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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de I'angle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 i :i6^!W^,>fci*«.'-,-i 1 mm£ mm ^'«^^ .,,.».^ .N^. 'V 1. V ^ilCl ^1^ •'lili^ ^-C- f i" .:^^r /^/C.'^ SHINING LIGHTS. SKE' ^ Authoi Wbj PU SHINING LIGHTS; SKETCHES OF EMINENT SAINTS OF DIFFERENT AGES, NATIONS AND CHURCHES, ILLUSTRATING THE WONDROUS POWER OF DIVINE GRACE. r BY THK REV. A. SIMS, Author of ••Bible S«lr.tion and Popular Religion Contracted," "How Every Christian May Win Soul.," ' Helps to Bible Study," and Pamphlets and Tracts. vanous tVhoie faith follow, comidering the end of their (OHversatioH."-PAVL (■ PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY THE AUTHOR, OTTERVILLE, ONT. jT."^ •fK <•;■ ^€ I7/0 55-5 88C:'6i3 USTTEODTJOTIOiSr. The lives of eminently pious persons are fraught with lessons of the greatest value. It scarcely possible to estimate all the good to be derived from the reading of such experiences. One of the most devout and learned of men— Philip Doddridge— says :— " My own heart has been so much edified and animated by what I have read in the memoirs of persons who have been eminent for wisdom and piety, that I cannot but wish the treasure may be more increased." The Rev. John Lancaster says :— " The benefits to be derived from a serious perusal of such writings are pecu- liarly interesting. They unfold to us the secrets of other hearts, and thus qualify us to commune more profitably with our own ; they increase our stock of facts with regard to the human mind, and powerfully promote our advance- ment in one of the most useful branches of knowledge the knowledge of man ; they enable us to trace the sublime march of an immortal and redeemed spirit, through the intricacies and dangers of this land of peril, to the king- dom of our heavenly Father ; they evince the efficacy of grace ; they publish the triumphs of faith, the pleasures of devotion, the truth of the promises, the faithfulness of God; they especially tend to elevate our hopes, give a VI INTBODUCTION. higher and better tone to our feelings ,„„ ,,„, , .^^^ e:n:r '"""'"-^ '*'""'^*^ *» "«- »« 'a--^"' Lfl'S,"." r"' "'™'^' '''''°'' «■»»«■" Christians have forward £ro,„ joy, of conquest to the possession of an M they followed Christ By publishing their errer, *!,.„ G^ Zl"*d rr" *" «*"" »° *« whole armor of the banne« of the cross, and proclain, as with shout, of tnu^ph certain v,cto„ to aU who continue faith^^t:' wlrtL" *"' """""^^ P«'-Charles Wedey-has " We gather up with pious care What happy saints have left behind ; Thexr writings in our memory bear. Their sayings on our faithful mind. As patterns to ourselves we take. And dearly love and highly prize The mantle for the wearer's sake." readers as the preparation of it has been to »« « 7u wiU not have been in vain. That 7^!^ ' ^^^^ ;««. ^ • , ^ ** ™*y ha-ve a world- wiHa influence ,n the promotion of holv Ii4« ;, thTl I prayer of *^' *"® earnest The Author.- CONTKNTS. PAOB GREGORY LOPEZ ^ o* GEORGE FOX j^ MADAME GUYON -- SILAS TOLD «, REV. JOHN FLETCHER 43 LADY MAXWELL 5^ H. A. ROGERS ^^ WM. CARV08S0 --.... ANN CUTLER . 70 REV. WM. BRAMWELL .... o- 88 REV. JOHN OXTOBY -. REV. B. ABBOTT .... 107 REV. WM. CLOWES . ,„ " * • • lis REV. E. PAYSON ,_ * " ■ ■ 123 DR. JUDSON jjj HARLAN PAGE • • • • 155 REV. 0. G. FINNEY ...... ,^ • leo 6n.LYBRAY ^ . . . . 174 Sf ARY ANN PEARCB ...*... ,«, * ' • • • 193 ftEV. JOHN PETTY , GEORGE MULLER ^ • an SHINING LIGHTS. GEEGOEY LOPEZ. IGrbgory Lopez was bom at Madrid, July 4, 1542. God Ifavored him with uncommon grace, even from his tender lyears. In the providence of God, he was made page to a iSpanish potentate. The fear of the Lord was so rooted in the heart of young Lopez, that even a court life, and all lits various agitations, which, like impetuous winds, are [apt to ruflfle the calmest souls, failed to disturb his com- posure ; and he has related, that when his master sent him with any message, he had such an attention to God, that j neither persons of the highest quality with whom he had to do, nor all the other occasions of distracting the mind, which are found in the courts of princes, interrupted his thinking of God. We cannot commend the step he took in resolving to live in absolute retirement from the world, or the extreme austerities he practised, which no doubt considerably shortened his life. Aside from these mistakes, however, his piety was of the deepest tVDe. On one nnrjuion IiA %v>moi>1rorl 4-yx o «~iA^4 that he had had such a conflict with the great fenemy, and 10 SHINING LIGHTS. was obliged to use so violent eflforts in resisting him, that the blood gushed out of his nose and ears. The knowledge which God infused into his mind was indeed wonderful. Though he had never learned Latin, he translated the Scriptures from Latin into Spanish, in terms so proper, as if he had been equally acquainted with that and with his native tongue. It seemed that the whole Bible was con- tinually before him. When men of learning asked him where such and such texts were, he not only told them without hesitation, but showed the sense of them with such clearness, however obscure they were, that there remained no diffio|^lty or obscurity in them. Many persons of emi- nent knowledge came to him to resolve their doubts con- cerning passages of Scripture, and they all returned, not barely satisfied, but amazed at the understanding which God had given him. He knew, with all the clearness which could be drawn from the Scripture and other his- tories, all that passed from the creation to Noah ; and he recited all the {fenerations, their degrees of kindred to each other, their several ages, and the times when they lived, with as much exactness as if he had had the Bible before him and was reading them out of the book. Nor was he ignorant of the history of other people; but if occasion offered, could tell with the utmost accuracy— so far as any records remained— what were their manners, their customs, and the arts which they had invented. The same knowledge he had of what passed from Noah to Christ, and spoke of those times as if they had been present to him. He referred aU profane histories to the sacred ; knew the wars and events which had occurred in any nation to the birth of Jesus Christ, and spoke of them as clearly as he could b^ve done of the thinim Af ijia «-« times. OREQOBT LOPEZ. 11 He wu a thorough master of all ecclesiastical history noe the birth of Christ ; as likewise of all the emperors to iilip II., in whose reipi he died. He was equaUy skilled in profane history, ancient as well modem. He drew up a chronology from the creation of world to the pontificate of Clement VIII., so exact liough so short, that all remarkable incidents, whether Tclesiastical or secular, were set down therein. But this knowledge was not' limited to history, ^e was ' knowing in astronomy, cosmography, and geography, »t It seemed as if he had himself measured the heavens, ie earth, and the sea. He had a globe and a general map the world, made with his own hands, so just that it has en admired by persons deeply skilled in the science; and was so ready herein that the Marquis of Salinas having bnt him a very large one, he observed in it several mis- ^corrected them, gave his reasons for it, and sent it back. He had so particular a knowledge of nations, provinces. Id the customs of them, that he could tell punctually Wiere every country was, and in what degree of latitude ; heir^cities, their rivers, their isles ; the plants and animals ^hich were peciJiar to them-of all which he spoke as fnowing what he said, yet without that arrogance which bmetimes attends knowledge; because his, coming from «aven, was not sullied with the defects of that which is quired in this world. He was well acquaints ^th anatomy, and several times aade many curious remarks of th»t kind which gave me eason to admire the wisdom of God in the human frame Ind to own that we are fearfully and wonderfully made ' •He was no less acquainted with the art of medicine - .. _« ., ^^^^ixciib recxpes, oneap and easy to be Irooured ; and God blessed them with remarkable success. It SHINING LIGHTS. He was an excellent botanist ; he not only knew the qualities of plants, and for what diseases they were proper, but likewise how these qualities might be altered, by mixing or infusing them with various liquors. He wrote several hands perfectly well, particularly in the map of the world; all the writing whereof one would imagine to be print, the strokes are so elegant, bold and strong. But all this knowledge did not for a moment divert his mind from the one thing needful. When asked one day, whether i one of these things ever gave him any distraction he replied : « I find God alike in little things and in great." God b^ing the continual object of his attention, he saw all things only in God. He had also great skiU in directing others. He saw spiritual things with the eyes of his soul as clearly as outward things with those of his body, and had an amazing accuracy in distinguishing what was of grace from what w^s of nature ; and that not only with regard to hmiself, but those also who consulted him in their doubts and difficulties. He fully satisfied all the doubts that were proposed to him; he instructed everyone in the manner wherein he should behave in his profession. None were so afflicted, but he comforted them ; imprinted on the spirit of aU to whom he spake an ardent desire of holiness. His words were all words of fire, and inflamed the heart with the love of God. No one went from him without feeling himself comforted and strengthened. "If any man offend not in word," saith the apostle James, "the same is a perfect man." We may then pro- nounce Lopez a perfect man. One who had lived with him in the strictest intimacy for eighteen years, ^ys that he had never heard him speak one single word that could be reproved. His conversation was always of things use- GREGORY LOPEZ. vdi bl and spiritual, meet to minister grace to the hearers. le measured his words so well that he spoke no more than kas necessary to make himself understood, and he never Tcaggerated anything. His patience and humility shone with great resplendency. Uthough he frequently suffered great pain at his stomach, ^d violent colics, he never made any complaint, nor in- ed any show of them. While he was at St. Foy he had be toothache for almost a year together, but it was not brceived by any outward sign, only that twice he used bme herbs which he knew to be good for it, and that ^metmies it was so violent that he could not eat. He desired to be despised like his Master. He studied forget all temporal things, and thought only of seeking ^ and serving him. He received, with constant patience that could befall h'.m, without seeking any satisfaction, I finding any, even in nis virtues, but as they contributed the glory of God, to whom alone his heart was attached rgettmg aU things else. « I knew a man," said he on be occasion, by whom undouotedly he meant himself; Iwho, for SIX and thirty years, never discontinued, for one ■ngle moment, to make with all his strength, an act of ire love to God." But although this servant of God was bntinuaUy employed in this act of love to God and his eighbor, yet he had likewise other ways of praying, which pd not hinder, but increased his union with God. When he had any great conflicts, he rejoiced to sustain ^em for the love of God ; and, after he had conquered, he ttered all that he had suffered as a sacrifice to him. He Iffered him not only the spoils won from his enemies, but 'he gifts and graces which he had given him, joined with „j^,, *"" "^ unspeakable sense of his obligations the Giver of every good gift; so thac when he received u SHINING LIGHTS. any new grace c - gift, his understanding being more en- lightened, and his heart still more inflamed with love instead of resting on those gifts and graces, he offered them' to God, from whom alone he loved all that he received from him. No wonder that the Rev. John Wesley should have said of him : " For many years I despaired of finding any inha bitant of Great Britain, that could stand in any degree of comparison with Gregory Lopez." During the last few months of his life he was much afllicted ; and after having endured great bodily pain, this eminent saint passed trium- phantly away, July 20, 1596. GEOBGE FOX. Gbobqk Pox, founder of the Society of Friends, was bom at Drayton, Leicestershire, England, in July, 1624. His parents were pious members of the Church of England and brought him up carefully. The Ckristian Thms wys • "His mother, Mary Lago, was of the martyr stock, and had inherited their intense feelings and religious enthu- siasm. To her he probably owed his education, and many of the determining principles of his life. As to his father he was indebted for the incorruptible integrity and tenderly scrupulous i-egard for truth by which he was character- zed. As a child, he was singularly quiet, docile, observant, and meditative. He sat among his elders silentjy, watch- ing their frivolity, untruthfulness, gluttony, and intemper- ance, and mwardiy resolving : If ever I come to be a man, GEORGE FOX. 15 irely I shall not do so, nor be so wanton. 8on,e of his Blatives would have had the thoughtful lad trained for a lergynian, but others objecting, he was apprenticed to a terson who, as the manner then was, combined a number trades-shoemaking, wool- stapling, cattle dealing, and on. George proved a valuable assistant to him The ir of God rested mightily upon him, and he was anxiously latchful in all thingg to maintain strict integrity ^erily ' was a favorite word of his, and it became a Immon saying among those who knew him that "If feorge says ' Verily,' there is no, altering him." [His early religious experienc^ was very-deep, and, after ^ termination of his apprenticeship, he felt himself im- Md by a divine monition (1643), to leave his home and fends seeking for Might." In 1647, after, as he says, Drsaking the priests and the separate preachers also, and Ne esteemed the most experienced people," none of whom Ud speak to his "condition," he "heard a voice " calling 1 to Chnst, and his "heart leaped for joy." In this 36 year he began his ministry, which lasted during his ku?7u.J'^^''' '^^ ^'^ ^^"* "^« ^o^^^ into the Md, he forbid me to put o? my hat to any. high or low, Id I was required to 'thee' and 'thou' all men and W without any respect to rich or poor, great or fall ; and as I travelled up and down, I was not to bid Me good morning' or 'good evening,' neither might I r "'' r^^l "i*'^ ^y ^«g to any one ; and this made the pts and professions to rage." Fox waj imprisoned for some time as a "disturber of the >ace. He continued, however, to travel up and down .gland^ preaching and exhorting, and leaving permanent ^ces behind him everywhere. The term "0,mk«r" ^o. r«t applied to him at Derby, in 1650, by Justice 3enne^;' mil If) SHINim; LIGHTS. as Fox says, '« because hid the.n tremble at the word of the Lord." In 1655, he was brought before Cromwell, wh(. pronounced favorably upon both his doctrines and character] KStill he was frequently imprisoned by country magistrates/ He visited the continent of Europe several times, and irj 1671, made a voyage to America, where he spent two year4 with gratifying success. His visit to the Netherlands wai^ also attended with much of the Divine blessing. f We give a few extracts from his journal, showing thJ remarkable success and power of this man of God, and thJ bitter persecutions he endured for righteousness' sake :— ' "As I travelled through markets, fairs and divers places,! I saw death and darkness in all people, where the power of I the Lord God had not shaken them. As I wa« passing or. m Leicestershire, I came to Twy-Cro8.s, where there were excisemen. I was moved of the Lord to go to them, and = warn them to take heed of oppressing the poor ; and people were much affected with it. There was in that town * great man, that had long lain sick, and was given up by th( . physicians ; and some Friends in the town desired me to g(| to see him. I went up to him in his chamber, and spok J the word of life to him, and was moved to pray by him f and the Lord was entreated, and restored him to healtliJ But when I was come down stairs, into a lower roora, ano. was speaking to the servnits and to some p-in^i - fhat were! there, a serving man of his came raving o ;t of another! room, with a naked rapier in his hand, and set it just to mj side. I looked steadfastly on him, and said, « Alack fori thee, poor creature ! what wilt thou do with thy camaf -'^ar.^n ? it is no more to me than a straw.' The standers] bi vtre.ich troubled, and he went away in a rage, ano, liv.^ A wrath. B' when the news of it came to his master] ho tu.ned him out of his service. Th TV>no +U« T -..,-!>_ - - I -•-U.7 vIic ijuru E> powfiti OEOROE FOX. ble at the word otl 'ore Cromwell, wha| ■ines and character, untry magistrate8| veral times, and in he spent two yean e Netherlands wa?^ lessing. rnal, showing th(i -n of God, and thf| usness' sake :- and divers places, rhere the power of I was passing on J where there were go to them, and^ poor ; and people 1 in that town s ks given up by th« I desired me to g( amber, and spokf ; to pray by him (d him to health. lower rocra, and peopl ' !hr,:, were , I, cvt of another set it just to m} j said, 'Alack fori with thy carnaf '.' The standersj y in a rage, and me to his masterl he Lord's poweJ 17 reserved me, and raised up the weak n.an, who afterward, as very lovn.. to Friends ; and when I came to that town [ain, both he and his wife came to see me. "A^>r this I was moved to go into Derbyshire, where le mi.hty ,ower of God was among Friends. And [ went i hesterhold, where one Britland was priest. He saw bond the common sort of priests, for he had been partly bvinced, and had spoken much of truth, before he wal lest there ; but when the priest of that town died, he ,.ot 8 parsonage, and choked himself with it. I was moved speak to him and the people in the great love of God .t they might come off from all men's teaching unto God's tchmg ; and he was not able to gainsay. But they had I before th. mayor, and threatened to send me with some lers to the House of Correction ; and kept us in custody ^ late in the night. Then the officers, with the watch n, put us out of town, leaving us to shift as we could II bent my course towards Derby, having a friend or T/^r^' Jy^'^^y'^^ '"etwith many professors; at Kidsey Park many were convinced, ^en, coming to Derby, I lay at a doctor's house whose Fe was convinced ; and so were several more in the town ^ I was walking in my chamber, the steeple-house bell Hg, and It struck at my life at the very hearing of it • so -ed the woman of the house what the bell rang for? said there was to be a great lecture there that day, and ny officers of the army, and priests, and preachers were be there, and a colonel that was a preacher. Then was I nT T ^ ^ u *^ ^" "P *" ^^^™ > ^^^ ^hen they had ae I spoke to then, what the Lord commanded me, and Ur T'l ^"f ^"'' '''''' ^^-"^ ^" «ffi^- -nd took by the hand, and said I must go before the ma.i«tr„... ^ one other two that were with me. It was about'the 18 SHINING LIGHTS. first hour after noon that we came before them. They asked nie why we came thither? I said, 'God moved us so to do ; ' and I told them, ' God dwells not in temples made with hands.' I told them also, 'AH their preaching, bap- tism, and sacrifices, would never sanctify them ; ' and bid them look unto Christ in them, and not unto men ; for it it is Christ that sanctifies. Then they ran into many words ; but I told them they were not to dispute of God and Christ, but to obey him. The power of God thundered amongst them, and they flew like chaff before it. They put me in ":id out of the room, often hurrying me backward and for- ward ; for they were from the first hour till the ninth at night in examining me. Sometimes they would tell me, in a deriding manner, that I was taken up in raptures. At last they asked me whether I was sanctified 1 I answered, ' Yes ; for I was in the paradise of God.' Then they asked me if I had no sin ? I answered, ' Christ, my Saviour, has taken away my sin, and in him there is no sin.' They asked, how we knew Christ did abide in us ? I said, * By his Spirit, that he hath given us.' They temptingly asked, if any of us were Christ 1 .1 answered, ' Nay, we were nothing, Christ is all.' They said, ' If a man steal, is it no sin 1 ' I answered, ' All unrighteousness is sin.' So when they had wearied themselves in examining me, they com- mitted me and one other man to the House of Correction in Derby for six months, as blasphemers. " Now did the priests in their pulpits bestir themselves to preach up sin for term of life; and much of their work was to plead for it, so that the people said never was the like heard." This heroic man is next imprisoned in Carlisle gaol. He says : — "The judges were resolved not to suffer me to be .i^l GEORGE FOX. 19 brought before them ; but reviling and scoffing at me be- hind my back, left me to the magistrates of the town ; giv- ing them what encouragement they could to exercise their cruelty upon me. Whereupon (though I had been kept so close in the jailer's house that Friends were not suffered to visit me, and Colonel Benson and Justice Pearson were denied to see me), yet the next day, after the judges were gone out of town, an order was sent to the jailer, to put me down into the dungeon among the moss-troopers, thieves, and murderers, which accordingly he did. A filthy, nasty place it was, where men and women were put together in a very uncivil manner, and not even a house of convenience to it ; and the prisoners so lousy that one woman was almost eaten to death with lice. Yet, as bad as the place was, the prisoners were all made very loving and subject to me ; and some of them were convinced of the truth, as the publicans and harlots were of old ; so that they were able to confound any priest that might come to the grates to dispute. But the jailer was very cruel, and the under jailer very abusive to me and to Friends that came to see me ; for he would beat Friends with a great cudgel, that did but come to the window to look in upon me. I could get up to the grate, where sometimes I took in my meat, at which the jailer was often offended. One time he came in a great rage, and beat me with a great cudgel, though I was not at the grate at that time ; and as he beat me, he cried, 'Come out of the window,' though I was then far enough from it. While he struck me, I was made to sing in the Lord's power ; and that made him rage the more. Then he fetched a fiddler, and brought him in where I was, and set him to play, thinking to vex me thereby ; but, while he played, I was moved, in the everlasting power of the Lord God, to sing, and my voice drowned the voice of the 1,1 I 'm 20 SHINING LIGHTS. fiddle, and struck and confounded then,, and made then, give over fiddling and go their way/' •. ^'^Z,''^ escape from this horrible gaol soon presented | Itself. The authorities offered Fox the captaincy of a com- ' pany of soldiers. Here is the record of what followed - "I told them, I knew from whence all wars arose, even from the lust according to James' doctrine ; and that I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away thei occasion of all wars. But they courted me to accept their ' doctrine, and thought I did but compliment them But 1 told them I was come into the covenant of peace, which was before wars and strifes were. They said they offered It m love and kindness to me, because of my virtue • and such like flattering words they used. But I told them if that was their love and kindness, I trampled it under my teet. Then their rage got up, and they said, 'Take him away, jailer, and put him in the dungeon among the rogues and felons. So I was taken away and put into a lousy, stink- ing place, without any bed, amongst thirty felons, where 1 was kept almost half a year, unless it were at times • for they would sometimes let me walk in the garden, having a belief that I would not go away. Now when they had got me into Derby dungeon, it was the belief and sayin^. of people that I should never come out ; but I had faith" in God, and believed I should be delivered in his time • for the Lord had said to me before, that I was not to be removed from that place yet, being set there for a service which he had for me to do. "After it became noised abroad that I was in Derby dungeon my relations came to see me again ; and some thought I was mad, because 1 advocated purity, and right- eousness, jind perfection. "There was a great Judgment upon the town, and the GEORGE FOX. 21 and made t|ieni own, and the [magistrates were uneasy about me ; but they could not lagree what to do with me. One while they would have [sent me up to the parliament ; another while they would have banished me to Ireland. At first they called me a deceiver, a seducer, and a blasphemer; afterwards, when God had brought his plagues upon them, they said I was an honest, virtuous man. But their good report or bad report, their well-speaking or their ill-speaking, was nothing to me; for the one did not lift me up, nor the other cast me down; praised be the Lord ! At length they were made to turn me put oi: j.iil, about the beginning of winter in the year 1651, I after I had been a prisoner in Derby, almost a year: six montiis in the House of Correction, and the rest of the time lin the common jail and dungeon." His journal records the fact that one Lancashire and Yorkshire campaign produced twenty-four Friends, who I spent their lives in salvation work. Here is a specimen of his constant experience : — "The next First-day I went to Tickhill, whither the Friends of that side gathered together, and in the meeting a mighty brokenness by the power of God was amongst the people. I went out of the meeting, being moved of God to go to the steeple-house ; and when I came there, I found the priest and most of the chief of the parish together in the chancel. So I went up to them and began to speak ; but they immediately fell upon me ; and the clerk took up his Bible, as I was speaking, and struck me on the face with it, so that it gushed out with blood, and I bled exceedingly in the steeple-house. Then the people cried, ' Let us have him out of the church ! ' and when they had got me out, they beat me exceedingly, and threw me down and over a hedge ; and afterwards they dragged me through a house into the street, stoning and beating me as they drew me along, so hi 22 SHINING LIGHTS. that I was besmeared all over wifh ki« j j ,. into the naeeting again .u^ongT^^^i, tlalC""''! «°' tren.bH„g Ki. J, and „rtt ;"opr:,r< i'ti't GREAT STREET MEETING r a:nr ai:::^;:r r ^ r ^^^^^^^^ - find and receive hTp I of 0.7 ""t ^'''"' "''' ■»"«'>' After I had cleZZ^U i^.^'t 'T '"-"to- lodging, whither. eve Jple 'alTt'' ' '"""' '° "^ vino«,, who have .toed fa'Su, ':Z T.^"' -""^ '^'^ ^e. and peek unto T.'^ dtrd^rS ^ ^^^ unions, and tC p^rion"; Zy'ZZTt '^''' "^ were good for nothing while the/liZd ou o^ ,hf rf"-"^' po\v«f which th-v -. - • , ^ ^^^ ^^^e anti " - .h,chth.3, vverem who gave forth the Scriptures." GEORGE FOX. 23 and dirt. They ned again. Yet ared to them the i of their teacher, fter awhile I got d the priest and ith Friends into id people. The but the Lord's fe was declared he priest began , ' Look how the 'ker also.'" :er, and spoke God, declaring out against all iteousness and low after, and sre they might em thereinto. r went to my -ny were con oon, I had a •ngst the sol- rd of life and that all the •hips and re- > Scriptures the life and Scriptures. II directed them to the light of Christ, the heavenly Man, land to the Spirit of God in their own hearts, that they might come to be acquainted with God and with Christ, receive him for their teacher, and know his kingdom set up in them. " After this T return jd into Westmoreland, and spoke through Kendal on a market day. So dreadful was the power of God upon me, that people flew like chaff before me into their houses. I warned them of the mighty day of the Lord, and exhorted them to hearken to the voice of God in their own hearts, who was now come to teach his people himself. When some opposed, many others took my part, insomuch that at last some of the people fell to lighting about me ; but I went and spoke to them, and they parted again. Several were convinced." We can form but a faint idea in these quiet days of the fearful state of things that surrounded Fox and his friends. At one time there were more than 4,500 Friends in pricon. of wJiom no less than 24o died in gaol. Just imagine what must have been the character of the conflict, when the authorities stripped female ministers to the waist, and lashed them through the towns in that condition till the blood ran down their backs ! Again he says : — "Nowin Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, and Somerset- shire, truth began to spread mightily, and many were turned to Christ Jesus and his free teaching; for many Friends that came to visit us, were drawn forth to declare the truth in those counties ; which made the priests and pro- fessors rage, and they stirred up the magistrates to ensnare Friends. They placed watches in the streets and highways, on pretence of taking up all suspicious persons • undsr which color they stopped and took up the Friends that ' i 24 SHINING LIGHTS. *-»n in the Lord Wvice tl 71"' ^ ""^ "^ -" thought to .top the truth 2 th! ""^ *'"'='' '% much the „,„„; tor th» p;::^;::? °' ^"-"""'^ " - one constable and to the ot 'er ,.7 T'""^ '"°''«'' t" ">«y were brought befo^ LI ' "' *° ""> J"^'-« spread the monTamongst tL* ,T T'^^ "" '™* to ^hen Friends got amZ tl f *"'■• P^^^e.. And ■.%ht or three leer^l XT.-.;' ''""'' "^ " '°- =««■"; for no ,„„„,^ had le T T^ *"' ""' "^ the,n "Tried them before the in! ^^^^'' "^'"^" then, and theu,, than anotheTwouId'trtr' '"^^ "'«' discharged t^foz. other justices; wMch^'t tie""" """""' """'^ *>>- >^ trouble and charges." "^ """"""^ '^ ""-"h need- "^^^ S;:;r::eTr z^t::-' - A PKRSECUTOR'S AWFUL EXD. ""-of Halifax, wh:rwl°a^^ern.ofr'' """" '-- fople, amongst which «rere mTn ' T '^"* "'» '■"'"'■^ butchers, seve^l of when, h^To ™. T"'^' »»<' "-«- oath before they came o^ tto tb *"""'"^ ""> «» -a^ told); one of these bu ehtrs had? """"' '"' "^ ('^ ^ a man and a woman, Thiv 1 '"°"'''' "' ''««''« »ud made a great disturZceTth'" ' ^'^ ™* ■»»- ■"S being in a field, Thomas tIv? ! T""«- ^""^ meet- *on., . I, y„„ J, beTv , Tor '*^ "P- ""<> »'<< unto "hargeyou to begone from off 1 ^^ ""^' *"■*. « "ot, I the worse, and safd thev would nT/T,"."' ^"* '""^ -o they veiled »„^ j "'*'"' 't ''ke « con.n'oi • „ j • ■ "' "'^'' » »--. - « they had bee^ata GEORGE FOX. 25 uing to visit us iot pass up and 7 which they spreading it so intly moved to to the justices I the truth to arishes. And >Jd be a fort- out of them en them and id discharged d cany them much need- n one of the 1 tors: — ithin three *vo hundred and divers es with an I me (as I ' of killing e manner, rhe meet- said unto if not, T 'hey were »on; and Ren at a bear-baiting. They thrust Friends up and down; and Friends, being peaceable, the Lord's power came over them. Several times they thrust me off from the place I stood on, by the crowding of the people together against me ; but still I was moved of the Lord to stand up again, as I was thrust down. At last I was moved of the Lord to say unto them, ' If they would ^discourse of the things of God, let them come up to me one by one ; and if they had anything to say or to object, I would answer them all, one after another,' but they were all silent, and had nothing to say. And then the Lord's power come so over them all, and answered the witness of God in them, that they were bound by the power of God ; and a glorious, powerful meet- ing we had, and his power went over all, and the minds of the people were turned by the Spirit of God in them to God, and to Christ their teacher. The powerful word of Ohrist was largely declared that day ; and in the life and power of God we broke up our meeting ; and that rude company went their way to Halifax. The people asked them why they did not kill me, according to the oath they had sworn ; and they maliciously answered, chat I had so bewitched them, that they could not do it. Thus was the devil chained at that time. Friends told me, that they used to come at oth,.. times, and be very rude; and some- times break their stools and seats, and make frightful work amongst them ; but the Lord's power had now bound them. Shortly after this, the butcher that had been accused of killing a man and a woman before, and who was one of them that had bound himself by an oath to kill me, killed another man, and then was sent to York .jail. Another of those rude butchers who had also sworn to kill me, having accustomed himself to thrust his tongue out of his mouth, in derision of Friends when they passed !'k fi :.r ;> Is I l. 26 SHINING LIGHTS. by him, had it so swollen out of his mouth that he could never draw it in again, but died so." Pen in his preface to " Fox's Journal," has given the fol- lowing tribute to his lofty character : "He had an extraor- dinary gift in opening the Scriptures, but above all he excelled in prayer. The in./ardness and weight of his speech, the reverence and solemnity of his address and behaviour, and the trueness and fulness of his words, have often struck even strangers w^ith admiration. The most awful, living reverent frame I ever felt or beheld, I must say was his prayer. He was of an innocent life, no busy- body, nor self-seeker, a most merciful man, as ready to for- give, as unapt to give or take an offence, . . . . an inces- sant laborer ; as unwearied, so undaunted in his services for God and his people ; he was no more to be moved to fear than to wrath ; civil beyond all forms of breeding, very temperate, eating little, and sleeping less, though a bulky person. He was a diligent student of the word of God. He knew the Scriptures so well that it has been said of him, ' If the Bible should be lost, you could find it all in George's head.' He died in London, Januai'y 13, 1691. MADAME GUYON. Madame de la Mothe Guyon was born in 1648, in the city of Montargis. When four years of age she was placed in a Benedictine convent. At the age of sixteen she was married to a wealthy contractor. Her mother-in-law and a nurse speedily made her life so miserable as to crush her MADAME OUYON. 27 down. She was converted to God through the agency of a Franciscan monk on the 22nd of July, 1668. She says : — •*I bade farewell forever to assemblies which I had visited, to plays and diversions, dancing, unprofitable walks, and parties of pleasure. The amusements and pleasures so much prized and esteemed by the world, now appeared to me dull and insipid — so much so, that I wondered how I ever could have enjoyed them. " I had a secret desire given me, from that time, to be wholly dpvoted to the disposal of my God. The language of my heart, addressing itself to my heavenly Father, was, What couldst thou not demand of me which I would not willingly sacrifice or offer Thee ? O, spare me not ! It seemed to me that 1 loved God too much, willingly or know- ingly to offend him. I could hardly hear God or our Lord Jesus Christ spoken of without being almost transported out of myself." A few years afterwards her husband died. Passing through severe trials, she was led to give herself more fully to God, and to learn the blessedness of walking constantly by faith in him. She says : — " Great was the change which I had now experienced ; but still, in my exterior life, I appeared to others quite simple, unobtrusive and common. And the reason was, that my soul was not only brought in harmony with itself and with God, but with God's providences. In the exercise of faith and love, I endured and performed whatever came in God's providence, in submission, in thankfulness, and silence. I was now in God and God in me ; and where God is, there is as much simplicity as power. And what I did was done in such simplicity and childlikeness of spirit, that the world did not observe anything which was much calculated to attract notice, uf: /!1 I, I ft 28 SHINING LIGHTS. " I liad a deep peace which seemed to pervade Hie «,J..i oon.tit„ted the fulm„,e„t „i the D v lZL"T" vdences, I had no „i„ kut the Divine wiil, of whilarch could such a soul have other than a deep peace not limited to the uncertainties of the emotional part of ou,: na tu e b'* wh,ch pervaded and blessed the whole mind i ZL «eemed to diminish it ; nothing troubled it *'"« "I do not mean (k. say that I was in a stat. .„ which T ™»ch. But ■„ the centre of the soul, if I may so exp^t H here was d.v,ne and supreme peace. The soul. consMe^d m .ta connecfon with the objects immediately aroundTt might at tm>es be troubled and afflicted ■ but L , ' sidered in its relation .» God and the DTvi^en ''°"" calm, trustful andhappy, The^reTt 7:1::^^ originating m part from a disordered physical cor«!,T d. not aff.t and disturb the divine ;ear:;'th?or "»■ One characteristic of this higher deeree of «v«o • ™ a sense of inward puHty. M^y^UnlZlZZ: ioith God, such a unity with the Divine nature th»f Tu seemed to have power to soil it a^d to S 1 t ^ H^ LTT"' ''' *''"'' '' *'^* i 30 SHININO LIGHTS. Never did I enjoy a greater content than in this hovel. It seemed to me entirely conformable to the littleness and sin.