>.->:.
 
 UCSB LIBRAW
 
 VH^A.^OIJ fr Iff
 
 THE 
 
 LIFE OF HENRY LONGDEN, 
 
 MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL: 
 
 COMPILED FROil HIS ME^MOIRS, DIARY, LETTERS, 
 AND OTHER AUTHENTIC DOCUJIENTS. 
 
 Behold asi Israelite indeed ; in whom is no guile.— John i, 47. 
 
 NEW.YORK : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY T. MASON AND G. LANE, 
 
 For the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 
 200 Mulberry-street. 
 
 /. Collord, Printer. 
 
 1837.
 
 PREFACE 
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 The proper subjects of biography are 
 the lives and characters of those who have 
 shone pre-eminently in civil or religious 
 society. The conduct of such, whether 
 they trod the public circles, or adorned 
 the private walks of life, ought to be ex- 
 hibited as examples to posterity : and it 
 seems but a just debt to perpetuate the 
 memories of those who have employed their 
 time, devoted their powers, or hazarded 
 their lives, for the promotion of the true 
 happiness of their fellow-creatures. Nor 
 would those ilowers of modest worth, which 
 bloom unseen in the vale of life, appear 
 less lovely, or be found less instructive, 
 could we call them from their obscurity : — • 
 but their names, with their private virtues, 
 are registered on high ! 
 
 The subject of the following memoirs 
 was employed the major part of his life in 
 the founding and the spreading of Metho- 
 dism; for he knew no difference between 
 the cause of that people and the cause of 
 Christianity. It will be seen that his la- 
 bours were not in vain in the Lord.
 
 4 PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 The compiler is conscious of his inabili- 
 ty to answer the demands of a pious and 
 intelligent public, in performing the task 
 imposed upon him ; but those brethren who 
 were more able to undertake the w^ork had 
 not sufficient leisure ; and others, who had 
 ability and opportunity, had but an imper- 
 fect acquaintaace with the life and labours 
 of the deceased ; it appeared, therefore, to 
 devolve upon the present writer by provi- 
 dential appointment. 
 
 Among; the manuscripts of the deceased 
 was found the short and imaperfect account 
 of himself which appears in some of the 
 followinof pages ; which account was not 
 intended for publication, but only for the in- 
 struction and admonition of his own family. 
 
 Correctness of narrative, and faithful 
 delineation of character, have been attend- 
 ed to, setting down naught by way of ex- 
 tenuation or exaggeration. The sacred 
 biographers are examples of this, in having 
 written the whole truth, whether it consisted 
 of li2:ht or shade. 
 
 This manual is sent into the world with 
 a sincere desire that the divine blessing 
 may accompany it ; which alone can suc- 
 ceed every human effort to spread the 
 honour of the Father, Son, and Spirit, to 
 whom belong equal and endless praises.
 
 THE LIFE 
 
 HENRY LONGDEN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 From his childhood to the time of his conversion 
 to God, and his becoming a member of the Methodist 
 Society. 
 
 I WAS born in Sheffield, in the county of 
 York, February 6, 1754. Although my parents 
 had had nineteen children, none of them were 
 living when I was born ; and their great desire 
 that I should be spared, led them imperceptibly 
 into an over-indulgent kind of tuition, which, 
 for some years, proved destructive of our peace 
 and comfort. 
 
 My constitution, (together with that of a 
 sister two years younger,) contrary to most of 
 the former children, was sound and good, and 
 it became probable that I should be reared. 
 Crying and fretting, it was thought, would en- 
 danger my health, and therefore every one's 
 first care was to prevent the little wonderful 
 stranger from being hurt or vexed. I have ever 
 considered this treatment as a great infelicity. 
 So long as it lasted, we were plunged deeper
 
 6 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 and deeper into difficulties. Every thing which 
 I saw I wished to have ; and lest I should cry 
 [ must have it instantly, if it were possible to 
 procure it. The new toy was soon cast off as 
 old and useless, and the more I had the more 
 I wanted. My fond parents Vv'ere thus in con- 
 tinual bondage ; and the domestics were as so 
 many slaves to my childish tyranny. That the 
 evils resulting from this mode of educating chil- 
 dren may deeply affect my own children who 
 may live to be parents, I will enumerate some 
 of its baneful consequences, as exemplified in 
 the first seven years of my life. 
 
 I remember standing one day with a milk- 
 can in my hand, when my father, who was ob- 
 serving me at some distance, saw me in danger 
 of being run over by a cart, and shouted to 
 me to run instantly. The loud voice at once 
 startled me and raised my majesty ; in conse- 
 quence of which, by way of revenge, I took the 
 can, and laid it before the cart, and the wheel 
 ran over it. What a mistaken affection, that 
 I did not receive from my parents a salutary 
 correction ! 
 
 At another time, having on a new suit of 
 clothes, my father happened playfully to startle 
 me, at which I was so mightily offended, that 
 I took a handful of mire and rubbed it on my 
 clothes. Not long after this, as my father's 
 apprentice boys were going out one evening to 
 walk into the fields, I told them I would go 
 with them, but they, refusing me, ran away ; 
 I followed them, but being outrun, in my fury
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 7 
 
 I plunged over head into a horse-pond. I was 
 conscious of nothing more, till some hours after 
 I woke as out of a trance, lying upon my mo- 
 ther's knee. 
 
 My father, knowing no remedy for these pain- 
 ful propensities, suhmitted to them as admit- 
 ting of no cure. Otherwise he was a man of 
 amiable disposition and manners, affectionate 
 to his acquaintance, and faithful to his friends. 
 
 He possessed a large share of original genius, 
 which he applied to mechanics. This engaged 
 his attention so as to injure his circumstances 
 by the neglect of his business. Nor was it till 
 his last sickness that he seriously considered 
 the importance of religion, and the awful real- 
 ities of eternity. In the painful retrospect of 
 his life, he found that he had been friendly to 
 all, but an enemy to himself. 
 
 My mother was a very intelligent and a 
 deeply pious woman. She was in church-fel- 
 lowship with the Calvinists, and experienced 
 that holiness which she had considered was not 
 attainable till death. The Scriptures were her 
 daily study, and she could say, " Thy words 
 have I hid in my heart !" She enjoyed the 
 comfort of true religion, in its present peace, 
 and its future prospects in a better world. 
 
 It was with growing concern that my mother 
 beheld my stubbornness. She lamented that 
 she had not begun early with suitable correc- 
 tion. As I had now been seven years under 
 the sole control of my capricious passions, she 
 thought it was too late to use coercion, and re-
 
 8 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 solved to try to the utmost what her instruc- 
 tions and admonitions, her prayers and example 
 would avail. Almost as soon as she put lier 
 resolution in practice, she saw some fruit of her 
 labour ; and at length she could govern me by 
 a kind word, or an affectionate look. With 
 what veneration do I remember her pious care ! 
 
 Now she began to '• train up her child in the 
 way in which he should go ;" and I remember 
 I was very early the subject of religious im- 
 pressions. My understanding was enlightened, 
 my conscience was awakened, and I felt the 
 drawings of the Spirit of God. 
 
 I had always been kept, as much as possible, 
 from wicked examples ; and now I felt asto- 
 nished when I saw or heard the wickedness of 
 the wicked. Hearing a carter swear at his 
 horses, I was so affected that I went home 
 weeping, praying that God would have mercy 
 upon him, and not send him to hell. 
 
 My mother, perceiving the success of her la- 
 bours, was stimulated, if possible, to greater 
 diligence. At the age of nine, she prevailed 
 upon me to keep a diary, in which I wrote a 
 faithful register of every hour. When reading 
 what I had written, I found a pleasure in re- 
 flecting upon the hours of my improvement ; 
 and I reviewed with equal shame the hours 
 spent in foolish plays and diversions. 
 
 At the age of ten I was taught to pay par- 
 ticular attention to the sermons which I heard. 
 On the evening of the Sabbath, my mother did 
 not fail to inquire how much I could remember
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 9 
 
 of the three discourses I had heard on that day ; 
 and I found a growing abiUty to relate the ge- 
 neral and the particular divisions, with many 
 of the concluding inferences. 
 
 I often felt the Lord sweetly drawing me to 
 secret prayer. Believing it to be a positive 
 duty, I engaged in it, and soon found the ha- 
 bitual exercise of closet devotion to be my de- 
 light. I had the testimony of a good conscience, 
 peace of mind, and I lived in union with God. 
 
 If in the course of the day I had unfortunately 
 offended God, I did not fail at night ingenuously 
 to confess my sins, and I often received com- 
 fort before I rose from my knees. One night 
 my sense of criminality was so great that it 
 was with difficulty I could prevail upon myself 
 to bow my knees in prayer. While I was pray- 
 ing, I said, in the simplicity of my heart, " Lord, 
 if thou wilt forgive me this once, I will never 
 sin against thee any more ; if thou wilt conde- 
 scend to forgive me now, 1 will never ask thee 
 to forgive me again.^^ I continued to pray and 
 plead till comfort sprang up in my heart, and I 
 got into bed quite satisfied. 
 
 Now I thought I must be doubly watchful, 
 for if I am brought into bondage again, there 
 is no more hope of mercy. For some time I 
 gave myself up to reading and prayer, and to 
 continual watchfulness ; but alas ! in a few 
 weeks I was suddenly overcome with anger. 
 When I retired to bed, I was alarmed by the 
 recollection of my rash vow. I durst not at- 
 tempt to pray, but. hurried into bed, covered
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 myself overhead with the clothes, and did not 
 pray again for many years. 
 
 Although I now lost my union with God, and 
 began to relax in keeping my diary, yet I re- 
 tained, by force of habit and the restraints of 
 a religious education, the form of religion, and 
 avoided all vain company ; and I entertained 
 a growing affection for my parents. 
 
 I was of the age of fourteen, when my father 
 became acquainted with the brutahty of Mr 
 
 E n, my schoolmaster. When I was first 
 
 put under his care, my fatlier charged him to 
 be sure to conquer me. He began by frequently 
 beating me unmercifully ; and, unfortunately, 
 we had a controversy as long as I continued 
 witli him. He often knocked me down, by way 
 of experiment, to see if he could make me shed 
 a tear. One day my father sent me an errand 
 in my way to school, which caused me to be 
 five minutes too late. Without any inquiry, 
 my master ordered me to strip off my coat and 
 waistcoat, and, having mounted me upon a 
 boy's back, he beat me violently, while the boy 
 walked six tim.es the length of the school. 
 " Now, you dog," said he, " you will come too 
 late to school again, will you ?" " Yes, sir," 
 I rejoined, " whenever my father sends me an 
 errand for an ounce of snufT I will go." — 
 •• Search his pockets," he said, " and if there 
 be no snuff, he shall undergo the same again." 
 My pockets being searched, an ounce of snuff 
 was found, and I was liberated. 
 
 Those pupils in our schoo who were learn.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 11 
 
 ing the languages, adjourned, at staged times, 
 to Mr. S. a classical teacher. I had made 
 considerable progress in the Latin tongue when 
 my father, by some bruises upon me, became 
 acquainted with my treatment at school. He 
 resolved, therefore, to remove me that day. 
 Mr. S. expostulated with him, saying, if I were 
 taken to business then, all he had taught me 
 would be lost ; but if I were to continue an- 
 other year, he could perfect me in the Latin — 
 that he had never known a boy who had made 
 an equal proficiency in the same time ; and 
 that rather than I should not prosecute my stu- 
 dies he would teach me for nothing : but my 
 father was inflexible. 
 
 I continued with my parents till I was fif- 
 teen, when I was placed an apprentice to a 
 razor-maker in Sheffield. Directly a new 
 scene presented itself to me. In the work-shop 
 I beheld sin in new forms, and heard blasphe- 
 mies by new names. I could perceive no fear 
 of God either before men or boys. For some 
 time I was grieved, yea, I was filled with hor- 
 ror ; but, by and by, their oaths and impreca- 
 tions became familiar to my ears, and their 
 obscenities were less offensive to my mind. 
 
 I had yet the benefit of my mother's warning 
 voice, and in this day of trial, her admonitions 
 ever sounded in my ears. Temptations assailed 
 me in every form ; but to be branded as sin- 
 gular was too powerful for me. It was easy 
 for me to trample upon their threatenings and 
 promises j but, being praycrlcss, 1 could not
 
 12 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 resist the tide of wicked example ; and I was 
 carried away by the flood. 
 
 I had been in this situation three years when 
 my dear mother, ever to be remembered, sick- 
 ened and died. I was much affected with her 
 tranquilhty of mind, in a near view of the eter- 
 nal world. With what pleasure do I record 
 her sweetness of temper, enliojhtened by a well- 
 informed mind ! She was wise for eternity by 
 the conscientious discharge of every duty, and 
 by seeking and obtaining a " meetness for the 
 inheritance of the saints in light." I was with 
 her the night before she died ; she bore her 
 pain with Christian patience and fortitude ; 
 she expressed great thankfulness for the least 
 thing I did for her ; and she was joyful in hope 
 of the glory of God. That night she entered 
 into rest, in the triumph of faith. May I meet 
 her in the day of the Lord ! 
 
 It was not till after the death of my mother 
 that I could go to the same lengths in sin as 
 my shopmates. While she lived, I was called 
 to account for the manner of spending all my 
 evenings and Sabbaths, and by her restraints 
 I was nearly preserved from associating with 
 my fellow apprentices ; but now, by degrees, 
 I began to yield myself a willing captive to the 
 fowler's snares. 
 
 My soul recoils at the recollection of my 
 manner of life the latter part of my apprentice- 
 ship. Without any disposition to contend or 
 quarrel, I was frequently embroiled in fightings 
 with others. Naturally bold and courageous,
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 13 
 
 I was a stranger to fear. Having a high sense 
 of honour, I not only hated every thing that 
 was low and mean in myself, but I was desirous 
 of correcting the want of it in others. It was 
 this which made me defend the weak and op. 
 pressed in every company. Being always vie 
 torious, in a short time, and without any de- 
 sign, I became the champion of Sheffield. 
 
 In whatever game or exercise I engaged, I 
 always performed it in the best manner I pos- 
 sibly could. I thereby acquired a habit of ex- 
 celling all with v/liom I associated. I would 
 not suffer too great a familiarity from any of 
 my comrades, and always maintained a strict 
 probity of character, being punctual to my ap- 
 pointments, and faithful to my promises. This 
 insured a due respect from all. O ! how I 
 was murdering my time, and prostituting my 
 talents ; the wilHng captive of sin, and slave 
 of Satan — of all these former things I am truly 
 ashamed. 
 
 I often indulged a disposition to contrive a 
 secret train of circumstances which should re- 
 sult in merriment, though at the expense of 
 some present. I several times appeared to be 
 drowning, to the great consternation of the 
 spectators, and then laughed at them. One 
 day I climbed into a tree, and, as if by acK^i- 
 dent, fell from it into the river, and struggled 
 in the water as one drowning, while the by- 
 standers were kindly contriving how to snatch 
 me from a watery grave. At another time, 
 being naked, I was just going to bathe in a
 
 14 LIFE OF LOXGDEN. 
 
 deep part of the river, when a man passing by, 
 I asked him if I might walk in and bathe with 
 safety. " No," said he, " if thou dost thou wilt 
 be drowned." I replied, " Are you not mis- 
 taken ? I think I have bathed here before ;" 
 and without waiting for an answer, I plunged 
 in, and began to tread the water ; then gave 
 shriek, and sunk. When I came up again, the 
 man was screaming and stamping in an agony. 
 I repeated this twice, and v.hen I came up the 
 third time, I burst into laughter at him, su ara 
 away, and left him to cool off his perturbation. 
 Who will not subscribe with me, " he willeth 
 not the death of a sinner," while reading the 
 following circumstance? When I was about 
 nineteen years of age, one of my companions 
 proposed to go to Attercliffe feast the following 
 Sabbath afternoon. We went accordingly, 
 and proposed to drink pure spirits. In a short 
 time a few of us drank five pints of gin. I 
 was surprised to find it had no intoxicating 
 effect upon me ; but soon after, as we were re- 
 turning home, I fell senseless as a dead man ! 
 A person just then passing by, who knew me, 
 when he had inquired into my situation, took 
 me into his arms and shook me violently, which 
 caused a profuse vomiting. My poor widowed 
 father was sent for, and I was put to bed in a 
 neighbouring house. I continued in a state 
 of insensibility sixteen hours : when I awoke 
 I was in a high fever ; my tongue and throat 
 parched with thirst, and the room apparently 
 running around. It was some weeks before I
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 15 
 
 fully recovered my health. I have often, with 
 tears of gratitude, remembered this hair-breadth 
 escape from death and destruction ! 
 
 Being solicited to abscond from my servi- 
 tude, by a comrade who had differed with his 
 master, I told him I would set out for London 
 that night, if he was sincere and willing, to 
 which he agreed. I secretly revolted, but I had 
 plighted my word. We accordingly packed up 
 some clothes, and precipitately left our homes 
 that night, and got to Nottingham next day. 
 In our hasty retreat we had only brought one 
 shilling, which we spent in the morning. We 
 consulted what was best to be done ; for to re- 
 turn home would be cowardly. We therefore 
 offered ourselves to a recruiting party of gun- 
 ners, and enlisted for soldiers. I requested to 
 be sent off immediately to a distant place, lest 
 my friends should find me and take me back 
 again, but I was refused. 
 
 The day after, as I sat with a party of sol- 
 diers, to my great astonishment my father ap- 
 peared ! The following is the conversation 
 which passed between us, as nearly as I can 
 recollect : and I will here remark, that the 
 taunting, irreverent replies which I made con- 
 tinue to sting me, and have cost mo many 
 tears ! 
 
 Father. Well, sir, you are in pretty company. 
 
 Son. Yes, sir, I am in such company as I 
 approve. 
 
 Father. Don't you intend to go home with 
 me, sir 1
 
 16 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 So7i. No, sir, I intend to see home no more : 
 I am resolved to see the world, and I have cho- 
 sen the profession of a soldier, with the inten- 
 tion of making my fortune. 
 
 Father. You are my property and my pri- 
 soner, and I will have you handcuffed, tied 
 upon my horse, and sent home in disgrace. 
 
 Son. If you will sulfer me to ride all the way, 
 I will return home with you, for my feet are 
 rather sore with walking here. 
 
 The good man was quite at a loss what to do, 
 and sat down in silence. Presently he gave 
 me a look of tenderness, and, walking out, said, 
 " I want to speak to thee." My hardened 
 heart could not deny so small a request, and I 
 followed him. When we were alone, he pro- 
 ceeded thus : — 
 
 Father. I am at a loss to account for this 
 kind of behaviour ; thou hast always been duti- 
 ful to me, and I do not recollect ever denying 
 thee any request : thy master and mistress also 
 give thee an excellent character. 
 
 Son. You have always been a most indulgent 
 parent. 
 
 Father. Art thou dissatisfied with thymaster, 
 or employment, or any other thing ? 
 
 Son. No. 
 
 Now my father burst into a flood of tears, 
 and said, '• Why wilt thou bring thy father in 
 gray hairs with sorrow to the grave ? I have 
 loved thee, and always thought thou wouldst 
 have been the comfort of my old age. Thy 
 mother is gone ! and wilt thou go also ?" Here
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 17 
 
 he touched a lender string, and I could not for 
 my Hfe refrain from weeping also ; the spirit of 
 the soldier and hero tbrsook me, and I in- 
 stantly said, *' My father, do not grieve, and I 
 will go with you wherever you please ; and, in 
 future, will endeavour to make amends for the 
 grief I have wickedly caused you." We re- 
 turned into the house, and after liberating me 
 from my engagements with the soldiers, he took 
 me to his inn ; and the next day we arrived in 
 Sheffield. This merciful deliverance from a 
 life of v/arfare had no lasting good effect upon 
 m.y mind. My companions looked upon the 
 whole as a youthful frolic, and I was the more 
 esteemed and caressed by them as a man of 
 spirit. 
 
 My master and mistress were the reverse of 
 each other in their tempers and dispositions. 
 He was mild and paciiic, dispassionate and so- 
 ber ; but she would alike disgust by her over- 
 kindness or brutishness — ever contriving unne- 
 cessary rewards or satiating her malice by re- 
 venge. At these times my master sought qui- 
 etness from home, and often v/ould not return 
 till two or three o'clock in the morning. It 
 remained a myster)'^ how he gained admission 
 into his own house, for he was always carefully 
 locked out. The truth was, I used to sit up in 
 my room till all the family were asleep, and 
 then return to the kitchen fire till my master 
 gently tapped at the door, when I was ready to 
 open it. 
 
 One night my mistress resolved, if possible, 
 3
 
 18 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 to prevent my master gaining admission into 
 the house as usual. She took the keys out of 
 the locks and then carefully secreted them ; 
 afterwards I heard her cautiously creeping up 
 to my lodging room, to examine if all was right 
 there. I leaped into bed, and nearly covered 
 myself, closed my eyes, and opened my mouth, 
 and was very busy snoring when she arrived : 
 having looked at me, she turned about and said, 
 " O ! I see you are safe." To avoid waiting 
 till she was asleep, as usual, I followed her so 
 close as to be able to pass by her door just as 
 she was shutting it. She heard a creaking, 
 opened the door, and catching a glance of some- 
 thing, she pursued as quickly as she was able. 
 There was no alternative, so I leaped into the 
 brewing copper, which had some water in it, 
 and was just composed when she arrived. 1 
 believe she looked everywhere but in the right 
 place : finding nothing, she felt alarmed, and, 
 believing it to be something supernatural, she 
 hastened to bed. As soon as I thought she was 
 settled, I ventured to leave my cold retreat, and 
 dried myself by the kitchen fire. At two my 
 master tapped at the door. I had already un- 
 screwed the lock with a knife, and I admitted 
 him, to his great satisfaction : I then screwed 
 the lock on again and went to bed. 
 
 In the morning there was a grand consulta- 
 tion how my master had got into the house, as 
 the keys were taken away the night before. 
 1 told them it was possible he might have a 
 key, and when our key was taken away, no-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 19 
 
 thing was more easy than to gain admission : 
 but that when our keys were left in the locks, 
 it must give him much trouble to get them out 
 before he could introduce his own key to open 
 the door. " O then," said my mistress, " I will 
 take care in future always to leave the key in 
 the lock !" She did so, and saved me some 
 trouble. 
 
 One day I caught hold of my mistress's up- 
 lifted arm, when, in a frenzy of passion, she 
 was about to strike a fellow apprentice with a 
 heavy kitchen poker. I remonstrated with her 
 sharply on the consequences w^hich must have 
 followed had I not providentially prevented her 
 design. Her husband just then coming in, she 
 cried out to him, " O, this Longden is such a 
 lad !" " What has he done amiss," said my 
 master, " and he shall be punished ?" " O ! he 
 is such a lad !" she said. " Do tell me then 
 what he has done !'' added my master. " Why," 
 she said, " he has just saved me from being 
 hanged !" To show her gratitude, I had as 
 much fruit pie and ale, for a fortnight, as I 
 pleased ; but, unfortunately, one of us then hap- 
 pening to displease her, we had hot broth and 
 cold beef for as long a period. 
 
 Much as my master and mistress differed in 
 other respects, in this they agreed — they were 
 without God in the world. 
 
 In the last week of my apprenticeship, in the 
 afternoon, being accused of idleness, I instantly 
 stripped and began to work, and did not cease 
 till, in twenty-four hours, I had begun and com-
 
 20 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 pleted a fall week's work. This activity at 
 work caused me to abound too much in money : 
 but it was well known I kept a public purse, 
 and shared my bounties among my more neces- 
 sitous companions. 
 
 Thus have I gone through the course of my 
 apprenticeship, faithfully narrating the wicked 
 practices which were then my boast and glory- 
 ing. I would, however, during this time, de- 
 fend Ciiristian professors and religious conduct 
 upon every occasion. I often regret that I was 
 not under greater moral restrictions in my ap- 
 prenticeship. With what a tender conscience 
 did I leave my parental roof! And who can 
 tell what evil might have been prevented, and 
 what good might have resulted, liad I been 
 placed in a religious family ! What a polluted 
 stain upon my life was the course of those years ! 
 Many of my companions died as they lived. 
 Why did not I destroy my life and plunge into 
 hell ? Doubtless, because there were many ar- 
 dent prayers recorded in heaven, offered by a 
 pious mother, which remained to be answered 
 upon earth. The fervent inwrought prayers 
 of a righteous person avail much — they cannot 
 fall to the ground unanswered. 
 
 Being now of full age, I sat down seriously 
 to consider the course of my future life. To 
 continue in the business I had learnt would 
 have been the most profitable ; but when I re- 
 collected the age and growing infirmities of 
 my father, and the gratitude and aflection which 
 I owed liim as a son, I resolved to otfer liim ray
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 21 
 
 services to conduct and manage his business. 
 He accepted my offer with readiness and great 
 affection. 
 
 I began my new employment with unspeak- 
 able satisfaction, from the recollection that my 
 father was freed from all worldly care and duty : 
 determining that while he lived he should be 
 supplied with every possible comfort. And O ! 
 had I then experienced the power of religion, 
 I am persuaded that he would not long have 
 remained a stranger to it. 
 
 It evidently appeared that my father began 
 to sink apace under many infirmities. A friend 
 called upon him, and told him there was a phy- 
 sician near fifty miles off who was noted for 
 the cure of his complaint. Not being able to 
 hire a horse that night, I resolved without de- 
 lay to set out on foot early the next morning. 
 I arrived at a village within four miles of the 
 place at seven in the evening. It was quite 
 dark, and I had a large trackless common to 
 go over : I sought a guide in vain, and turned 
 out upon the heath alone, with not a star to 
 light my way. After I had walked some time, 
 I saw a glimmering light near me, and upon 
 inquiry, to my astonishment, found myself safe 
 in the village which I had almost despaired to 
 find ! I saw the doctor that night, who thought 
 he could be of some service. I returned joy- 
 fully with his prescriptions, and reached home 
 the next night in safety. The medicines con- 
 siderably alleviated my father's pain, but they 
 had not the sovereign power to cure.
 
 22 LIFE OF LONGDEX. 
 
 By unremitting industry, I soon found my 
 father's trade to increase and prosper ; and I 
 look back upon the last year of my father's life 
 which I spent with him in this manner with 
 pleasing recollection. The hoary rugged path 
 of declining life was smoothed, and his afflic- 
 tions in some measure were beguiled. 
 
 Carnal as I was, I began to feel some con- 
 cern for my father's salvation ; and one day I 
 took the liberty to ask him the state of his mind 
 towards God. I found he was in uncertainty 
 and darkness ; and through the Antinomian 
 error he was, without effort, leaving his final 
 state to the unconditional and eternal election 
 or reprobation of God. I gave him the best 
 advice of which I was capable, and begged he 
 would permit me to pray with him : he con- 
 sented, and when we rose from our knees we 
 were both much affected. 
 
 Ever after this, his views relative to the me- 
 thod of salvation were altered, and he became 
 a man of prayer. Some lovely young men (of 
 whom I have presently to speak) visited him : 
 and although he gave no satisfactory testimony 
 of the remission of his sins, yet there was full 
 evidence of his sincerity and godly sorrow. I 
 must leave this to the righteous decision of the 
 Judge before his dread tribunal. 
 
 About six weeks before the death of my fa- 
 ther, I entered into the marriage state. The 
 circumstances were as follows. As I was one 
 evening walking into the country, I met two 
 young women : as soon as I had passed them I
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 23 
 
 found an involuntary and unaccountable regard 
 for one of them — a regard which I had never 
 felt for any other person. I paused a while, and 
 would have followed them, but durst not, for fear 
 of giving offence. I often sought her after- 
 wards, but in vain, for I had not any reference 
 or means of inquiring after her or her friends. 
 
 Some months afterwards, my sister told me 
 she had invited a few female friends to tea, and 
 she hoped I should make it convenient to be 
 with them ; to which I consented. What was 
 my astonishment when I beheld her whom I 
 had sought so diligently ! After mature consi- 
 deration I offered myself as sacred to her, and 
 some time after we were united in the bonds of 
 holy matrimony : for which union I shall have 
 cause to praise God in time and eternity. 
 
 I soon found that, although my earthly wishes 
 were consummated, I was not essentially and 
 permanently happy. I was an enigma to my- 
 self. I felt in my soul a painful void. Vanity 
 and disappointment were written upon all things. 
 What to do, or whither to turn, I did not know. 
 A voice from within frequently said, God is the 
 fountain of happiness ; the ways of religion are 
 ways of pleasantness and peace ! But I was a 
 stranger to the voice of God, never having at- 
 tempted to pray for myself after that rash vow- 
 before mentioned, and I seemed to be cut off* 
 from the great fountain of happiness. 
 
 I was pondering these things in my heart at 
 a time when two of our neighbours were ill of 
 a, decline. There were some pious young men
 
 24 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 (mentioned before) whose uniform practice it 
 was to visit the sick wherever they heard of 
 them. Accordingly they came to our village, 
 adjacent to the town, and oflered their instruc- 
 tions and prayer. One of the sick persons po- 
 sitively rejected them, with expressions of indig- 
 nation and contempt : he died a few weeks 
 afterwards, and he made the most awful end I 
 ever witnessed. He appeared tilled with dread 
 and horror ; bis cries, his groans, his looks, 
 were enough to shake the most infidel princi- 
 ples and conduct. The other of these gladly 
 received the service of the visiters, and by their 
 happy instrumentality received a clear sense 
 of the forgiveness of his sins, and was filled 
 with the love of God. 
 
 I was exceedingly surprised, when I called 
 upon him, to hear his joyful and blessed testi- 
 mony. I resolved to watch him attentively in 
 his affliction and death, to prove, if possible, 
 the reality of his professions, to ascertain the 
 possibility of a knowledge of pardon, and to see 
 the excellence of religion as exemplified in his 
 uniform faith and his triumph in death ; if 
 these things were true, it would be an import- 
 ant point gained in my search for happiness. 
 Accordingly I visited him several times in a 
 day, and often sat up with him all night. My 
 utmost wishes were gratified ; I did see him die, 
 and heard him, with his latest breath, witness a 
 good confession. When I saw his patience 
 under suffering, his calm resignation to die, 
 and his confident hope of a glorious resurrec-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 25 
 
 tion, tonrether with the animating joy which 
 beamed in his countenance when singing songs 
 of praise to God for his late and ahiiost mira- 
 culous deliverance, I burst into tears, and said, 
 " O how I envy your situation ! could I but 
 die like you, with this heavenly peace, and love, 
 and joy !" " My friend," he said, " God can 
 save you as well as me ; he is not willing that 
 any should perish, but that all should come to 
 a knowledge of the truth, and be saved. I my- 
 self am one of the greatest sinners out of hell, 
 and the Lord has had mercy upon me, even 
 upon my death-bed." He then raised his hand 
 and said, with solemnity of voice, " My friend, 
 I know that God will have mercy upon you ; 
 he will pardon all your sins, yea, he will make 
 you insirumental of good to thousands ; and 
 then, after a season, we shall meet above, to 
 praise God for ever and ever." " The Method- 
 ists," he added, " under God, have been instru- 
 mental of my conversion." He then pressed 
 me to hear their preachers, and recommended 
 me to obtain an acquaintance with a class- 
 leader whom he named. 
 
 Thus I became decided and fixed in my judg- 
 ment, and in my choice of religion as the one 
 thing needful, by being providentially an eye- 
 witness of the awful death of a sinner and the 
 happy exit of a saint of God. I was ready to 
 inquire. How may I escape the damnation of 
 hell ? how may I secure the salvation of my 
 soul ? 
 
 The remains of my dear departed friend,
 
 S6 LIFE OF LONGDEX. 
 
 Samuel Earnshaw, were interred on a Sabbath 
 day. As soon as the funeral ceremony was 
 over, the young men who had visited him came 
 to me, and gave me a kind invitation to go 
 with them to hear preaching, which I gladly 
 accepted. 
 
 It was the first time I was ever in a Method- 
 ist chapel, and I was much struck with what I 
 saw and heard. The preacher, Mr. John Pea- 
 cock, was a plain man, without any parade. 
 His deportment was solemn, without affecta- 
 tion ; his prayer was simple, but it opened hea- 
 ven ; his preaching was unadorned, but mighty 
 by the power of God. He felt what he said, 
 and he could not restrain tears from running 
 down his cheeks. I observed the congregation 
 were often in tears also. The men sung with 
 all their hearts, and the women sweetly sung 
 the repeats alone ; the men sat on one side, 
 and the women on the other. I thought, Wher^ 
 am I ? — This worship is pure, simple, and spi- 
 ritual ; nor did I think there had been a people 
 •feo primitive and apostolical upon earth. In 
 the fulness of my heart I said, " This people 
 shall be my people, and their God shall be my 
 God for ever." 
 
 Upon reflection I saw nothing was so rea- 
 sonable as the service of God ; I viewed him as 
 my benefactor, my great original and end. I 
 saw I was brought into being to be hapj)y for 
 ever in the knowledge and love of God, and m 
 obedience to his commandments. I stated the 
 views I had received, and the resolutions I had
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 formed, to my old companions in sin ; and told 
 them I should be glad if they would join me in 
 the service of God ; but if not, I wished a total 
 separation. In this I continued firm and reso- 
 lute, while they waited for my halting, laying 
 every possible snare to entangle. 
 
 I acquainted my dear v.ife and my sister 
 (who resided with us) with the nature of my 
 experience. I instituted prayer and the read- 
 ing the Scriptures in my family ; I took them 
 with me to the house of God ; and it was evi- 
 dent that by an attentive hearing of preaching, 
 a genuine work of grace was soon begun upon 
 each of their souls. 
 
 Already I was convinced of the folly of mak- 
 ing the rash vow which I had formerly made, 
 and of the sin of keeping it, by the total neglect 
 of prayer. I began to pray in secret as well 
 as in my family. This, as well as the exercise 
 of every other known duty, was pleasant to me ; 
 for I had yet felt no other workings but the 
 first precious drawings of the Spirit. 
 
 With these views of myself as a reformed 
 character, and consequently a very good Chris- 
 tian, I went to a Methodist class-meeting. But 
 before I dared to attend one of these social 
 meetings, I called upon the person recommended 
 to me by my deceased friend, and addressed 
 h'lm as follows : " Sir, I have taken the liberty 
 of calling upon you to converse with you on 
 the subject of religion." " I am glad to see 
 you," he replied ; " do sit down." '• Sir," I 
 continued, " I have lately been in the habit of
 
 28 LIFE OF LOXGDEN'. 
 
 hearing your preachers, and they positively 
 declare that a man may know that his sins are 
 forgiven him in this world." He answered in 
 the affirmative. " And, sir," I added, " do 
 you know that your sins are forgiven ?" He 
 now looked seriously at me, and said, "I thank 
 God, through Jesus Christ, I do know my sins 
 are forgiven." I said, " Pray, sir, by what 
 means, or how, do you know your sins are for- 
 given ? is it not possible for you to be deceived?" 
 " Young man," he answered, " if I were to give 
 you a Scriptural answer, I should say, ' We 
 know the things which are freely given us of 
 God by the Spirit which he hath given us ; 
 and the Spirit itself beareth witness with our 
 spirit that we are the sons of God ;' but you 
 v^'ould not understand this language : I will, 
 therefore, tell you my experience, informing 
 you how I was both awakened and converted." 
 The good man proceeded familiarly to declare 
 his experience : — but the veil was on my heart ; 
 I could not understand him. He invited me, 
 however, to his class, and I became a member 
 of society from that time. 
 
 My class-leader spoke to me in such lan- 
 guage as the following: — " Before we are made 
 saints we must be conscious we are sinners ; 
 you appear to be without a discovery of the 
 malignity and danger of sin, or a s6nse of the 
 mercy of God : he pardoneth all those who truly 
 repent and believe in his Son for salvation. I 
 would seriously recom.mend 50U to pray ear- 
 nestly to God to give you a sense of tlie burden
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 29 
 
 of your sins." I promised to conform to his 
 instructions, though I knev/ not what he meant ; 
 for I found much comfort in attending all the 
 means of grace, and could rejoice at the change 
 which God had evidently wrought in me. 
 
