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Chapter9Thischapterisabundleoffents.IfImistakenot,“fent”isaLancashiretermforremnant.Sobeforetakingthereaderontothenextstageofmylife‘sjourney,IpresenthimwithafewbiographicalfragmentswhichclusterroundthatperiodofwhichIamnowwriting.ItwasmyexceedingpreciousprivilegeinthefirstperiodofmyspirituallifetobebroughtintocontactwithsomeofthesimplestandholiestsoulsIhaveevermet.Withthemitwasnoquestionof—

“Igotoprovemysoul!Iseemywayasbirdstheirtracklessway.IshallarriveIwhattime,whatcircuitfirst,Iasknot;butunlessGodsendHishail

Orblindingfireballs,sleetorstillingsnow,Insomegoodtime,Hisgoodtime,Ishallarrive:

Heguidesmeandthebird.”Theveryearththeytroduponwasnotmoresurethantheirbelief.Questioningsofthefaithneverenteredthemind.WithapostolicsimplicitytheyacceptedthewholerevelationofGod.Thiswascharmingsocietyforayoungconvertwhosesoulwasfullofzeal.ThereisabarrennessandasimplicityoflifeandworshipwhicharetheveryantithesesoftheChristiangenius.TertullianrevelsinafalsesatisfactiononwhathesupposesistheentiresuppressionandexclusionofthingsbeautifulandgreatfromtheKingdomofGod.Andwriterswhointheextremesenseareevereagertotellus,thatwhenArtreachedherclimaxinthehistoryofoldFlorencethedevilwassupreme.ButChristianityhasnoquarrelwiththebeautiful.Thejewelledsky,theflowerbesprinkledearth,allcloud-landglory,declarethisevertous.TheBible,evenispoetryinitshighestform.AndthesimplicitywhichcrownedtheheartsofthosepurelivesIknewintheearlydayswasnotthespurioussimplicityofignorance,butthesimplicityofChrist,asimplicitybornoftheSpiritofGod,whichknewthecommandmentsoflifeandobeyedthem.Richsoil,indeed,wasthisinwhichmysoulcouldgrow.Myspiritualcomradesweremenofthehornyhand,butthespotlesslife.Enthusiasticinservice,mightyinprayer,victoriousinfaith.

“Eretheeveninglampsarelighted,And,likephantomsgrimandtall,ShadowsfromthefitfulfirelightDanceupontheparlourwall,—

Thentheformsofthedeparted

Enterattheopendoor!Thebeloved,thetrue-heartedCometovisitmeoncemore.

‘They,’theyoungandstrong,whocherished

Noblelongingsforthestrife,Bytheroad-sidefellandperished,

Wearywiththemarchoflife.

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Oh,thoughoftdepressedandlonely,Allmyfearsarelaidaside,IfIbutrememberonly,

Suchasthesehavelivedanddied?’IfmyreadercouldsearchthearchivesoftheChurchldonotsupposehewouldfindasinglementionofmanyofthosedearfriendsofmyearlyyouth.ButmanyofthemwerefulloffaithandoftheHolyGhost.ItwasoneofthesemenwhotaughtmemoretrulythananyotherthedeepthingsofGod.Thoughonlyaminer,hewasasaint.Ofgraveandreverentdemeanour,hehadanexperiencetherichestIhaveeverknown.HisprayerswerelikeLuther’swords-“halfbattles.”Inintercessionhecouldpluckthepreyfromthehandofthemighty.Whentheheavenswereasbrass,hecouldmeltthemintoarainoffire.Wheneverhewenttothethroneofgracehemightilyprevailed.HeboreaboutinhisbodythemarksoftheLordJesus.Hislifewasaperpetualwitnesstothetruth.WhatDr.RuenThomassaidofDr.Daleinhislastdayscouldmosttrulybesaidofthisgoodman:—“Hisfacehadbecomewreathedintenderness.Anewpathoshadcomeintohisvoice,carryingtheimpressionthathewashelped,bysomepowernothisown.”SomeyearsagoIwasvisitingtheoldscenesofmyyouth.AmongthoseIconversedwithwastheministerofthechurchofwhichmyfriendwasamember.SoonasImentionedhisnametheminister'sfacelightedup,andhesaid:“Thatman’sprayersmakemyministryapower.Ihaveoftensaidthathisprevailingintercessionskeepthelifeofthewholesocietybothsweetandclean.Tolistentohispleadingsmeltsthesoul.”Whatatestimony!Oh,thatGodtheHolyGhostwouldbestowthisgiftonthewholeChurch.ItwassuchmenasthisthatinmyChristianpupillageformedtheeducationalfactorsofmymoralnature.Itwasaboutthistimethatseveralofusformedakindof“HolyClub.”Wemetforsecretprayer,spiritualconversation,instructioninrighteousness,andaggressiveevangelism.Ourpalaceofmeetingwastheroomofacottage.Oneresultofthesemeetingswasaburningpassionforsouls.Wesawthegreatmajorityofthepeoplearounduslivinginopensin,andourheartswereinflamedwithlovetoreachandblessthem.Personalappealwaslargelyresortedto.Missionworkwasengagedin.GoodFridayeachyearwasourgreatdayforoutdoorevangelism.IdistinctlyrememberourfirstGoodFridayexperiences.Wemetintheearlymorningforprayer.Then,withlargesuppliesofreligiousliteraturewestartedoffonourwholeday’stramp.Liketheapostles,wecommencedat“Jerusalem.”Plantingourselvesinthe“home”streetsweproclaimedtemperance,righteousness,andjudgmenttocome.Afterspendinganhourortwointhetownwewalkedtothedistrictsbeyond.Oneofourchiefmeansofadvertisingwasabrassbell,whichthatfirstdayinourzealwehadthepleasureofbreaking.Afterfourorfivehoursofsinging,preaching,andpraying,wewerepainfullyremindedbyclamorousappealsfromwithinthatwewerestilloftheearth.IfourcompanyhadnotbeensoseriousonemighthavesuggestedWesley’shymn:

