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EinvRBD, accordini; to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one, by P-^v. Albkrt Sims, Otter- ville, Ont., in the Offioe of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa. Entbebd, aooording to Act of Cbngress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, by Rbv. Epknbtds Owbn, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Assigned to Albert Sims. 1890. 111546 CONTENTS. Plan for Evading the Judgment 7 Reqr st to be Whipped to Death 11 Learning to Swear 18 Alarmed by a Rattlesnake 22 Fall from a Building 25 Struck by Lightning 29 Converted 37 Sanctified 47 Called to Preach— First Effort 65 Casting out a Devil 59 Protracted Meeting on " Satan's Premises " 70 First Circuit— Revival in " Haying " 75 8. Hill Revival— Sisters' Quarrel Settled 79 Accused of Fortune-Telling— Souls Saved 86 Dreams 91 Too near Hell to spend time with 99 A Skeptic Awakened 102 Public Talk with a Universalist 105 A Chair Thrown at the Mmister— Revival m Berlin 112 A Methodist Church of Baptist Converts 115 A Noisy Stage-Passen/^r Quieted 118 Preaching on the Deck of a Steamboat 123 A Pleasure Trip— Two Overboard 124 Revival by Torch-Light 129 A Fiddler Saved 133 A Slanderer Humbled 135 Bar-Room Discussion 137 Saved by Expulsion from the Church 143 Dancing with the Devil 146 Answering a Fool according to his Folly 148 Haps for Spirit Rappings 151 Short Debate with a Kestorationist. 165 " Open Rebuke" 173 An Unspeakable Blessing 179 NOTE. This book is no fiction. This is stated because fictitious literature has become so prevalent, as often to ren- der it difficult to determine whether one is perusing truth or falsehood. Author. T Struck by Lightning. PLAN FOR EVADING THE JUDGMENT. The subject of this narrative was born in New Milford, Pennsylvania, March 17th, 1815. His early training was not strictly religious, yet his mother gave him pious instruction. His first conceptions of a general judg- ment were peculiar. During a con- versation — partially comprehended — between his mother and a neighbor, he received the impression that those only who were living upon earth at Christ's second coming, would be 8 STRUCK HV LIGHTNING. Hi judged ! He sincerely desired to die, and thus as he supposed, escape the terrible event. Soon after, the fol- lowing conversation occurred between him and his mother : Boy. — When will that judgment come that you talked about? Mother, — I know not. B. — Do you think it will come while I live ? M, — I cannot say, my son ; our Lord taught that it would be at a time when we think not, and com- manded us to watch and be ready. The boy retired to the barn, over- whelmed with thoughts of a coming judgment. To die was now the only way by which he could hope to shun it. For security, he sincerely desired to die soon, and was tempted to kill himself. But a voice within whis- pered : " If you die you may live PLAN FOR EVADING THE JUDGMENT. 9 again, and be judged for the dreadful deed you contemplate." Hastening to the house, he inquired of his mother, what would become of those who died previous to the coming of Christ? She assured him they would all be raised from the dead, and be jufl by step, i course, religious Struck by Lightnino. - ; i STRUCK HY LIGHTNING. 2!) STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. On one occasion, a Christian lady said to him, '• I fear, if you do not mend vour Avays somethino' terrible will come upon you." Straightening up, with a bold fiice and voice he replied, '■ Let H corned Soon after this there rtciS a terrific thunder storm. For hours before a cloud was visible dis- tant thunder was distinctly heard. About an hour before sunset the heav- ens were darkened by a most portent- ous cloud. The sharp and vivid light- ning, followed by successive peals of thunder, jarred the earth as if heaven's entire artillery were in full play at once. Tall forest trees were shivered on all sides; many buildiniis were 30 STRUCK BY LlCiHTNINO, I I struck, and a number burned to the ground. The storm continued with but little abatement for most of the night, doing great damage, not only in that particular locality, but v^as far reaching in its destructive march. The storm occurred on the Sabbath day, and this lad, being out on liis usual Sabbath excursion, stood in a neigh- bor's door when the cloud arose. Full of glee, and attempting to amuse the boys. who stood around him, aniong other things, he flippantly said : ''Ah, boys, just see how they thunder and lighten up there !" adding a rowdyish and trifling expression not proper to record. Scarcely had the sentence escaped his lips, when an electric shock brought him to the floor. For hours he was helpless and uncon- scious. There was no appearance of life, and his friends who were present STIU'CK HY LIGHTMNCJ. 31 thought he was dead. All efforts to revive him seemed vain. lie was struck down some time before dark and re- mained unconscious until late in the evening. He finally aroused as from sleep, and made many unsuccessful ef- forts to speak ; at last stammering out : ^^ What is the matter .^" and ex- pressing great surprise at finding him-- self at a neighbor's house in the night. The lady of the house replied, ^^ We are all 'struck by lightning. '" Till that moment he had not mis- trusted the cause of his trouble. The whole family had fielt the shock. Two boys standing near fell to the floor, but soon recovered. One of them sJ3rang to his feet and ran some rods, crying at the top of his voice, ^' Tm dead! Tm dead!'' Only the subject of this narrative was badly injured. His pain w^as excruciating. '!' !» ; ! I i I i! I I ; 32 STiaCK HY LH;I1TiVIN(1. Meainvhilo, liis eldest brother, mount- ed on tlie swiftest horse in the neigh- borhood, was flying through the forest in pursuit of a physician, seven miles distant. This was the severest and most far-reaching thunder storm that the oldest inhabitants had ever wit- nessed. The rain poured in torrents; but on he rode, lea ping logs and dash- ing through streams, his track made visible only by the rapid gleams of the lio'litnino; as it shivered the mon- archs of the forest Avhich fell here and there on either side. About the time the hid was able to converse the doctor arrived. He was an infidel and a great trifler. This youth being of like temperament, they had been in the habit of merry-mak- ing whenever they met. Though pres- ent circumstances seemed rather un- friendly to such indulgence, it was not STRITK IJV LKIHTNING. 33 wliolly dispensed with. On entering tlie room, the doctor swore he did not know Avhat to do with the case, as he had never before seen one of the kind ; which was evidently true. But he must, of course, do something. His first resort Avas to the lancet. While the blood was floAving freely from the opened vein, the pain wholly ceased, and the doctor and this lad had as merry a timeforafew^ minutes as on former occasions. To show how a heart, once tender, may be hardened by sin, I give a little of their conversation : Dr. — Well, boy, if you recover from this shock, and I Avant to rally an army at any time, I'll just have you for a soldier ; for a felloAv Avho can stand lightning like you would never mind a bullet at all. Boy. — Fm your chap, doctor, you i i liiilE; lil STRUCK BY LIOHTMNG. cannot do better ; you see how well I can stand liohtning myself^ and I've a horse that can outrun it any time. If I had only been on his back this time it would not have overtaken me. Dr, — Well, how the d came lightning to hit so spry a felloAV as you are, anyway? Boy. — Why^ they gave a fellow no chance. It came percussion-like, or I should have dodged it. In this strain the conversation wert on, until the bleeding was finished and the arm bandaged, when the pain re- turned severe as ever, which made plenty of business, both for himself and the doctor, without further jest- ing- U^^on examination, it was found that the electricity had passed through his hat, entering the top, and passing out through the side and brim^ leaving STRUCK 1.Y LIGHTNING. 35 three holes. He felt that this was a loud call, and often feared it might be his last one on this side of the judg- ment. Still he avoided, as far as pos- sible, all appearance of seriousness even in his severest sufferings. Soon after recovering, be was in- vited to a ^' husking-bee " — a common gathering in that region — where, as usual, he amused the company with mirthful songs and stories. A young man, noted for his moderation, walk- ing slowly up to him, said : ^' I guess you have forgotten that you were struck with lightning, haven't you ?^' ^' I had, indeed," was the reply, " until I saw you moving toVds me, just now, so much like a streak of lightning. Your very motion was enough, sir, without a Avord.'' This raised a roar of laughter, and the boy was proud to think he bad •"!l U ! I iii'Ii ' lit I iiji ill ^ssBommm 36 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. rolled off the reproof in a fine joke upon one who had dared to reprove him in company. Thus was every se- rious thing turned into a jest, though — as he has been since heard to say — he often shuddered when alone, to think of his Heaven-daring conduct. CONVERTED. 37 CONYERTED. At the a^e of nineteen he became an apprentice to a man whose wife was pious, and Avho gave him much o'ood advice. But his whole mind was occupied with the fooUsh amuse- ments of the day. A young man Avith whom he was intimate, Avas suddenly cut down by death. The youth was greatly alarmed as death approached. He called on almost all visitors to pray for him, often declaring his room was full of devils, waiting to drag his soul down to hell ! He faithfully warned his associates to prepare to die while ill health, and not put it off till the death hour, as he had done. The funeral sermon was preached from, m STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. '^How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" The minister faithfully warned the youth of his congregation. * As the funeral procession passed the house — where a short time previous, this youth, in company with the de- ceased, had spent the night at a ball — he resolved to dance no more, to quit all sin, and seek the Lord without delay. Experience had taught him the folly of attempting reformation in his own strength. He immediately commenced looking to God for help. Having prayed in secret for some days with- out any perceptible change for the better, he resolved to go to a Metho- dist prayer meeting, in hope that light might be thrown upon his dark path. He went, but returned unblessed ; " feeling all the way '' — to use his own CONVERTED. 39 language — " as if tlie devil was after liim/^ The next Sunday evening, after a desperate effort, he arose and re- quested prayer. A seat was provided for serious ones, at which he bowed, and prayer was continued for him until midnight. He left the place in sadness, but with a settled purpose to obtain salvation or die in the attempt. About six weeks from this time, hear- ing of a revival about five miles dis- tant, where some of his associates were seeking religion, he hastened to the spot, praying all the way that some door of hope might there be opened. At the close of the sermon, penitents being invited forw^ard for prayer, he hastened to the seat desig- nated for that purpose, remaining on his knees some time after the congre- gation had dispersed. He lodged that night with an old minister, who re- t- If ^1 STRUCK BV LIGHTNING. ported the next morning that the lad kept him aAvake nearly all night with his prayers and groans. The morning came, but no salvation yet. He was now tempted to think the church would doubt his sincerity, as God re- fused to notice his prayers. He also began to fear that there might be too much excitement in the meeting-s for him, ana i hat he should not find salvation iint'^ h'^ ^'eturned home, and sought it more privately ! Accordingly he started for home, with a settled purpose, hoAvever, to continue seeking until saved or damned. He had gone but a few rods, when he was met by a young convert, who inquired where he was going. ^^ I am going home," said he, giving his reasons for so doing. '^This,^^ said the young disciple, is a trick of the devil, you must go right back, and CONVERTED. 41 stay with liie until you are converted." '' I had not,'^ said the retiring one, *' mistrusted that the devil had any hand in this, but if that is the case I will go back. I have followed Satan long enough. '' On reaching the meeting, he entered a love-feast — being the first he had ever attended. Seekers of religion were specially invited to speak. Though he could not tell what God had done for him, as did many of his companions, he resolved to tell what Satan and sin had done, and expressed his purpose to forsake them forever. On taking his seat, his countenance began to light up, while hope nestled in his bosom. Again he arose and ut- tered a few words in a more hopeful tone. His burden was now so re- moved that he was prompted to make the third speech before the meeting m ^i 42 STRUCK BV LKIHTNINO. ii; .:i closed, from which his brethren ccm- cluded he was clearly converted, though he did not profess religion. The real day had evidently dawned upon him, though the Spirit's witness was not yet clear. At the close of the love-feast he united, on probation, with the church. This was in the spring of 1834. Among others- who were instru mental in promoting the above revival^ was a talented colored local preacher called ^' Black Tim.'' This man had been the subject of ridicule by this youth, who would strike up what he called a ^^ nigger song," when Timothy was passing in the street; and often say, *' If that nigger ever speaks to me about religion I will spit in his face." The second man who spoke to him at the altar was Black Tim ! But instead of spitting in his face he was CONVERTED. 