 In answer to these prayers, I awoke one 
 morning with an afflictive sight of myself. I 
 beheld myself a wretched being, fallen from 
 God, far from the way of peace. I saw the 
 tenor of my life had been an act of daring con- 
 tempt of the majesty of heaven, and myself an 
 enemy to God ; that I had transgressed his 
 righteous laws, and was a rebel against his 
 throne ! I leaped out of bed, and for a season 
 attempted to dress myself in vain. ?»iy spirit 
 was in sore amazement, the wrath of God lay 
 heavy upon me, and my sins, which I had for- 
 gotten, now passed in array before me. 
 
 I longed to unbosom myself to my class- 
 leader, hoping to find some alleviation from his 
 sympathy. I accordingly called upon him that 
 day, and with many tears described to him the 
 sorrows of a v/ounded spirit. I was much dis- 
 appointed to observe him and his wife smiling 
 at each other during my narration. When I 
 had ended my account, he said, — " This is the 
 Lord's work upon your soul ; you must of ne- 
 cessity have repentance towards God before you 
 can exercise faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 Remember, God has pronounced the mourners 
 blessed, in the prospect of certain deliverance; 
 for the lip of truth hath said, ' They shall be 
 comforted,' therefore, we are glud and rejoice
 
 30 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 over you." He recommended me to give my. 
 self much to prayer, to plead in faith the pro- 
 mises of pardon, which are all " yea and amen 
 in Christ Jesus;" and he assured me I should 
 soon rejoice in a manifestation of the love of 
 God. 
 
 My life became a life of prayer : so far I was 
 obedient ; but the subject of my prayer was 
 contrary to the instructions I had received. I 
 prayed for clearer light and more powerful con- 
 victions ; and I received an answer : '' The 
 sorrows of hell got hold of me." 
 
 When I dared to lie down in bed, I kept 
 awake as long as I could, lest, sleeping, the 
 righteous judge should close my eyes in death, 
 and I, banished "to my own place," should 
 awake in everlasting torments. My dreams 
 were composed of ghastly phantoms, and I 
 awoke but to an invigorated sense of my wretch- 
 edness. I fasted and prayed, but the heavens 
 were as brass to my prayers. My flesh began 
 to waste, and my strength was so decayed, that 
 I was no longer able to attend to my secular 
 calling. My knees were not able to bear the 
 weight of my body, so that generally in prayer 
 I lay extended on the ground ; and when my 
 voice failed me, I groaned my wants and mise- 
 ries into the ear of God. My despair and 
 agony were such, one night, that I said, "O 
 righteous God, if thou canst not consistently 
 with thy justice save such a wretch as I am, 
 bring the matter to an issue ; and to all eternity 
 I will acknowledge thy dread sovereignty and
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 31 
 
 righteousness; for I have destroyed myself! 
 But O ! if thy love and pity can stoop so low, 
 save me from this hour !" — But there was no 
 answer. 
 
 Some friends (so called) expostulated with 
 me, saying " I took things too high by laying 
 them too much to heart ; that I should certainly 
 kill myself, or lose my reason, if I did not relax 
 a little ; that, ' It is good for a man both to 
 hope and patiently to wait for the salvation of 
 God ;' and that, if I would be quiet and still, 
 the Lord would in due time deliver me." My 
 soul abhorred such counsel, and I fully deter- 
 mmed, ,, j^ j ^^,^^ ^^^^ ^,^g ^^^^.^^ ^^^^^ 
 I'll perish crying out for God." 
 
 When I was thus earnestly seeking the Lord, 
 a circumstance occurred, which, instead of 
 proving a blessing, tended greatly to discourage 
 me. A strange family coming to reside in our 
 neighbourhood, I made free to call to converse 
 with them about religion. After some intro- 
 ductory remarks, I told them I was a Metho- 
 dist, that I feared God, and that I had lately 
 begun to inquire the way to heaven ; that I 
 and my family wished them well, and should 
 be glad to afford them every office of kindness 
 in our power ; but if they were not like-minded 
 with reference to the salvation of their souls, 
 we could not have any familiarity or acquaint- 
 ance with them, for the friendship of the world 
 was enmity against God. The man, with 
 pleasing, astonishment, replied, " You are just 
 the sort of person I wanted ; I have had a de-
 
 S3 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 feire to serve God some time, but I did not know 
 how ; and if you will instruct me I shall be 
 very thankful." We took both him and his 
 wife to our chapel in Mulberry-street, and they 
 heard the word with gladness. The unadorned 
 and powerful sermons of our preachers were 
 soon instrumental to their thorough awaken- 
 ing. About a month after this I was awa- 
 kened at midnight, and found my neighbour 
 knocking loudly at the door, and he said he 
 must speak to me. When I came down and 
 opened the door, he caught me in his arms ; 
 filled with joy and rapture, he began to praise 
 the Lord for pardoning all his sins. I was ex- 
 ceedingly hurt with his testimony — it was too 
 powerful for my feelings to think he was made 
 happy before myself, who had been seeking for- 
 giveness so much longer than he had. He met 
 with a very improper reception, and it was 
 well I did not put him out of the house. "Jo- 
 seph," said I, " you may, perhaps, be as happy 
 as you appear to be, but you will do well to 
 give full evidence of it by your conduct ; only 
 take this with you — ' Let not him that putteth 
 on the harness boast as he that putteth it off.' " 
 When I had so said, without any reply he 
 meekly turned and went away ; and I, yet 
 wretched and forlorn, spent the remaining part 
 of the night sighing, groaning, and weeping. 
 
 My deliverance was brought about in the 
 following manner ; and O that every humble 
 penitent could hear it ! After I had fasted and 
 prayed in vain for three months, one of the
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 53 
 
 brethren called to see me. Having inquired 
 minutely into my state, he paused, and then 
 asked me, " Why are you not pardoned, and 
 made happy in God 1" It appeared to me a 
 very unreasonable and absurd question. I an- 
 swered, " I cannot tell." "Hearken to me;" 
 he said ; " it must be either God's fault or your 
 fault ; either that God is not able, or, what 
 amounts to the same, that he is not willing to 
 save you ; or, that you certainly have not sought 
 salvation in the right v/ay. With respect to 
 the former, I will undertake to prove that God 
 is able and willing to save you now." This he 
 did with great clearness and force of argument ; 
 and concluded, saying, " If the God of truth 
 hath said, ' Whosoever cometh unto me, I will 
 in no wise cast him out,' it must of necessity 
 follow, that all the fault is yours, the hinderance 
 is in yourself alone. I know you have broken 
 off every sin, have left your old companions, 
 and have sought the Lord earnestly, with many 
 tears ; all which are essential to salvation. You 
 have been mighty in grief, till your flesh is 
 consumed, and you have trusted in this, as a 
 plea for the mercy of God, instead of pleading 
 in faith the death and mediation of Jesus Christ 
 as the only ground of your. hope, and plea for 
 pardon. If you were to seek salvation a thou- 
 sand years, without the precious name of Christ, 
 it would not, it could not, avail." 
 
 This faithful messenger greatly astounded 
 me, and I found the risings of pride and anger, 
 to be thus stripped of my last covering. He 
 3
 
 34 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 proceeded, " He that believeth shall be saved : 
 this is the short, easy, scriptural method of sal- 
 vation, by which a sinner can be saved. With 
 all your heart believe the promises, and cordially 
 embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Sa- 
 viour, evidently set forth to give you remission 
 of sins ; and in the moment you exercise this 
 faith, God will send the spirit of adoption into 
 your heart, crying, Abba, Father !" 
 
 The light of truth shone into my mind, and 
 I with gratitude now saw that my tears and 
 prayers could not atone for one sin ; that God 
 was able and willing to save me now ; and it 
 only remained for me to believe, to obtain in- 
 stant deliverance. I found myself upon the 
 threshold of mercy, and was just going to ven- 
 ture upon Christ by faith, when it was sug- 
 gested, " If thou believe now, thy leader will 
 not receive thy testimony to-night at the class- 
 meeting ;" I listened to the tempter by putting 
 it off, and, doubtless, thereby grieved the Spirit 
 of God. 
 
 On my way to the class I greatly antici- 
 pated my deliverance, saying to myself, " As 
 I pass this tree, this gate, ^zc, returning home, 
 I shall be happy in God, praising him for the 
 pardon of all my sins." When I got there, I 
 had a mighty contest with the powers of dark- 
 ness. He who was a liar from the beginning 
 said, " Thou art deceiving thyself — thy repent- 
 ance is not deep enough — thou hast not prayed 
 long enough — the blessing thou art seeking is 
 of infinite worth ! — this cannot be the time —
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 35 
 
 thou dost not feel the Lord so near as thou didst 
 this forenoon." I renewed my efforts, strug- 
 gling in prayer — saying, " Jesus, .1 take thee 
 for my Saviour ; I believe thou diedst for me, 
 even for my sins to atone. I cast my guilty 
 soul into thy arms of mercy ! I do believe, I do 
 believe !" Just then the leader asked me the 
 state of my experience ; in the fulness of my 
 heart I cried, " I will believe ! I can believe ! 
 1 do believe ! glory be to God !" The leader 
 and members were much affected, and all joined 
 with me to praise the Lord. He then gave me 
 some salutary instruction to hold fast the be- 
 ginning of my confidence with steadfastness. 
 I was assailed that night with powerful tempt- 
 ations to suspect the reality of the work, yet 
 I continued determinately to believe and give 
 glory to God. For several days I had frequent 
 contests with the adversary ; he said, " Now 
 thou art worse than before, for then thou couldst 
 weep for thy sins, but now thou art hardened 
 and careless about them." I instantly dropped 
 upon my knees, and the Lord graciously inter- 
 posed, rebuked the tempter, and filled my be- 
 lieving heart with love, and joy, and peace. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 From his Conversion to the time of his being ap- 
 pointed a Class-Leader. 
 
 The morning after my conversion, while we 
 were at breakfast, I pressed the necessity of
 
 3© LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 believing juM now upon my wife and my sister, 
 who had both been earnestly seeking the for- 
 giveness of their sins some months ; when the 
 latter suddenly rose up, and with her lifted 
 hands clasped together, in the full assurance 
 of faith, exclaimed, " I do believe ! I do believe! 
 I am happy ! I am happy ! glory be to God for 
 ever and ever !" My wife also, on the evening 
 of the same day, at her class, was clearly deli- 
 vered from the burden of her sins, and could 
 believe and triumph in God as her Father, re- 
 conciled to her through the death of his Son. 
 
 We were indeed a happy family ! a three- 
 fold cord which could not be broken. We lived 
 together in acts of reciprocal atfection, labour- 
 ing to anticipate each other's wants, carrying 
 one another's burdens, and each leading the 
 other out of nature into God. 
 
 Our evenings were spent in religious con- 
 versation, and were always concluded by read- 
 ing a portion of Holy Writ. Then, with har- 
 mony of voices, and, what was better, with 
 unison of hearts, we sung the songs of Zion : 
 and, lastly, we poured out our souls in fervent, 
 importunate prayer, and we did not pray in 
 vain. 
 
 By the good providence of God, my sister 
 was married to Mr. James Barlow, and sur- 
 vived to be the mother of two children. The 
 elder of these is now living, and is treading in 
 the steps of his mother, following her to the 
 regions of endless day : the second died in in- 
 fancy. Soon this little spark of being returned
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 37 
 
 to its own native element of spirits ! Myste- 
 rious providence ! to give birth to this short- 
 lived existence on earth ! It cost its mother's 
 life ! She died triumphant, in full assurance 
 of eternal life. She was a woman remarkable 
 for the neatness of her person, simplicity of 
 manners, and integrity of heart : was rather 
 reserved in conversation with strangers, but 
 she was a cheerful, faithful, and intelligent 
 friend. 
 
 But thou art gone, my sister ! thou hast passed 
 the flood ! and hast in nobler strains, and with 
 more exalted powers, these many intervening 
 years, been vying with angels and archangels, 
 to laud and praise the glorious Three One ! 
 
 From this time I held on my way, waxing 
 stronger in the Lord : it was manifest to the 
 people of God that I was truly sincere, and 
 they bore with my infirmities. From the be- 
 ginning of my pilgrimage I saw the plain beaten 
 path of duty to be the way of safety ; and al- 
 ways availed myself of every means of grace, 
 public and private ; and I believe in every or- 
 dinance my eye was single. In reading or 
 hearing the word of God, whatever I saw as 
 my privilege I applied lor to God in prayer, 
 and pleaded his promise and faithfulness till I 
 received an answer. 
 
 " The zeal of the Lord eat me up." I was 
 deeply concerned for the honour of God. I 
 dared not to suffer sin to pass unreproved. 
 Whether rich or poor, I had no alternative, but 
 instantly, "in the name of our God I set up
 
 38 LIFE OF lo>;gden. 
 
 my banner." Naturally a stranger to fear, I 
 delighted to attack Satan in his fortresses and 
 strong holds, and I took a hazel stick in my 
 hand, to have in readiness, if I should hear any 
 boys blaspheme the name which I so much 
 venerated ; that, at least, if I could not beat 
 Satan out of them, they should not sin in my 
 hearing with impunity. 
 
 My old companions did not part with me 
 without reluctance ; at length, when all entrea- 
 ties were ineffectual, they contented themselves 
 with thinking that, by-and-by, I should be weary 
 of my new profession, and be glad to be re- 
 ceived again into their fraternity. They, how- 
 ever, feared to meet me ; for I had conscien- 
 tiously and faithfully warned each of them of 
 their danger. I have often observed them turn 
 or run anywhere to avoid meeting me ; and 
 sometimes 1 have followed, and found them in 
 some secret corner, to their great confusion, and 
 to the shame of their cause and their master. 
 
 Some months after my conversion to God, 
 my class-leader said to me, " Do you think that 
 God can save you from all inbred sin ?" I re- 
 plied, " 1 know God can do every thing ; but 
 I do not expect that he will save me or any of 
 his servants to that extent and degree before 
 death ; I think he will suffer these enemies to 
 remain, for the trial of my faith and constan- 
 cy." He lent me a treatise upon Christian 
 perfection to read with candour, and desired me^ 
 before I read it, to pray earnestly to God, for 
 light and conviction, to receive the unadulte-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 39 
 
 rated truth as it is in Jesus. I did read the 
 book with candour, mixed with prayer ; and I 
 saw from the Lord I was not in the most ex- 
 cellent way ; the remains of self-will and unbe- 
 lief, of pride and anger, were within me, and 
 while I sought to conquer one of these, another 
 would gain an ascendency. 
 
 I told these things to my religious compa- 
 nions, and found that their experience answered 
 to mine as face to face in a glass. In order 
 to help each other in the most effectual way, 
 it was proposed and agreed that we should 
 meet in band. This, of all the advantages in 
 the economy of Methodism, is far the most use- 
 ful and excellent, — where two or more are 
 bound to be faithful with the souls of each 
 other — ^jealous, with a godly jealousy, sympa- 
 thizing in suffering, and bearing one another's 
 burdens. And I know, by many years' expe- 
 rience, that " it is good for brethren thus to 
 dwell in unity." 
 
 As soon as I had received a clear conviction 
 for entire sanctification, I saw the word of God 
 had comparatively been a sealed book to me. 
 The prayer of the great apostle for the Thes- 
 salonians, " The very God of peace sanctify 
 you wholly," taught me, that those Christians 
 for whom he prayed were sanctified in part by 
 the spirit of adoption, in that moment when 
 their sins were pardoned. He asks entire sanc- 
 tification as a blessing which was to be received 
 in time, in life, in health, because this blessing, 
 in common with all other spiritual blessings in
 
 40 LIFE OF LONGDEN, 
 
 Christ Jesus, must be received in answer to the 
 prayer of faith, now ; and not to be wrought in 
 a succession of years by the hoary hand of time ; 
 Beither gradually, by the performance of a suc- 
 cession of religious duties; nor suddenly, by 
 the iron grasp of death, as I had before vainly 
 imagined. 
 
 And the apostle's declaration of his experi- 
 ence to the Philippians, " I can do all things 
 through Christ, who strengtheneth me," farther 
 encouraged me. And " let the same mind be 
 in you which was also in Christ Jesus," must, 
 in the lowest sense, mean humility without any 
 mixture of pride, and holiness without any mix- 
 ture of sin. 
 
 Without the experience of universal holiness 
 I saw I could not bring so much glory to God, 
 neither could I be so extensively useful in my 
 day and generation. And I was convinced 
 that not any thing short of this degree of in- 
 ward purity is a meetness for the society of 
 angels and the presence of God, whose tran- 
 scendent jilory is holiness. 
 
 Being fully convinced that entire sanctifica. 
 tion is the privilege of every Christian believer, 
 I resolved to seek it diligently in the use of all 
 the means of grace. I found I could not retain 
 this thirst for holiness, if I was not diligent in 
 prayer and circumspection. If at any time I 
 was remiss in any duty, or was engaged in 
 improfitable conversation, or did not improve 
 every hour to edification, my desires and con- 
 victions considerably abated.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 41 
 
 One evening, at our band, the presence of 
 God peculiarly overshadowed us ; we were met 
 with one accord to plead that as the time ac- 
 cepted, and not to cease pleading till we could 
 all declare, that " He was manifested to destroy 
 the worlvs of the devil." We were presently 
 " baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire." 
 Being purged from all iniquity, we fully and 
 heartily gave up our bodies and souls to be the 
 Lord's for ever. 
 
 The state of weakness to which my body 
 was reduced by the fasting, prayers, and ago- 
 nies of repentance, was not yet removed. In- 
 stead of amending, my health declined, and I 
 was seized with a nervous fever. A few ex- 
 tracts from my diary, when I was recovering, 
 will best show the state of my body and mind. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM HIS DIARY, 
 
 WHEN HE HAD BEEN IN THE SOCIETY ONE YEAR. 
 
 Sunday, January 25, 1778. I have been 
 blessed to-day in all the means of grace ; and 
 have been led to rejoice in God, who giveth 
 me a clear evidence of his sanctifying love. 
 The Lord Omnipotent reigneth in my heart. 
 
 26. I do not give all diligence, but I have set 
 out anew to-day. I possess a sweet peace, but 
 not a fulness of joy. 
 
 27. My poor nervous body has been an oc-
 
 42 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 casion of lowness of spirits, sore temptation, 
 and evil reasoning. Prayer to-night has been 
 a means of grace, and my soul has found its 
 centre and rest. 
 
 28. A day of peace and comfort ; but I would 
 not be satisfied with this ; " eager I ask and 
 pant for more." I want to love thee, my God, 
 with greater fervour, and to love, for thy sake, 
 every creature thou hast made. 
 
 29. I am not conscious that T desire either 
 the riches or the honours of the world ; I only 
 want more of thy light, life, and love. For 
 these I would be covetous — a miser — a nig- 
 gard. 
 
 This evening, while going to the house of 
 God, I did not enter his gates with reverence ; 
 and therefore, no wonder my mind was not 
 stayed. O God ! forgive all my negligences 
 and sins, for Christ's sake. 
 
 30. A day of fasting to the body, and of feast- 
 ing to the soul. I have experienced the love 
 and power of God as words cannot express. O 
 that I could sufficiently praise God ! surely I 
 shall one day see him in glory, and then my 
 expanding soul shall praise him without weari- 
 ness to all eternity. 
 
 31. I have been overpowered with weakness 
 to-day, and my body has been a burden. Some- 
 times it appeared as if God had forsaken me ; 
 at others, I had a glimpse of his presence. 
 Fasting yesterday brought my body lower than 
 usual ; yet if the Lord shall please to strengthen 
 me I shall do the like again. In my closet,
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 43 
 
 this evening, I intend to wrestle in prayer, till 
 I can feelingly praise Him from whom all bless- 
 ings flow. 
 
 Siinday, February 1 . Under preaching and 
 at my band I have found much pleasure and 
 profit. 
 
 I have been led to lament the state and con- 
 dition of my old companions. What an infa- 
 tuation ! they are bartering their immortal souls 
 for the empty pleasures of sin, which are but 
 for a season. 
 
 2. Why do I not more visibly grow in grace? 
 Surely there wants more earnestness. I find 
 nothing contrary to love, yet a deadness fre- 
 quently steals upon me. O God ! I engaged 
 in worldly conversation. O Lord ! quicken my 
 soul, so v/ill I run after thee. 
 
 3. This morning I arose joyful in the Lord, 
 and found the divine presence with me all the 
 day. To-night, at class, Satan triumphed, and 
 I was brought into condemnation by speaking 
 my experience in a general manner, and not 
 pointedly declaring that God had full posses. 
 sion of my heart. Jesus, thou art a Saviour 
 to the uttermost ; thine is the power, and thine 
 is the glory. 
 
 4. Blessed be God, I walk in the light of pu- 
 rity, and I enjoy that love which casteth out 
 the fear of death ; he is the messenger of my 
 Lord. O send the deliverer ! that I may be 
 admitted into thy presence, sit at thy feet, and 
 gaze at thy fair beauty for ever and ever. J 
 was much blessed to-night while hearing W, M.
 
 44 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 from Isaiah xl, 1. He set up a standard of 
 examination. " The people of God," he said, 
 " are separated from all iniquity, and they are 
 continually devoted to him." While he spake 
 of the resources of their comfort, it was indeed 
 a time of refreshing. 
 
 5. The Lord enabled me to reprove sin to- 
 day, and a profligate sinner fell under the 
 power of conviction. May he bring forth fruit 
 meet for repentance ! I have been powerfully 
 tempted to-day without sin. Blessed be God, 
 who perfecteth strength in weakness ! 
 
 6. This day twenty-four years I first saw 
 the light. Why was not the good Spirit of 
 God weary in waiting, and in striving in my 
 long career of sin ? 
 
 "Amazing love, immense and free, 
 For, O my God ! it found out me." 
 
 How shall my wandering soul magnify and 
 extol the infinite mercy of God ? Angels, men, 
 and devils gaze in astonishment at a brand 
 plucked out of the burning ! Though I might 
 and ought to have been more diligent and faith- 
 ful, yet I am what I am by the grace of God ; 
 and I do here deliberately, solemnly, and heart- 
 ily consecrate my future days (be they many 
 or few) to the service and glory of God, as my 
 reasonable service, my indispensable duty, and 
 my highest privilege. 
 
 7. i have entered upon a new year, and the 
 vows of the Lord are upon me. I shall do all, 
 the will of God, through the strength and grace 
 of Christ, I have been treated unjustly to-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 45 
 
 day, and was instantly tempted to anger ; I 
 cried, " Lord, help me !" and found an inward 
 calm and self-possession, by which I had the 
 advantage of my adversary. I returned home 
 praising God, who hath said, " Vengeance is 
 mine, I will repay." 
 
 8. I have found the Lord a quickening spirit 
 in the ordinances to-day. What remains but 
 that I more than ever devote my heart and life 
 to God. 
 
 9. A day of trial. Lord, I know thou canst 
 remove this nervous affection, and thou wilt, 
 if it will advance thy glory. Blessed be God ! 
 at the lowest times I have the happiness of a 
 good conscience, and this is more than tongue 
 can tell. 
 
 10. I have been better in my health to-day, 
 and I have been exulting in God. I hope I 
 shall learn to trust God when I am feeble and 
 tempted, for he knoweth my frame, and the 
 sincerity of my heart. 
 
 11. This has been a day to be remembered ; 
 at sister Alcock's funeral, when I sat with her 
 class-members in a separate room, I felt the 
 overwhelming presence of God. How near 
 was the eternal world ! only a very thin veil 
 separated us. How soon, I thought, this will 
 be my case, and my friends will be brought to- 
 gether on a like occasion. I then poured out 
 my soul in prayer for a full meetness to be ad- 
 mitted into the general assembly and church 
 of the first-born in heaven. 
 
 12. I am astonished that I felt a backward-
 
 46 LIFE OF LONGDEIf 
 
 ness to-day in going to God in secret ; for I 
 never came away without a blessing. I have 
 been shown the necessity of greater diligence 
 in mental prayer. 
 
 14. I feel pain of body ; but, Lord, let it 
 continue thy time, and accomplish thy gracious 
 purposes ; I feel nothing contrary to pure love. 
 
 16. I have been very low, and sometimes 
 perplexed, lest there should be in me a spiritual 
 decay. Surely I do not live in the full exer- 
 cise of faith. May I trust thee in the day of 
 adversity, and triumph over pleasure and pain. 
 
 Siniday, February 17. Words fail me to set 
 forth the goodness of God this day to my soul. 
 At morning prayer, at morning service, in 
 short, every moment of the day, I found such 
 a spirit of prayer and praise ! I see my deme- 
 rits are fire and brimstone to all eternity. But 
 O the mighty change ! a child of God, an heir 
 of heaven ! 
 
 " Jesus, thy blood and righteousness 
 My beauty are, my glorious dress : 
 'Midst flaming worlds, in these array'd, 
 With joy shall I lift up my head." 
 
 By the return of spring, together with my 
 mind being calmly resigned to the divine ap- 
 pointment, and the blessing of God upon both 
 of these, I gradually recovered my former state 
 of health and activity : I now saw and admired 
 the wisdom and gracious permission of God in 
 my late affliction. I became more fully ac- 
 quainted with myself by it than I otherwise 
 could have been. And what we are taught
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 47 
 
 by suffering we do not forget so easily as that 
 which we learn by precept and example. 
 
 My prayer, from the beginning of my Chris- 
 tian course, was, for zeal for the honour of God. 
 Having much forgiven, I saw it was my duty 
 to love much : accordingly I ran into every 
 open door of usefulness, seizing every opportu- 
 nity of doing good. But here I was in danger, 
 lest my fervour should not be according to a 
 knowledge of the Scriptures, and the analogy 
 of Christian experience. From the weight of 
 my own infirmities, I was taught to bear with 
 the infirmities of the weak ; I had a feeling of 
 their wants and a sympathy with them in their 
 sufferings. I saw it required a greater effort 
 of grace to enable us patiently to sit in a corner 
 than to run about reproving sin, or calling sin- 
 ners to repentance. 
 
 One evening, as I was returning from chapel, 
 where I had been much blessed, I felt m}^ soul 
 travailing in birth for the salvation of perish- 
 ing men. Having to call at our grocer's shop, 
 I found him inquiring of a poor woman after 
 , the health of her son. In a plaintive voice she 
 I replied, " He is very ill — he cannot continue 
 long — he is my only child, and when I have 
 '' lost him I have lost all !" Instantly I felt a 
 , strong desire to visit him, and with some diffi, 
 ; culty obtained permission. I found him in a 
 , wretched habitation, seated in an easy chair, 
 ' panting for breath, in the last stage of a con- 
 j sumption. He appeared to be about twenty- 
 , two years of age.
 
 49 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 I addressed him as follows : — " Young man, 
 I am sorry to see you so ill." He said, " I am 
 very ill indeed, sir, but it will not be long — I 
 shall soon be released — I hope I shall soon be 
 in heaven." " I am glad," I added, " to hear 
 of your willingness to die, and of your hope of 
 heaven ; have you a scriptural foundation for 
 your hope ?" As he made no reply, and think- 
 ing he did not understand me, I said, " You 
 know, my friend, there are many die who do 
 not go to heaven, for God saith, 'The wicked 
 shall be turned into hell, with all the people 
 that forget God.' Before we can be admitted 
 into heaven we must repent of our wicked lives, 
 and obtain a pardon of all our sins. Have you 
 repented and been forgiven ?" He could con- 
 tain himself no longer ; but, turning with in- 
 dignation to his mother, he said, " What did 
 you bring this fellow here for ?" Then turning 
 to me, he said, <' 3Ian, go about your buiness ! 
 I did not send for you, nor do I want you ; you 
 do me no good ; surely my sufferings are great 
 enough, and you distress me exceedingly." 
 The more I endeavoured to pacify him, the 
 more his anger kindled against me ; I there- 
 fore sat and silently lifted my heart to God for 
 wisdom to direct me. It appeared as if I had 
 no possibility of success, unless I could obtain 
 consent to sit up with him all night. I asked, 
 entreated, and would not be denied. I told 
 them what an excellent nurse I was, and I 
 hoped we should have a comfortable night — if 
 they pleased, I would go home and fetch some
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 49 
 
 currant jelly, and other things proper for a per- 
 son in his situation — that I would bring some 
 refreshment for myself, that I might be no ex- 
 pense to them — that a night of sound sleep 
 would refresh the old mother, who seemed al- 
 most worn out — that I would instruct him in 
 the best manner I was able — and, that if there 
 were a change for death, I would awake the 
 mother, that she might see her son die, &;c., &c. 
 Taking it for granted I had prevailed, I has- 
 tened home and returned as soon as possible, 
 and found they had not locked me out. 
 
 The young man received me with sullen si- 
 lence. After some soothing conversation, 1 
 prevailed upon the mother to go to bed. As 
 the young man was not able to lie down, he 
 remained in his large chair day and night. I 
 told him I had brought a Bible with me, and if 
 he pleased, I would read to him, to which he 
 consented. After I had prayed, I read, and 
 I expounded those parts which were applicable 
 I to his state. "What!" he said, "you are be- 
 ; ginning again ; you certainly will kill me — it 
 ;does so hurt me to talk! O that my mother 
 'was but here !" I said, " My dear child, you 
 need not to talk ; I won't ask you one ques- 
 ;tion, and I beg you will not speak, and I will 
 ipray and read." I kneeled down and prayed 
 again, but with little expectation. Then I 
 , opened the precious word of life, and alternately 
 I read, expounded, and applied — when I saw his 
 jpassion rising I begged he would not speak, for 
 lithat would hurt him. 
 I! 4
 
 50 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 We spent our time in this way some hours, 
 till at length, under prayer, I heard him feebly 
 say amen to my petitions, which inspired me 
 with fresh courage to persevere. When I 
 arose, I spoke to him more closely, with all 
 tenderness, concerning his sin and danger. 
 Now he opened his mouth and broke the snare 
 of the devil. He told me he was the son of a 
 pious Methodist class-leader ! who, many years 
 ago, had passed into the heavens. I felt con- 
 fident the father's many prayers must be an- 
 swered. Now I kneeled down and asked God 
 in faith, nothing doubting ; I heard the young 
 man repeating my petitions, word for word ; 
 instantly I personated a poor lost sinner, on the 
 brink of eternity, and on the verge of hell, yet, 
 through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, 
 suing for mercy. Then I cried, " God be mer- 
 ciful to me a sinner ! a great sinner, the chief 
 of sinners ! 
 
 ' I feel on me the wrath abide ; 
 'Tis just tlie sentence should take place, 
 'Tis just — but O thy Son hath died.' 
 
 Jesus died for me ; for his sake alone forgive me 
 — but let it be just now. Lord, I believe ! help 
 thou my unbelief." We both prayed harder 
 and louder, till we prayed with all our might. 
 
 When we rose from our knees (for I found 
 he had dropped upon his knees during the last 
 prayer) he walked over the room, and leaning 
 his head against the wall, he said, *• O God ! if 
 thou wilt give me a little ease and strength, I 
 will pray as well as I can." Immediately he
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 51 
 
 turned to me, and said, " I have no pain ! it is 
 all gone." He then poured out his soul in 
 strong cries and tears, and his body shook like 
 a leaf in the wind. 
 
 Considering his state of weakness, it was 
 astonishing he did not faint. I encouraged 
 him to take no thought for his body, but by 
 faith to plead the blood of the covenant. His 
 importunity increased, till he made a sudden 
 pause, and turning to me, he said, " I am happy ! 
 O how happy ! bless the Lord ! blessed be my 
 God !" And he praised God in language which 
 astonished me. 
 
 He was so filled with the love of God, that 
 he opened the door and walked into the street, 
 ; though he had not been able to stand for some 
 1 time without assistance. Accents of praise to 
 I .the most high God filled the air, in the solemn 
 ' silence of night. He said, " O ye angels, join 
 i with me to praise the Lord ! The dead's alive, 
 ! the prodigal is found ! Glory be to God for 
 1 ever ! O the matchless mercy of God, to save 
 1 me at this latest hour !" &c., &c. 
 j This was a memorable night ; what a con- 
 , trast between the former and the latter part of 
 , it. In the beginning, devils were raging within 
 I him, unwilling to lose their prey ; in the after 
 \ part of the night, angels were rejoicing ovei 
 ' another sinner saved by grace. I sang several 
 
 I hymns of praise to God, and we conversed as 
 
 II brethren in the Lord, and fellow citizens of 
 I heaven ; we eat the bread of life, and antedated 
 ! the joys above.
 
 62 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 When his mother came down in the morn- 
 ing she was struck with astonishment to hear 
 her son praise God. He said, " If God had not 
 sent his servant to visit me, I should have been 
 damned for ever. The Lord has pardoned all 
 my sins. I am so happy, I cannot describe it. 
 Glory be to God for ever!" &;c. He continued 
 a few days, faithfully warning his friends and 
 acquaintance to flee from the wrath to come, 
 magnifvinji the boundless grace of God, as ma- 
 nifestod in him, and then triumphantly departed 
 this life, in sure and certain hope of a glorious 
 resurrection. 
 
 August, 1778. I heard an anecdote of Mr. 
 Wesley, which much affected me. He was 
 asked how he transacted such a multitude of 
 business : " Brother," he said, " 1 do one thing 
 at once, and I do it with my might." I there-, 
 fore took for my motto, " Not slothful in busi- 
 ness ; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ;" and 
 I determined to divide each day into certain 
 portions, that one positive duty might not inter- 
 fere with another, and that not any thing of 
 importance might be neglected. Accordingly, 
 I rose at five and spent an hour with God. 
 From six to four I devoted to business, allow- 
 ing myself frequently a few minutes for secret 
 prayer. From four to ten I made sacred to 
 religious purposes ; for reading and prayer ; 
 and either attending preaching, prayer meeting, 
 class or band meeting. I could always sing — 
 " How happy is the pilgrim's lot, 
 
 How free from every anxious thought, 
 From worldly hope and fear," &-c.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 53 
 
 My business prospered more and more ; and 
 there being but a few in the same calling, I 
 could choose my connections, which prevented 
 much risk and trouble. I had money to spare 
 for the support of God's cause, and for the re- 
 lief of God's poor. I thanked those who called 
 upon me to assist them in their public chari- 
 ties ; and I sought out modest worth, which 
 shuns the public eye, quietly suffering in obscu- 
 rity. Surely I tasted all the blessedness of 
 giving, by making the widow and orphan's 
 hearts to sing (or joy. 
 
 I began to perceive, that in order to be ex- 
 tensively useful I must increase in the image 
 of God ; that zeal for God must be founded in 
 love to God. And I could not be eminent for 
 holiness unless I continually advanced in divine 
 knowledge. Several friends were helpful to 
 me in recommending a judicious selection of 
 books, chiefly upon the nature and reasonable- 
 ness of the Christian faith, and defences against 
 the attacks of skeptics and infidels ; the argu- 
 ments for and against general and partial re- 
 demption. The Arminian Magazine had just 
 been issued, the reading of which, then espe- 
 cially and ever since, proved a signal blessing 
 to me. I studied the Scriptures with much 
 prayer, without consulting any human opinions 
 for a reason. I saw it my privilege to believe 
 upon the authority of God, all that God had 
 revealed and declared ; and I saw it my duty 
 to labour as much as possible to ascertain the 
 meaning of the Holy Ghost, when reading the
 
 6^ LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 books which he inspired. And thus I sought 
 to store my mind with reUgious truth, as a 
 means of increasing my personal holiness, and 
 also to confirm me in the pure doctrines of the 
 gospel, as well as to acquire an ability to per- 
 form the apostolic injunction, " be always ready 
 to give an answer to every man that asketh 
 you a reason of the hope that is in you, with 
 meekness and fear." But how can a man have 
 this readiness who has not examined the foun- 
 dation and reasons of the whole code of essen- 
 tial Christian doctrines, and received and em- 
 braced them from conviction of their truth and 
 divinity, resulting from such a personal exami- 
 nation ? A man may be an upright Christian 
 without this, but it must be allowed, he will be 
 extremely liable to be blown from his steadfast- 
 ness by every wind of doctrine. 
 
