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Chapter12ThecommencementofmyworkatMeltonMowbraywasofaveryinterestingcharacter.Manywhowerethen,pillarsintheChurchhavedeparted.Somehaveenteredintofinalrest,whileothersarescatteredabroadalmosteverywhere.ThegenerousmannerinwhichourpeopleatMeltonreceivedmedeservestobeplacedonrecord;Icannoteasilyforgetthegracioussympathyaccordedinmy,tothem,strangemethods,bythosetowhommyministry,incertainfeaturesofit,musthavebeenmoreofacrossthanablessingThekindlyspiritandlovingcounselofMr.andMrs.Large,Mr.andMrs.Sarson,Mr.andMrs.Gill,andmanyothers,Iremembertothishourwithgratitude.lhaveoftenthoughtsincethenthattheonlyfeatureofmyministryinthose‘prenticedayswhichcouldcommendittosuchpeople,wasmyimpetuouszeal,aconsumingpassiontosave.IrememberalsogoodMrs.Barratt,whoselovinghospitalityandmightyprayersoftstrengthenedbothmybodyandsoulwhenheartandfleshwerefailing.MyheartleapsforjoywhenIthinkofhernobleandcourageousdaughterswhoassistedmeinmyopen-airworkwhenotherscouldnotorwouldnot.Theywereonewithmeinmyeffortstoarrestthegodlesscrowds.NightafternighthaveIseenthoseconsecratedsoulswipethefoamfromtheirarmsandcomefromtheheatedworkroomtowalkbymysidethroughstreetafterstreet,singinghymnsofsalvation.Oftenhavewethreeformedtheprocession,untiltheworkofGodrevivedandhelpersweremultiplied.

IcommencemyworkinMeltonwithafortnight’smission.Thesocietywasratherlowinspirituallife.Everyone,andeverything,neededthequickeningoftheHolyGhost.Aspiritualtorporwasonthe

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peopleofthetown.Ifeltthatnothingshortofamoralrevolutionwouldarousetheunsaved.Coldformalitiesrequireastormofspiritualpowertosweepthemaway.OnthefirstSundaynightofthemission,ltoldthechurchthatshouldattackthedevilandthesinofthetownthenextnight;andthatIshouldpitchmystandinmarket-place.Open-airwork,Ifoundwasinbadrepute.Myearnestappealforhelptomissionthestreetsmetwithonlyoneresponse.Thosewhohadtheleisurehadnotthedesire,andthosewhohadthedesirehadnottheopportunity.ThedateIcannottell,butitwaswinter,andthegroundwascoveredwithsnow.Thenightwasbitterlycold,andthestreetswerepracticallydeserted.Takingmystandaloneinthecentreofthemarket-place,IliftedmyheartinsilentprayertoGod.Castingaswiftglancearoundme,Imeasuredthearea,andwonderedwhatimpressionmytacticswouldmake.MyglancerevealedbehindwhereIstoodawomanstandingonthefrozencausewaywithababeinherarms.Iknewher,havingseenherattheserviceinthechapel.Shewasamemberofthesociety.ItwasMrs.Mackley.Havingheardmyrequestthenightbeforeforvolunteers,she,ofallwholistened,wastheonlyonewhocame.Bravewoman!Tofacethesnowandchillingblastcarryingatenderbabe,thatshemightshowhersympathywithGodandmyselfintheworkofsavingsouls,wasaworthyact.Thoughlikethewomenatthecross,shestoodsomedistanceawayfromme,herpresencedidmegood,andinappreciationImentionherhere.Inaload,commandingtoneIgaveoutmy“warcry”:-

"Hark!thegospelnewsissounding,Christhathsufferedonthetree.”