43 glad to catch some word from his Hps that might lead him to Christ. Speaking in after years of this event, he said: '^ God led me to the fount- ain of life in a way best calculated to humble my proud heart. I had for some time been looking for some bright winged angel from Heaven to help me to the fountain, but instead of that, God sent a negro ! The water of life was, however, just as sweet and refreshino' as if an archan2:el had con- ducted me thither. Indeed, such was the change that came over me, that ' Black Tim,' himself, seemed like an angel. I loved him ^fervently.' I shall never forget his earnest j^rayer (with his hand on my head) that God would convert the lad, and make him a minister, though it seemed to me he was offering the Lord strange timber for such a purpose.'' Strange as it ill a h' if mm ill; 'I J'. Ill I: 'ill I ^ < i i •ilMi! lil i ■iiLiiFii 44 STRUCK BY LKillTNINO. then seemed, Black Tim's prayer was answered, and this young man has been preaching the gospel for nearly forty years, during which time God has blest his labors in leading hun- dreds of sinners to Christ. Since this work w as commenced the writer has been specially requested by an able and useful minister, to state the fact of his (the minister's) conversion through said instrumentality, and of his knowledge of many others thus brought to God, who are now watch- men on Zion's walls. But of this, more w ill be said in its proper place. The steps by w^hich our new^ convert reached this position, now claim at- tention. Returning from the revival, where he was saved, he purchased a pocket- Bible and a Methodist hymn-book, which he called his ^' sword and pis- 1 '■>'% 'ivlj ill;;! r CONVKFITKI). 45 tol/' These, constituting most of his library, were thoroughly read. For some weeks, he was strongly tempted to doubt the genuineness of his eon- version. Comparing his experience with those who seemed to be more clearly saved, he w^as often heard to wish he could feel as they did. En- I'ouraged by older ' brethren, who knew how to ^' support the weak,^^ he lived in the discharge of all known duty, constantly looking for clearer light. One evening, on his way home from church, the light came. The witness of the spirit was given clear as the noonday sun. Such was his joy that the entire night was spent in praise to God. This blessing, however, like the pre- vious light, came in an unlooked-for manner. ^' I had,^' said he, " hoped that God w^ould commission angels to i ICJt. if ,► '; 4() STKIOK liV I-ICIITXIXC. liiiliUHi. ''. i communicate to me the tidinos of my acceptance, or do it by some glorious visible display which I could not doubt. But no angels came, no visible object appeared. But a much more satisfactory thing was done. Instead of sending a messenger God came Himself, and spoke to my soul as an- gels cannot speak. It was the voice of Him who said: ^Let there be light, and there was light.' I now ' read my title clear to a mansion in the skies/ " SANCTJFIKl). '17 SANCTIFIED. The impression soon became quite gen- ei'al that this youth woukl preach the Gospel. Wlien his brethren expressed * their views to him on this subject, lie uniformly disclaimed all idea of preaching, expressing great surprise that any one should think God would call so weak an instrument to so great a work. His want of early education was urged as a sufficient reason for resisting all impressions of the kind. Still he professed an undying desire for the salvation of men, and a pur- pose to do all in his power to urge them to the cross. / His sincerity in this was apparent in all his movements. The Bible was daily i i' i I! 48 STRUCK BY LIGHTNINd. studied upon his knees, and other books read as opportunity presented. Sin seldom passed unreproved in his presence. All plain duties were promptly discharged, both public and private. It was soon apparent to all that he was growing both in grace and gifts. Walking thus in the clear light he soon became deeply impressed with the need of a pure heart, as do all who are soundly converted and " walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.^^ A quotation from his own pen, will best describe his feel- mgs. *^I feel the remains of pride, anger, fear of man, and a kindred brood of inbred corruptions rising involuntarily, and often unexpectedly in my heart, and at times threatening o overpower me. Though, by constant watching unto prayer, I am able to prevent !:l SANCTIKIKD. 49 these unhallowed propensities from breaking out in words and actions, it is painful to feel that they are still lurking AA'ithin. Some say to me : ^ This is your warfare. You can only hope to conquer these enemies at death/ Others say, ^The grace of God is sufficient to subdue them at once/ I can see nothing in death to help me, lind therefore look to Jesus as my deliverer/' About this time the memoirs of Bramwell, Longden, Carvosso, and others were placed in his hands, which deepened his conviction for purity. The testimony of a devout sister, given in love-feast, greatly encouraged him. She said, ^^I have buried all my children — six in number — within a few weeks, and I laid the last one in the coffin with as much composure as I ever laid it in the cradle/^ She pro- » 50 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. fessed to enjoy the blessing of perfect love. He left the meeting resolved never to rest short of this high state of grace. His conviction for the bless- ing was deep. Hours were spent in the woods, with his face literally upon the ground, looking to God for a clean heart. While in this state of mind, hearing of a sister, who enjoyed the blessing, he walked about seven miles to see and converse with her upon the subject. After usual saluta- tions, the following conversation took place : Convert, — ^^ I have come from D , on purpose to converse with you on the subject of holiness. Hav- ing sought this blessing for some time without success, I thought it might help me to talk with a living witness of this great saivation.^' Mrs, A. — (After quite a pause and SANCTIFIED. 51 evident embarrassment) '' I am sorry to say you have come to the wrong plact^/^ C.-r-^* I was told that you enjoyed the blessing/* A. — ^^I once enjoyed it, but, amid opposition, ceased to speak of it openly, and thus lost it.'' The young man went home sadly disappointed, but subsequently learned that the conversation was not in vain, as it aroused the sister to seek and recover the lost favor. The following from his journal w^ill best describe his views and feelings at this period of life : *' My feelings became more and more intense. My conviction seemed deeper than when seeking pardon, though very different in nature. Con- viction preceding conversion, con- sisted mainly in a deep sense of guilt n i: 52 SURUCK BV LI(iHTNIN(;. I'rM ;; i and danger, none of which attended this. I enjoyed a clear evidence of acceptance with God. My conviction consisted in a deep sense of w^ant. A painful consciousness of unUkeness to Chnst, attended w^ith an undying de- sire for purity, and power to labor successfully for the salvation of others. It was a real '^ hun2:erino: and thirst- ing after righteousness.'^ One even- ing while prostrate before God in earnest prayer, the suggestion w^as clearly made to my mind, as if spoken audibly : " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ r I did beheve. My faith said the great salvation is mine, for it was provided for me. Instantly an indescribable influence came upon me which spread through my entire be- ing, completely removing my sense of want and filling me with unspeakable joy. i SANCTIFIED. 53 My soul and body seemed over- whelmed with a sense of tho Divine presence. The next morning after this change, he and his employer, Mr. D., thus con- versed : Youth. — T feel inclined to tell you a little of my experience. D. — I like to hear such experience. Y. — It seems to me I am the happi- est being that ever God made. I was so blessed last night that I did not sleep a moment. D. — I guess you enjoy life pretty well, and why not? You have no family cares, nor anything to annoy you. Y, — I perceive you do not under- stand the source of my joy. The love of God has cast out all slavish fear from my heart. The fear of death and of want is all gone. If :t were mI ii t HI ■■'! i 54 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. the will of God that I should die now, I would not turn round to save my life. D, — You must be a little excited. One so young as you, and enjoying life so well can hardly be willing to die. Y. — Though unable to make you see it, I am happy to know^ the truth of what I afl&rm. ^' Glory to Jesus: CALL TO PREACH. 55 CALL TO PREACH. • FIR.i ::i i< I', il ' I 8 li i Il I 60 STKUOK BY LIUUTNINO. all, Reed sprang at once to his feet. A blast on Universalism was expected by many, but, to their astonishment, he said (in substance), ^' I came here for amusement, and to pick the dis- course of the speaker, but it has picked me all to pieces. I am a sin- ner and want religion, and arise to ask the prayers of christians. I may not succeed, but shall do the best I can. I am a very proud, wicked youth. But few know how proud and self-conceited I am. I am full of it. I feel it moving in my heart while I talk. If you can have any faith for such a sinner pray for me.'' He then fell on his knees and commenced praying for himself. Others prayed earnestly for him. He was encour- aged, but not converted. Some days subsequent he pro- fessed to find comfort in God, but CASTING OUT A DEVIL. 61 was not clear. Soon, a dense cloud seemed to settle upon him. His mind was wonderfuUv exercised, and he ex- pressed to the exhorter fears that he miixht become insane, as his mother had been. Mental alienation increased, until he made several ettbrts to kill himself. One night he sprang from his bed through a window, staving out a nimiber of lights, and ran for the woods. The neighbors were ral- lied, and after some hours' search he was found in a state of perfect nudity, Av ith his shirt twisted into a rope and fastened to a small tree, w here he was attempting to hang himself. He w^as first discovered by Rev. Timothy Cogging, the colored local preacher already referred to. Upon his approach. Reed said to him, ^^ Well, Mr. Devil, I see you have come, and I suppose I must submit." He returned I m ^■1' I ij i mmm G2 STPUCK BY Ll(iHTNIN Mr. T. seemed thunderstruck; he was completely backslidden, and had not prayed for years. He seated his company, walked into another room, and said to his wife, who was a de- vout soul, '' What shall I do ? This Mr. D. has come here with several of his neighbors to get me to pray for them, and you know I have not prayed for years.'' She advised him to go in and con- fess his backsliding, pray for himself and then for his neighbors. He did MEF/n\(j ON Satan's premises. 73 so ; and God blessed liiin, and con- verted a number of the company that evening. The preacher was warmly greeted on his return, and the revival progressed until about thirty scTuls were saved. A class was formed ; a church was soon built, and regular circuit preaching established, which continues until this day. This Mr. T., who was reclaimed through the in- strumentality of this great sinner, has never since faltered in his religious life — so far as known. He Avas greatly instrumental in building the new chapel, and became one of the strongest official members of the church. Thus was this youthful preacher encouraged to toil on among those who were des- titute of the Word of Life, and God blessed his labors more and more. About this time, but a few miles from this place, there were six persons n w m 74 STRUCK HV LI(JIITNIN(i. soiuuUy converted to God, and several sanctified in a family prayer-uiceting conducted by him. Many such instances, under hislabor as a local preacher, might be named Avould space permit. FIRST flUfUlT. 75 IS FIRST CIRCUIT. jj RKVIVAL IX 'MIAYIXG. In Ai)ril, 1838. — Sickness causing a vacancy on the C. circnit, he Avas called to serve the charge for the balance of the conference year. He found the church very much divided on account of the trial and expulsion of one of its prominent members. Still, many were saved during his stay of four months among them. His whole time was emi)loyed in efforts to save souls. One day, while on his way to make a pastoral visit at Brother C.'s, he paused to rest, and read several pages of the '' Life of Benjamin Abbott. He then fell upon his knees and said ; fj ir !i|ll I 'I 'I'ti lil ^iliil li fjin i Mil, i i ;"''!) . ! ^ ; I 76 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. '^0 Lord, if it be thy will to display thy povvei' as in Abbott's time, under my labor, let me see a soul saved in the family I am al)out to visit." He found a lari^e familv, five of whom wer3 members of the church. At the hour of evenino; prayer, he proposed a family prayer-meeting. A glorious baptism of the Spirit came on the household. Before the praying ceased, an unconverted son began to cry aloud for mercy, and was soon glori- ously saved. The younger children wept, and promised to give their hearts to God. His habit was to urge all, with whom he had intercourse, to imme- diate action in religious duty. During his stay among this people, a Mr. B. was pressed to return imme- diately from a backslidden state, lest death put him suddenly beyond the FIRST CIRCUIT. 77 reach of mercy. He yielded. A few days subsequently, while digging a well, a tub of gravel fell and crushed him so that he survived but twelve hours. He died praising God that he had heeded the timelv warnino: and prepared for the solemn event. When about to leave for conference, being burdened for souls, this young minister said to his congregation : ''I must hold meetings* in this house every evening this week. I know you are in the midst of haying and harvesting, the evenings are short, and some can- not attend ; but do not complain. You are not obliged to come. Nay, I warn you not to come unless you can do it cheerfully." The house was nightly filled; and a number of souls were converted. Though he professed no healing gift, many affirmed that they were healed instantly, in answer to tit I. :) it i« :h the ni<>lit. The doctor did not come, but the following day she went about her work, praising God for the cure he had wrought in answer to prayer. :-o SHORES HILL REVIVAL. 79 SHORES HILL RETITAL. SISTERS QUARREL SETTLED. Orwell Circuit, with its eighteen pi caching appointments, was his next field of labor. Rev. G. Evens, an old itinerant, was his colleague and had char2:e of the circuit. The a ouno; niin istcj* -^ iirst sermon was preached on Or- well Hill to a large and intelligent au- dience, some of whom he knew had been in the habit of severely criticis- ing their young ministers. He preach- ed about fifteen minutes and conclud- ed by saying : '' Brief and poor as is this sermon, it is probably a pretty fair specimen of what you will get.'