- plicity which characterize the true life in Christ." Her enemies, however, were determined not to let her rest long even in this poor shelter. "It would be difficult forme to enumerate all the un kindness and cruelty practised toward me. The little gar- den near my cottage I had put in order. Persons can.e at night and tore it all up, broke down the arbor, and over- turned everything in it ; so that it appeared as if it had been ravaged by a body of soldiers. My windows were broken with stones, which fell at my feet. All the night long per- sons were around the house, making a great noise, threaten- ing to break it in, and utteiing personal abuse. I have learned since who put these persons upon their wicked work. " It was at this time that notice reached me that I must go out of the diocese. Crimes were tolerated, but the work of God, resulting in the conversion and sanctifi cation of souls, could not be endured. All this while I had no un- easiness of mind. My soul foand rest in God ; F never re pented that I had left all to do what seemed to me to be his mil. I believed that God had a design in everything which took place; and I left all in his hands, both the sorrow and the joy. " "It pleased God," she say.s, 'to make use of me in the conversion of two or three ecclesiastics. Attached to the prevalent views and practices, their repugnance to the doc- trines of faith and of an inward life was at first great. One of these persons at first vilified me very much. But God at length led him to see his errors, and gave him new dispositions. "People," says Madame Guyon, ''flocked together from in this hovel. It ittleness andsini Jlirist." Hcl not to let her ^rate all the un The little gar- Persons came at irbor, and over- ns if it had been iws were broken e nightlong per- ; noise, threaten- abiise. I have >n their wicked me that I must 1, hut the work ianctification of ) I had no un- 5d ; r never re- to me to be his erything which the sorrow and ^ of me in the ttached to the tice to the doc- rst great. One ich. But God rave him new together from MADAM £ GUYON. 31 all sides, far and near. Friars, priests, men of the world, maids, wives, widows, all came, one after another, to hear what was to be said. So great was the interest felt, that for some time I was wholly occupied from six o'clock in the morning till eight in the evening, in speaking of God, It was not possible to aid myself much in my remarks by medi- tation and study. But God was with me. He enabled me, in a wonderful manner, to understand the spiritual condition and wants of those who came to me. Many were the souls which submitted to God at this time ; God knows how many. Some appeared to be changed as it were in a moment. Delivered from a state in which their hearts and lips were closed, they were at once endued with gifts of prayer, which were wonderful. Marvellous, indeed, was the work of the Lord. «' They were grievously chagrined, says Madame Guyon, " that a woman should be so much flocked to and sought after. For looking at the things as they were in them- selves, and not as they were in God, who uses what instru- ment he pleases, they forgot, in their contempt for the instrument, to admire the goodness and grace manifested through it. The good brother, however, first converted persevered in his efforts, and after a time persuaded the Superior of the House to come, and at least to thank me for the charities of which he knew I had been the agent. "He came. We entered into conversation. The Lord was present, and was pleased so to order my words, that they reached his heart. He was not only affected but was at last convinced and completely gained over to the views which he at first opposed. So much so, that he bought quite a number of religious books at his own expense, and circulated them widel^." About this time, she wrote a little book entitled, "A 3 ! r {..1 I"' -48 > ft rf3 32 SHINING LIGHTS. Short Method of Pravpr " ^r. i • ' They experienced so much benefit from it th.f ,u Superior said to me 'I «,n K. ' *^® result, in great spiritual blessing,. ' '' " ''^'>"^'"' ».e7^:oT:tiii:'''/"""r '^"'' •' --o ■-» ^ "'8' religious House these forty years an^ ^o practised the form r.f r>„ , •'^ years, and have tery, the members oTth r^etT' '^ T'" "°^^^- opposed to me. ' " ^'"^'^^' ""^'y "^"^^^ "God also made me of serviVo t^ nuns, virtuous younc women T " ^'''^* '^""'^^^ ^^ A ^wuxig women, and even mpn nf f^^ 1 1 oi Mir L71" 3 t-i "' '"' -er„;Lf KnT,;;?, ueu to understand somethin'» Kingston. Jamaica, they were „ °°J "'"*"' " "^y- ^'1 and of seventy-six sdl ilTh 1°'^''"' ""^ » '•""^-'e, destruction. • " "" '"*■•'«"■' ""'y one escaped lad was abandoned il7rerCt:°''"r; ^"^ P^ , without money or friends a^ l' V •""* °' Kingston, MI. Here he'-poJere:' Tuch I'lb" *° "'' °» ■" '""B- hfa own condition similar t^ht » r" T/' ™"'"'''"»« a L„„do„ e.p,,i„, he ret„;n^\ " ^d 'Z '^"^ "' shipped with a Guinea slaver bo,m/f lu ' ^ '''" ""O" and the West Indies. A greL^r "u, t T' °' ^"«' ter, he writes, he firmlytebW^ """• '''' »'"' "as- negre savages he receded '1- T' '"''^- ^""" *he countrymen Tb^Z^V ?^'^ "^" '""^ ^^^ "wn a slave shi^^ere Zf ^"^ """"^ °* "■"* floating he!l-! down unde^ thlTat^^rh:"^'^ '"^^^''«'- «~ cated in a single night.' Drivt ^"^ Z'"' "°" ^'"^°- wrong, the slaves rie in mZv '^ ^ ""'"^^ *'"' tyrants, many plunged overh^ T °''"'T»«'»'^ by their and bloodshldf and rl r'.""'"'"'*™''- !■-' mariners," says Told. Ce^m^' ™^ """'^'■•amed. ..Tie tion." The u^nhappy S^JT^ "V^*"- »" damna- plunged recklessly -Lst vet T" 7'° "<""P™onships, his terrified oonsdent:;s':t ^^ %--^ »' ^oO. hell and the judgment °°' '""■ of death, that " every one of them sSd It Z "*" '"'"""^ ceremony." The prize witi i„ . f"^' *■"• "-"bout ever, but only to ^wrecT,^' *:'!"' 7"'=''' '^^' "•"■ •P°" "'^ky shore. The crew SILAS TOLD. hort allowance of a i water a day. At an by a hurricane, > only one escaped 89 1 seamen were cast ultures. The poor port of Kingston, to die on a dung- ' case, considering led from death by tnd, and was soon ^e coast of Africa than his new mas- asted. From the lan from his own lat floating hell ribed. Battened 3argo' were suffo- ■ by outrage and owered by their drowned. Lust strained. «' The ath and damna- companionships, e mercy of God, fear of death, ch Told sailed ^ were informed I, and without ts escape, h«w- 5re. The crew ere rescued by a New England vessel, but were again recked on Martha's Vineyard. After several other voyages, in one of which, through stress •f weather, the ship's company could dress no food nor jhange their wet clothing for six weeks, the whole crew were ressed for the Royal Navy. Some time after Told, having married, and becoming dis- usted with the wickedness of a sailor's employment, gave ) a seafaring life, and found employment with a builder London. One day a young bricklayer asked him some question n business. He answered him roughly, which treatment ;he young man received with much meekness. « This," says "old, "struck me with surprise." That young man, by his leek silence, had preached an eloquent sermon, which led Told's conversion, and, through him, to the conversion of ultitudes of others. Told was at length induced to go to early Methodist ser- ice at " the Foundery." He found it a ruinous old place, hich the Government had used for casting cannon. It ad been abandoned, and wa3 much dilapidated. Above |he smoke-begrimed rafters was seen the tile roof-covering, few rough deal boards were put together to form a tem- lorary pulpit. Such was the rude cradle of that wondrous ild of Providence called Methodism. Exactly at five •'clock a whisper ran through the large congregation that lad assembled, " Here he comes, here he comes ! " Told ixpected to see some farmer's son, who, not able to support limself, was making a penny in this low manner. Instead f this, he beheld a learned clergyman of the Established Church arrayed in gown and bands. The singing he much njoyed, but the extempore prayer spvced rather of dis- lent for Told's sturdy churchinanship. Wesley's text was, I '1 P 40 SHINING LIGHTS. ■""• -. " A» long alTlZi'T'^ "1 """■ °' --4he ■ he excW„,ed with a cha mlrir """■ '"'"" """ "■'"vL»o was soon „et by ^^^^"Tjn'T ™''"'^^' "fhri Whitfielditer- jeer~bo„„ ' ■ ^°'''' "^ ^°" |-ke you are barn, if you folll 2 """'T "^^ '"' "fk^ ™ ished those ,.alous e„el Is „ MeTr 'T ''" «'"-|«art. although, he says '-a wo thv 1 ''''''«''™- His wite alsoiibes "nd said : .. I hope ZlT' "'1 ''°'"*»'" ^-o™ "t hi.f among those n,i,oreantI -■ Hrf ^^ '"' """' «1 however, .verca™ her „;posit.W '™™" """ "*«H lold was soon requested bv Mr W..I. » teaching o( the charity ehilfenatl!';^ to undertake thJ the salary of ten shiulg, a weet At 7 "'^"''""'' 1 tinued for seven vear. L ■ T' ■ ■"' """''^ he con from five in tkeZT2!^T *''\"™'™ """'^ •"« "arj and sun,me.-. D^ri™ ?h ! T '\"'7'^""«. hoth winteJ and seventy-five bo;:,'':^ of-wlot wr^f'^" ''"H was sick andil^lr^ ^"^''^ «""» the words, " ous-hearted sar::^rJ::rrnr h- ^"r-a— what was now revealed as a m.n-f !! * "^ "'S'*"' ofland ob with horror of n.ind beyoL expr:^^: t' ""' ""^ ""^^urop, malefactors were lying L New^Z„der ^r'"' '.'f ^^'i*' ^" he committed his school withl.t T ? ™° °* doathBand p, ca^of the usher, and hal' JnX .h " ''"'^' *" *''«°' "^'^ Silas Told had at leugTh fofnd h ^ "T"' ■-'"<'»« thirty yea™ he continued tb„r::Tr f ' ^^^ -f -'iou I^ndon and the neighboring town, i r ''""S""^ ofisought ° towm _oft«u literally to bur-| The ohi SILAS TOLD. because youi* sins ai, the h^art of the loiu ig its ]oad of sorro.. 3ver leave this man,' merous impulse. H at, Told, are you nions. "As sure a; ire damned," admon ism. His wite also, mian," swore at hiii 1 among the Meth than you shall g ness and affection 41 jy to undertake the Foundery school, at this work he con- ren under his car< ening, both wintei] ;ated.two hundred 3 tit for any trade] . attended the fiv( )m the words, not." Thegener aj his neglect oj ty, and was fillecl| learning that ten lentence of death, r's delay, to th( m. an. For five and, ;he dungeons ofj literally to bur- row for many of them were underground-carrying the hght and liberty of the Gospel to their dark cells, afd to the still darker hearts of their inmates. The unvarnished story of his experiences abounds in incidents of the most hrilhng and often harrowing interest. He was often locked up with the felons all night before their execution • he sat beside them as they rode to the gallows in the death- cart, with the halter on their necks, sharing with them the lubes and sneers, and sometimes the missiles, of the inhuman ^obwho gloated on their misery; he prayed with them Id exhorted and comforted them as they stood on the .rmk of eternity; he begged or purchased their bodies for .urial ; and often succored their wretched and suffering :amilies^ He led many to repentance and forgiveness of .ms. Hardened criminals broke down under his loving .xhortations; and turnkeys, sheriffs, and hangmen wept as ;hey listened to his prayers. Friendless and degraded out- casts clung to him for sympathy and counsel, and through ,he manifestation of human love and pity caught a glimpse .f the infinite love and pity of him who died as a malefac- tor to save the malefactors. Through his influence the ^^elons cell became to many the ante-chamber of heaven- and to those that sat in darkness, and affliction, and terror' light and joy and gladness sprang up. The ribald oaths and obscene not of the British gaols-then the vilest in Europe, save those of the Inquisition-often gave place to the singing of Christian hymns, and the voice of prayer land praise. At one time Told had a Methodist society of thirty members, and at another of thirty-six members among the poor debtors of Newgate, yet was he "very cautious of daubing them with untempered mortar," but sought to bring about their real and permanent conversion. Ihe chief opposition to this Christ-like work came from the M !^i ' .' '•>! 48 SHINING LIGHTS. "ordinaries," or chaplains, whose hireling and hekrtless service was put to sha.ae by the intense and loving zeal of this voluntary evangelist. But he burst through every obstacle, and, -in the name of God, would take no denial " The appalling condition of that prison world, with which he became so familiar, makes one recoil with horror. In many of the prisons there was little or no classifica- tion of age or sex, and hardened felons became the teachers m crime of youthful offenders against cruelly unjust laws The extortion, and rapacity, and inhumanity of gaolers and turnkeys seem to be almost incredible. The dungeons reeked with squalor, and wretchedness, and filth. Honest I debtors were confined sometimes for years in odious cells • and as a favor were permitted, caged like wild beasts, tol solicit the precarious charity of passers-by. Men and women were dragged on hurdles to Tyburn, and hanged by the score, for forgery, for larceny, for petty theft, and, worst of all, Told cites certain instances which demonstrate -by the subsequent discovery of the real criminal -that sometimes innocent persons had fallen victims to this san- guinary code. Such were some of the checkered scenes in which this hum- ble hero bore a prominent part. He was not only a remark- able trophy of divine grace, but an example of the power of Methodism to use lowly and unlettered men in evangelistic and philanthropic work. And what was the inspiration of this unwearying zeal ? It was the entire comecration of an earnest soul to the service of its Divine Master After having done all the good in his power, he cheer- ful y resigned his soul into the hands of his heavenly Father, in December, 1779, in the sixty-eighth year of his « w n . '' '''' '^''"^*' "^""^^^^ *^i« blessed welco'me, >^ell uone, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." REV. JOHN FLETCHER. 48 KEV. JOHN FLETCHER. FoiiN W. DE LA Flrtchbr was born September 12, 1729, it Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland, of a distinguished family. He was educated at Geneva, where he studied profoundly )oth in philology and philosophy. At an early age he was, to a certain extent, master of many languages. It was in the beginning of 1755, when Fletcher was twenty-six years )f age, that he passed through deep convictions of sin and contrition of soul into the joyous consciousness of the divine forgiveness, through trurt in Christ alone. His conversion i^as sound and clear. At once he began to " exercise him- self unto godliness." In 1756, he was a member of a [ethodist class in London. A ticket bearing the name of ^' John Fletcher," dated " February, 1757," is extant. Rev. ^. W. Macdonald, one of his biographers, says, ** By the lelp of manuscripts carefully preserved, though not hitherto [made public, it is possible to draw very near to the devo- tional life of Fletcher, at this period of his history. A locument, which affords pathetic insight into the depth and bkoroughness of his consecration of himself to God, now jlies before us. It is a solemn covenant, drawn up in Latin, and covers the two sides of a parchment nine inches by five lin size. It is exquisitely written in a round, legible hand. JAU this evinces the serious and painstaking character of ■the act. The opening sentence, which is in Greek, reads Ithus : " In the name of God, the Creator of heaven and learth. Amen. O most high Jehovah, only God, Father, Son I and Holy Ghost ; I, the vilest of vile, worst of the sons of Adam, an apostate spirit, a man utterly undone, resolve to consecrate myself to thee, my Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier." In the humblest strains of penitential confession, he pro- 1 i •,-!■ 44 SHINING LIGHTS. hin. through life h,/ 1!? ^ '"^""'"''''- "« '«'?' ''V «ene™, ™„ and its deraL p,: i ? w'T ''°V revealed to us the secret „f ,, .P"""'f' ^" have thus jHtua, .„d progrer: ch t r^ir^'^-'T"^ nttstr-j: r ^--rrted'jh.rdi: deflnitea^d^^elllt r T"'"* *'«' ' ""'«' "- • in what he r^^^f s"h;„?;;:«"f "*^ '""■»""- »' -"»-"l by divine grace .1 1, I ' ''' "" * "'"*'«■• »' '«*. was, -t-the iS ; or:tt :r"r"°" *» ^"^ ^ «"' - »" habitude of his b^Lg" """■'"'''' '"'"""-» 'he abiding He prepared a small manual of devotion, ■. wV l. ■ haps the most rital of all Pletoh..'; , ' ^"''' " P*""" directly his interior life and the sn'r ".' -"^''^Smore daily devotions. It consist, f '^'" "'"' ""^"""^ °' his Testament under the Cnl'Xr 'T ''' «'«'' 5-««rfy Ufe. selections orch'aXs w^,„ T""""' *'"' known and prized bv the w„ 77 ^"^^"y^ hymns, now are also Fle'c ^,'„t Z;":.: '""^r"'""'™' ^''- oepts." Among the ruls for^ lT',-7 """' *"'' P™" iish, the following mal ;:,t,ed 1' "'^' "^"^■' ™ ^"«- "■st:t'^ht.!i:r""''-"^«'''»'«' Christ. hi. at every wl/l'j-fr^^ 'T™ ^■"' -"-" 'awful actions. Renri't^^^^'ra^'th 1" 'T T" '" de.igrt^t:n;'rh:::r''' r"'^- ^p^^^- sanctify. ^ *^^' P'^'^^ a"minunion. There eotions and pre. written in Eng- fch Christ, i^n will; consult rn leave even in t can hinder thy i^e. nsible, spiritual I comfort than i^iedge, but pro- love to God. "Receive afflictions as the best guides to perfection. Ue.uember always the presence of God. '• Rejoice always in the will of God. " Direct all to the glory of God " This little book was Fletcher's co.upanion in hi. hours of vate prayer and couuuunion with God. Thus he nour- tied his soul in secret. With the«, and other .-ulea he loved to bind his free „ of the regenerate life. „„., „ot ,,„ ,,,^ ,„ ^^^,P^, ith ent,re confidence in their sufficient working. He ."«ht to s rengthen then, by n.editation, to sustain then, p.ntual exercsea and discipline; he furnished then, th tests and standards, and „,ade self-examination definite bd precsa He sought perfection at once in s„pre,„e love God, and m the minutest details of chan^ter and con- For full salvation he thus prayed • "Suddenly come into thy temple. Turn out all that I ou fibrt'i^r-"^' "'" ''""-"y "" *'-* ■'-p' shall It """■ """"'"' ^"^ '^y Christian people; I sha 1 1 keep a sp,ntual sabbath, a Christian jubilee to the h wh ch thou ano,ntest perfect Christians above thei^ low^behevers. I stand in need of that oil, I.„r<| ■ ,„„ .at of the foohsl, virgms ; it is more like a smoking flax '::fltr^""'^'"""=""«'"- ««--•> it not: rals: mes grieved thy pardoning love, thine .ve.la.*.-„» — , i, "' "■«'«■■•>«' to redeen, my life from dest^c on, "while ¥ 13* ; '..ii 46 SHININO LIGHTS. thy right hand is over me to crown me with mercies and loving-kindness. But, alas ! I am neither sufficiently thank- ful for thy present mercies, nor sufficiently athirst for thy future favors. Hence, I feel an aching void in my soul, be- ing conscious that I have not attained the heights of grace described in thy Word, and enjoyed by thy holiest servants. Their deep experiences, diligences, and the ardor with which they endured the cross, reproach me, and convince me of my manifold wants. " I want • power from on high,' I want penetrating last- ing * unction of the holy one,' I want my vessel (my capa- cious heart), full of oil, which makes the countenance of wise virgins cheerful. I want a lamp of heaver.ly illumination, and a fire of divine love burning day and night in my heart, as the typical lamps did in the temple, and the sacred fire on the altar. I want a full application of the blood which cleanseth from all sin, and a strong faith in thyi sanctifying word^.— a faith by which thou mayest dwell in my heart, as the unwavering hope of glory, and the fixed object of ray love. I want the eternal oracle— thy still small voice, together with Urim and Thummim ; 'the name which none knoweth but he that receiveth it.' In a word, Lord, I want a plenitude of thy Spirit, the full promise of the Father, and the rivers which flow from the inmost souls of the believers, who have gone on to the perfection of their dispensation. " I do now believe that thou canst and wilt thus 'baptize me with the Holy Ghost and with fire;' help me against my unbelief ; confirm and increase my faith with regard to this I important baptism. Lord, I have need to be thus baptized! by thee, and I am straitened till this baptism is accomplished.] By thy baptism of tears in the manger, of water in Jordan of sweat in Gethsemane, of blood, of fire, and vapor of smokeJ REV. JOHN FLETCHER. 47 im : 'the name gr in -Xorf}.'?.!! of apor of smokeJ and flaming wrath on Calvary, baptize, O baptize my soul, and make as full an end of the original sin, which I have from Adam, as thy last baptism made of the likeness of sinful flesh, which thou hadst from a daughter of Eve. Some of thy people look at death for full salvation from sin ; but at thy command. Lord, I look to thee. "Say to my soul, 'lam thy salvation,' and let me feel with my heart, as well as see with my understanding, that thou canst save from sin to the uttermost all that come unto God through thee. I am tired of forms, professions and orthodox notions, s ) far as they are pipes or channels to convey life, light and love to my dead, dark and stony heart. Neither the plain letter of the Gospel, nor the sweet foretastes and transient illuminations of thy Spirit can satisfy the large desires of my faith. "Give me thy abiding Spirit, that he may continually shed abroad thy love in my soul. Come, O Lord, with that blessed Spirit; come thou and thy Father, in that holy Comforter ; come to make thy abode with me, or T shall go meekly mourning to my grave. Blessed mourning ! Lord increase it. I would rather wait years for thy fulness, than wantonly waste the fragments of thy spiritual boun- ties, or feed with Laodicean contentment upon the tainted manna of my former experiences. Righteous Father, I hunger and thirst after thy righteousness ; send thy Holy Spirit of promise to fill me herewith, to sanctify me through- out, and to 'seal me completely to the day of eternal redemp- tion ' and finished salvation. Not for works of righteous- I ness, which I have done, but of mercy, ' for Christ's sake,' [Save thou me, by the complete washing of regeneration, and the full renewing of the Holy Ghost. And, in order' I to do this, pour out thy Spirit ; shed him abundantly on I me, till the fountain of living waters abundantly springs up lit i S'h ' 41, -i ij ''A' h' I ■* m SHINING LIGHTS. in n,y soul and I can say, in the full sense of the words, that thou hvest in me, that my life is hid with Christ in C.od and that my spirit is returned to him that gave it • to thee, the first and the last, my Author and .„y end. my God and my all," "^ He had prestige of birth, being a Swiss of good faudly He was not without inherited wealth and expectant of more ; his scholarship was considerable ; he lacked not ambition. In early life he was an officer in the army • he was received into the best society in his adopted country- England-and might have become a favorite ; but he was above all and better than all, acknowledged and admired as a man of God "--the saintly Fletcher." Never was this epithet more accurately applied^ it may be said, even honored, "for seraphic piety, for sanctity, that had no per- ceptible spot or flaw, he stood alone." Wesley says I was intimately acquainted with him more than thirty years During a journey of many hundred miles, I conversed with him morning, noon and night, without the least reserve and in all that time I never heard him speak an improper word or saw him do an improper action. Many exemplary men have I known, holy in heart and life, within fourscore years; but one equal to him I have not known-one so inwardly and outwardly devoted to God. So unblamable a character in every respect I have not found either in Europe or America." Southey says, " Fletcher, in any communion, wou d have been a saint." Isaac Taylor says, '«He was a ^mt, as unearthly a being as could tread the earth at all." Robert Hall says, "Fletcher is a seraph who burns with the ardor of divme love. Spurning the fetters of mortality he almost habitually seems to have anticipated the rapture of the beatific vision." In 1769, Fletcher, at the 4u-^ of Lady Huntingdon, became president of her seminary for REV. JOHN FLETCHER. 49 educating young men for the mmistry, at Trevecca, in Wales. Benson describes Fletcher at Trevecca, in the fol- lowing glowing language : " The reader will pardon me if he thinks I exceed ; my heart kindles while I write. Here it was that I saw, shall I say, an angel in human flesh. I should not far exceed the truth if I said so. But here I saw a descendant of fallen Adam, so fully raised above the sins of the fall, that though by the body he was tied down to earth, yet was his whole conversation in -heaven ; yet was his life from day to day hid tvith Christ in God. Prayer, praise, love and zeal, all >rdent, elevated above what one would think attainab . this state of frailty, were the ele- ments in which h-; coriinually lived. Languages, arts, sciences, grammar, rhetoric, logic, even divinity itself, as it is called, were all laid aside when he appeared in the school- room among the students. And they seldom hearkened long before they were all in tears, and every heart caught fire from the flame that burned in his soul." He was emi- nent, as a controversial writer, for point, acuteness and logical skill. His Checks to Antinomianism, says Dr. Stevens, " are read more to-day than they were during the excitement of the controversy. They control the opinions of the largest and most effective body of evangelical clergy- men on the earth." On the 14th of August, 1785, he died in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection. i ' I 50 SHINING LIGHTS. LADY MAXWELL. Lady Darcy Maxwell, whose maiden name was Brisbanej was bom in Scotland about 1742. She was married to Sir Walter Maxwell, Bart,, of Pollock, about 1759. Two years! after she was deprived of her husband by death, and shortly! after of her son and only child. This painful dispensation] of Providence was sanctified to her salvation. From this time, her life — her talents, position, vealth, learning, and heij whole being were dedicated to God. In 1764 she became personally acquainted with Mr. Wesley. At this earh period, a uiutual attachment was formed, which continued steady and unabated until his death. Tliis acquaintance,! doubtless, tended in a measure to regulate her views, and! to guide her determinations throughout the remainder of| her life. After her justification, she invariably hungered and! thirsted after full salvation, a deliverance from all iuwardl corruption, and to be filled with all the fulness of God.| Soon after the commencement of 1787, she entered into the experience of this long-coveted blessing, and bore consistent testimony that the bitter root of sin was destroyed. "Lady Maxwell's experience from this time— to use heij own expression — evidently ran in a deeper channel. She had for years walked with God ; but now her walk became] more intimate and familiar. She had long felt ' the powers! of the world to come ; ' after this she frequently felt as if on! the borders of immortality, holding converse with its hea-j venly inhabitants. Her faith, in a measur., drew asidel the veil of sensible things, and enabled her to contemplatel With a steady eye invisible and eternal realities. *Whilei an indescribable emptiness appeared impressed on all terresJ •Kfl^^'^'K LADY MAXWELL. 51 rial objects,' her affectionate powers were concentrated and Ixed on Jehovah. To promote the glory of God, to extol Ihe riches of his grace, to exalt the Saviour, to recommend re- leeming love, tCodek the salvation of souls, was especially from [his period, her only and delightful eniployment. This was the llement in which she lived, and moved, and breathed. Though Itill conscious of her own nothingness and weakness — though Itill the subject of temptation — called to wrestle with princi- palities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this irorld — yet her spiritual enjoyments became deeper, solid, lonstant ; and her frames less subject to fluctuation." In a letter to Miss Ritchie — ^one of her devoted corres- }ndents — she says : "Since January last, the Lord -*-«is sen sensibly increasing my little stock ; not only niaking ironderful discoveries of the glory of God the Father, God Ihe Son, and God the Holy Ghost, as distinct persons, yet the same in substance — equal in power and glory ; but also Ulowing me such nearness to, and deep communion with Ihe sacred Three, as was at times almost too much for the [lay tenement, and seemed in a great measure to break off ly connection with mortality. O the heavenly, the inex- [)ressibly delightful interviews with the Lord Jesus, with i^hich I have often been lately indulged ! I cannot convey jny adequate idea of them ; perhaps your own experience nil better inform you At times the solemn grandeur of keavenly majesty was sweetly tempered and softened by re- [leeming love. At other seasons, I have been called to stand the presence of the most high God himself ; when sacred [iwe filled my soul, and all around seemed filled with the presence of Jehovah. T felt as if I stood on holy ground. It other times. Father, Son and Holy Ghoac, have so sur- Eouuded me, that I proved, in the full extent of the words, Ihe 'overwhelming power of saving grace.'" In a letter to >^1 If* ^f""*^ 52 SHINING LIGHTS. the Rev. Alexander Mather, she says : '' I have to Hgl] every inch of ground, not only without, but sometime within, when the powers of darkness are permitted, for wia ends, to molest me. Then I feel driven to a corner- al human help fails, and I prove, in ^ peculiar manner, that stand by faith ; and even in that way, onlv by the might! exertions of divine power in my behalf. Far the time, fait] seems stripped of all its fruits, and but for the direct J by which, in spite of men and devils I keep my hold o Christ, I should utterly fail. But, in general, these verl trying seasons of inward distress are short. God sool rebukes the adversary, and brings me again into a wealth] pt^e, and I dwell within the veil." Again she writes! My God IS to me as a pla e cf brop,d rivers, wide and deep. I rest in him. Sinking into dm, I lose myself and prove a life of fellowship with Deity, so divinely swee^ that I would not relinquish it for a thousand worlds. It i indeed, a narrow path ; but love levels every mountain makes all easy." On the death of Mr. Wesley she wrote to a friend • «' I| 18 impossible for me to tell you how good God has been me 01 this mournful occasion. A springtide of pure, pel feet love has filled n.y soul. I have felt such a sinl mg into Jehovah, so lost in his immensity, as I cann^ express ; no rapturous joy, but a full sea of holy humbj love. My heart was melted into deep gratitude ; its te( derest feelings were called forth : and every degree of tha, anxiety about future events-which brings weakness intl the soul— was entirely excluded. What can I render tf the Lord for this exuberance of his goodness, so well suitel to my present feelings, while mourning the loss of a valuabll fnend— a most useful minister of Christ. Truly I am „jadl to rise above the grave of my departed friend. ' I trace hii' LADY MAXWELL. 53 s: '^I have to Hjjl lout, but sometinii re permitted, for wii ven to a corner ; ai :uliar manner, that only by the might; For the time, faitl ut for the direct cki I keep my hold oj general, these ver; > short. God sooi igain into a wealth' Again she writesi p.d rivers, wide an( lira, I lose myself y, so divinely sweetj isand worlds. It ii 3 every mountain te to a friend : «' ll Dod God has been ngtide of pure, peJ felt such a sinl ensity, as I cannc sea of holy humbj gratitude; its tej >very degree of thf !-ings weakness int| i.t can I render Iness, so well suitej le loss of a valuablj Trulv I am rnadi piend. I trace hii orshipping before the throne, and by faith hold fellowship ith his spirit." January 7, 1792, she wrote in her diary : Early on Sunday morning, the first day of the year, I had most wonderful display of the love and power of the riune God. This continued for many hours in its full trength, and, in a degree, for several days. It was a most emora*^le season. I proved the overwl Iming power of aving grace. I would not here attempt to give the great utlines ; for no human pen can describe all I felt and saw. arly on Sunday morning, in secret prayer, God the Father nd Son drew very nigh. A sense of the divine presence so penetrated my inmost soul that it arrested the whole powers of my mind, in deep and solemn attention. A spirit of supplication was then poured upon me for myself and others ; while I felt m surrounded with Deity, so let into Jehovah, as no words can express. It seemed as if I might ask what I would, both for myself and others, with confidence that it should be done for me. This glorious and solemn interview continued till half-past ten. I then went to chapel, when it was greatly increased. The eter- nal world felt very nigh ; I seemed by faith to have come 'to Mount Zion —the heavenly Jerusalem. My spirit seemed mingling with its blessed inhabitants, while the sacred three appeared, as it were, encamping around me. It was glory past all expression ! I seemed to sink deeper into the boundless ocean of pure love. This did not appear to me a solitary blessing, but in a measure diffused through the whole congregation assembled for the purpose of show- ing forth tixe dying love of Jesus. I have learned that many were peculiarly blessed at that time." Again she wrote : " For some considerable time past, in our little class-meeting in my own house, we have been most uncommonly favored with the divine presence. Jeho- f 1^ 'I" i .' (hii 54 SHINING LIGHTS. in vah comes down, and consecrates the place with his pres- ence ; and we are all constrained to confess a present God. He overshadows and inexpressibly fills me with a deep, holy, reverential awe, sweetly tempered with love. I con- sciously feel that I speak under a sacred unction which reaches the hearts of others, and so affects my own, that it seems as if the curtain of mortality was drawn aside, and heaven opened to our view." Thus, this eminent saint continued to the very last to grow in grace, and to become more and more assimilated to the divine image. Tt is no wonder, then, that her death was triumphant. An eye-witness says : " She expired without a sigh, struggle, or groan ; and this was literally in answer to prayer. such a death-bed ! It appeared like the verge of heaven — like waiting in the sanctuary surrounded by angels and archangels — and above all, a place which the presence of God rendered sacred." Thus died Lady Maxwell, July 2, 1810. The society to which she belonged lost its oldest member, the world one of its best inhabitants, and the Church universal one of its brightest ornaments. The Rev. W. Atherton, in his " Sketch of the Life and Character of Lady Maxwell," says: "Her dress, which was as much dictates by conscience as founded on taste, was very plain, being without ornament, or anything that would serve only for show. Her talent for conversa- tion was very remarkable, calculated at once to profit and delight. It might be said of her that she spoke well on every subject. She was truly humble ; indeed to question this were to doubt her Christianity. She appears ever to have had such full and clear views of the divine perfections and of her own want of conformity to the '^ivine ima^e • such extended discoveries of her own relij,K .s privileges. LADY MAXWELL, oo and of her disproportionate iuiprovenient ; such a percep- tion of the attainments of others, placed in circunistan- as less favorable to advance in Christian holiness than her own, as overwhelmed her with a sense of her own unwor- thjness, and sunk her as into nothing before God. Few per- sons more fully estimated the full value of time, or more sedulously husbanded it than she did ; having in this, as in some other things, taken the father of Methodism for her model. " With her the characters of others were as sacred as their property. Speaking evil of the absent was not known in her presence, and even the attempt was seldom made. "There was no trait in Lady Maxwell's character more prominent and fair than her benevolence. Her ardent desire for getting good was not more intense than her wish to be useful to her fellow-creatures. Perhaps very few examples have occurred of means so comparatively limited being husbanded so well, as to produce so much benefit to mankind. She saved all that she could for the sole purpose of giving, and by this her funds were continually kept low. She was, as has been noticed, singularly plain in her dress, genteelly frugal in her household ; and thus, by avoiding every useless expense, she acquired the power of conferring more in charity than many possess with ten times her income. All that was in her power to do, she did to the very utmost. There was scarcely a humane institution, or a private or public charity, whether for the repose of age, or instruction of youth, the relief of indigence, or the help of sickness ; for the reformation of morals, or the spread and support of religion, from which she did not receive applications, and to which she did not contribute She erected and supported a schooi, in which, at the time of her death, about eight hundred children received a good :i^ 56 SHINING LIGHTS. hi' education; and each a copy of the Scriptures on leaving school. And such were the encouraging effects produced by this school as induced her ladyship, by will, to provide for its continuance to the end of time. As she was prepared for every good work, the subject of her charities is an almost endless one. Could the dead arist', and would the living speak, the sick she has relieved, the orphans pro- tected, and the friendless assisted; embanassc 1, honest tradesmen that she raised above difficulty ; modest merit which she brought into notice ; the youth which she instructed and sent out into the world — could these, or would they speak, an army would arise to bless her memory. But she not only employed her money, but her tongue, which was persuasive ; her pen, which was urgent, and her influence, which was mild, but powerful, among her friends, to obtain their assistance. And it has been said that there was no sum which she gave, however small, no institution which she patronized, nor an individual who became the object of her charity, but what she followed with particular, earnest prayer to God, that what she had done might receive his blessing." HESTEE ANN KOGEES. Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers was born at "Macclesfield, Eng- land, January 3 1st, 1756 Her father, the Rev. Mr. Roe, was a clergyman of the Church of England. He gave this daughter an excellent education, and instructed her in the principles of religion. She was not allowed to use the name of the Deity, but with the greatest reverence. When only HESTKR ANN ROOERS. ''1 four years of age, she was accustomed to retire for secret prayer, and many were the manifest answers which she re- ceived. 