Thoughsomeotherhymnsmaybemorepopularwithcertainpeople,Idonotthinkthereisanotherhymnthathasbeenmoreusefulinrevivals,orledmoretoJesusChrist.Icommencedtosing.Amanwhouptothispointhadbeenlookingintoashopwindow,turnedandstared.Itwasanewthing.Thinking,nodoubt,thatitwasatjoke,andthatIwasafool,hecameacrossthemarketplaceinaverythreateningattitude.Icouldseehewasafterlayingmeallmylengthinthesnow.So,withahurriedprayerforGod’sprotection,Iturnedmymouthinthedirectionhewasapproaching,andwithallmyaffectionofspiritandpowerofbeing,Isangfullintohisface---

“Graceisflowinglikeariver,Millionstherehavebeensupplied.”

Themanstoppedastounded.Heseemedpowerlesstoharmme.Helistenedtotheclose,andthenclappinghishands,shouted,“Encore!Encore!Goon,oldfellow;Idon’tknowwhoyouare,butI’llbeblowedifyoucan’tsing.”Afterthesongcameaprayer.Thenalovingearnestappeal.Theinfluenceofthatfirsthymnlingersstill.Thoughsungtwenty-twoyearsago,itstillblessestheworld.Faithsaysitsmusicwilllingertotheendoftime.Somewhoheardit,andfelttheSpiritofGodinit,havecarriedthemusicofitsmessagetootherlives.ThousandsinthedayoftheLordJesuswillpraiseGodthatthathymnwaseversung.ItwasoneoftheincidentswhichcaptivatedJohnE.Wakerley,andwhichbroughtGod’sbaptismofblessingandpoweruponhislife.OnenightinhisvestryatSt.John’sSquare,Clerkenwell,hetoldmewhatIdidnotknowbefore;thatoneofmyfirsthearersthatsnowynightinMeltonMarketwashisownbrother,sincethenMayorofLeicesterandcandidateforParliamentaryhonours.Anotherincidentconnectedwiththatfirsthymnstillbearsitsownspiritualinterest.Twoladieshavinglefttheirhomesineachother’scompany,wereengagedinshoppinguponeofthestreetsbranchingoutofthemarket.Thefirstnotesofthehymnarrestedthem.Theystoodforafewsecondsandlistened.Overtheroofsofthehousescametherefrain:—

“Noneneedperish,allmaylive,ForChristhathdied.”