^ Perceiving his embarrassment, and that he possessed some talent com- . It i in r 80 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. bined with real humility, these critics rallied round him with words of en- couragement, and, to his surprise, be- came his warmest friends and support- ers. He has often remarked that he never had a barren time in that pul- pit afterward. Much of his time was spent in visit- ing from house to house and pra^ying with the people. On saying to his col- league ^' I have visited thirteen fami- lies to-day," the old man replied, '^ If you keep on at this rate, we shall soon have a glorious revival," and so it was. Father G. E., however, labored but little in the revival work, though an able minister. Family cares and other duties connected with the charge occu- pied his time. The work first commenced on Shores Hill, where about thi^ .y persons pre- sented themselves for prayer at the SHORKS HILL KEVIVALo 81 first invitation. They wept aloud, and seemed to pray fervently night after night for a week, and not a soul was converted. The young minister began to think there must be a capital defect in his mode of instruction, or they would be saved. He tried to put the meeting into the hands of a local minis- ter, hoping thus to forAvard the work. The local brother refused to take the responsibility, but encouraged liim to hold on. Soon they began to come out, clear as heaven, and the work went on with power. In the midst of this revival, a diffi- culty broke out between two sisters, both of them having families grown up, which were likely to be seriously injured by it. These women were also active members of the church. The minister was greatly surprised and alarmed that such trouble skould 'i mi J im 82 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. ill "l:' Si''.' ili, occur among eliurcli members in the midst of a revival. He called on the parties forthwith for the purpose of effecting a settlement. . The first sister to' whom he intro- duced the matter wept much, de- clared she was not in fault, and was willing to do all in her power to settle the trouble. ^^ Will you,'' inquired the preacher, " meet your sister this afternoon and talk the matter over '^ ' '* It Mill do no good," she answered, '' my sister will fly into a passion and abuse me, making the matter worse than it now is." ^' Will you," con- tinued the preacher, ^^ attend the meeting appointed at your sister's this afternoon, and have an interview if she desires it ?" To this she ai>:reed. He then hastened to see the other sister, and, after picssing the necessity of an immediate adjustment, inquired SHORES HILL REVIVAL. 83 if she would talk the matter ovei' in a Christian spirit and try to settle it. ^^I Avould," said she with tears, ''but it will do no good to attempt an in- terview Avith that sister. In the lirst place she woidd consent to no such thing, and if an interview were at- tempted she would get mad the iirst thing, and only make a bad matter If th; new tnat sister as Avell as I do you would not advise an interview." ''I have just seen her,'' said the preacher, ^' and she will soon be here on purpose to settle it up.'' They met, talked and prayed over the matter, kissed each other, and so buried their trouble that the minister heard no more of it during his stay on the circuit. Thus might most church troubles be disposed of, were God's order followed in their adjust- ment. f' 1 Ui 84 STRrCK BY LKJUTNING. till \l 1: :ht he dreamed of visitinij; a very hardened family, and saw them weep bitterly on account of their sins. So deeply was his mind impressed with this dream, that he went to see the family before breakfast next morning*, and conversed with each member closely. When about leav- ing, he asked Mrs. H. if she would now give her heart to God. She re- plied, ^' I will,'* and burst into a flood of tears. Another lady made the \ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I e m ^ m iM 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ — M 6' — ► y] <^ /i 'a '<^' <5> c» .> A //l '/ /fs Hiotographic Sciences Corporation i\ •^ v> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 C^ Ltf ks^ & !i iiii ■ 1 ■ r\'- ,'i|! 1 11 i^> i 88 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. same pledge. Encouraged by this, he went to the shop where Mr. H. and brother had by this time gone, and soon secured their pledge to seek sal- vation without delay. A revival im- mediately commenced, in which many were converted. Thus did the work go on in different localities, until dur- ing the year about one hundred and fifty souls were converted. The fol- lowing quotations from his diary will best describe the feelings of our young itinerunt amid revival work. Dec. 22, 1838.— Glory to God for all his benefits towards me. I am now permitted to see the desire of my heart in the salvation of souls in C. neighborhood, over which I have w ept and prayed much. Penitents are nightly at the altar, and shouts of the saved are heard on every side. My body is weak, but my faith was never ACCUSED OF FORTUNE-TELLING 89 stronger. A doctor told lue, a lew days since, that I must quit preacliiug or die soon ! Well, I must die at my post. Jan. 21, 1839. — No tongue can ex- press my joy in God. My soul was tilled with the divine glory at the com- ]nencement of the year, and has been expanding and receiving moi'e and more ever since. I never saw more clearly that my preaching is only effi- cient wiien God speaks through me ; nor was I ever more sensible than of late, that he does thus speak. But, 0, how prone to pause and wonder at the effect produced under the word without a clear view^ of the real cause. How tempted to take a little glory to myself! God save me from this sin. A minister remarked to me the other day, that he never had a good time in the pulpit but his spirits sank ; !(.f •! ■;i; I >l ill 90 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, proportionately low soon after. I know this is often the case with me, but not always. Is such depression the nat- ural result of getting happy ? It does not so appear to me. I believe such sinking of spirits is too often the re- sult o^ pride. Where all the glory of our success is given to God our bliss must increase rather than lessen. Lord help me, not only to say '' Thine is the glory/^ but really give Thee ah the glory of all my success. What a fool one must be to labor for the sal- vation of others, and himself be- come a castaway ! DREAMS. 91 BREAMS. The following extract from his pen, may be interesting to some, though not written with a view of publica- tion: " I place very little confidence in dreams; can almost always* account for them without admitting anything like the supernatural. Still, I have had dreams that have deeply impressed my mind, and have had something to do with shaping my life. One of these was respecting a Rev„ D. F. Reed, who was converted under my labors while an exhorter. He was devoted, tal- ented, and eccentric. The church hardly knew how to handle him. Im- mediately after conversion he com- m ;* 11 11 11 |i ;l 5*1 ■ ill if ijij;! tf' :iir lli 92 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. menced preaching, much after the style of Lorenzo Dow, refusing to be confined to a regular charge. He was, however, finally persuaded to as- sist Rev. B. Ellis, on Pike Circuit, and assured me of his purpose to remain there until the close of the conference year. This was about the middle of the year. ^'A glorious revival soon commenced under his labors, and all seemed satis- factory. After being on the circuit about a month, and while I was en- gaged in a revival on Kinyon Hih, about twenty miles from there, I dreamed we met at Standing Stone — an appointment on my charge — where he proposed to help me in a protracted meeting, saying he had quit P. Circuit, being sure it was his duty to travel at large, and as soon as he got through with my meeting, he was going to DREAMS. 93 New York to preach in the streets. I thought our S. Stone meeting was successful, and he left for New York, as proposed. '^ A day or two after the dream, I started for my regular appointment at Standing Stone. Calling at the house of my colleague, his wife met me at the door and asked, ^Have you heard that D. F. R. has slipped the yoke ?' Upon receiving a nega- tive answer she continued, ' He has quit the circuit, and will preach at State Road to-niiiht.'' " I then related my dream, and ad- ded, if Brother R. meets me and talks as I dreamed, then dreams must have some significance. State Road being but little out of my way, I resolved to take that route, so as to be sure to see Brother R. I called at his nucleus, where they showed me his satchel, »»i II ii ! ■;: I v .1 lllii II 94 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. which, they said, was packed to meet me at S. Stone the next day. I has- tened to the school-house where he was then deUvering a gospel message^ at the close of which he said to me : ' I have quit P. Circuit ; I must travel at large ; am now en route for S. Stone to help you hold a protracted meet- ing ; from which place 1 shall go to New York to preach in the streets.' We had a successful meeting, and D. F. R. left for New York. The impres- sion on my mind was, that God had probably called him to that Avork. Having my own mind considerably exercised about evangelizing in the same manner, it struck me that God might give me another dream that would settle my own mind respecting it. Accordingly, I prayed for light from the same quarter on my own cas^. That same night, after so pray- DREAMS. 05 ing, I dreamed of pickino- berries along the highway side, and making tolerable headway. Looking over the fence, I saw very large berries hanging upon high bushes in great abundance. Dissatisfied with my pro- gress, I scaled the high fence, land- ing amid briers, thorns and logs, and to mv utter astonishment, not a single berry could be seen, and it was with the greatest difl&culty, and consider- able injury, that I made my way back to the road and resumed mv work. I awoke with the impres- sion that the route I was then travel- ing Avas my place to gather fruit!" To show that this minister was not alone in his opinion of dreams, and to impress upon the reader a lesson of humility, the following is copied from the life of Rev. Wm. Bramwell : "A Gospel minister of evangelical : Si H 96 Si -. tl it STRUCK «Y LIGHTNING. principles, whose name, from tlic cir- cumstances that occurred, it will be necessary to conceal, being much fa- tigued at the conclusion of the after- noon service, retired to his apartment in order to take a little rest. He had not long reclined upon his couch be- fore he fell asleep, and began to.dream. He dreamed that on walking into his garden he entered a bower that had been erected in it, where he sat down to read and meditate. While thus employed he thought he heard some person enter the garden ; and, leaving his bower, immediately hastened to- ward the spot whence the sound seemed to come, in order to discover who it was that had entered. He had not proceeded far before he dis- cerned a particular friend of his, a gospel minister of considerable talents, who had rendered himself very popu- iiREAMS. 97 lar by his zealous and unwearied ex ertions in the cause of Christ. On approaching his friend he was sur- prised to find that liis countenance was covered wnth a gloom, which it had not been accustomed to wear, and that it strongly indicated a violent agitation of mind, apparently arising from conscious remorse. After the usual salutations had passed, his friend asked the relator the time of the day ; to which he replied, ^Twenty-five minutes after four.^ On hearing this the stranger said, ^ It is only one hour since I died, and now I am damned.' * Damned ! for what ? ' inquired the dreaming minister. ' It is not,' said he, ^ because I have not preached the gospel, neither is it because I have not been rendered useful, for I have now many seals to my ministry, who can bear testimony to the truth as it i4>«. ^14I( % Im 98 STRUCK BY LIGHTNlNr,. is in Jesus, Avhicli they have receivec] from my lips ; but it is because I have been accumulating to myself the applause of men more than the honor which Cometh from above ; and, verily, I have my reward ! ' Having uttered these expressions, he hastily disappeared and was seen no. more. The minister awaking shortly after- w\ard, with the contents of this dream deeply engraven on his memory, pro- ceeded, overwhelmed with serious re- flections, toward his chapel in order to conduct the evening service. On his way thither he was accosted by a friend, who inquired whether he had heard of the severe loss the church had sustained in the death of that able minister. He replied, ' No ; ' but, be- in^: much affected at this sino^ular in- telligence, he inquired of him the day and the time of the day when his de- TOO NKAR HELL. 9U partiirc took place. To tliis his frioiul replied : ' This afternoon, at twenty- five minutes after three o'clock/ '' ■ » TOO NEAR HELL TO SPEND TilE WITH. Soon after entering upon his work on Pitston Circuit he thus writes : ^^ I have been round this circuit three times, and have seen more infi- delity than in all my previous life. Surely this must be ^ where Satan's seat is ! ' ^^ An incident will serve as a speci- men of the many hard cases with whom he met in his first trip round the circuit. i?»"*»«l \ ll< ; "i ■'! 100 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. '1! III After visiting a wicked family he found his horse feeding in the door- yard, and a stranger — who was a little drunk — holding him by the halter. On meeting, they conversed as fol- lows : Stranger. — I thought while you were visiting, your horse better be eating. Minister. — Much obliged. Hope you love God, sir. S. — I don't think much of religion ; I had a brother who professed it, and yet wronged me out of all my pro- perty. M. — Do you believe the Bible ? S. — Not all of it. I don't believe in such a hell as you talk about. Wonder where hell is ? M. — Only a little ahead; you are on the direct road ; keep right on and you can't miss it. Good-by, sir ! TOO NEAR HELL. 101 S, — Hold on ! I came out of the field on purpose to talk. M, — You are too near hell to spend time with. I must talk with more hopeful cases. S, — (Greatly in earnest.) See here : " Perhaps the Bible is true. I often fear it is ; come, just go into my part of the house and see my sick Avife. She is a Christian !" The minister paused, and prayed with the family, leaving Lhe man ap- parently both sober and serious. % »«fi 102 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. til A SKEPTIC AWAKENED. ill His next call was on a Mr. Avery, who resided near his evening appoint- ment. Finding himself in contact with another infidel, they conversed in substance, as follows : Minister. — (After usual salutations.) 