“Comeon,mypartnersindistress,Mycomradesinthewilderness,Whostillyourbodiesfeel.”

Insteadofthat,theleadercalledahalt,andaskedwhatweweretodoforfood.Noonecouldtell.OneofourcompanyremarkedthatapublicteawasbeingheldthatverydayinaPrimitive

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MethodistChapelinavillagesomemilesahead,andwhichwehopedtoreachaboutfiveo’clock.Thepricewasninepenceeach.Butwherewasthemoneytopayfortheteatocomefrom?Theleaderheldouthishat,andinvitedeveryonetoputwhatmoneytheyhadintoit.Thecommandwasatonceobeyed,andwhenthewholewaswefoundthatwewereoneshillingshortofpayingeachman’sshare.Thismeanttwoofourcompanygoingwithoutfood.HadtheSaviourbeenthereinbodilypresenceHemighthavesuggestedthehookingofafishandtheopeningofitsmouthtofindthecoin.ButHewasnot,soHisSpiritsuggested,“Pray.”Andwedid.Formingintoalargering,withtheleaderinthecentre,wekneltonthehighroadandprayedforGodtosendusashillingwithalltheearnestnessofsoulwhichusuallycharacterisedourefforts.Itwasacuriousscene.Toseesometwentymenontheirkneespleadingwithheaven,notforriverstobedriedup,orleperstobecleansed,orthedeadtoberaised,butforGodtostepinandeitherbymiracleortheoperationofnaturallaw,helpustotheextentof-twelvepence.Letthoseconsiderthistriflingwhomay;“triflesmakeperfection.”Thesublimestintercessionsoftengrowoutofthemostinsignificantrequests.TheprayeroftheSonofGodfortherecoveryofalosthumansensegrewintoanintercessionforthehumanrace.TheprayerofGeorgeMüllerfortherentofahouseexpandedintoapetitionthatcommandedtheresourcesofthenation.Mrs.CassesaysthatshewassousedtoconsultingherLordineverything,thatifshemislaidhersewing-needleandcouldnotfindit,shewouldaskHishelp,andshebelievedHewoulddirecthertowheretheneedlewas.Letthosesmilewhocanatthesethings,theyarethoughtofseriouslyinheaven.HowlongweprayedIcannottell.Butweprayeduntilourfaithappropriatedtheanswer.Risingfromourkneesweunitedlybelievedtheshillingwouldcome;buthow,orwhen,orwhere,andbywhom,wehadnotthefaintestconception.Pursuingourway,salutingallwemetinthenameoftheLordJesus,wecametoalargepublic-housecalledthe“SevenOaks.”Thehousewassituatenearsomelargeironworks,erectedthere,nodoubt,tocatchthethirstytoilersastheycameandwenttoandfromtheirlabour.Thehousewascrowded,andthinkingthatanattempttoinfluencemenforgoodwhowereinflamedwithdrinkwouldbereallylike“castingpearlsbeforeswine,”severalofourpartyhadgoneonahead.Butone,whosesoulquicklyburneditselfoutinsorrowformenandzealforGod,lingeredbehindontheroad.Gazingwitheyesfulloftearsatthemencrowdedintothepublic-house,“Brothers,"hecried,“thesemenhavesouls.Christdiedevenforthem.Havewenowordforthem?”Nosoonersaidthanaringwasformed,andourvoicesrangout—

“Jesus,keepmenearThycross;Thereapreciousfountain,

Freeforall,acleansingstream,FlowsfromCalvary’smountain."