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“Hark!”saidoneoftheladies,‘‘someoneissinging.”“Yes,”answeredtheother,“somepoorbeggar,Isuppose.”“Really,”returnedthefirstspeaker,“butIneverheardabeggarsinglikethatinthestreetsbefore.Come,letusgoandseewhoitis.”“Ohdearno!"saidladynumbertwo,“Icantbetroubledgoingaboutthestreetslisteningtovagrants."Andsotheyparted,onetohershopping,theothertoher—destiny.Afewmomentsafterwardstheladystoodonthecausewaylistening,amongothers,tomysong.ShelistenedwhileIprayedandexhortedthepeopletorepentance.Deeplyimpressed,sheenquiredofabystanderwhoIwasandwhatmybusinesswas.Thepersonenquiredofknewmyintent,andtoldher,liketheunknowninformantofold,“whatitmeant.”Thatnightaroundthesuppertableinherhomeshetoldwhatshehadseenandheard.Theeldestdaughterwassointerested,sheaskedpermissiontoattendaneveningservice.Shecame,andatthecloseofthemeetingwasfoundatthefeetofJesus.Othersofthefamilycame,untiltheblessingofGodresteduponall.Oftinthathome,sincethen,haveIsharedinthebenefactionsofalovingministry.SomeofthechildrenareglorifyingGodinourchurchesto-day.Thereisstillanotherincidentrelatedtothesingingofthathymnwhichthereadermayliketoknow.InmylongtrampsforStGeorge’sHall,againandagain,atthecloseofsomecrowdedmeeting,ahandwouldbethrustintomine,andablessingwouldbegivenfromonewhowouldtellmethattheyfoundmercyinthoseearlydays.OnenightIwasannouncedtolectureinaneasterntown.ThepresidentofthemeetingwasafineChristiangentleman.Theministertoldmehewasdoinganobleworkamongtheoutcastandneglectedyouthsofthedistrict.Hisgenerousheartandphilanthropicspiritweremostcommendableandworthyofimitation.TohisopeningaddressIlistenedwiththedeepestinterestwhilehemadethefollowingstatement.First,heexpressedtheextremepleasurehehadinbeingpresentattheservice,andthatforareasonwhichhewouldgive.“Sometwentyyearsago,”hesaid,“IwasresidingwithmyparentsinthetownofMeltonMowbray.OnenightIlefthome,mymotherbeingundertheimpressionthatIwasabouttoattendareligiousserviceintheIndependentChapel;butmyownintentionwastogoelsewhere.Passingalongthemainstreet;Iheardsomeonesinging,anddrewnearthemarket-placetoseewhoitwas.IsawinthecentreofthespaceatallmansingingtheclosingrefrainwithwhichsincethenIhavebecomemorefamiliar.Hethenprayedandexhortedthepeopletobesaved.AtthecloseIwasdeeplyaffected.Myintentionswerechanged.WithtearsinmyeyesIsoughtmyhomedoor.EnteringquietlyIwent;uptomylittleroom,andbythesideofmylittlebedGodpardonedallmysins.Fromthatnighttothis,overtwentyyears,Ihaveneverseenthepreacher.Thatman,”saidthespeaker,“wasMr.Flanagan.”WhenIheardthattestimony,IthankedGod.ItwasanothertributetotheworkingoftheSpiritofGodinunknownways.Itwasanencouragementtosowgoodseed,whetherfruitwasseenornot.“Theytoiledallnightandcaughtnothing.”Thesearethepeopleweneed.Anyonecantoilwhensuccessiscontinuous.ButitrequiresafaithgroundeddeeplyintheeternaltruthofGodtotoilthroughthewearyhoursofanapparentlyprofitlessservice.But,liftupyourhearts,yefishersofmen.Thehistoricmethodistheeverlastingorder.Fortheywhotoilallnightandcatchnothingshallfindthemorning,andthemorningwillrevealJesus,andJesuswillbringthefish.ItmaybethatthatoldhymnsungthatcoldnightinthestreetsofMeltonwillpursueitsministryofblessingand

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salvationtotheendoftime.Evilisshort-lived;goodnessiseternal.Iftheliftingofahumanhandsendsarippletothestars,thegentledeedofalowlyheartmaychangeadestiny.ThosefirstmeetingsinMeltonChapelleftadeepimpressiononmanyhearts.SomewhonowareactiveintheMeltonsocietyfoundsalvationthen.SomeareservingGodinotherchurchesofPrimitiveMethodism,whileothers,havingkeptthefaithandfinishedtheircourse,havegainedthecrown.StrangesceneswerewitnessedintheoldChapel.TheotherFreeChurchesofthetownwererevived,particularlytheWesleyan.ThesavedoftheLordweremany.GodsofilledsomeyoungheartsintheWesleyanChurchthattheirfieryzealsweptallbeforethem.TogatherintheoutcaststheTemperanceHallwastaken.Thissoonbecametoosmall,andthelargeCornExchangewassecured.Here,weekafterweek,thegloryofGodwasmanifest.ThetownwasvisitedwithaPentecost.

Someofthechiefspiritsofthatremarkablerevivalwereconvertsofourmission.OurbeautifulnewchurchandschoolsatMeltonare,nodoubt,indirectlythefruitoftherevival.ItakethefollowingtwominutesfromtheMeltonQuarterlyMeetingMinuteBook:-"ThatwerecordourgratitudetoalmightyGod,forthesuccesswithwhichhehascrownedoureffortsduringthepastyearinanincreaseof120members."Alittlefurtheronisthefollowing:—“Thatthenumberofmembersbereceived,viz,331.Andthatwereport240,beinganincreaseontheyearof40members,leavingareserveof91."FollowinguponthisrevivalcametheSalvationArmy.Sadtosay,theyenduredgreatpersecutions,owingtosomesupposedarbitraryactiononthepartofGeneralBooth.Asaconsequencetheywerenotonlypersecuted,buttheyhavefailedtogripthemassesofMeltontoanyappreciableextent.Oneortwoincidentsofthismissionstandoutfromtherest.Onemanwhohadbeenconvertedatthemeetings,andwhosewife,Ithink,causedhimmuchanxiety,wasveryanxious,bothfor,hisownpeace,aswellashersalvation,thatsheahouidbesaved.Hebecamepossessedoftherideathatshecouldonlybeconvertedundermypreaching.Sofromtimetotimehebroughthertomyservices.Onenight,inamightyprayermeeting,shearosefromherseat,andbeforeallthepeople,cameandkneltattheformforpenitents,Iatoncestoppedandspoketoherwithaviewtohelphertothecross.Shestartledme,andgreatlyamusedthe