1 find this country quite filled up with infidels. I hope you believe the Bi- ble, sir ? Avery. — I have doubts about it.' M. — Do you believe in a God? A. — Most certainly. All nature teaches that great truth, and a man must be a fool to doubt it. M. — Do you think you have any d jties to discharge to God. A, — Certainly. A SKEPTIC AWAKENED. 103 M. — How do you learn your duties to God without a Bible ? A. — From God's great book of na- ture. M. — Please name some duties there- in taught. A, — To love God and my neighbor. M. — From w hat part of God's book of nature do you learn your duty to love him ? A. — From various parts. M. — Please give chapter and verse, A. — We should love God because He is good and lovely. M. — How do you prove, without a Bible, that He is good and lovely ? A. — He gives us sunshine and showers and fruitful fields which all prove his goodness. M. — He sends blasting and mildew to destroy our crops; earthquakes and pestilence to destroy our property m Ill i iut^i 104 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. and our lives ; therefore, according to your own interpretation of his book, God is not good and lovely, but a tyrant ! After further conversation, Avery acknowledged his dissatisfaction with his own theory, and went out to hear the young man preach. The truth touched his heart, and he remained in class after preaching, and arose and requested the prayers of Chris- tians for his salvation. Notwithstanding the hardness of the moral soil about two hundred w^ere converted during the year. PUBLIC TALK WITH A UNIYERSALIST. During a protracted meeting in a Universalist neighborhood, a stranger by the name of Doud, after hstening to the testimony of young converts, arose and said : ^^ I am an older man than either of these ministers [a young Baptist preacher was also in the pul- pit] and presume I have read the Bible more than either of them ; I believe in religion, but not in that hell about which so much has been said. I advise these young ministers to read their Bible more, and they will not preach such stuff. A state of sin, degradation and condemnation is the hottest hell man will ever find.'' To this the minister replied : '^ This ( M .♦* '?» \m*»* 106 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING J! ! j is no place for debate, but since this gentleman has forced upon us his Uni- versalist notions, it becomes my duty to reply. He has rightly said we are young and should study the Bible. We desire all the light we can get, and will ask Mr. D. a few questions, as he is inclined to instruct us. Bel^w are the questions as proposed and answered : Minister. — Will Mr. D. please tell us if he thinks Jesus Christ visited this world for the purpose of doing a work ibr man, which man could not do for himself? Doud, — I do. M. — Did he finish the work for which he came ? D, — Of course he did ; He did not leave it half done as you partialists teach. Jf, — What was that work ? TALK WITH A UNIVERSALIST. 107 D, — To save the world, of course. Jf.— The whole world ? D. — Yes, sir. if.— What from ? D, — Not from an eternal hell, but from a state of sin doubt, degrada- tion, condemnation and fear. M, — Now let us compare the gen- tleman^s statements. In his speech he said man would never find a hotter hell than the state of fear, degrada- tion, doubt and condemnation, in which we now are. In answer to my questions, he says, '^ Christ came to save us from all this, and finished his work; not leaving it half done as we partialists teach ! '' Why then is he here attempting to do a job that Jesus Christ finished? Let all open their eyes to the light reflected by this most positive contradiction ! But Mr. D. may have light for us »»i ■ m I ifl i ll It 108 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. on other points.. Before embracing Universalism we want light on John v., 28, 29 : ^^ Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth ; they that have clone good unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.'' Will the gentleman please reconcile this scripture with his Universalist theory ? Tell us, especially, what is here meant by the word ^^ graves T D. — That is easily done. It must mean — as in many other parts of the Bible — a state of sin, degradation and condemnation. M. — I will now read the passage as just explained : ^' Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in which they that are in a state of sin, degradation and con- ?> TALK WITH A UNIVERSALIST, 109 demnation, shall hear his voice and come forth ; they that have done good in this state of sin, to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation !" These sinners, who, according to Mr. D^s teaching, are now enduring the hottest hell there is for man, shall come forth from this condition to this condition — from damnation to damnation — a double damnation from which he shows us no way of escape. I also desire light on Luke xii.-4, 5. '^ And I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear ; fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell ; yea, I say unto you, fear him." „i, .■.T.iwP»i, t m ... :m' «■>■. 110 STRUCK BY LKillTNIXG. i D. — What is the meaning of the term hell ? M. — That is for you to explain. We are young and want light. D. — I suppose you know the word hell means the grave or place of the dead. M, — Do you think it means the grave in the passage just quoted? D. — I presume it does. M. — I will so read it: '^ And I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do ; but I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear; fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into the grave, yea, I say unto you fear the sexton ! '^ Besides this gross inconsis- tency, Mr. D's interpretation makes Christ utter a falsehood; for who TALK WITH A UNIVERSALIST. Ill does not know that the murderers of the saints had power to bury them? * Z7. — Possibly the term hell in this passage refers to the place of de- parted spirits. M. — Do you think there is any place for departed spirits except heaven, or a state of happiness ? i/;— No. M. — Then let us see how the pas- sage will read with the second expla- nation : '^ And I say unto you my friends be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do, but rather fear him who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast you into heaven!'^ The debate here ended, and the re- vival went on. * After church. sMi 112 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. A CHAIR THROWN AT THE MINISTER. REVIVAL IN BERLIN. After visiting a hotel in Providence, Pa., and praying with the family, he met two men in earnest conversation near the front door, one of whom attached an oath to nearly every sentence. *' Do you know,'^ inter- rupted the minister, '^ that God has said he will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain?'' At this, the swearer commenced blaspheming the name of Christ, calling the minister a fool for worshiping such a being, swearing that if his reprover did not mind his own business he would smash him with a chair, which he drew up for \b I i U!^: r ii A Chair Thrown at the Minister. \ REVIVAL IN BERLIN. 113 the purpose. Finding his threats did not move the minister, he threw the chair, but with less force than his atti- tude seemed to indicate. FaiHng to hit his mark, he walked up, and, with an oath, kicked the chair arainst him. The landlord then stepped to the door, and assured the swearer that he would allow no more such conduct upon his premises. His curses were then turned upon the landlord, and the minister went on his way, rejoicing that he was counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ^s sake. He has since been heard to say : ^^ That Avas the happiest day of my life.^^ It was reported that this infidel was afterward converted. At his first visit to Berlin, on Hones- dale station, two arose for prayer; thus encouraging him to protract the meetinjr which resulted in a o-lori- If 111 >^:*f :m f^ '"^*m^ Zmmm>-'' 1 1 114 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. ous revival. At the commencement there was strong opposition. A Mr. May, whose wife was an active laborer in the meetings, swore she should quit her pubhc exercises, or he would drag her out of the school house. He cursed the minister for holding such meetings, declaring, with an oath, he would go to hell before he would hear him preach. His wife was at her post, and his conviction deepened. After standing about the door for several evenings, he came rushing into the congregation, and, among other seekers, besought God's people to pray for him. His soul was soon set free ; since which he has traveled five miles on foot to hear that same preacher, professing to be well-paid for the journey. 51 ■' III METHODIST BAPTISTS. 115 A METHODIST CHUKCH OF BAPTIST CONVERTS. About three miles from the Berlin revival, a good work soon commenced among the Baptists. This young preacher was invited by a member of the church, to attend the meeting. To avoid the appearance of j)r()selyt- ing, he declined. After the pro- tracted effort closed, and an unsuc- cessful effort had been made to secure the converts to the Baptist church, a committee was sent to again invite him to visit them and form a class. On being assured that they ^' could be nothing but Methodists ^' whether he came or not, he consented to go. His text for the occasion was : '^ / H] J. I 109- I ttff .8 n^ 1 1 116 STRUCK HY LIGHTXLVG. ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me ?'^ '^ I did not," said he, *^ come as soon as I was sent for, as did Peter to the house of CorneHus, having rea- sons for delay which he had not. But being now here present before God, I ask for what intent you have sent for me ? If it is for the purpose of making- Methodists out of Baptists, you have sent for the wrong man. I never did a job of the kind. But if it is that you may hear words by which you may be saved ; I have them on hand.^^ He then gave them a salvation ser- mon, at the close of which those whom God had made Methodists, were invited to unite w^ith the M. E. Church. Fifteen were organized into a class, with which more soon united. A meeting house was soon erected, in METHODIST BAPTISTS. ir which there has been M. E. preaching ever since. One reason for this nnusual turn of things was, doubtless, the fact that this revival fire had been kindled by th'^ Berlin Methodist meeting. ;*,■ 118 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. A NOISY STAGE-PASSENGER QUIETED. Closing his labors on Honesdale Sta- tion, being advised by physicians to spend some time on the sea-shore for his health, he resolved to try the experiment on Long Island. Upon entering the stage coach, he found a man warmly engaged in the discussion of politics. The coach was well filled, and this ma.:i led the conversation for miles. When his audience seemed tired of his political harangue, he dropped it and made an attack upon ortho- dox religion. He said : " It seems strange that people should think that a just God would pardon violators of '•'^ law. He believed every offender A NOISY STAGE-PASSENGER. 119 must suffer all deserved punishment in this world.'' This talk aroused the young minister, when the following conversation ensued: Minister, — Do you really think there is no pardon for penitent sin- ners ? Passenger, — Yes. M, — Do you believe the Bible ? P. — Certainly. M, — But the Bible says : ^^ Whoso- ever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins ; " and that " God will abundantly pardon." P, — God may pardon the sinner, but not the punishment. M, — But you just said God would nor pardon the sinner. P, — I meant the punishment. M. — Please tell me how a punish- ment, abstract from the punished, can be either pardoned or punished ? 1, '■jiii ,.3: 'm- i^" ; ! n 120 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. P. — God may pardon sinners, but always inflicts deserved punishment. M. — Strange pardon. Think of one under sentence of death, who obtains a pardon from the Governor, and as he begins to rejoice is assured that the punishment is not pardoned, and he must hang until he is dead ! Would my friend like to be pardoned after that fashion? I supposed he believed in universal salvation, but this would be universal damnation. P. — The Bible is full of mystery. M. — Perhaps, after all, you doubt the Bible ? P, — I am sure the so-called ortho- dox view of it cannot be correct, which makes God damn a part of himself. The soul is a part of God and must go to God who gave it. M, — Then God, being cut up into as many parts as there are human k' A NOISY STAGE-PASSENGER. 121 beings, must be much smaller now than he will be when all these parts return ! I had always supposed God was changeless and infinitely happy. P, — I have not said God was un- happy, nor do I believe it. M. — Then your doctrine must be false, for who does not know that the whole family of man suffer in mind and body ? If every one is a part of God, then just so many parts of God suffer, and he must be the greatest sufferer in the universe. Here our noisy passenger became quiet, and others led the conversation. ill 1 •If 122 STKUCK BY UUIITNINU, II i ill ! 1 I 1 i 1 ^^Bll ff ^nn i i ^H 1 li PREACHING ON THE DECK OF A STEAMBOAT. Enroute from N. Y. to Patchogue, his heart was so moved with compas- sion for the crowd of careless passen- gers on board the steamer, that he apphed to the Captain for the privi- lege of preaching to them. The Cap- tain doubted the expediency of the movement. Feeling that his duty was done, the preacher retired to the cabin. Soon a man ran down the cabin stairs, crying out : '^ The Cap- tain says you can preach.^' " What has changed his mind ? '^ asked the preacher. ^^ We are stuck on the sand bar,'' responded the other, " and must wait an hour for the tide to !fi PREACHING- ON A STEAMBOAT. 