 It is true that all of religion, whicji is abso- 
 lutely necessary to be known, is plain and easy 
 to be understood, and yet angels desire in vain 
 to fathom its depths profound, or climb its 
 heights sublime. 
 
 1 paid strict attention to all the public means 
 of grace ; for, as the labourer feels he needs 
 his food, so I felt a need of all these helps in 
 the way to heaven. At first I was tempted to 
 relax when offences abounded, but I do not 
 know that I ever listened once to that common 
 temptation. And I never waited upon God in 
 vain, but received a Avord of light or convic- 
 tion, of reproof or comfort. God was with me, 
 and he made my soul as a well- watered garden.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 55 
 
 As my health was fully restored, I was de- 
 [' sired regularly to attend the prayer meetings, 
 I soon found that the greatest part of those who 
 ■ are enlightened under our preachers are saved 
 i*in our prayer meetings. Well might our 
 ,: poet exclaim, "O wondrous power of faithful 
 'I prayer !" We seldom met without witnessing 
 the conversion of sinners, for " the hand of the 
 Lord was with us, and many believed and turned 
 unto the Lord." Sometimes, from the fulness 
 of my heart, I exhorted a few minutes, and I 
 saw fruit of my labour. When I had been in 
 the society about two years, I was desired by 
 the superintendent to take the head of a class. 
 The deep impression I had* of the importance 
 of such a charge, and the responsibility which 
 devolves upon those who engage in such a duty, 
 caused me to hesitate, and I desired to have 
 time to consider of it. I deemed it an import- 
 ant and difficult thing to be a faithful Christian, 
 and I believed it an awful and more difficult 
 task to be a faithful pastor. Again, if I were 
 faithful with my own soul, the end would be 
 answered ; but if even I were faithful with 
 others, through their insincerity or careless- 
 ness the end might not be answered. 
 
 The preacher called for my answer. I told 
 him the substance of these reasonings, and urged 
 farther, as objections, my youth, my inability, 
 and my inexperience. A class-leader, I urged, 
 ought to be a father in Christ ; a man of sound 
 and deep experience ; well acquainted with the 
 workings of the human heart and the devices
 
 56* LIFE OF LONGDEN, 
 
 of Satan. He must feed the flock with nourish- 
 ing and suitable food. He ought to lead the 
 people forward, to find out their hinderances 
 and besetting sins, in order to their removal ; 
 and set before them their high calling, and con- 
 tinue his anxious labours till he delivers them 
 up to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, 
 " blameless, without spot or wrinkle, or any such 
 thing." He should also be so exemplary in his 
 experience and character, that, like a true cap- 
 tain, he may lead the way himself, and meekly 
 but confidently say, " Follow me !" " If these 
 things are so, I must beg leave to decline the 
 offer, as being utterly unfit for that office." 
 
 He replied, " Yoii are partly mistaken. A 
 leader is only accountable to God for his own 
 zeal and purity, and he will be rewarded accord- 
 ing to the vigour and exercise of these princi- 
 ples, without any reference to the sincerity or 
 hypocrisy of the people committed to his care. 
 I admit that fathers in Christ are the most 
 able to feed the flock : but I would ask. How 
 came they to the matured state of fathers ? 
 Did they not attain it by the labour of a series 
 of years ? Besides, all these elders have as 
 much work as they can bear ; and here is a 
 little flock which will be scattered and devour- 
 ed, if we wait till we find a man who acknow- 
 ledges he is fit for his office. It is my opinion 
 that God appoints you to this work, and you 
 will grievously sin against him if you refuse to 
 engage in it." 
 
 I was much affected ; I durst not refuse, but
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 57 
 
 with many tears, and much trembling, I engaged 
 in what I considered by far the most important 
 office among the Methodists. 
 
 The first objects of my attention were to con- 
 vince the people of the necessity of punctual 
 attendance, to conform to all the rules of the 
 society, and to acquaint myself with every 
 member, as much as one man may know ano- 
 ther ; and when I had used every human effort 
 of which I was capable, then frequently to com- 
 mend them to God in my closet. 
 
 The Lord gave me the desire of my heart in 
 behalf of most of them, and great was our pros- 
 perity. They were very conscientious in their 
 attendance : so much so, that we have some- 
 times been the winter quarter, and we have not 
 had one absentee, unless detained by sickness, 
 although we lived a quarter of a mile out of the 
 town. 
 
 I made it a duty to call upon those members 
 of my class who were heads of families, to know 
 the state of their domestic economy, family 
 regulations, and family religion. I never found 
 one involved in diflSculty and debt, but they 
 were first deranged in their plans of economy ; 
 and I never found one defective in regular at- 
 tention to family worship, that prospered in 
 personal piety. Verily, " godliness with con- 
 tentment is great gain." 
 
 By various means I became acquainted with 
 each, nearly as with my own soul, with their 
 besetments and temptations, arising from their 
 age, sex, circumstances, and situations in life.
 
 58 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 It was often sounded in my ears, " Bid the peo- 
 ple that they go forward ;" and, blessed be God! 
 many of us did 
 
 " March hand in hand, 
 To Iminanuel's land." 
 
 In my frequent intercessions for the people, . 
 God took me into his pavilion. It is not pro. 
 per to relate the answers to prayer which I re- 
 ceived, respecting those who unfortunately be- 
 gan secretly to relax in prayer and watchful- 
 ness, in love and obedience, and who had begun 
 again to live in indulgence of some secret sin. 
 The detection broke the snare, led to humilia- 
 tion of soul, which often ended in restoration 
 and healing. 
 
 Every few months we had a trial, arising 
 from that which in itself was a cause of thanks- 
 giving. The Lord incr,eased our members, and 
 the room became too small, and it was neces- 
 sary to divide our company. This occurred 
 again and again. 
 
 My experience in my nervous fever taught 
 me to bear with the infirmities of the weak ; 
 but I ever made a proper distinction between 
 infirmities and sins. I could not, dare not, pal- 
 liate or soften the sins of the unfaithful ; and 
 I knew a true penitent would always run before 
 me, in self-abhorrence and crimination. I loved 
 my people, and sought to build them up, but 
 only upon a good foundation ; and few came 
 among us, but those who loved and sought plain 
 dealing. When Iliad confidence of the since- 
 rity of a professor, I loved to administer a sove*
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 59 
 
 reign balm for every wound by the Spirit of 
 truth, the Comforter, and all the consolatory 
 promises of the gospel. These soldiers of Christ 
 nobly stood, bearing the burden and heat of the 
 day : primitive Methodists, hardy Christians, 
 who denied themselves, took up their cross, and 
 followed their Lord and Master. 
 
 One summer's day, when sitting in my house 
 after dinner looking out of the window, I saw 
 a person at a distance seated upon a log of 
 wood, looking attentively towards the house. I 
 was a little surprised ; and looking again pre- 
 sently, I saw him in the same position. Think- 
 ing it was a person in distress, I went to him 
 to make some inquiries, and found he was one 
 of the society of Friends, who believed he had 
 a call to visit me, and was waiting there for a 
 farther opening. I gladly received him into 
 my house. As he sat some time in silence, I 
 concluded he had not any special message to 
 me, and ventured to interrupt silence by ask- 
 ing him how he thought we could best spend 
 an hour to our mutual edification. He said, 
 " Perhaps thou hast a plan to propose." " I 
 have been thinking," I replied, " that if we 
 could tell each other, with good temper and 
 sufficient freedom, what appears to us to be the 
 leading defects in Quakerism and Methodism, 
 we might learn something of importance." 
 " Perhaps thou wilt begin the first," he said ; 
 which 1 did, and continued for some time, de- 
 chiring my undissembled sentiments. When I 
 had finished, and he had heard me patiently,
 
 60 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 without any reply, he began with the same 
 freedom, as follows : — " I have frequently ob- 
 served, when thy people go to worship, they 
 talk about buying and selling, or any other 
 worldly project, till they arrive at the very 
 threshold of the meeting ; but whenever thou 
 seest a Friend going to meeting, he walks in 
 silence, inattentive to all he sees and hears, 
 seeking a preparation in the temple of the 
 heart, to wait upon God, who is a spirit. 
 When thy people come out of meeting, it is like 
 the disturbing of a bee-hive. Every one has his 
 calls to make, his messages to deliver, or in- 
 structions to receive. When all this is ended, 
 some friend is waiting for him, according to 
 appointment, to inquire how he liked the 
 preacher, &c. The reply probably is, ' He is 
 an excellent preacher ! what a flow of language ! 
 how zealous he is ! this is one of the best ser- 
 mons I ever heard !' &c. ; whereas, if thou wert 
 to see the Friends when they come out of meet- 
 ing, thou wouldst remark, each retires in silence, 
 for though he is not in the meeting-house, he is 
 conscious of the presence of that Being who 
 filleth immensity, and who maketh the heart 
 of the contrite his habitation. And if any re- 
 marks be made on a speaker among us, they 
 
 are of this kind ; I think friend has been 
 
 favoured to-day — ascribing all the praise to 
 whom it justly belongs." I exclaimed, " Guil- 
 ty ! guilty ! the naked truth ! I am the man ! 
 And, by the grace of God, I hope I shall be 
 benefited by what I have heard." I only knew
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 61 
 
 of one thing more to make this a Christian 
 meeting ; and that was, uniting in humble, 
 : hearty prayer to God for his blessing upon our 
 i conversation. But the mention of prayer made 
 i him very uneasy, an9 he remonstrated against 
 j it, lest their people, hearing of it, should repri- 
 l mand him. At length, after I had promised 
 } secrecy, he consented. While we were thus 
 i engaged with God, we were much affected, 
 j melted, and blessed ; and we parted rejoicing 
 that we met in the name of the Lord. 
 
 Ever since my interview with this Friend, 
 his remarks have had their proper influence 
 upon my conduct. Soon after I took a sitting 
 in a pew down stairs, that I might retire as 
 soon as service was concluded, without utter- 
 ing one v/ord if it could be avoided. Some of 
 my brethren may have thought me reserved 
 and singular, when going to the house of God 
 and returning from it. But they knew not 
 what this pious Quaker had said to me, and 
 the consequent conviction which yet habitually 
 remains upon my mind ; and which, I hope, 
 will continue to influence my conduct to my 
 life's end. 
 
 It is proper to remark, at the close of this 
 chapter, that the house of Mr. Longden was a 
 , house of prayer, and his closet was a Bethel, 
 Perhaps there are few men who attain the same 
 , degree of power with God in prayer, which he 
 ! now possessed. All persons who came into his 
 j presence were faithfully questioned as to their 
 rt Christian experience, and none left his house
 
 62 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 without prayer. He was a terror to evil doers, 
 and lukewarm professors carefully avoided his 
 company. But very many went to his house 
 at Port Mahon, mourning, to join with him in 
 fervent prayer, and their sorrow has heen turn- 
 ed into joy ; sinners have been pardoned, back- 
 sliders have been restored, and believers have 
 been cleansed. Thus did he grow rapidly in 
 holiness, and abound in usefulness, being tilled 
 with the fruits of the Spirit. 
 
 When he had been but a few months in 
 the Methodist society, a member of the so- 
 ciety in Sheffield was going down High- 
 street one evening to the old meeting-house in 
 Mulberry-street, and saw Mr. L. cross over the 
 way with firm st'^p and undaunted resolution, 
 to reprove a rich n an who was swearing. 3Ir. 
 W. stopped to listen to the conversation, and 
 was so struck with what he saw and heard, that 
 his heart instantly clave to him, as the heart 
 of Jonathan to David. He said within himself, 
 " By the grace of God, I will get acquainted 
 with this man." He did so, and, for nearly five 
 and thirty years, was his constant companion, 
 in storm and tempest, sunshine and rain, win- 
 ter and summer ; and in every circumstance 
 of life, whether frowning or smiling, joyous or 
 grievous, his aflfection knew no decay ; he 
 watched him in his last conflict — he saw him 
 triumph gloriously over every adversary — he 
 hung over his departing spirit — he closed his 
 eyes in death ! And now is patiently waiting 
 till his change come, when their friendship
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 63 
 
 will be consummated in heaven, and lasting as 
 eternity. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 His call to preach the Gospel, and some account 
 of his labeurs. 
 
 From a child I had a presentiment that I 
 should be spared to the estate of manhood, and 
 live to preach the gospel. 
 
 I had been about two years in the Methodist 
 
 society when I began to hear the voice of God 
 
 ! calling me to be his witness and messenger. 
 
 ! The contemplation of such an important work 
 
 ' filled me with fear and trembling ; and I hoped 
 
 ! it was only an evil suggestion of Satan, to exalt 
 
 me into pride and self-importance, and there- 
 
 ' fore to be resisted with all my might. At 
 
 length, the convictions became so frequent and 
 
 I powerful that I was constrained to acknowledge 
 
 I the voice of God. 
 
 j I determined to unbosom myself to my band- 
 i mates, in whose affection I had an inviolable 
 ' confidence ; but when the time came I was 
 overpowered with shame. It appeared great 
 ; presumption to say that I believed God had 
 I chosen me as an instrument to call sinners to 
 repentance. I thought they would certainly 
 .criminate me as a willing dupe to self-decep- 
 tion. Although I knew I had coveted exten- 
 isive usefulness, yet I had not desired, nay I had 
 1 even dreaded, that kind of usefulness. I now
 
 64 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 resolved to maintain a uniform secrecy, and 
 wait till God should reveal his designs concern- 
 ing me to some other person. 
 
 It is most certain, that by this rash, pre- 
 sumptive act, I grievously sinned against the 
 Lord, and I lost, in this awful contest, a pecu- 
 liar gift and power with God in prayer, which 
 I fear I shall never recover. By contending 
 with the Lord, he withdrew from me his loving, 
 cheering presence, and I lost my evidence of 
 entire sanctification. I remained obstinate, 
 and became languid in secret prayer : my afiec- 
 tions were not steadfastly set on things above, 
 and I began to feel some inclinations to the 
 world and sin. Passing by an old favourite 
 bowling-green, I stood and listened, and it was 
 with difficulty I resisted the temptation to turn 
 in. At length I saw my danger, and, struck 
 with horror, I run from the place as one run- 
 ning for his life. 
 
 At the next band-meeting I told my state of 
 mind to my band-mates ; but I did not break 
 the tempter's snare by ingenuously declaring 
 the cause of it. But O ! the compassion and 
 condescension of God, who " willeth not the 
 death of a sinner." He condescended to my 
 infirmities, by revealing to another the work 
 of his Spirit on my mind. " I do not wonder," 
 said one of my band-mates, " at your danger- 
 ous state : I believe you are fighting against 
 God. You have often prayed for extensive use- 
 fulness, not in the appointment of God, but in 
 your own way. Tell me, have not you a con.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 65 
 
 viction that God has called you to preach the 
 gospel ; and have you not, through fear and 
 shame, resisted the call ot" God ?" I was too 
 much aliected to make any reply. He pro- 
 ceeded : '• I believe you must either preach or 
 perish. After God has blessed and encouraged 
 you already in your exhortations and prayers, 
 to the conviction and conversion of many, is it 
 not base ingratitude thus to start aside from 
 that mode of usefulness in the church and the 
 world which God in infinite wisdom appoints?" 
 I replied, with trembling, " Rather than perish 
 for ever, I am willing to make an attempt be- 
 fore a senior preacher, and, if he approve, to 
 go on some time by way of trial," 
 
 I was accordingly appointed to accompany 
 one of the elder preachers the following Sunday. 
 I shall never forget the conflict I had with my 
 fears, and the suggestions of Satan that day. 
 How I walked to the place I cannot tell : when 
 the time was at hand, and the people were col- 
 lecting together, my heart sunk vvithin me. 
 But the Lord timely appeared ; he graciously 
 composed my mind as soon as I stood before 
 the people ; and he enabled me to bear my first 
 testimony to the truth with freedom of speech 
 and enlargement of heart, giving me also some 
 fruit of my labour. 
 
 When the people were dismissed, the good 
 
 man with whom I came said to me, " There is 
 
 wo unto thee if thou preach not the gospel.^^ 
 
 Notwithstanding his confident manner of speak- 
 
 ■ ing to me, and by getting through this first
 
 66 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 attempt better than my fears foreboded, yet J 
 had many doubts and scruples remaining. ] 
 resolved, however, to offer myself a candidate 
 upon probation for six months, and (if the peo- 
 ple would bear with me so long) I would pro- 
 ceed, if possible, paying no attention to my 
 being bound up, or having liberty in my exer- 
 cises ; but from a general view of the fruit of 
 my labours, and my acceptance with the people, 
 I would then conclude to persevere in my en- 
 gagements, or thankfully relinquish them for 
 ever. Blessed be God ! at the expiration of 
 six months I had abundant satisfaction. The . 
 Lord gave me seals, and, notwithstanding my, 
 many infirmities, the people received me in the 
 name of the Lord. My own soul was frequently- 
 blessed in my work and labour of love ; and 
 even when I had less liberty, it was not less 
 profitable to myself, as it afibrded me cause of 
 deep humiliation before God. 
 
 Unfortunately, Mr. Longden's own narrative 
 here breaks otf ; he had, however, committed 
 to writing a few subsequent circumstances in 
 his experience which shall be inserted in their 
 respective places. 
 
 When Mr. Longden began to preach, the 
 Sheffield circuit included the Barnesley, Don- 
 caster, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Bakewell, and 
 Bradwell circuits. The journeys of the local 
 preachers were twenty, thirty, and sometimes 
 forty miles a day, besides preaching two or 
 three times. It doubtless required, for such a 
 work, not only a willing mind, but a hardy con-
 
 LirE OP L0NGDT2N. 67 
 
 stitution ; and many excellent constitutions 
 have been broken in this most glorious work — 
 the salvation of perishing men. 
 
 If our deceased friend had a favourite part 
 of the circuit, it was in those distant parts of 
 it which compose the Bakewell and Bradwell 
 circuits, among the mountains of Derbyshire. 
 He admired the grandeur of the scenery, but 
 more especially he was delighted with the peo- 
 ple — their simplicity of manners, their affection 
 for the servants of God, and love one to ano- 
 ther, and their attention and fervour in every 
 part of the worship of God ; all conspired to 
 unite him closely to them in indissoluble bonds 
 of Christian fellowship, and to exercise every 
 power and grace for their eternal welfare. On 
 the Sabbath morning he would rise very early, 
 sometimes long before the dawn of day, and 
 set out upon his journey ; often exposed on the 
 high moors to the piercing north winds, and 
 beaten by the sleet and rain ; but evermore he 
 could say, " Lo ! I come with joy to do the 
 Master's blessed will," &;c. 
 
 A fev/ individuals are living who knew him 
 when he had made his first visits to these places. 
 Their joint testimony is, that they at once ob- 
 served in him a penetrating understanding and 
 a strong, masculine mind. Nevertheless, he 
 totally disclaimed all dependance upon himself; 
 he would labour with God in secret prayer, be- 
 fore the hour of preaching, for his promised 
 help, deeply conscious of his own weakness and 
 helplessness : he begged the prayers of all who
 
 68 LirE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 had any power with God, assuring them that 
 he could not preach to a prayerless or an inat- 
 tentive people. And then, endued with the 
 strength of God, enriched with his grace, en- 
 lightened by his truth, he spoke with mighty 
 energy ; and his message, under the divine 
 blessing, was the power of God unto salvation.. 
 At Grindleford Bridge he was once under a 
 painful embarrassment ; his soul was in dark- 
 ness, and had no light into the passage of holy 
 writ which he had intended to speak from. He 
 simply told his state to the people, and begged 
 they would join with him in prayer to Almighty 
 God, that he would bruise Satan under his feet, 
 and appear as their deliverer : and, just when 
 he was crying, " O Lord God ! if thy servant 
 trusteth in thee, suffer me not to be confound- 
 ed," deliverance came in a glorious manner ; 
 and the Lord gave him a tongue, as the pen of 
 a ready writer. 
 
 At the period already alluded to, the light 
 of the gospel had visited comparatively but few 
 of the villages. Religion, in its outward ob- 
 servances and very appearance, was nearly 
 banished ! the churches v»'ere deserted ! the 
 ale-houses were peopled ! the Sabbath was pro- 
 faned ! and all kinds of brutal, inhuman, fero- 
 cious, and licentious games were practised ! 
 Who was sufficient for evangelizing these 
 Christian savages ? No mere man, unassisted 
 by the Spirit of God, however learned or cou- 
 rageous. Often when a preacher made his first 
 entrance, he was repulsed with inhuman treat-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 69 
 
 ment. Some indeed would argue .and allege, 
 they had the parish church, and they wanted 
 no new religion. At other places not a single 
 family durst receive the preachers, for fear of 
 the consequences ; and they have often stood 
 to preach in the open air, in the midst of a 
 shower, not of rain, but of rotten eggs, and mud, 
 and stones ; and have delivered their message 
 under the protection of that Being who has 
 said, " All power is given to me in heaven and 
 in earth; go ye therefore and teach all nations, 
 and lo ! I am with you alway, even to the end 
 of the world." As a happy partaker of the 
 grace of God, Mr. L.'s heart was imhued with 
 an ardent desire that all might enjoy the salva- 
 tion of the gospel. And in the prosecution of 
 this great work, he endured the cross and de- 
 spised the shame, rushing into every open door 
 of usefulness, and seeking to open those which 
 were determinately shut. In one place, after 
 he had been preaching in the open air, he heard 
 of a gentleman farmer whose daughter had 
 joined the society, but who himself was inve- 
 terate in his dislike to them ; he went straight- 
 way to his house, knocked at the door, walked 
 in, and sat down. " Sir," he said, " I am the 
 Methodist preacher : I have been preaching 
 upon the common, and having travelled sixteen 
 miles, I am now very faint, and shall be ex- 
 tremely obliged to you if you will give me a 
 little refreshment." The person thought, Eng- 
 lish hospitality obliges me to give him a re- 
 fr/eshment, and really there seems something
 
 70 LIFE OF LONGDEN. ' 
 
 open, honest, and good about the man : I had 
 conceived these Methodist preachers were all 
 swindlers. He accordingly set before him the 
 best his house could afford. His guest spake 
 of the things of God ! he kneeled down and 
 prayed — the man was much affected — it seem, 
 ed as if he had entertained an angel unawares. 
 The next day there was a hue and cry through 
 
 the neighbourhood, that Mv. was turned 
 
 Methodist ! Why, thought he, it is not true ; 
 but, as I have the reproach, I might as well 
 have the benefit : — so he invited the next 
 preacher to his house ; and both he and all his 
 family were soon partakers of the heavenly gift. 
 And as long as they lived, their house was a 
 pilgrim's inn ; and he who calculates to a cup 
 of water, is crowning them in his presence with 
 eternal recompenses. 
 
 Scarcely any people raged against the Me- 
 thodists or persecuted them with that ferocity, 
 as the people of Barnsley. For some years a 
 preacher never went there without several per- 
 sons in company. A man is now living in that 
 town, who, thirty years ago, in the rage of per- 
 secution, resolved to murder Mr. Longden. He 
 ran up to him with an instrument in his hand 
 for that purpose, and aimed the intended fatal 
 blow at his head ! but he, with his usual agility, 
 leaped aside in that instant of time, and provi- 
 dentially escaped with his lite. 
 
 When Mr. Alexander Mather was stationed 
 in Sheffield, he formed a peculiar affection for 
 Mr. L., which he retained through life. Mr,
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 71 
 
 M. saw his manners and spirit, and had an un- 
 bounded confidence in his zeal and courage. 
 He came to him one day, and said, " Harry, I 
 have pubUshed for you to preach next Sunday, 
 at Darfield, at nine o'clock in the morning, and 
 at Wombell, at two in the afternoon." " Is 
 there," he inquired, "any place to preach in?" 
 " Yes," replied Mr. M. : " in God's chapel, un- 
 der the roof of heaven. You must go early, 
 and breakfast at the public-house, which is open 
 for all travellers." He went, according to the 
 appointment. When he had breakfasted, he 
 told the landlord his errand, and asked him to 
 be so kind as to show him a convenient central 
 place, where he might stand to preach. The 
 man readily consented, and waggishly placed 
 him upon a wall opposite the church, and be- 
 tween the vicar's and the curate's houses. 
 They began the worship of God by singing a 
 hymn ; the landlord, at first, beiiig all the con- 
 gregation. The sound of their voices soon 
 brought a large company together. The cler- 
 gymen were so enraged at this attack upon 
 their quieU that one of them ordered the ring- 
 ers to ring the bells, while the other got upon 
 his horse, and galloped up and down the street, 
 if possible, to disperse the people. The bells 
 continued to ring, he to preach, and the people 
 to hear. He preached, indeed, till he was al- 
 most black in the face, determined, if possible, 
 that all the people should hear and understand 
 him. Several, that day, received the good 
 seed into good and prepared ground, which af-
 
 7^ LIFE OF LOSGDEN. 
 
 terward bore fruit to God. When he had done 
 
 preaching, Mr. came to him, invited him 
 
 to his house, and it has ever since been open 
 to the servants of God. In the afternoon he 
 preached in quietness at Wombell ; and pub- 
 lished for preaching at both places the follow- 
 ing Sunday. From this time he procured a 
 supply of local preachers, and hired a horse for 
 those who could not walk, till both places were 
 regularly attended. 
 
 The next day, Mr. Mather called to inquire 
 of his reception and success. " Sir," said he, 
 " you laid a burden upon me heavy enough to 
 break a horse's back." "Ay, Harry," he re- 
 plied, " it is a very easy thing to break a horse's 
 back, but if you put a mountain upon a Chris- 
 tian's back, you cannot break it." 
 
 He was conscientiously punctual in his at- 
 tendance upon every appointment in the plan. 
 His work was no drudgery, it was his delight — 
 the business of his heart ! The people to whom 
 he was appointed to preach had a confidence 
 that he would not send another as a substitute, 
 because the place was distant, or that he would 
 stay at home because the roads were difficult, 
 and the weather cold and stormy. One Sab- 
 bath morning he said, " If any one would give 
 me five guineas to take my place and work to- 
 day, I would not suffer him to go in my stead." 
 At another time he said, " Were Mr. Wesley 
 arisen from the dead, and going to preach 
 to-day, I would not neglect my place to hear 
 him."
 
 LIFE OF LOXGDEN. 7$ 
 
 The afflictions of his family could not keep 
 him from his appointed work, such was his 
 love for the souls of perishing men. His chil- 
 dren were several times, and his wife was once, 
 in particular, thought to he near death ; hut 
 when he had procured every human help and 
 every possible alleviation and comfort, he com- 
 mended them to God, and left them, that he 
 might go and publish the unsearchable riches 
 of Christ, as well as prevent the disappoint- 
 ment of a congregation. 
 
 One Saturday he was afflicted with such 
 violent pain and inflammation, occasioned by 
 a decayed tooth, that he thought it would be 
 impossible for him to preach the following day, 
 unless he could have some abatement of the 
 
 \ pain ; he went, therefore, to Mr. S , the 
 
 ; apothecary, and desired him to take out the 
 
 I decayed tooth : upon examination, he found it 
 
 was the farthest tooth, and decayed to the root ; 
 
 J he was told he must bear the pain, for it was 
 
 I impracticable to take the tooth out. He re- 
 
 j plied, " You, sir, could cut my jaw-bone off in 
 
 1 a minute, and I think, if you attempt to dig 
 
 ! this stump of a tooth out, you will soon suc- 
 
 \ ceed ; and if I complain, or make any signs 
 
 ; of fear, you shall be at liberty to give over di- 
 
 i rectly." At length he was persuaded to under- 
 
 I take it, and presently, after inflicting much 
 
 pain, drew out the remains of the tooth. — 
 
 '• Now," he said, '• Mr. L., you must not attempt 
 
 to preach to-morrow ; if you do, a mortitica. 
 
 i tion may be the consequence." " Sir," ho
 
 74 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 replied, " the very reason I came to you to- 
 night was, that I might be able to preach to- 
 morrow ;" and although his mouth was sorely 
 lacerated, he preached three times on the fol- 
 lowing day, without receiving any injury. 
 Some may reprobate this conduct as rash and i 
 presumptive, but let them learn what that say- 
 ing meaneth, '• The zeal of thy house hath 
 eaten me up." 
 
 After he had preached some years, he began 
 to ride his own horse, which he found a great 
 comfort and means of safety. Notwithstand- 
 ing the horses which he rode carried him with 
 eas.e, he had many providential escapes. Some- 
 times he found the hand of God upon him for 
 good in imminent danger, while traversing the 
 trackless mountains covered with snow. But 
 that Being who guided his people in the wil- 
 derness by the cloud of his presence, conducted 
 him in safety to the places whither he jour- 
 neyed. Upon one of these occasions, as he 
 was returning home, he found a man who was 
 lost in the snow, and given over to despair. 
 They rode together till the person knew where 
 he was, and he ever after esteemed Mr. L. as 
 his kind dehvercr. 
 
 " One day," (he says in his own narrative,) 
 
 being desired by Mv. , an itinerant preacher, 
 
 to preach for him that evening at Chesterfield, 
 *' I willingly consented to go. In the after- 
 noon, when I set off, the weather was very 
 stormy. When I was within a few miles of 
 the place, I began to consider whether I was
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 75 
 
 doing right to leave my calling, to preach for 
 a far abler and more acceptable preacher, that 
 he might stay at home, and have nothing to do. 
 I was lost in this revery, when the mare I rode 
 made a foul stumble, instantly dislodged me 
 into a deep clay-ditch, and she herself fell upon 
 me ! Both myself and the mare had our heads 
 but just out of the water. I knew if she began 
 to plunge she would soon trample me to death 
 under her. In this perilous situation, I began 
 to cry unto the Lord, and he came to my help. 
 My mind was quite calm and collected ; I 
 spoke kindly to my mare, and clapped her upon 
 the neck, and then attempted to raise myself a 
 ilittle. This I repeated for near half an hour, 
 till, by little and little, I got out. All this time, 
 ^although she was very spirited, she never moved. 
 (As soon as I was out of the ditch, I called her 
 jby her name, and she began to plunge and 
 'struggle till she got out. All bespattered and 
 |bemired as we were, I mounted, and rode on to 
 ! Chesterfield, singing songs of deliverance. If 
 ',1 could have foreseen the teeming floods of 
 jgrace w^hich were poured upon the people that 
 jnight, I should not have wondered at Satan 
 'wanting to drown or suffocate me on my way 
 ■thither." 
 
 1 It was evident to every unprejudiced mind, 
 (that it was Mr, Longden's intention to be use- 
 ful in the most effectual way. He knew he 
 must give an account to God of the ministry 
 he had received. Therefore, he delivered gos- 
 ipel truths in an unadorned manner, to a plaia
 
 76 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 people, avoiding every thing that vras splendid 
 or merely amusing. In the discharge of his 
 duty, he laboured to be clear of the blood of all. 
 He faithfully warned the notoriously wicked, 
 the cold formalist, the lukewarm worldling, and 
 the fell hypocrite ; and they were often made 
 to tremble before the Lord. But the sinner's 
 refuge at Mount Calvary was his favourite 
 theme. When he was preaching one after- 
 noon, in Garden-street cjiapel, offering a present 
 salvation to be received by faith, he paused 
 and said, " If I am not greatly mistaken, the 
 Lord just now sealed his own doctrine, and 
 saved a precious soul ; if it be so, I hope that 
 person will now rise and give glory to God." 
 Instantly a man stood up, and bore a blessed 
 testimony to the power of God on earth to for- 
 give sins. 
 
 His discourses were never personal, but 
 adapted for the general good. He considered, 
 in making his Sabbath preparations, the state ^ 
 of the people whom he was appointed next to 
 visit; whether they had "need to be taught 
 which be the first principles of the oracles of " 
 God," or whether they were generally of full 
 age, even those who, by reason of use, had 
 their senses exercised to discern both good and 
 evil. Out of his treasury he brought things 
 new and ohl, " that the man of God might be 
 perfect, thoroughly furnished" with every 
 Christian grace, producing in their season all 
 good works. 
 
 God gave his servant spiritual discernment
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 77 
 
 to know the subtlety of Satan's devices, and 
 the deceittlilness of the unregenerate heart. 
 Ho would have the hinderance known, the dan- 
 ger felt, and the evil of our doings put away, 
 before he would publish the remedy. He knew 
 , the importance of a clear and impressive con- 
 Iviction of our want, in order to faith in the 
 jipromises, whether for the justification of our 
 [persons or the sanctification of our nature; 
 jand thus, by distributing to every one his pro- 
 i per portion, the true intent of a gospel minis- 
 I try, " the perfecting of the saints, and the edi- 
 i fying of the body of Christ, was answered." 
 The people were led from repentance to par- 
 j don, from pardon to holiness, " even to a per- 
 j feet man ; unto the measure of the stature of 
 ; the fulness of Christ." 
 
 I His sincerity and fervour, as well as his 
 compassion and affection, were often manifest- 
 ed by the tears v/hich ran copiously down his 
 face. Methinks I hear him consoling the wi- 
 dow, and the fatherless, or encouraging the 
 distressed and afflicted poor, or comforting the 
 tried and tempted believer ! He points to hea- 
 ven, the rest of the weary, and the home of the 
 pilgrim — to heaven, where dwells our compas- 
 sionate great High Priest, who was perfected 
 through suffering, and who is also able and will- 
 ing to succour those who are tempted — to hea- 
 ven, whither our prayers must incessantly as- 
 cend to the Father, through the mediation of 
 his dear Son, from whence strength shall be 
 given proportioned to our day of suffering.
 
 W LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 And desponding saints, while they have listen- 1 
 ed, have found the precious promises " A balm 
 for every wound, a cordial for their fears." 
 
 To preach the gospel was only part of hi- 
 work, as an under shepherd of Christ's flock. 
 He had interviews with the class. leaders of the 
 respective societies ; inquiring faithfully of 
 each the state of his personal experience, his I 
 manner of leading his class, the attendance of j 
 the people, their growth in holiness, and the^ 
 increase of their numbers, dtc. ; and if any of ^ 
 the members were sick, he would visit them, 
 accompanied by the leader. 
 
 In the families which kindly received the 
 preachers, he was ever about his Master's busi- 
 ness. He knew that Christian ministers are 
 eminently the light of the world, not only when 
 they are in the pulpit, but in every place, by 
 an elevation of sacred character. He had salt 
 in himself as a divine principle, and he was as 
 the salt of the earth to spread the divine savour. 
 His words to the parents, and children, and the 
 servants, were with grace seasoned with salt. 
 He would affectionately inquire : " Art thou 
 in health my brother, my sister ; does thy soul 
 prosper ? Are the consolations of God small 
 with thee ?" He went over one Saturday even- 
 ing to the place where he was to preach the 
 following day. When he arrived, there was 
 apparently the same complacency as usual be- 
 tween his host and hostess, and both of them 
 manifested their former afiection to him. 
 When he had sat awhile, he said, " I cannot
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 79 
 
 God used 
 
 to dwell in this house, but he is now departed 
 — I cannot stay — I must go." The good man 
 and his wife seemed agitated, and begged he 
 would not go away. He asked, " Is there not 
 an accursed thing ?" They replied, by an in- 
 genuous confession, how Satan had crept in 
 between them ; and, although the occasion was 
 trivial, yet the breach was serious and painful. 
 The snare was broken ; they joined in prayer 
 and intercession to God, and he graciously 
 healed them. The habitation was again the 
 house of God, and Mr. L. cheerfully consented 
 to remain with them all night. 
 
 He taught parents the magnitude of their 
 [ duty, and the responsibihty of their station. 
 ; He looked with interest upon the children of 
 ; Methodist parents, as their successors in the 
 I church, when themselves should be resting in 
 the grave. He often aimed at awakening 
 , their attention, as well as conveying instruc- 
 I tion to them, by relating pleasing and season. 
 i able anecdotes, d:;c. At proper opportunities 
 . he taught the servants their duty to God and 
 I man, and they loved him for his condescension 
 ', and care for their souls. 
 