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congregation,bysuddenlylookingup,andinafiercetonesaying,“Mindyourownbusiness,andletmeprayformyself.”AfterthatIleftherseverelyalone.Soonasshe,tohersatisfaction,realisedpardon,sherosetoherfeetandwenttowhereshehadbeensitting.Attheclose,tomyastonishment,thehusbandstoodupbeforethecongregationandburstoutwith,“Thankyo’,mester,forconvertingmywife.”“Godhelpyou,man,”Isaid,“itwillbeapoorjobifIhavedoneit.”AnotherincidentIrememberverywellofamanwhousuallyhungaroundthecattlemarketonmarketdays."Hewasakindofcasual,doingoddwork.Hewasagreatdrinker,andoneday,beingundertheinfluenceofliquor,thecattledealersthoughttheywouldtreatthemselvestoajoke.Seizingthepartiallyintoxicatedman,theythrewhimacrossthebarebackofarestivehorse.Leadingthehorseintothemainroad,andturningitsheadtothetown,theyplacedthebridle-reininhishand,andwithacutortwoofthewhiptheysentthehorseatfullgallopdowntheroad.Themanhadnotproceededfarbefore,drunkthoughhewas,hesawcominguptheroadsomedistanceaway,thethenvicarofMelton.Thevicarwasafine-lookingman,agoodpreacher,andanIrishmantoboot,andasaconsequence,tingedwiththenativewitofhisrace.“Now,”thoughtthedrunkenfellow,ashedrewnearatamadgallop,“nowforajoke.”Whenoppositethevicar,hesuddenlypulledup,rearingthehorseonitshaunchesashedidso.Staringrudelyatthevicar,whoalsohadstoppedinhiswalkandwaslookingattheman,thedrunkendroversaid,“SIR,WHICHWAYTOHELL?”Thevicarmeasuredhismaninamoment.Hereadthesituationataglance.Hewasequaltotheoccasion.Withoutaruffleofcountenancehequietlyraisedhishatandpointinginthedirectionthemanwasgoing,said,“STRAIGHTON,MYFRIEND,STRAIGHTON.”Theshotstruckhome.Themangavethevicararespectfulsalute,andinasubduedtone,answered,“Thankyou,sir,ifthewaytohellisstraighton,Iwillgotheotherway.”Andturningthehorseroundhewentuptheroadataquietpace.