Windowswerethrownup,passagesfilled,andnearlythewholeofthecompanycrowdedoutintotheopenair.Oneman,reelingfromtheeffectsofliquor,leanedhimselfagainstthesideofthehouse,andinacomicalwayendeavouredtogainanintelligibleideaofhissurroundings.Atlast,appearingtograspthesituation,hestaggeredforwardtowherewestoodsinging.Comingcloseuptothering,hepulleduptheleathernstrapofhistrousers,anddartinghishandintothepocket,drewsomethingout.Seizingthehandoftheoneofourcompanywhostoodnearesttohim,heplacedwithinitasilvershilling,sayingashedidso,“Here,mylads,it’sallIcanafford.Ihopeyou’llallsoongetintowork.”

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Thepoorfellowconcludedwewereonstrike,andthatweweresingingforrelief.ButGodknewwewerehungryandneededthatshillingforfood.Soonasweknewourprayerswereanswered,andtheshillinghadcome,webrokeoutintopraise,and,asJohnBunyanwouldhavesaid,“Wejoyfullywentonourway.”Arrivingatthechapelwetooktea.Poorsociety,Ipitytheirprofitsafterwehaddone.TheRev.C.H.Bodenwasthesuperintendentofthatstationatthattime.Ihaveoftenthoughthemusthavewonderedwhythemonetaryresultsofthatanniversaryteawerenotlarger.Icouldhaveenlightenedhim.Wehadbeenwithoutfoodforaboutninehours,andwecertainlyoccupiedconsiderablymoreroominspacewhenwefinishedthanwhenwestarted.Refreshed,wecontinuedourjourney,andclosedourday’sworkforChristonthedarkstreetattemp.m.inalittlecountrytownsomethreeorfourmilesfromhome.Thelast,hymnwassung,thelastbenedictionpronounced.Crowdsofpeoplestoodaround.Weary,sowearywecouldscarcelywalk,wejoinedarmsandstartedforourlasttramphome.Justthenaboypushedthroughthecrowdwithahandfulofbread,sayingashedidso,“Please,myfather’ssentthisforyoutoeat.”Thankingthelad,whoatoncevanishedinthecrowd,weatethebreadandtrudgedalong,thoroughlytired,buthappyaskings.SixteenyearsafterwardsIpreachedinoneoftheFreeChurchesofthatsameplace.Agentlemanatthecloseescortedmetohiscarriage.Whenseatedbymyside,aswedrovealong,hesaid:“Mr.Flanagan,doyourememberstandingonenightwithacompanyofothersinthemainstreetofthisplacepreachingandsingingtheGospel?”“Yes,”Isaid,“Idoquitewell.ItwasoneGoodFridaywhichafewearnestsoulshadgivenuptomissioning.”“Anddoyourememberaboypushinghiswayuptoyouwithsomebreadsentbyhisfather?”“Yes,quitewell;andIrememberalsohowthankfulIwastogetamouthful.Buthowdoyouknowofthis?”Iasked.“Iknow,”heanswered,“becausemyfatherwasthemanwhosentit,andIwastheboywhobroughtit.MyfatherlivedinthefearofGod,anddiedtriumphant,andI,toHispraise,amtryingtoserveHim.”Inthemorningsowthyseed,andintheeveningwithholdnotthinehand,forthouknowestnotwhichshallprosper,thisorthat.Itwasononeofthesepioneer,roughandreadymissionexcursionsthatIfirstmetmyfriendandbrother,theRev.S.S.Henshaw.Iamafraidsomeofmymethodsofsoul-savingworkinthosedayswereenoughtoshocktheministerialdignityofanyman.Theincidentmayhavefadedfromhismind,butitlivesinmine.Onthemorningofthedayreferredto,having;thedaytomyself,andeagertouseitforJesusChristtothebestadvantage,Ihadgonetothehouseofamanwhohadbeenanotedcharacter,butwhonow,happilyforhimselfandsociety,wasconverted,andaskedifhewouldjoinmeinaday’smissioning.“Yes,hewasquiteready.”Justthenamanofkindredspiritcomingin,andhearingmyrequest,saidhewouldliketojoinus.Hesuggestedthatashehadahorseandcart,wemighttakethat,asthecartwouldbehandyforapulpitateveryplacewehalted.Anhourafterwardssawusalljoggingalonginourfriend’sclumsyconveyancetoourfirststopping-place.Wishingtomakeourmeetingsaseffectiveaspossible,Iwenttothevicaroftheparishandborrowedthelargebellwithwhichhesummonedhispeopletochurch,orthechildrentoschool.Takingourstandinthefirstvillage,myfriend,theconvertedpugilist,rangthebell.Everybody