 When the Sheffield circuit was more exten- 
 1 sive than it now is, the itinerant preachers 
 I frequently appointed him to hold the country 
 love-feasts. He would upon these occasions 
 ; encourage and animate the people to freedom 
 1 and simplicity in speaking, setting them the 
 i» example himself. He would desire them to
 
 85 LIFE OF LON'GDEN. ^ 
 
 speak short and explicitly, with reference to 
 their being penitents or believers, or as being 
 jastified freely, or sanctitied v/holly. Many 
 of these Bethels have been at the very gate of 
 heaven, or heaven itself in miniature. The 
 people felt the plenitude of God, all were filled 
 with the Spirit, and spake under his influence. 
 " If they were not already come, they were 
 journeying together unto Mount Zion, and unto 
 the city of the living God, the heavenly Jeru- 
 salem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 
 to the general assembly and church of the first- 
 born, which are written in heaven and to God, 
 the Judge of ail, and to the spirits of just men 
 made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the 
 new covenant." 
 
 The most memorable of these annual love 
 feasts was that which was held on the first 
 Sunday in August, in the Woodlands. The 
 veteran servants of God came from far to this 
 place. They used to meet on their way at 
 particular places of rendezvous, and came to 
 Hopart in companies over the mountains, in 
 the spirit of prayer and joyful anticipation. 
 Mr. L. preached and presided at this love-feast 
 more than twenty years, and partook of the 
 common joy and benefit of the saints in these 
 feasts of love. 
 
 I am glad to be able to publish several things 
 of importance which follow in Mr. Longden's 
 own words, transcribed from his private me- 
 moirs. The first is an account of the great 
 revival of religion in Sheffield, which also con-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 81 
 
 tains a detail of his prejudices against it, and 
 tlie subsequent method which the Lord in con- 
 descension took to convince him that the work 
 was really of God, and not effected by the will 
 of man. 
 
 I The revival of religion in Sheffield, in the 
 summer of 1794, was in the following manner : 
 In the love-feast on Monday, June 30, there 
 was nothing remarkable observed, either in 
 speaking or in praying, till about the time 
 iwhen they were about to conclude. Mr. Moon 
 called upon one of the local preachers to pray. 
 [While he was pleading with God, he was car- 
 iried out of himself with holy fervour, in an ex- 
 'traordinary manner. The Spirit of God came 
 las a mighty rushing wind, filled the place v/here 
 they were assembled, and overwhelmed every 
 ^individual by its powerful influence. A few 
 'who did not understand it, and resisted it, were 
 confounded, and in their error escaped as for 
 itheir lives. There was presently a general, 
 iloud, and bitter cry in every part of the chapel. 
 ■ Mr. Moon now left the pulpit, and he and 
 ill the official men and women who had power 
 with God in prayer, went from pew to pew, 
 seeking those who were in distress. They in- 
 |uiied into the cause of that weeping and sor- 
 
 ow, and they pointed the penitents to " the 
 Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the 
 ' rvorld ;" exhorting them to exercise faith in 
 
 lim as the only Saviour, able and willing to 
 save them now. They prayed fervently for all 
 
 hose whom, upon inquiry, they found to have 
 6
 
 83 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 a genuine work of God upon their souls. There 
 were, perhaps, fifty such persons so engaged 
 at once, either praying for pardon, or singing 
 praises to God for assurance of forgiveness. 
 
 Thus they continued praying and singing, 
 till one or two o'clock the next morning. There 
 Avas a prayer-meeting held in the chapel, for 
 several successive nights ; and the same power 
 ful effects were wrought ; the people continued 
 together till a late hour, and very many sinners 
 were converted from the error of their ways 
 
 Being detained from the love-feast hy urge 
 business at home, I was much surprised wit 
 the accounts I received by one and another ol 
 the crying and apparent confusion in the chapel 
 In the evening 1 hastened to the place to s 
 and hear for myself. Such a scene present 
 itself, as I had never witnessed in the churcl 
 before ! In one part I saw several on tli 
 ground, groaning as in the agonies of death 
 in other places persons were shrieking as i 
 they were just about to drop into liquid fire 
 Many were praying v.ith all their might ; am 
 others with joy beaming in their countenance 
 were shouting glory to God ! or singing prai 
 to him from whom all blessings flow ! 
 
 I was so exceedingly affected with the sigl 
 and sound of these things, that my rnind w 
 filled with dread, and my body shook and tre 
 bled ! I withdrew, therefore, to a private co 
 ner of the chapel, that I might silently observe 
 what was doing, if possible, with Christian can- 
 dour ; but I could not understand it : I felt a
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 83 
 
 reverence full of terror, and I returned home 
 quite confounded. 
 
 Many of my brethren inquired of me my 
 opinion of this strange work. I told them I 
 did not understand it ; that I had not seen 
 any thing of the kind before ; that 1 had always 
 thought those were the best seasons when the 
 Sun of righteousness had softened, melted, and 
 dissolved my soul, when I was tilled with divine 
 love, and lost and absorbed in God. 
 
 Although I could not actively join my bre- 
 thren in this work, I durst not limit the Holy 
 One of Israel, by censuring or opposing his 
 servants ; indeed, my daughter M. and my son 
 H. were among the saved, and I was convinced 
 a divine change had passed upon them. I 
 . knew that they, as well as scores of others, 
 I when they went to the chapel, were influenced 
 \ by no higher motives than a vain curiosity, 
 yet were suddenly and powerfully wrought 
 upon, and that afterwards they gave incontest- 
 able evidence that the change was divine. 
 
 Soon afterwards, while I was pondering 
 these things in my heart, I was appointed to 
 lead a neighbouring love-feast. While I was 
 engaged in prayer, there was a movement 
 among the people like murmuring waters : I 
 felt increasing power in prayer, and, as I rose 
 in fervour, the cry of the people was louder 
 and louder, till the whole place was in a fer- 
 ! ment. I durst not oppose, or check them, at the 
 peril of my soul. The Lord had made me fully 
 open to conviction, to know his will ; and when
 
 84 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 I asked myself, " What must I do ?" I found it 
 easy, yea, I was constrained in spirit to come 
 from the pulpit, and go into the midst of the 
 people. I passed from place to place among 
 the distressed ; exhorting them, and praying 
 ■with them. Thus did the Lord destroy my 
 fears, and for ever take away my scruples, and 
 sweetly enlisted me, a willing unworthy servant, 
 in this great revival. In this blessed cause, 
 while thus engaged, I witnessed many such pen- 
 tecostal seasons : and, O ! what struggles of 
 faith and prayer, and what transporting love 
 and joy in the Holy Ghost, have I often felt 
 on these occasions, even till my poor body has 
 lano-uished and fainted. 
 
 The recollection of my past ignorance of 
 this work, and my feelings wlien viewing it as 
 a spectator, make it easy for me to bear with 
 my well meaning brethren who have opposed 
 us, as if all was the result of inflamed passions, 
 and not wrought by the power of God. But 
 surely such persons forget that in the first and 
 every subsequent age of the church, where 
 there have been great revivals of religion, there 
 have been the same outward effects.* 
 
 * Let any Christian man read witli candour the ac- 
 count which the revered father of Methodism gives in 
 his journals of the effects of his preacliing at Bristol 
 and Bath, from April to June, 1733. h"A them take 
 the same wary discrimination as the physician, Mon- 
 day, April 29, and let them be convinced like him, and 
 acknowledge the finger of God. The great Whitefield 
 heard of these strange outward signs, which accorn- 
 pauied the inward work of God. On Sunday, July 8,
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 85 
 
 In the year 1795 a holy and indefatigable 
 servant of God was .appointed to labour in the 
 Sheffield circuit. He continued with us three 
 years, during which time about fifteen hundred 
 souls were added to our society. I was much 
 struck with his manner and spirit. I never 
 witnessed in any other man such burning love 
 to God and man, and such unwearied diligence 
 in preaching, praying, exhorting, and visiting 
 from house to house. I had the happiness of 
 obtaining his confidence and friendship, from 
 which I have gained more knowledge and holi- 
 ness than from all other men. It was not till 
 now that I had clear. Scriptural views of sanc- 
 tification, and the method of obtaining it, nor 
 was I before fully established in the experience 
 of that blessing. Perceiving its nature, I 
 
 he preaclied to the people himself. As soon as he be- 
 gan, in the application of his sermon, to invite all sin- 
 ners to believe in Christ, four persons sank down close 
 to him, nearly in the same moment ; one lay without 
 either sense or motion ; a second trembled exceedingly ; 
 the third had stron;^ convulsions all over his body, but 
 made no noise, unless by g-roans ; and the fourth, 
 equally convulsed, called upon God with strong cries 
 and tears : thus he found his objections were chiefly 
 grounded upon gross misrepresentation of matter of 
 fact. From this time, saith Mr. Wesley, I trust we 
 shall all be willing for God to carry on his own work 
 ^>^ the way that pleaseth him. And let every sincere 
 inquirer read Mr. W.'s statement of plain facts, and his 
 reasonings upon the subject, on the 20th May the same 
 year, and say whether this is work that bi-ingeth to 
 naught the wisdom of the wise. In this way I have no 
 doubt, only in a far greater degree and extent, God will 
 arise to evangelize the whole world.
 
 \ 
 
 86 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 was freed from every scruple, and had a divine 
 power at all times freely io give up and fully 
 to devote my little all to God. I saw that we 
 may stand in this state of salvation, and be 
 faithful to grace received, v»ith different degrees 
 of proportion, and consequently make more or 
 less proficiency in holiness and communion 
 with God. I feel more than ever an humbhng 
 sense of my coming short of the glory of God. 
 I see a more narrow and a more excellent way, 
 " to be strengthened with all might, accordinor 
 to his glorious power, unto all patience and long 
 suffering with joyfulness, and to be filled with 
 all the fulness of God." 
 
 In the midst of these days of grace, Satan, 
 that avowed enemy of the church's prosperity, 
 found means to sow the seeds of contention 
 among us. The r.nhappy division which 
 took place in the year 1796, caused the lovers 
 of Zion to mourn, and Satan to triumph. Mr. 
 Longden studied, he prayed, he wrote, he tra- 
 veiled, to prevent, if possible, the threatened 
 breach. 
 
 In conjunction with his friend, W. E. Mil- 
 ler, he wrote the following address to the Me- 
 thodist society in Sheffield. 
 
 " Dear Brethren, — It is with hearts fill, 
 ed with the tenderest concern for your eternal 
 welfare, that we now address you. The events 
 which have recently occurred in the Methodist 
 connection are so awful, and the consequences 
 may be so dreadful, that we are compelled to 
 make this one open appeal ; beseeching you by
 
 LIFE OE LONGDEN. 87 
 
 all the ties of Christian fellowship — ^by all the 
 blessed privileges we enjoy — and by all those 
 sacred seasons of power and love which we 
 have spent together, to weigh solemnly what is 
 here submitted to your consideration. We ask. 
 Is it not owing to Methodism that, under God, 
 you have been awakened to see and feel your 
 lost condition? have been snatched from the 
 jaws of hell, led to the Saviour of sinners, and 
 converted unto God? Have not all your pre- 
 sent springs of peace, and lively hopes of hea- 
 ven, arisen from this source ? Has it not been 
 your boast, that, in purity of doctrine, in num- 
 ber of privileges, and in ability of preaching, 
 )'ou have been the highly favoured of the earth ? 
 Have you not seen signs and wonders wrought, 
 the arm of the Lord made bare, pentecostal 
 visits of fire descending, and the place wherein 
 you were assembled, filled with the glory of 
 God ? Are these things true ? If so, we ask. 
 Have you been robbed of one of these pri- 
 vileges ? Has the purity of your doctrine 
 been corrupted ? or has God withdrawn his 
 presence from his people ? You will all answer. 
 No. We ask again. Has the gospel become ex- 
 pensive ? Are you required to contribute more 
 to its support than formerly ? Are you op- 
 pressed with any new burdens ? or are you not 
 left at liberty to pay your penny a week, or let 
 it alone, as you feel most convenient ? Your 
 answer is ready : you all acknowledge there has 
 been no alteration during the last fifty years.
 
 Sft LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 " Dear brethren, where are the evils you 
 complain of? You have perhaps been told that 
 the money collected is not accounted for with 
 sufficient openness. We answer, Apply to the 
 stewards, examine their books ; read the annual 
 statements of the Kingsw^ood and yearly col- 
 lections, published by the conference. Judge 
 for yourselves ; use your own eyes ; do not lis. 
 ten to the mistaken representations which are 
 so unfortunately spread abroad ; neither be led 
 like children in leading strings, when you are 
 able to use your own legs. But you are in- 
 formed that the preachers receive more l>om 
 the society than is adequate to their support. 
 O ! brethren, listen not to reports which can 
 only till your breasts with needless jealousies 
 and unworthy suspicions. We can assure you, 
 and will prove it to all that call upon us for 
 information, that there are scenes of distress 
 and misery among the preachers which would 
 make your hearts bleed. The single preachers 
 had twelve pounds per annum thirty years 
 since, and they have no more at present ; 
 although every article of life is considerably 
 advanced, yet the sum allowed for victuals 
 amounts to a trifle more than two shillings a 
 week per head. The servant of a reputable 
 farmer has a better provision than a Methodist 
 preacher. We therefore entreat that you will 
 not suffer ill-grounded prejudice to creep in 
 between you and your preachers. They have 
 yielded all their money matters into your hands.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 89 
 
 ' they have thrown themselves on your mercy :* 
 do not tread them under your feet. They are 
 your servants for Christ's sake : do not wish 
 to make them your slaves. f 
 
 " Brethren! brethren ! we desire your real 
 happiness, we are zealous for your true inte- 
 rest. We can appeal to a heart-searching 
 God when we assure you that, if we saw you 
 oppressed, we would fly to your relief: if we 
 saw corruption creeping into the connection, 
 we would cry aloud in the front ranks ! But 
 you are in danger of being misled, — of rush- 
 ing into the greatest errors, — of pulling down 
 (so far as your influence extends) the noblest 
 fabric which God has erected since the days 
 of the apostles, — of dividing preacher from 
 preacher, brother from brother, and sister from 
 sister, — of stabbing sterling Methodism to the 
 heart, and of preventing the effects of a revival 
 which might have leavened the whole universe ! 
 O stop ! stop ! we charge you, at the peril of 
 your souls, stop ! Shall hell triumph ? Shall 
 the wicked exult ] Shall sects and parties cry, 
 < Down with them, down with them : ha ! ha ! 
 so would we have it !' You would tremble at 
 the thought of bringing a father's gray hairs 
 with sorrow to the grave by your cruelty, or 
 breaking a mother's heart by your ingratitude, 
 but what are cruelty and ingratitude to earthly 
 
 * Alluding to the Addi-ess of the Conference to the 
 Methodist Societies. 
 
 t Referring to the admission of delegates into con- 
 ference.
 
 90 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 parents, compared with making a rent in the 
 
 church, exposing precious souls to the danger 
 of eternal destruction, and opening a wide door 
 for the wolf of hell to enter and devour the 
 flock of Christ ? O ! beware of schism — trem- 
 ble at division ! 
 
 " Methodists, be cautious, be firm ; remem- 
 ber there never was a division from the body of 
 Methodism that prospered. Stand still, and see 
 the salvation of God. They that believe shall 
 not make haste. If there should be a party 
 that will separate, wait the event ; see if the 
 ark of the Lord goes with them — whether they 
 have greater privileges, a cheaper gospel, more 
 powerful preaching, and the glory of the Lord 
 is more evidently revealed. Then you can de- 
 termine upon the propriety and necessity of 
 quitting your old ship, and venturing your all 
 upon a new bottom. 
 
 " Finally, brethren ! we love you, you 
 know we love you. We have spent our 
 strength, and impaired our health, in labouring 
 for your happiness. Go where you may, leave 
 us, think hardly of us, trample upon us; we 
 will still Ibllow you with our tears, our prayers, 
 and our blessings. We are still willing to suf- 
 fer the loss of all things for your sake. You 
 may break our hearts, but you shall not tear 
 away our affection : still this cry shall follow 
 you : ' Return, ye wanderers ;' our arms and 
 our hearts shall be ever open to receive you, 
 and our last prayer shall be, ' May the Metho- 
 dists be one.' May one volume of praise, one
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 91 
 
 cloufl of incense, ascend to our Father and our 
 God ! May the whole connection which was 
 built upon the foundation of the prophets and 
 apostles, be again fitly joined together, and 
 compacted by that nourishment which every 
 joint supplieth, and grow into a holy temple in 
 the Lord, and be filled with all the fulness of 
 God. Henry Loxgde?*, 
 
 " Edward Miller." 
 
 The next step which he took to preserve the 
 peace and union of the body was to ride through 
 the Derbyshire part of the circuit, and visit 
 every society, accompanied by his friend, Mr. 
 A. Hill. They were received as the angels of 
 God, and found all in firm compact, determined 
 to abide by^rimitive Methodism even unto 
 death, except at Grindleford-bridge. Seeing 
 them intent upon leaving, they did not attempt 
 to dissuade them from going. When they had 
 taken a refreshment, they asked permission to 
 pray before they took a final adieu. During 
 prayer the people's hearts were opened, and all 
 their former atTection flowed into them, pre- 
 judice gave way, and they saw their intention 
 to separate was not of the Lord. When they 
 rose from their knees, they said one to another, 
 " What think you, brother, shall we go ?" — 
 « No, I think no\," said one. " We will thank 
 you to visit us as usual," said another ; so that, 
 under God, the people there were preserved in 
 the same mind one towards another, in the bond 
 of unity.
 
 93 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 Notwithstanding these efforts to preserve the 
 church, and many more of a similar nature, 
 many leading m.en in the Sheffield society left 
 the connection ; and many simple, well meaning 
 persons went alono; with them. 
 
 " What," says Mr. Longden, " are the awful 
 effects of this division ? One thousand persons 
 separated from us. But where is more than 
 one half of them? A very few have returned 
 to us, humbled for their sin ; others feel their 
 loss, and have seen their error, but cannot sub- 
 mit to acknowledge it. But very many are 
 sinners of the most notorious kind. They arc 
 frequenters of ale-houses ! drunkards ! unclean 
 persons ! deists ! or professed infidels ! I am 
 afraid the chief instruments in this rent will 
 not rejoice on account of it in the great day of 
 the Lord." 
 
 Notwithstanding this serious rent in the 
 church, the work of God was carried forward 
 with mighty power. It was not confined to 
 the town of Sheffield : but, by the united ef- 
 forts of the itinerant and local preachers, the 
 fire spread nearly into every part of the circuit. 
 Jerusalem was in great prosperity, and the 
 converts of Zion were many. A sermon which 
 Mr. L. preached at Eyana, is yet remembered, 
 when the Lord poured water upon the thirsty, 
 and floods upon the dry grounds. Twenty-six 
 persons professed to experience redemption in 
 the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of all their 
 sins, most of whom adorn their profession, and 
 hold fast the beginning of their confidence with
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 93 
 
 steadfastnoss unto this day. This was no strange 
 thing ; it was frequently the case in a love feast, 
 preaching or prayer meeting, that ten or twenty 
 were justified by faith, and returned home 
 praising a reconciled God. 
 
 He was not satisfied with preaching nearly 
 every Sunday, but he frequently preached on 
 the week-day evenings. When there were only 
 three travelling preachers where there are now 
 eighteen, preaching in the country places was 
 very seldom : the word of God was precious, 
 and the people would come from far to hear it. 
 For several years he preached once a fortnight 
 at Hallam. During another time he preached 
 Aveekly at Hoyland ; at another, weekly at 
 Thornclitfe, &;c. 
 
 He was frequently called by night and by 
 day to visit the sick and the dying. He felt this 
 required all the wisdom, courage, and grace of 
 the most adult Christian. Wisdom not to heal 
 when he ought to wound, and not to wound 
 when he ought to heal ; wisdom to distinguish 
 between a fear of the wrath of God, and a 
 hatred of sin and contrition of soul ; courage 
 not to shrink from a faithful and affectionate 
 discharge of duty to those who are sinking and 
 fainting under the pressure of complicated af- 
 fliction ; and grace to bid those of a fearful 
 heart. Be strong ! — to show the faithfulness of 
 God, and conduct them triumphantly over the 
 last enemy, quite to the verge of heaven : for 
 this momentous duty we have witnessed his 
 eminent qualifications. We shudder at the
 
 94 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 recollection of his visiting a dying varnished 
 hypocrite, who, with lifted hands, was crying. 
 *' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly !" Instantly 
 he interrupted him, " Thou limb of the devil ! 
 thou firebrand of hell! thou goat in sheep's 
 clothino- ! thou fornicator ! what a game is this ! 
 Selling thy soul to the devil, and crying, 
 * Come Jesus :' rather cry, ' Come, chief devil, ,i 
 come quickly !' And will not hell be hot enough \ 
 when thou liest down in liquid tire, that thou 
 shouldst add to all thy other sins the sin of 
 hypocrisy ? I must go ; where — where is my 
 hat 1 I am filled with horror ! This room is, 
 as it were, full of devils !" The man began to 
 cry aloud, " Mercy, mercy ! don't go, do stay : 
 
 ! for mercy !" He stayed, and heard a full con- 
 fession from the man of his notorious sins, and 
 wo trust there was some hope in his death. 
 
 Being from home on a journey, a friend told 
 him the case of a dying man, an opulent mer- 
 chant, whom several had visited ; and he wished 
 Mr. L. would see him also. When he was in- 
 troduced into the chamber of affliction, he be- 
 held a pale, intelligent countenance, full of sor . 
 row, tinctured with despair ; his eyes looked 
 full of grief! Mr. L. asked him of his health, 
 and then inquired respecting his views of an- 
 other world, and his state of preparation for it. 
 He said, " Sir, I am an apostate fallen spirit ; 
 
 1 am undone ; I am lost for ever ! There re- 
 maineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a cer- 
 tain fearful looking tor of judgment and fiery 
 indignation which shall devour the adversaries.^*
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 95 
 
 To which he replied, " Will you hearken to me ? 
 if you knew that you were pleasing Satan would 
 you talk thus ?" He answered, " No." Farther 
 he asked, " H you knew you were adding to all 
 your former sins, as well as dishonouring the 
 mercy of God by talking thus, would you con- 
 tinue to do sof" He replied, " No." " Most 
 certainly you are doing all these : you have 
 entirely forgot that the merits of Jesus Christ 
 are infinite ; and unless your sins are more 
 than infinite, at least the remedy is equal to 
 the disease. It is true, you have wickedly and 
 daringly lifted up your single arm against the 
 Omnipotent : but Jesus Christ is the propitia- 
 tion for all the sins of all the sinners in the 
 world ; and if there were as many rebel uni- 
 verses as there are sinners in the world, still 
 the number of sins would be finite, committed 
 by finite creatures, yet the mercy of God could 
 more than extend to all : — the mercy of God is 
 unbounded, because the m.erit and mediation of 
 Jesus Christ are infinite." The sick person 
 repeated, " The merit of Jesus is infinite ! the 
 mercy of God is infinite ! — then, may I indeed 
 be saved?" "Yes," replied Mr. L., " you may 
 be saved, and you may be saved now. A day 
 or a moment with the Lord is as a thousand 
 years. Ask of God to forgive you now for his 
 dear Son's sake, and it shall be done unto you 
 according to your faith." Hope beamed in his 
 countenance ; and while engaged in prayer, 
 faith sprung up in his heart, and Jesus got him- 
 self a victorious name. With astonishment he
 
 96 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 exclaimed, " What hath God wrought ! He' 
 hath taken me from a horrible pit of darkness 
 and despair, and hath brought me into his mar- 
 vellous hght. I know that my Redeemer livcth ; 
 I shall soon see the king in his beauty ; I bless 
 the day that I was born," &c., d:c. He sur- 
 vived a few days, and then his spirit escaped 
 to his great Redeemer. 
 
 In the year 1800, after preaching at Br d, 
 
 he was told there was a person, a publican, very 
 ill indeed of an infectious fever, but no one 
 durst go near him for fear of the infection. 
 One of the friends asked Mr. L. if he durst visit 
 him. " Yes," he replied, " I never had any 
 fear in the way of duty." He went and found 
 
 J. H e, apparently near death. When he 
 
 was seated, he asked him what prospect he had 
 before him if this sickness were unto death? 
 He tbund the afflicted person had been brought 
 to serious reflection in the course of his illness. 
 The following words had been applied to him, 
 as the means of his awakening : " Thou shalt 
 love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." 
 He saw that he had loved almost every other 
 object with all the heart — with " the full capa- 
 city, the whole power of the soul ;" but to the 
 Lord God he had rendered a mere formal out- 
 ward service. He said, " I am wretched, I am 
 in the dark ; and what to do to obtain salva- 
 tion I cannot tell." He saw his sin, he felt 
 his danger, he had a broken heart and a con- 
 trite spirit ; but he was perishing for lack of 
 knowledge : he was quite ignorant of the cove-
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 97 
 
 nant of mercy, of the way of faith in the blood 
 of Christ, in order to salvation. 
 
 While Mr. L. unfolded the way of a sinner's 
 approach to God, the means of salvation, the 
 witness of the Spirit, the nature and excellence 
 of religion, the sick man listened, and drank 
 these gospel truths with astonishment and gra- 
 titude. He furthermore told him the manner 
 of his own conversion ; and added, that for 
 more than twenty years he had not had a doubt 
 of his acceptance, or any fear of death : and, 
 if God were to call him that hour, he had not 
 any thing to do for eternity, " except the ar- 
 rangement of a few family affairs." Our friend 
 H e thought, I cannot believe he would de- 
 ceive a dying man ; and if what he says be 
 true, there is a blessed something in religion 
 which I never knew or heard of. 
 
 Mr. L. kneeled down to pray, but his prayers 
 were soon turned into praises : " Lord," he 
 said, " 1 know thou wilt save thy servant, and 
 his vvhole house." The sick man exclaimed, 
 " Blessed Lord ! thou hast sent one of thy pro- 
 phets to declare my salvation, and the salva- 
 tion of my household." 
 
 This was soon realized. He began to reco- 
 ver, and soon inherited the promises of mercy. 
 His wife, who also was an earnest seeker of 
 salvation, was presently made happy in the 
 love of God. Martha, their niece, who soon 
 after resided with them, was savingly convert- 
 ed. And the servant man became also a ser- 
 vant of the living God. 
 7
 
 98 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 Not long after, Mr. L., in a love-feast, was 
 telling the goodness of God to this family, and 
 he added, " I only know of one thing that is 
 wanting, which is, that the sign may come 
 
 down." Our brother H e rose up and said, 
 
 " I am a living witness of the truth of these 
 things, and I bless the Lord, he has already 
 blown the sign down ; I have made a free sa- 
 crifice of all to him, and I find his service my 
 reward." 
 
 At one period there was a very afflictive 
 winter in Sheffield. Work was very scarce, 
 the flour was very unsound, bread and provi- 
 sions were very dear, and withal, in many 
 places, a fever was raging with alarming pro- 
 gross. A strict inquiry was made into the 
 circumstances of every poor family in the so- 
 ciety ; and that winter, we believe, every lack 
 of food was supplied to all. One family which 
 
 Mr. Longden, accompanied by Mr. W n, 
 
 visited, deserves notice, as it evinces to what 
 extremities God suffers his servants to be re- 
 duced ; but that he is immutably faithful, who 
 hath said, " Trust in the Lord, and do good, so 
 shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou 
 Shalt be fed." 
 
 The family alluded to lived in the outer part 
 
 of the town : when Mr. L. and Mr. W n 
 
 reached the house, they found the door fasten- 
 ed, and the window-shutters closed. They 
 knocked at the door again and again, louder 
 and louder ; but all was still. They then in- 
 quired at the nearest neighbour's house, whe-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 99 
 
 ther the family was removed ? " No," they 
 said, " they are all ill of the fever ; we visited 
 thern as long as we durst, but the fever is so 
 bad that we really durst not risk our lives any 
 longer." They now returned, determined to 
 break the house open. First they knocked and 
 vociferated at the door ; presently they heard 
 the foot of the poor man coming to open the 
 door. They entered the house, walked up 
 stairs, and beheld a most affecting scene ! A 
 pious lather and mother, and several children, 
 without a friend ! without money ! without 
 bread ! all sick ; but no medicine ! no cordial ! 
 All their store was just finished, except a piece 
 of an orange, and there had been a contest 
 who should have the last bit ! the youngest 
 child was to have it ! 
 
 The father of this afflicted family they found 
 a true son of Abraham ; " he did not charge 
 God foolishly, but patiently endured, as seeing 
 him who is invisible." He was assured that 
 the Judge of the whole earth would do right. 
 And help came in the time and manner of 
 God's appointment, and to his glory. 
 
 By kind attention the lives of the whole 
 family were redeemed from destruction. They 
 were spared to one another, and restored to 
 the community. Doubtless the two visiters 
 felt the blessedness of giving, which Job so hap- 
 pily expresses : " When the ear heard me, then 
 it blessed me : and when the eye saw me, then 
 it gave witness to me, because I delivered the 
 poor that cried, and him that had none to help
 
 100 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 him. And the blessing of them that were ready 
 to perish came upon me." 
 
 That he might embrace every mode of use- 
 fulness to the church, he had a select corre 
 spondence. He had intercourse, by this means, 
 with some of the best men and women of the 
 age in which he lived : and as a father in the 
 gospel, he did not refuse the solicitations of 
 those who needed and sought religious instruc- 
 tion. To show his ability in this respect, we 
 have transcribed the three following letters ; 
 the first was written to a young lady of supe- 
 rior endowments, whom he saw exposed to some 
 danger. 
 
 " Grace, mercy, and peace attend you, from 
 God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Your kind letter gave me much pleasure. In 
 answer to your inquiries, I observe, that when 
 trials and temptations are permitted to assail 
 us, the gracious design is either to prevent some 
 evil, or to discover some vreakness ; to cure 
 some spiritual malady, or to exercise and ma- 
 ture our graces, and thereby brighten our 
 crown of rejoicing for ever. If we are faith- 
 ful, (i. e., if we constantly look to God for help 
 and direction, and exercise our faith which 
 worketh by love.) be assured, the evil will be 
 prevented, the good obtained, and God will be 
 glorified. 
 
 " Your next remark relates to the praise or 
 blame which cometh of man. As it respects 
 you and me, it is nothing but a blast of wind, 
 inasmuch as we are what we are in the sight
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 101 
 
 of God. It is a base spirit which seeks the 
 praise of man, and that is a proud spirit which 
 rejects and spurns at reproof. Nevertheless, 
 with reference to others, and our own useful- 
 ness as pubHc characters, we should be care- 
 ful to avoid the very appearance of evil. What 
 Mr. C. said was perhaps improper. I hope 
 you will ever act according to the teaching of 
 Ihe Spirit of God, which always accords with 
 the rule of his word. 
 
 " You have nothing whereof to be proud ; 
 ever)^ talent which you possess, the Lord has 
 bestov/ed ; and I am certain that many have 
 received more grace than either you or I expe- 
 rience. There are two things for v/hich you 
 ought to feel constantly thankful ; I mean, sirh- 
 plicity and sincerity, as well as the adorning 
 of a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the sight 
 of God, is of great price. With these you have 
 doubtless many defects ; I wish you could gain 
 the mastery of one particularly. What I refer 
 to is your stammering, both in conversation 
 and in prayer ; I believe there is no defect in 
 your organs of speech. You appear sometimes 
 either mentally absent, or to be hurried bevond 
 the subject, or you have an influx of ideas 
 which flow in upon you, and instantly you be- 
 gin to say — I — I — I, as if giving yourself time 
 for recollection. 1 believe you may avoid this, 
 if, for a season, you speak and pray deliberate- 
 ly, in easy v/ords and short sentences. 
 
 " You ask, ' Why did God make man free to 
 stand or fall V For this plain reason, because
 
 102 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 if it had been otherwise, he would not have 
 been a man, but an irrational creature. God 
 hath prepared a better state as a reward ; but 
 if man were not free, (i. e., created with every 
 possible motive to obedience, and barely possi- 
 ble that he should fall.) he could not be account- 
 able ; and if he were not accountable, he could 
 not be rewarded. But the end and consum- 
 mation of his being is an eternal reward, there- 
 fore he was created free. But you ask, ' Can 
 a man who once had faith be lost V I think 
 so, because Scripture and experience testify 
 that a good man may fall into acts of sin, and 
 sin is dishonourable to God ; but the eternal 
 punishment of sin is not dishonourable to God. 
 If he permit the former, he will inflict the latter. 
 * But will not God restore those who are fallen, 
 if they repent ?' — Yes, a thousand times. 
 
 " With respect to using words in private 
 prayer, no directions can be given, but to use 
 that method which is most profitable. We 
 have the privilege of every mode, but we are 
 confined to none. 
 
 " Permit me now to give you a little advice. 
 If it be possible, find out all your defects, both 
 inward and outward. Examine yourself faith- 
 fully, and you will discover what was before 
 unknown : pray earnestly to God, and he will 
 show you what had escaped your own re- 
 searches. Be not discouraged with the sight, 
 but set about having them removed. Do not 
 talk much in company. When yo:i converse, 
 let it arise from a conviction of your duty, in
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 103 
 
 the Spirit of God. Young, red-hot professors 
 often talk too much. Never illustrate any 
 truth from your own experience, but from the 
 word of God as the only standard. You may 
 mention your own faults and past errors, by 
 way of caution to others. When you give re- 
 proof, have respect to your own spirit, motive, 
 and manner ; and let it not only be seasonable 
 to the state of the person, but have a regard 
 to the proper time and circumstances. Final- 
 ly, husband your time, and do all you can for 
 God ; not with an eye to reward from man ; 
 no, not even a smile from man : and you shall 
 have a full reward from the Lord Christ ; so 
 shall you ever continue to be a comfort and a 
 blessing to me. 
 
 " I am receiving more of God, and I appear 
 less to myself. I see a fulness of love in Jesus 
 Christ. I want nothing else : I seek, I strive, 
 I labour for nothing else but closer communion 
 with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
 
 " I am, &c., &c. He^ry Lo:>fGDEN," 
 
 LETTER TO A YOUNG ITINERANT PREACHEK, 
 
 WHO WENT OUT FROM SHEFFIELD. 
 
 " Very dear Brother, — I rejoice to hear of the 
 health of your body, the peace of your mind, 
 and a blessed prospect of success in your 
 labours. 
 
 " You inquire how you may be useful. Your 
 great object m.ust be improvement in real vital 
 EoUness — in ministerial abilities. To improve
 
 104 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 ill holiness, you must avoid every thing which 
 brings darkness into the soul, by grieving the 
 Spirit. We know that all persons are not in 
 equal danger from the same thing. Some 
 grieve the Holy Spirit of God by idleness, 
 lounging away their time in any thing or no. 
 thing. Some suffer loss by not exercising a 
 proper guard over their thoughts. They cast 
 the reins upon the neck, and their vain ima- 
 gination leads them to the ends of the earth. 
 And others suffer great loss for want of a spi- 
 ritual conversation. They talk about the world 
 and politics, about any thing or nothing : are 
 trifling or serious, as most suits the company 
 where they are. 
 
 " If you desire to be eminently useful, be 
 eminently holy. Avoid then idleness, as you 
 would drunkenness ; be always usefully em- 
 ployed* I would recommend you always to 
 have an object in view. Whether you think, 
 or read, or preach, or travel, or converse, al- 
 ways aim at something — your own improve- 
 ment, the good of others, and the glory of God. 
 I do not need to inform you, that the best and 
 surest way to grow in personal godliness is to 
 live habitually in the spirit of prayer. We 
 cannot pray too much. I believe a preacher 
 may learn more by prayer than by all other 
 means. W^ould it not be well for you to rise 
 early ? to divide your time into portions, and 
 see that prayer occupy several hours in every 
 day ? Dear Jackey, take notice not to follow 
 the example of others with relation to prayer.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEX. 105 
 
 To pray much upon your knees, or upon your 
 face, before God, may not be profitable at first ; 
 but persevere, and your strength and commu- 
 nion with God will abundantly increase, even 
 until you are all prayer and all praise, 
 i " If by prayer you maintain a spiritual frame 
 of mind, you will find it easy to govern and 
 expel all sinful and unprofitable thoughts. And 
 your conversation must be spiritual, minister- 
 jing edification to all. By this means your 
 ;way will be open, your character established, 
 and your usefulness abundant in the Lord. 
 