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FromMeltonmyworkpenetratedtothevillagesbeyond,lyingwithinaradiusofsometenortwelvemiles.Gracious,indeed,werethevisitationsofGodineveryplace.Allthechurchesgreatlybenefitedbyourlabours.Itwastruethere,asithasbeencharacteristicallytrueofPrimitiveMethodismfromthebeginning,thatwebroughtdownthegameandothersbagged,it.EventheEstablishedChurchwasmovedtomoreearnesteffortsforthepeople’sgood.Inoneinstance,IhadthepleasureofconductingaspecialmissionforoneoftheEnglishChurchesinthedistrict,myfellow-workerbeingtheRev.ThompsonPhillips,M.A.,oneoftheRuralDeansofCarlisle.TheChurchwasPickwell,andthevicarwastheRev.E.Harman,M.A.,oneofthemostChristlikemenIevermet.TherecomesbacktomewithvividdistinctnessthedifferentmeanswhichGodusedinthevariousplacestomovethepeopletothoughtsofabetterlife.IthinkoneofthemostdifficultplacesIenteredwasSomerby.NottheSomerbyofTennyson,buttheSomerbyofColonelBurnaby,ofKhivafame,andDr.Richardson,theeminentphysician.Somerbyovertwentyyearsagowasinasadconditionspiritually.Thecursesofdrinkandgamblingblightedmanyalife.Talesweretoldmebythefireside,bythosewhoknew,ofdarkscenesindyinghours,whenthesoulthathadmockeditsGodwasnearingtheverge.Thepeoplehadbeenblessedwithsomerarespirits.Eachstreethadrungwiththeclearmessageofsalvation,buttomanyitwasaweariness.Theoldproverbwascertainlytruehere:“Aprophetisnotwithouthonoursaveamonghisownpeopleandinhisownhouse.”Pure,sweet,beautifullivesshedhallowedradianceonthevillagestreet,glorifyingthetrivialroundandthecommontask.Buttosomeitwasallinvain.Hellistheonlythingthatwillrousesomementoasenseoftheirmoralresponsibility.ItwashereImetwithgoodMr.Freeman,whoshelteredWilliamClowes,andmanyofourearlypreachersinthetimeofneedandpersecution.ThenightprecedingthemorningonwhichMr.FreemanfirstmetClowes,hehadrestedinacart-shed.Beingsocoldhecouldnotsleep,andatfouro’clocka.m.hadstartedonhisday’smissionwithoutatasteoffood.Mr.Freemantookhimfromthestreetafterpreachingtothelabourerswhoweregoingtowork,andgavehimhisbreakfast,forwhichhereceivedtheblessingoftheevangelist.ThegoodmanrememberedtheprayerandblessingofWilliamClowestothelast.Here,also,wasbornthatheroofthecross,WilliamCorbridge,oneoftheearlyapostlesoftheSalvationArmy,whowasoneofthegiftsofPrimitiveMethodismtothatgreatorganisation.Forgenius,tact,anddaring,CorbridgewasnotonewhitbehindWilliamBoothhimself.ConvertedatSomerby,hecommencedhislaboursinthevillagestreetandamonghisownpeople.ToMr.Corbridge’sparentsandsisterImyselfwasdeeplyindebtedformanyblessingsinthedayswhenfriendswerefewandtimeswerehard.ThereareotherswhosenamesIcannotmention,butwhoseserviceofloveisnotforgotten.OurlittlechapelatSomerbywasmostawkwardlysituated.Theentrancetoitwasobstructedbyapublic-house.Tomakemattersworse,thelandlordwasnofriendtoreligion,andhiscustomerswhenprimedwithbeerwereveryannoying.Drink,drink,seemedtobeeverywhere.Asourceofdemoralisationalsotothecommonpeoplewerethepracticesofmanyoftheso-calledaristocracyofthesurroundingdistrict.ThewordsofthepreacherontheSabbathwouldoftbemingledwiththeunholylaughteroftheseleadersofsocietyoveragameofbowls.IthoughtofthesesceneswhenspeakingwithMrs.OrmistonChantashorttimeagoatSheffield.Iheardhersaythatfashionablesocietywasoneofthemostrottenthingsunderthesun.ThosewhothinkthesewordstoostrongshouldreadGeorgeSims’chapterin“LivingLondon”on“FashionableSociety.”ForsheerfrivolityoflifeIhavereadnothingequaltoit.