123 come in ; so I suppose he does not know what else to do/' Preaching was announced to commence on deck in just three minutes. The com- pany listened with marked attention to a plain, pointed sermon, at the close of which several expressed great satisfaction with the novel movement, and some professed to be spiritually profited. IW "I ! ii 124 STRUCK BV LlGirr^ING. A PLEASURE TEIP. TWO OVERBOARD. While at Pateliogue, improving all suitable occasions for short trips on the bay for the improvement of his health, a friend informed him that a newly-painted sloop would make a fif- teen mile pleasure trip the next morn- ing, and invited him\o go. Being as- uredthat all was right, he accepted the offer. He, however, soon found that his friend's sense of propriety differed widely from his o^i^n. The day was fine, and two violins were soon heard on deck, and a dance com- menced. Being too far from shore to make his escape, he resolved to make .»■ tl* Ml <*"i« ¥ rA$i i •ll'- A Pleasure Tkip— Two Overboard. tl iA tl i if'''' ?'" f-i;:t ii s is l!!i «Hi*l lei t : i i: fli H 1 m ■ ■ 1! III i 1 ■ 1' 1' 1 III jt; I ii 1 A PLEASL'Ri: TKir. 125 the best of it. Seating himself as far from the dance as possible, he com- menced a review of his conference studies. Several expressed to him a hope that he would enjoy the ride. He thanked them and said, ^^ If agreeable to the company, I would like to preach to them.'^ ^^ I'll see about it/' said the leading spirit. After a brief absence, he returned, saying, ^^ They are all willing; but would like the ser- mon on our return.'^ On reaching their destination, the water being shallow, they cast anchor some rods from shore, landing the company by small boats. Two young ladies in high glee, jumping into a boat nearly capsized it, throwing them both overboard. The scene was now changed from the wildest glee, to loud cries to God for mercy. The man in charge of the small boat was fright- 126 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. ened, and for a few moments, it really seemed that one of the young ladies must be drowned. He, however, soon succeeded in so lifting one from the water as to fix her grasp firmly to one side of the boat, and then hastened to save the other, who by this time had been carried some distance from i^ by the rapidly retiring tide. After consid- erable efi*ort to reach the drifting one, he at length extended to her one of the boat oars, which she grasped, and was helped on board. The other was soon relieved from her unpleasant position, though the boat was again nearly capsized by the hurried effort to lift her from the water. Some of those yet on the deck of the sloop wept, some prayed, and others swore at the awkwardness of the man who ' was trying to save the drowning ones. The company was considerably sober- A PLEASURE TRIP. 127 eel down, while the preacher had gath- ered some new material for his sermon. About sunset, the company were on board for their return. The entire company were soon rallied, and the preacher gave them a brief discourse upon the rapid flight of time and the importance of its improvement. All seemed like a church, until the minis- ter quoted the following lines : H m f i.i' J im'j m . It! •fsuh " What is time? I asked an aged man, a man of cares. Wrinkled and curved, and white with hoary hairs. Time is the warp of life, he said. Oh, tell The younir, the gay, the fair, to weave it well. " At this, a man — who was a little intoxicated — cried out, ^^ Tim^, is longi- tude r Failing to arrest attention, he cried aloud : '' Preacher, I sav time is longitude, isn't, it, sir?" This so displeased the captain and others, that they assured the disturber that he must be quiet or go overboard. The \ ^'^^ "J 128 STRUCK BY LIGIITXINO. sermon was completed without further interruption. The preacher then retired to the cabin, where he was visited by several, with whom he con- versed freely, some of whom promised reformation. Among them came the ** Longitude '' man, who was now so sobered down as to ask pardon for his ungentlemanly conduct, and promised to lead a new life. When within six miles of home, a dead calm came on, so that the vessel could not move. Seeing no hope of reaching home that night, they very kindly manned a small boat and took the minister home, a distance of six miles. The sloop came in after sunrise. They were met at the dock by anxious friends, who wished to know if there had not been something wrong in their night raid ? They were assured that " all was right ; that so far from any B" REVIVAL BV TORCH-LIGHT. 129 4 rough conduct, they had both praying and preaching on hoards REVIVAL BY TORCH-LIGHT. Soon after his return from Lons; Island he was taken violently ill, and was, by many, given up to die. But God had more work for him. As soon as able to stand up in the pulpit, he was at his post. With a hard cough and night-sweats, which his physician thought would put him in the grave^ he accepted a call to aid Rev. J. B. Benham in a revival, where he preached nearly every evening for three weeks, during which many were saved. His health gradually improved ii ''1 % J ■"•til m i w tell. till I i r 130 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. SO that he was soon at work on his own charge at Hanover, Pa. When about closing a series of successful meetings at Ruggles^ school- house, he received a call to labor in a wilderness where the Gospel had never been preached. A Brother Lee had moved into the nei2:hborhood to engage W ' 'mbering. He and his wife enioved salvation, and thouo'h not burdened with talent or dionitv, they soon became wonderfully bur- dened for souls, and appointed a prayer meeting at their own house. The thing was new, and to their astonishment, the entire community turned out. There were but two to do the praying, which imposed a burden upon Brother and Sister Lee that they had hardly anticipated. Brother Lee read a Scripture lesson, and a hymn was sung, after which REVIVAL BY TORCH-LIGHT. 131 — full of anxiety for present results, and hoping to draw some at once from the muddy pool of sin, Avho seemed just then to be enclosed in the Gospel net — Brother Lee said, '^we will pray again, while all Avho desire salvation will pray for themselves." Several bowed before God, and cried aloud for mercy. Another meeting* was appointed, and the minister sent for, who preached to them every evening for several weeks, until almost the entire community was converted. ^^ Pitch-pine " was their tvliole depend- ence for light, which, burning in a fire-place, kept the room well lighted. Not a lamp or candle was used. The nights being dark, each family came supplied with a pine-torch, with which they illuminated the woods on their return, a display well worth observ- ing, especially when the forest was i "■) '■ ' m *» ill "M M ■-■- u iM 132 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. made vocal with the triumphant songs of new-born pilgrims. One woman came about five miles on foot — torch in hand — to the meetings. Though in feeble health, the preach- er's fare was not always the most deli- cate. Often, after the close of even- ing service, he traveled several miles on horseback through foot-paths, and often with no path, until the skirts of his overcoat became thoroughly be- smeared with pitch from the pine torch which he carried. Not unfre- quently his bed in the morning was covered with snow, which had blown through the cracks of his well-venti- lated room. There were several revivals on this circuit, of which our limits will not allow particular notice. i^ pn 1 A FIDDLER SAVED. 133 A FIBBLEB SAVEB. At one appointment a fiddler by the name of Bennett was awakened, and finding his fiddle in the way of his salvation, he committed it to the flames and shouted over the ashes of the idol. This moved the neighbor- hood, and many more were soon saved. One interesting young lady of a Lutheran family Avas converted ; at which her people were so enraged .as to turn her from home. She, how- ever, clung to Christ, who gave her a good home among God's people until her parents were glad to welcome her back. In his pastoral visits one man or- dered him out of his house. " I go at I :l ti .- 1 i M ..*m M 134 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. your bidding/^ said the minister ; ^' and, in obedience to Christ, shake off the dust of my feet as a testimony against you/' The conduct of this man disgusted the people generally, who turned out more than ever to hear the Gospel preached, and invited the minister to their homes. A SLANDERER HUMBLED. 135 A SLANDERER HUMBLED. The strongest opposition to Method- ism on this H. circuit, arose from members of the Lutheran church. A young man of some prominence, be- longing to said church, put in circula- tion a slanderous report about the minister. He resolved, after prayerful consultation with older ministers, to call the young man to an account; believing that the good of the church, at which the thrust was evidently made, demanded such procedure. On learning what was coming, the slanderer earnestly besought him to pause in his intended prosecution, declaring that he knew the story was false, and that he was very sorry for » i II I 4 i if m I .tn$i m. mi ■ .A n m 136 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. what he had done, and would make all possible amends. His unqualified confession of false- hood was committed to paper, signed by the slanderer, and read in each congregation on the circuit, w^hich put a woilderful quietus upon the oppos- ing element from the above-named order. BAR-ROOM DISCUSSION. 137 il'l BAB-BOOM DISCUSSION. Stopping at a hotel on his way from a visit in Conn., he found a warm discussion going on in the bar- room between a UniversaHst and an Episcopahan upon the subject of future punishment. He soon discov- ered that the bulk of talent in the debate was in favor of ITniversalism. ^^ Do you not, as a church,'^ asked the TJniversalist, ^^ pray for the salva- tion of all men?" ^^ Certainlv/' re- plied the other. ^^ Do not some of you pray with faith ? " continued the UniversaHst. " I presume so," was the answer. " Does not God promise to answ^er the prayer of faith ? " con- tinued the UniversaHst. ^^ I presume 4 ■ ■ !l 11' uHrtOJy .1 ':'»' U 188 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. SO," was the reply. '' Then does it not follow that all men must be saved ?" inquired the other. Perceiving that this shrew d sophism was likely to close the discussion, the young stranger asked leave to speak. After a little jubilee upon the sup- posed victory over old orthodoxy, he said : ^' I am inchned to think that truth has not had fair play. Our Universalist friend seems to think that because his opponent admits that Christians pray with faith for the salvation of all men, therefore all men will be eternally saved. In the first place, I think he did not admit that Christians are bound to pray for the unconditional eternal salvation of all men ; I could not ■ 11 ' ■ 'ii ■tHIJi I t•^:^^^- u- ■ ' -- I n 142 STRUCK IJY LIGHTNING. the barn to look after his team. One of the company soon followed him, and said earnestly : ^^ See here, stranger, I hope you are not going away. That fellow has commenced his noise again about Universalism, please go back into the bar-room." He went back, and all was silent. Remaining over the Sabbath, he preached to a large congregation in the Court House, where a number of his bar-room audience were assembled. SAVED BY EXPULSION. 143 SAVED BY EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. This preacher was considered quite strict in the enforcement of discipline. When on Canaan station, after preach- ing one Sabbath against the sin of Sabbath break in <>:, a wealthy mem- ber of the church (in the class meet- ing that followed,) warmly attacked the sermon. *^ I have/' said he, " got in my hay and boiled sap on Sunday, and consider it as proper as to milk my cow^s." The minister explained the difference. Still the brothor declared that he should continue the practice. '^ Then/' said the preacher, '' I shall see that you are brought to trial.'* This conversation occurred a :!'! "Si. ■^W iji;« u 144 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. little before haying time. As usual, this brother drew in several loads of hay on the Sabbath. The minister labored with him, and finding he still remained obstinate, took a brother with him and repeated the effort, but to no purpose. The offender was then arraigned and expelled from the church. He had been treated so tenderly during the whole process, that his own wife, as well as his own conscience took sides with the admin- istration. He was so alarmed on finding himself out of the church that on reaching home he commenced family prayer, which for months had been neglected. He soon visited the minister and requested re-admission to the church. After a satisfiictory confession to his class he was cheer- fully re-admitted. When this brother was excluded, ' H h SAVED BY EXPULSION. 145 one of his sympathizers said : *^ I guess that minister will learn that his action in this case will lessen his bread and butter/' But the excluded brother doubled both his religious energy and his sub- scription for the minister's support that same year. 1 •If' i ■•,1 -V: '■II W- ■•'•\\, a 1 14G 8TRUCK BY LIGHTNING. DANCING WITH THE DEVIL. A YOUNG man by the name of Miller, who trifled with everything religious, danced in the street, before the preacher and others, on the way from church, and sang mirthful songs. About eleven o^clock that night his father came to the parsonage and call- ing the preacher said : ^^ My wicked son is in trouble, and wishes to see you as soon as possible." Hastening to the spot, they found the young man sitting by the fire, w ith despair depicted upon his countenance. '^ What is the matter ?'^ inquired the minister. ^^ You know," answered the young man, '^ how wickedly I acted on my way from church; and DANCING WITH THE DEVIL. 