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turnedoutandgatheredroundthecart,thinking,nodoubt,thatwewereeitheracompanyof“cheapJacks,”ordealersinpills.WhenthebeII-ringingceased,prayerwasoffered,andthenIexhortedthepeople.Attheclose,withaprayer,wedismissedthepeopleandwerepreparingtogotothenextstage,whenarough,dissipated-lookingfellow,knownallroundasalazy,godlesssoul,cameuptotheCartandsaidtome:“Isay,guv’ner,whichwayareyougoing?”“ToKeyworth,”Ianswered.“Willyougi’emearideasfarast’fourlaneends?"“Haveyouanymoney?”Iasked.“No,”heanswered.Turningtotheothertwo,Isaidinawhisper,“Givehimaride,andinthenameoftheLordJesuswewillmakehimrememberit.""Getin!”Isaid.Themanenteredthecartandfixedhimselfbetweenmeandmypugilisticbrother.Somemilesaheadwecametoaverylonelyplaceclosetofourcrossroads,aboutthreehundredyardsfromWidmerpoolrailwaystation.“Pullup,”saidtheman,“Imustgetouthere,guv’ner.Yougoroundtotheright,butIgostraighton.”Seizinghimbythecollar,Isaid,“Youmustpayforyourridebeforeweletyougo.”Themanstaredinastonishment.“Why,Itow’dyouIhadnomoneywhenIgotin,"heblurtedout.“Verywell,there’sonlyoneoftwothingsforit,youwilleitherhavetopayorpray.”Leapingoutofthecart,Icommandedhimtoalight.Holdinghimbyonesideofhiscoatcollar,Itoldmyfriendthepugilisttoholdtheother.Inthisfashionweledhimtothesideoftheroadandcommandedhimtokneel,whichhedidtremblingineverylimb.ThenIcommandedhimtopray.Heansweredthatheneverhadprayed.“Then,”Isaid’,“itistimeyoudid."Andprayhehadto.WhetheritwastheSpiritofGodorfear,Iknownot,buthecommencedtoshoutformercyinsuchloudtonesthatthebrotherwhowasdrivinghadtoholdthehorseforfearitwouldtakefright,andthestation-masterandportersattherailwaystationsomedistanceawaycameontothehighroadtoseewhatwasthematter.Themanprofessedtofindforegivenessofsins.Wepartedwithgladheartsandmutualvowstomeetinheaven.“Strangemethod,”myreadermaymurmur,“toleadamantoGod.”Yes,goodfriend,strangeindeed,butroughmeansaresometimesneededtoteachthebrutishmind.EvenChristmustgloveHishandwithsteelbeforeHecanbendormouldsomelives.TheAlmightyhastohammersomepeopleintogoodness.IrememberwhenJoshuaPoole,(commonlyknownas“FiddlerJoss,”)visitedourtownmanyyearsago,thatamongoneofhisconvertswasthechiefprize-fighterofthedistrict.AnightottwoaftertheeventMr.Pooleplacedtheconvertedprize-fighteringhefrontrankofalargeprocessionofsingershewasleadingthroughthestreetstotheTownHall.Threeoftheman’soldcompanionshadarrangedtohavesomefun.Twoweretostandsomedistanceoffandenjoythegame,whiletheothercreatedit.Soonastheprocessionsweptroundthelastcornerintothemarket-place,themanwhowastomakethefunwentuptothesavedpugilist,andgivinghimapokeinthesidewithhisthumb,said:“Isupposethou’stgottenconvarted,Jack,eh?Howdoesitfeelwhenyou’reconvarted,eh?Lsitnice?”