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Iresolvedifpossibletodosomethingtobreakinuponthisfortofsin.Buthowtodoit?lknewnobetterwasthantoattackthedevilintheopenair,andfromdoortodoor.Themostawfulsintomeisindifference.lwouldsoonerhavepersecutionthanindifference.Showersofstonesareamorehopefulsignofarevivalthansilentcontempt.Christ’ssecondvisittoNazarethwasfarlesshopefulthanthefirst.OnHisfirstvisittheytriedtokillHim.Proof,certainly,thatHiswordshadcompelledthemtothink.ButatthesecondvisittheydidnotthinkHimworthacurseorakick.IrememberwellthefirstnightIwentintotheopenair.Itwasbitterlycold.Thestreetsweredarkanddeserted.Onesolitarysoulstoodbymyside.Forthatactofcouragehisnameandportraitfindaplaceintheserecords.RobertDale,lamethoughhewas,andwearyoftthroughhardworkinthefields,knowingIwasgoingtofacethecrowdsinthenameofJesus,broughthisfamousoldviolin,andpreparedtohelpmeallhecould.Wetwo,assistedbytheOmnipotentGod,weremorethanequaltohellandthemultitude.Thekeynoteontheinstrumentwasgiven,andstartingfromthefarthestendoftheplace,wemarched,notinverycorrectstep,tothestrainsofanoldsalvationhymnupthemainstreet.Allwentwelluntilwecametothecentreofthevillage.Here,facingthemainroadwasthechiefpublic-house.Alargecompanyofnavvies,whowereworkingonabranchrailway,werehavingaday’sspree.Thebigtap-roomwasfilled.Thedooroftheinfacingtheroadwasopen.Thelandlordwasintheactofhavingatankardofbeerfilledattheboard.Turningroundtoconveyittothemen,hesawmyselfandBrotherDale;Isinging,mybrotherfiddling.Hestoppedandburstintolaughter.Callingthemen’sattentiontothestrangesight,and,nodoubt,thinkingtheaffairwasagoodjoke,hecalledforanothertankardofbeer,andwhilethenavviesemptiedthemselvesontothestreettowatchthefun,hecameacrosstous,andholdingthebeerbeforemeinvitedmetosup.Hewasshortinstature,andIwastall.Iwasmorethanhisequalinphysicalstrength;ItatoncestruckmethatsixfeetconsecratedwithJesustosupportwasmorethanamatchforhellandfourfeetsixanyday.SoIfeltnofear.CallinguponmyBrotherDaleto“Fiddleup,”whichhedidwithavengeance,smilingallthetime,Imarchedon,backingthepublicanupthestreet,singingallthewhileandthrowingmylongarmsabout,bringingthemonceottwiceintodangerousproximitytotheman’shead,Thescenewascomical.Thenavvieslaughed,untilatlastthepublicanretireddiscomfited.Theisewasbroken.Peoplewerefulloftalkatmystrangeprocedure.Thedevilwasupinarms.Fellowsofthebasersortwhisperedofupsettingme.Thekeeperofthepublic-housenearthechapelmadeitalmostimpossiblefordecentpeopletocometotheservices.Somewhoattendedcametothemeetingstomock.Iresolvedtoleavethechapelandoutwitthepublicannearitbypreachinglowerdowninthemainstreet.Iaskedabutcherwhoseshopwasinacommandingposition,ifhewouldallowmetopreachonhisdoor-step.Hegavepermission,andforfivenightsIproclaimedtheGospelthere.ThefirstnightIpreachedfromthetext,“WepreachChristcrucified.”ThatserviceandthepowerGodgaveistalkedofstill.Icannotrememberawordofthesermon,buttheinfluencelives.A

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fewofthebasersortweresomedistanceawayhatchingmischief,wheninthemidstofmydiscourseafine-lookingmancamedownthestreet.HewasarrestedbytheWord,andleanedagainstawaaltolisten.Attheclose,whenIhadretired,hecameuptooneofthemembers,andsaid,“Isthatmanpreachinghereagain?”“Yes,”hewasanswered,“hepreachesonthisspoteverynightthisweek.”“ThenIshallcomeandhearhim,anditwillbeGodhelpthemanwholaysafingeronhim.”Hecame,andIwasleftunmolested.Ilaughedheartilyoveranincidentwhichhappenedduringthefirstservice.IsawinthedistanceamanpacingtoandfroasIwaspreaching,inanagitatedmanner.Atlasthestopped,andspeakingtoalabouringmanwhostoodnear,said,“Jack,I'llgivetheehalfasovereignifyou’llgoandthrowyonfellowinthehorse-pond.Themanlookedatthetempterandsaid.“Please,mester,I’dratheryou’ddothatyoursen.”lnSomerby,asintheotherplacesvisited,thepowerofGodwasmanifest.Ourownpeoplewholiveinthatdistrictandwhoseeyesarefollowingthesepages,willcalltomindmanystrikingcasesofconversionwhichlcannotrecordhere,TheywillremembersomewhobeautifullyadornedthedoctrineofGodourSaviourinallthings,overwhoseformsthesnowdrop,sweetresurrectionflower,nowblooms,andwhosespiritsarecrownedinthepresenceoftheKing.