8he also took great delight in the Bible, and in ask- ing questions so as to understand what she read. The death of a brotlier when she was Hve years of age, and then the removal of her father four years after, made deep impressions upon her mind. This seriousness continued with her for some time, but at last, yielding to the solicitations of friends, she began to indulge in fashioTiable dress, dancing and other amusements. For several yeais she led a life of gaiety and pleasure, sometimes resolving she would do better, only to go deeper into folly. When she was about fifteen years of age she attended the preaching of the Rev. David Simpson, a Methodist minister, which brought great conviction on her mind. Horrified at her dreadful condition, she firmly resolved on turning to God, and at once threw aside all her superfluous ornaments, and dressed plainly. At length, while in the act of partaking of the Lord's Supper, God spoke peace to her soul, and she rejoiced greatly. A heavy cross was in store for her. All her relatives — including her mother — were greatly opposed to her going among the Methodists, and they threatened to disown her if she con- tinued to attend their meetings. The Saviour spoke to her heart, and said : "If any man will come after me. let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." To this she responded : " Lord, I will forsake all and follow thee ; I will joyfully bear thy cross, only give me thyself ! " God strengthened her greatly for this trial, and gave her a mouth and wisdom which all her enemies could not gainsay or resist. She implored' her mother not to confine her from Methodist meetings any more, offering to be a servant in her K/>iinn r.'^A *o 'J'^ "M aU™ -„„_i_ ie -v,- ij -.-1^ 1- - -II J '•••itcc;, c-.iia to \A.\j Oiil jiic wurK, ii aiic: L.-uuiu uUij uO uiiuweu to attend the Methodist meeting. Her mother consented, ' if I'kl « M %,"'- ■M it t 5H SHTNINO rjOHTS. xp«t,ng that ,h,. w„„|, .„„ ,,,„„„ „„^ ^„,, chin, T'.t """ ''■■-ni«-'e,l. Her^claughtTr cheer ul J accepted th,« „e.,i„l position, „„d Uhored faith- my ,„ her new eall.ng. Her evperienoe at this ti„,e i, hus relate,, in her diary : ^" | „ouid neither eat, nor " eep .-oh or n,a„y day, and night,. The love of \Z hed tnouRhts of the amazmg depths of grace which had plucked ».ea,ah™nd fron. the b„rni„, .,„ite overcame nfete , '"'' Sav,our, so unmerited and free, overflowed ml ™».,norhad , for eight months any i„t;rr„pt„ to ^y Not .cloud did arise, to darken my skies, Or hide tor a moment my Lord from my eyes.' Yet r had daily crosses to take up and endure, but I re- l o di d t^""' T""''" ""^"^ '" ^- '"^ «"- for hi" . vat,on fron, dangers which T knew not, and no weaDon formed against n=e hath prospered. Every triarhaTf m-nated in great good. I have been shelr^ ro,„ ev^r: Storm been fed with the riches of his love, and c^XrZ si tudTsI?"" "' "-'^ '"■"'' I "-' «-<) int^ «mi es, and shall be preserved to his glorious kingdom " It was not long, however, before she was led t see that mbred s.„ stil, remained i„ her heart; and shetad 2; painful experiences in battling with her bosom foe TU readmg of that inestimable book, •• Wesley's Hallccol' wis ':::" ^r'T^' ""• '^^ ■""<"' «°^' »- ^-^ -" was he. pnvilege to be cleansed from all sin and „1,„1. sancffied to Ood throughout her entire Jng."' She C^, I givo it up. r (laughter lored faith - his time is t, nor sleep Ood shed k ; and the "id plucked e me -me, so repeat - love of my flowed my ion to my but T re- 8 for him ought sal- ) weapon hath ter- om every omforted d in his om." see that id many )e. The Account e saw it wholly ionged, HESTER ANN H0GEK8. ^u •™t „„t,Ul„, k„e»- that she had l,e«n umde free £,■„,„ the .being of »,,,,,,<, „„^,„i„, ,,^ „„, ,,_„^^ °™ ''» .,. i :,::!:" ■" "'— '"""-I >«•.' of hu .„„„te:Z; ".|o.o,„g eve more, pr„j,i„g without .easing, »,„! i„ every thing g,v,„g th«nk8.' I resolved, however at Hr./ u" ..ot ope,,., declare what the Lo,.,' had w:;;^. HL' .een ,„ u,y countenance ; and, when asked r.p^i.n durst not den, the wonders ot hi, love- I «' f, J that ,.,,„at„,g his g„«|,.ess conhr.ned „,y „w„ f , . " .^"^ yt :r , , ^"1 " ;•'' ''" ^'^ '"- - '» d^caringT yea, and blessed others also- flmf r »it,.e.s to all who feared hil:! -^ -"«"•'"- His blood can make the foulest clean • His blood availed for me.' I dared not to live above a moment at a time and that longer I that lived, but Ch,.ist that lived in n,e» Again, slie writes :— " Glorv hp fn nr.A e xu , bath I ever knew t Mv 1.7 '''' *^^ ^'^'^ ^^^b- I .nnu . ^ ^'"'^^ ^*' "° ^^•'y ^«^k and poorlv I could not go to preaching ; but the Lord was with 2' and gave me fresh discoveries of m. . ' povertv «n^ «f k- ' ", "®^ °* ^»y own emptiness and poverty, and of his abundant fulness Th^c^ j ■n you : as the branch cannot bear fn.it „f ;»..„ ...._ . -e in the vine, „o .ore can ,e, except'yeatderr.. " 60 SHINING LIGHTS. " r WHS so liappy that I could not sleep in the night O what deep communion did my soul enjoy with God i It was indeed, a foretaste of heaven itself. O n.y blessed Lord, I rejoice that I am thy purchased property, and not "ly own, and to thee I gladly yield spirit, soul and body. "For some days it has been a season of outward trials with me ; but I have enjoyed fellowship with God, and great inward comforts. I have ever found, when he gives peculiar grace, he pern,its it to be tried ; but I prove 'as my day is, so is my strength.' Yes, glory to his name alone, I am more than conqueror ! and feel it the constant language of my heart — •"No cross, no suffering I decline, Only let all my heart be thine.'" Through all she endured much bodily weakness, yet her seraphic spirit mounted higher and yet higher in divine things. Hear the following glorious testimony :— " 1 was so happy in the night that I had very little sleep, and I awoke with these words, ' The temple of an indwelling God i' My soul sunk into the depth of nothingness, and enjoys closer union with him this day than ever before. Every moment I feel such a weight of love as almost overpowers the faculties of nature ! I know I could bear no more and live ; but I often feel ready to cry, O give me more and let me die » I long to be freed from the earth ! But help me. Lord, to wait resigned, willing to suffer, or do for thee ! I need not lay this body down to feel thy presence! Thou dwellest in my heart, and shalt forever dwell ! Thou art my present heaven— my soul's eternal all. "I went to bed last night so full of the love of God I could not sleep for several hours; but continued in secret intercourse with my Savi.ur. At preaching this morning HESTEK ANN ROGEKS. gj I was so overcome with the love, and presence, and exceed support It ! It was long before T nr..,i,i 4. 1 All 4^1,- J T , ** ueiore 1 could stand or snenlf t At the love-feast I was again overwhelmed with his inune diate presence ! AH around me is God ! Within his circling arms I lie Beset on every side. ' " Her diary abounds witl, such testimonies as the above Another stnk.ng feature of this saintly woman's exneri ZitTsh'/t™'' '"'"™""'°" -"■ «-•■ pZlTZ Tr . uty. She testAes, " that she kept a diary of her life frll 12 ;■ ".""""" '" '''^~'" ''- -venteent yl7" .11 wth.n a few days of her death, amonntin,; with heTlet e. and other manuscripts, to not less than fL^thou d paceof'Tirh'' T' '^^ "''"^'^ "'— '•>»* ™"h space of more than twenty years she enjoyed constant fj lowshipand communion with the triune aT^TrT forsook hpr fir.t i„ , «"Bne l,od, and she never E eTrinlto !V ' ""l ?* * ^"^* "' *'"' <"""« '"or." neternng to a sermon she heard Breached «„ .t j- x- relative offices of Father, Son, an^d^Wt, the slys'a Whtle tlusT?- "' '" '■"<'»="''' *" "" around m While thus lost m communion with mv Savio,,,. ).« i those words to n,y heart : ■ All that I Zve ilth^e , T J am thine! My Spirit is thine! My Father is thine ir«rist7:ii\:Tast^«::t "''^ '^ ''■■-• ~ "'iiith"' »- — - "r:"o;«: presence. All thjs was so fpoK-^^j x. , , . ° r-„„t e.plai„, that I sanklwt .ro^iLCbei;— II ru ■ 41 ' li • aid ll'iNIJl 62 SHINING LIGHTS. to sustain the ^.eight of his glorious presc.nce and fulness ot love. At the altar this was renewed to me, but not in so large a measure. T believe, indeed, if this had continued as T felt It before, but for one hour, inottality nuist have been dissolved and the soul dislodged from its tenement of olay. Again she writes :-"In private prayer this morning my soul was let into God in a peculiar manner. My inter course truly was with Father, Son and Spirit, each dis- tinctly yet individually. I never felt more sweetness in offering and delivering up my will, all my desires, yea, every faculty of my soul, to the leadings aad guidings of the Holy Spirit; and that promise is very precious : ' He shall teach you all things.'" Mrs. Rogers was privileged with a very intin.ate acquaint- ance with those holy men-Revs. John Fletcher and John Wesley, from both of whom she received much spiritual good. -The accounts she gives of some of her interviews with these illustrious saints are deeply impressive. Writing to her cousin, Robert Roe, she says :— " As to myself, I see no end to my Lord's goodness. I find everv day an increase of love, joy, peace and union, close intimate union with the great Three-one. I feel I am very unworthy yet offering up myself and my services on that altar which sanctifieth the gift, my God accepts a worthless worm through his beloved Son. He who is higher than the highest, stoops to dwell in n, happy soul ; and I have communion with him as a man and a friend. Sometimes in the night he so fills my soul with his glorious presence, that I think it will burst its prison and wing away ; and then, O then, where should I be ? Surrounded with angels and convoyed by them to my God-my life, my treas- ure, and my crown ! I can even now scarce support the interviews HESTER ANN ROGERS. QQ blissful thought. O what a present heaven of love I feel > rt cannot be long before we lay these bodies down :- " ' Our conflicts here shall soon be past, And you and I ascend at last, Triumphant with our Head.'" Did space permit, we would insert some more of her deeply sp,„tual]etters, which are the breathings of a soul fully npe for glory, and are full of instruction in the deep thmgs of God, but we must forbear After a wonderful chain of divine providences, she was marned to the R.V. Mr. Rogers_a Methodist minister- August 19th. 1784, a man of like spirit wkh her own, and who proved to be a helpmate indeed. They labored together in perfect union, and wherever they went, God poured out his Spirit in converting and sanctify mgnower They were eminently useful in .spreading "pare P. .dehled religion " through the land. In the midst of excessive tons, travels and household duties, she still mam- tamed uninterrupted communion with God. She says •-- 1 awoke very happy this morning, with these sweet words- " 'God, the Almighty God, is thine ; See him to thy help come down, The Excellence Divine. ' t!^ ? ^Txr"^' ^ ^^''' "^"' """^'^S «" '^^^^ precious Scnpture Now we see through a glass, darkly.' It was, mdeed, a blessed season to my soul ; especially for a few minutes, when I felt what I cannot explain. Such a mani- fes ation of God as a Spirit, uniting himself to my spirit • such a real enjoyment of God as love, as holiness, as heaven,^ hat fu ness which thought cannot fathom. And all thi^ forme! My all, and in all; united inexplicably with mv spi». ; more than tilling all my powers with his effulgence III \m 64 SHINING LIGHTS. SO that I v/as wrapt in God. O my Lord, and shall I prove forever this vision, this fruition of thy fulness ? / knoio I shall. Thou hast given my soul a taste. Thou wilt give me the abiding reality when time is no more. O thou thrice holy God of love, my soul is lost ! Wonder and love overpower me quite. I am abased before thee, while I feel the sacred blessing mine." Mrs. Rogers was, indeed, " a burning and a shining light," and as such she was held in the highest estimation by the most godly people in Methodism. She died, as she had lived, in holy triumph, in 1794, aged thirty-nine years, during twenty years of which she had continually walked with God. Her husband gives his own experience on this very trying occasion : — " God alone can tell you what I felt in that dread moment, when the Lord gave the signal for dismission, and I was called to raiurn the last parting kiss ! For some time I could only breathe, as it were, in silent accents, ' O my God, let my latter end be like hers ! Come, O come quickly, and prepare me to follow her.' It is still the language of my bleeding heart — " ' O let me on her image dwell, The soul transporting spectacle, On whom even angels gaze ! A pious saint, matured for God, And 8k«\king off her earthly clod, To see his open face. " 'I see the generous friend si»cere ! Her voice still vibrates in my ear, The voice of truth and love ! It calls me to put off my clay, And bids me soar with her away, To fairer worlds above ! ' ♦* Well, thank God. a moment cannot always last ! And ' " ' He who set my partner free, Hhall quickly send for you and me. ' " WILLIAM CARVOSSO. 65 WILLIAM CARVOSSO. Hk was lx)rn March 11th, 1750, and was converted to God May 6th, 1771. He thus wrote of his experience- '* In the same happy frame of mind, which God brought me mto at my conversion, T went on Tor the space of three months, not expecting any m^re conflicts; but, O how greatly was I mistaken ! I was soon taught that had not only to contend with Satan and the world from without, but with inward enemies also, which now began to make no small stir. From my first setting out in the way to heaven I determined to be a Bible Christian. The Bible gave me a very clear map of the way to heaven, and told me that without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' It is impos- sible for me to describe what I suffered from 'an evil heart of unbelief.' My heart appeared to me as a small garden with a large stump of a tree in it, which had been recently cut down level with the ground, and a little loose earth strewed over it. Seeing something shooting up I did not like, I discovered, on attempting to pluck it up, the deadly remains of the carnal mind, and what a work must be done before I could be meet for the inheritance of the saints in kyht My inward nature appeared so black and sin- tul, that I felt it impossible to rest in that state. Some perhaps, will imagine that this mjjy have arisen from the want of the knowledge of forgiveness. That could not 1)6 the case, for I never had one doubt of my acceptance • the witness was so clear that Satan himself knew it was in vain to attack me from that quarter. What I now wanted ^^^mward holiness, and for this I prayed, and searched in t.e ocnpfcures. Among the number of promises which I tound m the Bible, that gave me to see it was my privilege 1.1 h'4 66 SiJiNlNG LIGHTS. to be saved from all sin, uiy mind was particularly direct«H? to Ezekiel 36:25-27. The more I exaaued tiie Smp- tures, the more I was convinced that without holinebt. there could be no heaven. Many were the lird struggles which T had with unbelief, and Sat iu told i,m ihat if I ever sh<>uld get it, I should never be able to retain it. But keeping close to the Word of Goke of Jesus Christ, "I well rcunember returning one night fronj i. meeting, with my mind greatly distressed for want of the blessing. I turned into a lonely barn to wrestle with God in secret prayer. While kneeling on the threshing-floor, agonizing for the great salvation, this promise was applied to my mind, ' Thou art all fair, my love ; there is no spot in thee.' But, like poor Thomas, I was afraid to believe, lest I should deceive myself. O what a dreadful enemy is unbelief ! I was a fortnight after this groaning for deliverance, and saying, ' O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' I yielded to unbelief, in- stead of looking to Jesus, and believing on him for the blessing ; not having then clearly discovered that the wit- ness of the Spirit is God's gift, not man's act, but open to all who exercise faith in Jesus, and the promise made through him. At length, one evening, while engaged in a prayer-meeting, the great deliverance came. I began to exercise faith, by believing / shall have the ble. . • now. Just at that moment a heavenly influence filled 'y-d :oom ■ and no sooner h. - T uttered the words irm ^ heaqt / sludl have the blsbi^yug now, than refining fii-. want through William carvosso. 67 1 tiii' Sciip- olinebt, there iggles which ever whould ceeping dose •ii^ppliciAi^'jii, ; ^as emptied of self and sin, and filled with God. I felt I was nothing, and Christ was all in all." ^ This was about nine months after his conversion. Un- hampered now by sin within, he begins a wonderful devel- opment of grace and divine knowledge. Endued with power from on high, he is ready for the battlefield, and soon the great commander has placed him at the front. As leader, he takes charge of a company of Zion's soldiers. For awhile his faith is tried, for he declares that he went on for some years without seeing much good done. Then comes victory as, one after another, he leads his class to the same victorious summits that he, through Christ, had gained. * Faithful in little, he was made leader of three classes. His humility deepens. His passion for souls becomes a - hving fire He says :_" With fear and trembling, I opened my mouth to beseech them to fly from the wrath to come " At service from cottage to cottage, in the workshop, and by the roadside, he captured souls. He snatched them from the very jaws of death. Stepping with a friend to the bed- side of a blacksmith who was very ill, he said :— " Well mv friend, we have come to inquire how you are" «I am very bad sir," said the poor man. «' How long have you been ilH" "Nearly ten weeks." "Indeed! b^t we have come to inquire more particularly how your mind is" Very bad, sir." "Indeed! what is the matter there?" ,T' r '"'^ ^ ^'^^ '^^"^'' " "-^- S''^^-*^ -^i^ner, are your' "O yes, sir." "Well, what did Jesus Chrisl die 68 SHINING LIGHTS. ■H; I' for ? " " For sinners ; but I am — " " Stop, now ; answer my question ; you say Christ died to save sinners ; did he die to save you?" "Yes, sir." "Well sir, if he died to save you, should you not praise hira 1 " " Yes, sir, but — " " Now, stay, my friend ; Just answer my questions. You admit that Christ died for you ; then should you not praise him?" "Yes, sir." "Come, then, my brother, lift up your voice and praise him. Glory be to God ! glory be to God ! Come, my brother, join with me to praise the Lord." Soon the sick man begins to utter words of praise, then looking away to his Redeemer, the Holy Spirit descends into his soul, and in the supreme joy of a soul redeemed on the brink of the grave, he shouts ; " Glory ! glory ! Praise the Lord ! " Although laboring hard upon a farm to earn his daily bread, he prayed for time, planned for time, and found time to discharge his duty as leader for his classes. He wrestled with God for the salvation of his household. He prevails, exclaiming, " Glory ! glory ! glory ! The Lord will save all my family ! " They were all con- verted. He often sought, expected, and received special baptisms of the Holy Ghost. Under their influc ice, though speaking with great plainness and simplicity, " his words of fire seemed to fasten like cloven tongues to every heart and often pierced like a two-edged sword." At times he was so burdened for the unsaved as to exclaim, " The weight of their awful state is so laid on my soul, that even my body is crushed with the load, and I can scarcely stand upright." Himself " dogged by temptation," yet victor over it, he could sympathize with others, and at the same time teach them to overcome. Of a member, lukewarm and remiss in duty, he says: "I can speak to him without much difficulty when I come to him with my own soul melt- WILLIAM CARVOSSO. 69 ow ; answer he died to It was thus that he labored. One of his members said of him, «'The kind pressure and constraining love with which he used to induce me to go to the class-meeting, was httle short of compulsion. T could not get out of his hands." At times his consciousness of the Divine Presence was such, that he declared that he was " so overpowered with the glory of God, that had there been a thousand suns shin- ing at noonday, the brightness of the divine glory would have eclipsed them all." Now God calls him from work to reward. He is ready. He must go by the way of the fiery furnace of affliction,' but he does not flinch. While tried in- the furnace, he says :— " I have been looking for my sins, but cannot find any of them ; they are all gone." The dross was consumed, but the gold the brighter shone. He pauses a little while on the margin of the spirit world. Here " his heart seemed to dance with rapture." While entering Paradise he re- peated the verse, '« Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," and then began to sing it; and thus singing praises, he passed into the world of spirits, there to shine forever October 13th, 1834. ' He is admired by the Church as one of the brightest stars that ever adorned her constellation of illustrious leaders. His success was not due to his culture, for he could not write until over sixty-five years of age ; nor high social posi- tion, for that was never his ; nor wealth, for he was poor. He triumphed through a resolute will, tireless energy, and sanctified common sense; and these all on fire with the Holy Ghosfc. It is supposed that hi^ visits, prayers, and exhortations were the means of hundreds of conversions. 'Ml 'i f L i I llUlilJIii 911 70 ST!/;';'N( lOHTS. ANN CUTLEE. The subject of this sketch was conv..^«^ .^der the Rev Wra. Bramwell, who wrote the fouowing account _ yetZTZrT''' near Preston, in Lancashire, in the year 7.>9. Till she was about twenty-six years of age, though .he was very strict in her morals, and serious in her deportment, yet she r.over understood the method of salvaraon by Jesus Christ, till the Methodist local preachers visited that neighborhood. After hearing one of them, she was convinced of sin, and from that time gave all diligence to obtain mercy. In a short time she received pardon, and her serious deportment evinced the blessing she enjoyed I was not long before she had a clearer sight into her own Heart ; and, though she retained her confidence of pardon she .v.,s yet made deeply sensible of the need of perfect love' In hearing the doctrine of sanctification, and believing that the blessing ,s to be received through faith, she expected instantaneous dehverance, a.d prayed for the poL to beheve. Her confidence increased ntil she could say "Jesus, thou wilt cler ^e mo 'rom al urighter usness ! J , - >.— «,^ i"igm-e( usness ! In the same year ot her finding mercy (1785), the Lord inth -iT ','' *''" ^'^^"" ^^^ ^--d - -king nto hami ity, lu.o .no dependence upon God. At this ^me her language was, « Jesus, thou knowest I love thee S^ Lit oTi'"^' / "°"^' ^^*^«^ -• ^^- grieve thy Spirit. O ! I cannot express h(, m,K . J iove Jesu. ! '' After this change something rem ,al appeared in nev countenance -a smile of sweet co..,osure. It was noticed ilZl " ' r^'T '' ''' '™^ ^^^"^«' -d i^ in-eased to the time of her death. In a few months she found a great desire for the salvation -" ^-' , t -lie sai\,ition VI Sinners, and often wept ANN CUTLER. 71 uiach in private ; and, at the same time, was drawn out to plead with God for the world in general. She did not know the meaning of this, and she found none that could either enlighten her mind or encourage her views. Her con- cern increased ; and nearly every time I saw her I wrs asked for mstructioii. She began to pray in meetings, and several persons wero awakened and brought to God. The effects of her labors were manifest. Many were displeased, but some were saved. At Preston and Bu.ckburn, she became noted for piety, and yet her usefulness was comparatively but smail. Her manner and petitions were strange to numbers, as she prayed with great exertion of voice, and for present bleaaings. She would frequently say, "I think •I mu.: pray. I cannot be happy unless I cry for sinners. I do n.r want any praise. I want nothing but souls to be brought God. I am reproached by most. 1 cannot do It to be see, or heard of men. I see the world going to destructio , and T am burdened till T pour out my soul to God for them." Mr. Wesley caiii. . at Preston, she communicated to him her experience as it respected her union with God, and her strong desire to do his will. He wrote her an answer of which an exact copy may be here inserted, as it was left among her other papers : " Walton, April 15, 1790. of G^^witr ^^^^^'^-rThere is something in the dealings of God with your soul, which is out of the common way. «ut I have known several whom he has been please, to Snl%r.?^^ '^' -'"T ^^^' ^"^ particularly in manT bl«S T ."'^ t''^""'^^ *^" ^^'^ P^'-s^^^ of t^,e ever b essed Tr.mty. You may tell all your experience to me at any time ; but you will need to be cautiotin in speaking to others, for thev wonlrJ n«f ,,..,1^--*. „j ...u-. ^ "^ on m .e name of God, and in the power of his might! § !^i 72 II I' lifjl m.: ^ i SHININO TJOHTS. would write and speak ithout reserve to " Yours affectionately, "John Wesley." It is easily seen from this answer what opinion Mr ^Ves ey had of Ann Cutler, particularly as it respected her depth of piety. To n,y knowledi?e she attended to the advice which he had given in this letter. She experienced many things in union with God, which she mentioned to »mt few; and some manifestations, she declared to me were never related to any one else. Another preacher wrote to her about the same time as tollows : — God^''Keel'T'''.7^ rejoice that you stand in the love' of l^od Keep to the plain New Testament. Learn no T r/u- , .^'^'® ''"^^^ *his religion, and no other elite :ir"' '-^ ""• '■■■«''-'"<' '■'«'•-. «" '- " I am your affectionate brother, «<♦ ♦ * * * y> I think it proper now to take notice of the different parts of her experience, which were evidenced to numbers for raore than eight years. .1, ^v -^"f *'' ^'^- ^"^ ™^'^'^"'' ^^« *^ ^^^'•^h diligently he New Testament, to know what blessings were promised to her ; and if she could only satisfy herself from her own reading, or from the explanation of others, of what the promise contained, she instantly believed that the Lord would give it; and it appeared that she daily, through faith, increased m the work of God. I never remember heanng her say that she had received any blessing, without adding, « I see a great deal more for me in Jesus. " ANN CUTLER. 78 When she was called upon to plead for others, her custom was, if possible, to know their state. For this she used every prudent means, [f she was satisfied of what they then needed, she believed with all her heart that the Lord would fulfil their desire. She was as confident for sanctifi cation as justification ; yet, she observed, it required a greater exertion of faith in the person prayed for, and the person pleading, to receive purity of heart than pardon. She lived by faith. T had evidence that she trusted in no grace, but looked through all to God. In several places where preachers and others had lost their hope of a revival, she selected a few souls to assist her, and, to the astonishment of many, prevailed with God. Her Christian love. She often expressed herself thus :— " It is all love ; nothing but love. God is love. I want more of this love. How do you think I may attain more 1 I feel nothing but pure love ; but God can enlarge my heart, and give me a greater fulness. My soul is continu- ally burning with love to Jesus." If ever any gave evidence of love she certainly did According to the thirteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, she "believed all things, hoped all things endured all things." ' Her love to sinners appeared in her frequent sighs, groans, tears, and strong crying to God in secret. What appeared the most like tautology in her petition was, "Jesus, save smners ! Thy blood was shed for them. O save sinners ! " Her love to real penitents was striking. Her soul travailed in birth till Christ was /orir.ed in them. She went through great sorrow, sympathizing with the broken in heart. She always seemed unwilling to leave them, till they were comforted. Her love moved her to mourn with them that mourned; and, when deliverance came, she ,! r ' 0K 74 SHINING LIGHTS. rejdced in God her Saviour. She often said, " None know the glory of pleading witii souls, but those who do it " Whenever she found persons-to use her own expression - quite devoted," she showed uncommon respect for them In her conversation on the subject she said : " I love to be with them; it helps me forward. I see ,„any things in them which I want myself; but we shall soon be in helven. I must do all I can for God every mon,ent, and then I shall be near them in another world. O ! it delights my soul to see those that are not entangled with anything below the sun . Her love to the preachers and the connexion was the s rongest I ever .saw in any person. She did. by her Christian charity, cover a » multitude of sins " I never knew her speak evil of any one. She said, " When I know any evil I tell the Lord. I can tell everything to him " She never would talk about the faults of others ; anything of this nature made her quite uneasy. Her language was •- I know It will do them no good; I feel it will hurt my mind ; T want to talk of something else." Her soul seemed aJways moulded into pure love. Her humility. Her friends sensibly feel, and all-who have a real knowledge of her character-can testify that this grace shone the most conspicuous. There appeared nothing affected. What was seen proclaimed the sentLents of her hear . I have often thought she did not know how to dissembb. Whatever the blessings were which she 7rt^t ?r ™'" '^"" "^ thanksgiving for them than she did in the petition. ««Glory be to Jesus ! " was her cry. When she professed to receive an inc-ease of grace there appeared an increase of holy shame in all her conduct She appeared sunk under the weight of love, with a soul full of gratitude, '^i-- « ., ~ ' the most visible. 'he image of the Son of God was then Whenever shp wno o»ic,..rr.«^j .•_ xu. vicu 111 Miu oftiva- ANN CUTLER. 75 tion of others, which was exceedingly common, she instantly exclaimed, - Glory, glory to thy name, O Jesus t " I saw It was not in her to be backward when called to labor for God, or to let others act before her; but her genuine humility was seen in her acting instantly, or not actmg, as she might be called ; in being nothing and feeling It, or in being anything for God and his glorv ; in being accounted a fool, or wise; despised, or esteemed; rejected or received. Her great patience. To see God in all things is the privilege of Christians ; and their happiness consists in acknowledging him as their King, Judge, and Saviour. Thy will be done;" - Thou canst not do wrong-" was the language of Ann Cutler for eight years. She met with great opposition ; but T never saw or heard of her being in the least angry. She never complained of ill u^age. She was sent for by many, both rich and poor ; and though she was exceedingly sensible of opposition, yet she would say ' I am not received at such a place ; but the will of the Lord be done ! " She bore :he contradiction of sinners, and took patiently and joyfully the loss of her good name, willing to be noth- ing in order to possess all things. She said :_" I want nothing but to suffer all that Jesus will lay upon me, and for him to fulfil his will in me- every moment. I hope through his assistance, to live as near to him as any per- son m this world. I know he does all things well ! " Her irmnner of praying. I never heard anything against Ann Cutler except her manner of approaching the Lord [ hinted before, that she prayed with great exertion of voice and "in this she never lost her foes." She was in our house several months at different times. It was her us.ml nn^Mxn to arise at midnight to pray, and return thanks for mercies tt 76 SHINING LIGHTS. DlLT r u """«'■ *'■« «<>nti""ed till about five retired into th. f ' , "'' "° '"''°""« "' fi^-". ^he prayer a "th A ^^ '■ " """'^ ™"'""''' '" '»™'" prayer anotlier hour. About six she went into her roon, with Wha h'T'""^ ^"' P™^-- ^•>» ^'^^^^^ trequently very long ,n private ; but was very short in wL I ha " rr "■"• " '"■"' ™'- Her plea for th" oonhdent. 1 would do anything to please if it would not hurt n,y own soul; but I am in this way ,„os free frl wandenngs, and have the greatest oonSdence. I dare I strive against it any more." E ^.t 1:7 ;""" "^^ '" *'' - ^-^ ">"-«- earnestly " lb, u "" ''«™^' *" ^'^^y^ •»»■■« rrt ™"fj*°" -"W be affected in answer to' he cri^. f o prayer I never expeet to see her equal again Her ^.My. She was often detained te in the eveXs - h people in distress, but would never return in roTpZ «th young men. She conducted herself in thi r^spe't t^ the glory of God, to the good of his people IdTlu satisfaction of all. It appears from her ola, thit sh! laid a strong foundation for this mode of "nZ b ! extract from which I shall here insert _ ' ^°" "I am thine, blessed Jesus-I am wholly thine ■ I will ' irtlv'^b^'n'"- ^''^''''' "">" -y -»' »»<• body pll eyil. In my looks keep me pure ; in my word, pur^^ [MI I ANN CUTLER. 77 chaste virgin to Christ forever T n.-nr • .1 bended knees, that if thou w' t be ' "e I ''^r'^^-^ and cleave to none oth^. \u ' '^'" ^^ ^^"^'«' Cutler." ^'' '^ ''^'^ "^''l^- Amen.-ANN It appears, from different parts of her journal th.f 1, had covenanted with (ioW f^ v , .J^^i'^'^'i, that she she certainly was ^ a .' ' "' ^" "^ *^^^ ^*^^« ' -"d ners were constrained to Z "^nl ^,^7^^ ^"^ «-■ but heaven." ^' ^"*'^' ^^^^'^ ^^ nothing ^er self-denial. When wiHi »c oK i- , , -ilk a„d herb tea. EvervthL « '"'f "'''"^ "P™ firmly ,eiect«i W '7 7^ "■"« ^'«' •)"'<'% but Spirit." But tho„„l, «>,« *' """ Snme the wentth™I*„3,f '"''\°''^'' ™°<'e.'ed that she .«.. .«.- ^.. , ..?.;r.;r:t:::', i.'™ Her wordB were few-., seasoned with srace » Z t eep ..pression wherever she went '^^ .7'"u'"f/ -ver,.ad any g,„„,„ ,po„ ^^ oountenanceT bu; stUl ^^ n SHINING LIGHTS. ■' ;|i Hii; ^ISi sented the image of that sweet, happy mind which was in Christ I have seen her, when speaking of the glory of the world to come, stop suddenly, apparently filled with the ispint ; and when she could speak no more, she quietly sunk beneath the power of God, arose, and retired under a holy shame. ffer union with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost This expenence is what Mr. Wesley advised her to make known to but few. Yet it may not be wrong, as she is gone, to reap the fruit of her labors, by declaring a few particulars for the benefit of those who are earnestly seeking the same privilege. It was her method, as appears from her papers words^I ''''''''^''* ^'^^ ^""^ ^^^"' ^^^ '" *^" ^°"«^^»8 " Blessed Father, loving Jesus, Holy Spirit ! I give my body and my soul into thy hands. Have thy whole will in nie, use me to thy glory, and never let me grieve thy «pirit. I will be thine every moment; and all that thou art 18 mine. We are fully united ; we are o^e ; and I pray that we may be one forever, I give myself again to thee trive thyself again to me ! "Father! I reverence thy majesty, and sink before thee. Thou art a holy God. I submit my all to thee. I live under thy inspection, and wonder at thy glory every moment. Blessed Jesus ! Thou art my constant friend anj companion. Thou art always with me. We walk together m the nearest union I can talk to thee as ny Mediator. Thou showest me the Father, and 1 am lost in beholding his glory. Thou takest me out and bringest me in Thou art with me wherever I go. Mine eyes are upon thee . , my pattern and continual help ! " Holy Spirit ! thou art my comforter. T fe^l from thee a constant, burning love. My heart is set on fire by thy ANN CUTLER. 79 blessed influence. T nmv Kxr ^-u thee r am brought to/Z- lo^^T"' r'' " "'^°"«'' «P in what I ^all Irt ^ , *^ "'""'" ^ ■"" «™llowed Father, g|„ ' be tf tZ', ?" '"^' ^'""-^ "^ '» ">» Spirit! '^ '^ "' '" "-^ 8™. ™<1 glory be to the Holy "I have union with the Tri'r.,-f,r *i, tBrough the Spirit • I finW?. TJ '' ^ '"^ *^« ^^^ 6 i« opint , 1 find the Father throutrh th*» «j«.. j God IS my all and in all ' " ^ ®°" ' ^"^ thf Jaf:":? "TTd'^T r *'"" ^'■^ »^<»™--' blessed T„ae..o.ve th ; rr 'r"""^"" *'*" *■>« pr^ent state, but o'.^ iz^ ::z2:: 'T' Her Morsf„ the salmtion of Juh She!. " at Dewsburv, where reli„:„ f f""'* She came to see us low state ik thl K .'*""• ""'' '^'^ 'hen, in a through div-Ltr^rrr:: ra""™ '^'""'' experieueed sanctifioatton and but W. ' ^'^'^ "«" tl.e knowledge of pardon O « . "^° ''''* '='^'- » labor and JL^^T T^^ J"^''-^^'^'''^''"^'^"^ oreased, but aotive^rXion t 7 '" '°""' P'="'«^ »" .M...in„ontin::f-rLTrirve^»-t -^"lT-st^^rdTithr-- discovered to me i„ ;.. ™ revival no more doubt ^i^; 1 "T'' ""' ''*"'^- ^ '««' "The Lord win c^e I f T ^n"" ' ™°''' -^. suddenly.- ' ^ '"'°"' ''* "" <""»». and that Nothing very particular appea,,a :|i^ under !,„ one soul received a clean heart, w: ^ere Ifi , TT' the Lord would do the same for ..be,. '"' """' At a prayer-meeting two found peace with 0„d ■„ j .u same week two more receive-i the same Het.-t 'o"» -y u,o.n„g „ bad „ love-feast for the ba;^ w'he,. sevZi 80 SHINING LIGHTS. iirj ' It were much concerned for sanctification. One young woman received the blessing. On Monday evening the bands met. A reniarkable spirit of prayer was given to the people. Four persons re.^eived sanctification, and some were left in distress. Several, who were the most prejudiced, were suddenly struck, and in agonies groaned for deliverance. On Thursday, one who, for a fortnight, had been exceed- ingly pained for want of purity of heart, was delivered. The work continued in almo.st every meeting ; and sixty persons in and about Dewsbury received sanctification, and walked in that liberty. Our love-feasts began to be crowded, and people from all the neighboring circuits visited us. Great numbers found pardon, arid some perfect love. They went home, and declared what God had done for them. The more I consulted the Act|^of the Apostles and Churc^ history, the more I was convinced that this was no new thing, either in its manner or efi'ects ; but that in every great work of God similar things were produced. I con- sulted several of the senior brethren, who exhorted me to use every means to support the revival. Satan began to use his agents in different ways. Some said one thing, some another ; but no man, without the Spirit of God, can judge proper*ly of the matter. All must miss the mark except those who are taught by Christ ; and no greater mis- takes can be made than those persons make, who presume to say anything of the work of God, and do not feel his love. The work in a few weeks broke out at Greatland. Ann Cutler went over to Birstal, and was there equally blessed in her labors. She went into the Leeds circuit ; and, though vital religion had been very low, the Lord made use of ber at the beginning nf .a revival, and the w OIK 5 preac ANN CUTJ.EB. 81 nearly thmugh the circuit. Very often ten. or twenty or more, were saved in one meeting, ^ .1,!r "."