 
 preaching that day, the cloud seemed to stDlhang 
 heavily over them, and he appeared to be plough^ 
 ing among rocks ; some spoke of discouragements, 
 but he said tw, God will revive his own work, 
 and proceeded to close the exercise with a prayer 
 meeting, and one penitent came forward — a poor 
 miserable drunkard whom he had visited during 
 the week; stiU he believed God would accomplish 
 the work, and continued to declare a great revivfd 
 "was at hand. It appeared, by faith, he saw the 
 eyelids of a better day opening upon them, and 
 continued his daily ^.dsitations among the people — 
 prayed with them in their own houses every day, 
 and in the evening would preach a short sermpp 
 on experimental religion, then close the exercise 
 with a prayer meeting ; soon a holy flame wi^ 
 lighted up and seemed to pervade the whole com- 
 munity, and while he continued to preach a risen 
 Saviour, the work of sanctification in the heairts 
 of believers began to progress, and als osinnevs 
 were saved. ■.^.-,;,..,s.v^-*.,w.v.,,^^ ,si}'s&-A;:yt^;yi'm;t. 
 
 Speaking of the morxung mefliixig «t bidtf-pApt 
 
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 HIS HEART IS FTTLt OF LOVE. 
 
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 five, he said : " My soul was very happy this 
 morning at the prayer-meeting, and more particu- 
 larly so after returning to my room, while reading 
 my bible on my knees." 
 
 The next day, he writes. " Friday. — This is a 
 beautiiul day, and we had the largest attendance 
 at our morning prayer-meeting we ever had be- 
 fore, and eight penitents were present." The arm 
 of the Lord was made bare to save. At this meet- 
 ing he again received a fresh baptism of the holy 
 fire, and exclaimed, " O what a heaven ! — what 
 a bliss ! What a fullness of love deluged my 
 .heart." 
 
 ) . "When all Thy mercies, my God, ' 
 
 My rising soul surveys, 
 Transported with the view I'm lost 
 In wonder, love and praise." 
 
 The next Sabbath evening the cloud of mercy 
 burst. He went to the church, expecting the 
 presence of the Lord, and a time of great power, 
 and took for his text, " Quench not the Spirit." 
 There was a good influence when he commenced, 
 and, while preaching, the Holy Spirit came down 
 upon the congregation in such a powerful manner 
 as he had never witnessed before. He states, 
 * The house was full of glory." Then adds, " I 
 16^ myself— I know I did not preach, and perhaps 
 
98 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 
 ivlii 
 
 
 the less I attempted to do so the better. When I 
 feel that I am nothing, I am most useful. I would 
 ever lie at my Saviour's feet." 
 
 The work had now fairly commenced, and he 
 exclaimed, " Now for the tug of war. Now for a 
 real siege. We must conquer. Wo must be vic- 
 torious, for our weapons are not carnal." 
 
 The next evening he states, " Brother Barber 
 preached with much power, and several fresh 
 penitents came forward." 
 
 While the work was thus rapidly progressing, 
 he observed that the penitents wore principally 
 from the class of persons he had visited. 
 
 Some preachers cast blame on the members of' 
 the Church when the work of God is not pros- 
 pering ; but if they would adopt the course pur- 
 sued by this young preacher, they would have 
 less cause to complain about the apathy of cold 
 professors of religion, or of the want of reforma- 
 tion fire in the church. . , , . 
 
 At the commencement of the protracted meeting 
 in Strathroy, he singled out several as subjects of 
 prayer, and induced other praying people to do 
 the same, and was not a little encouraged to know 
 that every one who was marked out as a subject 
 for special prayer was brought into the fold« 
 
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SUCCESSFUL MODE OF PREACHINO. 
 
 99 
 
 before the meetiug closed, and hopefully con- 
 verted to God. 
 
 His views on the most successful mode of 
 preaching, and the course he pursued, were to 
 " Show the working of the Holy Spirit on the 
 human heart — the riches of the atonement ; pre- 
 sent the Saviour in all his offices ; plead the merit 
 of His blood; urge for a personal interest in 
 Christ — and to accept Him now, and cry, ' Behold 
 the Lamb.* This gives power; it cuts right 
 through the heart." * ♦ * « 
 
 However disconnected he might appear in the 
 eye of the critic in the arrangement of his subject, 
 there was a pathos and an unction that accom- 
 panied the word, and crowned liis efforts with 
 Buccess. The secret of his success could only be 
 traced to his consistent and uniform walk with 
 God. He appeared to live in the suburbs of 
 heaven, and took delight in doing his Master's 
 will. 
 
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 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 UiDisterial Association— Strange Views of some Preachers about 
 Revivals — Progress of the Work— A Great Love Feast- 
 Missionary Anniversaries. 
 
 In attending the " Ministerial Association," 
 he thought it really wonderful to hear the views 
 of some of the preachers about revival services ; 
 some were opposed to them. One brother said, 
 " last winter his flock, somehow, got wonderfully 
 awakened, and must have meetings every night," 
 and that he " told them to sho^T their energy in 
 the good cause by attending to the usual means 
 of (J race, and then he would see about extra ones ; 
 that they now had all they could manage." 
 
 " The result was just what might have been 
 expected, his congregation dwindled away until 
 he had precious few to attend his ' usual mcana 
 of grace.'" 
 
 It may not be generally known, but on close 
 observation it will be found, that such laborers in 
 the vineyard of our Lord are of very little use in 
 extending the kingdom of Christ. Our successful 
 young Evangelist did not wait till others got the 
 torch blazing, and then run and blow and ex- 
 
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 sful 
 
 the 
 
 ex- 
 
 PROTIUCTED MEETING AT STRATHROY. 101 
 
 claim, 0, see what a fire we have kindled! 0, how 
 it blazes and dazzles ! and then begin to sing: 
 
 "See how great a flame aspires, 
 
 KiiicMcd by a spark of grace I 
 Jesu'n love the nations firea, 
 
 Sets the kingdoms ou a blaze. " 
 
 He rushed into the work with all his heart and 
 soul and scaled the lofty battlements of the 
 enemies' strongholds with success; he was "instant 
 in season and out of season," and a sacred flame 
 was soon lighted up throughout every part of his 
 circuit. 
 
 At the close of the week's labor, at the pro- 
 tracted meeting in Strathroy, he said, " The paat 
 week has been of much good, many souls Tiave 
 been born to God ; the meeting last night was a 
 good one, five souls were converted, found peaco 
 and rejoiced — pmise the Lord." 
 
 Thus the work continued to progress, and the 
 next evening it was supposed he had the largest 
 congregation that had ever been convened on 
 any former occasion in that town. The people 
 ran to see what was going on, and the listening 
 multitude appeared to hang upon his lips with 
 breathless attention, while he urged upon them, 
 in words of flame, the necessity of giving their 
 
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 102 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 hearts to God without delay; six souls found peaco 
 that evening, a,nd were hopefully converted to 
 God. 
 
 On the 5 th of October the quarterly meeting 
 was held, and unexpectedly he was called on to 
 preach, and while proclaiming Christ as the vica- 
 rious sacrifice for our sins, the power of the Highest 
 fell upon the people in such an overwhelming 
 manner, that the church seemed filled with the 
 glory 01 God; then followed the "love feast:" many 
 of the oldest members said it was the best they 
 had ever witnessed in Strathroy ; within an hour 
 more than seventy bore testimony that they had 
 experienced a change of heart, and enjoyed the 
 favor of God. Seldom, if ever before, in that part 
 of the country, werft so many known to speak in 
 a love feast in so short a time ; but the most in- 
 teresting feature of the meeting was, that the first 
 part of the hour, set apart for bearing testimony 
 to the goodness of God, was occupied by the in&w 
 C07ivertis; many spoke who had never spoken in a 
 love feast before, and more than a hundred and 
 forty partook of the sacrament of the Lord's Sup- 
 per ; this he called a high-day ; but while he re- 
 joiced to see the Laly ftame spreading over every 
 part of the circuit, he was suddenly called again 
 
 w 
 
HIS ENTHUSIASM AND LABOP.S. 
 
 108 
 
 In a 
 
 ind 
 
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 re- 
 
 fery 
 
 rain 
 
 to visit his brother George, at Exeter, dangerously 
 ill, -where lie remained about a week. 
 
 After having returned from the bedside of a 
 dear afflicted brother, and having been much ex- 
 posed to inclement weather, be took a severe cold, 
 and on Sabbath morning complained of being quite 
 iU, but a subhme and holy enthusiasm glowed in 
 his heart, and as if in a case of life and death, he 
 managed to get through with all his Sabbath work, 
 attending all his appointments, as follows: prayer 
 meeting at six in the morning; then two visits to 
 see and nray with the sick, and then three calls 
 on penitents to encourage them ; then met a class 
 at nme, and preached at half-past ten, and met a 
 class after ^*">aching ; preached at half-past two 
 p.m. and then again at half-past four ; this day's 
 labor completely prostrated him for a few days, 
 but his zeal in the cause of his Master prompted 
 him to great activity, and he performed these 
 dut* -s from choice. He delightfully enjoyed the 
 luxury of doing good, and willingly moved in the 
 path of duty, and his efforts continued to be as 
 successful as they were unremitting; his youthful 
 spirit felt the thrilling touch of a live coal from 
 the altar, and his burning zeal was not to be sup- 
 pressed ; his magnanimous soul was roused up to 
 
 
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104 
 
 SUCCE3SFITL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 
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 feel the elevation and magnitude of the great 
 work in which he was engaged ; his labors were 
 not only abundant on Sabbath days, but constant 
 every day, and ou the ensuing Christmas, which 
 he said proved to be the most profitable and happy 
 he had witnessed, he attended prayer meeting at 
 six in the morning ; met a class at nine ; preached 
 at half-past ten, and met a class at noon ; then 
 went out to the " stone road church " and preached 
 at half-past two p.m.; met the class after preach- 
 ing, and then preached again in the evening, and 
 "beat up" for volunteers for the kingdom of 
 heaven, and continued the prayer meeting for some 
 time, when many rejoiced before the Lord. No 
 opportunity was lost or neglected by him in win- 
 ning souls to Christ ; he usually held a class meet- 
 ing or ]^rayer meeting after preaching, in order to 
 *' gather up the crumbs that nothing be lost." • , 
 After his day's labor on Christmas, he expressed 
 his gratitude that he felt well in body and happy 
 in spirit, and again started for Exeter, to visit hib 
 afflicted brother George, who was evidently in a 
 rapid decline. Ho returned to Strathroy in time 
 wO pre;».eh on New Year's eve, with the same sue- 
 cesb that usually attended his labors ; many 
 rejoiced while renewing their covenant with God^, 
 
fA divine unction seemed to accompan/^ ull his 
 [ministrations. '^^- ■- 
 
 He attended several missionary anniversaries, 
 where he deUvered appropriate and sprightly ' 
 addresses. It was found that he exceUed many 
 of his age in the ministry, on the platform, aa 
 weU as in the pulpit. At this time he received a Z 
 special request to visit the Town of IngersoU, and 
 liold revival services in that place. 
 
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CtP6C SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIffi'. 
 
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 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 s»rt« 
 
 '■Lii':'i:/!"i>iu'tiiy:i. 
 Self Abase- ' 
 
 Oiieat Reyival^in Ingersoll — Letter to his Brothei 
 ment. 
 
 Just before he started for Ingersoll, he wrote 
 in his journal as follows : — " I have been praying 
 for a more complete preparation for the great 
 "Vrork before me, and especially for my " trip" to 
 Ingersoll. O Lord, I could lie in dust and ashes 
 at Thy feet. keep me humble, with a self- 
 sacrificing spirit, with zeal and energy in Thy 
 work." 
 