AtScalfordamostremarkablemanifestationofGod’spowerwasgiven.Thechurcheswerefeeble,andthemajorityofthepeoplewerecarelessaboutspiritualthings.HereIwasprivilegedtostayundertheroofofgoodMr.andMrs.Lock.Mrs.Lockwasamightypreacherinherday,andmanywerethesealstoherministry.Herdearhusbandstilllives,andiscomfortedinthethoughtofalonglifespentintheserviceofhisLord,andthesweetreflectionthattheeventideoflifeisenrichedwith

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aSaviour’sgrace.Andthatwhentheshadowsdeepen,theywillmergeintothemorningandreunionofheaven.Thelovingministriesreceivedundertheirroofarepartofmylife’streasures.ItwasonenightwhileprayingintheirhomeGodgavemetheassuranceofamightywork.Here,womenweremychiefhelpers.SupremeamongthembeingMissLockandherfaithfulcompanion.Nightafternightthesefaithfulsouls,withafewothers,walkedbymysidethroughstreetafterstreet,singingtheGospel,andprayingwhileIexhortedthepeople.Thecommencementoftherevivalherewasverypeculiar.Thevicaroftheplace,shockedattheintrusionintohisquietparishofsuchanoisy,enthusiasticpreacher,whom,sofarasheunderstood,nobodyknew,resolvedthatthe“nuisance”shouldberemoved.OntheSaturdaynightofthemissionIwassinginginthecentreofthevillage.Alargenumberofnavviesandiron-workershadgatheredround.Formingourlittlebandintoaprocession,wemarchedtothefrontofthechapel.Iwasjustinthemiddleofaverse,whenatallratherdissipated-lookingmansteppedintotheringandwhisperedtome“Iwouldspeakwithyouamoment.”Thethoughtatoncestruckme,“GlorybetoGod,thismanwantssalvation.”Steppingoutsidethering,Ilaidmyhandonhisshoulder,andwasabouttosay,“Kneeldownhere,andlwillprayforyou!”whenheatonceturnedtoabigmancloseby,saying,“Now,constable,takehim!“ForatimeIwasspeechless.Steppingintothering,thevicar,foritwashe,commencedtoharanguethecrowd.Iwillnotdefilemypenbywritingwhathesaid.Amongotherthingsheurgedallwhostoodroundtoretirepeaceablytotheirhomes;thatsuchriotousandunseemlybehaviourcouldnotbeallowed;thattherewerechurchesforpeopletoattendiftheywishedtoworshipGod;thattogobawlingandshoutingaboutthestreetswascontrarytolaw,andthatifitdidnotceaseheshouldbecompelledtoputthelawinforce.“AsforthisVagabondfellow,”pointingtome,“weknownotwhoheis,andifyouwereadvisedbymeyouwouldtakeandthrusthimoutoftheplace.”Thewholetrendofhisremarkswastogettheroughmenwhostoodroundtodomebodilyinjury.Buthiswordswerereceivedinsilence.Theyknewthemantoowell.Appealingagaintothepolicemantotakeme,theconstabledrewnearandthreatenedifIdidnotmindhewouldhailmetoprison.Butnodoubtthatthethoughtthatheperhapswasgoingtoofarmadehimpause.Addressingmyselftothecrowd,Icalledtheattentionofthevicartothefactthatthegreaterpartofhisflockwerelivinginopensin;andthatifIhadbrokenthelawsbywhatIhaddone,somuchtheworseforthelaw.ThateachnightIwasintheplaceIshouldsingandpreachthrougheverystreetinit.Sohewasfreetoordermyarrestassoonashepleased.Seeingtheattitudeofthepeoplearound,boththevicarandtheconstableretired.ThoughImustconfessIshouldhaverejoicedtohavebeenhailedtoprison.NothingcanexcelbeinginjailforChrist’ssake,exceptitbethestake.IhadreadPaul’sletters,andIknewtherewererevelationsofthegloriousChristwhichthesoulcouldneverknowexceptthroughthedimlightofaprison-cell.Ihadbeenstoned,peltedwithrotteneggs,hustled,mobbed,pulledonthestreet,butIhadneverbeeninjail.However,thewiseGodwithheldsuchhighhonourfromme.WiththankfulnessIplaceitonhighrecordthatthevicar’sincitementstoviolencemetwithnoresponsefromtheroughmenwhostoodandlistened.Notonemovedafootorfingertomolestme.ThisincidentwasusedofGodtomovethetown,andfromitcommencedablessedworkofgrace.OntheSabbathmorningrepresentativesofallchurcheswerepresentinourchapeltoexpresstheirabhorrenceatthedeed,andtheirsympathywithmeinmywork.Thatnightsoulsweresaved,andnightafternightthegloryofGodwasseen.ManyyearsafterIwaspreachinginamidlandtown.Thechurchwascrowded.Itwasnecessaryformetoreturnhomethesamenight.Itoldthesocietystewardmydesire.Atthecloseheaskedifanyonewoulddriveme,asthelast