 " My paper fails me to speak of your im- 
 'provement in ministerial abilities. I will leave 
 !that till a future opportunity. 
 , " The Lord is still kind and gracious to me. 
 Through his mercy I walk at liberty, increas- 
 ^ing in humble love. My body is a clog to the 
 lactivity of my soul, and often presses me down : 
 ithough I am rather stronger than formerly. In 
 ;the midst of all, my comfort is to know that I 
 ;am in the vvill of God. 
 
 ! " Miss Mary Unwin is gone triumphantly 
 to glory ! Hallelujah to God and the Lamb ! 
 |We shall all soon meet in heaven. 
 , " I am, &;c., &;c. Henry Loxgden." 
 
 [LETTER TO AN AFFLICTED, DESPONDING SAINT. 
 
 I " My dear Brother, — I feel a kind of melan- 
 icholy pleasure in reading your letter. It af- 
 jfords me true pleasure to observe, from the 
 1 general tenor of your epistle, that your spirit
 
 106 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 is humble : you have abasing thoughts of your- 
 self, and exalted thoughts of Christ. There is 
 a spirit of sincerity throughout. There is no 
 deceit either in your heart or life : you desire 
 to appear what you really are ; and you desire 
 to be what God would have you to be. You 
 are willing to give up any thing, if you might 
 get nearer to God ; and you are willing to en- 
 dure all that the Lord is pleased to inflict. 
 
 " When you have read thus far, methinks 1 
 see you pause, shake your head, change colour, 
 and, sighing, say, ' This is not true ; my friend 
 Longden is mistaken.' I answer. It is my dear 
 
 discouraged brother L s that is mistaken, 
 
 and it will be fully proved in the day of judg- 
 ment, when you shall shine as a bright star in 
 the kingdom of your Father. But I am willing 
 that the Spirit of God should now decide be- 
 tween us : here I will kneel down and ask my 
 God to shine upon this letter, upon my mind, 
 and upon yours. Now, after prayer, I find 
 myself confirmed in my opinion. But you 
 object, * Why then am I not happy ? Why 
 am I not filled with love, and praise, and grati- 
 tude ? Why am I troubled with doubts of my 
 acceptance? Why do I feel so much self-will, and 
 so many sinful tempers, viz., forgetfulness and 
 impatience ; and sometimes they break out in 
 angry looks and sharp words ? Why do I feel 
 such a backwardness to duty, especially pri- 
 vate prayer and faithful self-examination ? If 
 your statement be true, why does every thing 
 appear so dark for time and eternity V
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 107 
 
 " Hear me with patience, and I will answer 
 you. The reasons are, you have, in general, 
 an afflicted body. If your health improves, 
 and strength increases, do you not feel an in- 
 crease of spiritual comfort ? Your mind is de- 
 pressed, and weakened in its spiritual exer- 
 cises, by your enfeebled body. But does God 
 smile or frown according to the degrees of your 
 inward vigour, and not rather look at the inte- 
 grity of the heart ? You have been so long in 
 the habit of doubting and distrusting God and 
 believing the devil, that you scarcely feel com- 
 fort in any thing but writing bitterness and wo 
 against yourself. 
 
 " You ask, • What would you advise me to 
 do V Consider the Almighty as your father 
 and unchanging friend ; that he is striving 
 every day, and every moment, in a thousand 
 ways, and by a thousand means, to bless you. 
 Consider that the Lord Jesus Christ has really 
 and personally died for you ; that he is this 
 and every moment pleading your cause at the 
 right hand of God. Consider, again, that the 
 Holy Ghost has enlightened your dark mind, 
 and quickened your dead soul ; that He who 
 has raised, has often restored your soul, and 
 given you his peace and pardoning love. Re- 
 member the eternal Trinity loves you with an 
 infinite love ! that God desires your happiness 
 with an infinite desire ! He has begun a good 
 work, with the purpose to perform and perfect 
 it unto the day of Christ. Although he af- 
 flicts, perhaps he sees you and I can be saved
 
 108 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 in no other way. And do not only consider 
 these things, but beUeve them ; yes, beUeve 
 them cordially, and you will receive strength to 
 suffer patiently, to fight mantlill}", and to resist 
 every adversary steadfast unto the end. 
 
 " You say, ' You could do all this if you were 
 a child of God.' And v»hat is it that will as- 
 sure you that you are a child of God ? One 
 great proof is, a being freed from the carnal 
 mind, which is enmity against God, and to have 
 a desire in all things to please God. You must 
 know that your heart is changed by the Spirit 
 of God. Why were the races so hateful to 
 you ? Why could you not take your family 
 there, as eager to see as the crowds that were 
 there? Would it not give you pain to join in 
 the assembly of the wicked ? Have you any 
 greater pleasure than attending the means of 
 grace? Any greater enjoyment, than in the 
 holy conversation of a lively friend ? Do you 
 not love every man in proportion as you believe 
 he bears the image of God ? You answer in 
 the affirmative, but complain of a hard heart. 
 I grant you are not fully sanctified, but are not 
 these the fruits of justification ] Where do 
 they grow ? Not in nature's garden, but in a 
 regenerated heart. You are justified, and you 
 may be sanctified too. Is not God able to 
 save, even now ?. O my brother ! look up, be- 
 hold the Lord waits to be gracious, even now 
 is the accepted time. 
 
 " Take my advice for one month, and see if 
 you do not go better forward. Dare to believe
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEiy. 109 
 
 that God is now your reconciled Father, through 
 the death of his Son. Draw near unto him 
 with confidence as such : in your approaches 
 to him, tell him all your cares, and fears, and 
 wants, and wait in faith for an answer. And 
 endeavour to cultivate a thankful frame of mind, 
 by the remembrance of his care over you, and 
 his goodness unto you and yours ; and then 
 your happy life will sweetly glide away jn 
 thankful songs of praise. The Lord grant it 
 for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 " I am, my dear brother, yours very affec- 
 tionately in Christian bonds, 
 
 " He?s-ry Longden." 
 
 Mr. Longden was not only a burning and a 
 shining ligiit at home, in his family, and in the 
 church of God, but the last fifteen years of his 
 life, as he was not occupied with any personal 
 attention to business, he made frequent excur- 
 sions in company with a friend or preacher 
 who was like-minded, saying, " Let us go again, 
 and visit our brethren in every city, where we 
 have preached the word of the Lord, and see 
 how they do." 
 
 In his tour in 1797-8, to York, Hull, dec, 
 he spent a few days at Gainsborough. A cir- 
 cumstance which occurred there will serve to 
 show the great power of faith and importunate 
 prayer. Under preaching on the Sabbath 
 morning, a boy and a girl, who were brother 
 and sister, were deeply affected. When they 
 returned home, their disquietude of spirit still 
 increased : the boy retired to give vent to his
 
 110 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 feelings ; and the girl, feeling the arrows of the 
 Almighty, wept sorely, and could not be com- 
 forted. 
 
 The parents sent for Mr. Longden and Mr. 
 Nelson, (who had met him by appointment at 
 this place.) They went to the house and con- 
 versed with the girl. " I feel the smart of a 
 wounded spirit," she said : " if there be any 
 mercy for me, do pray." They joined in so- 
 lemn prayer, and in about half an hour she 
 passed from death unto life : the divine change 
 which was wrought, was as clear as it was sud- 
 den. Like a little cherub, she ran across the 
 room, and embraced her mother ; and declared 
 to her, in astonishing language, what the Lord 
 had done for her soul. The mother burst into 
 tears, and exclaimed, " O ! my child is saved, 
 and I, a poor backslider, am in the way to ruin ! 
 What must I do ? I cannot, no, I will not rest 
 till I have redemption in the blood of Christ, the 
 forgiveness of my sins. Is there any hope for 
 me ? Wretch that I am, to leave my Saviour !" 
 They published Jesus Christ, an advocate with 
 the Father, even for poor backsliders. Desire, 
 hope, expectation, and faith, in succession, 
 sprang up in her soul, and presently, in answer 
 to prayer, she was restored to the light of God's 
 countenance, and the joys of his salvation. 
 
 Their attention next was called to the father, 
 who continued to kneel in a corner, crying, 
 " O ! my Jack ; O ! my Jack !" Now they 
 heard the boy roaring upon the stairs. They 
 brought him into the room, and inquired what
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. Ill 
 
 was the cause of his sorrow. " My sins," he said, 
 " and if they be not soon removed, they will 
 sink me into hell." They asked him, " But 
 how must your sins be removed ?" " Jesus 
 Christ," he said, " must take them away, no 
 one else can. If I could but believe that he 
 would do it — but O ! I am so great a sinner !" 
 Here he burst out weeping again, as if there 
 were no hope for him. They instructed and 
 encouraged him ; and, while they spake, and 
 prayed, the boy was not less satisfactorily de- 
 livered from guilt and condemnation than the 
 two former. 
 
 About this time he visited Nottingham, ac- 
 companied by Mr. Wilkinson. Miss C. S n 
 
 speaking of it, says, " A short time previous to 
 Mr. Longden's visit to us, the Lord poured his 
 Spirit upon his people in his quickening influ- 
 ences. I am not certain that he knew, when 
 he came among us, that the ' fields were already 
 white unto harvest ;' but he was evidently sent 
 as an able and willing instrument in the pro- 
 motion of a revival of pure religion. 
 
 " Two sermons which he preached in Hock- 
 ley chapel were attended with a special and a 
 lasting blessing ; from Ezekiel xxxvi, 26, * A 
 new heart will I give you ;' and Matthew xx, 
 6, ' Why stand ye here all the day idle V 
 There was a remarkable plainness and sim- 
 plicity manifested in these sermons ; yet the 
 high calling of believers was explained with 
 great clearness, and enforced with holy energy. 
 The plainest understanding might comprehend
 
 112 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 them ; and those of more extensive informa- 
 tion were instructed ; and the rich and the 
 poor were again awakened to their privilege. 
 For althoiin;h several had formerly experienced 
 the perfect love of God, it was become as a flame 
 nearly extinct. With most, little remained of 
 its sweets, but a fruitless wish, or a feeble de- 
 sire. Again they beheld in the gospel glass 
 the glory of the Lord. They saw its nature 
 and its advantages ; it was also placed within 
 the reach of every sincere believer ; and a great 
 number sought and found this great pearl, and 
 dared to profess Jesus Christ a Saviour to the 
 uttermost. 
 
 " In his visits from house to house, together 
 with his dear friend 3Ir. W., he was remarkably 
 blessed of the Lord. They went forth ' warn- 
 ing every man, and teaching every man, labour- 
 ing and striving in prayer, according to the 
 mighty working of God, which worked in 
 them mightily ;' and visible good was done 
 with the effusion of the Spirit being pour- 
 ed upon every family which they visited. I 
 never before or since witnessed so extraordi- 
 nary a work. God so filled and overwhelmed 
 the people with powerful conviction, or with a 
 fulness of his love, that the feeble body fell mo- 
 tionless, as if the animal functions were sus, 
 pended for a season. I was witness of these 
 effects, and can testify their truth and verity. 
 
 " You are well aware how his soul would 
 exult in these manifestations of the Spirit. In 
 his former visits to Nottingham, he had seen
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 113 
 
 the nakedness of the land, had borne the bur- 
 den of the Lord, mourning over the state of the 
 people. But the barren wilderness was to him 
 as a Canaan, overflowing with milk and honey 
 — as the garden of the Lord abounding with 
 luxuriant fruit." 
 
 They generally breakfasted and supped at 
 
 Mr. S. B 's, at whose house they lodged. 
 
 Many who were unwilling to carry the burden 
 of sin or the remains of corruption any longer, 
 came to join with them in family prayer. We 
 
 will instance two, viz., Mr. and Mrs. H , 
 
 among those who were signally blessed. He 
 came one morning alone, determined to seek 
 with all his heart the full salvation of his soul. 
 He asked in faith, and was filled with God. — 
 At this instant his wife, who had followed him 
 with the same intentions and intense desires, 
 came into the room. She fell upon her knees, 
 and asked in faith the cleansing efficacy of the 
 blood of Christ, pleading the promises, and 
 ceased not till she received an answer. Her 
 happy soul was not less signally blessed than 
 her husband's, and she praised God with joyful 
 lips. 
 
 Sometimes Mr. Longden's body fainted under 
 the fatigue of praying, as in an agony, from 
 house to house, from morning until evening ; 
 and Mr. W. was obliged to labour alone, while 
 he rested a day to recruit his animal strength. 
 
 Salvation was sent to every house which 
 they visited : and some who were prepossessed 
 against this work, as irregular and disorderly, 
 8
 
 114 LIFE OF LONGDEN. ■ 
 
 were obliged to submit to its powerful influence, . 
 and acknowledge that it was divine. As soon i 
 as they began to pray, neighbours, friends, and I 
 relatives, were instantaneously seized with { 
 powerful convictions, and were as suddenly 
 saved from all iniquity. 
 
 I transcribe the following account of the 
 conversion of Miss B r, from Mr. Long- 
 den's manuscripts : — 
 
 " I do not remember to have ever seen a 
 person in such agonies of body and mind as she 
 was. VVe observed fear, terror, despair, desire, 
 expectation, and faith, alternately prevail : for 
 she determined to find the mercy of God, or die 
 upon the place, and perish crying out for God. 
 Her poor mother could not bear the sight, and- 
 was obliged to withdraw. Salvation came in a 
 moment ; and O ! what a change ! how sudden ! 
 how glorious ! as manifested in her features, 
 her voice, her language ! ' Beauty for ashes, 
 the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of 
 praise for the spirit of heaviness,' were given 
 her ; and the house, the town, the kingdom, 
 were far too small for her expanding full soul, 
 in which to praise a glorious Trinity. She 
 shouted aloud, and called on all the world to 
 join her in the high praises of God."* 
 
 * Miss B was afterwards married to Mr. E — s, 
 
 of Derby, a gentleman of high respectability, and she 
 maintained through life an unblemished and exem- 
 plary character. She died in May, 1810, triumphing 
 over the last enemy. Her afflicted husband wrote to 
 Mr. Longden, desiring him to preach her funeral ser- 
 mon. " She always," he observes, *' considered you
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 115 
 
 They visited several societies in the circuit, 
 and in every place the same work of the alarm- 
 ing awakenings and speedy conversions was 
 experienced. At Arnold many were saved, and 
 praised God with joyful lips. At Basford, tlie 
 Spirit of God was as fire among dry stubble. 
 After preaching, they continued in prayer 
 
 as her .spiritual father, and I feel persuaded that your 
 visit would be made a great blessing to the people." 
 
 The folloM'ing is Mr. Longden's answer: — 
 
 " My Dear Brother E , 
 
 "Your favour of yesterday has deeply affected my 
 mind with a sense of your bereavement, and my own 
 loss, as well as the loss which the church and the world 
 have sustained b}^ the death of your dear partner. Sis- 
 ter E was to you a faithful and an affectionate 
 
 wife, a lovely and a sweet companion ! She was to me 
 a dearly beloved child ! I have not once thought of her 
 since the day of her conversion, but Avith heartfelt 
 emotions of pleasure, and spiritual profit. To the 
 church she was a bright example of burning love and 
 flaming zeal : and to the world she was a Moses in the 
 gap! 
 
 " But she is gone, to return no more to this sad state 
 of mortality. O ! how empty, how transient, how un- 
 certain are all things here ! Let us not forget that her 
 heavenly Father, that her and our adorable Redeemer, 
 has called her home from a state of exile. Let us lay 
 our hand upon our mouth with this assurance, 1 was 
 not worthy of such a wife ! I was not worthy of such 
 a child ! Our loss is her infinite gain. She is for 
 ever seated on the Redeemer's throi.e, crowned with 
 unfading glory ! 
 
 " 1 am sorry I cannot comply with your request on 
 account of extreme indisposition : and had I been well, 
 1 fear my feelings would have so overpowered me, as 
 to have rendered me absolutely unfit to undertake to 
 improve her death to the living. 
 " I am, &c., &.C. 
 
 " Henry Longden."
 
 ] 16 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 some hours, pleading with God for those who 
 were crying, " God be merciful to us sinners." 
 It cannot yet be forgotten that all who kneeled 
 at one form, in the same moment, received the 
 witness of pardon, and at once gave glory to 
 God. 
 
 Mr. Longden, in his sermon that night, 
 asserted, " instead of lewd songs being heard 
 in the factory, soon there would be hymns of 
 praise sung in every room." i\Iuch as the pro- 
 prietor and managers doubted the truth of this, 
 they found this was the beginning of good days. 
 The work of God spread with rapid progress ; 
 and presently they joyfully witnessed the banish- 
 ment of carnal songs from the factory, and no- 
 thing was heard throughout the place but the 
 songs of Zion. " He that sitteth upon the 
 throne, saith, Behold I will make all things 
 new." 
 
 It would fill a volume to relate all the in- 
 stances of good which he was made the hum- 
 ble instrument of to individuals and societies, 
 by arbitrating causes, settling differences, and 
 reconciling former friends ; as M'ell as by seek- 
 ing poor wandering sinners, and bringing them 
 to Jesus Christ. His great study, his constant 
 aim, and his daily prayers, were directed to the 
 same end, — the revival and prosperity of the 
 work of God. 
 
 We will conclude this chapter by subjoining 
 his own account of his journey to Whit worth, 
 in Lancashire. 
 
 Some years ago, being afflicted with a very
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 117 
 
 dano;eroiis complaint, I was advised to apply to 
 the Whitworth doctors, by whose advice and 
 operations I received great relief. In this 
 place I found myself surrounded with the halt 
 and the maimed. I could not eat any thing 
 with the least appetite, for the smell of 
 wounds and the sight of suffering objects, in 
 almost every form of misery. Removed from 
 the means of grace, and the society of my 
 friends and family, and being very feeble, of- 
 ten languishing with pain, I thought it was 
 high time to resolve upon something to recruit 
 my sinking spirits, either to return home, or 
 to begin to labour publicly with my remnant of 
 strength, by preaching to these poor sufferers. 
 I resolved upon the latter, and obtained the use 
 of a large room, and many heard the word, I 
 trust with lasting benefit. In the exercise of 
 watering these, my own soul was often watered. 
 Now the cheering presence of God made all 
 things easy ; my appetite returned, and I 
 gained strength daily. 
 
 One day as I was seated in a front room 
 of the house where I lodged, reading my Bible, 
 an emaciated man passed slowly by, supported 
 by crutches. I rfiised my head, and caught a 
 glance of a most wistful look from the man. I 
 began to read again, but I found my attention 
 was disturbed with thoughts of the man. I 
 felt an involuntary aflection for the poor suf- 
 ferer ! I could read no more. I thought, 1 
 will go and find him, and converse with him, 
 and sec what this meaneth. I found he had
 
 118 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 just arrived at his lodgings, and was seated in 
 his chair. 
 
 I addressed him as follows : — " My dear 
 friend, you appear to be very ill, and likely soon 
 to leave the world." He said, " Yes, sir, I ex- 
 pect to be discharged by the doctor to-day, 
 and sent home to die." I asked him, " Are you 
 prepared to die ?" " No," he resumed, " I 
 have neglected my soul all my life. My home 
 is a little farm near York. By great industry 
 and frugaUty I have supported my family with 
 credit ; but this has been my chief care ! I 
 have not been devoted to God, and alas ! I fear 
 now there is but little hope of my ever getting 
 to heaven." After I had spoken to him at 
 some length, with much enlargement, by way 
 of instruction and exhortation, I prayed with 
 him and left him. 
 
 About six the next morning a messenger 
 came in haste, desiring me to visit the poor 
 afdicted man. I found him in an agony of dis- 
 tress. Inquiring into the cause of his sorrow, 
 he said, " I am heart-broken, if ever man was : 
 I used to think it almost impossible to bear the 
 pain of my leg ; but I have forgotten my leg in 
 the greater anguish of my mind. O, sir, I have 
 not had a moment's ease since you were here. 
 I am lost ! I am lost ! I am so great a sinner, 
 I despair of mercy." I offered him all the en- 
 couragement and help which the gospel offers, 
 and assured him God would make him as happy 
 as he could live ; and I hoped it would be that 
 morning. I, and a friend who was with me,
 
 LIFE OK LONGnEN. 119 
 
 prayed alternately. The man joined us witli 
 all possible tervour, crying aloud for mercy. 
 Shortly his despair was gone. He said, " Lord, 
 thou wilt pardon me." His faith increasing, 
 he said, " liord, I feel thou wilt pardon me now;^^ 
 and very soon after, faith was victorious, and 
 mercy triumphant ; he broke out in loud praises 
 and thanksgiving to God. 
 
 W hen he rose from his knees, he said, " Nov/ 
 I am happy, and I am willing to die when it 
 shall please God to call me ; only I shall be 
 thankful if the liOrd please to permit me to see 
 my wife and children, that I may tell them 
 what he has done for my soul, and that I may 
 give them a dying charge to seek the Lord 
 without delay, and devote themselves to God ; 
 but if he appoint otherwise, I here resign my- 
 self to his will." 
 
 I said to him, " My good friend, I will tell 
 you a secret. It was God who sent me to 
 seek you ; for after I saw your poor meager 
 face, as you passed my windov/, I felt such a 
 love to you, and a desire to converse with you, 
 that the Lord constrained me to go in search 
 of you, and to God alone you must give the 
 glory of your salvation." 
 
 He replied, " xind, sir, I will tell you a se- 
 cret : from the first moment that I saw you in 
 this town, I loved you even better than I loved 
 my own wife. I have followed you in the 
 street, to have the pleasure of treading in the 
 same place that you did ; and I have gone past 
 the window of the room where you sit a hun
 
 120 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 dred times, that I might look at you. Yea, 
 and the more the people said against your 
 preaching and praying, the more I loved you. 
 But O !" he said, " how I shall love you in 
 heaven, only less than Jesus Christ." The fol- 
 lowing day we had a nwst tender and affec. 
 tionate parting — till we meet to part no more \ 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 His Experience, as exiracted from his Diarj'. 
 
 January 1, 1798. We have had a blessed 
 visitation at our covenant meeting this even- 
 ing. Many were not able to stand under the 
 overwhelming power of the Spirit, but fell down. 
 Some were pardoned, others were healed, and 
 cried, " Glory, glory be to God in the highest." 
 I do most deliberately and heartily covenant 
 to be devoted to Christ in life and in death. 
 
 2. This morning at my band, brother T m 
 
 was filled with the love of God. Our four 
 friends from Nottingham are returning home, 
 determined to cleave to God and each other, 
 praying and labouring for a revival of the work 
 of God in the conversion of sinners. 
 
 Sunday, 7. I was much humbled while hear- 
 ing brother P. from Rom. xii, 1. I trust I see 
 fully the will of God concerning me. 
 
 8. I have tbund much profit to-day in visiting 
 the sick. W. L. is resigned and happy. J. E. 
 is in an uncertain state. W. B. is yet una- 
 wakened. J. S. is kept in perfect peace. H. T»
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 121 
 
 is poor and happy ; and B. W. is in the clefts 
 of the rock. O ! the vanity of the creature, 
 and the importance and excellence of religion 
 in life and in death ! 
 
 9. My mind has been oppressed to-day with 
 the languor of my body ; but I drank of the 
 refreshing streams in my class. I was led to 
 speak of the manner of my enduring in pa- 
 tience, or conquering by faith, which proved 
 a general blessing. 
 
 14. I was aroused and quickened while hear- 
 ing Mr. W. from Luke xiii, 9. He spoke of 
 our advantages as Englishmen, as Methodists, 
 and as Sheffield Methodists, on whom God had 
 poured out his Spirit abundantly ; and the 
 consequent and proportionate fruit which was 
 expected and required, fruit to perfection, which 
 should remain. I met J. Robert's class after 
 dinner. I was much blessed among them ; 
 they are truly alive : several found pardon. I 
 had a good time at family prayer in the even- 
 ing, and retired in peace with a grateful heart. 
 
 15. I found B. W. in a heavenly frame, in 
 constant union with God ; may my soul, like 
 his, evermore be conformed to the image of 
 God in all things. 
 
 16. We had a time of much love and union 
 at my band ; it appears, unless I labour hard, 
 I shall be left far behind. At J. Berwick's 
 class, he was delivered from all his doubts, and 
 the people were made alive. May they add to 
 their faith diligence. 
 
 17. J. Finningley's class, I trust, is aUve to
 
 123 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 God. The leader was quickened, and several 
 of ihe members were fully sanctified to God, and 
 my own soul was blessed in the midst of them. 
 
 18. I met with the preachers and some 
 others, to consider the best manner of conduct- 
 ing the work of God, that the revival might 
 continue and increase. We concluded in peace 
 and unanimity. In the evening Mr. B. preach- 
 ed from Psa. cxxxiii, 1, much to the purpose, 
 and very satisfactorily. 
 
 19. Attended the committee of the intended 
 Sunday school. There was perfect harmony, 
 and much prayer for the blessing of God. I 
 thank my God for assurance and peace within, 
 
 22. I was much profited while hearing Mr. 
 B. upon evil speaking, and was strengthened 
 in every former resolution, to use all the cir- 
 cumspection and self-denial which the gospel 
 requires. I was comforted to-night, by seeing 
 an old woman made happy by the forgiveness 
 of her sins. 
 
 23. The divine presence was manifestly 
 among us at Mr. B.'s this morning. W. S. 
 professed to be cleansed from all sin. I had a 
 painful time at W. H.'s class in the evening. 
 1 found him prejudiced against what he for- 
 merly professed, — holiness of heart. No wonder 
 that his people had imbibed the same prejudices. 
 
 27. We had an outpouring of the Spirit at 
 the select bands to-night. An itinerant 
 preacher and three others came from Ashby- 
 de-la-Zouch. There was a happy strife who 
 had most cause to praise the Lord.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 123 
 
 Sunday, 28. Mr. M. preached this morning 
 from love ; he had much good matter. If this 
 excellent man would labour for a better arrange- 
 ment, and would adopt a less violent action, he 
 would be one of the greatest lights I have 
 known. In the forenoon I heard 3Ir. G. S. 
 How wonderfully this man outruns in zeal and 
 usefulness many of his superiors in knowledge. 
 The excellency of the power is of God. On the 
 whole, I have had a good day. 
 
 29. The Lord condescends to make increas- 
 ing discoveries to me of his nature and his 
 will. May I praise him with every breath ! 
 
 30. This has been a day of peace, and in 
 my class a season of triumph. Many souls 
 were blessed, and two strangers experienced 
 the mercy of God. 
 
 31. Set off to visit the churches. The 
 friends saw me ride into Chapel-in-le-Frith, 
 and instantly ran through the town to publish 
 for preaching at seven. We had a precious 
 time ; I trust lasting good was done. To thee, 
 O Father, be all the glory. 
 
 February 1. Dined with Mr. R. at Maccles- 
 field. He is a man of God. Mr. L. is offend- 
 ed with noisy meetings. I returned to Chapel- 
 in-le-Frith in the evening, and heard a promis- 
 ing young man, who will make a useful preacher, 
 with much prayer and study. We continued 
 in prayer after preaching, and the power of 
 God was present to heal. 
 
 2. Returning, I called at Hathersage, and 
 spent an hour in prayer with several of my
 
 124 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 dear friends, I trust not in vain. I got safe 
 home to dinner. I thank my God for his pro- 
 tection, and every supply in Christ Jesus. 
 May my future days be fully devoted to God ! 
 
 Sunday, 4. Met Owlerton class: it was a 
 time of breaking down, and of building up. 
 One man was pardoned, and several were sane 
 tified. The Spirit of love was so poured upon 
 us, that we scarcely could part. This Sabbath 
 has been at once a foretaste and a preparative 
 for the Sabbath above. 
 
 6. I have this day completed my forty-fourth 
 year. Pause, O my soul ! look backward and 
 forward. Many important stages, and many 
 of the busy, active scenes of life, are gone for 
 ever. What hast thou been doing for these 
 more than twenty years of thy Christian pro- 
 fession ? What a want of zeal in the cause of 
 religion ! How little thou hast attained of the 
 heights of heavenly love, the depths of profound 
 humility, the breadth of spirituality, and the 
 length of burning charity ! Thou art swiftly 
 passing into eternity ! Surely, then, what thy 
 hand tindeth to do, should be done with thy 
 might. Every power should be exerted, and 
 every faculty devoted to God. Give me faith 
 which cannot be denied, give me power which 
 every heart shall feel. In every public exer- 
 cise, give me souls : in every company, let 
 every word be with grace, " seasoned unth 
 salt.^' Surely the year upon which I am now 
 entering will be abundantly crowned with the 
 blessing of God. The Lord be merciful to me,
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 125 
 
 and help me to " give all diligence," to use all 
 
 activity, " redeeming the time." 
 1 9. I shall be much exposed to-day ; the Lord 
 ] direct and preserve me. I have experienced 
 ( his love and guardian care ; and blessed be my 
 
 God and King. 
 1 Sunday il. This morning we have begun a 
 [Sunday school. Many brethren and sisters 
 I offered their services as teachers, and m.any 
 (children were admitted. The presence of the 
 |;Lord was eminently among us. Surely this 
 I is a good beginning of a great and good work. 
 i In the evening 1 heard brother N. at Crooke's, 
 1 with much pleasure; may he be clothed with 
 I humility. Afterwards I gave an exhortation, 
 ' with some enlargement. 
 
 13. We had much of the power of God at 
 
 Mr. Beet's class ; many were filled with love, 
 ' and my unworthy soul was very happy. 
 
 15. The Lord has quickened my soul to- 
 I day : may I press towards the mark, and never, 
 1 never faint. 
 I 20. Spent this afternoon with Samuel 
 
 Hewitt : he is very ill, and very happy. 
 'i 21. We had a precious season at brother C. 
 li Hodgson's class : O how happy ! Glory be 
 (I to God for ever ! 
 
 j' 22. I had much liberty in family prayer 
 I this morning. Mr. W. was endued with the 
 (^ spirit of his work in preaching to-night, from 
 I' " Be careful for nothing," &c. 
 
 ' 24. My union with God is increasing : 
 ), blessed be his holy name. I have spent most
 
 126 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 of the day visiting the sick. I shall not soon 
 forget my interview with Joseph Sheldon. 
 He has been a sincere, uniform servant of God, 
 among the Methodists, about fifty years, and 
 he bus enjoyed the perfect love of God for 
 thirty years. I do not wonder that God is 
 now so eminently with his servant, opening his 
 prospects to the regions of day, and giving 
 him ravishing foretastes of his inheritance 
 above. 
 
 Sunday 25. Two boys were converted at 
 school to-day. These are first fruits unto God, 
 certain pledges of a glorious harvest of souls. 
 " On all the earth thy Spirit shower;" from 
 the least unto the greatest. This has been a 
 day of inward triumph in God. 
 
 26. There was great harmony in the 
 preachers' meeting : they are alive to God, 
 and we have a prospect of great good through- 
 out the circuit. 
 
 23. The Lord is giving me clearer views 
 of his fulness, and of my emptiness : may I 
 press unto salvation. 
 
 March 6. I have had a good day, and a 
 blessed class-meeting at night. One young 
 woman found mercy. 
 
 7. A national fast. This has been a day of 
 real humiliation in public and in private. I had 
 great comfort in leading brother Froggart's 
 class. 
 
 9. I have experienced uncommon nearness 
 to God all this day, and great enlargement 
 in prayer.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 127 
 
 10. Rode to Eyam, and settled the chapel 
 deeds in great peace. 
 
 11. Preached at Eyam and Bradwell : here 
 
 are prospects of much good. The two K s 
 
 had their backsHdings healed. 
 
 12. Mr. W. spoke plainly and affectionately 
 fr» im, " Lovest thou me ?" In the evening I 
 heard an occasional sermon in the dissenting 
 chapel which my parents used to take me to : 
 how my heart glows with gratitude for my 
 superior privileges among the Methodists ! 
 
 20. In the band we sought an increase of 
 humility as the heart of one man : to have 
 meaner and more abasing views of ourselves, 
 seeking in all things to exalt the Saviour. 
 
 22. Dined at Whitley-wood : a fine atmo- 
 sphere without, and heavenly tranquillity with- 
 in. Mr. B. in the evening spoke plainly upon 
 cleanliness, as composing part of godliness. 
 
 25. My body has been low, but my mind 
 has been graciously visited. 
 
 26. Glory be to God, I am better this 
 morning ; may this be a day of close union 
 with God. Mr. Wood preached S. Hewitt's 
 funeral sermon, from Psa. cxvi, 15. It will not 
 soon be forgotten. 
 
 28. I rode over to Rotherham, to see Mrs. 
 Green. In the midst of sore afflictions, long 
 confinement, and loss of her worldly goods, she 
 is all resignation, all patience, all meekness, 
 overflowing with heavenly love. I was inde- 
 scribably happy while I heard her gracious 
 words. What a holy ambition has this venera-
 
 128 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 ble saint to be conformed to the image of her 
 dear Lord in all things.'^ 
 
 April 8. Many souls were saved to-day at 
 Rotherham love-feast. Our God is pouring 
 his Spirit upon all around us. Our preachers 
 are filled with life, and inflamed with zeal, and 
 we have prosperity through the circuit. O 
 Lord, send a general shower of grace over all 
 the thirsty land : yea, let the earth be covered 
 with righteousness, and all flesh see thy sal- 
 vation. 
 
 9. My soul is drinking into the fulness of 
 God. O, what days of grace are these ! The 
 word and ordinances of God are exceedingly 
 precious. 
 
 10. Several strangers and brethren were at 
 my band this morning. We were baptized with 
 the tire of the Holy Ghost. Our Nottingham 
 friends are returning, filled with love, and 
 peace, and joy. 
 
 17. The Lord screens me in the day of bat- 
 tle ; and he supports me in my frequent attacks 
 of pain and weakness — in pain all is well. 
 
 23. I had a pleasant journey to Edgehill, 
 and found my daughters well at school. A 
 watch-night was held in the neighbourhood : 
 in the evening I unexpectedly found my dear 
 friends, Tatham and Brewster, there. We re- 
 joiced to meet, especially as we witnessed the 
 
 * It is a lamentable circumstance that no memoirs 
 •were written of this great and good woman, that her 
 virtues were not recorded for the example of ages to 
 come.
 
 LIFE OF LOXGDEN. 129 
 
 salvation of several. We met at Miss Ward's 
 to breakfast, next morning, and, I trust, v/e 
 spent a few hours to mutual edification. From 
 thence I rode to Buckland-hollovv to dine ; and 
 had a season never to be forgotten. In the 
 evening I was restored to the bosom of my fa- 
 mily in peace. Glory be to my God and King ! 
 I May 18. I have been a tour of near three 
 » weeks to Hull, York, Leeds, &c,, with Mr. J. 
 'V/., for the benefit of my health: I hope we 
 have left a savour of grace in every place. I 
 am returned better in health. Blessed be God 
 ' for every mercy ! 
 
 1 20. Preached to-day at Thorpe, with liberty 
 and enlargement, but was much exhausted. I 
 { must give up public labour, or die. 
 
 June 12. Mr. B. and I have been fourteen 
 (days at Nottingham. The hand of the Lord 
 ! was with us : many believed and were saved — 
 some from the guilt, and others from the domi- 
 I nion of sin. May they bring forth much fruit 
 .unto thy glory ! 
 
 , 19. G. Kirby has made a good finish, by a 
 I triumphant death. There are few days that pass 
 I without my witnessing the triumphs of Christ 
 .'over Satan, by the pardon of sinners, or the 
 I full salvation of believers. " O Jesus ! ride on 
 'till all are subdued!" 
 
 I, 23. I possess a heaven-born peace without 
 interruption. I have good reason to conclude 
 I the Lord is extending his work within. I am 
 j going to the select bands : O God ! meet and 
 I bless me there ! 
 ) 9
 
 130 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 Sunday, July 1. I am the Lord's prisoner 
 to-day, being confined by an acute pain in my 
 kidneys. I adore the Lord, who gives me per- 
 fect resignation to his will. 
 