 He had fears that none of the members in In- 
 gersoll lived in the enjoyment of holiness of heart, 
 but that they were mostly cold professors, and 
 that, if they were all in a low state of religion, 
 he might expect but little aid from that direction 
 m carrying on a revival meeting ; but he supposed 
 there must necessarily be a sifting time to com- 
 fiience with ; to secure success in his work he 
 ilways as pathetically urged the members of the 
 Cliurch to seek for holiness of heart, as he did 
 ifiinnei's to seek for pardon. '^ 
 
 According to appointment, on the 0th of Feb^ 
 fSfify, he arrived in Ingersollj and preached the 
 i3&£36 evening ', btit hd appeared so sensibly to feel 
 
 I' 
 
REVIVAL IN INGERSOLL. J 
 
 107 
 
 his own weakness, that he complained of his lack 
 of faith and the apathy of the people, and mourned 
 over the cold state of the professors of religion- - 
 their backwardness in bearing the Cross and faith- 
 fiilly urged them to duty. But things did not 
 long remain in that state; he proceeded in his 
 usual way — trusting in the Lord and visiting, and 
 praying with the people from house to house, 
 during tne day, and then preaching to them in 
 the evening — urging them in the most pathetic 
 manner to turn from their sins and accept Ohristf' 
 as their Saviour. 
 
 He did not continue in ihis way long, urging 
 professors to seek for holiness, and the profane to' 
 seek for pardon, till the " baptism of fire '' came ;. 
 pure light from heaven broke in upon the people': 
 it came like a shock of divine power ; sinners wete" 
 saved and saints rejoiced ; cold professors wet^ 
 quickened and many obtained the blessing ctf 
 perfect love ; while sinners trembled and sought* 
 the Lord,, many were converted to God, and sk 
 spirit of awakening went abroad throughout tlid 
 w\hole town. ■ ■ -«,..». *.. .»». ^^ ;i-i.%:^ -> ;/ 
 Tin about one week after commencing to labof 
 in Ligersoll, he wrote to his afflicted broths, a§ 
 follows :^^ 
 
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 108 
 
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 I 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 * 
 
 ** Mr Dear Bro. George, 
 
 *' The -work is going on most prosperously in 
 
 IngersoJl ; the people say for ten years past they 
 
 have not had a revival of any account till now ; I 
 
 conceive the whole difficulty has been in the low 
 
 state of religion among the professors, but many 
 
 of them have been fully aroused to a sense of 
 
 duty and have * buckled on their armour. 
 
 " When I came here I thought I wouid write 
 you often, but as usual, I have been very busy 
 every day — a meeting at half-past two p.m. — 
 preach at half-past seven in the evening, and then 
 a prayer meeting — reading my Bible and study- 
 ing a little in the morning, and then visiting and 
 praying with the people the rest of the day. 
 
 " Last night the altar and three double pews 
 were filled with penitents, several of whom found 
 peace. 
 
 "I should leave for my own circuit, but the 
 official members have made a unanimous request 
 for me to remain Another week. . . . .- « ,^ 
 
 " Last evening we had a great meeting — many 
 were saved, and the afternoon meeting was the 
 ^■■^ best I have attended for several months; never 
 before has my feeble labors been so abundantly 
 owned and blessed of God — to Him be all the 
 glory." * * * * * ♦ # 
 
 ^^B.» 
 
LETTER TO HIS MOTUEB. 
 
 109 
 
 Notwithstanding his great success in the work, 
 and his popularity among the people, he continued 
 meek and humble as a child. > ' .« ; ^ 
 
 It appears he had remained at Ingersoll the 
 full time allotted to him for that work, and the 
 revival progressed rapidly, sweeping all before it, 
 like a tide of glory; sinners felt the stroag attrac- 
 tion of the Cross of Christ; their hearts were 
 melted into tenderness, and scores were added to 
 the church. ■''•" '■i*'<- r- r,v Av,y ,,-,:■ ^ .'....■■vi .'... . ' 
 
 In compliance with the urgent request of the 
 people, provision was made to supply his work on 
 his own circuit, and he remained a while longer, 
 and the work still progressed. . ^ r. 'v 
 
 On the 18th he wrote as follows : ' 
 
 "Dear Mother, — The revival in Ingersoll is 
 progressing finely. Had we a church twice as 
 large it would be crowded. Souls are converted 
 at every meeting, and fresh penitents are every 
 day coming forward, seeking the Lord. ^^ <; ' «^ 
 
 ** I should leave for my own circuit to-morrow, 
 but fear I will not be able to get away. * * 
 
 " My health is wonderfully good — «,ccording to 
 my day is my strength given me. To-day is our 
 general fast for the revival. My soul is happy in 
 ^he work, and happy in the Lord." &c. * * 
 
 "William Henry." 
 
 li 
 
 1st 
 
 r 
 I 
 
 f '; -1 
 
' I 
 
 } ^i 
 
 110 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 The work of the Lord was so extended and 
 revived that it was marvellous in the sight of the 
 people. In referring to it, he writes in his jour- 
 nal as follows : •'r'^? *>,.<''•* , ^fJ^-'Sn y-\^CS^i:i^ii^'%\^ 
 
 " There is a most wonderful work here in pro- 
 gress. I don't know that for years I have seen 
 such a general awakening, and never before saw 
 a congregation so generally affected — so serious 
 and so attentive. Last night the congregation 
 was so great that we were compelled to take part 
 of them into the basement, and hold a meeting, 
 there, while the meeting was held in the body of 
 the church. Many cried for mercy, and found 
 peace. Saints on earth, and angels in heaven 
 rejoiced." ■>:->->'. i^r\ .-^y -j.-^-^'^ .., ,..■,:.,:.•>.•:;,!.■../';. 
 
 Having labored in Ligersoll three or four weeks 
 with great success, and witnessed the conversion 
 of scores, he returned to his own circuit, and was 
 most cordially hailed by his people in Straihroy. 
 
 Notwithstanding the great success that attended 
 his labors, still he often felt abased and greatly 
 humbled, on account of his own frailty, and said : 
 — '*The more I see my own unworthiness and 
 uselessness, the more I am humbled as in the dust; 
 and when 1 read of Wesley, Fletcher, Bramwell, 
 and others, 1 have need to cry, " Lord, doal ,in|^T 
 cifiiUy with Thy unprofitable servant." , - 
 
 
'■fjj-ilf 
 
 DOES ALL HE CAN. 
 
 Ill 
 
 "How their labors shame mine— preachin 
 three or four times ahnost every day-incessant 
 traveUing-~exposed to violence and iU treatment 
 from wicked men. When I think of aU this, and 
 then consider my almost useless life, I wonder 
 that I am permitted to bear the " ark of the 
 lord." However, I do not believe God requires 
 of me what I cannot perform ; so that if I do aU 
 I can, St. J*aul could have done no more." It 
 seems he was resolved to do as weU as he could, 
 and those who do as weU a^ they can, do weU 
 enough. 
 
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112 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGEUST. 
 
 
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 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Effect Produced by Singing — Work progresses— Reference to tno 
 Life of Stoner — Helf Examination — Sermon in the Chamber of 
 a Dying Brother — Partial Failure when Preaching before 
 District M< eting. , 
 
 Now, ON again resuming his labors in Strathroy, 
 a divine unction still attended his efforts. On 
 Sunday evening he preached on the subject of 
 "Naaman, the leper," and at the close of his ser- 
 mon the altar was crowded with penitents and 
 professors, seeking for holiness ; and the power of 
 God was felt among the people in a wonderful 
 manner. Many were made happy in the Lord. 
 He said he thought " the angels must have had a 
 good time, rejoicing in heaven, that evening ; for 
 if *.hey rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, 
 what must have been their joy when so many, at 
 one meeting, repented and turned to the Lord !" 
 
 One man rose up in the congregation and said, 
 the hymns he heard sung in the meeting, the night 
 before, had been ringing in his ears ever since ; 
 that in the night he awoke and found himself 
 singing the hymn — 
 
 "Turn to the Lord, and seek salvation," &c. 
 
 And, that hymn had been running through 
 his head all dav. and now he intended to turn hia 
 
DESIRES CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. 
 
 113 
 
 said, 
 Qight 
 
 iself 
 
 rough 
 
 rn 
 
 Ifiis 
 
 couise of life, seek the Lord, and strive for heaven. 
 Another professed to have found peace while on 
 his way, as he came near the meeting, and now 
 rejoiced in a Saviour's love. In this way the 
 work continued to extend and revive. Sinners 
 were awakened, and souls converted to God where- 
 ever he went. 
 
 In referring to one neighborhood that had 
 been remarkable for the hardness of the people, 
 and inattention to religion, he exclaimed, " What 
 a change* in this neighborhood, in such a short 
 time I To God be all the glory. My soul rests 
 upon Christ with a calm, abiding confidence. O 
 how sweet to thus live in Christ, and know He 
 lives in the soul. In every sense of the word, as 
 far as possible, I wish to be a perfect Christian. 
 I want much humility ; this grace wonderfully 
 qualifies a minister for usefulness, and I feel so 
 much the need of it. O for a complete losing of 
 myself in Christ." i^^^ .. i»i*..^,.>vK .j.i' .. ,. ^r 
 
 i 
 
 He evidently had an ardent desire not only to 
 be eminently useful, but to attain to the highest 
 possible state of Christian perfection. •v'rK'*'n;%H . 
 
 The severity of a Canadian winter having 
 passed, he wrote in his journal ag follows : — 
 
 " Nature presents her loveliest smile this mom- 
 
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 V. 
 
 hi " 
 
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114 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG KVANQELIST. 
 
 
 
 
 W 
 
 
 p/ '"< 
 
 111 
 
 i' 
 
 m 
 
 Ml 
 iiit'r i 
 
 ing, and speaks of spring's ai)proacli. My soul 
 drinks in of the samo spirit and rejoices in God 
 my Saviour. Yesterday was another high day in 
 Zion. There appears to bo a spirit of geaeral 
 awakening ah over the circuit. This niornin;; we 
 had several penitents forward, seeking the Lord» 
 at our class-meeting after preaching. And in the 
 afternoon twenty others came forward ; and at 
 our evening mec ' ing the Spirit of God descended 
 upon us in a most pow^erful manner. Many soul? 
 were converted, and saints rejoiced. 
 
 " After meeting, Bro. B said his wife was 
 
 in despair, and wished me to go and see her. I 
 found her in a bad state of mind. She had been 
 under deep conviction, and had not acknowledged 
 it, but resisted the Spirit, and now felt forsaken, 
 and said God had left her to herself She ap* 
 peared greatly distressed in mind, and could liud 
 no relief in prayer." ., .,,;....,! ;vv;'i^? 
 
 It was his delight to present the cup of salva- 
 tion to the parched lips of distressed sin-sick souls. 
 He drew her attention to the broad invitations 
 and heart-cheering promises presented in the Gos- 
 pel, and then urged her claims for mercy at the 
 throne of grace ; and she found great relief to her 
 burdened heart, even in trying to believe in 
 
 Christ. "" —'—'— -, ■ -^-f- ■.-.- ■- -,^i..^.... .>;:..^. -.~::^---'... .^...-.I ..p._.:^: 
 
stoner's views, rr? " 
 
 115 
 
 oul? 
 
 •t't 
 IsaWa- 
 aouls. 
 [ationtJ 
 lo Gos- 
 at the 
 Itoher 
 yye in 
 
 In reading the life of Stoner,he said it appeared 
 he had mourned more than lie nad rejoiced, and 
 had written many bitter things against himself 
 on account of his irailty, and natural weaknesH, 
 which he thought was cauf*ed by some peculiarity 
 in the constitution of his mind. 
 