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trainhadgone.Agentlemanroseandsaidhewouldtakemewithpleasure.SoonafterIwasbeingwhirledalongthehighroadthroughthedarknightinastormofsleettowardsmyhome.Ascendingahill,thegentlemansaid,“DoyourememberthepersoncomingtoarrestyouatScalford,Mr.FIanagan?”“Ido,”Ianswered;“why,whatdoyouknowofit?"“Iwasthereandheardhimincitethementodoyouharm.Iwasamongthecrowd.Iknewnothingofreligionthen;buthisconductledmetocomeandhearyoupreach.TheWordofGodconvictedme,andsometimeafterIwassaved.IamnowmarriedandmyfamilyaregrowingupinthefearofGod.”FortwoyearsinthebeautifulValeofBelvoirIlabouredforJesus.Churcheswerequickened,andhundredsofsoulsweresaved.Scenesofthrillinginterestpassedundermynotice;sceneswhichIhavesaidbefore,iflifeisspared,andopportunityisgiven,shallbeplacedonrecord.FromMeltonIsteppedintoawiderministry.ForsixyearsafterwardsIpreachedtothemultitudestheWordofLife,seeingthegatheringinofgloriousharvests.ThencamefourblessedyearsofministryattheAlbertHall,Nottingham.Theremuchfruitwasgatheredwhichtodayabides.Thenin1890camethecalloftheConferencetoLondon,whereasaforetime,theLordhasledme,pardonedmymanymistakes,and,Ihope,acceptedandblessedmyservice.Andnow,dearreader,havingaccompaniedmethroughtheyearasIhavewrittensomeexperiencesfrommylife’sstory,Itrustyouhaveprofited,asyouhaveseenthegraceofGodinme.Thisautobiographyisbutafragment,flungoffinthemidstofaverybusylife.Wemustnowpart,youtootherfieldsofliterature,Itothepressingdutiesofthehour.Letus,beforewepart,shakehandsacrossthespacewhichdividesus,andvowoncemorebeneaththecrossofChristthatHeshallhaveallournaturecangive.Thateverypulseandeverybreath,everywish,ambition,anddesireshallgoouttoHim.Idesirebothforyouandmyselfthatweshallsoweightourselveswithlife’sgoldengrainthattheKingHimselfshallmeetusatthefootofthelasthill,andbearusfilledwithlife’sfruitageupthroughthegateoftheCityofGodinHiseverlastingarms.

FAREWELL__________________________________________________________________________________ReferencesPrimitive Methodist Magazine 1901/936