*'' "■J^'"!"°"' "«■•« '^any of us_to see the L„^ ■na^^eu^^of such simp.e means, and our usefulness co.npa:::! Cutler among nch and poor n.ight be proved from he papers. Many of the fruits are gone to glory, yet a loud of wtnesses remain in different places, who I trust wUl Wb '" ""^'"* ""^'■i'^tmg praise to God and the folfl^""" ^° """ "'*"' "* *'^''''"™ 'he writes as " Manchester, JVov. 3 "Dear Sister,-! hope you are well and happy I find that my soul gets more friendship with Jesus^The U^ £^^^;^h;LrtJ^;-^:™-s;^S Ce^r at?/brtoii'5'Strs:w';rwi[-,.t M Joul^f lolfytrn V^^ "-/nX^ to Jesus : it is heaven below : and mv des!re fn. fhl t;on^f^others is so great, that I canTn^a^t tpl^tt end ^7lu'''t'' "^l T^^^' '' ^°^ ^''«»*« sabbaths never more It Ts "V'."", • "'" be there, and meet to pa t no more, it is good to live near to Jeans hpr. n.,,1 *k„„ "" «aaii oe near to him in heaven. let us doubi;' o;7'dn^ p ;■:■. B< . ■ » If I ■''Si 82 SHINING LIGHTS. gence, and be determined to be all devcted to God ! There is a greater fulness. God bless you more and more, and may he Hll you with all this fulness of God ! Let us not be stopped in our journey, but obey the voice of God. God help us to redeem every moment of time! O pray for me ! r often pray for my sisters. T hope to meet thee in heaven. Give my love to them all. God bless you all ! "Ann Cutler."' To a friend in Preston, about the same time, she writes thus : — " Dear Sistkr, — I tind Jesus very precious, T hope you are well. God is love. I have been at Mr B.'s about a week. The first day I came the Lord sanctified his spirit. The next morning his wife received the same blessing. Every day some are brought to God. One day twenty-five were justified, and swne were sanctified. The Lord is carry- ing on his work. I never had a more blessed time than I have had here. I want to be more like Jesus. Let us give ourselves to God every moment, and seek in all things how to glorify him Pray for the preachers, that you may receive them as from God. While we live in the will of God nothing can hurt us. No cross, no trial, need hinder our prospering while we leave all and follow Christ. " Watch against a light spirit, and all useless conversa- tion ; and let us pray every hour that God may save us from a mere form of religion. Ma^ the power of God dwell in us ! "Ann Cutler." To another. " Dear Sistisr,— Though absent in }>ody, we are often present in spirit. Let us soar away beyond temptation's power, to the deai- wounds of Jesus. The greato- the cross the brighter the crown. Let us use all the light we have, and all the love, and God has promised to give us more. If God be for us, who can harm us ? Let us yield ourselves wholly unto the Lord, and sink into the will of God Near forty souls were brought to God the last night. The Lord is making some rich men rich in the faith. Few of tnARA will nnnia an ]r\tir uxj 4-r^ yx-^,, £-.. • — — •-- .•^-" twt w VI jr iOr lliciuy. •' Ank Outmb," ANN CUTLEP 83 To Mrs. D , of Leeds. ..^ "Berby, Z)ec. 8, 1794. ^{*?i53ing. "Tuesday, the ^Cih, sjie was poorly, but used no less exercise in prayer, auc' vould frequently say, ' I want to redeem time better, for I believe I shall not be in this world much longer.' She would lift up her eyes to heaven, and say, ' O blessed Jesus ! teach me to redeem time better, that I may live more to thee than I have ever yet done ; that I may walk as thou also walkedst here below.' At night we had our prayer-meeting, in which she was very earnest in wrestling with the Lord for a present blessing for every soul. Indeed it was a blessed time to very many ; a time in which much of the power of God came down. I believe it was a season that will never be forgotten. After this meeting concluded we went to another, where she exer- sised several times. I think it may be truly said that she 'prayed with all prayer' and lived constantly in this spirit, and a strong spirit, too. ANN CUTLER. 85 "Oix Wednesday, the 17th, she complained of a sore- ness in Jier breast ; but, for all this, she did not abate her usual exercise in prayer. 8he employed the morning in visiting sick person.^, and many times prayed sweetly with them and for them. The afternoon she spent in praying with several friends. In the evening we had a i-ul prayer-meeting in the chapel. She was uncomm earnest for precious souls. The zeal she had for tiitm seemed to be unparalleled. There were many singularly blessed of God. The meeting continued till one o'clock in the morning. After this she took a little refreshment ; and, after our family devotion, she desired us to retire, and leave her, for she wished to pray awhile by herself. " Next day, in the afternoon, she said, ' I want that we should pray together, that we may obtain a blessing. Come, let us go to the Lord Jesus, and let us go empty that we may be filled.' When we sat down to dinner she praised (^d, and said, ' Glory be to God ! I find he is quite will- ing to give grace and glory ! I feel he does not withhold any good thing from me.' She seemed quite in a rapture, saying, 'O Jesus ! I long to b- with thee, that I may give thee greater praise.' She then retired, and, as usual, spent the greater part of the afternoon in prayer. A friend in- vited her to drink tea. Tea-time being come, she came to me and said, « Did I promise ? ' I told her I did not know. To which she replied, ' I am so feeble in body, I think I had better stay.' **A person calling upon her, she went, and came back ex- ceed ingl^j^ poorly, but thankful to God, saying, 'Jesus has blessed my soul.' Soon after this she said, 'Christmas is very near ; ' and added, ' Last Christmas I went to see my mother, but now she is in glory ; and I wish much to see her this ; and I know not but I shall, for I feel as if I ex- T !MAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 ^ |2£ so *^™ ^Um 12.2 2.0 |25 I 1 4.0 1.8 L25 lllu 1^ — 150mm m ^} y /IPPLIED^ IN/U .3E . Inc ^^ 1653 East Main Street .sss "^ Rochester, NY 14609 USA .aaar^ Phone: 716/482-0300 .S^.^= Fax: 716/266-5989 1993, Applied Image, Inc., All Rights Reserved ,\ >\' J,\^ '^ V 1 1 , i Ibd'f 02 SHINING LIGHTS. I have proved the devil to be a liar. Ho suggested to me, a few minutes after 1 had received the blessing, that I should not hold it long, k was too great to l)e retained, and that r had better not profess it. I then declared to the people what God hud done for my soul ; and 1 have done so on every proper occasion since that time." He was appointed to the Kent circuit, 1785. The number of members on this charge was 322, but were increased to 450 . by the Conference of 1787. Like many of his brethren, he was often greatly depressed in spirit, and tempted to leave his work. On one occasion he unbosomed his mind to an old friend, who advLsed him to go to his closet ; in retirement to take a review of his whole life, and if he could tind a single mercy with which God had blessed him, to praise him for it. Mr. Bramwell followed this advice, and while thus engaged, a successive train of divine mercies passed in review. He saw, indeed that his whole life had been marked with mercy. Gratitude overflowed his heart. He broke forth in praises to God, took encouragement, and went forward in the name of the Lord. During his zealous labors on the Dewsbury circuit, a most wonderful outpouring of the Spirit was realized, and nearly two hundred were added to the society, and many of the members were entirely sanctified. On the Birstal circuit, his ministry was equally successful. His powerful preach- ing and fervent prayers were so mighty through faith, that the stoutest-hearted trembled under him. Before his arrival on that field, there had been a partial outpouring ; but a mighty shower now descended, and the truth and power of God wonderfully prevailed. This gracious work extended to neighboring circuits until all the surrounding country was in a blaze. Nearly six hundred members vvere ; !) KEV. WILLIAM BHAMWELL. 0^ added to the societies during his two years' stay oi, this circuit. Mr. Braniwell was next appointed to Sheffield. Every- where he was received as an angel of God. The people beheld his deadness to the world, his entire devotedness to God, the manner in which he entered into the work of saving souls from death, and feeding the flock of Christ He gave himself to fasting and prayer, and diligently sought renewed baptisms of the Holy Ghost, therefore he was "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" In performing this work, Mr. Bramwell exercised njuch judgment and influence in employing the talents of local preachers, leaders and other individuals in prayer meetings and they became important helpers to him in every place' Opposition was broken down, lukewarmness disappeared, a holy union prevailed, and the work of God in the towns and country broke out into a flame of life and power Fifteen hundred members were added to the society in the course of his three years' labors in the Sheffield circuit His letters to intimate friends at this period manifest a spirit of very elevated piety and entire consecration to his great work. To Mr. Hargraves he wrote:_'«I see more than ever that those who are given up to God in continual prayer are men of business, both for earth and heaven • they go through the world with composure, are resigned to every cross, and make the greatest glory of th« greatest cross. On the other hand, if not given up to God in prayers, every cross brings the greatest perplexity, and robs them of the little love and patience they enjoy." Mr. Bramwell's next field of toil was Nottingham. By an unhappy division on this circuit, in 1797, which resulted in the organization of the Methodist New Connexion, three hundred persons left the society; but this number was W' I K'l ! 94 SHINING LIGHTS. fully made up in one year. In the following year eight hundred more were added. Thus the society was doubled. The name of the Lord was magniticd in the conversion of several Deists, who renounced their error, and found redemp- tion in his blood. Several very strikin-,' cases of divine healing also took place in answer to his believing prayers on this circuit. In prayer for the society at a watch-night service, his eyes sparkled like flames of tire, his whole frame was full of animation, and he took such hold of God that divine power fell on all present in a wonderful manner. Many of them were so affected that, at the conclusion of the service, they could not come down the gallery stairs without assistance. His labors on the Leeds, Wetherley and Hull circuits were also crowned with glorious success. On entering upon his work in the last named place, he says :— "I have had three weeks of agony, but now see the Lord working." Three imeks of agony ! Is it then any wonder that such Pentecostal results followed his preaching? The manner in which he walked with God, and maintained deep commun- ion with him, is thus described by Mr. John Hebble- white :— " During the time Mr. Bramwell was in the Hull circuit, I lived in a house on the Humber bank, nearly a mile out of town. A large parlor on the first story com- mands an extensive view of the Humber ; no vessel can pass unseen from the windows. This room was his favorite place of retirement, and he was at all times welcome to it, for we felt ourselves honored by the use to which he appro- priated it. He was wont to lesort frequently to it, and spend two, three, four, five and sometimes six hours in prayer and reflection. He often entered the room at nine o'clock in the morning, and did not leave it till three in the ftfternoon. The days on which his longeKt. vi-uit;^ occurred REV. WILLIAM BRAMWKLL. 95 were I conjecture, his ap^ intod fa-sts ; on these occasions he refused any kind of refreshn.ents, and used to say when he came in, 'Now, take no notice of me.'" One year's labor on the Sunderland circuit resulted in the accession of five hundred members to the .society, and five hundred the following year. While here he was greatly buffeted by Satan, and sorely tried in various ways; but he came off more than conqueror. Various letters written by him at this time, to yoanff preachers, are full of most excellent and powerful truths We should be glad to insert some of them, but space forbids. Touching on his own experience, he says :— "I never was so much struck with the Word of God as at present. The truth, the depth, the promises, quite swallow me up. I am lost in wonder and praise. My soul enters into Christ, in his blessed Book. His own sayings take faster hold of me than ever. I could read, and weep and love, and suffer! yea, what could I not suffer when I thus see him! Justification is great; to be cleansed is great ! but what is justification, or the being cleansed when compared to this being taken into himself? The worid the noise of self, is all gone, and the mind bears the full stamp of God's image. Here you % and walk, and live doing all in him and to him; c. itinually in prayer, and turning all into Christ, in every house, in every company ■ —all things by him and to him.' ' Again he writes :-" O this heaven of God's presence, this opening into glory, this weeping over a lost wot4d, this be- mg willing to lay down your life for the Church ! God is all. O my soul, I feel its fire, its burning, as I write. God grant the flame may spread, the glory shine! May the world recoive it ! Places to me are less than ever. Devoted souls are my delight. To see my friends dwelling in God 06 SHININd 1.10 HI'S. f a and (lod in thorn affords njo on« of the gmvtest euitlily pleasures." On the Liverpool circuit, to which ho was next sent, five hundred and fifty members were added to the society dur- ing his labors in that field, and many were the reniarkabhi deliverances wrought out for him and others in answer to his prayers. One of his first remarks to the society on entering upon his work in a new field was, «' Slow singing, long prayers, long meetings, and late attendance on the ordinances, were indubitable marks of a low state of g.'ace." On the Birstall, (second term), London West, Newcastle and Salford circuits God still continued to use his servant in the conversion of multitudes of souls, and the entire sanotification of believers. His letters during the last six years of his heavenly life on earth all breathe a hallowed spirit. They contain the language of a saint who lived continually in the suburbs of the new Jerusalem, anticipating the happiness of glorified spirits. He was a consistent witness of the doctrine of Christian perfection, and continually pressed this experience on others. *• He was so crucified to the world, and the world to him, that all worldly concernments seemed a perfect nothing to him. He was, indeed, a consistent witness for God in the world, showing to what a height of holiness Christians may attain on earth, when hearty sincerity, deep mortification, diligent watchfulness, love of divine communion, and an humble and active faith, meet in the heart of uny man." His countenance and speech were perpetually as before God, in the conscientious observance of all his precepts ; his heart full of love to him ; his face awing the beholder with the majesty and shining, with the sweetness and beauty of REV. WILLIAM HUAMWELL. 97 hohiums. To all appearance he spent every moment of his tm.e ,n hi« beloved duty, and in zealously doing Rood • always ready fo. and enjoying spiritual connnunion with Grod in all his ordinances. He sweetly united the lowest humility and condescension with the most transcendent chanty to all men, yet so as not to suffer sin in his brother to go unreproved. He maintained peace of conscience and assurance of eternal life inviolate for many years together and convinced all who knew him that the power of God dwelt in him ; the Divine Spirit so beautifying and adorning him. hereby assuring both himself and others that he was born of God. His depprtment was always such as if at that moment he saw God. and had God's law, and the day of final account just then before him; so that whenever the Lord should call him he might l>e found ready. To his intimate friends here appeared written in his face and demeanor a sense of the Divine Majesty and holiness; a most pleasing, conscien- tious, and full dedication of himself to God ; a watchfulness upon his own heart and life, lest he should offend ; a spirit of great mortification to all the world ; a wonderful purity from aU sinful pollution ; and an admirable transformation, mto the divme similitude. Indeed, constant holiness seemed perfectly natural to him. when it seemed but endea- vored after by others. A few years before his death he says :_- / have for B REV. BENJAMIN ABBOTT. 107 !J: possessed the most steady and serene confidence, and approached the vale of death as if " Prayer was all his business, And all his pleasure praise." A little while before his departure, he mentioned the names of several persons with whom he had been familiarly acquainted, and said :-"Te]l them that strong a* my faith lias been, and great as has been my comforts while among them during the years of my life, yet all the former mani- festations which I have had are nothing compared with those which I now feel." To his sister he said :— " O what have I beheld ! Such a sight as I cannot possibly describe. There were three shming forms stood beside me, whose garments were so bright, and whose countenances were so glorious, that I never saw anything to compare with them before." His dying prayer was, " Loi-d,' save souls : do not let them perish." Shortly after he shouted in holy triumph, " Glory, glory ! glory ! " and immediately soared on high, November 29th, 1829. i >■ \ EEV. BENJAMIN ABBOTT. Benjamin Abbott was one of the early native evangelists that God raised up to extend the Gospel like a flaming fire. He appeared in New Jersey about the year 1773. He was one of the most memorable men of early Methodism. He lived in sin, and was a decidedly wicked man, till he reached H^ 108 SHINING LIGHTS. the fortieth year of his life. Yet he had often been con- victed, and had as often promised God th.-^t ho would repent. His wife, though a professor of religion, knew but little about heart-work. God often alarmed him in the night watches. Under a sermon all his sins were brought to his vie\.' ; and he saw that it was a mercy that he was out of hell. As conviction increased, he read his Bible, and began to see things in a different light ; and with tears and groans he promised God that he would forsake sin. The preached Word pierced his heart, so that with many tears he cried for mercy. Every joint in his body shook. Some said, "Abbott is going mad." He thought it was too late to be saved, and attempted to commit suicide. But an in- ward voice said, "This torment is nothing compared to hell ! " and he was delivered from that awful deed. The next day he stood crying in the tield, and at length he fell down and prayed alone. Soon after he set up family prayer. The next day he went to hear a Methodist preach. The minister told him that he was just the sinner that Christ died for, and told him to believe. That night, October 11, 1772, he saw, as in a vision of faith, the Lord Jesus, with extended arms, saying, " I died for you." He wept, and adored God with a joyful heart. That momenj the Scriptures were opened to him, and his heart felt as light as a bird. He arose and called up the family, and prayed, and then set off to spend the day in telling his neighbors what God had done for him. He met "with many trials, but God delivered him out of them all. Dr. A. Stevens gives the following in his history of Methodism, from whence we gather this account. Mr. Abbott, in his early religious experience, met with a Methodist preacher, who talked with him about Wesley's views of entire sanctification ; and he resolved to seek this ,1^. REV. BENJAMIN AHUOTT. 109 groat l.lessing. He was in greater earnest than ever He wrote :_'« 8oon after Daniel Ruff can.e upon our circuit, and my house being opened for a preaching place, he came and peached In the morning, in family prayer, he prayed that God would sanctify us soul and body. I repeated those word^ after him : « Come, Lord, and sanctify mo soul and body.' That moment the Spirit of God came upon me xn such a manner, that I fell flat to the floor. I had no power to lift either hand or foot, nor yet to speak one word. I believe I lay half an hour, and felt the power of Cod running through every part of my soul and body like fire consuming the inward corruptions of fallen, depraved nature. When I arose and walked out of the door and stood pondering these things in my mind, it appeared to me that the whole creation was praising God. It also appeared as If I received new eyes; for everything appeared new. 1 telt a love for all the creatures that God had made • and an uninterrupted peace filled my breast. In three days God gave me a full assurance that he had sanctified me. soul and body. ' If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him' (John 14 : 25). This I found day by day manifested to my soul, by the witness of his Spirit Glory to God for what he then did, and since has done for poor me ! " Devoting himself to the study of the Bible, he exhorted all men to repent. Texts and divisions were given him in his sleep, and he woke up preaching from them. His first sermon was over the coffin of one of his neighbors His preaching was always with power. In his day few men m New Jersey were better known than Benjamin Abbott. He was both highly respected and generall" beloved. The was an unction in his religion, and a simplicity in his "ife^ 8" ■' I I'' ; I \\:\ t 110 HHININO LIOHTM. a quiotnegb in his coiimge, »«d u fatherly tenderness in his /iM*t»ners. He wng generally -'Mreased as " Father Abbott." Man^ rejoiced to own him as their spiritual father. For years he travelled without a cent of compensation, except his entertainment among the people. By industry and frugality, he maintained his family by tilling a small farm. All his family were members of tlie Church, and shared his /,eal. One of his sons went out as an itinerant. He begged money and timber to build a chapel in his neighborhood. He had the simplicity of a Quaker in his dress. Much of his sucr-ess was by his pastoral visits. He called on one family, and inquired if there was any preaching in that neighborhood. When he was told that there was none, he offered to preach in their house if the man would invite his neighbors in. He was told that the people did not want preaching. Then he sat down, and told the family his experience, and related what wicked men are before conver- sion. One of the daughters began to weep. The power of God fell on them while he prayed, and he left them all in tears. Of one place he wrote :— "The Lord began to work in a powerful manner, and we soon had two classes ; then the devil roared horribly, but God worked powerfully, and blessed the word, and sent it with power to many hearts ; many fell under it like dead men, being alarmed of their danger. The watch-meeting was crowded. One of the preachers preached, and then an exhortation Wt.6 >, ven. The Lord poured out his spirit in such a manner, tbat tie slain lay all over the house ; and many others were prevented from falling by the crowd, which stood so closely, that they supported one another. We continued till midnight ; and som stayed all night." So?..>. \'.u,3 a ?:agle sentence would strike and convict a simmer. : &l u^g leave cf a family, he gave his hand to a .-^ REV. BENJAMIN JJBOTT. HI "wlitary officer at the door, Haying, "God o ,t of Christ is a consuming hre. Farewell." Before midnight that officer was on the Hoor crying for n,ercy, and had no rest till he was convorted. Gainsayers, persecutors, and mobs, either yielded ox were prostrated before this Boanerges After laboring with great success as a local preacher, in 1.89 K., joined the itinerancy, and became a regular Meth- urcuit. New York, and reported one hundred new members ^e hrst year. The next year he travelled up and down t, Hudson. In one of his uieetings, a dozen fell to the floor, ^ulJTr "'''"^ '"^ P''"'^^"^ ^°^- S«-« -ere the o . 'T ^"''' '""''^^^^' ^"^ '^^^'^ to be lost in the ocean of redeeming love. between those who were justided, and those that were fully «a„c,hed; showing, plainly, that he believed in enti^ san„„,eat.on. He preached it so that the people were ^ abored to lead h.s people into the deep things of God Hi, •irr :r: ""'" «•«"><•'•«•■ At . We-fefr hor^T ' '°" *'" »^P--=-. ». n,V(^va.tra ntinnVtox r1iini»r» 4.V.« ...l._l_ -jP i, • • • j. a g„ ,,.. ...,,iiig ^,^^Q iriluiu UI IXiS HUniStry. REV. EDWARD PAYSON, 127 On the 8th May, 1811, Mr. Payson was married to Ann Lomsa Shipman, of New Haven, Conn., a woman of kindred piety and whose energy and firmness of character, con- nected with other estimable accomplishments proved his best earth y support, and an abiding check upon his constitu- tional tendency to depression. In the acquisition of such a helpmeet, he justly considered himself as "having obtamed favor of the Lord." To his ardent and persevering prayers must, no doubt, be ascribed, m a great measure, his distinguished and almost unmterrupted success; and, next to these, V^e undoubted simerUy of his belief in the truths which he inculcated His language his conversation, and whole deportment were such as brought home and fastened on the minds of his hearers the conviction that he believed, and therefore spoke The revivals of religion which took place under his labors were numerous, and were characterized by a depth and power seldom seen. Nor was his eminent u.sefulness confined within the narrow sphere of his own congregation. In distant parts of the country, at various special gather- ings his ministry was made a blessing to many thousands, both in the conversion of souls and in raising the tone of piety among believers. To his mother he wrote :-- Another text which I have preached on lately, and which has been much blessed to me IS Rev. 21 : 23: 'And the city had no need of the sun' etc. O how unutterably glorious did heaven appear f It i's glory; It IS a weight of glory ; an exceeding weight oi glory • afar more exceeding weight of glory y afar ,nore exceeding and eternal weight of glory. O how shall we bear such a weight of glory as this ! How shall we wait with patience till we arrive at it ! O it seems too much, too boundless, too over^ whelming, to think of. Come afflictions ; come troubles • 9 ' \i ■ fr i 128 SHINING LIGHTS. come trials, temptations, distresses of every kind and degree ; make our path through life as painful, as wearisome as you can ; still if heaven is at the end of it, we will smile at all you can do, I would urge my dear father to be more careful of himself, if I thought it would do any good ; but it will not. The nearer he gets to his sun, his centre, the end of his course, the faster he will fly, and you cannot stop him. Catch hold of him and fly with him, and I will come panting after as fast as I can." To a ministering brother at a distance, whose labors were suspended by sickness, he wrote among other things these words : — •' No man is flt to rise up and labor until he is made willing to lie still and sufier as long as his Master pleases." Mr. Payson was the subject of severe and awful tempta- tions. His conflicts with the powers of darkness were indeed dreadful, and often prolonged. But he always came off" victorious. His sufferings were greater than any one knew or suspected, but they were mostly endured in silence. When his body, full of pain, was gradually sinking into the grave, he wrote to his sister : — " Were I to adopt the figurative language of Bunyan, I might date this letter from the land of Beulah, of which I have been for some weeks a happy inhabitant. The celestial city is full in my view. Its glories beam upon me ; its breezes fan me ; its odors are wafted to me ; its sounds strike upon my ears, and its spirit is breathed into my heart. Nothing separates me from it but the river of death, which now appears as an insignificant rill, that may be crossed at a single step, when- ever God shall give permission. The Sun of Righteousness has been gradually drawing nearer and nearer, appearing larger and brighter as he approached, and now he fills the whole hemisphere ; pouring forth a flood of glory, in 'which I seem to float like aw insect in the beams of the sun ; ex- :ness were 3 sun ; ex- REV. EDWARD PAYSON. 129 ulting, yet almost trembling, while I gaze on this excessive brightness, and wondering, with unutterable wonder, why God should deign thus to shine upon a sinful worm. A smgle heart and a single tongue seem altogether too inade- quate to my wants ; I want a whole heart for every separate emotion, and a whole tongue to express that emo- tion. He was asked, "Do you feel reconciled ?" "O that IS too cold. I rejoice ! I triumph ! And this happiness Will endure as long as God himself, for it consists in admiring and adoring him. I can find no words to express my happiness. I seem to be swimming in a river of pleasure which 18 carrying me en to the great fountain. It seems as If all the bottles of heaven were opened, and all its fulness and happiness, and, I trust, no small portion of its benevo- lence is come down into my heart." folW-""^™^^'' ""^ ^'' congregation he spoke as nearly as "It has often been remarked that people who have been into the other world cannot come back to tell us what they have seen; but I am so near the eternal world that I can see a most as clearly as if I were there ; and I see enough to satisfy myself at least of the truth of the doctrines which I have preached. I do not know that I should feel at all surer had I really been there." A friend, with whom he had been conversing on his extreme bodily sufferings and his high spiritual joys, remarked .— « I presume it is no longer incredible to you, if it ever was, that martyrs should rejoice and praise God in the flames and on the rack." No said h- , "I can easily believe it. I have suffered twenty times-yes, to speak within bounds-twenty times as much as I could in being burnt at the stake, while my joy in God so abounded a« ♦^o r^»>^«~ ~.. „-^- • , , , , ,, , ^- -^- *^'""^r nijr suuunngs not only tolerable, but welcome. The suferinys of this present time I: ilk. 130 SHINING LIGHTS. are not worthy to he compared with the glory which shall he revealed in us." To his wife he said : " Hitherto I have viewed God as a fixed star, bright, indeed, but often intercepted by clouds ; but now he is coming nearer and nearer, and spreads into a sun so vast and glorious, that the sight is too dazzling for flesh and blood to sustain." This was not a blind adoration of an imaginary deity ; for, added he, " I see clearly that all these same glorious and dazzling perfections, which now only serve to kindle my affections into a flame, and to melt down my soul into the same blessed image, would burn and scorch me like a consuming fire, if I were an impenitent sinner." On Monday, October 22nd, 1827, he was released from all his sufferings, and in great peace and triumph his happy spirit was set at liberty. His "ruling passion was strong in death." His love for preaching was as invincible as that of the miser for gold, who died grasping his treasure. Mr. Payson directed a label to be attached to his breast, on which should be written: ^'Remember the words which I spake unto you while I wa^ yet present tvith you; " that they might be read by all who came to look at his corpse, and by which he, being dead, yet spake. The same words, at the request of his people, were engraven on the plate of the coffin, and read by thousands on the day of interment. For the grace of God displayed in this saint, be everlasting praises given. Amen. 1>R. ADONIRAM JUDSON. I31 BE. ADONIBAM JUDSON. The materials of this sketch were mainly drawn by Dr. ^Zl .T I '>""P'^ "^ ^'' '^"^^-' "^y h- «on, and published by Randolph & Co., New York. They are here somewhat condensed. Born of a godly parentage in Maiden, Mass., August 9th, 1788 ; entering Brown University a year in advance at the age of sixteen, graduating as valedictorian in 1807 • he was able to write in his journal after a period of Sceptical doubting:-" 1808, November. Began to entertain a hope of having received the regenerating influences of the Holy Spirit He had just before this entered Andover Theo logical Seminary, a year in advance, "neither a professor of religion nor a candidate for the ministry." He made a solemn dedication of himself to God, December 2nd that same year. That dedication was final and complete " Is It pleading to God ? " became his n^otto. He put it before his eyes, at the same time realizinghow futile the suggestion unless I resolve, in divine «Jjength, instantly to obey the decision of conscience." A year later at the age of twenty-one, Judson is ponder- ing seriously the work of foreign missions. A sermon of Dr^Claudius Buchanan's had fallen as a "spark into the tinder of his soul," and in February, 1810, he had resolved to become a missionary to the heathen. To this resolution he had been helped by association with Richards. Mills, Rice and Hal^ of "Haystack " fame, lately arrived at Andover from Williams College, the birthplace, if any one locality can claim that honor, of American missions abroad. Of this step young Judson seems early to have counted the cost. Ihere were flattering prospects for the brilliant young divine v**^.. 132 SHINING LIGHTS. l! « at home, but from all these he turned deliberately aside; nor did he hide from himself or from Ann Hasseltine, whose heart and hand he sought, the peculiar trial most certain to fall to the lot of a missionary in those pioneer days. On the 5th of February, 1812, he was married to Ann Hasseltine, of Bradford, Mass., a woman of great beauty, consecration, and moral heroism. The next day he was ordained at Salem, and on the 19th embarked on the brig Caravan with Mr. and Mrs. Newell, associate mission- aries, bound for Calcutta. The voyage around the Cape of Good Hope was a tedious affair of four months. The time was studiously occupied in a translation of the New Testament, which was the immedi- ate occasion of the reopening of the question of baptism, both as to its proper subjects and the mode of its adminis- tration. The result is well known. Mr. Judson and his wife became Baptists, and were immersed at Calcutta on the 6th of September. Naturally they at once fraternized with the English Baptists at Serampore — Marshman, Carey, and "Ward — and resigned their connection with the Ameri- can Board. He immediately suggested* to representative Baptists in New England, tltot if a Baptist society were formed for the support of a mission in those parts, he would be ready to consider himself their missionary. It was not till after many a buffeting for a year and a half that these servants of God found the way open to begin their life-work in the Burman Empire. England and America were at war with each other, and the East India Company had not learned to welcome the missionary; indeed, it never learned that, nor the part that Christianity had to play in the regeneration of India. Peremptorily ordered to leave, they at length reachtd the Isle of France, January 7th, 1813, just after the saintly Harriet Newell DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 133 had passed in triumph into life from that historic spot May 7th of that year they embarked for Madras, intending to open a mission on Pe; ang, an island in the Straits oi Malacca. But on reaching Madras the only conveyance outward was a - crazy old vessel" bound for Rangoon ; and upon this they determined to embark, passing out from under the protection of the English flag and committing themselves to the cruel mercies of a Burman despot. It appeared their only way of escaping arrest and being sent to England It was really the hand of God leading them by a perilous voy age of great hardship to the work of their lives. RANGOON. They reached Rangoon on July 13th, 1813, and found quarters in the house of a son of Dr. Carey. 4t was a most filthy and wretched city, located near the mouth of the Irrawaddy, a river navigable for 8^0 miles, but a strategic pomt from which to reach the Burman Empire of about eight million souls. There was then but one Burmah, ruled over by a despotic monarch, whose throne was at Ava The Buddhist religion, "like an alabaster image, perfect and beautiful in all its parts, but destitute of life," held this people firmly in its grasp. Moreover, they were a '«slow wary, circumsp«of race." The difficulties were many, but the faith of the Judsons in the promises of God was greater At once he set himself to the weary task of mastering a difficult language, "without grammar or dictionary, or English-speaking teacher." His ardent temperament chLfed under the delay incident to this prime condition of success ; but he accepted it, and was soon translating a Gospel and preparing tracts in the Burmese tongue, which the mission press gave to the people. Three years to a dav after his arrival he completed a modest treatise on grammar, which I i ^ 134 SHINING LIGHTS. twenty years later received the highest commendation. Soon after they began to print, the first real inqu-rer came to light, the forerunner of many to follow. Oral preaching came later, and in this Mr. Judson was an expert, meeting objections with great subtlety and impressing his hearers deeply by his fervid earnestness. Six years passed by before he ventured upon public worship, and this was followed speedily by the first convert, who vas baptized June 27th, 1819. The work of the mission now began to attract the attention of the Viceroy of Rangoon. Persecutions immediately followed, and Mr. Judsoi, determined to go at once to Ava and lay the matter before the throne itself. It was a hazardous step. He was accompanied by Mr. Colman, a new arrival at the mission. It was a journey of a month up the river. - January 27th, 1820, they put themselves under the guide of an interpreter for the royal interview, and in due time, with all formality, laid their petition before his Highness, asking permission to preach the religion of Christ in his dominions. They had brought as a present a Bible m six volumes, overlaid with gold ; this they attempted to exhibit. They were coldly received, though respectfully heard, and dismissed, taking their present with them. A second and a third attempt was made with one of the ministers of state in private, but with no better results; and having secured a passport, sadly, but hopefully, they returned. Once since coming to Rangoon he had been obliged to leave for a few months because of ill health, and now it became necessary to visit Calcutta on Mrs. Judson's account These were tedious journeys, in mean little boats, of great weariness and discomfort. This last was followed by Mrs Judson's return to America for a two years' leave of absence. They had also been called to part with their first- r>R. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 135 born child. But through all these trials the courage and faith of these servants of God were wonderfully sustained Their littl« church grew to number ten, and the spirit of the martyrs was in this pioneer band of Bunnan converts. Dr. Price now came to recruit the mission, and his skill m removing cataract soon attracted the attention of his Highness at Ava, and he was ordered thither, Mr. Judson accompanying him as interpreter. The doctor paved the way for the preacher, and many opportunities were improved to advocate the tenets of the Christian faith in the presence of persons of rank. His majesty was much more gracious. The way was opened for Dr. Price to permanently remain ; and, before returning to Rangoon, Mr. Judson had secured a piece of ground for a house, intending to occupy it so soon as his wife returned from America. Accordingly, December 13, 1823, Mr. and Mrs. Judson set their faces toward Ava Ten years of life in Rangoon had secured for Burmah a translation of the New Testament and an epitome of the Old, a native church, a footing at the capital, and such a mastery of the language that Judson could say, «'I suppose I am the only man living who can tell to the Burmese people the story of the Gospel in their own tongue." The work in Rangoon was committed to new-comers from America, and Ava was entered January 23rd, 1824. Of their LIFE IN AVA it is not easy t > write briefly. Of missionary activity there was to be little ; with suffering their cup was to overflow They found the countenance of the king changed, a new privy council in place of their friends of the year previous clouds of war with the English gathering over their heads.' and thev themselves susnAofoH of k«;-, ,:„a _,-. i_- . ., interest of the foes of Burmah. Judson and Price, with J^,., 136 SHINING LIGHTS. the resident Englishmen, were put in fetters and thrown into a loathsome dungeon, hateful to every sense. At the end of eleven months he was removed to Oung-pen-la, a perilous march that well-nigh cost him his life, where for six months more he endured the horrors of a Burmese prison. " The annoyance, the extortions and oppressions to which we were subject, are beyond enumeration or descrip- tion," writes his faithful wife. In the final negotiations with the English he served as interpreter, and thereby enhanced his reputation as a scholar and a linguist. During all these weary months his faithful wife, with a heroism unmatched, cared for herself and his manuscript translation, and with utmost tact, courage, and eloquence sought to mitigate the horrors of his confinement and cheer his brave spirit. There is no more pathetic picture than that of this devoted wife making her daily pilgrimage to the prison with some token of love and word of cheer, and once in a time holding up her new-born babe for the father's kiss through the bars of his cell, then follow- ing him to Oung-pen-la in a rough cart through that dread- ful heat and dust, till, broken down at last, she was brought to death's-door by small-pox followed by spotted fever. There came an end of these never-to-be-forgotten woes when the victorious English made terms of peace. Ran- goon was again visited, but the gains of years had been scattered by the whirlwind of war, and they followed the English to Amherst within the newly-ceded territory. There they resumed their work, but Mrs. Judson had reached the limit of her endurance. Her husband was again called to Ava, and during his absence she passed away, October 24th, 1 826, leaving him desolate. The cup of this faithful servant of God was now full, and we may welx believe "he was never the same man afterwards, ' r\ DR ADONIRAM JUDSON. 137 How many are the sacred spots of earth like the hopia-tree at Amherst, or the tamarind-trees of Ramree, where the dust of the Comstocks reposes ! Mr. Judson found what solace he could in his work and the love of his child, till she flew to the arms of her mother, April 24th, 1827, and he was left alone, cast down, but not destroyed. REMOVAL TO MAULMAIN. The mission was now removed to Maulmain at the mouth of the Selwan, which had outrun Amherst as the seat of English authority and rule. To this place the Boardmans and the Wades led the way, and he soon followed. The city was growin- rapidly ; the field daily widened, and success crowned their efforts. Preaching, translating, and teaching went on apace. Many new works were prepared for the press. Meanwhile a solitary member of that scat- tered Rangoon church is quietly at work, and «« out of the stump of the tree cut down, there springs a shoot which has blossomed and flourished ever since." The Rangoon Mission numbers to-day not less than ninety churches and four thousand members. Such vitality has the Christian Church. The same aggressive spirit that led him to Ava to beard heathenism in its high places moved him still later to try and plant the standard of the cross at Prome, in the heart of the empire. But in this he was defeated, after a brave effort, by the prime ministers of the king, moved by hatred of foreign intrusion. He retired to Rangoon and pushed his work of translation At one of the great heathen festivals he had an oppor- tunity of learning how effective had been the work of the press. He had given away thousands of tracts unon Rolioi. tation. "Some," he says, "come two or thre^ months ii I 138 SHINING LIGHTS. '■ journey from the borders of Siam and China. ' Sir, we hear that there is an eternal hell. We are afraid of it. Do give us a writing that will tell us how to escape it.' Others come from Kathay, a hundred miles north of Ava. ' Sir, we have seen a writing that tells about an eternal God. Are you the man that gives away such writings 1 If so, pray give us one, for we want to know the truth before we die.' Others come from the interior, where the name of Jesus Christ is little known. ' Are you Jesus Christ's man ! Give us a writing that tells about Jesus Christ.'" The Boardmans had opened a mission among the Karens, and the Word of God proved quick and powerful among them. But these sainted souls were also called to tears. Their eldest and youngest born followed each other into life eternal, and Mr. Boardman, " one of the brightest lumi- naries of Burmah,"fell in the jungles of Tavoy, in the midst of his work, leaving his wife and one son to mourn their loss. Mrs. Boardman continued at her post among the Karens. Mr. Judson now returned to Maulmain and entered with great zeal the promising work thus begun among the Karens. Eight years after the death of his wife, three years after the death of Mr. Boardman, April 10th, 1834, Mr. Judson and Mrs. Boardman were married. THE BIBLE TRANSLATED. January 31st of that year he had knelt before God with the last leaf of the Bible translated into Burman, and be- sought him to accept the great work of his life, and " make his own inspired Word tlie grand instrument of filling all Burmah with songs of praise to our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ." Burning to preach the Gospel viva voce, he had stuck to his prodigious task till now, at the age of 56, DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 139 he could rejoice tliat the Scriptures were put into one more of earth's many tongues. In his " lust for finishing," he spent seven more years in revising his translation. That garret at Rangoon, that little room at Maulniaiii, where he patiently wrought at his life-work, like that upper room at Beirut, where Drs. Eli Smith and Van Dyke consummated their translation of the Scriptures into Arabic, are among the historic places of the Church of Christ. It is thus that the pioneers of missions have laid all after-comers under obligation for the tools they find ready to hand. Twenty -four years of life were mainly spent thus, and the Burma n Bible is Judson's chiefest and suflicing monument. He did for Burmah what Luther did for Germany and Wycliflfe for England, only his task was infinitely more difficult. The work itself was a grand success. It was with great reluctance, but with entire loyalty to the Board, whose servant he w is,, that he now turned to the preparation of a Burmese dictionary, and at the same time g^e the passion for preaching such opportunity as he could. Mr. Judson's second marriage proved to be a very happy one. She was an ideal missionary. By English friends in Calcutta she was pre nounced '♦ the most finished and fault- less specimen of an American woman that they had ever known." In person she is described as " faultless in fea- tures, of warm, meek blue eyes, and soft hair, brown in the shadow and gold in the sun." She was an enthusiast in missions from childhood. She became an adept in the Burmese tongue, and her literary labors, tracts, translations, Scripture catechisms, and hymns were abundant and of a high order. After her marriage with Mr. Judson she became the mother ot eight children. 140 SHINING LIGHTS. HOMEWARD BOUND. In the twelfth year of their married life, while homeward bound in search of health, she passed from earth at the port of St. Helena, September 1st, 1845, and Mr. Judson jour- neyed sadly on with his motherless children, himself much broken in health. He arrived in Boston, October 15th, 1845. Thirty-three and a half eventful years of toil, trial,' and achievement had passed over his head since he sailed out of that harbor with the bride of his youth. He came back to a land as greatly changed as he, and his own mes- sage for expectant audiences was the old story of the love of God in Christ. He was too weak for public speaking, but his burning soul found expression through an interpreter, and again and again he thus served the cause to which he had devoted his life. At one time a few sentences, feebly spoken, but weighty with consecrated thought and purpose, saved the Arracan mission that the Baptist Board were about to abandon. While on his tour through the country he met Miss EmSy Ohubbuck, best known as "Fanny Forrester," who was destined to become the third Mrs. Judson. A volume of her vivacious writings first attracted his attention, and awakened a desire to see her as a possible biographer of his late wife She had been schooled to poverty and self- reliance, first as a factory girl and then as a school-teacher and writer for a local paper. A sprightly letter to the Evening Mirror attracted the attention of Mr. N. P. Willis, and secured for her the opportunity of the remune- ration for which she had been striving. Converted at eight years of age, impressed in childhood by the story of Ann Hasseltine, she was haunted by the conviction, which she strove to get rid of, that she one day must be a missionary. DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 141 And so It came about that the gifted young lady became the wife of Dr. Judson, an arrangement distasteful to the friends of each, but satisfactory to themselves. OUTW/VHD BOUND. Within nine months from his arrival in this country they were on their way to Burmah. Mr. Judson's heart turned from "the twilight of Maul main " to the field of his first love, with all its discomforts and dense darkness, and once more he is back in Rangoon. A big, gloomy^ bat-infested brick house opens to them ; a ferocious, blood- thirsty viceroy waits to do what he dares to hinder the work ; sickness makes a hospital of their cheerless quarters —but work is resumed on the dictionary, and secretly the Gospel is preached. Mr. Judson must have learned the secret of Paul's contentment to be able to say of this period: » My sojourn in Rangoon, though tedious and trying in some respects, I regard as one of the brightest spots, one of the greenest oases, in the diversified wilderness of my life ! " At length the intolerance of the Government made the situation desperate, and he was deterred from going to Ava to lay the case before his Royal Highness only by the failure of means and the discountenance of the Board at home. There was nothing lefi to do but to retreat, and this for him was a sorry business. When, two years later, he was given permission to go to Ava, it was too late. He is next at Maulmain steadily at work '« like a galley slave," on what he hoped would be a " standard work for all time." But he was nearer the end of life than he dreamed. While deeply concerned for his wife's failing health, after the birth of their child, he himself was dis- abled by a sudden cold, and soon thereafter embarked for a long sea-voyage as the only hope of recovery. He bade 142 SHINING LIGHTS. adieu to wife and children, and on the 12th of April, 1850, died and was buried at sea. Thus peacefully Aided, full of the conscious love of Christ, the life of this remark- able man. AN ESTIMATE OP THE MAN AND HIS WORK. In the midst of great discouragements, in perils by land and sea, in moral darkness that could be felt, in dun- geons of unnamable horrors, in the weariness of much and prplonged study, yet with a faith victorious, a courage undaunted, and a consecration complete, "he laid the foundations of Christianity deep down in the Burman heart where they could never be washed away." " At the time of his death the native Christians (Burmans and Karens publicly baptized upon the profession of their faith) numbered over 7,000. Besides this, hundreds throughout Burmah had died rejoicing in the Christian faith. He had not only finished the translation of the Bible, but had accomplished the larger and more difficult part of the compilation of a Burmese dictionary." He was, indeed, a man of brilliant parts, of studious habits, and of great thoroughness in all his work. He had the gifts and temperament of an orator. He might have filled with ease the foremost pulpit of his native land. But he was, above all and greater than all, a missionary of the apostolic order. He laid himself upon the altar of consecration, and crucified his selfish ambition till nothing was left of it. He never questioned but that Burmah was to be given to Christ. It might take twenty or thirty years to make a beginning, but that was not his concern. A beginning was to be made, and he was called to do it. He shrunk from no hardship incident oo that end ; and the buoyancy of his spirits through all advereity was something i' I DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 143 scarcely conceivable, save through the grace of God freely given to him. To a man of Us ardent temperament, know- ing that he had given up everything for the carrying out of the great commission, the indifference of his fellJw-disciples at home was his greatest trial. He sometimes longed to have the home churches transported for a month to Burmah, for a month to be face to face with her unsaved millions. But it is doubtful whether that, then or now would prove a cure for spiritual indifference to the world's need. It might work in just the opposite direction if the vision was not first made clear by the love of Christ and the touch of the Spi fc. And then the sight of the eyes is no longer nec^ ■ , Delving on in « the well » of that gross heathen ., ae was not hidden, though working in obscurity. He got what he never strove after His became one of the best known names of Christendom He was known throughout India. The Crown Prince of Siam invited him to make him a visit at his charges. The English authorities profoundly respected him. English vied with American Christians in doing him honor It was, no doubt, in part because this missionary enterprise was then m its infancy, the land remote and little known the perils many, the hardships great, but it was yet more because the spirit of the man and the work to which he gave himself with such ardor was felt to be Christ's work just looming up before the dormant soul of Christendom and waking it out of sleep. They saw in him the spirit of Paul, and in his work the "Acts" were being repeated and they could not help making some response, however inadequate, without denying the Master altogether. Nor can we do Mr. Judson full justice without a clear and sharp appreciation of the fa-t that it was pioneer work in which he was engaged— it ms carrying the torch of life 19 /I • ' r' i II J- pws 144 SHTNINO LIGHTS. into the da teness and blazing the way for others on the one hand, and creating missionary spirit on the other ; so making history for the kingdom, and laying foundations upon which after generations should build — planting churches that would themselves take up the work and carry it forward. After all, when we have done our best, we are far from appreciating the work of these pioneers who make the grammars, dictionaries, translations, plant schools and churches, print and teach, and not for them- selves alone, but to make ready to hand the tools with which their successors may with greater advantage push the work of evangelization. Nor will we fail to> honor duly those three noble women who successively shared his affections and his labors. They were, each in her way, remarkable women. The heroism of Ann Hasseltine, the missionary ardor of Sarah Board- man, the devotion of the literary Emily Chubbuck, are beyond question admirable to the. last degree. Their joy in each other was mutual. They were happy marriages, all of them, and all greatly conducive to the ultimate result of his life-work. Their lives so intertwined in love and service that the story of neither is complete without the other. POSTHUMOUS INFLUENCE. Let it not be thought that their mission is ended. Just before his death Mr. Judson learned that " a tract had been published in Germany giving some account of his labors at Ava ; that it had fallen into the hands of some Jews and had been the means of their conversion ; that it had reached Trebizond, where a Jew had translated it for the Jews of that place ; that it had awakenovi a deep interest among them, and that a request had been made for A missionary to be sent them from Opnstantinople," This i*"* DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. I45 was really in response to a deep desire of his soul to do something for the Jews. With tearful eyes he said, Wife, I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything but It came ; at some time, no matter at how distant a day somehow, xn some .hape, probably the last I should have devised, it came." So it is still. No one can read the simple story of these consecrated lives without being deeply impressed by them. Many a rnissionary will he made by its recital. Many a man has already been prompted thereby to a more unselfish life and heart-surrender to the work of missions. So it will con tinue to be. These names live in Burmah. They kepp pace with the conquests of the kingdom over the earth They be ong in those Christian annals which, after the Acts of the Apostles, tell how all things written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning our ■Liord Christ are being fulfilled. In a Baptist meeting-house in Maiden, Mass., is a marble tablet, and on it this inscription ; IN MEMORIAM. REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON. BORN AUGUST 9, 1788, DIED APRIL 12, 1850. MALDEN HIS BIRTHPLACE, THE OCEAN HIS SEPULCHRE, CONVERTED BURMANS AND THE BURMAN BIBLE HIS MONUMENT. HIS RECORD IS ON HIGH. fH^*i r» r%\r\r* _ lose to the sketch of this remarkable man and as showing the depth of his love for souls, his humility t I- 146 SHINING LIGHTS. and self-denial, we present the reader with the following renowned letter written by him from Burmah, and addressed "To the Female Members of Christian Churches in the United States of America." It is well worthy of a most careful perusal. Dear Sisters in Christ, — Excuse my publicly address- ing you. The necessity of the case is my only apology. Whether you will consider it a sufficient apology for the sentiments of this letter, unfashionable, I confess, and per- haps unpalatable, I know not. We are sometimes obliged to encounter the hazard of offending those whom above all others we wish to please. Let me throw myself at once on your mercy, dear sisters, allied by national consanguinity, professors of the same holy religion, fellow pilgrims to the same happy world. Pleading these endearing ties, let me beg you to regard me as a brother, and ^o listen with candor and forbearance to my honest tale. In raising up a church of Christ in this heathen land, and in laboring to elevate the minds of the female converts to the standard of the Gospel, we have always found one chief obstacle in that principle of vanity, that love of dress and display— I beg you bsar with me — which has in every age and in all countries been a ruling passi< of the fair sex, as the love of riches, power and fame has characterized the other. That obstacle lately became more formidable through the admission of two or three fashionable females into the Church, and the arrival of several missionary sisters dressed and adorned in that manner which is too prevalent in our beloved native land. On my meeting the Church, after a year's absence, I beheld an appalling profusion of ornaments, and saw the demon of vanity was laying waste the female department. At that time I had not naturally considered the subject, and did not feel sure what ground I ought to take. I apprehended also that I should be unsupported, and perhaps opposed, by some of my coadjutors. I con- fined my efforts therefore to private exhortation, and with but little effect. Some of the ladies, out of regard to their pastor's feelings, took off their necklaces and ear-ornauients .-.#»«^ DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 147 before they entered the chapel, tied them up in the corner of their handkerchiefs, and on returning, as soon as they were out of sight of the mission-house, stopped in the middle ot the street to array themselves anew. In the meantime I was called to visit the Karens, a wild people several days' journey to the north of Maulmain kittle did I expect to encounter there the same enemy in those -wilds, horrid and dark with over-shadowing trees " But I found that he had been there before me, and reigned with a peculiar sway from time im lemorial. On one Karen lady I counted between twelve aad fifteen necklaces ot all CO ors, sizes and materials. Three was the average Brass belts above the ankles, neat braids of black hair tfed below the knees, rings of all sorts on the fingers, bracelets on the wrists and arms, long instruments of some metal « ,. , , » ^ -"^.^i miicnuo UL auiue metal perforating the lower part of the ear by an immense aper- ture, and reaching nearly to the shoulders, fancifully con- structed bags enclosing the hair and suspended from the back part of the head, not to speak of the ornamental parts of their clothing, constituted the fashions and the ton of the fair Karenesses. The dress of the female converts was not essentially different from that of their countrywomen. I saw that I was brought into a position that precluded all retreat— that I must fight or die. For a few nights I spent some sleepless hours, distressed by this and other subjects, which will always press upon the heart of a missionary in a new place. I considered the spirit of the religion of Jesus Christ. , I opened at 1 Tim w : y, and read these words of the inspired apostle —"I will also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety ; not with broidered hair or gold, or pearls, or costly ar.ay." I asked myself, can I baptize a Karen woman in her present attire 1 No Can I refrain from enforcing the prohibition of the apostle? x\ot without betraying the trust I have received from him Again I considered that the question concerned not the Karens only, but the whole Christian wo.-ld ; that its decision would involve a train of unknown consequences- that a single step would lead rue into a long and perilous way. 1 considered Maulmain and the other stations • I m \ I i 1^ 11 148 SHINING LIGHTS. considered the state of the public mind at home. But, " what is that to thee? follow thou me," was the continual response, and w(>ighed more than all. T renewedly offered myself to Christ, and prayed for strength to go forward in the path of duty, come life or death, come praise or reproach, supported or deserted, successful or defeated in the ultimate issue. Soon after coming to this resolution, a Karen woman offered herself for baptism. After the isual examination, I inquired whethei- she could give up her ornaments for Christ. It was an unexpected blow. I explained the spirit of the Gospel. T appealed to her own consciousness of vanity. T read her the apostle's prohibition. She looked again and again at her handsome necklace — she wore but one, and then, with an air of modest decision that would adorn beyond all outward ornaments any of my sisters whom I have the honor of addressing, she ( aietly took it off, say- ing, " I love Christ more than this."* The news began to spread. The Christian women made but little hesitation. A few others opposed, but the work went on. At length the evil which I most dreaded came upon me. Some of the Karen men had been to Maulmain, and seen what I wish they had not ; and one day, when we were dis- cussing the subject of ornaments, one of the Christians came forward and declared that at Maulmain he had actually seen one of the great female teachers wearing a string of gold beads around her neck. this paper, your fallen dear sisters, and sympathize a missionary. Was i^ not a hard Lay down moment with case 1 However, though cast down, I was not destroyed. 1 endeavored to laintain the warfare as well as I could, and when I left those parts, the female converts were, generally speaking, arrayed in modest apparel. On arriving at Maulmain, and partially recovering from a fever which I had contracted in the Karen woods, the first thing I did was to crawl out to the house of the patroness of the gold necklace. To her 1 related my adventures, and described my grief. With what ease and truth, too, could that sister reply, " notwithstanding this necklace, T dress more plain than most ministers' wives and professors DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 149 of religion in our native land. This necklace is the only ornament I wear. It was given me when quite a child by a dear mother, whom I expect never to see again — another hard case — and she begged me never to part with it as long as I lived, but to wear it as a memorial of her." Oye Christian mothers, what a lesson you have before you. Can you, dare you give injunctions to your daughters directly contrary to apostolic commands ? But to the honor of my sister be it recorded, that as soon as she understood the merits of the case, and the mischief done by such example, o(F went tiie gold necklace, and she gave decisive proof that she loved Christ more than father or motiier. Her example, united with the efforts of the rest of us at this station, is beginning to exercise a redeeming influence in the female department of the Church. But notwithstanding these favorable signs, nothing, really nothing, is yet done. And why 1 This mission and all others must necessarily be sustained by continual sup- plies of missionaries, male and female, from the mother- country. Your daughters and sisters will continually come out, to take the place of those removed by death, and to occupy numberless stations still unoccupied. And when they arrive they will be dressed in their usual way, as Christian women at home are dressed. And the female converts will run around them, and gaze upon them with the most prying curiosity, regarding them as the freshest representatives of the Christian religion from that land where it flourishes in all its purity and glory. And when they see gold and jewels pendent from their ears, the beads and chains encircling their necks, the tinger-rings set with diamonds and rubies, the rich variety of ornamental head- dress, " the mantle and the wimples and the crisping pins" (Isaiah 3 : 19-23), they will cast a reproachful, triumphant glance at their old teachers, and spring with avidity to repurchase and resume their long-neglected elegancies ; the cheering news will fly up the I )ah-gyaing, the Laing-bwai, the Sal- wen ; the Rarenesses will reload their necks and ears and arms and ankles ; and when, after another year's absence, I return and take my seat before the Burmese or the Karen Church, I shall behold the demon of vanity en- I 150 SHININO LIGHTS. throned in the centre of the assembly more firmly than ever, grinning defiance t6 the prohibitions of apostles and the exhortations of us who would fain be their humble followers. And thus you, my dear sisters, sitting quietly by your fire^ sides, or repairing devoutly to your places of worship, do by your example spread poison of vanity through all the rivers and mountains and wilds of this fMi- distant land ; and while you are sincerely and fervently praying for the upbuilding of the Redeemer's kingdom, are inadvertently building up that of the devil. If, on the other hand, you divest you-- selves of all meretricious ornaments, your sisters and daughters who come hither will be divested, of course, the further supplies of vanity and pride will be cut off, and the Churches at home being kept pure, the Churches here will be pure also. Dear sisters, havingr finished my tale, and therein exhi- bited the necessity under which I lay of addressing you, I beg leave to submit a few topics to your candid and prayer- ful consideration. I. Let me appeal to conscience, and inquire, what is the real motive for wearing ornamental and costly apparel ? Is it not the desire of setting off one's person to the best advantage, and of exciting the admiration of others ? Is not such dress calculated to satisfy self-love, and cherish sentiments of vanity and pride ? And is it not the nature of those sentiments to acquire strength from indulgence? Do such motives and sentiments comport with the meek, humble, self-denying religion of Jesus Christ? I would respectfully suggest that these questions will not be an- swered so faithfully in the midst of company as when quite alone kneeling before God. II. Consider the words of the apostle, quoted above from 1 Tim. ii. 9 : " I will also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." 1 do not quote a similar command recorded in 1 Pet. 3 : 3 because the verbal construction is not quite so definite' though the import of the two passages is the same. But cannot the force of these two passages be evaded ? Yes • and nearly every command in the Scriptures can be evaded,' DE. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 151 and every doctrinal assertion perverted, plausibly and handsomely, too, if we set about it in good earnest. But preserving the posture above alluded to, with the inspired volume spread open at the passage in question, ask your hearts, in simplicity and godly sincerity, whether the mean- ing IS not just as plain as the sun at noon day. Shall wt then bmv to the authority of an inspired apostle, or shall we not i irom that authority shall we appeal to the prevail- ing usages and fashions of the age 1 If so, please to recall the missionaries you have sent to the h.-uthen, for the heathen can vindicate all their superstitions on the same ground. u l^h l^^ *''® posture you have assumed, look up and behold the eye of your benignant Saviour ever gazing upon you with the tenderest love, upon you, his daughters, his spouse, wishing above all things that you would yield your hearts entirely to him, and become holy as he is holy re- joicing when he sees one after another accepting his press- ing invitation, and entering the more perfect way. IV. Anticipate the happy moment, "hastening on all the wings of time," when your joyful spirits will be welcomed into the assembly of the spirits of the just made perfect Yon appear before the throne of Jehovah, the approvin« smile of Jesus fixes your everlasting happy destiny, and you are plunging into the " sea of life and love unknown, with- out a bottom or a shore." Stop a moment ; look back on yonder miserable world that you have left; fix your eye on the meagre, vain, contemptible articles of ornamen al dress which you once hesitated to give up for Christ, the King of glory ; and on that glance decide the question instantly and Surely you can hold out no longer. You cannot rise trom your knees in your present attire. Thanks be to God 1 see you taking off your necklaces and ear-rings, tearing away your ribbons and ruffles and superfluities of head- dress, and I hear you exclaim, " What shall we do next 1 " An important question deserving serious consideration. Ihe ornaments you are removing, though useless and worse than asexess in tneir present state, can be so disposed of as to teed the hungry, clothe the naked, relieve the sick 152 SHINING LIGHTS. enlighten the dark -minded, disseininate the holy Scriptures, spread the glorious Uospel throughout the world. Little do die inhabitants of a free Christian country know of tlu' want and distress endured by the inhabitants of the greater part of the earth ; still less idea can they form of the awful darkness which rests upon mankind in regard to spiritual things. During the years that you have been wearing those useless ornaments, how many poor creatures have been pining in want ; how many have languished and groined on beds of abject wretchedness ; how many children liave been bred up in the blackest ignorance, hardened in all manner of iniquity ; how many immortal souls have gone lown to hell with a lie in their right hand, haviiig never heard ot the true God and the only Saviour t Some of these miseries might have been mitigated ; some poor wretch have felt his pain relieved ; some widow's heart been made to sing for joy ; some helpless orf)han have been taught in the Sabbatii school, and trained up for a happy life here and hereafter ; the Holy Bible and valuable tracts might have been far more extensively circulated in heathen lands, had you not been afraid of being thought unfashionable, and not " like other folks ; " had you not preferred adorning your persons and cherishing tl.o sweet seductive influences of vanity and pride. O Christian sisters, believers in God, in Christ, in an eternal heaven and an eternal hell, can you hesitate and ask what you shall do 1 Bedew these ornaments with the tears of contrition ; consecrate them to the cause of charity ; hang them on the cross of your dying Lord. Delay not an instant. Hasten with all your might, if not to make reparation for the past, at least to prevent a con- tinuance of the evil in the future. And for your guidance allow me to suggest two funda- mental principles the one based on 1 Tim. 2 : 9, all orna- ■nieiits and costly dress to be disused ; the other on the law of general benevolence, the avails of such articles and the, savings resulting from the plain dress system to he devoted to purposes of charity. Some general rules in regard to dress, and some general objects of charity inav he easily ascertained, and free discussion will throw light on many DR. ADONIRAM JUDSON. 153 points at tirst obscure. Be not deterred by the suggestion that in sucli disoussion you are conversant about miall things. Gieat things depend on small ; and in that case, things that appear small to short-sighted man are great in the sight of God. Many there are who praise the principle of self-denial in general, and condemn it in all its particular applications, as too minute, scrupulous and severe. The enemy is well aware that if he can secure the minute units, the sum total will be his own Tbiik u>t anything small which may have a bearing upon the Ku.tdom of Christ and upon the destinies of eternity How e isy to conceive, from many known events, that a h.dy i divr-, ting herself of a necklace for Christ's sake may ivrive consequences which shall be felt in the remotest' parts of the earth, and in ail future generations to the end of time ; yea, stretch away into a boundless eternity, and be a subject of praise millions of ages after this world and all its ornaments are burnied up. Beware of another suggestion made by weak and erring souls, who will tell you that there is more danger of being proud of plain dress and other modes of self-denial than of fashionable attire and self-indulgence. Be not ensnared by this last, most finished, most insidious device of the great enemy. Rather believe that he who enables you to make a sacrifice is able to keep you from being proud of it. Believe that he will kindly permit such occasions of mortification and shame as will preserve you from the evil threatened. The severest part of self-denial cmmsts in eacounteriny th". disapprobation, the envy, the hatred of on^'s dearest friends. All who enter the straight and narrow path in good earnest soon find themselves in a chmate extremely uncongenial to the growth of pride. The gay and fashionable will in many cases be the last to engage in this holy undertaking. But let none be dis- couraged on that account. Christ has seldom honored the leaders of worldly fashion by appointing them leaders in his cause. Fix it in your hearts that in this warfare tlie Lord Jesus Christ expects every woirian to do her duty. . .,.