 3. This quarterly meeting of the preachers 
 far exceeded every other that any preacher 
 present ever witnessed, in a fulness of love and 
 glorious power. IMr. W. wished to speak bis 
 experience, but he could not, he was so much 
 affected. Mr. B. was so dissolved and over- 
 powered, that he could not pray : and Mr. P. 
 shouted. Glory ! glory ! glory to God in the 
 highest ! 
 
 All the local preachers (two excepted) had 
 a clear evidence of sanctification, and those 
 two received the blessing before we parted. 
 What may we not expect the coming quarter? 
 
 5. M. Pier de Pontavice is residing with us 
 a few weeks : he is a French emigrant, who 
 has travelled some time with Dr. Coke : he 
 was perfected in love to-night at the select 
 bands.* 
 
 26. I have been with Mr. B. a week into 
 the Derbyshire part of the circuit. This ser- 
 vant of God is owned and succeeded by God 
 wherever he goes. I have been drinking larger 
 draughts of the love of God. I want to be 
 filled, actuated, and inflamed with this con- 
 tinually. 
 
 I have been much engaged with God in 
 
 * There is an interesting account of his death in the 
 34th volume of the Methodist Magazine. He was a 
 man of amiable manners and fervent piety.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 131 
 
 prayer these few days for my wife's father, 
 who is evidently sick unto death. From the 
 first day of our joining the Methodists, he has 
 not had any union with us. To-day, blessed 
 be God ! his Pharisaic opinions are gone, and 
 he acknowledges himself a guilty sinner, and 
 looks for pardon by the merits of Christ. 
 
 27. To-day my father Wood made the fol- 
 lowing confession : — " From the time of your 
 conversion to the present, I have watched your 
 conduct attentively, and have long been con- 
 vinced that you were right, and that I was 
 wrong. ''^ He spends most of his time praying 
 for mercy upon an old sinner. 
 
 28. This morning I asked him if the Lord 
 was precious to his soul : he replied, " Yes, he 
 is, blessed be God !" He does not pray for 
 pardon, as he did yesterday, but his mouth is 
 filled with praises to the God of his salvation. 
 About twelve o'clock he died, and we trust he 
 entered into rest. May this miracle of grace 
 be made a blessing to the whole family ! 
 
 August 3. 1 am not certain whether I visit 
 the fatherless and widows in distress as much 
 as I ought to do. Here is my difficulty : as 
 soon as I increase my labour I increase my 
 disorder. Glad should I be to know and do the 
 will of God in all things. 
 
 6. I had a glorious season yesterday at our 
 annual love-feast in the Woodlands. Many 
 souls were overwhelmed with God. 
 
 8. Thou knowest, God ! my desire. I 
 want to feel bowels of compassion for perish.
 
 133 LIFE or LONGDEN. 
 
 ing men ; then shall I labour in every place, 
 by every means, to snatch them as brands out 
 of the fire, and compel them to come in, that 
 thy house may be filled. 
 
 September 8. On Tuesday, the fourth, my 
 son William appeared to be seized with a cold ; 
 on Wednesday, being worse, we sent for a 
 doctor : he suspected danger, and ordered him 
 to be bled with leeches. On Thursday he told 
 us his disorder was water in the brain, and 
 that he had no hope of his recovery. On Fri- 
 day I set otf early to fetch home E. and H. 
 from school, and arrived at home about tive in 
 the afternoon. I found that, after six hours' 
 hard struggling in convulsions, about one at 
 noon, my dear little lamb was admitted into 
 the celestial city. I thank thee, O God ! for 
 enabling thy poor worm to say, " The Lord 
 gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and 
 blessed be the name of the Lord !" 
 
 29. When I am stronger in body, I have a 
 return of activity and a flow of energy. I am 
 mercifully preserved from sinking into discou- 
 ragement when I am weak and poorly. The 
 one state is more pleasant than the other ; but 
 the least pleasant is not the least profitable. 
 
 October 20. I see it is possible for me to be 
 more fully devoted to God, growing continually 
 in personal holiness. O God ! leave not thy 
 unworthy servant, but save me to the utter- 
 most. 
 
 21. I have been considering my privileges: 
 I am fearful my improvement bears no proper-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 133 
 
 tion to them. Search my soul, O God : surely 
 it is not leaky, losing the good received ; for, 
 after all I have received, I am constrained to 
 say, 
 
 " A point my good, a drop my store, 
 Eager I aslr, and pant for more." 
 
 Sunday 28. A day of blessings. Mr. M. 
 preached in the morning from, " The first re- 
 surrection ;" in the evening from, " Behold now 
 is the accepted time," &;c. ; he had great liberty. 
 Many found peace. 
 
 November 7. I have apparently been gain- 
 ing strength of body. I was encouraged there- 
 by, on Sunday, to preach once more. But I 
 vvas so exhausted afterwards as to be obliged to 
 lie down, nor could I hold up the following 
 da)'. " Father, thy only will be done." 
 
 December 2. I have been much blessed in 
 the company of Mr. B. the last week, who has 
 been over to beg for Nottingham chapel. It 
 was pleasant to witness how cheerfully and 
 liberally the friends contributed ; many of them 
 were in danger of giving beyond their ability. 
 O God, keep thy dust in an humble, thankful, 
 waiting frame, trampling down every enemy, 
 and eagerly desiring all thy salvation. 
 
 8. I groan in this body, being burdened. 
 When shall I quit this tenement of clay ? By 
 faith and 'patience we must inherit heaven, the 
 consummation of all the promises. 
 
 9. The refreshing streams flowed into my 
 soul to-night under Mr. W., from, " What lack
 
 134 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 I yet ?" O God, be thou my centre, my all and 
 in all. 
 
 13. I have been blessed several times to 
 day while conversing and praying with my 
 family. Surely we shall all meet in heaven ! 
 
 18. We had a memorable band-meeting this 
 morning, and an affecting parting with Mr. B. 
 We were all dissolved in love ! May Thotd fast 
 wheremito I have attained. Amen. 
 
 January 17, 1799. I have been sixteen 
 days at Nottingham. Mrs. T. is a miracle of 
 grace. Mrs. B. and Miss R. are active and 
 useful, and most of my dear friends are press- 
 ing forward. I was much affected with Mr. 
 B.'s great kindness to me. I hope to profit 
 much by his advice and example. The Lord 
 reward him a thousandfold into his own bosom. 
 
 31. This has been a month of happiness and 
 prosperity : may every succeeding month be 
 even as this, and more abundant. I only want 
 to live for this, to get more of the image of God. 
 
 February 20. Tribulation is inseparable from 
 the present life. I have been exposed to danger 
 by several worldly things, but I found God to be 
 all-sufficient. His word is truth, and his peace 
 fills and rules my heart. 
 
 March 25. Our love-feast to-day was rather 
 flat ; there was not much good speaking ; nei- 
 ther was there any of the power of God. O my 
 God, take thy own work into thy hands, and 
 soon let the wliole world bow to thy sway ! 
 
 April 23. I have had a week of sore con- 
 flict. When I am low and inactive the enemy
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 135 
 
 comes in as a flood. But I can appeal to God, 
 and say, " Thou knowest the way that I take." 
 I quietly leave the result of all to God. 
 
 30. Our High Priest is touched with a feel- 
 ing of our infirmities : he knows how to suc- 
 cour, and when to deliver, his tempted followers. 
 Again I feel his cheering presence comforting 
 my soul. All glory to God ! 
 
 May 28. I have been fourteen days with 
 Mr. W. at Hull. I have felt a measure of the 
 blessedness of those who hunger and thirst for 
 God. 
 
 June 17. My union with God is without in- 
 terruption ; but I cannot rest in this. Who 
 can fathom that expression of our apostle, 
 « And be filled with all the fulness of God ?" 
 
 July 15. I want an increasing conviction 
 of my littleness and dependence, my unworthi- 
 ness and vileness, before God. Nothing less 
 than such a conviction will make me " press 
 toward the mark for the j^rize of my high call- 
 ing of God in Christ Jesus." 
 
 August 26. My afflictions inform me, I Uve 
 upon the borders of eternity. This prevents 
 me encumbering myself unnecessarily with 
 worldly things, and suggests the necessity of 
 having my wings ready trimmed for a flight to 
 Abraham's bosom. As my body sinks my soul 
 rises. 
 
 October 3. My soul, through mercy, is get- 
 ting forward better than ever ; and my family, 
 who lie near my heart, are more devoted to 
 God than heretofore. H.'s letters from Lincoln-
 
 136 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 shire have been made a blessing to us. O may 
 our dear, dear children be entirely given up to 
 God, that we may spend together a whole eter- 
 nity of praise ! 
 
 July 20, 1801. We had a glorious day at 
 Eckington love-feast yesterday. It was a sea- 
 son of great good. Many spoke with simplicity 
 and divine power. Several were delivered from 
 the burden of guilt. 
 
 August 19. Returned from an excursion to 
 Spen, Bradford, Leeds, York, Hull, and Gains- 
 borough. I have seen signs and wonders 
 wrought, the arm of the Lord made bare. And 
 I experienced the truth of that declaration, 
 " He that watereth shall be watered himself." 
 My health is also improved, and I intend to 
 devote it all to thee, my God. 
 
 March 27, 1802. My soul is kept in per- 
 fect peace and purity. Our drooping expecta- 
 tions in the church, I think, were revived on 
 Thursday night, while I spoke from Rom. v, 3-5. 
 Last night we had a*Iively prayer-meeting, and 
 ■we expect a shower of grace in the love-feast 
 to-morrow. Our dear brother Miller is expect, 
 ed here to preach, for the benefit of the Bene- 
 volent Society. May the Lord work mightily 
 by his servant ! 
 
 April 1. I feel a power always to give all to 
 God, and to maintain a sweet living union with 
 God. But O ! 1 want more life and energy ; 
 and, in order to that, more earnestness and 
 diligence.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 137 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 The subsequent part of his life, containing an ac- 
 count of his affliction in 1807. 
 
 For more than twenty years after Mr. Long- 
 den became a member of the Methodist society, 
 he enjoyed an ahnost uninterrupted state of 
 good health. He was remarkable for muscular 
 strength and activity, as well as for a regular 
 flow of cheerfulness and sweetness of temper. 
 The natural and divine ability v/hich was given 
 him he employed in the work of God, v/ith 
 zeal for his honour, and love to the souls of 
 men, bought with the precious blood of the Son 
 of God. 
 
 At length his constitution and strength be- 
 gan to fail. Various infirmities appeared in 
 succession : the relaxed nerve, the trembling 
 hand, and the feeble step. By the number of 
 his years, he might have been reckoned to be 
 in the zenith of his strength, but he felt the 
 approach of a premature old age. He some- 
 times said, " It is new work for me to learn to 
 "walk slower up hill than down hill." After 
 preaching twice on a Sabbath, he began to 
 have feverish, restless nights, and he did not 
 usually recover from the fatigue of that ex- 
 ercise till the middle of the week. He was 
 now convinced that he ought to regulate his 
 delivery in the pulpit, and that he might speak 
 as clearly and impressively in a low as in an 
 elevated tone of voice : and that, if he could
 
 138 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 acquire a calm and deliberate enunciation, he 
 might continue to preach without much injury 
 to himself. 
 
 No man ever resolved more firmly, or strove 
 more uniformly, to comply with his own injunc- 
 tions, in this respect, than he did ; yet when in 
 the pulpit, in the midst of his work, the hea- 
 venly fire kindling, his rules and restrictions 
 were consumed as stubble, and he laboured as 
 though he was preaching his last sermon. He 
 used to say, " My horse ran away with me." 
 Such were his views of the vast worth of souls, 
 that he would not have hesitated to die in tiie 
 pulpit if, by that means, he might become the 
 instrument of their salvation. From the time 
 of his preaching the funeral sermon of James 
 Mallinson, he was never able regularly to take 
 his full work in the plan. 
 
 " I must give over preaching," he says in 
 his diary, '• or die :" and he was obliged to re- 
 linquish his pleasant work altogether for a sea- 
 son. But see the man of God! if he cannot be 
 useful in one way, he will, if possible, be so in 
 another. Mr. L. could only preach with his 
 whole soul, and therefore he could not preach 
 at all, but he could lead classes : he accordingly 
 visited all the classes in the town and its vici- 
 nity, difi"using the divine savour wherever he 
 went. We have seen his remarks on some of 
 these visitations. 
 
 He regularly rose about five o'clock in sum- 
 mer, and at six in winter. He appropriated 
 thehoin-5j b.?fore breakfast to devotion j esteem-
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 139 
 
 ing them the best part of the day, as most con. 
 genial to worship. He was not then Hable to 
 interruption, nor was his mind engaged in the 
 duties of the day. He soared on the v/ings of 
 contemplation ; and was admitted by the blood 
 of Christ into the most holy place, to hold com- 
 munion with his God. Thus he began his days, 
 by quiet meditation, fervent prayer, and a de- 
 votional reading of the Scriptures. Nor did he 
 dare to enter upon the duties, the dangers, or 
 the sufferings of the day, without renewing his 
 covenant engagements. Being filled with the 
 Spirit, he went forth into the world with cau- 
 tious, wary steps. 
 
 His forenoons were generally spent in exer- 
 cise in the air, and in visiting — not those in 
 affluent and easy circumstances ; but he sought 
 Christ in his poor members, in the abodes of 
 adversity, and the houses of affliction and 
 mourning ; removing their despondency, and 
 heightening their pious joys. Scores, perhaps 
 hundreds, of those whom he conducted by his 
 friendly attentions to the verge of heaven have 
 hailed him on the celestial shore. 
 
 His afternoons, if not prevented by any ap- 
 pointment, were spent in his study. His library 
 was a collection of the writings of the best 
 English divines ; and he made them his own, 
 as far as, in his views, they accorded with the 
 infallible truth of God. He used prayer in all 
 things, but especially in study. From a child 
 he knew the Scriptures in general; but now 
 he studied every part of revelation with close
 
 140 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 attention. His younger brethren have often 
 found him able and willing to direct their stu- 
 dies, and point out the best manner of useful- 
 ness in the church and in the pulpit. 
 
 In his visits to dinner or tea, (which were 
 not frequent,) his rule was, to pray in every 
 house, and to direct all his words to their edi- 
 fication. All chit-chat and slanderous conver- 
 sation were banished wherever he came, and 
 he left uppermost in the minds of the people a 
 sense of eternity and the pleasure of true 
 religion. 
 
 Every evening in the year, if his health 
 would permit, v.as occupied with the public 
 means of grace ; either preaching, or class, or 
 band, or select band. It was his confident be- 
 lief, that no religious body on earth was equal 
 to the Methodists in religious privileges ; and 
 he laboured diligently to " occupy till the Lord 
 should come," that none of his opportunities 
 might rise up in judgment to condemn him. In 
 fine, he spent his days in holiness and happi- 
 ness, in devotedness and usefulness. His 
 continued weakness and frequent pain called 
 every grace into exercise ; in the crucible he 
 was tried, and made white, and purified. 
 
 When his health was restored a little, he 
 renewed his exertions in preaching, which were 
 always followed by a relapse of his former 
 "Weakness and suffering. When he had not 
 strength to preach, he often attended the Sun- 
 day school as a spiritual instructer, and he saw 
 fruit of his labour in this way. Indeed, his
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 141 
 
 grateful heart would be employed some way for 
 God ; and when his strength failed him for one 
 kind of usefulness, he sought out another. 
 
 After a series of time, however, it pleased 
 the Lord so far to raise and restore him to 
 health, that he was able to preach once on the 
 Lord's day. With what pleasure he went forth 
 again to declare the unsearchable riches of 
 Christ : it was his meat and his drink, the joy 
 and delight of his heart. He continued to 
 labour thus for several years, sometimes ven- 
 turing to preach twice on a day, but never 
 without injury to himself. 
 
 In the night of December 16, 1807, he was 
 aw^oke in bed by a pain, which he could only 
 compare to boiling liquid metal in his bowels. 
 He leaped out of bed, sought for ease in every 
 posture, in bed, out of bed. rolling upon 
 the floor, &c., but all in vain. His body 
 sweat at every pore ! Medical help was called 
 in immediately, and, after some hours, which 
 seemed like ages of misery, a little ease was 
 obtained. 
 
 The professional gentlemen entertained hopes 
 of his recovery until Sunday, the twentieth, 
 when, early in the morning, he had a relapse. 
 He struggled with the pain some time before 
 he would suffer any help to be called in. 
 When the doctors arrived, it was evident they 
 had no hope ; notwithstanding they made every 
 effort. 
 
 The opinion of the doctors was soon spread 
 through the town. Public prayers were most
 
 142 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 devoutly offered up to almighty God, by the 
 whole congregation to spare his useful life ; if 
 consistent with divine wisdom. But all appear, 
 ed in vain. His body was convulsed all the 
 day, and his triumphant spirit appeared to be 
 receding from a suffering world below. He 
 took an affectionate leave of his dear wife and 
 children, and many of his intimate friends : 
 others snatched a parting glance from between 
 the curtains. 
 
 I have transcribed from my diary the follow- 
 ing sayings, which he uttered at intervals while 
 he lay upon the bed of languishing. The for- 
 mer part of the time he was frequently in an 
 agony of excruciating pain, but with an open- 
 ing view of an eternal world. 
 
 Decemher 20, 1807. Tossing in bed, and 
 not able to lie a minute, without seeking a new 
 posture, he said with triumph, " Let God be 
 glorified ; what does it signify whether we have 
 ease or pain, up or down, (in bed,) whether in 
 health or sickness, lite or death." 
 
 To J. D. he said, " Eternity is best, you may 
 say what you will. Make sure work for eter- 
 nity : I have much against mv-self, but Jesus 
 has nothing against me." " The Lord has just 
 caught me at a right time. How happy, how 
 sweet was my mind, I preached last Sunday at 
 Heley, from James i, 2-4 ; and in tlie evening 
 at Cross Scythes, from the three following 
 verses." Mr. B r said, "You have no- 
 thing to do now but to look to Jesus;" to 
 which he replied, " I have not to look far, not
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 14 S 
 
 even to the end of the room ; he is nearer and 
 nearer." 
 
 In an agony of pain he said, " This is not 
 hke a knife : it is hke a red-hot knife ! Jesus 
 suffered, being innocent : let Jesus be glori- 
 fied ; let every thing else give way." 
 
 We remark here that, while Mr. Levick 
 was pleading with God for his life and re- 
 covery, a present answer was given. He was 
 no more convulsed ; and when the doctors came, 
 an hour after, they remarked the change, and 
 entertained hopes of his recovery from that 
 time. 
 
 21. He said, "When Jesus was asked to 
 go and heal the centurion's servant, they said, 
 * He is worthy, for he hath built us a synagogue.' 
 Now we can say, ' Our Jesus is worthy, for he 
 has laid down his life for perishing sinners.' 
 
 " I see more than ever the dangers which 
 beset our path to heaven. The body in which 
 we dwell is composed of senses, which, if in- 
 dulged, are enemies to spirituality. It is com- 
 posed of flesh and blood, and naturally loves 
 sloth and its consequences, carelessness and 
 procrastination. As men of business, we are 
 in danger from anxiety and a desire to hoard 
 money. As inhabitants of the world, we 
 are in danger from the influence of appear- 
 ances and the force of human opinions, as 
 well as from the spirit of the world. Add to 
 this the power, the malice, and the subtlety of 
 Satan — yea, of all hell combined against us. 
 The covetous man collects and counts his
 
 144 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 money, and thus he barters his soul. The sen- 
 sualist eats and drinks, and his god is his 
 belly : and how many are slain by harmony 
 and beauty." 
 
 " Sunday, December 27. In former afflic- 
 tions I have been tempted that nobody cared 
 whether I was well or ill, lived or died ; also 
 what would become of my family, when they 
 had lost their head ; but I am quite deli- 
 vered from these things. I have not had one 
 painful thought in this atHiction. All glory be 
 to God." 
 
 He awoke and observed, " I prize health 
 more than I ever did : it is a cluster of jewels ; 
 it ought not to be carelessly injured, much less 
 destroyed." 
 
 The doctor said one day, " Were it not for 
 these ifs and huts, we could get on nobly." 
 He replied, " They are all wisely ordered. Our 
 enjoyments depend upon our viewing them 
 through a true or a false medium." 
 
 He said, " If I die at this time, I wish to 
 have nothing said of me by way of praise ; 
 nothing but plain matter of fact, that I died, 
 aged so many years, and that I was so many 
 years a member of the Methodist society, a 
 class-leader and a local preacher." We were 
 much aflected : he also wept. Mr. B. said, 
 " Don't distress yourself." " O, no," he re- 
 plied, " I am no more distressed than if I were 
 talking of my breakfast or my dinner." 
 
 After a pause, he said, " So one genera- 
 tion succeeds another. It is but as yesterday
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 145 
 
 since I was a young man, and buried my mo- 
 jther and my father; — the way of all living! 
 ,Now I have seen my day, and it has been a 
 ;sweet day ! 
 
 "When I think of my children, I could 
 ;almost cast anchor for life ; but when I con- 
 isider, if I were spaied a few years, my infir- 
 'nities, my uselessness to the church, and my 
 liability to these attacks, and contrast them 
 with the joys of heaven, to die will be infinite 
 gain.''^ 
 
 1 To T. B., who was going to Nottingham, 
 jhe said, " I feel nature is sinking and faint- 
 ling, and as if I could desire of Jesus Christ 
 to open paradise to-night. As to my soul, it 
 is not possible for me to doubt. To inquire, 
 iDo you think the Lord loves me? would be 
 dishonourable to God. How easy it is for 
 'me to say, I know, I feel his love. Give my 
 'dying love to my Charlotte," (fee, &:c. 
 
 He had now been about a fortnight in a 
 state of the greatest weakness, apparently on 
 the borders of eternity ; there appeared only 
 a bare possibility, but no probability, of his 
 recovery. 
 
 At this time he said, " I am so deeply con- 
 vinced of the wisdom of God in his moral go- 
 vernment, in guiding and guarding, ruling and 
 governing, disposing and controlling, the whole 
 creation, animate and inanimate, that I can 
 heartily say, Father, thy will be done. 
 
 " O God, fill my soul : why may not my 
 soul be filled? I come to thee for the fuj- 
 10
 
 146 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 filment of thy promises, through the merits and 
 mediation of Jesus Christ. I can resign my 
 dear wife and children to-night to come to thee : 
 thou wilt take care of them." 
 
 To his daughter Sarah, when raising him up, 
 he said, " Thank thee, my love, this will soon 
 be over." 
 
 To his wife, Vvhen leaving him for the 
 night, he said, " My dear, stay thy mind upon 
 thy God : call to mind his past mercy and 
 faithfulness. Thou art my chief care, nearer 
 to me than all my children : ever remember, 
 God is li'ith thee : that this struorcrle for life 
 and death cannot hold out long, and that all 
 will end well. If I recover thou shalt see how 
 we will help one another ; and if I do not re- 
 cover, thou wilt soon follow after. ' Who 
 meet on that eternal shore, shall never part 
 again.' Be assured, then, the Lord will sup- 
 port and comfort thee." 
 
 To his nephew, who was waking with him, 
 he said, " Be wise to improve your time, and 
 prepare for these circumstances. I hope the 
 preaching of Mr. B. will be made a blessing 
 to you." " I hope,'' he said, " it is, but I reckon 
 it to be so only as it influences my heart and 
 life." 
 
 " "What comforts I have ! and my dear Lord 
 lay upon the cold, damp ground. What a suc- 
 cession of affectionate friends I have to wake 
 with me, and to wait upon me in the night 
 season ; but my Saviour was forsaken of his 
 friends in that night of sore extremity, and
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 147 
 
 was surrounded only by his enemies, who thirst- 
 ed for his blood. 
 
 " O that 1 might be permitted to ask the 
 speedy appearance of my dehverer ! But no, 
 this is selhsh and cowardly. All my appointed 
 hours will I wait, till my change come. 
 
 " O the glory which awaits the faithful ! 
 I sometimes think my mother and my sister 
 will be sent to convey my happy freed spirit to 
 the bosom of God. Before that change come, 
 I expect a full manifestation of the Spirit. Yet 
 I do not consider this as essential to my safety 
 or happiness ; if this favour be withheld, the 
 will of the Lord be done." 
 
 When Mr. Longden had lain in this happv, 
 hopeless state about three weeks, the obstinate 
 and dangerous symptoms of his complaint be- 
 gan to give way, and v/e were encouraged to 
 hope he would be given again for a season 
 to his family and the church. He began to 
 recover by slow degrees, contrary to all our 
 fears ; and, to the astonishment of the doctors, 
 he was raised from this bed of affliction. 
 
 The following is his own account of this 
 illness, in a letter written to a friend, when he 
 was recovering, February 8, 1808 ; — 
 
 " How shall I describe the loving kindness 
 of our faithful, covenant-keeping God ! His 
 strength has been perfected in my extreme 
 weakness. In my late affliction my pain was 
 frequently so acute that, looking forward but 
 one Jiour, was like anticipating yeaj's of an- 
 guish f yet, glory be to God, I have always
 
 148 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 found his grace sufficient for the present mo- 
 ment. 
 
 " I was in a sweet frame of mind when I 
 was seized with this inflammation. I had 
 spent the morning of that day visiting Christ 
 in his poor afflicted members. The Sabbath 
 before, I could not preach from any other 
 words than these, ' Jly brethren, count it aU 
 joy when ye faU into divers temptations ; 
 knowing this, that the trying of your faith 
 worketh patience ; but let patience have her 
 perfect work, that ye may be perfect and en- 
 tire, wanting nothing.' These words were 
 my comfort and support in all my agonies. 
 My extremity was so great, and my weakness 
 so extreme, that I felt very little sensible com- 
 fort : but I always had a firm and unshaken 
 confidence in the mercy of God, and the me- 
 rits of Jesus Christ. And He who has felt our 
 infirmities, and borne our griefs, did not suf- 
 fer Satan to throw one fiery dart, or to bring 
 one railing accusation, against me throughout 
 my affliction. Nor do I remember that I 
 ever felt one painful thought to enter my 
 mind from the beginning. Such condescen- 
 sion and compassion belong to God: adored be 
 his name. 
 
 " When my pain was removed, and I could 
 reflect, I found myself very defective. I saw 
 in myself a very faint resemblance of my dear 
 Lord, his profound humility, his unbounded 
 love, &;c. Covered with shame, I often cried 
 out, God be merciful to me a sinner ! The
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 149 
 
 Lord is now raising me up again, and I feel 
 willing to remain in this vale of tears, that I 
 may obtain all the mind that was in Christ. 
 
 " I have been overcome with affectionate 
 solicitude and attention of my friends ; many 
 of them have insisted, in succession, to wake 
 with me, affording me every possible alleviation 
 and comfort. x\dd to this, that prayers have 
 been offered up, in public and private, that the 
 Lord would spare the life of a poor worm. I 
 assure you, I need your prayers more than ever, 
 that I may fully answer the requirements of 
 God, and the expectation of my friends." 
 
 In the month of November, in the same year, 
 he wrote to the same correspondent, as follows : 
 
 " My health is very precarious, which obliges 
 me to be very careful in my diet and regimen, 
 and moderate in every exercise. I thank the 
 Lord, I am able to meet my classes, and have 
 strength sometimes to preach once on a Sab- 
 bath day, although I have frequent slight re- 
 turns of my pain. This serves to keep me in 
 an equilibrium between time and eternity. I 
 do pray with submission, that the Lord would 
 employ me in some little way while 1 live here ; 
 and theil 
 
 ' My body with my charge lay down, 
 And ceass at once to work and live.' 
 
 " I often feel enlargement in prayer, even 
 to agony, for my friends, the church, and the 
 world. I desire all the life of faith, and closer 
 union with God. If I increase in any thing 
 which is good, it is in a knowledge of myself.
 
 150 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 and a deadness to the world. Jesus is my Sa- 
 viour. I wonder at his patience and admire 
 his goodness, so richly and repeatedly mani- 
 fested to such a vile sinner." 
 
 In another letter, written June, 1809, he ob- 
 serves — 
 
 " I am likely to become a poor inactive in- 
 valid, laid aside like a poor broken vessel of no 
 use. But I am not unhappy, nor am I even 
 tempted to impatience or discontent. It is suf- 
 ficient for me to know that my life and health 
 are in the hand and under the merciful disposal 
 of God, who frequently gives me a blessed anti- 
 cipation of glory. I think the Lord has much 
 to do for me, to refine and fit me for his imme- 
 diate presence : may I never frustrate his de- 
 sign ! Continue to pray for me, and my fa- 
 mily, for I liave no greater joy than to see my 
 children walking in the truth." 
 
 There are hallowed feelings and realizing 
 views of eternity, to which we are strangers in 
 health, and which can only be known in such 
 a state of affliction as we have now narrated — 
 a state in which every human refuge is vain, 
 in which the heart and the flesh fail ! To die 
 is momentous ! To enter into a new state of 
 existence, is truly awful ! even when aided by 
 all the precious assurances of the Scriptures 
 of truth, and supported by the comforting pre- 
 sence of God. Such a near and apparently 
 certain prospect of eternity calls every grace 
 into exercise, and puts every power to the full 
 proof. Nevertheless, this is the Christian's
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 151 
 
 experience ; he looks without dismay at the ap- 
 proaching monster, and cries, " O death ! where 
 is thy sting 1 and where thy boasted victory, 
 O grave? Thanks bo to God who giveth us tho 
 victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." He 
 looks attentively into the dark valley, which 
 to him is as the " shadov/ of death," but be- 
 hold the other end of it is lighted up with the 
 bursting rays of glory ! He cannot fear any 
 evil, for God is with him, and has engaged 
 never to leave or forsake him. 
 
 Such was the experience of Mr. Longden in 
 his late affliction, and his remnant of days were 
 spent as if he had then been favoured with a 
 view of heaven itself. Every excellence which 
 composed his character shone more bright than 
 ever. His ardent love to his friends, and his 
 great forbearance with his enemies, his dead- 
 ness to the world, and his heaveniy-minded- 
 ness ; a disposition which is no other than the 
 soul's being formed to the veneration of the 
 eternal wisdom, goodness, and power ; profound 
 humility, and the spirit of prayer and thanks- 
 giving, a mind created anew in the image of 
 God, in righteousness and true holiness, meet 
 to dwell in the heavenly regions, where nothing 
 but perfect purity, entire devotedness to God, 
 Jove, goodness, benignity, order, and peace, shall 
 have place for ever. 
 
 All his actions and tempers, the invigorated 
 zeal of all his public labours in the pulpit, in 
 his classes, &c., proclaimed, " I have nearly 
 done with this inch of time ; I am dressing for
 
 153 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 eternity ! I live for immortality ! Why do 
 thy chariot wheels delay ? Lord, for thee I wait ! 
 
 ' O come thou down to me ! 
 Or take me up to thee V " 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 His Character. 
 
 SECT. I. HIS UNION WITH GOD BY FAITH. 
 
 We have seen from his diary, in the year 
 1778, that he had not been long in the way 
 before he was convinced of the necessity of a 
 clean heart. At the same time he learned 
 that faith is the cementing principle, in con- 
 sequence whereof the sap of divine influ- 
 ence flows into the believer's soul, purifying 
 his heart, filling him with heavenly conso- 
 lations, and causing him to abound in the 
 fruits of holiness. The ardent spirit of our 
 friend was not willing to rest short of all that 
 salvation which is revealed in the Scriptures 
 of truth. Beholding the infinite power and 
 mercy of God, and being assured that what the 
 Lord had promised he would, for Christ's sake, 
 also perform ; he staggered not through unbe- 
 lief, but confidently believed every word which 
 cometh out of the mouth of the Most High ; 
 and according to his faith it was done unto 
 him — he was put in possession of that purity 
 which his soul had thirsted for.
 
 , LIFE OF LONGDEN. 153 
 
 1 
 
 He states, in his memoirs, how he was con- 
 firmed in this grace, in the revival of religion, 
 in 1794. Previously to this event he was uni- 
 I formly exemplary, pressing after all the mind 
 that was in Christ, and often sitting with him 
 in heavenly places. But, henceforward, the 
 ; living waters flowed like a river, and his union 
 of love was full, intimate, and uninterrupted. 
 He could distinguish between the devices of 
 Satan and the depravity of the human heart, 
 and was freed from those fears and reasonings 
 which bring the soul into bondage, and which 
 I many times had caused him to cast away, 
 ' through iornorance, the pearl of perfect love. 
 ! He learned experimentally what he had before 
 known but by hearsay ; to wit, that passions 
 ' as naturally flow from divine love as from that 
 which is human. This (says an eminent di- 
 I vine) can only be comprehended by those who 
 , understand the language of perfect love. The 
 1 bottom of the soul (he adds) may be in repose, 
 ' even when we are in many outward troubles, 
 I just as the bottom of the sea is calm, while the 
 .' surface is strongly agitated. 
 I We have his views upon this subject in the 
 
 following extracts from his letters : — 
 I -^ug. 27, 1800. " I am certain many things 
 : may occur, which, for the present, may damp 
 t our joy, but not any thing to weaken our power 
 I of believing, and giving constantly an undi- 
 ' vided heart to the Lord. I have experienced 
 I a deeper work of the Spirit since I saw you. 
 j My communion with God has been con-stant \
 
 154 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 nevertheless, T see infinite lengths before me. 
 I would not touch, or taste, even in voluntary 
 thought, whatever would defile the soul. 1 
 pray to be found improving the talents which 
 God vouchsafes me ; doing all, and offering all 
 a sacrifice of faith, without which it is impos- 
 sible to please God." 
 
 August 11, 1803. "I have found by expe 
 rience that we may feel very differently, as it 
 relates to joy in the Holy Ghost, in a state of 
 sanctification ; when we wade through deep 
 waters, and when vre ride above the storms. 
 We dwell in a body of flesh, liable to pain and 
 disease ; we live in a world of hardened sin- 
 ners, who are proud, deceitful, and revengeful : 
 we are encompassed with apostate spirits, who 
 are full of envy, craft, and rage, and who seek 
 with amazing success to distress or to deceive 
 us. Is it any wonder then that persons so cir- 
 cumstanced should feel heaviness through ma- 
 nifold temptations ? Let it, however, be re- 
 membered, that every unholy temper and im- 
 pure desire is incompatible with his grace : on 
 the contrary, persons so saved always feel sweet 
 patience and resignation in every suffering of 
 life, are firm and undaunted in opposing every 
 enemy, and are ready to forgive every injurv. 
 
 " It is true some lose the blessing of entire 
 sanctification, by ignorantly giving place to 
 doubt in the midst of difficulty, when they feel 
 no wrong desire or temper : and others, through 
 inexperience, when they first attain it, vainly 
 suppose they have found a place of rest ; and
 
 LIFE OF L0N6DEN. 155 
 
 relax in duty, instead of using greater diligence. 
 But others happily are better taught, that the 
 only way to maintain their ground is to go on 
 to greater conquests, till the Captain of their 
 salvation calls them to put off their armour." 
 
 His consecrated heart became thus the con- 
 stant habitation of God through the Spirit, by 
 receiving the great charter of the gospel, " I 
 and my Father will love him, and we will come 
 unto him, and make our abode with him :" and 
 hence he could not be moved by unexpected 
 trial, or sudden temptation ; but, having on 
 the whole armour of God, he stood in a state 
 of self-possession, ready prepared for every at- 
 tack, from every quarter, and in every form. 
 In all places, his soul was breathing after God — 
 having his glory in view, desiring to please him 
 in all things : covenanting to love with greater 
 ardour him who is the altogether lovely, and 
 to serve him who is the best of masters, with 
 increased fidelity. In return, God vouchsafed 
 to converse with him by the way, to feed him 
 with the bread of life, and to delight his soul 
 with hopes blooming with immortality. 
 
 Writing to a friend, December, 1804, he 
 says : — 
 
 " It is a long time since I had such a v/eek 
 of close communion with God as the present ; 
 one drop of heavenly honey after another has 
 been given me : and I, weeping, have been tilled 
 with astonishment at the condescension of my 
 Lord. How easy it is to suffer in this spirit."
 