147 when I came home and retired to rest, the devil came to my bedside, and, reaching out his hand, said : '' Dance with me P^ He insisted that it was real, and was evidently greatly fright- ened. Prayer was made for him, and, though he was not then converted, he ever after carried a sad counte- nance, never showing the least appear- ance of levity. Let triflers heivare lest they receive a similar invitation from the pit. m I m il 148 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. ANSWERING A FOOL ACCORDING TO HIS FOLLY. Becoming suddenly ill on his way to a distant appointment, a doctor was called. The following conversation in substance took place during his brief visit : Minister. — I hope, Dr., while look- ing after the physical wants of your patients you pay some attention to spiritual matters? Doctor. — I have no knowledge of such matters ; it is enough for me to look after what I can see. I let the more visionary attend to the invisible. M. — But God himself is invisible ; you surely do not think the w^orship of God a mere visionary matter ? ANSWERING A FOOL. 149 Dr. — I have no knowledge of God, and don't believe any man knows any more about him than I do. 31. — Do you believe in no power, authority or intelligence above man ? Dr. — I see nothing superior to man, and recognize no power or authority above what I see or know to exist. M. — Are vou reallv settled in these views ? Dr. — Perfectly. M. — Will you allow me to assume your position and talk to you accord- ingly? Dr. — Certainly. M. — Well, then, I call you- a regu- lar donkey. Dr. — (Evidently excited.) You can call me what you please, but give a reason for such talk. M. — Being a man^ according to your teaching, there is no authority S!i I "I. E 150 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. superior to my own, and I call you a donkey, and must hold to my position as just and proper until you produce supei'ior authority to set it aside. The Dr. was evidently quite dissat- isfied with his new name, though unable, accordino' to his own theory, to dispute the authority by which it was given. vM RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPING8. 151 RAPS FOR ^' SPIRIT RAPPINGS." About the time this preacher began his intinerant work tlic spirit rappings comnienccd near Rochester, N. Y., in an obscure family by the name of Fox, the i>irls actini:: as mediums. From these female foxes arose the system of modern necromancy, under the sanctimonious name of ^^Spiritualism/' '^ There must be something in it,^' was often repeated in the ears of the minister, to which he replied : ^' If there is anything in it, the Devil is m it. During his pastoral charge of Can- dor Station, years after this fire from the pit broke out near Rochester, a medium visited the place and com- I* ¥ I •t ilil : HI I.;. i •4 m. . ^ I 152 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, menced operations at a whisky-tavern, and soon produced great excitement in the community. To soUcitations to visit the hotel and hear from departed friends, the preacher rephed : ** The friends I care to hear from were not in the habit of visiting grog-shops before death, and if they have since become thus de- praved, I do not care to meet them/' As the excitement increased, he was assured by a steward of the church, in whom he had great confi- dence, that there was som3ihing very unaccountable about it, which he had better witress for himself before pro- nouncing it a '' humbug ; *^ adding with emphasis : ^' I am half inclined to believe in it myself.*' '^ Remove it to a suitable place," said the preacher, "and secure me a fair chance to investigate the thing, and I may X^\e RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPINGS. 153 your advice/* Accordingly, a com- mittee of two met him the next morning (the aforesaid steward being one of them) with strong assurances that he should have a fiiir chance for investigating the concern that after- noon at a private house. The room was well filled with people. In the centre stood a large table, by which sat a girl of about twenty, said to be the medium. • The minister seated himself near the table with paper and pencil in hand, prepared to record any com- munications from whatever source they might come. Spirits were re- quested to rap on the table if present. All was silent for more than half an hour. The stern attitude of the preacher had evidently so disturbed the medium^s nerves, that it was diffi- cult to produce the usual raps. To If 154 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. avoid a silent sitting he put up his writing apparatus and commenced playing with a little child, after which, raps were soon heard. The preacher I'equested the medium to ask (juestions that he would sug- gest. She said he must ask his own questions, which he reluctantly did, as he admitted the presence of no disem- bodied spirits. After proposing a number of mental questions, which, it was said, the spirits could answer, and receiving no response, he pro- posed them audibly, but still re- ceived no reply. He then held up a sealed letter, and, laying it on the table, said : *^ If there are disembodied spirits here, they can convince us of their presence by revealing to this company the contents of that letter. When the contents are given, any one may open it and see if correctly ff RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPINGS. U done." Thev waited, but no answer came. The medium said : " The spirits will not always notice such test questions." '^ I now ask the spirit '^ (said the preacher), "or whatever it was that rapped on that table, to tell us why it refuses to ansAver my (piestions '?" Raps were then heard. '^ The spirit calls for the alphabet,'^ said the medium. Then one repeated the alphabet, and another put down the letters at which the spirit rapped. The recital ran thus : *^ a-b-c-d-e-f-g- h-i r«p." The letter i, was then put down. Again the alphabet was repeated in the same way until s was pronounced and another rap fol- lowed. The same process was con- tinued until the medium signified that the communication was on paper. It stood thus: ^^i-s-b-u-r-r-r-i-g-h-t.'' No one being able to tell what it signified. >M| ^1 K i^5(i 156 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. a Mr. II — (who seemed always on hand to help the spirits) divided it thus: '^s Burr right ?'^ While all wondered what it meant, another call was made for the alphabet, and the same tedious process gave us " 1-e-c-t-u-r-e." Not yet understand- ing it, the third call was made-, -md ^* c-o-n-f-e-r-e-i -c-e '^ w as added. We then had : '^ i-s-b-u-r-r-r-i-g-h-t-1-e-c-t- u-r-e-c-o-n-f-e-r-e-n-c-e/' which being interpreted read: ''Is Burr right? lecture conference." Mr. H — (the spirit's helper) then said : '' Perhaps the spirit means to say that one of this company heard Burr lecture at the conference, if so, please rap twice on the table. Two raps came. " Who heard Mr. Burr lecture ?'' continued Mr. H. The preacher's name was then rapped out. " Did you attend Burr's lecture ?" asked Mr. H. '' I i ■! RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPINGS. 157 did," said the preacher, " and I know how a knowledge of the fact came to this circle ; and as the spirit seems to have been present at those lectures and is inclined to talk about them, will it please rap the number of lect- ures delivered on that occasion?" Two raps were indistinctly heard. *' If the spirit meant to say only two, please repeat the raps," said the preacher. No repetition. He then asked the spirit to tell how many ministers attended those lectures, in what building they were delivered, etc., to which no answers could be obtained. Many more questions were proposed to which either no reply could be obtained, or where at- tempts were made to answer, the responses were either too indefinite to be understood, or entirely incorrect. Discovering that the spirits preferred 11 ii m m iir I iri I' ' 158 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. to talk of things in the unseen world he asked in a subdued tone : " Have I a mother in the spirit world ? If so, let the spirit rap twice on the table ?" Two raps were distinctly heard. The preacher^s mother lived many years after that. Many other false state- ments were drawn out in the same manner. The minister finally said : ^^ The so- called spirits have told a number of Jies, which I am prepared to prove. ^' ''The spirits have never lied since they have been with me," interrupted the medium. '^ I presume not/^ said the preacher, ^' for there have been no disembodied spirits with you. You know, as do all attentive ob- servers, that there has not been a sin- gle rap on that table except when your hand or foot touched it, and I RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPIXGS. 159 defy you to sit a foot from it and secure a rap of the kind." The medium at once left the table, and after talking with her mother, accused the minister of ungentlemanly conduct, saying : '^ We did not come here to be imposed upon.'' ''The preacher replied : ''I came here to expose imposition, and I appeal to the committee, who urged my attend- ance against my wishes, to say if my examination has not been properly conducted. '^ These gentlemen signified their ap- proval of the preacher's action, which cooled off the medium, who remarked that — '' The minister, though hard to convince, would no doubt yet become a strong advocate of the cause." To which he replied : '' It might help the preacher's faith to have those little raps produced without the LI - 'II #1 CI HI (it i 1 ! t 100 STRUCK HY LIGHTNING. medium's help." Not a rap could be obtained. The preacher continued : '^ If I am in the way of the spirits, and they will say so, f will retire.'' No reply. He added, '' If any one thinks the spirits will operate better in my absence, I will leave." Brother W. (the said steward) whispered: " Don't go an inch ; it is all humbug ; see how mad they are." Another whispered, saying : 'Ms some are anx- ious to converse with the spirits, and the medium declares she will not act in your presence, perhaps you had better go." He then left, stating that he did so by request, as the medium refused to act in his presence. Brother W. and w^ife (who were now prepared to report) stayed to see the end. The medium resumed her seat and the rapping w^ent on freely. While seated at the tea-table in the RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPINGS. 161 evening, one end of the table was sud- denly moved. '^ What does the spirit want? "was the inquiry. The usual raps answered : ^^ It wishes to have a blessing asked." A blessing was craved, and the eating resumed. 8oon the other end of the table moved, which w^as attributed to a spirit (the medium evidently thought her mother did it), when Mrs. W. said, '' / moved the table this time myself.'' "Now," said her husband, " let the spirit move that lamp on the table, where we can all see it done, and I will believe." " The spirit has moved enough " said the medium's mother spiritedly ; '^if you do not believe now, you w ould not believe anything/' Thus ended the spirit movements for the evening. But this Mrs. W., w^ho was not easily outdone, soon contrived to pro- duce raps which even astonished 102 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. the medium, and led many to say that Mrs. W. had become a medium herself. After awakening consider- able surprise by these mysferious raps she showed how they were pro- duced. The medium soon left for her home in Binghamton, at which place this minister was soon after appointed as pastor. As far as known her Candor performance ended her career as a spirit rapper. Honesdale was this preacher's next station (it being his second appointment to that place) which had become a rallying point for spirit circles. It was the spot where Rev. C. H. Harvey (then pastor of the M. J]. Church) embraced spirit- ualism, and was expelled from the conference therefor. A leading mem- ber of his church, by the name of West, with a number more, had left 1 RAPS FOR SPIRIT RAPPINC.S. 1G3 the church, and became wikl in their advocacy of spiritualism. Soon after this preacher com- menced his pastoral work (and while spirit circles were in full blast) a family by the name of Smith, residing a few miles distant, claimed to have received a communication from the spirits to the effect that they would be henceforth exempt from sickness, and would all live to witness Christ's second advent. The family were evi- dently much elated Avith their future prospects, to which Smith referred with evident satisfaction at one of their meetinos. Returning: from said meetino*, he found one of his children very sick, and, in a few hours it Avas a corpse. Another child Avas taken violently ill and died soon after burying the first. Their last child was soon in its grave. The father was then I •Ml i Hffi iSI. m 11 164 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. taken ill and soon died in the greatest mental agony. His wife was next seized, and came near death's door, bnt confessed her error and recovered. The spiritualists of the place were so shocked as to renounce the system, and (for a long time at least) feared to have anything to do with it what- ever. The Honesdale circles were completely disbanded, and several of the deluded ones sought re-admission to the church they had left, saying : *' We have been led by the devil long enough.'' Mr. West made his recant- ation through the Honesdale news- paper. DEBATE WITH A RESTORATION 1ST. 165 SHORT DEBATE WITH A RESTORA- TIONIST. When pastor of Honesdalc Church, finding some of his members a Httle moved by a ^' wind of doctrine " raised by a Unitarian minister named Hawk, he stepped into one of their meetings to watch the effect upon his flock. Rev. Hawk preached that evening mainly on Christian union — which, with him, meant union with everything that bore a religious name — and gave a practical illustration of his views by inviting a Universalist minister, whose name was Brown, to follow him with remarks. B's talk harmonized quite well with the ser- mon, especially with the union part of k IGG STRL'CK BY LIOHTNIX .. it. Ho thought the prejudice among so-called orthodox churches ran en- tirely too hi^'h. He referred, as an illusti'ation, to some public utterance of the ^fethodist minister, and turning to him asked : '^ Did you not say in your sermon at Canaan that if Univer- salists were moral at all, it was to keep up the credit of their society V^' *^ I said such might be the motive/' answered the preacher. '^ Did you not," continued the speaker, "tell your congregation that the fear of endless punishment was the strongest motive that could be presented to the sinner's mind, to induce obedience to God?" '^ Please finish your speech,'* was the reply, "and then if permitted, I will tell the people what I said." Brown then proceeded to enlarge upon love, as the true motive to obedience, and insisted that men's fears should DEBATE WITH A RESTORATIONIST. 