„, ,., .^r-.-.-c-.'-rij iiuL uiiu 111 vho humblest walks oi iite but would, on strict examination, find some article which might ■ I i 154 SHINING LIGHTS. be dispensed with for purposes of charity, and ought to be dispensed with ' in compliance with the apostolic com- mand. Wait not, therefore, for the fashionable to set an example ; wait not for one another ; listen not to the news from the next town ; but let every individual go forward regardless of reproach, fearless of consequences. The eye of Christ is upon you Death is hastening to strip you of your ornaments, and to turn your fair forms into corruption and dust. Many of those for whom this letter is designed will be laid in the grave before it can ever reach their eyes. We shall all soon appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be tried for our conduct, and to receive the reward of things done in the body. When placed before that awful bar, in the presence of that Being whose eyes are as a flame of fire, and whose irrevocable fiat will fix you forever in heavep or hell, and mete out the measure of your everlasting pleasures or pains, what course then will you wish you had taken ? Will you then wish that, in defiance of his authority, you had adorned your mortal bodies with gold and precious stones and costly attire, cherishing self-love, vanity and pride % Or will you wish that you had chosen a life of self-denial, renounced the world, taken up the cross daily, and followed him? And aa you tvill then wish you had done, do now. Dear sisters, your affectionate brother in Christ. Maulmain, October, 18S1. HARLAN PAGE. 155 HARLAN PAGE. Harlan Page was bom in Coventry, Connecticut, U.S., July 28th, 1791. At twenty-three years of age, he and his wife publicly professed their faith in Christ, and joined t'e visible Church. As soon as he was converted he began to interest himself in the salvation of souls. One of his favorite methods of work was writing letters to differenc individuals about their eternal welfare. It would be difficult to compute the number of pointed, earnest, yes, powerful appeals which he sent all over the land through the mails. In Sabbath- school work he took a very prominent part, and labored assiduously for the conversion of his pupils. Of his success in this direction, a Christian friend says : — " A number of ladies, who, when in youth, attended his school, still feel under g:eat obligations to him and to God for Bis faithful and untiring eflforts for their salvation, and attribute their conversion under God to his instrumentality." His biographer says that, " During his stay in Jewett city, he worked fifty -seven days, at seventy-five cents a day. Here was a mechanic performing his daily task on time ; establishing and sustaining a religious meeting at the board- ing house, on Wednesday evenings ; a meeting of the people of God for prayer, on Sabbath mornings, at sunrise ; and, though he went about three miles to attend public worship, throwing his efforts into a Sabbath-school at 5 p.m., and instructing a class ; devoting Sabbath evenings to meetings and family visitation ; conversing with the sick, the careless the anxious, and those indulging a hope; distributing tracts j endeavoring to awaken an interest in the benevolent operations of the day ; keeping a brief diary ; abounding iii 156 SHINING LIGHTS. prayer; and adopting methods for the foundation of a church, and the settlement of an evangelical pastor." The friend with whom he lodged there says : -" Religion was always tirst in his mind. If he entered a family, after his usual salutation, this subject was immediately intro- duced. In promoting the Sabbath schools, he went out into the highways ; and wherever he found those of suitable age — however far from God they might seem— would gain their attention, and, if possible, bring them in. Six or eight wild boys, from twelve to fourteen years of age, were thus induced to attend ; were led to see their ruin by sin, and brought hopefully to Christ." In the providence of God Mr. Page was in October, 1825, appointed as Depositary of the American Tract Society — a position for which he was eminently fitted. It is said that " one consideration that satisfied his mind of the propriety of changing his sphere of eflfort, was, that he could think of no young persons, within the" bounds of his congregation, whom he had not seriously addressed, either personally, or by letter, on the subject of their salvation. Many of them had already united with the Church." He at once set to work to bring all the employees of the Tract Society under the influence of grace. In this he was eminently successful. God crowned his labors with gloriou;^ results. In one of the most wonderful revivals that was ever experienced in the city of New York — a revival which resulted in an acct ^sion to the evangelical churches of about two thousand souls — this indefatigable worker labored with all his might to win souls for Christ. His labors and his incessant prayers contributed greatly to the accomplishment of this glorious result. To persuade the young to abandon swearing, Sabbath- breaking, drinking intoxicants, ^nd using tobacco, byt piore* HARLAN PAGE. 157 especially to get them soundly converted, was his constant aim and work. In speaking of his labors, while in connec. tion with the Brainerd Church, the minister, who was then his pastor, says :—" His influence, while the Lord continued him with us, was excellent. He was always engaged— always spiritual. His zeal seemed to suffer no declension ; it savored of the closet, of self-communion with heaven.' He had a wonderful tact in conducting our prayer-meetings and making them interesting ; always diversified, and yet always solemn. His remarks, though simple, were never commonplace. The point and spirit of them appeared to have been premeditated, and they were generally well adapted to the character and condition of those present. He had also a happy talent for addressing strangers on the subject of personal religion ; and, after our meetings, would almost always single out some individual, and engage in close personal conversation. Several persons were in this way brought under conviction of sin, and some will have reason to bless God through eternity for his persevering faithfulness. "When engaged in his usual business, the religious welfare of persons with whose state he had become acquainted was generally pressing on his mind. It is now known that, for several years before he died, he usually had by him a memorandum of the names and residences of a few individuals, with whom he was to converse. On these he would call as he went to and from his office or religious meetings. If no names were on his list, he felt that he was doing little good. He also uniformly had in his hat some awakening tracts, that he might present as he should judge them adapted to the state of those whom ha would seize a few moments mpit 'Knt from his usqal occupation to go out and address some indi 158 SHININO LIGHTS. vidua). When the business of the day was closed, he hastened to some meeting or other religious engagement for the evening. Every evidence of good accomplished gave him new joy ; and every opening for usefulness added a new impulse to his efforts. He felt that, under God, the eternal joy or woe of immortal souls depended on his fidelity. " It was not the great object of his spiritual life himself to be happy in religion, but rather by persevering labors and holy self-denial —like the apostle who testified that he died daily — to glorify God in winning souls to him. He ardently desired to devote the whole undivided efforts of his life to this work ; and nothing but the duty of provid- ing for the support oi his family prevented it. "He brought his efforts to bear upon individuals, and followed up impressions made. All the triumphs of the Gospel, he knew, consist in the conversion and sanctification of individuals ; and he was not satisfied with merely praying and contributing for the salvation of the world as a whole, or having a general impression made on the minds of a congregation. His intense desire was that individuals should b3 turned from sin to God. Not unfrequently he would observe in the congregation a person unknown to him, who seemed to give solemn attention to divine truth ; ascertain who he was, and seek a personal interview ; and, in all cases, if he left an individual to-day in an interesting state of mind, he would endeavor to see him again to-mor- I'ow, and follow up the impression at brief intervals, till there was no longer encouragement, or he had evidence of true conversion," His biographer says : — " There is no doubt that it wa-j by continual and fervent prayer that he imbibed that "lowinar sense of eternal things, that love to souls, and that heavenly HARLAN PAGE. 159 unction, which were at once the spring of his fidelity, and, under God, the ground of his success. ''He was uniform and unwearied. T know not who has TarLTer '^^ '^'''^' °^ inconsistency in his Christian "Is it wonderful that God should Lave blessed his efforts ?_that, m each church with which he stood con- nected, individuals, when relating their religious experience, should be heard referring to His faithful endeavors as the means of bringing them to Christ ?--that a rev. me of .ouls should have been gathered from the place of his nativity • thirty-two teachers be brought publicly to confess Christ from one of his Sabbath-schools, and nine of them have set their faces toward the ministry ? -that thirty-four souls should have been gathered by him and his fellow-laborers from one ward of the city ; and fifty-eight, in connection with his efforts, and those of a few endeared associates, have been brought to join themselves to the people of God from the Tract and Bible houses ?-that individuals should come to his dying bed, and thank him, with tears, for his fidelity to their own souls? Is it wonderful that in speaking to her who is now his widow, of his early depar- ture and looking back on his work on earth as ended, he should with the solemnity of eternity on his countenance, say : 'I know it is all of grace, and nothing that I have done ; but I think I have had evidence that more than one hundred souls have been converted to God through my own direct and personal instrumentality '?" As he drew near death, he exclaimed : «'0 for a hoK- ministry, devoted to the salvation of souls ! I cannot bear to have so much time wasted in controversy. If all would -_ „. ,.R.. „.,,,.,, ^^ ^^ ^„y salvation of souls, how many might be saved fro.n eternal burnings !" Of him it might 160 SHININQ LIGHTS. truly be said that •' he ceaspfl not to warn every one aghi and day with tears.'' He died in great p^ace pnd triuioph, September 23, 1834. KEY. C. Gr. FINNEY. C. G. Finney iva'?! •. i in Wi.rren, Litchfield Co., Connecti- cut, August 29; ^792. He devoted hixfelf to the study of law, in winch pro- fession he was for sope time engaged. This employ nent led him to read his Bible, because he found it qn^ted in the law books. He noticed, however, that the prof ^ssing Christians around him were constantly asking God to pour out his Spirit, and give them a revival ; and yet, according to their own confessions, they failed to receive any answer. This was a great stumbling-block to him, and nearly drove Mm into scepticism. On further examination of the Bible, he discovered that the cause of their failure was their neglect to meet the conditions on which God promises to answer prayer. After a great deal of searching the Scriptures and debating in his mind, he was led to an unconditional sur- render of himself to God. His conversion was remarkably clear and definite. His joy was deep. He thus describes his feelings at this time : — "My heart seemed to be liquid within me. All my feelings seemed to rise and flow out, and the uttei ' e of my heart was, ' I want to pour my whole soul out r.i C >d.' Yhe rising of vci'^ so ■. ' 'vas so Teat that I ru. b.'"' ito the back room of my ofl to pray. There was a.-- :r< . and no REV. C. G. FINNEY. 161 light in the room ; nevertheless it appeared to me as if it -.vas perfectly light. As I went in and shut the door after me It seemed as if I met the Lord Jesus Christ face to face It did not occur to me then, nor did it for some time after- ward, that It was wholly a mental state. On the contrary It seemed to me that I saw him as I could see any other man. He said nothing, but looked at me in such a manner as to break me right down at his feet. I have always regarded this as a most remarkable state of mind • for it seemed to me a reality, that he stood before me, and I fell down at his feet and poured out my soul to him I wcl aloud like a child, and made such confessions as I could with choked utterance. It seemed to me that I bathed his feet with my tears; and yet I had no distinct im- pression that I touched him, that I recollect As soon as I became calm enough to break off from the interview I returned to the front office, and found the fire I had made of large wood nearly burned out. But as I was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of It, without having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I have heard the things mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Ghost descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love ; for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect dis- tinctly that it .seemed to' fan me like immense wings I wept aloud with joy and love, and T doubt not but I should - -"_--v s?e....^cu uut Lhe unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me one after another, until h I 162 SHINING LIGHTS. I recollect T cried out, * I shall die if these waves continue to pass over me. Lord, I cannot bear any more ; ' yet I had no fear of death." Being assured that God wanted him to preach, he gave up the study of law, and at once commenced his work as an ambassador of the cross. From the first his labors were eminently successful. He travailed in birth for souls. On these occasions he would not give up praying until God had assured him that his prayer would be ansv/ered. He was licensed by the Presbyterians to preach, and after having held some successful revival meetings he was ordained to the ministry. His autobiography is full of the most thrilling incidents in connection with his labors. His revivals were powerful. Men of strong wills and educated minds — physicians, law- yers and judges — were convicted under his preaching, and fell like dead men to the floor. During twenty days which he spent in Rome, N.Y., there were five hundred conver- sions. The same number were converted in a few weeks' revival in Utica. The following are some instances from his autobiography of the wonderful manifestations of divine power which took place under his labors. Describing some meetings in a very wicked place, he says : — " I stopped at the village hotel, and there learned that there were no religious meetings held in that town at the time. They had a brick meeting-house, but it was locked up. By personal effort I got a few people to assemble in the parlor of a Christian lady in the place, and preached to them on the evening after my arrival. As I passed round the village I was shocked with the horrible profanity that I heard among the men wherever I went. I obtained leave to preach in the school-house on the next Sabbath, but before the Sabbath arrived I was much discouraged, and REV. C. G. FINNEY. 163 almost terrified, in view of the state of society which I wit- nessed. On Saturday, the Lord applied with power to my heart the following words, addressed by the Lord Jesus to Paul (Acts 18: 9, 10):-' Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace ; for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee ; for I have much people in this city.' This completely subdued my fears; but my heart was loaded with agony for the people. On Sunday morning I arose early, and retired to a grove not far from the village to pour out my heart before God for a blessing on the labors of the day. I could not express the agony of my soul in words; but struggled with much groaning, and I believe with many tears, for an hour or two without getting relief. I returned to my room in the hotel; but almost immediately came back to the grove. This I did thrice The last time I got complete relief, just as it was time to go to meeting. 1 went to the school-house, and found it hUod to Its utmost capacity. 1 took out my little pocket Bible, and read for my text, ' God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' I exhibited the love of God as contrasted with the manner in which he was treated by those for whom he gave up his Son. I charged home their profanity upon them ; and, as I recognized among my hearers several whose profanity I had particularly noticed, in the fulness of my heart and the gushing of my tears, I pointed to them, and said, 'I heard these men call upon God to damn their fellows ' The Word took powerful effect. Nobody seemed offended but almost everybody greatly melted. At the close of the thr^'hl wn^^''''^^^' '-'^dlord, Mr. Copeland, rose and said a.. „e would opeu i.b meeting-house in the afternoon. He did so. The meeting-house was full, and, as in the morn- 164 SHINING i^IOHTS. ing, the Word took wonderful effect. Thus a powerful revival commeuced in the village, which soon after spread in every direction. T think it was on the second Sabbath after this, when I came out of the r"''^'* ' the afternoon, an aged man approached, and baid to me, 'Can you not come and preach in our neighborhood 1 We have never had ray religious preacliing there.' I inquired the direc- tion ahil the distance, and appointed to preach there the next afternoon, Monday, at five o'clock, in their school-house. I h.wl preached three times in the village, and attended two prayer meetings on the Lord's Day ; and on Monday I went on foot to fultil this appointment. The weather was very warm that day, and before J arrived there I felt almost too faint to walk, and greatly discouraged in my mind. I sat down in the shade by the wayside, and felt as if I whs too faint to reach there ; and, if I did, too much discour- aged to open my mouth to the people. When I arrived, I found the house full, and immediately commenced the ser- vice by reading a liymn. They attempted to Siug, but the horrible discord agonized mo beyond expression. I leaned forward, put my elbows upon my ki ees and my hands over my ears, and shook y he; 1 witha ' o shut out the discord, which even then I could barely endure. As soon as they had ceased to sing, T est myself down upon my knees, almost in a state of desperation. Tlu- Lord opened the win- dows of heaven upon me, and gave me great enlargtment and power in prayer. Up to this rs' imeni I had no id da what text I should use on tV >ccn on. As I rose frouj my kneef the Lord g ive me thi — ' p, get you out )f this place, for the Lord will destroy this city.' I told tb'^ peo pie, as nearly as I could recollect, where they would tind it, and went on to tell them of the destniftion o.f Sodon). ^ gave them an outline of the history of Abraham and Lot, I REV. C. O. FINNEY. 165 and their relations to each other ; of Abrahan/s praying for Sodom, and oi" Lot, as the only pious man that was found in the city. While T was doing this, I was struck with the fact that the people looked exceedingly angry about me. Many countenances appeared very threatening, and some of the men near me looked as if they were about to strike me. liiis I could not understand, as 1 was only giving them with great liberty of spirit, some interesting sketches of Bible history. As soon as I had < mpleted the historical sketch, I turned upon them, and said that I had understood that '.hey never had any religious meetii^gsuii that neighbor- ..^ h(*od; and anplyilrtg TJial* factTi thrust at them ^i\h,ihm^ sword of the Sp^t, with all, my mjfght. From that^ip^bnt the solemnity ihcreased wi^h great ila^idity. In ^few moDients there seemed to $»11 upon th^ congregation an inst aneou shock. I cannot describe the sensation that 1 felt, nor that which was apparent in the congregation; but til- /ord seemed literally to cut like a sw.ard. The po\^t trom or ligh came down upon them in such d, torrent that 'they feL in their seats in evei-y direction, In l^s than a^ miuute nearlj, the whole congregation were eithel* down oi their knees, or on their faces, or in some positL»ft prostrate before God. Eyery one was crying or., g waning for mercy upon his own soul. They, paid no fiuabher attf tion to me or to my preacliing. J tried to get . -their atten- tion, but I could not. I observed the aged man, who had invited me there, as still retaining his seat near the centre of the house. He was staring around- him with a look of unutterable astonislim^nt. Pointing to him, I cried at the top of ray voice, « Can't you pray ? ' He knelt down and roared out a short prayer, about as loud as he could hollo ; 1-_, J — .■*?,...,...., Oil -j^ isxm. -..iter ";uKing around lor a i w moments, I knelt down aiiu put my hand on the head Vi, i! 166 SHININfi LIGHTS. of a young man who was kneeling at my feet, and engaged in prayer for mercy ,u his soul ; 1 got his attention, and preached Jesus in his ear. In a few moments he seized Jesus by faith, and then broke out in a prayer for those around him. I then turned to another in the same way, and with the same r> suit ; and then another, and another, till I know not how many had laid hold of Christ, and were full of prayer for others. After continuing in this way till nearly sunset, I was obliged to commit the meeting to the charge of the old gentleman who had invited me, and go to fulfil an appointment in another place for the evening. In the afternoon of the next day, 1 was sent for to go down to this place, as they had not been able to break up the meeting. They had been obliged to leave the school-house, to give place to the school ; but had removed to a private house near by, where I found a number of persons still too anx- ious and too much loaded down with conviction to go to their homes. These were soon subdued by the Word of God, and I believe all obtained a hope before they went home. Observe, I was a total stranger in that place, had never seen or heard of it, until as I have related. But here, at my second visit, I learned that the place was called Sodom, by reason of its wickedness ; and the old man who invited me was called Lot, because he was the only professor of religion in the place. After this manner the revival broke out in this neighborhood. I have not been in this neigh- borhood for many years ; but in 1856, I think, while labor- ing in Syracuse, N.Y., I was introduced to a minister of Christ from St. Lawrence County, by the name of Cross. He said to me, * Mr. Finney, you don't know me ; but do you remember preaching in a place called Sodom 1 ' I said, * I shall never forget it.' He replied, ' I was then a young man, and was converted at that meeting.' Hp is still living. am. REV. C. G. FINNEY. 167 a pastor in one of the churches in that county; and is the father of the principal of our preparatory department. Those who have lived in that region can testify to the per- Mjanent results of that blessed revival. [ can only give in words a feeble description of that wonderful manifestation of power from on high attending the preaching of the Word." Of the greatness of one revival held in Rochester, he says, it " attracted so much attention throughout New York New England, and many parts of the United States, that the very fame of it was an efficient instrument in the hands of the Spirit of God, in promoting the greatest revivals of religion throughout the land that this country had then ever witnessed." An eminent minister, in speaking of this revival says :— " That was the greatest work of God, and the greatest revival of religion, that the world has ever seen in so short a time. One hundred thousand were reported as having connected themselves with churches, as the results." The time had now come when his experience in the things of God was to be deepened. He says :— " During this winter (1843) the Lord gave my own soul a very thorough overhauling and fresh baptism of his Spirit. This winter, in particular, my mind was exceedingly exercised on the question of personal holiness ; and in respect to the state of the church, their want of power with God. I gave myself to a great deal of prayer. I arose at four o'clock, and gen- erally spent the time in prayer until breakfast, at eight o'clock. My days were spent, as far as I could find time, in searching the Scriptures. I read uothing else all winter but my Bible, and a great deal of it seemed new to me. The whole Scriptures seemed to me all ablaze with light, and not onlv liaht. huf. it npamp/1 op if fl«ri'„ tut — j instinct with the very life of God. 168 SHINING LIGHTS. "After praying in this v/ay for weeks and months, the thought that I might be deceiving myself, when it first occur- red to me, stung me almost like an adder. It created a pang that I cannot describe. The passages of Scripture that occurred to me, in that direction, for a few months greatly increased my distress. But directly I was enabled to fall back upon the will of God. I said to the Lord, that if he saw that it was wise and best, and that his honor demanded that I should be left to be deluded and go down to hell, I accepted his will, and I said to him, ' Do with me as seem- eth to thee good.' " Just before this occurrence, I had a great struggle to consecrate myself to Crod in a higher sense than I had ever before seen to be my duty, or conceived as possible. I had often before laid my family all upon the altar of God, and left them there to be disposed of at his discretion. But at this time, that I now speak of, I had a great struggle about giving up my wife to the will of God. She was in very feeble health, and it was evident that she could not live long I had never before seen so clearly what is implied in laying her, and all that I possessed, upon the altar of God ; and for hours I struggled upon my knees to give up unquali- fiedly to the will of God. But I found myself unable to do it. I was so shocked and surprised at this that I perspired profusely with agony. I struggled, and prayed, and prayed, until I was exhausted, and still found myself unable to give altogether up to God's will, in such a way as to make no objection to his disposing of her just as he pleased. But, as I said, I was enabled, after struggling for a few moments with this discouragement and bitterness, which I have since attributed to the fiery dart of Satan, to fall back in a deeper sense than I had ever done before upon the infinitely blessed and perfect will of G »d. I then REV. C. G. FINNEY. 169 told the Lord that I had confidence in him ; that I was perfectly willing to give myself, my wife and wmily, aU to be disposed of according to his own wisdom. I then had a deeper view of consecration to God than ever l^fore. I spent a long time upon my knees considering the matter over, and giving up everything to the will of Cod ; the interest of the church, the progress of religion, the conver- sion of the world, and the salvation or damnation of my own soul, as the will of God might decide. I went so far as to say to the Lord, with all my heart, that he might do anything with me or mine, to which his blessed will could consent ; that I had such perfect confidence in his goodness and love as to believe he could consent to nothing, to which I could object. I felt a kind of holy boldness, telling him to do with me just as seemed to him good. So deep and perfect a resting in the will of God I had never before known. My mind settled into perfect stillness. I seemed to be in a state of perfect rest, body and soul. The ques- tion frequently arose during the day, ' Do you still adhere to your consecration, and abide in the will of God 1 ' I said, * Yei, I take nothing back.' Nothing troubled me. I was mitiier elated nor depressed ; I was neither joyful nor sor- rowful. My confidence in God was perfect ; my acceptance of his will was perfect, and my mind was calm as heaven. Holiness unto the Lord seemed to be inscribed on all the exercises of my mind. My prayers were swallowed up in the will of God. Of course, my mind was too full of the subject to preach anything except a full and present salva- tion in the Lord Jesus Christ. My soul was wedded to Christ in a sense which I had never had any thought or conception of before. That passage, ' My grace is sufficient for thee,' meant so much. I could understand the prc^het when he said, * His name shall be called Wonderful, Coun- 1 a i 170 SHINING LIGHTS. sellor, the Mighty God, tho Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.' " After this Mr. Finney was more useful than ever. He held revivals in Rochester, Birmingham, London, Bolton and Boston. In the latter place it is estimated that not less than five hundred thousand persons were converted. In these places the educated and more intelligent part of the community, as usual, were brought to Christ under his labors. While laboring in a certain town a friend of his showed him through a factory. He says : — " As I went through, I observed there was a good deal of agitation among those who were busy at their looms, and their mules, and other implement^ of work. On passing through one of the apartments, where a great number of young women were attending to their weaving, I observed a couple of them eyeing me, and speaking very earnestly to each other ; and I could see that they were a good deal agitated, although they both laughed. I went slowly toward them. They saw me coming, and were evidently much excited. One of them was trying to mend a broken thread, and I observed that her hands trembled so that she could not mend it. I approached slowly, looking on each side at the machinery, as I passed ; but observed that this girl grew more and more agitated, and could not proceed with her work. When I came within eight or ten feet of her, I looked solemnly at her. She observed it, and was quite overcome, and sank down and burst into tears. The im- pression caught almost like powder, and in a few moments nearly all in the room were in tears. The feeling spread through the factory. Mr. W , the owner of the estab- lishmentj was present, and seeing the state of things, he said to the superintendent, '-Stop the mill, and let the people attend to religion : for it is more important that REV. C. G. FINNEY. 171 our souls should be saved than that this factory run." The gate was immediately shut down, and the factory stopped ; but where should we assemble? The superintendent suggested that the mule room was large ; and the mules being run up, we could assemble there. We did so, and a more powerful meeting I scarcely ever attended. It went on with great power. The building was large, and had many people in it, from the garret to the cellar. The revival went through the mill with astonishing power, and in the course of a few days nearly all in the mill were hope- fully converted." Of all the glorious work wrought, there was, as we have already pointed out, one grand secret— fellowship, close, constant, perfect, with God. He says : — " I shall never forget what a scene [ passed through one day in my room at Dr. Lansing's. The Lord showed me as in a vision what was before me. He drew so near to me, while I was engaged in prayer, that my flesh literally trembled on my bones. I shook from head to foot, under a full sense of the presence of God. At first, and for some time, it seemed more like being on the top of Sinai, amidst its full thunderings, than in the presence of the cross of Christ. " Never in my life that I recollect, was I so awed and humbled before God as then. Nevertheless, instead of feeling like fleeing, I seemed drawn nearer and nearer to God — seemed to draw nearer to that Presence that filled me with such unutterable awe and trembling. After a seaso of great humiliation before him, there came a great lifting ap. God assured me that he would be with me and up- hold me , that no opposition should prevail against me ; that I had nothing to do, in regard to all this matter, but to keep about my work, and wait for the salvation of God " 172 SHINING LIGHTS. He once induced a worldly church not only to abandon their finery and follies, but to adopt a public confession of their backslidings, which was read out to the congregation whilst the members of the church stood weeping. " I saw that Deacon R was very uneasy ; and he soon got up and went and stood in the open door. As there were some boys near the door, I supposed, at the time, that he had gone to keep the boys still. But I afterwards learned that it was through fear. He thought that if they set upon me, he would be where he could escape. From my text he concluded that I was going to deal very plainly with them ; and he had l:)een made quite nervous with the opposition which he had met with from them, and wanted to keep out of their reach. I proceeded to pour myself out upon them with all my might ; and before I was through, there was a complete upturning of the very foundations of Universalism, I think, in that place. It was a scene that almost equalled that of which I have spoken in Sodom. Thus the revival penetrated to every part of the town, and some of the neighboring towns shared in the blessing. The work was very precious in this place." Rev. C. C. Foote says of this remarkable man : " He had in early life been seduced into the Masonic lodge. He, therefore, knew Maisonry, having been in it. But when converted he renounced it, as every converted man should. Xhe strength of his terrible denunciations was in his personal knowledge and clear preception of its wickedness. This was the reason why he received so many threatsi of murder if he did not desist from his exposures and denun- ciations. "We have heard the most celebrated ministers of the Unityed States and Canada, and we regard Mr. Finney the peer of them all. Like Saul, he was head and shoulders REV. C. G. FINNEY. 173 above all the men of his age. In person he was tall and commanding. When roused in the pulpit there was an awful majesty in his appearance that at times made the heart stand still, and the people to tremble as by the terrors of an earthquake. He was possessed of an intellect of almost boundless versatility. He was a very Elijah in boldness and awfulness of denunciation. But in tenderness and love he was as the disciple that leaned on the bosom of Jesus. And, like those holy men, there will be none of his like to come after him. " The power of the Holy Spirit upon him was equal to the greatness of the faculties inspired. The vastness of his sensibility caused him to feel the truth as if it were a consuming fire in his bones. Where others had but faint views, truth rose before him like mountains on mountains ; such was the power of his perceptive faculties. " His sympathy with Christ was as that of a twin brother. No marvel that he came among the people as a revelation from heaven ; and no marvel that people came hundreds of miles to hear and witness the wonders of his revivals. He had the power of walking into men's consciences like an angel with a flaming sword. His ability to read the char- acter of men was startling. Many a man was stricken under conviction by one look from those searching eyes. His sermons to Christians reveal his remarkable power of analysis. These sermons would sometimes drive nearly a whole church into the inquiry room. In the realm of law and moral government, it i' doubtful if this country has had his equal since the da ,r. of ike elder Edwards. If you would know h^s logical po,v .rs, read his reviews of his reviewers. It was liis lo^.' r<] .aasoning that gave him such great success with lawyers. 