 In Mr. Stoner's experience, compared with his 
 own, he observed a difference, in reference to 
 which he said : — • » • ,. ., , 
 
 " Mr. Stoner seemed to feel condemned on 
 account of his coldness and lack of energy in 
 preaching, but I frequently mourn over my exces- 
 sive erergy in preaching, as though what I lack 
 in matter I make up in noise." % 
 
 But while he observed this difference in their 
 experience, he adds, — " Bi^t Mr Stoner's views on 
 Christian peifection are rather exalted. It almost 
 staggers me about the enjoyment of it myself. 
 But I know I have consecrated all upon the altar, 
 and God accepts it. The evidence of it I even 
 now enjoy. But there are still many things in 
 my character I wish were otherwise. I would be 
 more meek and child-like. O Lord, humble my" 
 poor heart, and give me freedom from the pow=er 
 of sin and pride." -iis 4*1^ 
 
 Daring the winter he had been engaged in 
 
 ■I : 
 
116 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 holding revival meetings in different parts of his 
 own circuit, and by special request three or foui 
 weeks in IngersoU; besides attending several 
 missionar}' anniversaries and constantly visiting 
 families every day wherever he went, so that he 
 had not been able to attend to certain rules he 
 had markod out to observe for the improvement 
 of his mind and advancement in religion ; but in 
 April h<i resolved to mark out a course to pursue 
 daily ; the first of these was to " rise at five in the 
 morning and spend one hour in prayer and in 
 reading the holy scriptures " on his knees ; then,; 
 after marking out other duties till noon, spending 
 another hour in prayer and reading for private 
 devotion, and in the afternoon visit not less tlian 
 four families, besides preaching ; and then before 
 retiring, at night, engage in private prayer and 
 self-examination from half-past nine until ten 
 , Such were the restrictions under which he 
 placed himself for the improvement of his mind, 
 and advancement in the divine life, and for th** 
 promotion of his usefulness among men. 
 / Some time about the middle of April he received 
 a letter informing him that his brother George 
 was rapidly failing, and wished to see him; on 
 hi3 arrival in Exeter he found his brother nearing 
 
 II;. 
 
 i 
 
earing 
 
 PREACHES IN HIS BROTHER'S BED-ROoM. 117 
 
 the gates of death, but perfectly resigned and 
 happy in the Lord, rejoicing ju prospect of soon 
 entering into his eternal rest. 
 
 During the Sabbath he remained in Exeter, he 
 delivered an address to the Sabbath Sqhool in that 
 place, and preached at eleven a.m. in the church, 
 and at the request of his d3dng brother preached 
 n hia room at three p. m. to a number of thei" 
 friends met on the occasion. 
 
 The text he selected was very suitable, Rev. 7 
 commencing at the 13th verse : — _ -/i , . 
 
 13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, 
 What are these which are arrayed in white robes ? and 
 whence came they? V ' ' '. * 
 
 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he 
 said to me, these are they which came out of great 
 tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them 
 white in the blood of the Lamb. , , 
 
 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and 
 serve him day and night in his temple ; and he that sitteth 
 on the throne shall dwell among them. 
 
 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any 
 more j neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 
 
 17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, 
 shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains 
 of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
 eyes. ■>:''-' ^ 
 
 A heavenly influence rested down upon all pre- 
 sent, and he subsequently stated that he never 
 Defore had so much difficulty in governing his 
 
 
 ii ' 
 
 - m 
 
118 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 jfvl 
 
 feelings as on that occasion. His dear brother 
 l^ing just before him, and lingering upon the verge 
 of the tomb, and friends that surround him weep- 
 ing in prospect of the bitter pang of separation 
 from their dear friend, that was soon to wring 
 their hearts with sorrow ; but the occasion was 
 well improved while they mournfully rejoiced to- 
 gether in prospect of all soon meeting in the 
 realm of immortality on the other side of Jordan, 
 there to walk the golden street of the new Jeru- 
 salem, and for ever be with the Lord. <? 
 
 After remaining a few days with his afflicted 
 brother, duty called him to Ingersoll to attend the 
 May District Meeting ; on his arrival, according to 
 announcement, he preached that evening ; he states 
 in his Journal that, on that occasion, he " failed 
 to satisfy the people, they came expecting too 
 much, and that too from the wrong source ; " he 
 also states, that he thought it well occasionally, 
 to be made to feel his own weakness. 
 
 He often remarked thit there was so much 
 business to be done at the District Meeting and 
 at Conference that secret devotion was often cir- 
 cumscribed or neglected ; in this way, he said, he 
 often lost strength, but resolved in future to guard 
 against the neglect of secret prayer. 
 
A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW. 
 
 119 
 
 other 
 verge 
 w^eep- 
 ration 
 wring 
 n was 
 ed to- 
 n the 
 ordan, 
 Jeru- 
 
 eaicted 
 jnd the 
 iingto 
 estates 
 faUed 
 ng too 
 b;" he 
 onally, 
 
 much 
 ng aod 
 ;cn cir- 
 aid, he 
 
 guard 
 
 ■'■"■ "'i , ■ 
 
 '.vt %': '('. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 A-1'-' ■!'<> / 
 
 
 Brief Review of Past Year's Labor — Appointed to Ingersoll 
 Circuit. 
 
 l^':^. 
 
 On taking a retrospective view of the past 
 year, he found much to humble him and much to 
 fill him with gratitude to God ; he had been gen- 
 erally blessed with good health during the year 
 and much spiritual enjoyment ; many kind and 
 warm hearted friends ; and great peace and com- 
 fort of mind in regard to his duty in the great 
 work in which he was engaged ; and above all, the 
 great success in seeing so many souls saved. 
 
 During the Conference year (which was his 
 second year in the ministry) he had held many 
 revival meetings within the bounds of his own 
 circuit, and one in the town of Ingersoll under 
 the superintendence of the Rev. L. Warner, whose 
 efficient labors aided much in carrying on the 
 revival, where his eflforts were crowned with great 
 success. During the meeting he attended in that 
 place, about eighty souls were hopefully converted 
 to God and added to the church, besides a general 
 work of sanctification among the professors of 
 religion, and a spirit of awakening that spread 
 throughout almost every part oi the circuit. 
 
 1:1 
 

 P. 
 
 I 
 
 120 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 On the Strathrt y circuit, to which he had been 
 appointed, a spirit of revival had spread through 
 every neighborhood, and upwards of one hundred 
 and fifty were saved and united to the churchy 
 making a total of about two hundred and thirty 
 conversions he and his colleagues had witnessed 
 that. year. In referring to this prosperity in the 
 cause of God, he states that the Lord had honored 
 him in allowing him to be present where this 
 great work was going on; then he exclaimed : "0 
 what an honor ! how exalted am I ! Truly the 
 year has been laden with blessings ; I am lost in 
 amazement — my own deeds are not worthy of 
 being mentioned." * * * God has enabled 
 me by his grace to labor a little for Him ; a record 
 of this I have kept, that on reviewing it I may 
 guard against slothfulness in His cause ; but I am 
 humbled in the dust and ashes, and ashamed when 
 I compare my feeble labors with the labors of 
 some other men in the good cause. 
 
 " I have been, by God's assistance, enabled to 
 
 ride on horseback over two thousand miles, and 
 
 about one thousand by other conveyance ; I have 
 been permitted to stand before the people to 
 
 preach and exhort sinners to come to Christ, two 
 
 hundred and forty times — averaging nearly five 
 
 ¥^Z' 
 
 t y 
 
 i i 
 
to 
 
 md 
 
 Lve 
 to 
 
 FEELS HIMSELF UNPROFITABLE. 
 
 121 
 
 sermons a- week. I have made about six hundred 
 pastoral visits, conducted one hundred and forty 
 prayer meetings, and led about one hundred class 
 meetings. 
 
 " Sometimes, when I consider this alone, I am 
 apt to think I have, by grace, done some little in 
 the cause of my Master, but when I remember my 
 short comings, and think of the labors of Wesley, 
 Coke, Clarke, Benson, Stoner, Somerfield, and 
 others, I am ready to fall in the dust, and reproach 
 myself for being so unprofitable. Owhat an account 
 I must render to God for all my feeble labors ; 
 some have been hurried over in a dull and lifeless 
 manner, and in too many instances how cold have 
 been my exhortations and advice, and how 
 faithless my prayers ! Sometimes my visits have 
 lacked that fervor of piety that I could wish. My 
 conversation has not been the most profitable at 
 all times — not as become th the Gospel of Christ. 
 My * speech has not always been with grace sea- 
 soned with salt.' And when I remember that 
 I should be an example to others in my walk and 
 conversation, I have great cause for deep humilia- 
 tion, abasement, and confession before God, for my 
 short comings and unfaithfulness. I have allowed 
 too many moments to go to waste — if not in idle- 
 ness, in misspent time. t 
 
 '■ '^lif*** 
 
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122 
 
 SUCCESSFUL TOUNa EVANGELIST. 
 
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 "I have made some progress in religion, but 
 not what I might have done. My private devo- 
 tions have not always been characterized by ear- 
 nestness, such as I shouM feel when under such 
 heavy responsibilities. I have tried not to con- 
 nive with the world, but I fear there may have 
 been a little pride even in daring to he fearless in 
 trying to do good ; for there may be pride even 
 in humility. 
 
 " My poor wicked heart has been a great bur- 
 den to me, and still how many temptations I 
 have. I wonder, at times, if I am really in the 
 enjoyment of perfect love. Pride creeps in, but 
 I trust it no sooner shows its head than it is 
 expelled. O Lord, Thou knowest my heart, I can 
 earnestly appeal to Thee as its searcher. I hang 
 upon Thy word." ♦ * » ♦ 
 
 Such were the exercises of his mind, constantly 
 striving to imitate his Saviour in all his imita- 
 ble perfections. 
 
 At the Conference, held in London, in June, 
 1865, he attended a few days, but his brother 
 (young Dr. Winans,) was at that time sinking 
 into the arms of death, (and did depart this 
 Iif# in great peace on the 14th day of that month,) 
 whttsn event called him to Exeter before the Con- 
 ference closed. 
 
 ■iiii 
 
, but 
 levo- 
 ■ ear- 
 such 
 con- 
 have 
 5SS in 
 even 
 
 bur- 
 )ns I 
 a the 
 , but 
 it is 
 I can 
 hang 
 
 antly 
 mita- 
 
 June, 
 Dther 
 iking 
 this 
 mth,) 
 Con- 
 
 ^ 
 
RETURNS TO INGERSOLL CIRCUIT. 
 
 123 
 
 At this Conference he was appointed to the 
 IngersoU Circuit, as the second preacher, and 
 colleague of the Eev. L. Warner, Chairman of 
 the London District. ^ 
 
 The friends in IngersoU had not forgotten the 
 success that had attended his labors the previous 
 winter, in that place, and hailed his appointment 
 as an indication of another great revival amongst 
 them. He entered upon his work on that Circuit 
 with much trembling, but with a full assurance 
 and trust in the Lord, tJiat He would revive His 
 own work during the year on which he had just 
 entered. Ard such proved to be the case. In- 
 deed indications of spiritual prosperity appeared 
 to follow him wherever he went. , 
 
 Having returned from the new-made grave of 
 his dear brother George, his mind was much 
 affected, on account of the unconverted state of 
 his only remaining brother, Wilbur, who was but 
 young, and had always maintained a strictly 
 moral character, was kind and obedient to his 
 bereaved parents, but had not entirely given 
 his heart, to God, and made no pretensions to 
 experimental religion. William Henry, as well as 
 his patrents, had often urged him to " remember 
 his Creator in the days of his youth," but still he 
 
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 k 
 
 !•:!.: 
 
 •nil' 
 
 I 
 
 i'l; 
 
If! I 
 
 ^■.■■ly. 
 
 12ii 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNQ EVANGELIST. 
 
 I > Ik 
 
 M 
 In. 
 
 •3 I 
 
 
 -I m 
 - ' '4 
 
 ' ' hi 
 
 contiimed to delay entering heartily into tho 
 work of seeking salvation. 
 
 ' "* His anxiety for his brother's conversion may be 
 seen from his kind letter, written soon after he 
 commenced his labors on the TngersoU Circuit, 
 which reads as follows : — ;-?*;>(.!: 
 
 « i (Ki..^ :> .i. « Ingersoll, July 18, 1865. 
 