 156 LIFE OF L0NGDE5. 
 
 SECT. II. HIS DEVOTED?fESS TO GOD. 
 
 He called Jesus Lord, by the Holy Ghost; 
 naming the name of Christ, he departed from 
 all secret and open iniquity ; reverencing the 
 name of God, he submitted to his authority ; 
 and confessing Jesus as his Saviour, he resolved 
 to follow him as his infallible guide. As a sin- 
 cere disciple of the Lord Jesus, he forsook all 
 the gratifications of a vain world. His renun- 
 ciation of the flesh, and deadness to the world, 
 were more openly evinced in consequence of 
 the death of an opulent relation, when he was 
 raised from comfortable to independent circum- 
 stances. Instantly the eyes of all around were 
 fixed upon him, watching whether he would 
 maintain the same plainness of dress, and con- 
 tinue his former familiarity with the poor of 
 Christ's flock, or whether he would become 
 effeminate in his manners, relaxing in his zeal 
 and diligence in the church, and be worldly in 
 his appearance ; devoting his money to supply 
 the imaginary wants which the rich are ever 
 forming in endless variety. But no, his devo- 
 tedness to God was sincere and unaffected ; he 
 M-as proof against every snare and allurement, 
 enjoying the kingdom of an inward heaven. 
 
 Being now no longer necessitated to pay per- 
 sonal attention to business, he relinquished 
 every secular engagement, resolving to set him- 
 self wholly apart for God. He dedicated his 
 possessions, his time, and his strength, to Christ 
 in his church and in the world, " presenting
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 157 
 
 himself a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to 
 God, as his reasonable service." His devoted- 
 ness to tlie church as a preacher, as a class- 
 leader, and as a counsellor to those who needed 
 and souglit his advice, was peculiarly exten- 
 sive and exemplary. He was well titted to 
 perform the difficult and important duty of 
 visiting the sick and dying ; and he refused no 
 application, but considered the request of the 
 afflicted as a sufficient call to visit persons even 
 in the most malignant and contagious fevers. 
 He went, obeying such a summons, in full as. 
 surance of faith, with singleness of eye, " not 
 counting his life dear unto himself, so that he 
 might finish his course with joy, and the minis- 
 try which he had received of the Lord Jesus, 
 to testify the gospel of the grace of God." He 
 was the servant of all, and he only desired to 
 live that he might diff\ise happiness to all. For 
 the purpose of spreading the religion of Jesus, 
 he prayed and wept, he used his purse, his in- 
 fluence, and his authority ; he invited and re- 
 monstrated, argued and persuaded, travelled 
 and preached with indefatigable zeal. 
 
 This important work so deeply affected his 
 heart, that he was often influenced to labour 
 beyond his strength, and his concern for the 
 interests of religion was manifested by his joy 
 when the Spirit was poured upon the people, 
 and many sinners were converted to God ; nor 
 was it less evidenced by his pungent sorrow 
 when the peace of Zion was disturbed, and her 
 prosperity interrupted.
 
 158 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 The flame of divine love and holy zeal, which 
 began at his conversion, was not known to de- 
 cline even to the end of his warfare. His faith, 
 substantiating the realities of eternity, led him 
 as an exile far from home, to travel uniformly 
 in his pilgrimage ; persuading all he could to 
 go with him to heaven, the pilgrim's present 
 hope, the saint's eternal rest. 
 
 SECT. III. HIS POVERTY OF SPIRIT, AXD HIS 
 
 HUNGERING AND THIRSTING AFTER RIGHT- 
 EOUSNESS. 
 
 We connect these together, because the one 
 naturally results from the other. Genuine 
 humility consists not in mean expressions, 
 but in a mean opinion of ourselves. It refuses 
 ever}^ assumption of praise or idea of merit ; 
 and, on perfect renunciation of self, its language 
 is, " Paul is nothing who planteth, and Apollos 
 is nothing who watereth, but God is all who 
 givelh the increase." Hence arises, of neces- 
 sity, an earnest seeking after God, " that out 
 of his fulness may be received, and grace for 
 grace." Of this humility our friend was a con- 
 spicuous example ; he deeply felt his insuffi- 
 ciency ; he clearly saw the poverty of human 
 nature, and was in consequence led to fix his 
 eye on that fulness which is in God, and whence 
 alone he could be supplied with grace to help 
 in time of need. 
 
 We vrill hear his own language, as extracted 
 from his familiar correspondence. 
 
 September, 1797. « Since I saw you, my
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 159 
 
 soul has been brought into closer union with 
 God. I feel more sensibly the value of a mo- 
 ment, and the surpassing importance of eternity. 
 It is the diligent hand that maketh rich ; and 
 I resolve, by the grace of God, to labour more 
 diligently in prayer and watchfulness. I know 
 but little of the exceeding greatness of the 
 pov/er of God in the believer's soul. This view 
 of myself does not tend to discourage, but to 
 rouse and quicken me. 
 
 " What shall I say to excite you and myself 
 to greater diligence ? If it would avail, I would 
 inscribe with my blood ' mourning, lamenta- 
 tions, and wo, that I have known so little of 
 God, and that I have been so inactive in his 
 cause.' It is a cutting thought, that I have 
 known the truth more than twenty years, and 
 am yet no farther on my pilgrimage." 
 
 September, 1798. " Jesus is still precious 
 to me as my prophet, priest, and king. I never 
 felt such need of him, nor such ardent desire 
 after him as now. Two things stand in the 
 way of my increasing in communion with 
 Christ. The first is idleness. I am not pro- 
 vident of my tim.e, though its value is beyond 
 hmnan calculation. If a heathen emperor said, 
 *I have lost a day!' I may say I have lost 
 many years ! The second is self -pleasing. 
 Although the desire of the flesh is subdued 
 through the grace of God, yet I do not, as I 
 ought, rejoice in crosses, temptations, and afflic- 
 tions, for Christ's sake ; nor shall I ever be able, 
 till I am filled with the fulness of God. How
 
 160 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 shall we account that I sometimes feel a pro- 
 pensity to sink into lukewarraness ? It is with 
 hard labour, with all my privileges, that my 
 soul is preserved alive to God. O do pray for 
 me, that my soul may ardently press after God, 
 and that I may abound in humble, patient, 
 gentle, meek, all-conquering, never-failing love," 
 
 November, 1799. " My days are spent in 
 peace. I enjoy such a degree of happiness as 
 seldom falls to the lot of man in this transitory 
 world : all glory be given to the Giver of all 
 good ! I am often, however, grieved that I am 
 so little devoted to God. I see before me an 
 open door. O for the power of faith, which 
 bids the mountains be moved, laughs at impos- 
 sibilities, and cries. It shall be done ! Thou 
 knowest, my God, whether I willingly sink into 
 heaviness, or v>hether it is the necessary con- 
 sequence of bodily weakness and infirmity. 
 This, however, is certain : the Lord has full 
 possession of my heart, and reigns without a 
 rival." 
 
 June, 1803. " I am deeply ashamed before 
 God and his holy angels, on account of my spi- 
 ritual slothfulness. I am not daily stretcliing 
 every nerve to live in the first glory. I have 
 long desired the Lord to humble me, and he is 
 come with his fan in his hand, and he will tho- 
 roughly purge the floor." 
 
 Novemher, 1803. " I bless the Lord, he en- 
 ables me at all times to make a sacrifice of all 
 to him. I am sweetly at liberty, free from en- 
 tanglements. I expect all and seek all my
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. I6l 
 
 happiness in God. But my state of mind is 
 not what I could wish it to be. I want to live 
 at the fountain head, evermore thirsting for 
 God, that I may be filled. Thou knowest, O 
 my God ! how intensely I desire this. I am 
 almost dejected that I am but yet a dwarf! 
 Our compassionate High Priest, however, de- 
 spiseth not the day of small and feeble things. 
 He is faithful, and ' he will fulfil the desire of 
 them that fear him.' " 
 
 His soul languished and pined for the life- 
 giving presence of God ; he pleaded the pro- 
 mises with the vehemence of faith ; and the 
 more he received out of the divine fulness, the 
 more he perceived he was yet but on the very 
 surface of the unfathomable and eternal salva- 
 tion which Christ has purchased with his pre- 
 cious blood. Such were his views of himself, 
 certain proof that his piety was deep. True it 
 is, that the diligence of his outward practice 
 would not seem to harmonize with these self- 
 accusations of slothfuiness ; but though he felt 
 that he was weak, yet in reality he was strong 
 in the power of God. 
 
 ' SECT. IV. HIS SELF-DENIAL. 
 
 I The life of a Christian is a life of spiritual- 
 ity. " To be carnally minded," saith the apos- 
 tle, " is death ; to be spiritually minded is life 
 ; and peace ;" and, " if ye live after the flesh ye 
 , shall die ; but if ye, through the Spirit, mortify 
 1 the deeds of the body, ye shall live :" and " they 
 j that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with 
 11
 
 162 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 the affections and lusts. For ye are dead, and 
 your life is hid with Christ in God." It is only 
 faithful souls who know how strait is the path 
 of spirituality, and of how great consequence 
 is the least indulgence of the flesh. It is the 
 expression of a great man, " as a very little 
 dust will disorder a clock, and a grain of sand 
 •will obscure the sight, so the least forbidden 
 indulgence wiU hinder the right motion of the 
 heart towards God." 
 
 These were the sentiments which influenced 
 the temper and deportment of our departed 
 friend. He experienced and practised Chris- 
 tian temperance and sobriety, habitually watch- 
 ing the workings of human nature in the will 
 and affections; he denied himself of every plea- 
 sure and every gratification which, however 
 innocent in itself, did not lead to the glory of 
 God and the fartherance of grace in his soul. 
 Hence he obtained government over the body, 
 making it subservient to the true purposes for 
 which it was given, to help, and not to hinder, 
 in the pursuit of holiness and usefulness. 
 
 SECT. V. HIS FORTITUDE, PATIENCE, AND 
 
 RESIGNATION. 
 
 " It was given him, in the behalf of Christ, 
 not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his 
 sake." He was buried with Christ in baptism, 
 immersed with him in suffering. He partook 
 largely of the chastisement in which all the 
 children of the kingdom have a share. His 
 trials were of various kinds, and arising from
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 163 
 
 different quarters : sometimes they were pecu- 
 liarly severe, or were of long continuance, and 
 they were repeatedly near to the threshold of 
 heaven. He was grieved by the mistaken 
 viev.s, and by the consequently mistaken re- 
 presentations, of some of his brethren : some- 
 times he suffered from the secret disaffection 
 of professed friends, or the open hatred of avow- 
 ed enemies. He was tried by the forgetfulness 
 and ingratitude of those who had received his 
 cordial and salutary support in time of their 
 extremity ; he suffered greatly for the last fif- 
 teen years of his liie from bodily affliction, 
 and he mourned that he did not live to see the 
 desire of his heart in the conversion of all his 
 children. 
 
 Perhaps the character of our departed friend 
 was never so unfolded, nor shone so luminously, 
 as in severe trials. Like the arch of a bridge, 
 of which the keystone was Christian fortitude, 
 the greater the weight that was laid upon him, 
 the tirmer was the stand he made beneath it. 
 No obstacle or opposition, however apparently 
 insurmountable, could discourage him, but stea< 
 dily persevering, in spite of every difficulty, 
 he laboured to have " always a conscience void 
 of offence toward God and toward man." His 
 love of truth led him to maintain it, were it 
 even at the expense of the loss of dearest 
 friends ; but, though all men forsook him, he 
 stood as an iron pillar, strong, immoveable, and 
 undismayed ! He never was known to repine 
 under reproaches of malice, and he received
 
 164 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 without resentment the shafts of ingratitude. 
 He would often say, on occasions like these, 
 " The purity of my intention and the rectitude 
 of my conduct will be known by the holiness 
 of my lite — this is my best defence : I can live 
 away these reproaches." 
 
 A person came to him one day, and said, 
 " ^Ir. Longden, I have something against you, 
 and I am come to tell you of it." " Do walk 
 in, sir," he replied " you are my best friend : 
 if I can but engage my friends to be faithtul 
 with me, I shall be sure to prosper : but, if you 
 please, we will both pray in the first place, and 
 ask the blessing of God upon our interview." 
 After they rose from their knees, and had been 
 much blessed together, he said, " Now I will 
 thank you, my brother, to tell me what it is 
 that you have against me?" " O," said the 
 man, " I really don't knov/ what it is, — it is 
 all gone, and I believe I was in the wrong." 
 One of his iViends, also, who called to see him 
 in his last illness, said to him, " Brother Long- 
 den, I never heard you preach, nor was I ever 
 in your company, but if, through evil report, 
 at first, I was prejudiced against you, before I 
 left you all my prejudice was gone ; there was 
 such a spirit of love and zeal displayed, and the 
 unction of the Holy One so accompanied every 
 word, that I was again sweetly united to you ; 
 for I felt that God was with you." These are 
 not the only instances wherein the errors of 
 his brethren have been thus acknowledged by 
 themselves.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 165 
 
 What he so confidently affirmed above, he 
 lived to realize. While his enemies were 
 silenced by the uprightness of his conduct, 
 his friends were restored to him. Their for- 
 mer intercourse, which had been suspended by 
 a difference of opinion, was renewed with re- 
 doubled ardour : and when they visited him in 
 his last affliction, the purport of their affec- 
 tionate expressions was, " 1 am distressed be- 
 fore thee, my brother : very pleasant hast thou 
 been to me : thy love to me was wonderful ! 
 O that we might not be divided in death : 
 give us one grave, that we may be buried 
 together !" 
 
 His fortitude was not the result of stoical 
 apathy, or of self-wrought firmness; it was a 
 Christian principle, accompanied by those two 
 sister graces, patience and resijrnation. These 
 recognise the appointment of God in all things, 
 and wait the accomplishment of his gracious 
 purposes, being assured that " all things work, 
 together for good to them that love God." In 
 languor, in restlessness, and in strong pain, his 
 attention was fixed upon the High Priest of 
 our profession, who was perfected through suf- 
 fering. He could say, " Jesus suffered tribu- 
 lation in every possible form and extent with 
 which human nature could be assailed, and no 
 evil temper ruffled his breast, no bitter word 
 escaped his lips ; and he suffered not for him- 
 self, being innocent. Shall a living man, (a 
 sinner out of hell,) therefore, complain, a man 
 for the punishment of his sins ? Shall a child of
 
 166 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 God complain to receive that from his heavenly 
 Father which is a sure token of his regard ? 
 Shall a saint of the Most High complain at that 
 which matures his grace, and increases his 
 glory to all eternity ?" Imbued with these 
 sentiments, he did not reckon the sutfering of 
 the present life a subject of lamentation, but 
 of rejoicing. And he endured with silent meek- 
 ness the evils which befell him, and evermore 
 after their removal ascribed his support under 
 them, and deliverance from them, to God, who 
 alone is able to save. • 
 
 Let us again attend to his own language, as 
 extracted from his letters : — 
 
 March, 1799. " One of the highest and most 
 acceptable services we can offer to God, is, to 
 suffer with perfect patience all his will. It is 
 an offering of which angjels and disembodied 
 spirits are incapable ; they perform the will of 
 their Father with indescribable cheerfulness 
 and intense zeal ; but, blessed be God, we can 
 suffer, as well as do, the will of our heavenly 
 Father. I find an increasing sweet resignation 
 to his divine will. I am enabled to sit, and 
 sweat, and smile, under pain of body, saying, 
 Glory glory, glory !" 
 
 " The Lord sees good to try me closely, but 
 he graciously supports a poor worm. I find it 
 glorious to believe when I cannot see his smil- 
 ing face, nor feel his burning love. I trust the 
 Lord for all I want, relying upon his faithful- 
 ness, and casting myself upon his mercy. I 
 have witnessed in ten thousand instances of
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 167 
 
 my experience, that God is faithful, that his 
 promise will not — cannot fail." 
 
 August, 1801. "I have experienced some 
 particular trials lately from professed friends, 
 but it is sufficient that Jesus gives an approv- 
 ing smile, and says, ' Well done.' If the tes- 
 timony of man is great, the testimony of God 
 is greater. He enables me to shout salvation 
 and victory, perfecting strength in weakness." 
 
 SECT. VI. HIS CHARACTER AS A PREACHER. 
 
 The apostle's account of his own commission 
 by Jesus Christ, to preach the everlasting gos- 
 pel, is doubtless an epitome of every successive 
 appointment to that great work to the end of 
 time. " I have appeared unto thee for this pur- 
 pose, to make thee a minister and a witness 
 both of these things which thou hast seen, and 
 of those things in the which I will appear 
 unto thee; delivering thee from the people 
 and from the Gentiles, unto whom I now send 
 thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from 
 darkness to light, and from the power of Satan 
 unto God, that they may receive forgiveness 
 of sins, and inheritance among them which 
 are sanctified by faith that is in me." It is 
 evident, before we can receive the inherit- 
 ance of the sanctified by faith in Christ, we 
 must receive the forgiveness of sins ; and be- 
 fore we can be pardoned we must be turned 
 from the power of Satan unto God : and before 
 our consciences can be awakened by the power 
 of God, the eyes of our understanding must be
 
 168 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 opened ; and as divine illumination is neces- 
 sary to divine attainment, Mr. Longden con- 
 sidered the pulpit as misemployed, if it were 
 not always made the medium ot' instruction. 
 
 That he might be an able minister of Jesus 
 Christ, he deeply studied the Holy Scriptures, 
 acquainted himself also with the comments of 
 the best critical, experimental, and practical 
 divines : but although he deemed a literal ex- 
 plication of Scripture to be important for the 
 purpose of rendering divine truth clear and 
 luminous, yet he did not consider it the most 
 essential thing to occupy a preacher's attert- 
 tion. When a man is sent of God as an am- 
 bassador of Christ, to evangelize his fellow 
 sinners, after their understanding is enlightened, 
 he has to labour with the perversenessof the will 
 — to conquer it ; the enmity of the carnal 
 mind — to remove it ; the power of habitual sin 
 — to break it ; and the tyranny of Satan — to 
 overthrow it. He has to lead thera forward 
 by repentance towards God, and faith in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, that they may receive for- 
 giveness of sins, and inheritance among the 
 sanctified. This was Henry Longden's con- 
 stant aim and labour. 
 
 In the pulpit, persuasion sat upon his lips, 
 and his mouth was filled with convincing argu- 
 ments. He set before the sinner his danger, 
 and the magnitude of his sin ; and the most 
 obdurate were oftentimes arrested by the power 
 of God, and, through disquietude of spirit, cried, 
 « What must I do to be saved?" He pointed
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 169 
 
 the penitent to the " fountain opened in the 
 house of David for sin and uncleanness ;" 
 and God gave him a fluency of speech when 
 addressing those who were prepared for the 
 kingdom. Jesus was his favourite theme. He 
 would dwell with pathos upon Christ in his sa- 
 crificial character, as an able, willing, suitable, 
 and present Saviour ; he would cry, " Let him 
 that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him 
 take of the water of life freely." Nor was he 
 less noted for insisting upon entire sanctifica- 
 tion, as the privilege of all believers. In his 
 own manuscripts he says, " I have ever found 
 it incumbent upon me, not only to preach a 
 present, but a full salvation." And the church 
 was edified and built up, according to the ana- 
 logy of faith. 
 
 His whole soul was engaged in this moment- 
 ous work. The ardour of his zeal, upon some 
 occasions, appeared as if it would consume his 
 body, and he would forego every personal con- 
 sideration, if he could by holy importunity be 
 instrumental in the salvation of souls. He often 
 wept in the pulpit, and, by his t'ears powerfully 
 evincing how much his heart was affected 
 by his work, contributed to enforce his words 
 upon the hearts of his hearers ; hence it was 
 not unusual to see saints and sinners weeping 
 in every part of the chapel. A lady of literary 
 eminence said to me one day, " Whenever I 
 hear Mr. Longden preach, I always weep, either 
 in abhorrence of myself, or love and gratitude 
 to the Saviour : every word is as a live coal
 
 170 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 from the altar, and there is a something in his 
 preaching which I never felt while hearing any- 
 other man." 
 
 In addition to his spirit of zeal and power 
 in delivering Scripture truth and doctrine, we 
 must notice his remarkable simplicity. After 
 thirty years' experience as a preacher, and ob- 
 servation as a hearer, he made no alteration in 
 his mode of preaching. He was happy in his 
 choice of texts ; and being persuaded that sim- 
 plicity of arrangement is most apostolical, and 
 that every part of a discourse should tend to 
 one or two leading impressions, or evangelical 
 purposes, he reprobated, both in opinion and 
 practice, the artificial plan of sermon-framing, 
 replete with heads and propositions, as calcu- 
 lated to fix the whole attention of the hearers 
 upon the preacher, while the hungry soul is left 
 to starve. He therefore studiously avoided 
 every human embellishment, fearing lest an at- 
 tempt to please the imagination might prove to 
 be at the expense of an immortal soul. He ad- 
 dressed the understanding and the conscience, 
 keeping in view the adage of the good Puritan, 
 " Aim at the fifth button !" 
 
 He was also increasingly confirmed in his 
 opinion, that simplicity of spirit has an un- 
 equalled effect in making way to the con- 
 science, and in winning the heart to the cause 
 of Jesus Christ. A simplicity this, as remote 
 from every thing mean and vulgar as from 
 bombast and parade ; as distant from false fire 
 as from the empty form without the power of
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 171 
 
 godliness, and which was so peculiarly exem- 
 plified in the ministrations of our Lord. 
 
 With relation to his preparations for his pub- 
 lie exercises, he has been heard to say, " I study 
 and prepare for the pulpit as if there were no 
 Holy Ghost to help me there ; and when I en- 
 ter upon my public work, I cast my preparation 
 at the feet of Jesus Christ, depending upon di- 
 vine influence as much as if I had not premedi- 
 tated." Thus, possessing a penetrating mind, 
 a vigorous understanding, and a deep experience 
 of the things of God, endued also with that unc- 
 tion of the Holy One which alone can conse- 
 crate to him the talents of his creatures, our 
 much lamented friend laboured in the vineyard 
 with abundant success. In various parts of the 
 kingdom, seals were given him to his minis- 
 try ; and in his regular appointments, in the 
 Sheffield circuit, the people received him as a 
 servant of God, eminently favoured of his 
 Lord. 
 
 SECT. VII. HIS CHARACTER AS A LEADER. 
 
 We have seen with what conscientious de- 
 liberation he entered upon the office of a class- 
 leader, and how minutely and extensively he en- 
 gaged in its duties , we do not, therefore, won- 
 der that in this department of Methodist dis- 
 cipline he was pre-eminently useful. He stu- 
 died the example of Christ with close attention, 
 in order that he might uniformly tread in his 
 steps ; and that, imitating it in all things, he 
 might not only evidence the genuineness of his
 
 172 LIFE OF LONGDEN, 
 
 profession, but be also the pattern as well as 
 the leader of his people. 
 
 He was an affectionate shepherd of his flock. 
 Every individual lived in his heart : he prayed 
 to God for them daily ; he sought the wan- 
 derers with affectionate solicitude, and the sick 
 and the dying he conducted to the verge of 
 heaven. 
 
 Being well acquainted with the devices of 
 Satan, and the workings of the human heart, it 
 was in vain for the members of his classes to 
 attempt to deceive him by the commonplace 
 expressions of good desires, &c., &c., by which 
 too many who have declined into Laodicean 
 indifference strive to conceal their departure 
 from God. Such v/ere always detected, and 
 were dealt M'ith in the plainest manner. He 
 was careful not to heal before the wound was 
 probed to the bottom, however painful min^ht 
 be the operation to his own feelings ; and he 
 dared not to admit the testimony of peace, 
 without due evidence that God had spoken 
 peace. Truly he led his flock, like a judicious 
 shepherd, to green pastures ; and it was a feast 
 indeed to meet with his people, to hear his own 
 experience, and to listen to his wise and perti- 
 nent remarks on each respective case. Nor is 
 it to be wondered at, that many of his class 
 members have become eminently holy and 
 useful, both as preachers and as leaders, and 
 bless the day that ever he became known to 
 them.
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 173 
 
 SECT. VIII. HIS CHARACTER AS A HUSBAND 
 
 AND A PARENT. 
 
 He saw and ever acknowledged the special 
 interposition of a good providence in the choice 
 of his wife. This conviction, in addition to 
 her real excellence and exemplary deportment 
 as a wife and a mother, was a firm basis on 
 which to found that spiritual and matrimonial 
 love which composes all controversies, makes 
 all things easy, and sweetens every state. 
 
 He was truly an affectionate husband. He 
 manifested his love not so much by words as 
 actions, viz., by an habitual attention to his 
 partner's health of body, and domestic comfort, 
 and especially by,a serious care for the salva- 
 tion of her soul : in this respect, he was a help- 
 meet indeed, labouring in every possible way 
 for her prosperity in divine things, even as 
 for his own soul. Upon one occasion he said, 
 what his conduct always had corroborated, 
 " Thou art dearer to me than all my children." 
 In every affliction he solaced her by his tender- 
 ness, telling her the sincere have nothing to 
 fear, but every thing to expect, from a faithful 
 Creator, and a compassionate High Priest ; 
 and, thus encouraged, she dared to believe, 
 and felt that inward calm which the experience 
 of religion inspires, and enjoyed those prospects 
 into a brighter and a better world with which 
 true believers alone are favoured. 
 
 The mode of education which Mr. Longden 
 adopted, differed in some minor particulars at 
 different periods; but in the grand leading
 
 174 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 principles he never varied or relaxed, — no, not 
 even for a day. He looked upon children in 
 general, and his own in particular, with lively 
 interest ; and as his own parents had griev- 
 ously erred in the management of himself, in 
 childhood, he resolved what course to take 
 when children were intrusted to him. At 
 first, indeed, believing that "just as the twig 
 is bent, the tree's inclined," he was disposed 
 to censure warmly all religious parents, with- 
 out exception, whose cliildren were refractory ; 
 but he was soon taught by sad experience to 
 be more restricted in his expectations, with 
 respect to both himself and others. On his 
 dying bed he said to a young friend, " How- 
 ever lovely your children may now appear in 
 their infancy, do not expect too much from 
 them : use every possible means to ^ train them 
 up in the way in which they should go,' and 
 leave the event to God, who alone can save 
 them." 
 
 He viewed children as fallen creatures, who 
 have before them an eternal existence, which 
 must be an everlasting curse or blessing ; and 
 who, therefore, in addition to the education 
 which they need to fit them for members of 
 civil society, require, also, and in an essential 
 manner, to be instructed in the doctrines of 
 Christianity, and in the ways of righteousness. 
 
 He considered the first object of youthful 
 instruction to be obedience. By the fond in- 
 dulgence which his parents had exercised to- 
 wards him in his childhood, he had found it
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 175 
 
 difficult in after life to gain a complete conquest 
 over himself; he resolved, therefore, to do his 
 utmost to extirpate self-will and stubbornness 
 in his children by the restraints of authority. 
 None of them, after the age of twelve months, 
 were suffered to indulge in childish pets, cry- 
 ing for any thing that was forbidden : by a 
 word of rebuke, he would silence them in- 
 stantly. 
 
 After he had taught his children implicit 
 obedience to their parents, without reference 
 to reward, he next instructed them in the na- 
 ture of filial obligation and gratitude. 
 
 Having laid down this foundation, at the age 
 of five he began, in the most simple terms, to 
 speak of.God the creator, preserver, and go- 
 vernor of the world : that he is everywhere, 
 that he sees and knows every thing, that he is 
 powerful, and can do whatever he will, and 
 that every creature constantly depends upon 
 his care. 
 
 At the age of seven, he taught the nature of 
 moral obligation : — First, with regard to God, 
 and as implying reference of his greatness, 
 gratitude for his bounties, obedience to his 
 commandments, and a love to our great Parent, 
 and a reliance on our best Benefactor, expressed 
 in the important duty and privilege of prayer. 
 Secondly, with regard to our fellow-creatures, 
 and as consisting of subjection and respect to 
 our superiors, condescension to our inferiors, 
 and civility to all : an abhorrence of falsehood, 
 and constant adherence to truth.
 
 176 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 After laying this foundation, he put into their 
 hands the sacred volume. He would explain 
 the nature of our moral depravity ; our actual 
 sin, with many of its aggravations ; our total 
 helplessness and insufficiency to save ourselves, 
 and the everlasting punishment which is pre- 
 pared for the wicked. He would then unfold 
 the plan of our recovery and salvation by Jesus 
 Christ ; he would point out his holy life as our 
 great example, and his meritorious death and 
 powerful intercession as the only means where- 
 by we could obtain the forgiveness of our sins, 
 and the eternal rewards of the righteous. These 
 instructions were accompanied with fervent 
 prayer to God to bless this early seed, to give 
 the fruitful shower of grace, whereby alone the 
 blade could spring up, then the full ear, then 
 the ripened corn. 
 
 He was truly circumspect in his deportment 
 before his children ; there was no lightness or 
 jesting on the one hand, nor sullenness or mo- 
 roseness on the other. His conversation tended 
 to edifying. That they might respect the peo- 
 ple of God, he was careful not to mention, in 
 their hearing, the occasional inconsistencies of 
 professors ; that they might love religion, they 
 beheld him happy in the experience and enjoy- 
 ment of it, and he habituated them to the prac- 
 tice of the observances of religion, by his regu- 
 lar performance of family prayer and attend- 
 ance upon every Christian ordinance. 
 
 That his instructions might not merely be 
 adventitious, and to avoid giving reproof the
 
 LIFE OF LONfiDEN. 177 
 
 moment it was deserved, he met his family sta- 
 tedly once a week, in the form of a class-meet- 
 ing. His affectionate and deep concern for 
 every individual, manifested by his gentle re- 
 proofs, his kind admonitions, and apposite in- 
 structions, will, we trust, be ever kept in view 
 as maxims and principles of conduct by them 
 through life. Like the patriarch of his family, 
 he taught the law of God and the way of sal- 
 vation. 
 
 He abhorred the foolish practice of some 
 who suspend all correction " till," as they say, 
 *' the book is full ;" and then, under the influ- 
 ence of passion, beat their children most unraer- 
 cifully. He had recourse, it is true, to coer- 
 cive measures, yet always with regret, and not 
 even v.hen most needful until he had kneeled 
 down to implore the blessing of God upon the 
 correction he was about to inflict. But it must 
 be acknowledged that he lived to mature his 
 plans and mode of education, however at first 
 formed and acted upon with the purest inten- 
 tions : for he saw that other and more power- 
 ful motives than merely those of authority and 
 obedience might be used, after the years of in- 
 fancy, in order to prevail with children to apply 
 with diligence and cheerfulness to any appoint- 
 ed task or duty. To rectify the error into 
 which his parents had fallen, he ran, perhaps, 
 at first, into the opposite extreme, viz., too fre- 
 quent and severe correction ; he was, however, 
 latterly more lenient, though equally firm : and 
 when his children arrived at a proper age he 
 12
 
 178 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 made himself more familiar with them, labour- 
 ing to render the path of duty pleasant and| 
 easy. 1 
 
 SECT. IX. HIS CHARACTER AS A MASTER. 
 
 We know that it is the opinion of some, that 
 if any degree of respect be manifested to infe- 
 riors and dependants they will take improper 
 liberties, remaining no longer in due subordi- 
 nation. It is true that instances of this kind 
 may occur sometimes, and they must be dealt 
 with accordingly ; but Mr. Longden found that 
 servants, when treated as rational beings, would 
 then, and then only, serve with lidelity and 
 affection ; hence he would reason calmly with 
 them when they had acted wrong ; and if they 
 were incorrigible, he would discharge them, 
 without exhibiting an evil temper, or uttering 
 an unguarded word. In general, however, in- 
 stead of having to reprove them for neglect in 
 his absence, he had to caution them not to la- 
 bour beyond their strength, but to work one 
 day as they could work the next. O how 
 pleasing to witness servants, not fearing and 
 hating, but reverencing and loving their mas- 
 ters, " obeying them in all things, not with eye- 
 service as men-pleasers ;" and, in return, to see 
 " masters doing the same things unto them, for- 
 bearing threatening, knowing that their Master " 
 also is in heaven !" 
 
 His care for his domestic servants, and their 
 manifest affection for him, were deserving of 
 notice. It was not possible for any of them
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 179 
 
 to remain in his house, and continue ignorant 
 of their spiritual state. Being incorporated 
 into his family, they were objects of his solici- 
 tude and daily prayers, and a goodly company 
 of these call him their father in the Lord. It 
 was no drudgery for them to wait upon his 
 person ; they were ever contriving for his con- 
 venience, and anticipating his wants ; and joy 
 ever beamed in their countenances when he 
 entered his happy dwelling. 
 
 SnCT. X. HIS CHARACTER AS A BENEFACTOR. 
 
 He had Scriptural views of his responsibility, 
 as the possessor of earthly property. He knew 
 that he was a steward, who had to render a 
 strict account to God for his expenditure, ex- 
 tending even to the least minutia3. He never 
 wasted money in foolish ornaments, or imagi- 
 nary pleasures. His conscience was tender, 
 and he dared not : his mind was spiritual, and 
 he would not expend in vain and outward show 
 that which was intrusted to him for nobler 
 purposes. 
 
 In order to comply with that rule, " Let not 
 thy left hand know what thy right doeth,'* 
 he sought the most secret method of distribut- 
 ing his bounties. He had not only a list of 
 pensioners whom he statedly relieved, but often 
 left his home to seek out the abodes of the 
 wretched ; and a friend has declared that he 
 had long a positive and unlimited commission 
 from him to relieve the necessitous according 
 to his own discretion ; and that, at all times,
 
 180 LIFE OF LOXGDEN. 
 
 what he had disbursed was cheerfully refunded. 
 If the rich desire the applauses of men, let them 
 publicly scatter their blessings ; but if they want 
 the praise which cometh from God, and seek a 
 rich reward in heaven, let them give in secret, 
 serving Christ in his afflicted members, and he 
 will acknowledge them openly. 
 
 It is true, upon pubhc and important occa- 
 sions, secrecy would have been a false humility, 
 and at those seasons Mr. Longden stepped for- 
 ward into view, in order to give an example of 
 liberality to others. Witness his contributions 
 towards the erection of our large and expensive 
 chapels, Sunday schools, &c. 
 
 Some years ago, a friend v/rote to him, faith- 
 fully declaring that he was afraid he was not 
 sufficiently liberal. His remarks upon this 
 letter in his journal are as follows : — I find, 
 upon examining my cash book for the last six 
 months, I have given to the poor exclusively 
 one-seventh part of my income. Perhaps my 
 friend is right ; it is possible that I ought to 
 give much more away than I do ; but my dear 
 friends do not know that I am prohibited by 
 our articles of copartnership from receiving 
 more than simple interest of my capital in trade. 
 Add to this, that the supplies of another mer- 
 cantile concern, into which I was persuaded, 
 contrary to my judgment, have been nearly ten 
 times as much as the original contract ; and 
 these supplies have been necessarily taken, from 
 time to time, from my yearly income. None 
 but God knows v/hat grief of mind this has
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 181 
 
 caused me. I wish to give one half of my 
 whole income to the necessitous. O ! the 
 blessedness of giving ! What did holy Job 
 feel when he exclaimed, ' The blessing of him 
 that was ready to perish came upon me V I 
 know that what I leave behind me I shall lose 
 for ever ; but that vvhich I lend to the Lord 
 I shall find again, and reap the benefit of it 
 for ever." 
 
 SECT. XI. HIS CHARACTER AS A COMrA^'ION 
 
 AXD IRIEIXD. 
 
 He was formed for society, possessing strong 
 sense, an enlarged mind, an uncommon flow 
 of spirits, and a most atTectionate disposition : 
 hence his company and friendship were in 
 extensive request. Nor was he averse from 
 social intercourse ; happy himself, he loved to 
 be surrounded with cheerful countenances, pro- 
 vided only that the cheerfulness arose from 
 such a source as was consistent with the reli- 
 gion of Jesus Christ. He possessed a fund of 
 most interesting anecdotes ; and when in com- 
 pany with a small number of friends he would 
 open out his store in a manner peculiar to him- 
 self, and excite sensations in his hearers of 
 delight and sympathy which it is impossible to 
 describe. 
 