1G7 T' not be appealed to, as fear was a de- grading motive. He did not believe in exciting people by such references to the rod. At the close of his talk, which was somewhat extended, the minister, upon whom his rude attack had been made, arose and asked permission to speak ; which, being granted, he said : ^^As an attack has been publicly made upon my sermon preached in Canaan, about Avhich this coni>Tei>:ation know nothmo', and ai'e not likelvto, unless I tell them, it seems my duty to briefly answer Rev. Mr. B. It is late in the evenino*, and should anv de^M'e to leave they can do so." No one left, and he proceeded : ^' I did not say, in the sermon referred to, that all, or even any, Universalists were moral for the sole j)ui'})ose of keeping up their credit as a church ; but 1 did ^1 .1 m ii .i i i 1G8 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. say, that people might do much, that in itself would be right, without pos- sessing real piety. That motive de- termines the character of action. That one man might be kind to his neighbor in obedience to (Jod, because he loved God and his neighbor ; and another might do the same thing to keep up his credit in community, or to secure the good graces of those upon whom his benefactions were bestowed. Hence it was unsafe to conclude that Universalists must be right, as a denomination, because some of them vv ei'e outwardly moral, as the same might be true of deists. *^ Though I did not say that the fear of endless punic>hment was the strongest motive to obedience, I did say it was among the strongest, and I here repeat it. What stronger motive to stop sinning can be placed DEBATE WITH A RESTORATION 1ST. 169 B before the mind than to know that persistence in rebellion must put the rebel in an endless hell ? But if, as Mr. B. tells us, love alone is to be ap- pealed to, then why does the Bible appeal so strongly and so constantly to men's fears ? •^ Hear it — ' Ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell ? ^ ^ Except ye repent ye shall : Jl likewise perish.' ' Upon the wicked he will rain snai'es, and fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest/ ^ There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth ; ' to which a volume of like threatenings might be added. Surely God must know, that if one-half of his threatenings are believed they must move men's fears treinendouslv, however ^degrading' the motive may seem to Mr. B. Of course love is the grand motive that moves the Chris- ii ii 170 STRUCK HY IJCiHTNINO. . tian, but the 'carnal mind' being ^enmity to God,' must be met and moved until converted more or less by fear of sin's results. When one has seen his danger and tied to Christ for pardon, and feels ' the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him,' he obeys God because he loves hiiu. ^' If Mr. B.'s views are correct, we need a new Bible as well as a new code of civil laws, as both have severe penalties and appeal strongly to men's fears. ] would sui>i>est the nomination of Mr. B. to our coming Congress by those who favor his theory, as but few men can be found who could be induced to make laws without penal- ties." Here Mi*. B. seizing the skirt of the speaker's coat gav^e it a jerk, saying, '^ Stop, stop, or T must reply to you.'* DEFUTE WITH A RKSTORATIOMST. 171 The s|)eaker I'oplicMl : '\ It' those liav- ino- c'liar.<;r of this ineetiiii*," say stop, I will do so, i^* iu)t I shall go on, sir." " Go on, (JO on,'' I'ang* out from all parts of the house. On closiuii', Mr. B. arose aud at- tempted to s|)eak, when the cougre- o'atioii rushed for the door and he was compelled to desist. Mr. !>., however, subsequently re- plied : stating, among other things, that — " If men's fears should be ap- pealed to as a means of reform, the • same motive should be urged after Conversion as before, as that which makes men good must be the best thing to keep them so." The argument was thus answered : *' Mr. B. admits that there may be a limited hell after death, for those who die in sin. That where the Gospel, . with all its melting imuI loving appeals Is', 172 STRUCK m LIGHTNING. (even from the lips of Universalist preachers), fails to produce reforma- tion, the last resort will be to put them into hell in another world. Mr. B. does not know how long it will be, but is sure it will burn long enough and hot enough to refine and fit these rebels up for Heaven. Now, as ' That which makes men good must be the best thing to keep them so' (and God will use the best means), this hell must be continued forever and ever, as a means of keeping these hell-reformed rebels good ! An eter- nal hell then, according to Mr. B.'s^ own showing, must be an absolute necessity. But even if such purga- tory could be finally dispensed with, its very existence, as a last resort to save rebels, completely annihilates Mr. B.'s loving theory of reform, and proves, not only that the fear of hell, n OPEN REBUKK. !73 but even hell itself, is necessary to bring some men to salvation/' I! "OPEN REBUKE." Strange as it may seem, there came a time in this preacher's history when his ardent love for God and souls suffered some abatement. Still maintaining a blameless outward de- portment and earnest pulpit exercises, attended with some success, his spirit- ual loss, for a while, escaped detec- tion. Having gradually imbibed the common sentiment that almost any one, with a good share of piety, could promote revivals, but that it required a superior mind to " sermon- I 174 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. ize/^ he became less zealous for souls, and more anxious about his pulpit preparations. Thus do multitudes, like the Laodi- cean church, imagine they are ''rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing," loni>: after the sub tie demon — pi'ide — has severed the vital connection between them and Christ, in whose sight they are '* wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked/' Though not so far fallen as was the church referred to, he found, as light broke on him anew, that compared with his former attainments, he was really '^ poor, blind and naked." During his heart wanderings, the Spirit's light had often flashed athwart his path, producing doubts as to the soundness of his present experience ; but these were soon disposed of as OPEN REBUKE. 175 i mere temptations, and he moved on as before, content with a round of re- ligious ceremonies without the fruit that once attended them. In the year 1853, while pastor of the M. E. Church at Candor, N. Y., a train of Providences brought him to '* himself." At a camp-meeting, in which he took part, many sinners upon his own charge were awakened, and he felt impressed to pursue the work by a series of meetings. One evening, on the way to a school-house appoint- ment in the heart of his society, he promised God if a soul was saved that evening, it should be regarded as a signal to protract the meeting. At the close of the sermon, a young girl of ordinary appearance, presented herself for prayer, and professed to find peace with God. Failing to discern the required sign in the move- I7« STKUCK BY LKJIITNINiJ. ment of this unpretending girl (who, however, became a useful minister's wife) and having a strong preference for other work just then, he con- cluded to wait and see what his next regular meeting might develop. He left home to conduct a church trial, which the presiding elder had committed to his charge ; and, on his return, learned that a Wesleyan minis- ter was holding a protracted meeting in the school-house he had just left, and was having a good revival. He now saw clearly that God had given him the first opportunity to gather souls among his own people, from which nothing but his spiritual blindness could have excluded him. He said : *^ I am backslidden in heart, and richly deserve this chastisement.^' He attended the meetings, but found, while the members of his OP ION KEIUTKK. 177 church were welcomed as laborers, he was regarded rather as an intrud- er, and only used just enough to avoid discourtous appearances. While looking on, he had time for retrospection, and his life was care- fully reviewed. "I feel," said he, '^some as I used to in childhood, Avhen on showing unwillingness to do work assigned me, my father would command me to be seated, look on and see my brother doit." Thus has my Heavenly Father seated me, to look on and see a brother of another denomination do work which I was too proud to per- form. What a mistake ! — which must rob my crown of many stars, if I am so fortunate as to wear one. I have waited for God to humble me, and he has done it in a way I !' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I la 1112 i, 40 M 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■* 6" ► V] Va a c ^;. % ■.> y /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4S03 ^ ^^v ^: H^ i\ '■i^V %<: <>. \ <".' 6^ #^.^>^ #^ A. L* C^ 178 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. least expected. How jnuch better for me to have ^' humbled myself timely under His mighty hand. Though late, I now do this, pledging uncom- promising fidelity to all his claims. How clearly 1 now see that there is nothing unimportant in God's require- ments, and that 1113^ duty and interest are inseparable. 1 promise thee, Lord, never again to undervalue a soul for whom thy blood was shed. I will henceforth run at thy bidding, and thank thee for a chance to do any work in any part of thy vineyard.'^ As soon as fully humbled and fitted for his work, the Lord put it into his hands. -i»i^ AN UNSPEAKABLE BLESSING. 179 AN " UNSPEAKABLE " BLESSING. The following quotation from liis pen shows his state of mind at the time referred to : ^^My bliss is beyond description. Its depth, length, breadth and height are immeasurable. /'Some of my late experience has been entirely new to me. At one time my mind was for days held to a glori- ous view of God, from which I could no more turn away my gaze than I could move a continent. How clearlv did the Divine finger appear in the management of everything great and small that concerned me. My entire being trembled under the glorious pressure of Divinity (for I know not 180 STRUCK BY LIGHTNIN(J. what else to call it) which deprived me of both appetite and sleep. " I do not wonder that St. Paul saw unspeakable things in the ' Third Heavens/ for I found them short of that. It really seemed that should God hold me long to this view, I must die of real bliss. My inmost soul breathed the sentiment : "While Thee All Infinite I see, By faith before my ravished eye, My weakness bends beneath the weight, O'erpowered, I sink, I faint, I die." ^^It never before occurred to me that the Lord could so easily bless one to death. No marvel that he hid Moses in the cleft of the rock when about to make all his goodness pass before him. I felt the need of sleep which it was impossible to obtain under this glorious sense of Divinity. I dared not ask for its removal, lest it AN UNSPEAKABLE BLESSINCi. 181 S be done to my spiritual injury ; but did venture, after retiring to rest one night, to ask God what it meant, and say to him, if I can be just as good and use- ful, hold thy hand just enough to allow me a night's sleep? The Spirit answered (not audibly, but clearly) ^ You have been too unbelieving. You must learn to live and work by faith, allowing God to judge of the degree of feeling necessary. Have you now feeling enough ? Do you know there is a God, who can crush you with a glimpse of His glory?' ^' From my deepest heart I said it is enough. ^ ^^ Will you,^ continued the Spirit, ' ever hereafter mind all God's re- ijuirements in every particular, as you now do, if this pressure of glory is withdrawn?' I answered, *By thy 182 hiTRUCK BY LIGHTNING. grace, I Avill/ That moment the grand panorama of divine wonders was so withdrawn that I slept sweet- ly. In the morning my mind was strongly drawn towards the scene from which it had been turned for the night. I did not covet a return of the same resistless pressure, but asked only for a touch of the same powder, which might continue as God saw would be profitable to me as a labor- er in His vineyard. The glory ap- peared as before, only the view was now voluntary. Prom that period I have seemed to be in God's hands, as an engine in the hands of a skillful engineer, who keeps it ahvays in run- ning order, but steams it to its ut- most capacity only as occasion de- mands. * " Every duty is noAv discharged with- out the least hesitation, regardless of AN UNSPEAKABLE BLESSING. 183 feeling. My faith says, lie who gave the command is present to supply the power for its execution. The attempt being immediately made (at times under depression and ^heaviness' of spir'.ts), the power that attends it is often wonderful. God always honors a faith that honors his order by im- mediate action. Obedient faith is thus strengthened at every step, and ' by works is faith made ])erfect.^ The faith of many is crippled and often killed out for want of exercise. ' For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works* (which are its appropriate action or exercise) is dead also.^ ^^I w^onder at the condescension that led God to pick up this instrument and put it in order at such expense. He is evidently resolved to save man by man (as an instrument) at any 184 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. cost. It is equally clear that he will not work with dull tools. If out of order, he will insist on their being ground up, and, if necessary, melted and recast ; and where consent cannot be gained to such ordeal, they will be thrown aside. How I rejoice that God only threw me aside for a few hours, until my heart yielded to this fitting-up process. These are my hap- piest days. This is high life in earnest. "Amid these new revelations I find plenty of new texts, new sermons and new illustrations. Indeed, ^AU things have become new.^ Amid the saddest scenes of life, I find joy unspeakable in Christ, and often praise him for trials under which I bend only to gather gems that might otherwise be overlooked. "On entering this new spiritual realm, I hardly knew^ just how to be- AN unspeakablp: blessing. 185 have. So many new and impressive thoughts and ideas crowded ray mind, that I scarcely knew how to store them. Everything about me seemed to blaze Avith divinity; so that I needed a pulj^it constantly, from which to pour forth upon others the burmng, breathing thoughts that moved my own soul. ''Often did 1 spring from my bed and strike a light for the purpose of committing to paper new trains of thought, lest they should escape my recollection. But in vain was the attempt to make my pen keep pace with the grand panorama. ' The win- dows of Heaven were opened, and a blessing poured out that there was not room to receive.