 "My Dear Bro. Wilbur,— Although some- 
 what tired, for I have been writing constantly for 
 four hours, I now improve the time, by writing 
 you this letter. I often think of you, and wonder 
 how you are getting on. I not only think of you, 
 but I pray every day for you. I pray to the Lord 
 to convert you, and make you a good, pious boy. 
 How I would rejoice, my dear brother, to hear of 
 your turning to the Lord. I was just about your 
 age when I renewed my covenant with God, and 
 commenced in good earnest to be a Christian, and 
 I have never reoretted it. I feel more anxious 
 about you than ever, since dear George has gone. 
 I often think how much good you might do — how 
 much help and comfort you might be to our dear 
 parents, or how much trouble you may make them. 
 To a certain extent, you are to take George's 
 place ; soon they will look upon you as they did 
 upon George. He would never have been what 
 
 si") \'i\ 
 
LETTER TO HIS BROTHER WILBUR. 126 
 
 . he was, had he not given his lieart to God iu 
 youth. No matter what he might have possessed, 
 he would never have been so useful or so much 
 esteemed and respected, and so much comforted 
 in afflictions, and so happy in death, had he not 
 in early life given his heart to God. -.--^^ ^.-r-.-. 
 
 " I wish you could be with me on some Satur- 
 day evening. You would find some fifty or sixty 
 girls and boys — young men and women — in a 
 young peoples' prayer-meeting. We n)eet and 
 pray for each other, and for our friends. I am 
 
 , sure you wouM enjoy it. Each one asks the rest 
 to pray for some unconverted friend. Some have 
 sisters, others have brothers, and others pareirts 
 unconverted. Well, I put in a request. For 
 whom do you think it was ? I told them I had 
 a brother and sister in heaven, and all the rest ot 
 our family, except one brother — my only brother, 
 
 . were converted. I desired them to pmy for his 
 conversion. Now, tell me, ^ ilbur, will you not 
 pray for this also ? I know you may have a great 
 
 . deal to do, and many things to trouble and vex 
 you, but pray to God to help you to be p^od. O 
 I am so anxious that you should be a good Chris- 
 tian. Do try and be a pomfort to our dear parents 
 You can be a great blessing to them; or, if you 
 
 ■ ; I 
 
 L 
 
 ! II 
 
 :i';^ 
 
! 
 
 m 
 
 126 8UCCESSPTTL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 should turn out to be a bad, wicked boy, yon 
 would prove a curse to them ; but, I believe you 
 never will be that. 
 
 " Try and meet our dear brother George and 
 little sister Ida in heaven ; you know we all must 
 die, my dear brother Wilbur bo ready. * * ♦ 
 " Your affectionate brother. 
 
 
 "William." -'' 
 
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HIS UNTIRING PERSEVERANCE^ 
 
 127 
 
 m 
 
 (■■»»» . '• 
 
 *iii '* 1 lit.' 
 
 CHAPTER XVII f. 
 
 
 PtTBCTefance almost Omnipotent—Extract of a Letv«r to 
 Parents— Knowledge of God's Favor— A Field MMtiag— 
 Attended " Fairs" — A Proclamation Delivn^. 
 
 Soon after he resumed his labors on the In- 
 gersoll Circuit he commenced a revival meeting 
 at Mount Elgin, one of his appointments remote 
 from the town. At first many discouragements 
 .-sppeared in the way; during the first few days 
 after commencing the meeting, the people con- 
 tinued very indifferent about salvation ; but, as in 
 all other instances, when engaged in a good cause, 
 perseverance is almost omnipotent ; so in this case, 
 he persevered in the use of the means — visiting 
 and praying with all the families indiscriminately 
 in the whole vicinity, and inviting the people to 
 the meeting and preaching to them every evening, 
 and then he would continue to pray, hope, wait 
 for, and expect the power of God to accomplish 
 the work; soon it came like an overwhelming 
 torrent sweeping .all before it — sinners cried for 
 mercy and professors were quickened, And. many 
 rejoiced in God their Saviour. 
 
 We may -form some idea of the state of "the 
 work from the following letter written to his 
 
 Y\ I 
 
 .1. 
 
 
.128 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 4-1 
 
 
 1 ^ 
 
 parents aVthat time, and although he then enjoyed 
 excellent health, it appears from his letter he had 
 a presentiment that he would soon be with his 
 departed brother in heaven : 
 
 " My Dear Parents : * ♦ * Our meeting 
 at Mount Elgin took a start last Sabbath evening, 
 and since then it has been going on in great power. 
 I am led to stand and look on in amazment and 
 declare ' It is the Lord's work and marvellous in 
 our eyes.' As near as we can judge about forty 
 have experienced religion, and over thirty seekers 
 are still looking for saving grace ; Bro. "Warner is 
 away to Brockville, and I have jnany calls on 
 every hand ; my health is excellent, I feel some- 
 times almost overwhelmed when I think of the 
 goodness of the Lord; I find myself growing 
 stronger every day, and sometimes think I am not 
 doing enough to insure health, if by laboring for 
 the Lord it can be had ; then, I remember the 
 laws of Nature^ and try to keep as near right a^ 
 possible/' * * * ^ '^ 
 
 . "1 think I dreath, on an average, four nights in 
 the week of dear George ; it acts as a monitor to 
 retouch my memory, that I am mortal and will 
 soon be with him." ♦ • * ♦ 
 
 His zeal in thtj ministry seems not to have 
 
74. 
 
 FIFTY CONVERTED. 
 
 129 
 
 ing 
 not 
 for 
 the 
 
 ive 
 
 abated^ and his success in the work continued 
 to increase ; a day or two after writing to his 
 parents, in a letter to Rev. Mr. Holmes, he states, 
 " Our meeting is still progressing favorably, about 
 fifty have been converted up to this date — to God 
 be all the glory." .« -^r^* ^ . ? - -^^^-r 
 
 On the 8th of August he wrote in his Journal, 
 as follow^ ^ - - ;u n 
 
 "Yesterday I visited twelve families, but with- 
 out much spiritual profit to myself; my private 
 devotions are not so ardent as they should be ; 
 my faith is not as strong as it was, can it be I am 
 losing ground ? Lord save me from coldness or a 
 lukewarm ^ate." -^^ t^^ . 
 
 It appears he was never satisfied unless making 
 proficiency in the divine life. A christian should 
 never be satisfied with present attainments ; those 
 who think they have grace enough have none 
 at all. 
 
 When he felt the least indication that his heart 
 was growing cold, he at once renewed h's efforts, 
 and looking to Christ would never rost ^vithout 
 the fire glowing upon the altar of his licart. -' 
 
 On the 14th he again writes : " Yesterday was 
 a precious day to my soul, I had much liberty in 
 preaching, especially in town in the evening. 
 
 / ' 
 
 f 
 
 M 
 
 PI 
 
 ilii 
 
 J ' 
 
p-. 
 
 ri 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 h ii 
 
 SK 
 
 I 
 
 B 
 
 ^ 130 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 The Lord greatly blessed me while engaged in the 
 opening prayer ; I preached much too long ; it 
 seemed as though I could not cease, my heart was 
 so fuU; may the Lord bless the wora, though 
 offered in much weakness ; this morning, in my 
 private devotions, the Lord wonderfully blessed 
 me ; my way is much brighter than formerly, yet 
 still I am so unfruitful ! But I knmv I am in 
 Christ and He in me. Yes, all in Christ ! All 
 through Christ. All — all with Christ ; He is my 
 All!" 
 
 Ho then exclaimed in the words of the poet : 
 
 * . - " When all thy mercies, O my God, 
 
 . ' My rising soul surveys, » f 
 
 Transported with the view, I'm lost 
 
 In wonder, love, and praise." 
 
 ■tAMii-l 
 
 .,fi_ 
 
 The next Sabbath he preached twice in Inger- 
 soll and once in West Oxford; three penitents 
 came forward seeking the Lord. , 
 
 In the latter part of August, by special request, 
 he attended a field meeting on the London Circ xit ; 
 he said during the Saturday evening and Sabbath 
 morning he felt very much the need of an increase 
 of faith, and that the way appeared dark before 
 him ; but before preaching light began to break 
 into his mind, and he felt encouraged to go forth 
 in the strength of the Lord. In the morning he 
 
■. .:^'- 
 
 FIELD MEEFING IN LONDO!T ClRCtJIT. 131 
 
 preached from "Awake, awake, put on thy 
 strength, Zion." The weather was fine, and 
 the multitude hung with breatliless attention 
 upon his hps. He then invited all to meet him in 
 the church, to hold a prayer-meeting, preparatory 
 to the afternoon service. At two p. m. he preached 
 on " Wiiat must I do to be saved ?" It was sup- 
 posed that about a thousand people were present, 
 and great power accompanied the word. At the 
 close, ten penitents requested the prayers of the 
 people. Their cry was, " What must I do to be 
 saved?" He preached again in the evening. His 
 text was, " I beseech you therefore, brethren," &c. 
 A general prayer-meeting was held after the 
 preaching, and many found it good to wait on the 
 
 He was also faithful in discharging his duty to 
 the sick. He delighted in presenting the cup of 
 salvation to the parched lips of the afflicted. And 
 that he might be better prepared for the discharge 
 of this duty, he felt the need of a closer walk with 
 God, and exclaimed, " I must pray more. I see 
 fihis clearly. I must live every day nearer to 
 God. I must enjoy more hoUness of heart. I 
 sometimes feel a sluggishness of soul, even when, 
 engaged in the work of the Lord, and ask myself 
 
 fi: 
 
132 
 
 succksski:l yocno evangelist. 
 
 
 \ ^l 
 
 w 
 
 the question, do I reaUy enjoy entire hobneps of 
 heart ? Can a minister engaged in the work of 
 saving souls feel lazy, stupid, and be useless ? And 
 then I look at myself, and at my feeble labors, 
 and what are they ? And what am I ? I am too 
 much like Ephraim, who mixed himself among 
 the people, 'like a cake not turned.'" ^) «"^'- 
 
 He then prayed most fervently that the Loi^d 
 would sweep through his soul, and destroy every 
 thing that was not of His right hand planting. 
 
 On the 27th of October he writes, — " Last night 
 the Lord revealed Himself to us in great power, 
 and gave me much liberty in preaching on the 
 subject of repentance. At the close six persons 
 presented themselves as seekers. The woik ^vas 
 general throughout the congregation, many wept 
 iloud in distress ; their sins proved a burden, and 
 they desired salvation. To God be all the glory." 
 
 How true it is, that those who enjoy but little 
 grace desire but little, or none at all, and those 
 who enjoy much ardently desire much more ; and 
 those who profess to have enough have none at 
 all. So it was with him ; he enioyed much, and 
 was "enabled to drink deep of the cup of salvation, 
 which incrersed his desire for more. His enlR,hyed 
 ''desire was to bask in the suu.^hine of perfect love. 
 
PERFECT LOVE — REVIVALS. 
 
 133 
 
 and dwell in God ; and on this subject he oflen 
 preached. 
 The next day he wrote as follows : 
 " This has been a good day in every respect. I 
 never preach on the subject of " perfect love" but 
 the Lord wonderfully blesses me. Twice this day 
 I have (in weakness) urged for full salvation, and 
 my poor soul rejoices in the Lord as a Saviour 
 from all sin." He said he could see he had lost 
 many blessings by not proclaiming more fre- 
 quently the doctrine of " perfect love." 
 
 Again he writes on the 13th, — " Our meetings 
 progress finely. Our congregations crowd the 
 house, and among the converted are many cases 
 
 „,deeply interesting, and this has been to me another 
 day of wonder," 
 
 ,i He appears to have been quite surprised at the 
 extent of the work; the showers of grace descended 
 BO copiouidy, that it was marvellous in the sight 
 of the people. 
 
 17% Some people pray for a revival, and if it come,. 
 
 "ia^they are frightened, fearing it may be accompanied 
 
 - Vwith " wild fire." They are ready to flee from it, 
 or become so indolent, superstitious, or fearful to 
 use the means necessary to fan up the flame, that 
 the fire soon becomes extinct. But his efforts 
 
 
 w 
 
** ■• ' 
 
 134 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. *' 
 
 m\ 
 
 m ' 
 
 m 
 
 < "were to keep the fire constantly glowing; not 
 only in the use of the ordinary means, but extra- 
 ordinary means were used whenever in his power. 
 He said he often felt impressed with the duly of 
 preaching to the people in the streets, and v/hen 
 an opportunity was presented, through timidity, 
 he had shrunk from duoy, and felt condemned for 
 his backwardness, and promised the Lord, by Hia 
 grace, to dischargv^ his duty in future, if an oppor- 
 tunity were again presented. And, on hearing of 
 a Fair that was to be held in Tilsonburg, he saw 
 his path of duty plainly before him, and the next 
 day attended. On his arrival he found a large 
 concourse of people assembled to see a person per- 
 form on a rope' stretched across the street, from 
 one building to anotlier. He took his position 
 tinder the rope. Some kind friends assisted him 
 in singing the hymn commencing — 
 
 : -nr" :-^ «« liock of Ages, cleft for me, 40iH# ^ 
 
 : s r.j I Let me hiilo myself iu thee ; 
 rs. i .' - -a Lt^t the water and th" l/iood, 
 
 From thy wounleil Ji hi which flow'd, 
 i >ti Bo of sin the double cure, 
 
 ; r :' t.\ Save from wrath, and make me pure." 
 