'But transcending all else was his spiritual power. His 174 SHINING LIGHTS. experience in the heights and depths of the spiritual life was pa«it description. Those mighty prayers that moved hea/en and earth caused people to say, ' No matter what he wanted of God, he was sure to get it for the asking.' " He died August 16, 1875, lacking two weeks of having completed his eighty-third year. BILLY BEAY. This extraordinary man was born in the village of Twelve- heads, near Truro, Cornwall, England, 1794. The following sketch by Mark Guy Pearse, somewhat altered and revised, gives the main facts of his wonderful career : — As a young man, he was exceedingly wicked, and indulged in all sinful- ness. After being absent from his native country seven years, he returned to it a drunkard. But throughout these years the constant danger to which he was exposed in his work, and the hair-breadth escapes, tilled his mind. His conscience tormented him ; dreams terrified him ; at times he feared to sleep lest he should wake up in hell. At length there came into his hand a book written by one who would have been a kindred spirit. It was John Bunyan's " Visions of Heaven and Hell." The vivid pic- tu rings of the lost roused Bray to great anxiety. The description of two souls in hell cursing each other for their misery, was himself and a drunken companion ; and the thought burned within him, — " Shall he and I, who like each other so much, torment each other inhelU" That wound did not heal until he met with the Good Physician. It was deepened hy the words of his wife, who had once BILLY BRAY. 176 enjoyed the favor of God, but had left her Saviour. She frequently talked of the remembrance of her joy and peace, — •' O, Billy, no tongue can tell what they enjoy who serve the Lord ! " "Why don't 'e begin again, then?" asked Billy, "for then I might begin, too. Get converted, and show me the way ; for you bean't such a sinner as I be." Though he suffered this bitterness, " the devil had such a hold of him," as he said, that he was ashamed to pray before his wife, and went to bed without kneeling. What strange things men are ashamed of ! And what strange things they are not ashamed of ! A man is 7iot ashamed to let his wife and children see him drunk, but he is dreadfully ashamed for them to see him on his knees ! He is not ashamed for men to hear him take the holy name of God in vain, but he wouldn't for the world be heard praying ! To be told by God's Word that he is in danger of '« hell fire " is nothing; but to be called religious, and told that he's in danger of getting to heaven— this makes him blush like a child ! But Billy's trouble was too much for his shame. In the middle of the night, he sprang out of bed, and fell on his knees, and prayed for mercy. ''The more I prayed, the more I felt to pray," was his account of it afterwards; and day and night, at work and at home, he wrestled for deliver- ance from the guilt of sin, His companions reproached him for making such a noise— like him of old, he was" roaring all the day long." But Billy could not be quiet until the Lord Jesus had spoken peace to him. "You would roar out too, if you felt my load, and roar I will until I get it off," was all Billy said in reply. There was no more drunkenness, no more oaths, no more oimme, but day and night one incessant cry,—" What must I 12 176 SHINING LIGHTS. do to he saved ? " Work, and focol, and sleep were forgotten in the intensity with which he sought the Lord. One day, as soon as he reached home, he went straight to his room, and determined to press into the kingdom. He prayed, " Lord, thou hast said they that ask shall receive, and they that seek shall find, and they that knock shall have the door opened — and / have faith to believe it." That instant the Lord made him happy. " I shouted for joy," he tells us ; "I praised him with my whole heart for what he had done for a poor sinner like me. ... Everything looked new to me — the people, the fields, the cattle, the trees. I was like a man in a new world . . . / told all I met what the Lord had done /or my soul. I have heard some say that thty have had hard work to gst away from their companions, hut I sought mine out, and had hard work to find them soon enough to tell them what the Lord had done for my soul. . . . They said I was a madman ; but they meant I was a glad man, and glory be to God, I have been glad ever since ! " Billy Bray at once determined to possess all the privi- leges and gifts that his new-found religion affoided. He joined the •' Brianite," or "Bible Christian Methodists." And in this he at once proved his earnestness, and found much help. The earnestness of his devotion was soon felt. Such a tire as burned in his soul could not but spread. Religion to him was not a duty to be done — not a privilege to be enjoyed in leisure hours — not a benefit-club, a comfortable provision for " rainy days ;" — it was a life. It was never left behind — never put off with the Sunday clothes, never hidden before great or low, good or bad — but in him, flowing through him, speaking in every word, felt in every Hnt.inn. Sftftn in «verv look — .tIftAn f,rn«» n.hirlirnr ralioriop \vp* ^ BILLY B:I/vV. 177 with him altogether a life. Dead indeed to sin, he was now living to God through Jesus Christ. Billy had "lighted his candle," and resolved that it should give light to all that were in the house. His reli- gion was not a safety-lamp, laid by till he should be going down into the dark valley— nor like the chapel gaslight, that burned only on Sundays, and at the week-evening services. Once lighted, it was perhaps put into a com- mon-place sort of a candlestick, but all at home could see by it. And as the world about him was " a dark 'world," he thrust his candle into a lantern, and took it forth wherever he went, and guided not a few from "horrible pits" -that threatened them, into the way of salvation. One thing about this lighted candle Billy never forgot— that it hurried none the worse for every candle that was lighted from it. His words on this matter deserve to be written in gold : — " There were men who professed to be converted before 1 was, but did not love the Lord enough to own him, and not enough to pray with us, and tell us we were going to hell. But when I was converted, praise the Lord, he gave me strengrth to tell all I met with, that I was happy, and that what the Lord had done for me, he would do for anybody else that would seek his face. There was nobody that prayed in the mine where I worked ; but when the Lord converted my soul, he gave me power to pray with the men before we went to our different places of work. Sometimes I felt it a heavy cross ; but the cross is the way to the crown. Sometimes I have had as many as from six to ten men down with me, and 1 have said, ' Now, if you will hearken to me, I will pray for you before we go to work ; for if I do not pray with you, and any of us should be killed, I should think it was my fault.' Then I should / i 178 SHINING LIGHTS. pray in what people call simple language ; but as I hope the Lord would have me. When praying, I used to say ' ^f^'d^ iffiny of us mmt be killed, or die to-day, let it be ME— /«< not one of these men die, for tJiey are not happy; hut I am, and if I die to-day, I shall go to heaven.' When I rose from my knees, T saw the tears running down their faces ; and soon after some of thenj became praying men too." Within a week his wife recovered her lost joy, being led by her husband's hand to tiie Saviour whom she had forsaken. The secret of Billy's wonderful success was this- le kept himself always ready for the Lord's work, anywhere and in any way. A,nd as the Lord has much woik to be done, Billy was always busy. Why may w ; not look for that which came to the Evan- gelist Philip ).i Ihi: olden time? The Spirit said to Philip, "Go near, and joia thyself to this chariot." If our ear were opened to tlse Spirit's whisper should we not thus be directed oftentimes 1 Billy never doubted it. His simple faith heard and at once obeyed the divine direction. Take one instance that he records:— "I worked with a man before I was converted, called William Bray, and he was like myself a very wicked man Botli of us were promoted at the same time ; for he was made ' Captain' of the mine, and [ was adopted into the Royal Family of heaven, and made a child of God. / had not seen him for a lony time, when one Moiday evening it was impressed upon my mind that if I went to see him he would be saved. And I went, nothing doubting, and found him at home. " I prayed with him ; told him what the Lord would do for hini ; and soon he found the Saviour and was happy in his love. I saw him many times in his last sickness, and he was very happy and full of faith. Just before he died ^ I BILLY BRAY. 179 he sfint for me, as he wanted to toll me that CkriM wnii his. These were the last words he spoke to ine, and soon after he was taken to paradise." To him every one he met was a soul redeemed—one whom he 1, light lead to Jesus. At any rate he would try. From the time of his conversion to the day of hi th, Billy's zeal for souls was " a flaming fire." Ft seem „ver to be checked by any difficulties -never turned aside by any opposition. Hindrances only summoned a stronger faith, and ensured a mightier triumph. Of many stories that illustrate his usefulness, perhaps the most interesting is one that I give simply as I have Iieard it from the clergyman himself. Billy was one day walking over a hill, near which he lived, " when the Lord said to him "—for so he spoke of the impression—" I will give thee all the souls that dwell upon this mountain." "Thank'e, Father," he replied reverently, and at once fell on his knees and prayed for the people, and for wisdom that he might win them. As a miner he had some time every day at his disposal, the work of those who go under- ground not extending over eight hours. These spare hours he devoted to the people who had thus been given to him. He visited them constantly, reading, and talking, and pray- ing, until every one was brought to Jesus, and savingly converted. The promise was fulfilled— the Lord had given him every soul that dwelt upon that hill. With great joy he told the Lord of what had been done ; and as it was " a whist little mountain with on'y three housen 'pon en," he prayed for a larger field of labor. He rose from prayer satisfied with the assurance that soon there would be work enough upon his « mountain." It came in a way Billy had not expected— first with an intimation IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 lit Hi 1^ 1 4.0 1.25 iu |Z5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 "i 50mm V e^. .1^ ^^» '»^ .. <" /. V^ V /APPLIED A _i IIVMGE . Inc ^s 1653 East Main Street =--; Rochester, NY 14609 USA ^ Phone: 716/482-0300 = Fax: 716/288-5989 O 1993. Applied Image, Inc., All Rights Reserved A i\' <> ^\^ ^\ '^^ ■^^2''i> 4\^ ^ Ard bless and convert you. Don't be angry with me. your soul." The minister left hin», bewildered. Here one of the best and most hopeful of his flock had been led astray by these wretched Dissenters." And yet he could not help feeling and was candid enough to acknowledge, that-call it en- thusiasm or excitement, or anything else-it was a very blessed thmg that could lift a man out of the shadow and gloom of death, and make him cry with such assurance :- ^ If^ time oj my departure is at hand Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." It made him miserable. Was it all a mi^^ake ? Was there a mighty power and life to which he himself was a strangerl i)id he know what it meant to be cont;«rterf-being justified by faath, to have peace with Cod-did he himself under- stand these things ? His wife suggested that he should visit a gcdly clergy- man who lived in an adjoining parish. But the visit only troubled him the more. " If you ' ' been converted your- self, you would have rejoiced in .n'an's salvation, and would have praised God with him," said this plain-spoken friend ; and added, as a parting consolation, " You'll ntver do any good in your parish until you are converted yourself ." He returned more cast down than ever. The approach of the Sabbath filled him with dread. What could he tell the people if he himself were not converted ? The Sunday came. Ths bell was tolling for the service Trembling from head to foot he entered the church, and managed as best he could to get through the prayers. He could not dismiss the people without a sermon, yet he had nothing for them. He announced his text, " What think ye ofChrxst ?" As soon ^s he opened his mouth the glory of the Lord shone upon him. Chrint .as tlieonly foundation— HILLY BRAY. 183 Christ as the only salvation— Christ as the all and in all- was revealed to him. His soul was at once as full of joy as it had been of mourning ; and he preached with such fer- vor and earnestness a present salvation by simple faith, that there arose a general cry for mercy ; and that day many of the people were savingly converted - the beginning of a work that spread on every side. Now it was that late one cold winter's night, as Billy was pleading with (Jod, that the answer came. He might go and speak to the parson. So, as he said, " I put up ray clothes agen and hitched in the dunkey, and corned singin' all along the road." The next morning early the j^ood clergyman heard some man arrive, whose tirst salutation was, " Bless the Lord ! " Presently the man came through the hall, repeating quietly his favorite phrase. He opened the door of the breakfast room to see who this strange visitor could be ; and there stood the little man, with twinkling eyes and beaming face, praising the Lord. Half suspecting who it was, he asked him. " What is your name V " 1 be Billy Bray, Sir. Be you the passon ? » he asked, in reply. The vi-ar told him he was. "Convarted be 'e. Sir?" and an eager look drove the question home. *• Yes, thank God, I am," said the clergyman. In a moment Billy was filled with a delight that knew no bounds. Throwing his arms around the vicar, he lifted him up and carried him round the room, shouting, " Glory, glory, the passon 's converted ! Glory be to God ! " The clergyman thought that submission was his only safety, and rode round the room in this fashion until Billy should set him down again. m 184 SHINING LIGHTS. i« 1:1 But now the vicar's wife came in. " Be the missis convarted V cried Billy. " Yes, thank God," was the gentle answer. Either courtesj or exhaustion prevented him from re- peating the proof of his delight, and he said only, «' O I be so happy I can hardly live ! " His new friends persuaded him to sit down and get some breakfast. Then he told them how the Lord had given him all the souls upon the hill; and how he had prayed for months for them-prayed that he might come and speak to them, and now the answer was given— they were both the Lord's. But suddenly Billy ohecked himself. " All the souls 'pon the mountain," he said to himself. Perhaps some had been overlooked. " Bean't there some maids in the house, mum V he asked turning to the lady. ' "Yes, Billy, there are three." " Be they convarted too, for they do live 'pon^ my mountain ? " r j "Yes, the good Lord has led us all to himself," said the lady, gratefully. Then all together knelt and gave thanks to God for his wonderful goodness. The answer to Billy's prayers has issued in the mi-htv preaching and fruitful ministry of this converted clergyman. He thus relates an interesting incident : " Friends, last week I was diggin' up my 'taturs. It wa« ft poor yield, sure 'nough; there was hardly a sound one in the lot. An' while I was a-diggin' the devil com- to me, an' he says: 'Billy, do you think your Father do love you ? ' " « I should reckon he do,' I says. BILLY BRAY. 185 Well, T don't,' says the tempter, in a minute. " If I'd thought about it. I shouldn't ha' listened to him, for his pinions been't worth the leastest bit o' notice. "'I don't,' says he, 'an' I tell 'ee what for: If your Father loved you, Billy Bray, he'd give you a pretty yield o taturs-so much as ever you do want, and ever so many of 'era, a.id every one of 'em as big as your tist. For it been't no trouble for your Father to do anything; and he could just as easy give you plenty as not. An' if he loved you he would, too.' " O' course I wasn't goin' to let him talk o' my Father hke that, so I turned round 'pon him. ' Pray, sir,' says I, ' who may you happen to be, comin' to me a-talkin' like this here? If I been't mistaken, I know you, sir, an' I know my Father, too. An' to think o' vour comin' a-sayin' he don't love me ! Why, I've got your written character at home m my house, and it do say, sir, thfit you be a liar from the beginnin'. An' I'm sorry to add that I used to have a personal acquaintance with you some years since, an' I served you faithful as any poor wretch could ; an' all you gave me was nothin' but rags to my back, an' a wretched home, an' an achin' head— an' no 'taturs— an' the fear o' hell-6re to finish up with. An' there's my dear Father in heaven. I've been a poor servant o' his off an' on for this forty years, an' he's given me a clean heart, an' a soul full of joy, an' a lovely suit of white as'll never wear out, an' he says that he will make a king o' me before he've done, an' that he'll take me home to his palace to reign with him forever an' 6ver. An' now you come up here a-talkin' like that ! ' "Bless 'ee, my dear friends, he went off in a minute, hke as if he'd been shot— an' he never had the manners to say good-morning." ■■i,i: Hi 186 SHINING LIGHTS. No account of this quaint, warm-hearted Cornishman would be complete without some allusion to the wonders he did in the way of chapel-building. To the apostle's liet of the triumphs of faith he proved that yet another could be added. By faith he built ^lutpels, and paid for them, too. His faith did not believe in works that want credit He took far too proud a delight in working for God to work with borrowed money. He was in the service of the Almighty, and he lived every moment believing that that I'ower could bend all things to the divine will. Once, as he went on a begging expedition, his companion suggested that, as they were going to call at a gentleman's hous^ It would be more^ seemly to knock at the back door "No," said Billy, " I am the son of a King ; and in my J^athers name, and for his cause, I'll go front ways." With many persons this, perhaps, would have been but a conceited impudfence ; with Billy Bray it was the utterance ot a conviction that ever inspired him. Amidst very many difficulties and. hindrances, he com- menced, with his own hands, a chapel near the place where he lived. " The dear Lord," he tells us in an account of it, raised me up many friends, who sent me money to pay the masons, and so we got the chapel walls up, and timber for the roof. But we had not got enough by one principal, and I asked my Heavenly Father to send me some timber or money to buy some." Here, then, was the little place-the last bit of timber used-the last penny spent. What is to be done but elose It for want of funds ? Want of funds ! That was an utter impossibility in Billy's mind. " The silver is mine, and the gold IS mine, saith the Lord of Hosts ; " and kneeling in simple, earnest, believing prayer, Billy ever had access to nim ; how, then, could he doubt 1 BILLY BRAY. 187 The next morning Billy came down to his work without timber or money, but with faith in God. Hv didn't wait long A man who lived near there came up to hin., and asked abruptly : - *• What do you want a pound note for ? " "Just the money I want to put up a principal on that end of the chapel,'^ said Billy, with twinkling eyes. "Well," said the man, - 1 never knew such a thing in my life, for all the morning it has kept con.ing into my ears, go down and give Billy a pound note ; and now, here it be. So off went the happy little man to buy l.is principal, blessing the Lord all the way. At this tin.e, whilst engaged in this work, his youngest chdd was taken ill. Very touching is the story he used to tell, how that when she was dying Satan tempted him severely. » [ had but two pounds left to cover the chapel and It would take seven ; and now if the dear little maid were to die, it 'uld be a pound to bury her; and he tempted me that the child would be sure to die." Off .• Downs, Billy has himself written the account of it. , I f I J ^^ ^"'^'"' ""• °°"'<' ■""■» " Vot for a Chanel about the chapel ...yself. So he appointed a day, and got the Id f He T T "" *""' *" "°'''' "'"' 8°' ^o™o Btone ; the good friend who gave the land lent me Kis horse and cart, and we soon set the masons to work "Those who read this must remember that r was a very poor man with a wife and five small children at that time and worked u, the mine ui.dergi.und. Sometimes I C terenoon.coi-e. and when I had taken my dinner, 1 shouW go to the chapel and work as long as I could see, and the -n coie, J.en 1 should go up to the chapel in the 100 HHININO LIGHTS. morning, and work until the middle of thn day, and then go home and away to the mine. The wet-k following, I should be night 'core;' I should then work about the chapel by day, and go to the minn by ni-l.t. I have worked twenty hours in the twenty-four. Had not the Lord helped tne I could not have done it. Bless .ind pmise his holy mime, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength ! " When the chapel was about half-way up the devil tempted Billy- «« They are all gone and left you and the chapel, and I would go and leave the place too." His answer was like himself, -- Devil, does'n' thee knaw better 'an that t By the help o' the Lord I'll have the chapel up, or lose my skin on the down." Billy's argument against every objection was this :— «« If this chapel should stand one hundred years, and if one soul were converted in it every year, that would be a hundred souls, and that would pay me well enough if I got to heaven ; for 'they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever.'" Of many remarkable incidents that occurred in connection with his chapel-building, we must content ourselves with this ; — The little place at Kerley Downs was up, but it needed a pulpit. Billy began to think within himself where that could come from. At last, as he looked about among some furniture at an auction sale, his eye fell upon an old three- cornered cupboard. "The very thing," cried Billy, '";.-rtt"tr' r '^'-- - " - - prey was not "taken from the miffhtv" withonf fK. rhiTfnTtr'd"^- ""' «"«<•- -'^^■^v*'::.; whii m de hfr crZunlT "'™" '^^ "P°"" '- deliverance from 4f " *"**""■ "^^^ "^ »°"' '»■• nes.mrh:rhurt:iTm^°ir- -" - o»r '■::^rthe trs^^rjmr r ."r ■ -'»"- -r^»::r;::hteT5h"™— ^^^^^^^ the death of her dearest friend " °""™ = "' "°* -« ■" MARY ANN PEARCE. 199 " She saw him hanging on the cross in agony and blood • He seemed to charge her with his death, though not a word he spoke. The Saviour disappeared, but she continued agonizing in fervent prayer, and very soon he reappeared. He looked upon her now with a stveet smile, which instantly set her soul at liberty, removed all doubts and fears, bruised aatan at once and for evermore under her feet, and filled her soul unutterably full of peace, love, and joy. " The second look he gave, which said, I freely all forgive • My blood was for your ransom paid. I died that you might live." " True believers have seen The Saviour of men. As his head he on Calvary bowed ; W'e shall see him again When, with all his bright train, He descends in the luminous cloud." As her Saviour disappeared, she heard heavenly music "so sweet and beautiful, "-heaven seemed separated from' her only by a thin veil. She was now very, very happy, and had no room for anything else but praise and thanksgiving to her Redeemer. Ihe refining fire had gone through her heart, • " Illumined all her soul. Scattered the life through every part, And sanctified the whole. " Now, a« on eagle's wings, she mounted up, and until the dawn o. day continued - praising and blessing God." Going to work early, her feet were " light as a young hart upon the mountains of spices." The fashion of her countenance was changed, and the light of heaven was in her eye, for the lov. of heaven was in her heart. Never \t m 'U 200 SHINING LIGHTS. had she worked so cheerfully ; within and without all was light and love and glory. So satisfied was her inmost soul with "his likeness," that she desired no food for the body • the bread of heaven was meat indeed. Returning home' she went up to her bedroom, as she had been wont to do for the last seven weeks, not now to ask for pardon and purity, but to praise God for these gifts. Often has she said that " more than an infant desires the mother's breast, did she long for the night to come, to praise and commune with her precious Saviour." From the breasts of heavenly consolations did she draw fresh supplies, in secret and alone with "her Beloved." In a meeting, called after the old scriptural model a feast of charity," o, "love-feast," she rose up, and with radiant countenance declared "all that God had done for her soul." She said, to quote her own simple but striking words, " that all she had enjoyed before was no more than the snufFof a candle to the light and love God had now given. Mr. Knee, whom she called her spiritual father said to her after the meeting :_"My child, it was a hard struggle, but you are now safe within the veil." Mary Ann's conversation was truly heavenly. To her mother, who had been very ill and unable to attend the means of grace, she was made a great blessing, comforting and quickening her, in weakness and sickness. Henceforth she walked upon that glorious highway, "the way of holi- ness," over which the unclean cannot pass; but this redeemed one walked there, and this ransomed one returned "to Zion with songs and everlasting joy" upon her head. She obtained joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing fled away ; her sun went down no more, for the Lord was her everlasting light and glory, and thedays of her mourning were ended. MARY ANN PEARCE. 201 One dark winter's night, the last in the old year, and many years before the events which have been narrated took p ace, a number of young men were passing Randwick C^hapel, and heard singing within. One said :_• • Let us «o m and see what they are at." Though some went to laugh and mock, all remained to fear and tremble At midnight, during solemn, silent prayer, one, named Nathaniel Pearce wa^ ''pricked to the heart," and felt as though he wa^ droppmg into hell. Sound conversion followed these searchmg convictions. This man became a member, teacher and prayer-leader, and remained an ornament and strength of the church until old age. His memory is precious, and he is still spoken of as « good old Nathaniel " A son of his, named Nathaniel, who wixs also a member, teacher, and prayer-leader, sought Mary Ann in marriaga But 80 afraid was she of taking this step, that she earnestly prayed, even while going up the aisle of the church to be tnarned, that, if not according to God's will, he would then prevent the union. About four years after her marriage, they removed to a house about three miles from Randwick. Having become a mother, she quickly learned "the art of governing by love." In that house was heard no scolding, no threaten- mg, no sharp or angry words. If the children did wrong she mildly reproved; if they had grievously disobeyed, she took them upstairs, talked seriously with them, and then knelt down to pray. Though living so far from the chapel, it was her custom to be present at the six o'clock Sabbath morning prayer- meeting, often carrying her infant. If some were cold and lifeless there, life and power prevailed when Mary Ann opened her lips. She often said that, after these haopv mornmg meetings, her heart seemed "light as a feather" 202 SHINING LIGHTS. In the afternoon she came again, to class and chapel returning home in the evening nith her husband and children. Thus she seldom walked less than twelve miles on the Sunday. Turning now to her domestic life, it may justly he said that "the praises and properties of a good wife," as set forth m God's word, were found in her. "The heart of her husband " safely trusted in her She did " him good and not evil all the days of her life." She laid -her hands to the spindle, and her hands held the distaff." She stretched "out her hand to the poor," even when requiring things herself, saying " I shall not want " She opened "her mouth with wisdom ; and in her tongue" was the "law of k^idness." She "looked well to the ways^ of her household, and ate not the bread of idle- ness." " Her children " rose up and " called her blessed "; " her husband also, and he praised her." All the sewing, the making, and mending, for herself, husband, and six children, was done by her own needle. If she knew not kow to do a thing, her habit was to keep on trying till she could do it. An early riser, she loved to " get w ork forward " in the morning. When her husband went to his work, she always gave him a smile and cheering word ; and greeted him on his return with a happy look and a joyful voice. If she saw him looking anxious, his mind burdened, his soul "vexed within him," she could not rest until he had told her his troubles. She would then carry them away to "spread before the Lord," and plead earnestly till light and deliver- ance were given. She and her husband met in the same class. Returning home from Randwick one Sunday, he said :— " Well, Mary Ann, whatever troubles you have, you MARY ANN PKARCE. 203 as set never go to cIms to tell them." " Oh no," she repHod, " I tell all these to my heavenly Father." One who used to nieet witli her has said : — " T was, when young, very timid and trembling at class, especially when the minister came. Mary Ann would take me by the hand, and say so cheerfully : ' Come along, I will help you. Have faith in (iod ; trust in him.' Still holding my hand, and looking at me so tenderly, she would lead me out of the chapel into the school- room, where the minister was waiting for us. Many a time should I have left the class and gone back, if it had not been for her." Much as Mary Ann prized and loved all the means of grace, yet she did not neglect family duties to attend them ; nor would she remain at any meeting, however interesting, or however pressed to do so, beyond the time when she felt it was her duty to be at home. One autumn there had been a long season of wet ; rain and dark, dismal days had prevailed for weeks ; the corn was spoiling, the bread rising, the people very anxious. A special prayer-meeting was held at Painswick Edge, and thither, through the rain, with her littl(3 one under her cloak, went Mary Ann. Those still living who were present remember the life and power that filled the place while she, with childlike confidence, pleaded with the " God of Heaven" for fair weather. Next morning the sun shone beautifully, and fine weather set in, continuing till the end of harvest. Many who heard the prayer observed the change, and gratefully recognized the hand of God. Mary Ann and her family were for a long time annoyed by a bad neighbor, who broke down their hedges, stole articles of food, and injured them in evecy possible way. One night Nathaniel was sorely troubled about these depredations. His wife determined to lay the matter 'il! '• SHINING LIGHTS. before her heavenly Father, and prayed with importunity until she r-, assured of deliverance. In a dream that night one in bright clothing appeared ; with a dignified bok and sweet smile, he said, waving his hand, " Read the thirty-seventh Psalm." In the morning she requested hor husband to read it; he did so. It begins: "Fret not thyself because of evildoers," The sacred words ^lled the sorely tried man with comfort. The next day . -ctter came from a distant town to this bad neighbor, requiring his removal, and in less than a week he and his family left the neighborhood. ^ nil'l ^'^^^r'? ^'''^ "^"^ ^'^^ ^'^^^ ««"°"«ly i" in the mght, and her husband hastened off to fetch a doctor When he had gone sopie distance, two men suddenly rushed upon hira, demanding - his money or his life." He said he had no money. Then they demanded his watch ; but he had no M-atch. Holding him fast, they declared they would have his coat and hat. Telling them his trouble, he im- tZ T^ VI ^'™ «" °" *" '^^ ^^''''' -d -as set tree. The medical man at once started on horseback, and was stopped by the same ruffians. Happily, just then Nathaniel overtook him, and by his earnest entreaties so overcame the robbers that they allowed both to *.o on unmolested. Not a word of the strange event was breathed to Mary Ann, but a few days after sho asked her husband what had gone amiss with him the inght he went to ^t^-oud She said she had felt an unusual cour.ra .... his safety, and had been drawn out in prayer for his preservation in an extraordinary manner all the time he was away About ten or twelve years after her marriage, Aary Ann was summoned, suddenly from Randwick Chapel one Sunday, by a little daughter, to go home, for "father is .«ken very ill." She found her husband sickening with the MARY ANN I'EAKCE. 205 8iiialI-pox. He grew rapidly worHe, and Uy the next Habhath tUl hope of recovery was gone. At seven o'clock m the morning, he insisted upon getting up; bur. unable to stand, sank on the floor with a groan, saying, " Tis hard to die." After he was lifted into bed, he caught hold of his wife's hand, saying, -Don't leave ine-don't leave me again." With his hand in hers, she knelt at his side, pointing him to Christ, pleading the promises, and pouring out her soul in prayer. She prevailed ; her husband's doubts and fears vanished— peace, joy and v.ctory were given. With his hand still in hers, where it ha. . remained for five hours, died Nathaniel Pearce, in "perfect peace." Thus at one stroke all earthly props were knocked away Suddenly left a widow, with six little children and no means of support, she could yet say with the prophet : "Although the tig-tree shall not blossom, neitht- shall fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be . at off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God or my salvation. The Lord God is my strength ; and he will make my feet like hinds' feet." One who was secretly glad at her calamity said : " Vh now you and the children will have to go to the poor-ho. ,^ -." "My Father has other houses besides the workhouse i >r his children," she calmly and confidently replied. To h- r inmost soul, with sweet sustaining power, were applied those words in Isaiah 54. - Fear not ; for thou shalt not be ashamed ; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame. . . For thy Maker is thy Hus- band; the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel." "it Xhooe who were present the next Sabbath morning at 206 SHINING LIGHTS. Her confidence m God, her faith, and love, and joy seemed no only unshaken, but increased. She r;ally appear^^ When the funeral sermon for her husband was preached .he wa. there. Many gazed on her face with astonisbneM -the same sweet look-she shed no tear; and some lef and d'r t77h"f \'"' ""' ""' "^^ '"'"'™<' ""«' -^ and did not feel his death, pr care for her loss » Wuhm a year or two of the death of her husband, Mary Ann received three offers of marriage, from respectable men much above her m position and substance. Though ■raportuned again and again, and reasoned with-ass„,S of easy cu^umstances, comfortable home, freedom from men,,, and laborious work, and even a se;vant to wa.^on her promised-yet she firmly declined all. This decision dTa'thTT'^^^r ' "" ■"" "■' '™' '-" «" '"e hr:"^ death, by day or by night, the cheerful and untiring min- «try of dutiful and aflectionate children. UnablT support her family by her needle, she was now obHg«, t, go to the cloth mill. Humble, teachable, industrioufan^ quick at everything, she soon " got into the work " Though highly respected by many and treated kindly by ZZ/ T"" "{ *""■ -™P"l<>-'y -at and cLn app^^rance, because she did not idle away her time but »,««go on with her work, would „o. join in evil speaktag or trifling and sinful conduct, and because she was alway! happy and singing hymns, there were others who en3 persecuted, and hated her. They called her names, mocked her and even threw things at her, so that she hL many times returned home with her hands covered with bruises and even her head ,,nd face injured. The severest Trd MARY ANN PEARCE. 207 Mary Ann ever employed in speaking of those who thus l|-treated her was, ««Poor thing, poor thing!" None of these things moved her ; all was meekly, patiently endured for her Saviour's sake. Never did she resent an injury • never answered again ; but committed herself to him who hath said, -Vengeance is mine, I will repay." She firmly behaved that God would "lift up her head above her enemies round about her." It is written: "He who toucheth thee toucheth the apple of his eye "; it is also written : "Those who hate the righteous shall be desolate "• and again : " / will contend with him who contendeth with thee. Let all (and these have been many) who have spoken against, hated, and contended with this righteous woman, say if these scriptures have not been fulfilled to the letter in their experience. Let them say if their arm of oppression, like Jeroboam's, has not "withered up "when stretched "forth to " lay hold " on her. Let them testify If they found not "a defence round the glory, a wall of tire which consumed them." How far the accident she now met with was caused by design and dislike on the part of another, cannot be affirmed ; but one day, as Mary Ann was stooping down by the power-loom, it was unexpectedly started. She wai struck on the forehead, and with violence knocked back- wards across the kee^ edge of the joint in a steam-pipe. She was taken up for dead, and carried home to Ebley where she now lived. Besides other internal injuries, the bottom of the spine was seriously hurt. The doctors despaired of her life, and for months she suffered excruciat- ing pain. The whole support of the house now fell upon the elder daughters. Leaving the door unlatched, and their dear afflicted mother alone, they went to work' ■;i!:'i!l 14 nribXi 208 SHINING LIGHTS. . '::Tr:r tar -f !:r-"^° ^-"-"^ • . „ , scarce in public as a marvellous inetance „£ the sustaining power of true religion unde severe and prolonged suiTering-exeept when he and a few other kmd friends opened the door and crept upstairs to see her, she was always alone. Mr. Parsons dellhL ^ea. ly ,„ v.s.tmg her. He would say . " I am come ag^n to get good, you see, and to be cheered up." He always ptiidXr """'"' ^ --- °' -- -'-• When one of Mary Ann's daughters, who had I,een a n.emWofh,s church for eight yea., entered his roon^^h: day before his death, tliis dying minister, looking earnestly at her ™d .- " I wish I felt as happy as your dea' moth r " On one occasion her kind and faithful friend and leader Mr_ Knee entered the house, and saw, not only Mary Ann on her bed of suffering, but the two daughters'who wat^d Cxry^gXTtuit '"zr ''' "-- feeiin,, the ve/eraLr UttoTat ^;Z'^^u; S a smile :r "h'/™ "'"" «"^"« "^ ^^^ ^ One who had been a scholar in Eandwick school and knew Mary Ann's power in p,.yer and her holy life 7t brought n,gh unto the grave. This present evil worii2 had loved too much. Given up by the docto,., thetr ^r of death compassed her about. Nothing would do but tW Mary Ann should be sent for, to come''andly''wtIt Over the stncken one Mary Ann's heart yearni. .. y^ I will go, she said, and against all the protests of her kiMl MARY ANN PEARCE. 209 doctor and children, who declared the iournev of « n,.'