^ ''Amid my efforts to gather this super- abundance of spiritual fruit, the Spirit suggested, that being now a citizen ft 180 STRUCK HY LKiHTNINO. of this land of plenty, T had only to retain my citizenship to find fresh and constant supplies, without so much pains to hoard them. '^ Surely a minister of Christ, living in this ^ hind of wine and corn, and oil ' favored with Ood's peculiar smile, must always have something new and impressive for his congregations. ^'Many seem to think all the glories of Christ's kindgdom lie beyond the death stream. How mistaken ! '^ The New Jerusalem is a great city, extending its borders far over on this side Jordan. The real saint fi-oes to heaven in an important sense, before he dies. He does not reach the inte- rior, but enters the suburbs and be- comes a citizen. ^ Ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire. ^ * ^ But ye are come imto Mount Zion and AN UNSPKAKAHLK «LE?5SIN(,, 187 unto the city of tho living" Tiod, tlic lieaveiily Jerusalem, and to an innu- merable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn vhich are written in heaven/ Heb. xii. 22 : Here I live, and seem every day to be discovering new glories as my soul draws nearer the grand centre." Soon after reaching this glorious state, he visited Salis- bury, Conn., for the purpose of a little relaxation from his incessant toil. He found a protracted meeting in prog- ress. On entering the church it w^as insisted that he should preach, which he declined, saying, '' I am here to rest." The pastor exhorted brethren to pray, saying, you will doubtless soon hear from the visiting minister. Watching the movement of the meet- ing his heart soon became burdened foi' the work, discoverini»: that as vet I{ht and instruction on the practical side of entire holiness, which is not found in any other work on this subject. American Wesleyan : " We pronounce the work a jewel, well set and precious." Christian Standard : " This book is entirely new, and unlike all other books written on this subject." Banner of Holiness : " Whoever reads it carefully and with a willingness to learn, will invariably be profited." T. B. Arnold : " A valuable work on Christian Holiness." Heart Purity; or, Things New and Old. ByREv. £. Owen, Author of "Struck by Lightning." Price, neatly bound ic cloth, 40 cents. CONTENTS. Christian Perfection — Professing Holiness Too Late — Why Some Persons Cannot Believe — A Holy Ministry — Advice to a Minister who left his work to get ready for it — Guidings of Providence — A Word to the Restless— Great Bargains made by Faith — Where the Power is Put On — A Surplus of Power — Subscription Paid Down —The Experimental Test— The Knotty Stick -A Choked Deist— An Aged Infant. Talks to S. S. Teachers. ByRsv. j.g. Terrill. cioth covers, 50 cents. This book is the result of twenty years of experience in the prac- tical work of the Sunday-school, the Teachers' Meeting, Conven- tions, and Leetures to Teachers. The work contains 200 pages, divided into five departments : I. The Sunday-school Organization t..id Management. II. Meth- ods of Work. III. Studies in Human Nature. IV. RuIol of Inter- f rotation as applied to the Bible. V. Illustrative Exercises, for rimary Classes and Children's Meetings. As to the subject matter,' the manner of treatment, and the price of the book, the author has kept in view the wants of the officer and teacher of ordinary talent and attainments. Bible Salvation and Popular Religion Con- trasted. Third Edition. 14th thousand. Revised and enlarged. Cloth covers, 60c. Paper covers, 30c. This book aims to show the great difference between true and false religion. It is heart-searching. God is owning it in the con- version of sinners both in and out of Zion, and in the sanctification of hungry soula. CONTENTS : ^ . Part II.- BIB^ SALVATION. 1. The Nature and Necessity of Repentance. 2. Marks of a Justified State. 3. The Natu re of Entire Holiness. 4. Living Without Sin. 6. Can We be Made Entirely Holy in this Life ? 6. How to Obtain Holiness. 7. Entire Holiness not Received at Conversion. 8. Results of Entire Holiness. 9. Heart Searching Questic is. 10. Bible Teaching on Dress. 11. Prohibition a Bible Doctrine. 12. Choice of Companions and Marriage. It is radical, plain, and thorough, and cannot fail to benefit its readers — just the book needed to waken up a formal professor of religion, and enable him to see his condition before God. — Michigap Holiness Record. This is a book that I would like every professing Christian to read and digest. It would do a blessed work among the churches. — Pacific Herald of Holiness. We most heartily commend the book to our people to read, to lend, to sell, to give away. — Rev. J. Travis. The book has been very useful in the past, and is likely to be so la the future. — Montreal Witness. Part I.— POPULAR RELIGION. 1. The State of the Church. 2. Spurious Conversions. 3. Spurious Holiness. 4. Compromising Preachers. 5. Backsliders. 6. Church Entertainments. 7. Pride in the Church. 8. Rented Pews. 9. Sabbath Desecration. 10. Secret Societies. 11. Fashionable Suicides. 12. Coveteousness. 13. Dancing and Skating Rinks. 14. The Church Walking with the World. This is a sound, practical, «seful book, neatly printed. •Mrdially eomm«nd it to all our readers. — Free Methodist. We 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 secure an ever-increasing interest in the same, a stronger faith, deeper spirituality, and greater usefulness. 346 pages. Cloth covers, beautifully and strongly bound, title stamped in gold on front and back. Price $1.00. TABLE OF CONTENTS : Chap. I. Different Methods of Bible Study. I. Study one book at a time— 2. Study the Bible topically — 3. Make marginal notes and key words— Signs to be used in Bible mark- ing — 4. Study the Bible biographically — 5. Consecutively — 6. Chronologically — Plan -for reading the Bible in the order of its events in two years— 7. Study the Bible analytically — 8, Systematically — 9. Inferentially — 10. Take a single passage and dwell upon it — Additional suggestions — How to prepare Bible readings — Seven-eighths of the Bible misunderstood. This chapter also contains the experience and advice of the most devoted and successful Bible students of the present day. Chap. II. 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 meaning — especially of such as are ambiguous or obscure. Examples are also given from Scripture in illustra- tion of the application of these rules. Chap. III. Interpretation of Bible Types, Symbols, Parables and Allegories. Symbolism of number an^ form — Color — Mineral substances — Veg- etable substances — Animals and birds — Buildings and structures — Persons — Customs and manners — Miscellaneous symbols — In- terpretation of prophecy — Interpretation of the precepts of Scripture. The meaning of all these various symbols is here pointed out, and will be found highly instructive. Chap. IV. Helps to the Interpretation of Scripture. 1. Geography — 2. Natural history — 3. Chronology — 4. Ancient pro- fane historj- — 5. Ecclesiastical history — 6. Manners and customs of tlie Jews— Various other manners and customs — The diflficul- ties and seeming contradictions of the Bible. Striking examples are given from Scripture, showing how a knowledge of the above branches throws a flood of light on many passages that would otherwise remain obscure. Chap. V. The Examples of Scripture. General rules to be observed in the application of the examples of Scripture : The particular examples given of the effects of Ood's grace — The particular examples given of the cause and effects of sin — The various forms of sin in the wicked — The progress of sin — The force of habit — The evil of ungodly connections — The danger of worldly prosperity — The prejudices which oppose the reception of truth. Perhaps this chapter will be found by a large class of Christian workers more instructive and spiritual than any other portion of this work — at least we have worked hard to make it so. Chap. VI. Analysis of the Books of the Bible. In giving an outline of each book of the Bible, the following points are taken up : 1. Who is the author ? Where, when, and for whom did he write? — 2. What is the character of its contents, law, history, poetry, philosophy, or prophecy ? — 3. What are the central and collateral truths? — 4. What errors are here refuted ? — 5. VV hat promises or prophecies are here fulfilled ? — 6. W hat biogi'aphy does it contain ? — 7. What connection has this book with other parts of the Scriptures? — 8. For what class of people is this book peculiarly suitable ? The cream of many valuable works on Bible study is contained in this chapter — the largest in the whole book. Chap. VII. Miscellaneous Helps. A model Bible school — The seven Bibles of the world — The Life- giving Word -Great chapters of the Bible -Paul's missionary journeys — Harmony of the Gospels— 241 questions and answers, covering the entire Bible — Description of Scripture characters, with key. This Book is Especially Suited for the Following Classes : 1. Those who are thirsting for a deeper acquaintance with the sacred volume, and are desirous to become more successful in using it. 2. Christian workers, local preachers, ministers, evangelists, and those who wish for some Bible Helps, written from the standpoint of entire holiness and nonconformity to the world. 3. Those who have neglected the study of God's Word. This book is intended to sharpen the appetite for searching the Scrip- tures. 4. Those who have not time to read voluminous works on this subject, but desire the truth stripped of all verbosity, pointed, clear, and pithy. What is said About the Book. David M- Losee : " I tell my people that 1 would not take fire dollars for * Helps to Bible Study ' ii I could not get another." The Illustrator : " These who find the Bil)le uninteresting, will be stimulated to study it. Those who love it, but*do not know how to make the most of it, will enjoy these helps. The book is the result of careful, painstaking study." Guide to Holiness : " A very instructive and suggestive book to those who wish to be well versed in the Scriptures. We cordially commend it." The Highway : " We find it brief, practical and comprehensive. Among the mass of matter on the introduction to the various books of the Bible published, we find here a reasonable and well-selected and arranged chapter on each book. Besides this, there is a good selection of other matter, well calculated to aid in the study of God's Word." London Advertiser : " It is well printed, and contains a vast amount of matter. Mr. Sims, in the preparation of the book, has availed himself of the labors of Dr. Angus, Dr. Smith, Messrs. Conybeare and Howson, Canon Farrar's work on ' The Early Days of Christianity,' and other books of kindred character. Mr. Sims' book will be found a useful little book for students and teachers of Bible-classes. The ^unday-sch k>1 student will, we dare say, find it difficult to obtain elsewhere so large an amount of information at so small a price." Free Methodist : " It would be difiicuH to find another book of its dimensions so full of information ; and it is a matter of profound surprise how the book can be produced and sold at such a price. The methods of study presented are quite practical, and have the advantage of being applicable to limited capacities and opportunities, as well as to those more expanded." Canadian Advance: "The whole forming a work of much value and usefulness." Becord of Ohristian Work : "This book is the outgrowth of the writer's personal study of the Bible, and was not originally intended for publication, but the presentation of the matter so deeply interested those who heard him that, at their request, it is now put forth in book form. It is a very suggestive and helpful book. He has gathered trom the whole field such things as he believed would aid the Bible student in a better understanding of the whole Bible. One wonders how the author was able to crowd so much that is helpful into such a small book." Shining Lights- This is a new work, giving sketches of eminent saints, of dif- ferent ages, nations and churches, illustrating the wondrous power of divine grace. The deep experiences and triumphant deaths which are here briefly sketcned will afford the reader a rich feast for his soul. Price, beautifully bound in cloth, 75c. Paper, 3dc. Rev. P. 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 vish the treasure may be more increased." The Rev. John Lancaster says: "The benefit to be derived from a serious perusal of such writings are peculiarly 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 advancement 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 kingdom of our heavenly Father; they evince the eflBcacy 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, gi^e a higher and better tone to our feelings, and with a sweet constraining influence stimulate to high and laudable endeavors. •' By the pious records which eminent Christians have left behind they set forth the power of divine grace, in first subjecting their own hearts, and then in leading them forward from joys of conquest to the possession of an eternal crown. They beckon to posterity to follow them as they followed Christ. By publishing their errors they warn of danger ; by telling of their conflicts they summon still conflicting champions to gird on the whole arn^or of God ; by record- ing the trophies they have won, they unfurl the banners of the Cross, and proclaim, as with shouts of triumph, certain victory to all who continue faithful unto death. " «* We gather up with pious care. What happy saints have left behind; Their writings in our memory bear, Their sayings on our faithful mind. Their works which traced them to the skies, As patterns to ourselves we take ; And dearly love and highly prize The mantle for the wearer's sake." —a Wtdty. ^ t saints, of dif- wondrous power mphant deaths fer a rich feast Paper, 35c. been so much oirs of persons ' -t cannot but to be derived y interesting us qualify us 5ase our stock Y promote our owledge-the "larch of an and dangers feather; they o{ faith, the nthfulpess of «- higher and ng influence > left behind ecting their of conquest posterity to 'heir errors mmon still by record- f the Cross, *o all who >r