 And, just as they sung tl^e last verse, the per- 
 former appeared upon the rope. All was still till 
 the performance was over, and then the young 
 nro.fl/'.hftr at once announced hi«i text, " Believe on 
 
 .H 
 
PREACHES AT A FAIR IN DORCHESTER. 13 
 
 of 
 
 ;f ■ • 
 
 [er- 
 ItiU 
 
 on 
 
 the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." 
 He had great liberty in preaching, and many 
 listened to the word of life with great attention. 
 The spirit of the Lord accompanied the word, and 
 many were melted to tears. After preaching, he 
 distributed religious tracts, which were thankfully 
 received by many. On retundng hqme, he stated 
 that he felt conscious he had discharged his duty. 
 
 A few days after this, on hearing of another 
 Fair, to be held in Dorchestar, about sixteen miles 
 oft', he resolved to attend ; and stated that the 
 more he prayed about it the more he felt it his 
 duty to, go. On his way, a suitable text was sug- 
 gested to his mind ; and on his arrival he found 
 himself among strangers. 
 
 As in the other case, a person was preparing to 
 walk on a rope stretched across from a store, to a 
 building on the opposite side of the street. He 
 went to the " rope walker" and obtained his per- 
 mission to address the multitude, before he per- 
 formed upon the rope, and then shouted forth 
 that he had a proclamation to pro61aim for the 
 King of glory, and imij^ediately announced his 
 text. One man shouted out that he ought to be 
 shot. Others, of the baser sort, criea out, " Shoot 
 him, shoot him ;" but he, firm to his purpose. 
 
1S6 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 I" 
 
 calmly continued to MTge upon the people their 
 duty to turn to the Lord wit^i full purpose of 
 heart. At first there was an effort to make trou-^' 
 ble, and disturb the people, but soon all were 
 quiet, and attentively listened to the word of 
 life. Befor J he concluded his sermon, the " rope 
 walker" apjjeared at the end of the rope, an J 
 kindly seated himself till the proclamation was 
 delivered, and made an announcement for preach- 
 ing there again in the afternooi). ,^,„,. c 
 At half-past three in the afternoon, he took his 
 stand in his own gig, and began to sing " the Eden 
 of love," and a very large crowd of people were 
 soon gathered around him, when lit announced 
 his text, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved." The people listened with 
 great attention. But a miserable sinner drove 
 his waggon up to the outer circle of the assembly, 
 with beer, cider, &;c., and shouted aloud over his 
 " bad drink." This did not disconcert him in the 
 least. He continued to proclaim salvation to the 
 people. 11 e»had great liberty in preaching, and 
 many were deeply affected. Thus it was that he 
 embraced every opportunity to win souls to 
 Christ. 
 
 '\\i->t 
 
 r- 
 
 '•■,rn?>'' 
 
ft PROSPERITY OF THE WORK.' '< 
 
 137 
 
 :.rf4 ,.L 
 
 n 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 r»iiij(Vqff .|i;fcJi*A*t: 
 
 X iVWl 
 
 l*re8p«rity of th« Work— Illness— -Resumes his Ijabor — Special 
 Blessings Priyed For — (Jliristrais Day's Labor — Declining 
 Health— Extract of a Letter to Ilev. Mr. Holnies. 
 
 In JiovEMBER, he wfitesi, in reference to a 
 revival meeting, he had some time before com- 
 menced at Mount El<jin, and states : — "■"'■- 
 '^ •* The meeting is still going on, and processes 
 
 finely. About eighty precious souls have been 
 hopefully converted to God."' '" -'''^"' >^,^uh'v^ 
 
 He recorded the case of some families he had 
 visited during the meeting, who did not attend 
 any place of worship ; but, after visiting and 
 praying with them, they were induced to attend 
 the meeting, sought the Lord, and obtained 
 pardm and peace, ;i , * v ; . 
 
 But, before this meeting was finally closed, he 
 was taken very ill, and was conveyed to the ppr^ 
 8onag'3 at IngersoU, where he remained a few 
 days, and received the kindest attention from the 
 Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Warner, but, as soon as he was 
 able, lie returned to his paternal home, in Exeter, 
 and, under the skilful treatment of his father, hia 
 health was soon a little improved ; and, though 
 threatened with a rapid decline, he appeared ex- 
 treoiely anxious to return to his work. His heart 
 
 
138 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 1 1 
 
 overflowed with the love of God, and he exclaimed 
 that, on examining his own heart he found 
 nothing contrary to love, and that ho enjoyed 
 great peace with God. 
 
 After remaining at his father's house awhile to 
 recruit his wasted strength, he again returned to 
 his circuit, to witness the close of the revival 
 meeting at Mount Elgin, and during that week 
 attended the funerals of three persons, all of whom 
 died happy in the Lord, and had been brought to 
 God through his instrumentality. The appoint- 
 ment at this place, as well as on every other part 
 of the circuit, had been well attended to by his 
 respected superintendent, during his absence from 
 the field ; and nov/, feeble as he was, he resumed 
 his work on the circuit with great energy, and in 
 closing up the revival meeting at Blount Elgin, 
 he rejoiced to find that more than eighty souls 
 had been converted, and brought to the "" fold." 
 On hrablath he preached to the young people, and 
 had g^reat liberty, and was wonderfully blessed. 
 But, late that evening, he was taken very ill, and 
 though he suffered much, he said, his ' min i was 
 stayed on Christ, and that he had sweet commu- 
 nion with God, and that he felt drawn out to pray 
 for some speciaL blessings, wJiich he- £numerated 
 as follows : — 
 
PRAYS FOR SPPX'UL BLESSINGS. 
 
 139 
 
 in 
 
 gin, 
 
 " 1. More humility. 
 
 2. More power in preaching. 
 
 3. For more vital godliness in the church 
 throughout the circuit. 
 
 4. For the conversion of ray brother Wilbur. 
 
 b. Wisdom to direct me in visiting, and especi- 
 ally two infidels on my mind. t *' .^ 
 
 6. More knowledge of God's Word, and of His 
 will concerning me. 
 
 7. Strength of body, (if it be the Lord's will,) 
 that I niiiy labor on, and olfer all my works to 
 Him." )i 'M . 
 
 For a few days his health appeared to be a 
 little improved, and on Christmas day he made 
 this entry in his journal : — 
 
 " The past year has been crowned with many 
 rich blessings, and my life with loving kindness. 
 * What shall I render unto the Lord for all his 
 benefits.' Another Christmas has come, and my 
 health, for a few days past, considerably improved. 
 Yesterday was a high day to my soul ; especially 
 in the afternoon, while preaching a dedicatory 
 sermon, at Putnan:sville. Ms soul was greatly 
 blessed. It was a feast of fat things. In the 
 evening 1 had great hberty in preaching at Inger- 
 soU ; and at the prayer-meeting penitents came 
 
140 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG El'ANOELIST 
 
 i^ 
 
 forward, pleading for mercy, and others that I 
 spoke to, as I paesed through the congregation, 
 were deeply affected." 
 
 On Christmas; day ho seems to have indulged 
 a hope that his health would he restored. It was 
 considerably improved, and though ho appeared 
 to feel pretty well, his friends could see he was 
 failing. His zeal carried him much beyond his 
 bodily strength. Hi.s physical frame was evi- 
 dently giving way, Init he continued to visit and 
 preach with unabated zeal. It wa.s more than 
 his meat and drink to labor for the salvation of 
 souls. Ho made an extra effoi-t, and again visited 
 and preached to his friends at Mount Elgin, where 
 his example and labors will be long remembered. 
 In IngersoU his last sermon was like thu bolts 
 thrown among the people, and his words seemed 
 as if coined in the heart of an angel, and rolled 
 from the mouth of Gabriel's trumpet. The whole 
 congregation were moved to tears, and rocked as 
 by an earthqu-ike. Ii appeared to many as if 
 they were in the suburbs of heaven, for the Lord 
 ; of hosts was present, and caused a letting down 
 of glory in their midst. It was the last sermon 
 he ever preached, and some who hoard bim 
 't thought it was the best. 
 
'. r^ 
 
 i 
 
 ', 
 
 I-- 
 
 * LETTER TO RET. Mil. HOLMES. "^ 141 
 
 ■ ,^ } ..^- ^ "f .. . ..J- ... ^ „ . 
 
 He was fio reduced in Htrength, and with every 
 BymptomH of a rapid decline, that ho woh obliged 
 to return again to his father's house. His ex- 
 treme anxiety to continue in the work, caused 
 him to i*eturn again to Ingersoll on the Gth of 
 January, although unable to perform any work. . 
 
 His state of health, hope of recovery, and the 
 exercise of his mind, may be inferred from his 
 letter to the Rev. Mr. Holmes, written at that 
 time. 
 
 " Ingersoll Parsonage, 
 
 ''»; 
 
 
 \\mi\ 
 
 Jan, Gth, 1866. 
 
 "My Dear Bro. Holmes. — I have just read 
 your*s of last month, and 1 sten to reply. No 
 doubt, before this, you have heard, through Bro. 
 Barber, of my loss of health, and that I had 
 returned to Exeter. I left there this morning, 
 and am now at this place. * * m m 
 
 " I have just returned from Dr.^pringer*s office. 
 He gives it as his opinion that tube^ 3s are 
 already formed in my left lung. My father gave 
 the same opinion before I left home. My unfa- 
 vorable symptoms are — bad cough, pain in the 
 left side, fever and chills, red tongue, loss of appe- 
 tite, dreadful night-sweats, &;c. My favorable 
 ones are — pretty good constitution, stomach in 
 
142 
 
 SUCCESSrUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 Ih 
 
 
 h: 
 
 m 
 
 It!': 
 
 i^ 
 
 good order, and good spirits. I still think T may 
 recover, but I have decided to quit work. I am 
 obliged to do so. I can't speak without coughing. 
 Bro. "Warner has written to the college for a 
 supply. It is doubtful if I ^vill be able to do any 
 work before Conference, if ever." # * * 
 
 The next entry made in his journal is dated, 
 " Exeter, Sabbath evening, January 28th, 1866.'! 
 it reads as follows : — ^^ ...,.,^ . v -. ;? i,. ' 
 
 " A. few weeks sometime.s make great changes. 
 Since the last entry in my joTirnal I have been 
 under the doctor's care, for disease of the lungs. 
 I have been ver}'^ much reduced, and am still very 
 feeble. But I have been at home, and had the 
 kindest attention and care, and the best of 
 treatment. u.. ^.-, ^i:^/ ..,?.:>,■?.: '^.xj^MmA:^,-: 
 
 " At times I have thought perhaps my race is 
 run, and my work done. Well, I am the Lord's, 
 and he can dispose of me as he sees fit. Lord, 
 prune me, or use me, as seemeth good in Thy sight. 
 
 " I bless the Lord for the sweet communion I 
 enjoy with Him. Thy mercies to me are great. 
 Lo 1, save me from ingratitude and irrita- 
 
 " I find my style of speaking and living is not 
 as meek, humble, or kind, as I desire. My cough 
 
 Si 
 
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY. 
 