! i Bath cha.r kmdly lent by a clergyman's wife. ^ up Frr*,*''"'^ """" '"'"■^'' """">"-. hope sp™„g suffe ers r«,», herself stretched on a bed. prayfng al wrestling w,th God, though in severe pain ' * Continuing " instant in prayer," she saw every doubt and ear flee away, and another most poceful death-one Jre S„r •"r''' '™'" *■■' '-■""8-one more sou w™ So th« s.ck visitor of the sick returned home rejoicing ■ not counting her own ea.e or life dear to her, so that she mil do her Lord's will and work. ^ From her bedroom window the roof of the chapel at Randwick could be seen. The stones of th.. i dear fr. !,«- t »u , 'K>nes ot that place were dear to her for there a thousand spiritual blessin., had been rec^ved. Unnumbered supplications for the prolritv all K°°. . """-^ ^"^ '°™'' '"'^'' »"<' which was always by her side, was the Bible. The only volumes rZ and prized besides were Wesley's " Hymn Book," Thom^ 4 Kempis's "Christian Pattern" (J. Weslev's awT^ R^^^^and the lives of Mrs. Fletcher and Hester Ann After living at Ebley for fourteen years, Mary Ann was removed to her son's house in Stroud, where the w Jr" acquaintance with this holy child of God commenced and during twelve years it ha.s been to him an uns-akable happiness and privilege to visit her. Sitting at herrd^dt he has learnt more of what true religion «, what it cant' / '1 210 SHININO IJOHTS. The Wesleyan ministers and their wives often called to see her. One of them made it a point to visit her, saying " he could always preach better after seeing Mary Ann : he had always more life and liberty in the pulpit when he went to it from her bedside." The mother's bedroom was the council chamber of the children. She cheered her sons in depression and despon- dency, guided them in perplexity, inspired them with hope in trouble, and was ever the light and life of the house. After a few years she was removed to the Plain, near her native village, which proved the last earthly resting- place of this happy pilgrim's progress to the skies. Mary Ann rejoiced in the grand and glorious displays of her heavenly Father's power. Her spirit triumphed exceedingly in the thunder-storm ; not only without fear, but with intense admiration and delight, she would gaze on the vivid lightning playing around, and listen to the peal- ing thunder. To her they were a light and voice from home. Always looking for, and loving, his appearing, her animated countenance proclaimed how welcome was his coming. Prayer and praise were her continual employment. Daily she prayed for each of her children ; then the members at Randwick ; then her neighbors, and friends and enemies, presenting each separately and by name, and bringing theii- special trials, temptations, and necessities, as far as she knew them, before her heavenly Father. Answers were looked for, and seen in numberless instances. The gracious revivals experienced in the church she loved may, under God, be ascribed in part to her ceaseless and powerful supplications. When told of a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit on no amazement or astonishment was expressed, the p6opl MARY ANN PEAUCE. 211 but thanksgiving and praise burst from her lips, as though a long-expected blessing had come at last. If any of the young people in the church or Bible-classes fell into sin, and were in danger of forsaking the fold and "drawing back," she would plead for theuj in the most impassioned and importunate manner. Little have they thought how Mary Ann, in the silent watches of the night, while they slumbered, had poured out cries to God for them. An esteemed and respected schoolmaster, who died after a distressingly painful illness, requested a friend on his deathbed to tell Vlary Ann that he ascribed his conversion, and great peace and joy in the prospect of approaching dissolution, to her faithful prayers. To all who visited her and desired to hear her experience, she would humbly relate it, stating the circumstances of her conversion, as described in these pages, the peace and love and joy God gave her, how he bruised Satan under her feet, that her fellowship and communion with God had been uninterrupted ever since, and that she did love him with all her heart. And indeed it was abundantly apparent that she was one of the happy few who had never left her "first love," who had kept her garments white and unspotted. Some of her visitors were ofi'ended with this " full assur- ance of faith " ; and though unable to resist the power and spirit by which she spake, yet regarded it as presumption, enthusiasm, excitement, or fanaticism. But others believed and rejoiced greatly, and earnestly piayed that God would make them possessors of like precious faith in Jesus. " Very few have attained to your state of grace ; how is it?" inquired one. "Oh, sir," she replied, "there's no praise to me, there's no praise to me. I owe all to my 'ill 1,1 ■■ l:';.'f 212 SHINING LIGHTS. blessed Saviour. 'Tis as free for all as the air we breathe as the light from the sun. My dear Lord is no respecter of persons." She added, after a pause, and with serious, emphatic manner, -But we must persevere, we must per- severe ; it's not to be had by trifling." Two graphic and striking pictures hung in her bedroom the one representing Christ bearing the cross, the other his body bamg taken down from the cross. A person said to her, "You have these to look at, to comfort you, and remind you of your Lord's suflferiiigs." «'0h," she replied, " I place no trust or conttdence in these-they are nothing to me." To her daughter she said afterwards, " My dear child, souie suppose I almost worship these pictures, but they are mistaken." A wealthy lady of the neighborhood, after listening with deep attention to her experience and faith, said, in tones of mournful regret, " I wish I could realize the presence of the Saviour like that ; but I cannot. He appears to me only as It were m a picture, and afar off. His personal presence, as a quickening, living Spirit of love and power, [ do not feel." With sweet confidence, and yet deep humility, Mary Ann said, "Oh, ma'am, but he abides with me, in my heart— his loving presence is ever with me." Whatever her sufferings, «,he never murmured or com- plained—seldom alluded to them, in fact. If others referred to them, she quickly turned the conversation, or only dwelt upon them that she might magnify the exceeding riches of the grace of her Lord and Saviour. Receiving a little wine to renew her exhausted strength after a distressing fit of coughing, she sipped it with heartfelt gratitude, saying, " They gave my dear crucified Lord vinegar in his distress." A dry and burning feverish heat seemed to drink up all the moisture in her fran.e. Deep sympathy being expressed. MARY ANN PEARCE. 218 we breathe, respecter of ith serious, I must per- ir bedroom, le other his son said to you, and she replied, ire nothing " My dear Jtures, hut Bning with n tones of mce of the me only 1 presence, •, [ do not lity, Mary le, in my i or corn- 's referred nly dwelt riches of ittle wine ing fit of e, saying, distress." ink up all sxpressed. she meekly bowed her liead, saying, " But I shall never taste the second death." So intense was the pain some- times that her face would be flushed, her hair wet with perspiration, her lip quivering, the agony forcing out the trembling tear and suppressed groan ; yet even then "Joy through her swimming eyes would break, And mean the thanks she could not speak." Recovering a little from the anguish, she would say, "All is well— my dear Lord knows what is best. He is with us —it will not be long." Immediately after, with look of concern and tone of anxiety, she would beg her visitor, perhaps, to place his chair out of the draught, and inquire tenderly after his health and family, and the state of the church. During a conversation on the heavenly world, and the glory which shall be revealed, her spirit kindled to a flame, and she exclaimed, " I shall know him— I shall know him —I shall know my crucified Lord— I shall press through all - and cast my crown at his feet. I shall ! I shall ! " At last the time came, long desired, for her departure. For fifteen years she had been confined to her bed ; and for five years was never free from pain. " I am very sorry to see you sufiering so much," said one. With a sweet smile, she replied, " What pleases my dear Lord pleases me. His will is best. His blessed will be done." To another, who said, " You are now passing through the dark valley," she instantly replied, " Oh, it is not dark ! it is not dark ! " A few days before her death she said, "I was never so ill in all my life. From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet and ends of my fingers, I am in pain." "Yea, all her bones he chastened with strong pain." No sleep had she had for many days and nights, but no murmur or complaint escaped her lips, and in the ear of one who softly bent over Si if 214 SHINING LIGHTS. her she whispered, •' All is well." The Thursday before she died she .as in an a,.ony of pain the whole night In the midst she said, "If this is passing through dea h-0 blessed Jesus! blessed Jesus!" "Oh, mother," said her daughter, " I wish you could get a little rest." Section ately she said^. My dear child, n,y rest is not he^' For' a day or two before her departure she was unable to speak and or some hours before her death was unconscious. '' 1869, she most peacefully fell asleep in Jesus. After death On the following Wednesday, all that was mortal of this tried one was brought Wto the sanctuary she loved We sang over her with full hearts and tearful eyes :- " " Hark ! a voice divides the sky, Happy are the faithful dead ! In the Lord who sweetly die, They from all their pains are freed. " When from flesh the spirit freed, Hastens homeward to return, Mortals cry, 'A woman's deadV Angels sing, «A child is born !' "Bora into the world above. They our happy sister greet ; Bear her to the throne of Love, Place her at the Saviour's feet. "Jesus smiles, and says, ' Well done, Good and faithful servant thou ; Enter, and receive thy crown. Reign with me triumphant now.'" Then we carrind her out i-^ *^- l-'-^-^i ? j. ^ ner out to .ho little plot of ground behind MARY ANN PEARCE. 215 the chapel, where lie the mortal remains of William Knee, her husband, and husband's father. Here she wished to lie, and here we buried her, " in sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life." There she rests until that glorious morning when, at his voice, she shall come forth and shine as the sun forever and ever in the kingdom of our Father. Amen. The above sketch, we believe, was written by Mr G H Carpenter, by whose kind permission it is here inserted.' We are happy to be able to bear personal testimony to the truth of this narrative. It was in a glorious revival uf the work o God, for which Mary Ann Pearce had prayed most fervently for a long time, that we were led from darkness to light. Ihe same school-room in which she wrestled all night with the Angel of the Covenant was the place where we farst publicly sought the Lord. In that same sanctuary she loved so well, we worshipped for many years. We were favored on several occasions with the opportunity of visitin^ this samt on her sick-bed. and we were deeply impressed with her rich and hallowed experience. It was indeed an inestimable privilege to hear her fervent prayers and see her heavenly face, while at the same time she was sufferini? most acute pain. Those visits will never be forgotten i li! 216 SHINING LIGHTS. REV. JOHN PETTY. John P«tty w born at Salterforih, Yorkshire, England December 29th, 1807. His ea.ly education was verJ imperfect, as he was hr«„«k* • • ^ Batty, „ the sixteenth year of his age, a^d shortly after . waris ,o.„ed the Primit-ve Methodist:. He soon wHl Feach, and in ahout th,.e years after he was IZIZ sent to labor on the Pembrokeshire mission in Wales Ser.o«s d,fficulties attended hin, on this fleld of toU tt glonous success follow^ his labo™. Amid many dW agements, such as straitened circums.a„ces_pi ZI n.odat,on and the physical p.,,,, resulting therefrom-L persevered in his studies, lived ve.y near to gT was .ncessant ,„ his work of poaching and visiting till" new chapel, sa, the congregation much impaled, and dunng h,s two years' stay on this mission the memtersWp rose from twenty to eighty. euioersnip His second station was Stroud, Gloucestershire, which at that time formed a branch of Brinkworth Circuit On tht of the low state of g^ce ,n which many of the members lived. He longed after their entire sanctification preached w.th much unction and power, and witnessed som fmp^t men generally. Determined to have a pure church he e polled some of the sinful officUls, and, notwithsUnding h,s tryng circumstances, the work prospered around him and souls were saved. ' He then removed to Tunstall Circuit, and soon after REV. JOHN PETTY. 217 ought and found the blessing of holiness. As a natural result, he wa.s more than ever successful in saving souls, and he experienced more and more of the love of God li gave hun great joy to find his n.embers making progress in hohness, and he labored hard for the conversio'n'of tinner^ and the extension of the work on all sides Sunderland was his next circuit. Under his labors many of his members attained the blessing of entire sancti- hcation, and he had a great increase of members all over in" 77t "^f"' '' ''^"^^' ^^^»- ""< ^«-l-felt an insatiate thirst for knowledge. On the Dudley Circuit he began .by endeavoring to awaken the members to a sense of their low state of grace • he labored intensely for a revival of religion, used every possible means for the conversion of souls, and grew in grace and knowledge. As a result of his indefatigable labors, a glorious revival broke out in the circuit, ^reat numbers were converted to God, and an addition of 493 made to the various societies on the circuit He was next removed to the Shrewsbury Circuit coZT'^u"^ "'' '"' "^ '^' ^^--^^-oks he had to contend with here. But he still felt an insatiate thirst for knowledge, redeemed every moment of time, and was bT f ^ r''°'""' '" '^^ «*"^^«« -«^ «*her labors. Better still, he made blessed progress in piety. A deeo sense of responsibility at the divine tribunal seems to have been continually cherished in his heart, ever controlling his course of action, and rendering him a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. Every department of the work on this circuit prospered. waftLT"'"V' ""'• ^'"^ °" *^^« ^"^ other circuits was that he usually preached with fKo — at-s* -ff-- u 1 - - — — ^ 5«v^c46cSu ciiouu when he was best prepared. 218 SHINING LIGHTS. laU),. The readn^gof reliKious biographies on this circuit was the means of greatly stirring up his zeal and ambition for the glory of God. His burning earnestness and inces- san labors hero resulted in an increase of 166 mem Ws during his three years' sojourn. He then removed to Darlaston Circuit, where a sweeping revival commenced shortly after his arrival. In six months there was an increase of 150. The revival swept on in glorious power--blessed union wa^ felt all over the circuit In oiie year there was an increase of 300, in one quarter an increase of 219, and in the next quarter 40. H?s deep piety greatly qualified him for his work ; he was constantly influenced by an absorbing love for the souls of men and his own responsibility before God. During his two years' shi^of^m '"'"'' '*'"'' ^^" ^" '''"""^'' ^" themember- He then removed to Dudley Circuit for a second term. Notwithstanding his continued bodily affliction, and the large extent of^he circuit, he preached, prayed, visited, read and studied to a marvellous extent. There wail abundant prosperity throughout the circuit-the first six months witnessing an addition of 800. Though at the commencement of his itinerant labors his education was very defective, yet he had, by dint of perse- verance, made such progress in self-education as to be able ^ read with facility in French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. He had also obtained a good store of sound Methodist theology, logic, and of various other branches. He was now appointed as Connexional editor, and filled this office with marked ability and satisfaction. His term as editor having expired, he removed to Hull Second Circuit. He still worked on from a non-.; ».„ .* REV. JOHN PETTY. 219 n, and the amount of ^„,k „„t,„^_ p^.„„,.__^^ ^_^_, p^^^. ^^_^^.__ g h Irv '^\^'"*'''""»."''"' "PP°i-.t« —ons in di^^^n'; parts of the Connexion. He was ■n«tr„„,.„t„. :. ...„ «>nver,i„„ of many of the scholars ; in short; mo,; rf them !ll '"if 220 SHINING LIGHTS. were saved through his instrumentality. Though his duties were very oppressive, and his strength but little, yet he determined to live ahd work for God as long as his strength would allow him. Declining health, however, compelled him to give up ; he was confined to his bed— grew worse— but was graciously sustained in his affliction. His joy was unutterable, and he frequently broke out in glorious raptures. As he reached the valley, he exclaimed, '• O that weight of glory ! the idea is too much for me, I cannot realize it. Draw the curtain back, that it may in waves roll over me." At eight o'clock in the morning of April 22, 1868, his spirit triumphantly passed away. Rev. J. Macpherson, his biographer, says of him : " As a Christian he was distinguished for eminent holiness. The blessing of entire sanotification he enjoyed from December 11, 1829, to his death— a period of thiity-nine years. During that period holy love was his. ruling passion, his propelling power, his immediate motive. He was also distinguished for prevcUency in prayer. Heaven was to him peculiarly accessible. Often at the family altar, in the social means, and the great congregation, it seemed as if he could open the sluices of the water of life, and let in upon his fellow- worshippers floods of sx)iritual blessing. Some- times during the opening prayer at a public service, such an overwhelming influence has been felt that he has had to descend from the pulpit and labor with penitents before he could commence his sermon. He wrestled with God in private. He was also distinguished for humility ; he felt, he saw^ he said, that all he did was characterized by little- ness. He also felt a great solicitude for the conversion of sinners — a solicitude often fearfully oppressive. Hence he was very earnest in his work; no inclemency of the weather prevented him from attending to his appointments. GEORGE MULLER. 221 He was also strictly Methodistic in his habits, studies, etc. Every hour had its appropriate work. He possessed intense desires for the acquisition of knowledge, ready apprehen- sive powers, clear discrimination, and a retentive memory. He continued year by year, yea, till the last month of his life, to add to his previous acquisitions of knowledge. To work was to live, to cease was to die." GEOKGE MULLEE. This eminent man of faith was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, in 1805. He was converted to God when about twenty years of age, in a small meeting that was conducted by a university friend of his. After having spent many years m the university, he left Germany for England, in the service of the Gospel, and has been pastor of a church in Bristol now over fifty years. At the beginning of his ministry, his salary was made up of pew rents, and by other similar means. He began to see the unscripturalness of these methods, and soon told his congregation that he would relieve them of all anxiety, and if they would give him just what they could find it convenient, for the rest he would simply speak to his heavenly Father, and look to him for all necessary supply. He says :-" Since that date, over fifty years ago, I have not failed to have an abundance for all the enterprises under my control, although I have not any stated salary or any regular income. Frequently the last copper had gone before the supply came, but I aimnlv f^t the -af^^r -- God. Often the last meal was on the table, but I asked WM'i 222 SHINING LIGHTS. my Father to give them this day their daily bread, and it always came. Not once were they without good, wholesome food upon the table ; not once did they go cold or huncrv to bed." ^^ His attention was drawn to the numerous throng of children wandering about the streets, dirty and uncared for, suffering for want of food and clothing, and, having experienced such blessed help in answer to prayer, he wondered if he could not, by taking the matter to God, get all necessary assistance to help them. This took such a strong hold of his mind that in March, 1834, he founded the institution now under his control, which bears the name, '« The Scriptural Knowledge Institution, Home and Abroad." The object of this institution was to establish day and Sunday school?, circulate the Scriptures among the poorest of the poor, make missionary efforts, and circulate religious tracts, pamphlets, etc., among believers and unbelievers, and befriend orphans. At first he made God the patron of the institution. There are at present under its control some 118 schools— several in Spain, Inuia, and other distant parts of the globe— all supported by funds coming out of the institution, which God had provided, and for which he had never had to ask any man to the amount of one cent. These 118 schools drew from the institution $50,000 a year, but all this vast sum was obtained through prayer and faith. In the circulation of the Holy Scriptures the work of the institution was something unprecedented Since May, 1879, between 11,000 and 12,000 Bibles, and 67,000 New Testaments, besides other portions of the Scriptures, had been distributed. Between three and four millions of tracts and pamphlets are distributed year by year. More than seventy-six millions of books, pamphlets, etc., have been given away j GEORGE MULLER. 223 sixty-seven millions in various languages. As the result of this enormous circulation of wholesome literature, a great many papists, and thousands of others, have been saved • while m the various Sunday and day schools, and orphan- ages, untold numbers of children and youth have been savingly converted to God. On mission work throughout the world, he has spent altogether about a million of dollars. But the support of the orphan was the particular object in view when the institution was founded, and in that direction it has been eminently successful. It is now one of the largest institu- tions of the kind in the world. - He at first prayed for $5,000 to start the institution, and in doing so he expected to receive every cent without asking any one for it. After four months he had enough, which came in small and large sums from various directions, and he rented a house, and fitted It up to afford a home for thirty children. On the day of the opening, he sat in his vestry to receive appli- cations for admission, but not one came. After some reflection, he remembered that he had asked for money and house and furniture, but he had not prayed for orphans, and he at once humbled himself before God, and asked for orphans. Next morning one came, and since then more than 10,000 have been provided for. Within six months of the opening of the first home, he opened another, and soon after a third and a fourth, for girls and boys." In his orphanage there are about, on an average, 2 250 children, None are admitted unless satisfactory proof 'can be given that they are legitimate as to their parentage, real orphans, and that they are needy. When they have come to a suitable age, they are furnished with an outfit, and ap- prenticed to trades, or placed in sifunfmT,= r^h;u v-^r of them are retained as teachers in the various day schools, 15 224 SHINING LIGHTS. The support of the orphanage amounts to $230 000 annually. The milk bill amounts to $10,000 yearly ! ' He has sometimes paid out as much as $27,600 in one day " In all, Mr. Muller has received for his orphanage and iTo'JZ^' of a Christian and benevolent kind, a total of ^4,275,000, and he declares that he never asked a human being for a sixpence ! He has made it his uniform rule to go in prayer to him who has the hearts of all men in his hands, and ask him for all needed supply, and men have been moved to give it-some giving out of their abundant wealth, and some out of their poverty. He has received as high as $45,000 in one donation, and scores of times $5,000. A principle of his has been never to contract a debt in connection with his orphanage. Often the last sixpence has been spe^t, and within a few hours either money must come or starvation ; but the money came without fail, and never were the children sent hungry to Hundreds of times he has held two prayer-meetings in a day with his helpers, beseeching God to send them supplies for the next meal of food for the orphans, and in every case the Lord has graciously answered their prayer In eleven years he had received five thousand answers to prayer. In the course of his life he has received some thirty thousand answers to prayer within the same day of asking, and that for some things he had been praying every day for over thirty years, and the answer had not come as yet. He mentioned these things to encourage Christians patiently to wait on God. He had received answers after waiting fifteen, twenty, and thirty years. When in the deepest poverty, he never gives any human being the least intimation of his needs, either by word or look, but always carries every matter great and small to God, and continu- GEORGE MULLER. 225 ally rejoices in the Lord. He declares that his countenance never looks sad or anxious when in need, as he considers that would be dishonoring to God, and inconsistent with a perfect trust in him. He says :_" When I first began allowing God to deal with me, relying on him, taking him at his ^vord, and set out, over half a century ago, simply to rely on him for myself, family, taxes, travelling expenses, and every other need, I rested on simple promises. I found in the sixth chapter of Matthew this passage:-'! say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye. shall put on Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than ramient? Behold the fowls of the air ; for they sow not neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature 1 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they arow • they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto' you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like oae of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the held, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?' No man could by care and forethought array a lily Put a flower under a microscope, and you will say it has been attired by no other than the living God. ' Therefore take no thought, saying. What shall we eat? or. What shall we drink ? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed ? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek); for your heavenlv Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness • and all these things shall be added unto you. Take there !!:■ 226 SHINING LIGHTS. fore, no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' " I believed the word. T rested on it and practised it. I took God at his word.' A stranger, a foreigner in iingland, I know seven languages, and might have used them perhaps as a means of remunerative employment, but I had consecrated myself to labor for the Lord. I put my reliance in the God who has promised, and he has acted according to his word. I've lacked nothing-nothing I have had my trials, my difficulties, and my empty purse but my receipts have aggregated tens of thousands of dollars, while the work has gone on all these years. " Now, this is not, as some have said, because I am a man of great mental ppwer, or endowed with ener.»y and perseverance-these are not the reasons. It is because I have sought God, and he has cared for the institution which, under his direction, has 117 schools, with masters and mistresses, and other departments. The difficulties in such an undertaking have been gigantic, but I rea^ that they that put their trust in the Lord shall not be ashamed- Many years ago, a beloved brother came from America to see me, and he expected to find me an old man, helpless and decrepit, bowed down with burdens, and he wondered I did not look old. ' How is this V he said, ; «» 'ghtens the sinner, and shows up the g?eat nn of worldly conformity in the churches. One copy oJ this Wk r^Ln trrP*^/" * community in the way of arousing people to ^ t M. ?K ""' ""y 1^''" *'?'*'' Published. Thirty cents invested I^J!' • u *?« Pl^Pose of loaning it to others, will carry the plain In th« t!^^° ' *""•*'• .u?°^ muchmoney are you willing to invest In the Lord's cause in this way ?— Gospel Flame. t«r.I**!„^P— "®*'*°'^i?'^,'°,* masterly and telling manner, style w^h fl, T° "?• particularly attractive to those who are ii love with the whole truth, and must be read to be fully appreciated We heartily commend the work as worthy of careful rLdLThaving intensely interesting and practical themes.— T^e Wesleyan. MOEB TKSTIMONIALS. In iJ?«?^" minister writes us : " Your book has been instrumental in saving a soul on my circuit. " "»cuwm Another brother, referring to this book, says : " It confirmed mv convictions that I had no heart religion, and only a head th^ry I was honest, but deceived." / cau sneory. i ^xl?^"T® y**""^ book came in answer to prayer. I have orofeBsed •anctification, not in hypocrisy, but in ignorance I made a pS sion of religion several years before I received the witness. When I did receive the witness I called it sanctiflcation. When your book came into my hand, which states so clearly the experience of iustifi- r^lSfier-riJ'irlShain."^ ''^"''' '^' -^* ^- ^^ Helps to Bible Study, with Practical Notes on the Books of Scripture. Or how to Read, Search, and Study the Word of God, so as to •ecnre an ever-increasing interest in the same, a stronger faith, deeper spirituality, and greater usefulness. We are preparing a new and much enlarged edition of this work. Much valuable matter has been added, including two new chapters! and the contents made much more comprehensive. Cloth covers,' CONTKNTS OF NkW EdiHON. Chap. L DnrFERENT Mbthom of Bible Study.— Giving the exp«. rience and advice of the most devoted and successful Bible students of the day. Chap. 2. Rules of Interpretation.— These rules are plain, yet thorough and comprehensive. They show how to interpret parables, prophecy, and the Scriptures generally, so as to arrive at the truth. Chap. 3. Interpretation of Bible Types an^ Symbols.— This chapter shows the meaning of the peculiar symbols of color, size, number, and substance, etc. This part is, of itself, well worth the price of the book. Chap. 4. Helps to the Interpretation of Scripture.— The earnest student of God's Word will find much practical and yet com- prehensive help in thij* chapter. Chap. 6. The Examples of Scripture.— Perhaps this will be found by a large class of Christian workers more instructive and spiri- tual than any other portion of this work, at least we have worked hard to make it so. Chap. 6. Analysis of the Books of the Bible.— Full of practical thoughts and suggestions. The cream of many valuable works on Bible Study is contained in this chapter— the largest in the whole book. Chap. 7. Miscellaneous Helps. -All Christian workers should have this book, and especially those who wish for some Bible helps written from the standpoint of holiness— nonconformity to the world. It is adapted to all who are thirsting for a deeper acquaintance with the Word of God. B /?r Agents wanted in every tow, city and country, to sell our SSlogue7r-ee. •*'"' ''"^' ^°' *^"^- ^"'' fo7pa?Ucili" PACKET O.-THE CHRISTIAN WORKERS' SERIES. B to arrive .n.^^ATV"'^''^ n "T*" ^^' *"** ^'^^ '«»' ''»• encouragement and edification of all who would win soula. 50o. per packet. ^TMB^ufeT?^-®!*^.^^'^ "^^ Souls. lOo. liiiB little book points out certain practical means within the read} of every child of God. in thS use of which he mav indniJhf '^n ^■'"''-■'"''"1 T. ^'r^°8 •°"'- ^ Chrfst Pointed L Ifin .^""^'''^^ ««/"? «t"king facts, incidents and ilIustratk.M 'CT.l^yV:L7.ZS':ZlZ^^^^^^ "^ -^\ '^ ''^^ ^^'y «^- tive'ct;ran^";e^L'°E"ri^^^^^^^^ " That little book has done me so much good."— Mrs. E. A. Free. "It is not only full of sound advice and encouragement but a real inspiration to work for Jesus. "-M«y L. HopS. Sey-Deception : Its Nature, Evils and Remedy. "I find it a ^reat blessing to my own heart, and I know it will Si.°niTi''i:rT '' •"« ^ my ministerial laC/for T Tnd thai this little booklet go. to the very bottom of the sibject airch^a out the san<' jundation of every deceived profewor Evwv r^s* sible effort should be put forth for its univerLl dStributiJn L^n^ the menuers of our various Churches. Every minister of +K« /^°°? should read it. that he might the better''ri,Ko^;l*5^^^^^^^^ who are deceived May God bless it to the good of thouS-vr millionsof souls."— Rev. J. P. Kester. •.""ubmos yea, One minister bought one hundred copies of this book for ciron lation among his congregation. ^^ rhanksgiving Ann. 3c. each ; 20c. per doz. This is a most thrilling and powerful narrative on the subiect of systematic giving. Don't fail to purchase a copy or a dozen. ^ The Revival Needed, and How to Promote It 3c. each; 20c. per doz. **w«av*uo xt. ^uU of facts and powerful truths. Should be circulate*! Kw ♦>,- hundred previous to^lding special meetings *'"^<'"***«d by the Living Without Sin. 8 pages ; 16c. per doz.; $1 per 100 f„J ,•« ? *."«^ *™c*. ''Wcii takes up aU those portions of Scrin- ture-mcludmg the seventh chapter of Romans -whicharens^fv held as teaching the impossibility of livinc withont 5n T?^^J[ the opinions of feamed fflvinUtic and TrmiTi^^SiJS' incluS John Wesley and Dr. Adam Clarke. The subject i^ thorouJhfv iiscussed, and yet brought into a brief compass. ti^oroughly rhe Open Door; or, An Account of the Origin, Char- acter and Progress of The Soul-Winnebs' Ba«d ; the efforts th^'^'tiZ'^^^^'i ^. 'r^ '''1 ^^ of "ihe habiSbl; globe, and to give abundant scope for usefuhiess to everv nla!;^ TyT^P^S"^^ °>f ^^ denomination, circumstSc^^S place of abode. 3o. each ; 20c. per doz. «»"^««, or -, ^A?y °* *^« *>°ot8 in above series can be had senaratelv it Sm'ei? "" "**"'' '^"^"^^"'^ ^-'y 0"« to%urch«eThe &.i « Salvation Tract Envelopes. 26 for I2c.; 40c. per lOO Sold only in assorted packets. ^ .i,w""*?*l^**? Btrikmg and useful mottoes, verses of Scripture short pointed truths, and attractive illustrations. They a7e well adapted to do good. There are twenty-five varieties? which wU enab e thepurchaser to adapt his envelope to almost e^ery class o people. We recommend you to use these envelopes because • a„^^ J*"®^ T"®"" **** ^l'^*^ '^^^'^^ »* otherwise would not reach, ilo T^^^ '"*°"*^' '^^I''^ *"««*« *he attention of all classrot people They are read and re-read while passing through the mils lV;?aZ*«*''§* a'^""'*?'**'^*H'" ^'^^ *o »* leaft four Thou sand readers. 2. An envelope with a tract printed on it costs no more for postage than if it was plain. Thus%tmen are made to turn tract distributors free of postage. 3. -fhese envelopes hav^ done and are still doing, an excellent work. You have to buy anvelopes, why not purchase these? "^ of Motto Xofe'papen* '"'^'^"'' ^' ^*'* P"^"'^^'* «* °«^ ««"«• Sold only in assorted packets of not less than 60 sinrfe sheets S;?d^4n^ %V ""^^^ «°gle Bh«et8 and 50 tract enSp^ T^Jj paid, 40c The mottoes mainly consist of striking verses «tsK ture containing weighty truths. These are printed in tasty t?£ on single loose sheets of ruled note paper of good quality. tSS mottoes will, doubtless be exhibited to frieSds, 2nd th^s nS persons will read these Salvation truths. ^ TRACTS IN PACKETS. »-/^'*w® *,???f 8° *° *•"* a°*<'^- Help to scatter them far and wide. Would like to get a mniion pages of them before the people theensuingyear."— Gospel Flame. *^^ "Those who like to spread the truth and believe in attackinst personal sm and the vices too common among professing Christians will very likely be glad to use his tracts. »-&uiner of Love !.«♦* *u ° your tracts are more modem, and meet a present need, better than any I have ever seen. "—Rev. H. D. F. Gaffin. Packet A.-Awakenlng and Alarming Series. 28o. per Packet The Nature and Necessity of Repentance! J?f''®* B -Prohibition and Tobacco Serlea 2Bc. per Packet. Prohibition a bible Doctrine. The Saloon-Keeper and the Devil. Does the Tobacco Habit Glorify God? The Tobacco Habit : Its Sin and Cure. Tobacoo-using Parents injure their Off. The Songr of the Decanter. -„u ^ Packet C.-Reform Series. 26c. per Packet. S^'reT^octe'tfr**'- I «?'»'>•«' D^ecratior K Te^hin^nn n,«.a SL" '^««' Arbitration. Bible Teaching on Dress. I The Evils of Danc'ng and Skating Binka ^***®* D.-Fal8e Religion Series. 26c. per Packet Packet E.-True Religion Series. 25c per Packet. The Revival Needed. i Livincr wsfhnnf ai» Packet P.-Leaflet Series. I6a per Packet An assortment of pointed, short, red-hot truths on vital themes, miitabia tor in letters anS for genenU distribution. Sold only in asTrtSk^etL enclosure Packet 0.-01irlstlan Workers' Series. 60a Per Packet of aifwh'S^o'Sd KS' ''°°'" *"'* *'"'*• 'ortheencouragement and edification l««fl^.^^^ ?• 5 -^fu'. «°"*a"»"»g specimens of all our tracts and leaflets advertised in this catalogue, wUl be sent for 50 cente • «" Always carry a packet of assorted tracts with you. and when the tract most suitable for the person yoo meet. K„feV^!5„r?Pu*!t*^»^7g« n.*° % best methods of tract distri- _>.^o„, ...^ ^uay. o ui Sow Every UUriHlian Jfoy Win ^ouia, 10a '^GKDSPEL TRUTH," Is a monthly 4.page tract paper, published and paid for the same ZJ!Z^"'^^' S^« *»* P*«« the sa^e as thia one. Payment mvanably m advance. The rates are as follows :— 15 copies per month for one year, 20 80 •I 100 n H $0 75 1 00 1 50 2 75 5 00 No subscription will be received for less than 16 copies. The advantages of this tract paper over the plan of buyina tracts are these : *^ j a 1. It is much cheaper : 16 copies per month for one year contain 720 pages, and cost only 76c. and no postage. The same number of pages m ordinary tracts irould cost 82c. and postage besides. And the larger the number of copies subscribed for, the ereater will be the saving effected. 2. It affords a much greater variety of subjects for the same amount of money than in tracts. Each issue contains a different subject or subjects, so that subscribers will be able to reach all classes of people. The topics are on True and Spurious Religion, Repentance. Justification, Conversion, Holiness, Backsliding, Worldliness Pro. hibition, Tobacco and Salvation— in short, such truths as are adapted to both saint and sinner. Specimen copies 10c. «r n you do not want the papers yourself, then pay the sub- scnption for some needy worker, and have them sent to his address PUase maka remittance by registered letter or money order, to REV. A. SIMS, OTTBRVILLB, Our. or the same . Payment ¥) 75 1 00 1 50 2 76 5 00 of buying ear contain number of ides. And neater will the aame h different reach all ipentanoe, neM, Pro- IB as are ' the sab- I address order, to 3, B,OllT.