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Eachoftheseexpressionswereaccompaniedbyaseveredigintheribs.Findingthatthemanonlygrinnedandboreit,thejokerrenewedhisattentionswithaddedforce.Givinganextrapoke,hesaid:“Jack,Isupposenowthou’stconvarted,thouhastodowhattheLord!tellsthae?”Themanturnedtohim,andforminghisrighthandintoahardfist,hedrewitbacktohisshoulderandsaid:“Yes,Bill,Iha’etodoast’Lordtellsmenow.An’ifHetellsmetohitthee,Ishall.”Atoncetheman’scountenancedropped,andhalf-frightenedheslippedawaytohislaughingfriends.“Whydidn’ttheegoon?Iniverenjoyedaughtlikeit’eallmylife,”saidoneofthem.“Goon!”saidBill,“thoumungoonthysen’iftheewantsonymore.”“Why?”chimedbothtogether.“Why,Iaxedhimifhehadna’todoast’Lordtow’dhimnowheworconvarted‘,an’hesaid,‘Yea,an’ift’Lordtow’dhimtohitmeheshould,an’youkno’,Iwor’afeerdt’Lordwould.”Yes,andIbelievesotoo.Itwasmyeagernesstoreachandblessmen,Ithink,whichfirstledtheofficialsoftheChurchtocallmetotheworkandofficeoflaypreaching.IbelievethattheRev.W.SuttlewasthefirstwhosuggestedthatIandseveralothersshouldbeexaminedwithaviewtocomingontheplan.ForonceinmylifeMr.Suttlemademeshakeinmyshoes.Afriendshiplastingovertwenty-fiveyearshasallayedtheghostoffearandestablishedaprofoundregardforhimasamanofGodandaministerofJesusChrist.MyfirstteacherintheartofpublicaddresswasMr.SamuelShaw,anhonouredlocalpreacherontheIlkestonstation.Imustconfessthathedidnotsparemeinhiskindlycriticisms,bothofmymatterandstyle.IdonotknowthatheevercomplainedverymuchofwhatIsaid,butIamafraidIoftenseverelytriedbothhimandthecongregationbythewayIsaidit.Ifmyagedbrother’seyehappenstofallonthispage,lethimknowthathisfatherlycounselhasnotbeenforgotten,someofitbeingtreasuredtothishour.Icanneverforgetonelessonhegaveme,whichatthetimemademefeelveryangryandasthoughIwantedtofightsomebody.Butaftermanyyears’experienceofpublicspeakersandpublicspeaking,Ifeelmorethanevergratefulforhisrebuke.Theincidentoccurredduringsomerevivalservicesinthecircuitchapel.Itwasaweek-nightmeeting,andIwasappointedtolead.Alargecompanyhadgathered.InhisusualpewsatMr.Shaw.BysomemeansIarrivedfiveminuteslate,andafterthemannerofcertainspeakers,begantoapologiseformylateness.InthemidstofmyapologyMr.Shawquietlyrose,andwalkingtothefrontofthecommunion,andbeforethewholecongregation,said,“My

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brother,wehavecomeheretogetsomegood,andnottolistentothyapologies;andifthouhastnothingbettertodothantellusthat,thouhadstbettersitdown,forwedon’twishtohearit.

Havingdeliveredhissoulhereturnedtohisseat.ForsomeminutesIfeltratherqueerintheheadandhotinthecheek.Butthisquicklypassedaway,andmanyatimesincethenIhavethankedGodforthereprimand–areprimandwhichwoulddogoodtosomeotherpublicspeakersIcouldname.Thepublicaddressofmanyamanismarredbythebadpracticeofintroductoryapologies.Somemenpractisethissooftenthatthosewholistenandknowtheirtricksoforatoryconcludethattheyareutterlyinsincere.Tobeannouncedtoaddressanaudienceandthencommencewithanapologyofpersonaldepreciation,followedbyanorationwhichhasbeendeliveredhundredsoftimes,inordertoleadthepopularmindtoafictitiousconceptionofourintellectualandrhetoricalgreatness,comesperilouslynearabreachofmorality.IfIhadtocounselpreachers,I