 143 
 
 causes me to speak sometimes hastily and harshly. 
 I need to be very watchful. My mode of doing 
 things has greatly changed from what it was, 
 when I was well and moving about. I feel dis- 
 satisfied with myself since my confinement. I 
 have not made that advancement in divine know- 
 ledge that I should. I must read the word of 
 God more prayerfully. I am ashamed of my 
 ignorance." " " *..'.-■■' 
 
 Being unable to preach, and confined to his 
 room, the people in his Circuit deeply regretted 
 the loss of his efficient and successful labors among 
 them, and on the 29th of January conveyed to 
 him a copy of the following resolution of their 
 Quarterly Board : ^ ^,,,, .:..^.^^.,^:.,.,:^^ :,..., 
 
 " That we improve the present meeting of the 
 Quarterly Board to express our deep regret for 
 the afflictions by which we are deprived of the 
 efficient and faithful labors of Brother Winans, 
 and that we would convey to him this expression 
 of our sympathy and assurance of earnest prayer 
 to God, that the consolations of divine grace mav 
 support liim in the hour of affliction." 
 
 The above resolutio.i of the Quarterly Board of 
 the Ingersoll Circuit was accompanied by an 
 aiTectionatc let ' i.':'^' Mr. Bowes, the Reconling 
 
 ill 
 
 li 
 
144 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELIST. 
 
 ■. V- 
 
 m 
 
 I'S?!] 
 
 m 
 
 W 
 
 'I 
 
 Steward, expressing their high appreciation of his 
 virtues and successful labors on that Circuit, ^uch 
 expressions of confidence and cordial affections 
 from the people among whom he labored, did not 
 fail ti> afford him many drops of cordial in bis 
 cup of affliction. . :^i>. i j iCi .^-. ..^i isfc ..^r v 
 
 In a few days after this he received a kind 
 letter of condolence, signed by twenty-five persons 
 at Mount Elgin, most of whom had been brought 
 into the " fold of Christ " through his instrumen- 
 tality, conveying to him a substantial token of 
 christian regard and sympathy in his afflictions. 
 
 Also, he received from friends in Strathroy, 
 lettiers of condolence containing practical tokens 
 of confidence, sympathy and tender regard. His 
 friends could only pray for him, and seid to him 
 tokens of their continued liberality and expressions 
 of christian love. These repeated expressions of 
 of supreme and deathless aftection, were gratefully 
 received and acknowledged by him. Friends 
 might aid in soothing his path, and add to his 
 comfort by manifestations of that celestial affinity, 
 that unites the hearts of saints on earth, but all 
 this could not prevent the world receding from 
 his view — he was on the king's highway to glory, 
 and was soon to enter into rest. 
 

 GONFINM) to HIS BOOM. 
 
 nt 
 
 tends 
 his 
 
 lity, 
 [t all 
 Ifrom 
 tlory, 
 
 CHAPTER XX. "^'''^^'I^^''^^^^^ 
 
 Confined to his Room— Tokens of Christian Affection— AfiEU^tions 
 Messengers of Mercy^Confidence in Christ — Last Moments^— 
 Closing Seen©— Churches draped in Mourning. ,|.^,«^^ j,^^.. 
 
 His MrNiSTERiAL career was limited, bnt his 
 piety was deep and constant ; he evidently lived 
 near the Cross, and when in health a most power- 
 ful preacher, not cold or prosy, but inteUectually 
 and energetically he labored for the conversion of 
 sinners; in every sermon that he preached he 
 hoped for seals to his ministry. '' ■"' -^ ■ ■ 
 
 By his deep and unaffected piety and faithful 
 ministrations, he left a hallowing influence where 
 ever he went, and by his meekness and sweet 
 spirit, he endeared himself not only to the mem- 
 bers of his own congregation, but to christians of 
 every denomination. The high p^teem in which 
 he was held by all who knew him never appeared 
 to move him, but he continued as artless and 
 humble as a child while in health, but complained 
 of himself for want of meekness when confined to 
 his room with extreme illness and debility. 
 
 During his illness he would sometimes enter- 
 tain a hope that soon he would be able to again 
 stand upon the walls of Zion; but the wise dis- 
 
1^6 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNG EVANGELtST. 
 
 poser of events ordered it otherwise. During the 
 few weeks he lingered under a rapid consumption 
 confined to his room, and much of the time not 
 able to sit up, he never failed to comfort and 
 encourage his friends, and affectionately recom- 
 mended all who visited him to seek and serve 
 the Lord. •- -» .>,,.,,:,.,., *(. 
 
 ' In him was fully exeraplied the following lines, 
 which he had often sung : 
 
 n:^ 
 
 HI 
 
 /^^^:'i:* 
 
 Happy if with my last brearth, 
 I may but gasp his Name 1 
 
 Preach Him to all, and cry in death, 
 Behold, behold tho Lamb ! " 
 
 [V He continued to receive tokens of tender re^rds 
 from the numerous circle of friends who sympa- 
 thised in his afflictions; a few days before his 
 curtain in life dripped, he received a kind letter 
 from the Rev. W. J. Hunter, enclosing to him a 
 resolution adopted by the London District Meet- 
 ing, expressing deep sympathy in his afflictions. 
 These tokens of friendship were highly appre- 
 ciated by him, but the kindness and sympathy ol 
 his friends could not prolong his stay on earth 
 when his Master called him. 
 m He never complained of his afflictions, but 
 looked upon them as messengers of mei"cy, to 
 hurry him to the better world. When he looked 
 
 i. t 
 
TRIUMPHS OVER THE FEAR OF DEATH. 147 
 
 but 
 to 
 )ked 
 
 to the shore of immortality he trembled not ; the 
 thought of death had no terror. All fear of death 
 was removed. He had taken upon him the 
 armor by which saints and martyrs overcome 
 the world. He was enabled to triumph over pain 
 and death. Every wave of affliction only wafted 
 him nearer the shore of immortality, and his home 
 in heaven. 'v.,*a&4*irii^. 
 
 On one occasion he said, " I shall soon be with 
 Jesus, and see my brother George." 
 
 A few hours before he died, when asked if he 
 suffered any pain, he replied, " no, no. 1 feel 
 comfortable in soul and body." And, when asked 
 by his mother if his hope and confidence in Christ 
 still remained as firm as ever ; though so weak 
 that he could scarcely articulate a word, he replied 
 with emphasis — " Yes, yes, just the same ; tell the 
 people for me." He wished to tell of the bound- 
 less love of God, but was too weak to give utter- 
 ance to his feelings of joy and comfort in prospect 
 of soon entering into the " rest that remaineth for 
 the people of God." His physical energies were 
 nearly exhausted, and he ha»i no power to exult 
 in the raptures of joy that burst upon him as the 
 world receded from his view, and he neared the 
 hills of immortality. But these raptures were 
 
 iiki 
 
148 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOUNO EVA^tGELIST. 
 
 I!; ': 
 
 I ' ; 
 
 superseded by a sweet composure of uU'od, and a 
 placid smile upon his brow, such as could be 
 experienced or evinced only by a soul encircled by 
 the arms of the Redeemer, while going down into 
 the stream of death,*)! V4«rw;a7 ' ^ 
 
 Two or three hours before he departed this 
 life, while several friends stood around his bed, 
 he appeared quite insensible to all surrounding 
 objects, but as the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Sexsmith 
 were about to leave, he reached forth his hand 
 and said to her, " The Lord bless you, and wash 
 you white in the blood of the Lamb :" and to him 
 he said, in a tone that appeared almost supernal, 
 " The Lord of hosts go with you." 
 
 About half an hour before he was released from 
 earth, re appeared a little restless, as if eager to 
 be gone ; at which time his sister (Mrs. Freeman) 
 who had visited him almost daily during his pro 
 tracted illness, began to sing : — ? "■ 
 
 »|-;8K?^t^ '« Jesu, Lover of my soul, '^^ Ijl'^^ij t " 
 »i*t ^i V ■^ni^,:„L, Let me to Thy bosom fly, , .. . * . ; ,. 
 
 Willie the nearer waters roll, *«*» *^*.v* 
 
 »>«i*m| jy^pJ^i While the tempest stiU is high t#'l>^teji#> 
 
 ♦li:^^ Afttt^ Hide me, my Saviour, hide, .^s^.^¥' 
 
 J\ . Till the storm of life be past ; "*'*^- ^^*" ' 
 
 '^*^'#t^ Safe into the haven guide, 
 
 «4f |f^#fi%t receive my soul at last! " ^^i^ ^. 
 
 % Daring the time occupied in singing that beau-/ 
 
 .-*--T- 
 
t'. i' 
 
 SE SLEEPS IN JESUS. 
 
 149 
 
 ''■n'''!i,. 
 
 tiful hjmn, he continued calm, and appeared 
 steadfastly looking up into heaven. She thea 
 ,heg8ih to sing that appropriate hymn : — 
 
 '<;V^ 
 
 
 
 " What are these arrayed in white, 
 Brighter than the noonday son T 
 Foremost of the sons of light, 
 Nearest the eternal throne ? 
 • f These are they that boro the croas, 
 Nobly for their Master stood ; 
 Soffieirers in His righteoiis cause. 
 Followers of the dying God. " , ; ^ 
 
 ( ■ U' 
 
 ;"";v'-' 
 
 
 ^ While singing this last hymn he appeared 
 anxiously waiting the arrival of the " messenger,'* 
 and as she concluded the last verse of the hymn, 
 ending — ^«? <* 
 
 <: V ■ "He that on the throne doth reign, 
 
 Them the Lamb shall always feed. 
 With the tree of life sustain, 
 
 To the living fountains lead jt^^ 4J^i ,jlm.* 
 He shall all their sorrows chase, * . , 1, , . . 
 
 All their wants at once remove, '"-9'' J^ 
 
 Wipe the tears from every face, ^ ' ^**f j^vi4 »' 
 
 Fillupevery soul with love." ^j r* 
 
 ,i Just at that moment the messenger arrived to 
 " bid him come," and with the last remains of his 
 wasted strength he exclaimed, " Hallelujah, praise 
 the Lord 1 " At that moment the curtain of life 
 dropped, and, without a groan or struggle, on the 
 30th day of May, 1806, he sweetly slept in Jesus. 
 The warrior may die like a, hero, on the field of 
 
 
-,•* i 
 
 150 
 
 SUCCESSFUL YOrNO EVANGELIST. 
 
 ■<■■ 
 
 battle, and witli firmness storm the gates of death; 
 and the philosopher may stoically submit to the 
 iron stroke of death, without a murmur or a groan, 
 and fall, like the sturdy oak that submits to 
 the axeman's blows ; but it is only the Christian 
 who can rejoice in death. It is one thing to 
 submit to death when we can live no longer, but 
 it is quite another thing to triumph in death, and 
 be able to say, " death, where is thy sting ? 
 O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be 
 to God, which giveth us the victory, through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ." '4i^-u^iAiM.M^^...- .^a .^j , ;jv. 
 ' On the announcement of his death, the Wes- 
 leyan churches throughout the three circuits he 
 had travelled, namely, Exeter, Strathroy and In- 
 gersoll,were draped in mourning; and appropriate 
 seiinons were preached in memory of departed 
 worth. ;'*' '■■ ,v;:-''^''*'r'f5V!:rt^'*i-'^'''*'i;:?.,y*«<'«' ., ' 1*-. -''"■ ^r ■ ' 
 
 The occasioii of his death was improved in Ex- 
 eter by an excellent sermon, preached by the Rev, 
 Mr. Holmes. His mortal remains were deposited 
 by the side of his brother George, in the cemetery, 
 near Exeter, where their dust, together, awaits a 
 j)ait in the " first resurrection." w j^iifc . .8#§» Jtof 
 

 
 > r 
 
 «||^^^,^ BRIEF ACCOUNT ^ , 
 
 OF 
 
 ■J f. * 
 
 '■ ff**^-./?!'' I'l/; ■ v^'s^' 
 
 THE LIFE AND HAPPY DEATH 
 
 'f '^WILBUR WINANS. ' • »• 
 
 CHAPTER XXL f i^^t^^t hmi; 
 
 'i-r 
 
 Kan originally Designed to Bloom in Youth — A Law Vio- 
 
 '-' lated-i-Law of Mortality — A Hard Beaten Path-way to the 
 
 ■, C'jean of Eternity — Journey of Life Brief — A Strange Scene 
 
 — Wilbur's Health, Agility, &c. — Innocent Amusements — 
 
 t! Business Habits — Gained Confidence and Ealecm— Ontward 
 
 i^ Walk — Not Under Excitement, but from Sense of Duty, 
 
 Senred the Lord. ', >.^u.'j-: , rif/, AL^.^it-^h- 
 
 When man came from the hands of his 
 Creator, he was perfect and immortal; theseeds of 
 et^nal life were planted within him. It appears 
 he was designed to bloom in everlasting youth, 
 and flourish in splendor throughout a succession 
 of ages. But when he jbecame a sinner, he then 
 became also an inheritor of mortality. Since that 
 dreadful event of man's violation of a sacred law, 
 
 c ! 
 