 In large and mixed companies he was aware 
 that it was very difficult so to manage the con- 
 versation as that it should not tend to injury 
 rather than to improvement, and he could not 
 endure the desultory chit-chat which is so fre-
 
 182 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 quently introduced, and which he called " mur- 
 dering time." To prevent these evils, he would 
 call forth into exercise the talents and graces 
 of some of those present ; or he would introduce 
 a leading topic of conversation, which would 
 tend to general improvement : for instance, on 
 such an occasion he once proposed the follow- 
 ing inquiry : " What are the surest evidences 
 that a soul is growing in grace ?" Among many 
 other excellent things which were said, the fol- 
 lowing answers are remembered : — 
 
 In a private Chrlsiian, a growing pleasure 
 in reading the Scriptures — keenness of spirit- 
 ual appetite — delight in prayer, and holy bold- 
 ness in approaching to God — increasing union 
 with God — and power to conquer sin. 
 
 In a imhlic character, not an increasing po- 
 pularity, nor even a progressive usefulness ; but 
 an increasing discernment in spiritual things — 
 love to perishing sinners — and desire to glorify 
 God. Each person in the room, who felt at 
 liberty, contributed his or her quota : the in- 
 terview was concluded with singing and prayer, 
 and they parted glad that they met in the name 
 of the Lord. 
 
 The name o^ friend was a sacred character 
 in his estimation ; he confidently communed 
 with a select few of the excellent of the earth, 
 by personal intercourse and regular correspond- 
 ence. With these he had no reserve, but Hved 
 in habits of the utmost intimacy and affection. 
 From them he received sympathy in suffering, 
 and advice in difhcultv ; while at the same time
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 183 
 
 he increased his happiness by imparting of his 
 own spiritual deUghts, and augmented his 
 strength and courage by declaring his past 
 
 victories. 
 
 SECT. XII. HIS FAILINGS, 
 
 Much has been said in commendation of the 
 excellent character of our friend ; it is still far 
 from our design to paint an absolutely perfect 
 character. This we know was never found in 
 mere humanity. At the same time it may be 
 safely said that Henry Longden's defects were so 
 few, and of such a nature, that those who loved 
 him best would feel no pain in recording them. 
 
 His natural disposition was full of energy 
 and fire, v»'hich nothing but grace could sub- 
 due ; and as, before his conversion, he was a 
 champion for sin, so, after he was brought to 
 <jod, he was a champion for righteousness ; 
 and in both cases he bore down all before him. 
 It was very justly observed, in a discourse de- 
 livered at Doncaster, on the occasion of his 
 death, by one who most sincerely loved him, 
 that "he was by nature a hero, and had his 
 lot been east on the quarter-deck of a British 
 man of war, it cannot be doubted that he would 
 have fought while one plank would have held 
 to another — he would have conquered or died. 
 Something of this spirit would at times appear 
 in his official capacities in the church or else- 
 where. Not that lie gave way in the least to 
 sinful violence ; but acting honestly for God, 
 he felt it was his duty to he firm ; and firmness
 
 184 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 in him assumed sometimes a character of harsh 
 inflexibihty, which was painful to those who 
 were the objects of it." Perhaps this cannot 
 be better ilhistrated than in his o^vn words, 
 spoken not many weeks before his death. 
 " Although," said he, " I have not knowingly- 
 departed from God in one instance, since I 
 turned to hira and joined the Methodists ; yet, 
 if I had my life to respend, I see many things 
 which might have been done which have not 
 been done, and I see many which would have 
 been better omitted which have been done. In 
 the official characters which I have sustained, 
 I believe it has been sufficiently evident that 
 I have always acted in strict integrity. In all 
 my transactions I loved and sought plainness 
 of speech, free from duplicity ; but in main- 
 taining this I have sometimes gone over the 
 line of prudence, by not paying sufficient atten- 
 tion to the feelings of my brethren ; whereas a 
 soft word turneth away wrath." 
 
 It has been asserted that he was easily im- 
 posed upon by those who made a fair profession 
 of religion. This was perhaps the case where 
 he had little opportunity of investigation ; but 
 though mentioned as a failing, it could only 
 prove that he was not infallible ; and that 
 he possessed that charity which hopeth all 
 things, atid thinketh or suspecteth no evil. 
 Happy character, in which the search of can- 
 did truth can find so little imperfection ! O 
 that all who bear the name of Methodists were 
 like him !
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 185 
 
 SECT. Xni. HIS PESSON. 
 
 This is in itself a matter of little moment ; 
 yet there are but few individuals who do not 
 feel a desire to know something of the appear- 
 ance of those of whom they read. To gratify 
 this natural curiosity, this section is subjoined 
 to the " Character of Mr. Longden." He was 
 tall, and remarkably well made ; his figure was 
 finely proportioned ; and though at one period 
 he rather inclined to corpulency, yet, till he was 
 worn away by illness, he never lost the expres- 
 sion of great muscular strength, combined vvith 
 great activity. His complexion v/as fair, and 
 his manly countenance was unusually prepos- 
 sessing. Perhaps the natural cast of his phy- 
 siognomy was improved by the inward peace 
 and benevolence which ever beamed from his 
 eyes ; so that some persons who knew him only 
 by report have melted into tears as soon as 
 they beheld him. His voice was a full bass, 
 and at the same time highly melodious ; and his 
 ear for music was finely correct. He dehghted 
 in singing the praises of his Lord ; and the ef- 
 fect of his voice while engaged in this employ 
 will long be remembered by many. As a Chris- 
 tian, he was rarely equalled : as a man, few 
 indeed could be considered his superiors : and 
 the writer of a paragraph, who had not the hap- 
 piness of his acquaintance till towards the de- 
 cline of his strength, has no hesitation to say, 
 " He was a man, take him for all in all, I ne'er 
 shall look upon his like again,"
 
 186 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 A SU3IMARY CHARACTER, WRITTEN BY A 
 FE3IALE FRIEND. 
 
 When I contemplate the character of iny 
 dear deceased friend, I view him as one of the 
 tirst order of beings in the present state. Those 
 who knew him best, beheld his excellences as 
 scarcely tarnished with infirmity. It is true 
 he was exposed to the envy of some who vainly 
 expect to tind, in such a character, almost an 
 angelic perfection of knowledge and wisdom. 
 Such persons do not discriminate between 
 Christian character and human circumstance ; 
 and attribute moral evil to the one, which is 
 owiug to the limited powers of the other. 
 
 In a review of the good qualities of Mr. L. 
 I feel a difficulty in deciding what were his cha- 
 racteristics. Looking at him as a man, Iliave 
 often adm.ired his strength of intellect, his ac- 
 curacy of discernment, and his firmness in 
 maintaining what he believed to be right. Al- 
 though some of his friends have differed from 
 him in opinion on various subjects, yet I have 
 not known the exception of one instance where 
 his plans and treatment have not ultimately 
 proved the best. 
 
 As a friend, he has been rarely equalled. 
 With what pleasure have I beheld his open- 
 ness of disposition, his uniform cheerfulness, 
 and his fer\ id affection. AW whom he knew 
 and approved had access to his heart, and they 
 might claim all the advantages of a friend in 
 need.
 
 LIFE OF LOxNGDEN. 1S7 
 
 As a Christian, I knew him best. I know 
 he entertained such views of hiniself as only 
 grace can give. While he appeared to me all 
 diligence, fervour, and perseverance, I have 
 heard him lament his coldness and little esti- 
 mation of eternal things. When first I be- 
 came acquainted with him, I was but beginning 
 to knovv- myself; and there appeared so unac- 
 countable a difference between his public la- 
 bours and his humihating views of himself as 
 excited a surprise, and almost a doubt, how one 
 so warm and fervent could complain of such 
 coldness and insensibility. But when I learned 
 that it is one chief design and effect of grace 
 to make us nothing in our own view, the doubt 
 was solved. 
 
 With such views of himself were connected 
 an actual application to Christ as a present 
 Saviour, and exercise of powerful faith in the 
 promises for all the salvation of the gospel. 
 With the humble confidence of a child, he would 
 plead for the bread of God, for himself and 
 others ; and he found all the promises yea and 
 amen in Christ Jesus. 
 
 As a public character, I never knew a person 
 so invariably ready to act for God as Mr. Long- 
 den. He sought opportunities of usefulness in 
 every place and company. As distant from 
 ignorant forwardness as from cold inaction, 
 his zeal v/as happily blended with humility. 
 
 Connected with this was his feeling for the 
 church. Though I considered him as a man 
 acquainted with griefs, yet I know that he found
 
 188 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 
 
 his chief joy, or greatest sorrow, according to 
 the prosperous or drooping state of his church. 
 In the former, how greatly he rejoiced ! in the 
 latter, how much he mourned ! 
 
 In health he acted for God, and in affliction 
 he no less submitted to his will. So that if 
 we select his chief characteristics, we must 
 point out — in health, a holy zeal and courage, 
 mixed v/ith a due proportion of knowledge and 
 love ; and in affliction, a holy cheerfulness 
 under suffering, and a sweet resignation to the 
 bitter cup. I have witnessed his love to God 
 in both these circumstances. I have heard 
 him with much fervour (but with entire sub- 
 mission) ask the Lord for health, that he might 
 devote it to him ; and I have seen him in bo- 
 dily affliction and sore trial feel as a man, yet 
 triumph as a Christian ; suffering with his 
 dear Lord, that he might reign with him to 
 endless day 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 His last Sickness and Death. 
 
 In the summer of 1811, a little before the 
 Sheffield conference, Mr. Longden was ap- 
 pointed to preach at Handsworth Woodhouse. 
 On that day he delivered an impressive dis- 
 course from Rev. xxii, 17, " The Spirit and 
 the bride say. Come. And let him that hear- 
 eth sav, Come. And let him that is athirst
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 189 
 
 come. And whosoever will, let him take the 
 water of life freely.'* This was his last and 
 farev/ell sermon, and it was delivered as though 
 he had known that his departure was at hand. 
 
 When he returned home in the evening, he 
 found he had taken a violent cold. The usual 
 methods of relief were resorted to without suc- 
 cess. His cough was so obstinate and deep- 
 rooted that nothing could remove it, and what- 
 ever was administered only served as a pallia- 
 tive. Many of his old friends among the preach- 
 ers, who saw him at the conference, were much 
 affected with his appearance : he v/as so altered 
 by affliction, that some of them did not know 
 him ; and all agreed in the belief that the Lord 
 was about to call his servant home. 
 
 It was recommended to him by the faculty 
 to breathe the sea air, as the most probable 
 means of removing his cough, and of invigo- 
 rating his strength. As soon as the confer- 
 ence was concluded, his wife and daughter re- 
 paired with him to Scarborough, a place which 
 he had been in the habit of visiting annually, 
 and which was endeared to him by the aifection 
 of many of its pious inhabitants. " This jour- 
 ney," he said, " v/ill, under God, either restore 
 me to health, or serve to convince me that this 
 affliction is unto death." 
 
 The fatigue of a journey of near one hundred 
 miles was too much for his exhausted strength, 
 and he was certainly injured by it. Soon after 
 his arrival, a medical gentleman recommended 
 to him the use of a v/arm shower bath. The
 
 190 LIFE OF LONGDE?T. 
 
 shock quite overpowered his sinking frame, 
 and, if possible, fastened his cough more firmly 
 than before. He now became so ill that it 
 was thought he could not survive many days. 
 But " God, who comforts the distressed," dis- 
 appointed the awakened fears of his surround- 
 ing relatives and friends. He again revived, 
 and at length was able to take a little exercise, 
 by riding upon the sands, and once more flat- 
 tering hopes were entertained that he might be 
 raised up, and spared for a season. 
 
 After spending a few weeks in this manner, 
 the cold u^inds and rainy weather set in, and 
 it was necessary to depart. Much was to be 
 apprehended from the journey. He, however, 
 reached York, tolerably well, the first night. 
 A number of his select friends, who breakfasted 
 with him the next mornino; at Mr. Anar's, will 
 not soon forget that memorable interview ! 
 Conscious that he should see them no more in 
 the body, he exerted himself far beyond his 
 strength, and quite unfitted himself for the la- 
 bour of that day's journey. 
 
 He reached home weaker than he left it, fully 
 convinced that God had marked him for the 
 eternal world ; and although a decline of nature 
 is sometim.es attended with flattering symp- 
 toms, yet he was seldom, if ever, driven from 
 this belief. He saw the last enemy approach, 
 and began to meditate anew on the combat in 
 which he must fall, and on the combatant whom 
 he knew he should nevertheless conqiier. A 
 due preparation for death was not, however, a
 
 LIFE OP LONGDEN. 191 
 
 work then for the first time begun. It had 
 been his chief business for many years to be- 
 come fully ready for this awful period. He 
 saw it an important thing to die, and to enter 
 into a new state of existence ; and such were 
 now his views of the last momentous work of 
 dying, that he said, " We sometimes talk off the 
 book, in health, when we speak of death." 
 
 It was in the beginning of November, 1811, 
 after his return from Scarborough, that his fa- 
 mily were at length convinced of his approach- 
 ing dissolution. 
 
 A few extracts from the diary of an eye- 
 witness, which was written during this trying 
 and afflictive season, will be read with interest 
 by the lovers of the Lord Jesus Christ, as they 
 exemplify the power of religion in the Chris. 
 tian's patience, resignation, and fortitude in 
 afHiction, and his final triumph over death. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF HIS SAYINGS, ETC. DURING UIS 
 LAST AFFLICTION. 
 
 " I think that in heaven they lay a particu- 
 lar emphasis upon ^Worthy is the Lamb!' " 
 
 " On earth the servants of God have few 
 days, and they are full of trouble. Heaven is 
 the reversion of earth : its inhabitants have 
 fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore." 
 
 To two brethren out of the country he said, 
 " I can testify the faithfulness of God. He 
 comes nearer and nearer to me in my afflic- 
 tion. The Lord is so far from leaving me to 
 myself, that he puts underneath and around
 
 193 LIFE OF LONODE>T. 
 
 about me his everlasting arms : when troubles 
 abound my consolations abound. The founda- 
 tion upon which I have built is indissolubly 
 sure : the promises are not yea and nay, but 
 all yea and amen, in Christ Jesus." 
 
 " I renounce my labour for Christ and his 
 church, as very imperfect and full of infirmi- 
 ties. I have been an unprofitable servant. I 
 rest my all upon the boundless mercy of God, 
 and the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. This 
 stone is tried, elect, and precious indeed to my 
 soul. How I pit}^ sinners without God, in dy- 
 ing circumstances ! V/hat could I now do 
 without Christ, much less to have God for my 
 enemy ? The blood of Christ can make the 
 foulest clean — his blood avails for m.e ! Glory 
 be to God in the highest !" 
 
 At another time, conversing Avith some 
 friends, he said, " A few more struggles, and 
 then cometh everlasting deliverance ! and O 
 how welcome the messenger ! How soon I 
 shall join my old companions in paradise ! how 
 our dear brother Haslem vvill exult when we 
 meet in the heavenly plains !" 
 
 To G. Sh — w he said, " My dying exhorta- 
 tion is, Be diligent. It is impossible to do too 
 much for God. Give all diligence, with single- 
 ness of heart. Never faint, never relax, but 
 labour so much the more in the time of sore 
 conflict.'' 
 
 To another he said, " How kind the Lord is 
 to me. He is gently taking down this taberna- 
 cle ; he surrounds me with kind sympathizing
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 193 
 
 friends, and kisses my soul away to regions of 
 blessedness. In a few days, or weeks, I shall 
 hear the cry, ' Behold the bridegroom cometh ! 
 go ye out and meet him.' And the best of all 
 is, it will be just when the Lord pleases." 
 
 December 10, 1811. To-day he fainted for 
 a short time, through extreme weakness, and 
 thought he was dying. When he recovered a 
 little he said, " I felt no inward flutter : I sweet- 
 ly sunk into the arms of Jesus, saying, ' Tri- 
 umphant Lord, appear !' " 
 
 Two female friends called : one of them came 
 out of the country, and at whose house Mr. L. 
 had often preached ; he said, " I am a dying 
 witness of all those essential doctrines which I 
 have preached on your mountains and vales 
 for many years. The truth and faithfulness 
 of God stand for ever. I am more than con- 
 queror through Jesus Christ. I have confessed 
 him through life, and in this important hour he 
 does not forsake his feeble servant. ' To pub- 
 lish the glad tidings has been the delight of my 
 heart !' No pleasure-taker has longed more 
 for the return of the parish wakes than I 
 have longed for the return of the Sabbath, 
 that I might again engage in my pleasant 
 work." 
 
 To W. B., a local preacher, he said, " I have 
 the advantage of you, notwithstanding my weak- 
 ness and confinement ; for ' I have fought the 
 good fight, I have finished my course, I have 
 kept the faith, and the crown of righteousness 
 awaits me :' but you are yet in the field of 
 13
 
 194 LIFE OF LONGDKK. 
 
 warfare : be faithful only, and victory is cer- 
 tain. O how near ! how soon I shall tread the 
 golden streets ! Labour, my brother, for in- 
 ward liberty and uniform steadfastness, then 
 the pulpit will not be a prison ; your inward 
 conflicts will be easy, and your public labours 
 will be blessed : without this, you will only 
 make patch- work of it." 
 
 " How unutterably sweet is the presence of 
 Jesus to me ! where thou art, nothing can be 
 difficult or painful, but all is well. He has a 
 name above every name : what can we fear 
 with such a Saviour !" 
 
 At another time he said, " I am just taken 
 from the evil to come : I almost tremble for the 
 rising generation. When I began to be ill, 
 the Lord found me in a state of gospel liberty ; 
 I was not carrying a load of guilt, nor indulg- 
 ing any secret sin, so that there was not any 
 thing to undo." 
 
 Decemher 11. He said, "How I want to 
 praise God. I have an intense desire to shout 
 the praises of God. I am so languid and feeble 
 I cannot shout, but soon I shall praise him with 
 the fire of a seraph." 
 
 Decemher 12. "I am gradually going down 
 with the sun in December, and we shall both 
 in a few days be at our lowest point ; and then 
 I shall rise, and rise for ever !" 
 
 " This is my experience, looking for the mercy 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 
 There is not any thing in the world a thou- 
 sandth part so desirable as death ! To depart,
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN, 195 
 
 and to be with Christ, is far better than long 
 life in its best estate." 
 
 In answer to the inquiries of a friend, he said, 
 "• This has been a good day ; how near heaven 
 has been to me ! My natural disposition is 
 active, and would not be confined in a corner ; 
 but I am a prisoner of the Lord, gently sinking 
 into the grave. It is by faith and patience we 
 inherit the promises, and how necessary are 
 both in a lingering decline ! In this illness 
 first my flesh began to waste and my strength 
 to fail ; then my appetite was more nice and 
 delicate ; then my knees trembled under me, and 
 now I cannot support my tottering frame : thus 
 the Lord is gently taking down this tabernacle. 
 O happy, happy ! when the weary Avheels of 
 life stand still ! and how very soon !" 
 
 December 14. One of the family desired to 
 support his back with pillows : he said, " Jesus 
 is the best prop, my love ! yes, he is my prop : 
 he does and will support me. O he is a sweet 
 prop ! blessed be his name !" 
 
 This evening, the family being assembled in 
 his room, he said, " At the close of another 
 week I can say, the Lord is still with me ; he 
 has supported me, and now I have more to 
 praise him for than ever. This condescension 
 of my Lord is nothing more than I expected. 
 O how the grace of G od has preserved me these 
 many years ! — it was not with a youthful flash ; 
 no, for latterly I have been more fully devoted 
 to God than ever I was, and the Lord does not 
 forsake his servants in their extremity and old
 
 196 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 age. I know he will bring me off more than 
 conqueror through the blood of the Lamb." 
 
 Speaking of a backslider he said, " Poor 
 
 man ! when he is taken ill he sends for J 
 
 to pray for him ; wrings his hands, and is in 
 the utmost distress ; but, poor dear man ! as 
 soon as he is a little better he goes to the ta- 
 vern as formerly. O the danger of such a cha- 
 racter !" 
 
 Speaking of a friend, who is subject to a very 
 dangerous complaint, "Ah!" he said, "he 
 must be always ready ; ever have on his hea- 
 venly clothes, that whenever the chariot of fire 
 and the horses thereof arrive, he may have no- 
 thing to do but to step in, and mount up through 
 the air to the heavenly regions." 
 
 A friend saying to him he thought he might 
 yet recover, with a smile he replied, '• I am 
 quite happy with respect to that ; my cause is 
 in good hands : were it in the hands of my 
 dear wife or children, or friends, or physicians, 
 they are all but poor fallible creatures, and 
 would be sure to err : but my Jesus, who has 
 my cause in his hands, my divine Master, my 
 bleeding Lamb, my precious Saviour, cannot 
 err. Let it be life or death, my Lord, as thou 
 appointest." 
 
 Being very weary and restless, he exclaimed, 
 " O my Jesus ! come to me and raise me ! I 
 cannot doubt thy love, but I want to feel its 
 power : I cannot doubt thy faithfulness, but I 
 want to feel its plenitude. Come, my Lord ! 
 and help thy poor weak child."
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 197 
 
 To Mr. W he said, " How is it that I 
 
 have not the burstins; joys, the mighty floods ?" 
 
 Mr. VV said, " Rather inquire, have I per- 
 
 feet patience, perfect resignation, perfect love ?" 
 '* O yes," he said, •' if the Lord were to prolong 
 my sufferings in this confinement for many 
 years, I would say, Father, thy will only be 
 done !" " How is it possible," said Mr. W., 
 " without a miracle, to shout the praises of 
 God, when your voice is nearly gone? Such 
 visitations would delight your soul, but they 
 would not be any additional ground of confi- 
 dence." 
 
 To a friend he said, " Many of my brethren 
 have run before me in learning, ability, and 
 success ; but I trust few of them have laboured 
 more willinnly and cheerfully in the work of 
 the Lord." ^ 
 
 He often told his brethren that he was wait- 
 ing for the promi-:e of the Father, even as a 
 baptism of the Spirit, as an entire meetness for 
 heaven. On Christmas eve he had a memo- 
 rable visit from the Lord : he proclaimed aloud 
 the glory of the Lord : roused, as it were, with 
 the shouts of angels, and kindled into rapture 
 with visions of glory, he broke into expressions 
 of holy triumph in Christ, as infinitely precious 
 and faithful, and eternity seemed to him as if 
 it would be too short '• to utter all his praise !" 
 
 To C. C he said, " How often we say 
 
 we want to live nearer to God. The great evil 
 is, that we do not resolutely pray more. We 
 must have time for secret prayer, taken from
 
 198 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 business or sleep if we have no leisure. Who 
 ever resolved thus, in the strength of God, with- 
 out actually living nearer to God ? It has been 
 my rule and invariable practice for some years, 
 to pray at least six times a day in secret, and 
 with less than this I could not maintain unin- 
 terrupted union with God." 
 
 Mr. Jonathan B r called, and said he 
 
 had a laborious day on the Sabbath, and he felt 
 the effects of it ; to which he replied, " I can 
 tell you, on the faith of a dying man, the work 
 5''ou are engaged in is the work of God; and if 
 you are fully faithful, you will receive a glo- 
 rious reward at the resurrection of the just.'' 
 
 December 26. For five hours this evening 
 he had a violent pain in the heart, but main- 
 tained a sweet equanimity of mind. " This 
 body," he said, " cannot find rest for one mo- 
 ment, but soon it will rest in the grave. My 
 Saviour trod the wine-press alone, forsaken of 
 his friends, and hated of his enemies ; but I, a 
 worm, have every earthly comfort, and every 
 blessing arising from the skill of physicians, the 
 attention and tenderness of my family, the affec- 
 tion of my friends, and the prayers of the church. 
 Jesus exclaimed, ' My God ! my God ! why 
 hast thou forsaken me ?' whereas I have the 
 presence of God every moment ; and his pre- 
 sence is ease in pain, and life in death." 
 
 He said, " Mr. is far the wisest man 
 
 I have known ; he is living most for eternity ! 
 he is more abundant in labour, and in success 
 in winning and saving souls."
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 199 
 
 Jan. 1, 1812. His words were, " Happy ! 
 happy ! happy ! I would not exchange with any 
 man upon earth. O what a prospect of an in- 
 heritance beyond the grave ! It is this which 
 stamps a superiority upon religion ; it is not a 
 cunningly devised fable." " As I grow weaker 
 my cough is less irritable : how kind this is of 
 my Lord !" 
 
 To two female friends he said, " Labour to 
 give your v/hole heart to God, and then labour 
 to do all you can for God in his members ; if 
 your opportunity be small, yet if you can but 
 pin a pin for God, he will not be unmindful of 
 it, and it cannot lose its reward." 
 
 Ai another time he said, " What a comfort 
 1 lind in always having God at hand to turn 
 unto ! When I awake I find him instantly in 
 my thoughts, cheering me upon my bed." Rais- 
 ing himself in bed, with lifted hands, he said, 
 " What a glorious change I shall soon experi- 
 ence ! What raiment I am about to wear ! 
 What company I shall join, and blissful em- 
 ployments I shall enter upon ! The grandeur 
 of princes is faded and gone !" 
 
 January 4. The family being met in his 
 room for worship, he said, " One means of my 
 preservation has been — sincerity. I have made 
 many mistakes, but I have instantly confessed 
 my fault to God, and he has healed me. My 
 children and servants, if you would not have 
 any misgivings upon a dying bed, in your trans- 
 actions never have two ends in view, a secret
 
 200 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 and an open one : avoid a double mind, as be- 
 ing the sure way to destruction." 
 
 January 6. Being extremely feeble, and 
 having a restless night, he wished to be dressed 
 and assisted down stairs, but thought he should 
 not be able to return. " I think," he said, 
 " this may be the last rising from m}" bed." 
 *' But," a friend observed, " you may revive a 
 little." " That," he said, " affords me no com. 
 fort." He exhorted his wife, and those of his 
 children present, to labour after spirituaUty, 
 living continually under a sense of the divine 
 influence. In the course of the day he said 
 also, " Perhaps we have been mistaken in our 
 views, in not any thing more than in the pro- 
 bable simplicity of the scene upon our instant 
 dismissal from the body : probably the departed 
 spirit of an old companion in tribulation may 
 smile and welcome me into the heavenly world, 
 and, opening my eyes, I may find myself in 
 paradise ; and as soon as the child of immor- 
 tality can bear, the surrounding happy spirits 
 may conduct me into tha presence of him whom 
 my soul loveth, even to Jesus." 
 
 To Mr. B 11 he said, " Sometimes I am 
 
 so weak and languid that I do not know where 
 I am or who I am. When I am myself I am 
 waiting upon God every moment. At the low- 
 est of times I know that all is well ; so that I 
 am tossed upon a tempestuous sea, with the port 
 in view, 
 
 ' And my Lord, he will not tarry : 
 Soon he'll call his servant home,' "
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 201 
 
 January 10. All this day a heavenly sweet- 
 ness rested upon him. Having a little ease 
 and recruited strength, his lips were touched 
 with a live coal from the altar, and he tri- 
 umphed in Christ ; he said, " My Jesus ! thou 
 art my heart's delig-lit, my soul's only treasure, 
 my satisfying portion, my eternal inheritance." 
 
 About six o'clock in the evening he said, 
 " My dear, I am cold at my heart ; I think the 
 last conflict is commencing." Soon after he 
 was seized with a shaking fit. We thought it 
 was the last struggle ; during this time he could 
 not speak, but he was quite sensible. In about 
 an hour the violence of the symptoms abated, 
 and he revived again. He passed a very rest- 
 less night. 
 
 On Saturday the glands of his throat swelled 
 much ; he had a night of toil, but evinced no- 
 thing but perfect patience. 
 
 On Sunday, January 12, he could not rise 
 from his bed, for the first time. He admired 
 the goodness of God in dealing with him so 
 gently throughout his affliction, bringing the 
 body down to death by imperceptible de- 
 grees. 
 
 To a friend he said, '• I believe the angels of 
 God are hovering around us, we must die to see 
 them ; and who would not die to be admitted 
 into the company of saints and angels. Hasten, 
 O Lord, the day of my espousals !" To his 
 family he said, " If departed saints are per- 
 mitted to go on embassies of love to their old 
 companions in tribulation whom they have left
 
 202 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 behind, I shall be glad to visit you and give you 
 a Uft up the hill." 
 
 For some weeks past the doctors had almost 
 daily expected his dissolution ; and he himself 
 had begun to say, " Why do thy chariot wheels 
 delay ?" and, " To be present in the body is to 
 be absent from my Lord : to depart and be with 
 
 Christ is far better," &c. Mr. B 11 this 
 
 morning, when praying with us, blessed God 
 for a new day given, that we might receive 
 grace upon grace, and by lengthened suffering 
 might brighten our crown and increase our 
 glory for ever. This thought affected his mind, 
 and he said, " Jesus, I'll cease to count the 
 hours ; I'll suffer on a month, a year ! thy time 
 is the best. O let thy will be done !" 
 
 He remarked, " I bless the Lord I have been 
 spared again to set my house in order : I have 
 lived to see all my just debts paid, and every 
 thing made plain and easy for my executors. 
 For this I thank thee, O heavenlv Father !" 
 
 To Mr. G. S th, who had walked thirty 
 
 miles to see him once more, he said, " My bro- 
 ther, the way in which we are is the good and 
 the right way. It is good in proportion as far 
 as we have gone ; if we had gone farther it 
 would have been better. Had I strength and 
 utterance, I would tell you my enlarged views 
 of eternal things. My brother, our God is able 
 to give exceeding abundantlv above all we ask 
 or think. He is faithful to every promise ; but 
 how much depends upon our diligence ! The 
 Lord is very kind and gracious, he never leaves
 
 LIFE OF LCNGDEN. 203 
 
 me for a moment. I have not had a doubt or 
 a scruple since the beginning of my affliction. 
 I hope you will live many happy useful years, 
 if you can but proportion your exertions to your 
 strength ; otherwise you will bring premature 
 infirmities and death." 
 
 The return of his fever became more fre- 
 quent, and caused almost a continual restless- 
 ness and tossing. The word rest was music 
 in his ears, yet his cry was, " Jesus, let all thy 
 will be done !" He expressed an increasing 
 willingness to suffer, and he was evidently tak- 
 ing a softer mould, changing from glory to 
 glory into the image of God, who is transcend- 
 
 ently glorious in holiness. Mrs. B 11 said, 
 
 " Well, blessed be God ! patience is not ex- 
 hausted yet." « No," he said, " that is not 
 wonderful, when I assure you that the Lord is 
 with me continually ; and he is patience and 
 resignation, courage and fortitude, strength 
 and wisdom. I have survived beyond all the 
 expectations of all my friends, and I am spared 
 for purposes worthy of the wisdom and good- 
 ness of God ; and as soon as they are fully 
 accomplished he will call me home." 
 
 Mrs. B 11 remarked, '• I think, from a 
 
 dream which a pious man had respecting Mr. 
 Fletcher, the spirits of departed saints visit 
 the churches, or particular members of the mi- 
 litant church, only by express command, and 
 that their happiness chiefly consists in doing 
 the will of Christ, and serving his pleasure." 
 " So think I," he replied ; '• nevertheless, it is
 
 204 LIFE Ot" LONGDEN. 
 
 probable the}' do thus minister to the saints on 
 earth. I often think our powers vrili be amaz- 
 ingly enlarged and perfected when we enter 
 the world of spirits — there will be no error ; 
 that which is imperfect shall be done away : 
 and when our bodies are changed and fashioned 
 like unto the glorious body of Christ, and when 
 with our united soul and body we meet the 
 Lord in the air, our happiness will be consum- 
 mated for ever." 
 
 Fehruary 10. He now took very little sup- 
 port, and entirely refused all solids. His me- 
 mory, which till now was retentive, began to 
 fail. The doctor told him he could not survive 
 long. " That," he said, " is a sweet word, 
 doctor ; it revives me ; yet I am not anxious 
 how long." 
 
 His mind fully rested on God, desirous only, 
 in life and in death, to advance his glory. 
 From the 12th to the 23d February, he could 
 not lie upon his sides for pain and difficulty of 
 breathing, and he could not lie upon his back, 
 because the skin was inflamed and broken, so 
 that he could only sleep while his head was 
 supported with pillows, night or day : he also 
 coughed very much, which so exhausted him 
 that he was unable to converse much with his 
 friends, and but few v»'ere permitted to see him. 
 During the short intervals in which this dying 
 Christian was able to speak, his language was 
 to the glory of Christ, and to the encourage- 
 ment of his servants. " How precious," he 
 said, " is Christ, in all his offices, his atonement
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 205 
 
 and intercession, liis covenants and graces." 
 While a friend prayed with him, he said, '• It 
 is all glory ! all glory /" 
 
 February 22. He appeared to change for 
 death ; he blessed his family ; afterwards he re- 
 vived again. To his old tried friend he said, 
 " My dear friend, how I love you ! it is with a 
 pure heart, fervently ; God will support you to 
 the end. You will not be long after me." 
 
 Sunday, February 23. A visible change 
 took place at six this morning, and it was evi- 
 dent his departure was at hand. He had al- 
 most an incessant coughing, but was able to 
 expectorate very little. " This," he said, " is 
 my last earthly Sabbath. O ! how soon ! how 
 very soon ! deliverance is at hand ! I charge 
 you all to meet me in heaven." He was quite 
 sensible all the day, but was able to speak but 
 little. 
 
 At six in the evening the mucus fell upon 
 the lungs, and his cough ceased. The last con- 
 flict was begun : he said, " The messenger of 
 my Lord is come ; do not any of you be flut- 
 tered or alarmed, but be silently engaged with 
 God in prayer." He entered the valley as one 
 M'ho feared no evil. Fully prepared for every 
 event, he met the last enemy with the compo- 
 sure and steadiness which had ever distinguish- 
 ed him upon former occasions of suffering. In 
 life he had been one of the foremost in the 
 Christian profession, and in death he was called 
 to give full proof of its genuineness, by being 
 put into the front rank of suflering. For the
 
 206 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 
 
 space of eight hours before his dissolution his 
 suffering was extreme. A Uttle cold water be- 
 ing given him in a tea-spoon, he said, '• The 
 request of Dives was a small one, but it was 
 denied him." His lips being wet again with 
 water, he said, '' Hallelujah for cold water !" 
 He waved his hand, and looked unutterable 
 things ! He saw beyond the limited gloom of 
 the valley of the shadow of death those ever- 
 lasting hills of light and glory to which his soul 
 aspired ! and he waved his hand in token of 
 complete, everlasting victory. 
 
 At two o'clock he asked who we were that 
 sat near his bed — we told him. Several rose 
 up to watch his departing breath ; he waved 
 his hand for them to sit down. Afterwards he 
 turned his eyes to the window, and said, "Air." 
 When we had put down the sash we gently 
 raised him in bed, and he breathed with more 
 ease ; till, at half past two, on Monday morn- 
 ing, February 24, he entered the joy of his 
 Lord, in the fit'ty-eighth year of his age. 
 
 Happy spirit ! thy warfare is accomplished, 
 and thou hast taken thy everlasting flight. May 
 those who remain eagerly grasp thy mantle ; 
 and may thy name and excellences be perpe- 
 tuated in the church as long as the sun and 
 moon endure ! Amen. 
 
 Our deceased friend was buried, by his par- 
 ticular desire, not as a gentleman, but as a 
 plain Christian. About forty of his brethren, 
 the itinerant and local preachers, proceeded 
 first, two by two ; then the corpse, carried by
 
 LIFE OF LONGDEN. 207 
 
 sLx of those who loved him ; eight of his par- 
 ticular friends were pall-bearers ; and, although 
 the day was cold and stormy, it was computed 
 there were not fewer than ten thousand sin- 
 cere mourners accompanied his remains to the 
 house appointed for all living. The memory 
 
 OF THE JUST IS BLESSED. 
 
 THE E^'D.
 
 tJCSB tlBR/niY
 
 Efi'J REj;0',-^L jBRAPf FAiJLIT^ 
 
 B 000 007 373 4