wouldsay,“GoanddeliveryourmessageinthefearofGod,withhumilityofspiritandtheconfidencebegottenofthetruth;butdonotapologise.”Godhasmanyways,notonlyofeducatingthesoul,butofperfectingthegiftswithwhichsoulisendowed.Hisgiftofutterancetomeintheearlydaysbroughtwithitasnare.IgnorantofSatan’sdevicesIfellintoit,butGod,whoismerciful,redeemedmefromhispower.Prideisahatefulthing.Pridehasmanyforms,itsworstisthatwhichassumestheguiseofreligion.OldWilliamHickenbottom,ofBelper,fatheredthedevilontopride.For,havingashaveoneday,thebarber,inajoke,asked“Billy”whowasthedevil’sfather.“PRIDE,”answeredtheoldmanquickly.Pridetrippedmeup,butgracecorrectedme.Theexperiencewasasfollows:Ihadnotbeenaley-preacherlongbeforeIbecameconsciousofasupposedsuperiorgift.Ameasureofconceitwasborn.OnedayIwasplannedasachapelsituateintheheartofadistrictwheremanyofmywork-mateslived.Iknewahostofthemwouldbepresent.Herewasachancefordisplay.Thedaycame.Thechapelwascrowded.Allwentasmerryasamarriagebellforthefirstfewminutesofmyaddress.Thensuddenlymymindbecameablank.Speechandthoughtfledaway,Iwasleftstandinginthepulpitsilentand–ashamed.Iwillnotdescribethehorrorofthatmoment.Iclosedtheserviceandhurriedaway.Iconcludednevertotrypublicspeakingagain.Pridefled,conceitdied.Adayortwoafter,smartingundermyhumiliation,Itoldabrothermyexperienceandalsomyresolvetogiveuppreaching.Layinghishandonmyshoulder,hesaid,“See,mybrother,youmustmakethebestofit.Godhascalledyoutopreachandpreachyoumust.SolooktoGodforstrengthandtryagain.”Isaidnothing,butthosefewwordsspokentomeovertwentyyearsagointhecorridorofIlkestonOldSundaySchoolbyMr.ThomasCroot,putfreshresolveintomyheart,andbythegraceofChristIhavecontinuedtodeclareHisblessedWorduntothisday.

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Thedeep,burningpassiontosavemengrewuponme;morethanfoodandsleep,andease,andhonour,yea,evenlifeitself,wasthedesiretobringmentoGod.Myheart’sdesireandprayertoGodforthepeoplewerethattheymightbesaved.Sometenortwelveyoungmen,convertedaboutthesametimeasmyself,werepossessedofthesamespirit.Wemetsecretlyandstatedlyforprayerandconversation,firstatoneplace,thenatanother.ThreeofusmadeasolemncovenantwithGodandeachotherthatwewouldmeetatcertaintimestoprayspeciallyforarevivalofreligion.WepersuadedthegoodwomanwhokeptthechapeltoallowustogointotheschoolroomandintercedewithGodfortheChurchandthetown.There,inthedark,alone,nightafternight,andweekafterweek,wemetforprevailingintercession.Atlastadeepspiritofearnestnessfelluponthesociety.Serviceswerebetterattended.Oneofus,withtrembling,toldtheministerofoursecretmeetings.Hewasdeeplymoved,andrequestedpermissiontoannouncethemasopentoall.Hedidso.Theschoolbecamecrowded.Powerfelluponthepeople.Specialserviceswerecommenced.Gloryandsalvationsweptoverthewholetown.Thesightsandscenesoftimewillneverbeforgottenbythosewhowerepresent.Hallelujah!Hallelujah!myheartleapsforjoyasIthinkandwriteofthem.

MyowninwardyearningformenItriedtohidefromothers.Yet,tryasImight,thefeelingofsorrowovertheperishingwouldhaveway.StillIwasconsciousthatanyoneoutsidemyownintimatecircleknewmysecretyearning.TobeusedofGodinlargerspheresofChristianservicewasmysupremedesire.Thefirsttodiscovermysecret,andexpresshissympathywithme,andtooffertheinfluenceofhisofficialpositionformyengagementasanevangelist,wasMr.StephenKeeling,then,Ibelieve,thecircuitstewardoftheIlkestonStation.ItwasonedaywhengoingtoStanleyCommon,hehailedmeforaride,andseizedtheopportunityforatalkaboutmyfuture.Iamnowcoming,dearreader,tothatcrisisinmylifewhenIreceivedmycalltothewidersphereofevangelism.Howthecallcame,andsomeofthethingsitledto,shallberelatedinChapterX.

Thenextchapterwilldealwithanincidenttakenfromthe“romanceofEvangelism,”andwhichhappenedintheearlydaysofroughmissionwork.(Tobecontinued.)

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__________________________________________________________________________________ReferencesPrimitive Methodist Magazine 1901/687 Note: A correction at the foot of the next chapter says that the above photograph was incorrectly identified as J. Fenyn. It is in fact Rev. J. Barfoot