 ■ : ' ' * , ^ 
 
 
 152 
 
 LiF.: <y: w:i.:j:':v .yina.n's. 
 
 ' 
 
 ^rtllT*/1rtl- 
 
 imrvn i tvkiniif n r\l£A i\r*i r^/ki lAlna i\4 iiiofi/%A 
 
 
 I- 
 
 
 no sooner open our eyes upon the light than we 
 come under the law of mortality. 
 
 It seems that we are only born to die. The 
 first step we take in life is a step to the grave. 
 At the dawn of our first day in life >ve set out on 
 our journey for eternity. There is no standing 
 still on this hard and broad beaten path. Day 
 and night we travel on — "Where e'er we are, 
 what e*'er we do, we're travelling to tlie .'T;rave." 
 Wo are forever upon the move. Our descent on 
 the stream of life is so smooth and silent, that, 
 notwithstanding the rapidity of our flight, we 
 scarcely observe our motion. But» whether we 
 mark our speed or not, we must soon arrive at 
 the great ocean of eternity. rH <>nf ^AWrf^^ 
 
 We seldom see men grow old, and then- fell 
 asleep in death. Very few run the whole period 
 allotted to man ; comparatively few number their 
 " three score years and ten," or four score years, 
 and then come to the grave, like a shenf of com 
 fiilly ripe. So brief is the journey of life with 
 many, that they only open their eyes upon the 
 light, then weep and retire fr^m earth. Like the 
 morning cloud, they pass away, leaving others la 
 occupy their narrow space in this sphere of action* 
 
 .:J, -hi^r^i 
 
 rr 
 
 *ioFi;-n-^r-y 
 
HIS BARLT YOUTH. 
 
 153 
 
 .1' ( •»■ 
 
 And sooD^ very soon, they, too, will be gone. 
 
 
 •* I no smiling plonsurea kuow ; 
 I no gay deligb t.s could vi'iw. 
 Toyleea sojourncir was I, 
 Only bom to weep and die." 
 
 lilM't' 
 
 '.^■ 
 
 j\..''' K 
 
 How strange to see fathers building tombs for 
 their children, or to yee the aged and feeble bear- 
 ing the vigorous youth to the grave. Such were 
 the circumstances connected with Wilbur Winans, 
 the youngest and sole surviving brother of the 
 late Rev. W. H. Winans, and O. E. A. Winans, 
 M.D., of Exeter. These three brothers all died in 
 early manhood, leaving their parents, and an only 
 bister, to mourn their loss. 
 
 . Wilbur was bom on the 28th May, 1862. 
 During his childhood and youth he appeared to 
 enjoy good health. He was unusually muscular 
 and wiry. It is said by his acquaintances and 
 associa-tes, that he performed some of the most 
 astonishing feats they had ever known. These 
 extraordinary exiiibitions of agility, suppleness, 
 limber joints, and muscular strength, it may not 
 be necessary here to relate, or to make any 
 allusion, further than to state taht his exploits, 
 though extraordinary, were youthful and innocent 
 amusements. Hi\)ni v.fi.jpw; niLt s ifi 
 "^ In early youth, he gave indications of a lively 
 
154 
 
 LIFE OF WILBUR WINANS. 
 
 I 
 
 
 I; 
 
 1 
 
 ])usine88-liko turn of miud ; and, after entering 
 luH fatlicr's drug store, hoou became the sole man- 
 ager of the establishment, leaving all his father's 
 time to be devoted to the practice of his profes- 
 sion. Having obtained a good business education, 
 and feeling a great interest, and even delight, in 
 compounding and preparing medicines, he made 
 considerable proficiency in that employment. By 
 his consistent walk, affability, and strict attention 
 to business, he gained the confidence and esteem 
 of many ''»"Y-, V''- '■^iV-'L"^ ' \^\ H'ik^ 
 
 ' Having ocen trained up under the paternal 
 roof, and carefully watched over by pious parents, 
 he continued to maintain a strictly moral char- 
 acter, and seldom manifested the least disposition 
 to be wayward, and run with the giddy multitude 
 to d« evil. Yet, though his outward walk was 
 fiuch as became a christian, still he made no pre- 
 tentions to " heart-felt" or experimental religion 
 until some time i'l February, 1868, when, in his 
 sixteenth year, under a sense of duty to seek and 
 serve the Lord, he endeavored to consecrate him- 
 self a living sacrifice upon l^he altar of the Most 
 High. It was not under any particular excite- 
 ment, but under a deep sense of his duty, that he 
 endeavored more than ever, to devote himself to 
 
 £. 
 
HE OLOIUES IN THK CROSS. 
 
 155 
 
 Lost 
 
 ite- 
 he 
 to 
 
 the servicp of Ood. He was resolved to glory in 
 nothing save in the cross of Christ ; he attended 
 to the public and private means of grace, but still 
 made no pretentions to having attained to any 
 high state of spiritual enjoyment. But his heart 
 seemed fixed on serving the Lord, and he professed 
 a constant trust in the merits of Christ for salva- 
 tion. From this period of his life, he turned away 
 from all those frivolous amusements in which he 
 had taken so much delight. There was an evi- 
 dent change in his purpose and walk. He often 
 recognized his obligations to his parents, and his 
 two brothers, (who had before him entered into 
 rest,) for their example and kind admonitions w 
 direct and influence him, in the way in which he 
 should go. .,..,. 
 
 />« f ) I II 
 
 'i»?ti4'0iir|;.>!';eiio . i)4 pyoi^^mirii^ /^rf .b|Oiil mii -jv ,»*•?. 
 ,(&oM ^j 'hi ^mhi- dfj)'^ 4»mo {f »itiT>jiiw t<»ir/fi i; the. 
 
 v.^ .^Maemifi- ^>4m^- " - '" ' ■ ^^^ktMrmbm b^rrov «'ibrio 
 
 ^ ' 
 
 
106 
 
 LIPE OP WILBUR WINAl^S. 
 
 f* 
 
 I 
 
 '< i 
 
 f 
 
 it^^ iion^i^. CHAPTER XXn. _ 
 
 t :. J^$. ^««i|t.ik u^ '4^ 
 
 Wilbur'B Health Declines — Deluave Convaleacence — Manife&ta* 
 tion3 of God's Favor — Fear of Death removed — Cleansed 
 from All Sin — Last Conflict \vith the Adversary — A Flood 
 of Joy-~Qoodiies8 of Ood — Resignation to the Will of God- 
 Usefulness Diuing Illness — Happy in midst of Pain and 
 Afflictions. 
 
 In the latter part of tlie summer of T868, he 
 manife.Tted symptoms of a slight indisposition in 
 body, but was able to continue liis business, as an 
 apothecary, until in Septembor, when he com- 
 menced bleeding at the lungs, by which he was 
 brought very low. After a few days he appeared 
 to revive a little, but still to linger and grow 
 feeble ; in the midst of his illness he continued to 
 look for brighter manifestations of God'-s favor 
 and higher attainments in religion. On the 14th 
 day of the following January, when a few friends 
 were present enjoying a season of pra^^er, he was 
 wonderfully blessed, the fear of death was taken 
 from him and all his doubts removed ; pure light 
 from heaven shone upon him ; he received a bright 
 evidence that his heart was cleansed from all sin, 
 for several weeks he could say, — ' 
 
 " Not a cloud doth arise 
 
 r^iW. t:i^:ip '^: l,i. To darken »ii/ skies, 
 
 Or hide for a moment 
 My Lord from my eyes." 
 
 •»ifeJ|-* ^»*.i*- ?,'i*S-.f 
 
 
HAFPT IN THE LORD#tf| IfiT 
 
 But he had another battle to encounter wiiJk 
 the grand adversary who came in like a flood, and 
 though he never lost his confidence and trust in 
 the Lord, yet, he complained of the coldness of 
 his heart, and a gloom that seemed to come over 
 his mind ; but his parents prayed with him, and 
 encouraged him to cleave to his Saviour, and 
 expect fresh tokens of his love ; they pointed him 
 to Calvary, and reminded him of the love of God, 
 which is as vast as eternity and reaches to every 
 condition of man ; soon a flood of joy and comfort 
 enraptured his soul, and again his peace flowed 
 like a river, When his window curtain was raised 
 the next morning, he turned his languishing head 
 to see the rain that was falling, acknowledged the 
 goodness of God and showers of grace descended 
 upon him, and was happy in the Lord ; he said he 
 had given himself entirely unto the Lord, and 
 ^claimed, " I am now happy, happy in His love," 
 and then added, " The Lord is so good to me. He 
 has given me all I desire in this world, pious and 
 tender parents, and many kind friends, every 
 blessing is bestowed upon me except health ; but 
 I am in the hands of the Lord and He will do 
 right)." In this happy state of mind he ever after 
 continued ; it appears to have been the last con- 
 
 1 
 
 i i 
 
 .hi; 
 
 1 ■■ 
 
 I' 
 1 
 
 urn 
 
 I 
 111 
 
158 
 
 LIFE OF WILBUR WINANS. 
 
 m 
 
 flict with the adversary ; his mind was left in 
 constant peace, the path of immortality continued 
 to brighten before him. About this time he was 
 much cheered and comforted by an encouraging 
 letter he received from his friend, the Rev. J. 
 Holmes, whom he had previously requested to 
 preach his funeral sermon. I* '" ;:»#^'>*i^^f ■}<?«'■!£" 
 
 During the two months before he died, though 
 unable to speak above a whisper, he was so 
 anxious for the salvation of others, that he still 
 continued to invite and urge, in whispers of love, 
 his young friends who visited him to give their 
 hearts to God, and seek and serve the Lord with- 
 out delay ; some of these were influenced by him^ 
 and at once set about the work — sought the Lord, 
 and are now^ happy in His love. ■ . * i-v. 
 
 In the latter part of March, on Friday morning, 
 it was thought he was entering the cold stream 
 of death, and appeared to think so himself, and 
 asked to see his only sister Mrs. Freeman, on her 
 approaching his bed side, his first whispers were, 
 " Glory, glory, glory to God ; " and then after a 
 little pause, he added, " O how happy I am — the 
 Lord is so good ; " and then he added, " With me, 
 all is peace." He suffered much from a severe 
 pain in his side and almost incessant coughing. 
 
 i'r 
 
EEJ0ICE3 IN AFmcnoif. ifig 
 
 pun but I We such a sweet, sweet repast with 
 tty Saviour, it niore thau compensate, for aU my 
 amictions. ' % <..*! ., * .. ^. r •'^ 
 
 - _ On Satui^y he appeared to ie still nearinjr 
 the gate of death, and exclaimed "The Lord 
 
 «oHe d.d; It seemed His ams encircled me-" 
 and then he exclaimed: "O, what a blessed 
 
 Savour I have ibr Him I freely give np.u the 
 world, and a. the world receded from his view 
 
 heaven seemed to brighten before him. ,, ' 
 
 
 •' •irt'n'ti 
 
 I : j.;._,i / ,. 
 
 .':t'f 
 
 
 
 r'J ' 'if* 
 
 Cf 
 
 i ' ■> . "i 
 
 i.-,*r4 
 
 ^"t". 
 
 A*-,Ksii 
 
 <nth.,,.A 
 
 ■^^-'^'-i-l^.f.i.w- vJ^.r-.r 
 
 ijr":*r 
 
 ,v i'fr 
 
 
 -. ' ■ i 
 
 «fi' '■ ' ' ,j n .,> .ft ', ■ • . . 
 
 !I1^'*'S 
 
 i^'^P4U'>'H 
 
 .ip|"^a *•?• »-«i 
 
 
 ^ ■? i - . !> I 
 
 I *- i<i 
 
 .ii '.£!i_'.!ji< 
 
 
 !* i 
 
 ^.Jf^.. 
 
 ri-/ 
 
le 
 
 Of\ 
 
 LIFE OP WILBUR WINAKS- 
 
 '": ( 
 
 CHAPTER XXin. 
 
 ttfca 
 
 Expressiong of Onttittide— A Happy Day—Clawr Mates, in a 
 Sabbath School, Influenced to serve the Lord— Whiipering 
 Praises of God— Promises lulfiUed— Proof of the Excellency 
 of Religion — Cause of Joy in Death — Triumph in Last 
 Moment — Obituary by the Rev. A. Edwards. 
 
 On Saturday he expressed his regfet tBat, 
 through his illness, he had caused so much trouble 
 and care. For the kind attention he had received 
 icom his parents, and other dear friends, he 
 expressed his gratitude ; but continued to rejoice 
 ki the prospect of soon entering into rest, , 
 
 On Sunday morning hie said, " I am still veiy 
 happy. The Lord continues to deal bountifully 
 with me. This is the happiest day I have ever 
 seen." Daring the day several young friends 
 visited him ; some had been his class-mates in 
 Sabbath school, from whom he obtained a promise 
 that they would seek the Lord, and meet him in 
 heaven. Th»ee of th^ise set about the work at 
 once. They left his room weeping, but soon 
 obtained mercy, and were hopefully converted to 
 God. - 
 
 in the evening he requested his friends to sing : 
 
 " I am going home, to die no more," &c. 
 While his friends sung, he rejoiced, and said to 
 
 
^f^'jfilS HAPPIEST DAY. 
 
 161 
 
 ""i 
 
 d to 
 
 t!r 
 
 his father, " Yes, yes, I am going to a home in 
 heaven — a glorious home, a mansion prepared for 
 me." Though he could not utter a word audibly, 
 he continued for a while to whisper the praises of 
 God. The Lord has promised to make the bed 
 of His people in all their afflictions, and strengthen 
 them on the bed of lanfjuishinc:. The fulfilment 
 of these promises enabled him to rejoice continu- 
 ally. Nothing but the religion of Jesus Christ 
 can make us rejoice in death. This was the foun- 
 tain from which all his comforts flowed. What a 
 proof we have, in the experience of this youth, of 
 the power and excellency of our holy religion. 
 Though he lay writhing on a bed of languishing, 
 he proclaimed, " This is the happiest day I have 
 ever seen." No philosopher — no warrior — indeed 
 no one but the Christian can say this. When in 
 the presence of " the king of terrors" men appear 
 in their true character. The approach of death 
 will cause the knees of the philosopher to tremble ; 
 but that peace and joy obtained through faith in 
 Christ, enables even the tender youth, fighting 
 under the banner of the cross, a brave and valiant 
 soldier, to contend with and triumph over the 
 king of teiTors. ^'^rfn^^m.,,f^¥,j,i,,^^^^.^^,.: ^ . ., 
 
 i That sa'tti^ evening, he requested his mother 
 
162 
 
 LIFE OF WILBUR WINANS. 
 
 Il 
 
 i 1 
 
 to sing tlie following favorite hymn, often sung 
 by his two brothers, who had gone before him 
 
 into rest : — 
 
 'K 
 
 " Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
 Jjet me hide myself in Thee ; •. > • 
 Let the water and the hlood, 
 From thy wounded side which tlow'd, 
 Be of sin the double cure, 
 Save from wrath and make me pure." 
 
 -t'V? y_. 
 
 \/. i;- 
 
 While his mother, kneeling at his bed-side, 
 sung these verses, he raised his feeble arms, and 
 faintly clasped his hands, and endeavored to join 
 her ; he whispered the words as she sung them, 
 while his countenance seemed to light up with 
 animation and joy. On Monday morning he was 
 still unable to speak a word, but often whispered, 
 " Glory to God ;" and, on being asked if he felt 
 his Saviour near him, he replied, " O yes. He is 
 so good to me — He is precious. '' His father, 
 approaching his bed-side, said, " My son, this has 
 been your last night to suffer." His strength 
 was nearly gone, but he several times whispered, 
 " Gloiy, glory, glory ;" then, he exclaimed, " Lord 
 Jesus receive my spirit," and opened his eyes 
 wide, which then glowed with a brilliancy such 
 as had never before been witnessed by those who 
 were present. At that moment the curtain of life 
 
DEPARTS^ IN PEACE. 
 
 163 
 
 sung 
 him 
 
 ;*%-, 
 
 1-side, 
 s, and 
 bo join 
 them, 
 p with 
 le was 
 pered, 
 le felt 
 He is 
 father, 
 lis has 
 ength 
 pered, 
 I" Lord 
 eyes 
 such 
 e who 
 of life 
 
 dropped, and he sweetly slept in Jesus, at the 
 early age of seventeen years. ,rv;-,r .v; ./r 
 
 His pastor, thp Rev. A. Edwards, writes to the 
 Editor of the Christian Guardian as follows, in 
 reference to his happy death : — ,, .. 
 , " Wilbur Winans, of Exeter, son of Dr. H. B. 
 and Melison A. Winans, entered the * house not 
 made with hands, ' on the 4th of May, 1869, aged 
 17. My acquaintance with Wilbur extends over 
 nearly two years. I knew him, first a stripling of 
 comely presence, a good student, faithful in busi- 
 ness, devotedly attached to his parents and sister, 
 and under the influence of the solemn remem- 
 brance of the triumphant deaths of two brothers, 
 Dr. G. E. A. and Rev. William H. Winans. Those 
 happy deaths, home piety, and the services of 
 the sanctuary, made efficient by the Comforter, 
 brought Wilbur to say, — * Thy face. Lord, will I 
 seek.' He publicly gave himself to God, and to 
 the Church of his intelligent love and choice. 
 Still, the joys of his salvation were not fully 
 obtained until consumption was loosening the 
 * silver cord,* and breaking the * golden bowl,' 
 then * the fullness of the blessings of the gospel 
 qf Christ ' were vouchsafed to the sufferer. Whilst 
 his streugth lasted, he spoke with great power to 
 
i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 '■- 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 ■■f', 
 
 
 
 'ju- 
 
 
 
 Ai' 
 
 t 
 
 
 1 
 
 k 
 
 
 U4i 
 
 LIFE OF WILBUJt WIXANS. 
 
 his young companions, urging them to enter at 
 once the * valley of decision ;' and there are some 
 to be found in our ranks to-day who are the fruits 
 of tlie ministrations of this dying youth. 
 
 
 ' He sent him, like the beauteous bow, 
 Across the passing storm to glow, 
 Then vanish into heaven.' " 
 
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CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 165 
 
 ■ ^lO'.v'ul' j ;/;/;i'>?'>f"»s-' jU'^VvI''!; 
 
 < 2n>i 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 ■i \ 
 
 >%: 
 
 '^tm. 
 
 Strange ^loitality — Loss of a UauglikT and Three Sous — A 
 Heart Wrunp. with Bitter Pangs— "My Lambs." 
 
 There appears to have been £ometliing re- 
 markable in the mortality of Dr. Winan's family. 
 They had previously lost an interesting little 
 daughter, a^ an early age, and now their three 
 only sons who were not far divided in death, all 
 died of an affection of the lungs. ' While in early 
 youth they appeared ta enjoy good health, but in 
 early manhood gave indications of a rapid decline, 
 and suddenly passed away. 
 
 George, their second son, who was considered 
 the noblest of the "liousehold baud," was first 
 called after the death of their little daughter. His 
 parents had indulged the hope that he would be 
 their support in declining years. 
 
 The next that was called from their embrace 
 \vas William Henry, their oldest son, who had 
 always been so obedient and kind, that he never 
 caused them grief or pain. When writhing under 
 the blighting hand of affliction, forced to leave 
 the ramparts of Zion and return to the paternal 
 home, his parents' hearts were crushed with grief ; 
 
106 
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 m 
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 Si; 
 
 hut, with calm resignation, confidingly submitted 
 to the will of their heavenly Father, knowing he 
 is too wise to err, and too good to he unkind. 
 
 They indulged in the hope that the storm of 
 afliiction, at least for a while, had passed over, 
 but, as unexpectedly as a peal of thunder in a 
 serene sky, their last, and only son, withered as a 
 leaf, and was no more. 
 
 Soon after the death of Wilbur, their last son, 
 while under the impulse of grief, and with a heart 
 wrung with bitter pangs, Mrs. Winans wrote the 
 following pathetic and touching lines, containing 
 sentiments gathered from "the changed cross," 
 arranged and beautifully adapted to the occasion, 
 referring to each of her f-imily, in order, as they 
 had been called away : — 
 
 II 
 
 MY LAMBS." 
 
 1 loved them so, 
 
 That when the Elder Shepherd of the fold 
 Came, covered with the storm, and jiale and cold, 
 And begged for one of my sweet lambs to hold, 
 
 I bade liim go. 
 
 He claimed the pet, 
 
 A little fondling thing, that to my breast, 
 
 Clung always, either in quiet or unrest, 
 
 I thought, of all my Lambs, I loved her best, 
 
 And yet, and yet- 
 
"MY LAMBS." 
 
 167 
 
 >» 
 
 I laid her down, 
 
 In those white shrouded arms, with bitter tears ; 
 But a still voice told that, in after years 
 She should know naught of sorrow, grief or fears, 
 As I had known. 
 
 ♦TfO, Oo,"Icried,— 
 For once again that Shepherd laid His hand 
 Upon the noblest of our household baml ; 
 Like a pale spectre, there he took his staid, 
 
 Close by lii^ side. 
 
 And yet how sweet 
 
 The look with which he heard my passionate cry. 
 
 *' Touch not this one, for him lot me die." 
 ^J "A little while," he ^aid, with smile and sigh, 
 
 Again we'll meet. 
 
 Oh ! how I wept. 
 
 And prayed to have him spared, with such a wild 
 And yearning love — my noble son — my child. 
 He, too, I gave — our flattered hope ; he smiled, 
 
 And sweetly slept. 
 
 And yet again, 
 
 That Elder Shepherd came —my heart grew faint ; 
 He claimed another one, with sadder plaint, — 
 Who, bold for good, yet gentle as a saint, 
 
 • , Ne'er gave me pain. 
 
 Oh'! painful day. 
 
 When to a parent's home for care he came ; 
 His pallid faco with sun-lit all a-gleam — 
 His dazzling eyes with heaven in their beam, • 
 . , . I turned to pray. 
 
 •• Is it Thy will ? 
 
 Oh Father, say ? Must this first son be given ? 
 ile's in Thy vineyard here, and when he's striven 
 And done thy work, then take him home to heaven," 
 
 'Tisdoue! Be ^tiU. 
 
;168 
 
 "MY LAM»W." 
 
 Ho will not tftka » | . 
 
 Another son, I thought, for only ono 
 Of our ilenr boys is aimrecl to Iciin upon, 
 Or be our mourner, wht-n this lifo i.s done. 
 
 . . My heart will break. 
 
 Oh ! wliat a gloom. ^^ , , 
 
 I siiw him enter ; but I did not know, 
 Midst prayers and tours, that Ho would rob me so ! 
 Our only son— Oh, could we let him go 
 
 To the cold tomb ? 
 
 Oft them I miss, ' 
 
 And sit and think, and wonder too, ftometimes. 
 How blest I'll be, when in that happier clime. 
 To rnnge tlie plains, with Jesus* friends and mine, 
 , . ' . , <. • In holy bliss. 
 
 Through the dreary day 
 
 They often come fro:u glorious li^^lit to me. 
 I cannot feel their touch, their faces see ; 
 But, silence whispers — they do come to me — 
 
 Heaven's not far awav. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 N 
 
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 Hterootyped at tho Daily Telegraph PubliKhing Ilonse, Toronto, Ont 
 
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