Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

in God, enjoyed nearness to him in prayer, and renewed my dedication of myself to him. I hope my last days will be my best. Returned home to dinner, better in body and in mind for my journey and labours. be God for all his mercies."

Blessed

Amidst the painful contentions which at this time agitated the Connexion, the pretext for which had been the establishment of the Institution in which Mr. E. held so important an office, his mind was greatly relieved by the manifest improvement of the young men in knowledge and piety; gracious visitations from on high were frequently vouchsafed, and the work of grace evidently deepened in their hearts. Among many other considerations which encouraged him in his work, three may be here noticed :—1. In those neighbourhoods in which the students preached most frequently, and where, of course, there was the best opportunity of judging of its practical working, prejudice against it gradually died away, and some who had conscientiously opposed the design, from a fear that it would prove unfavourable to piety, convinced of its utility by the results which came under their own observation, became its warm friends and liberal supporters. 2. Some of his highly esteemed brethren who in their own early ministerial career had painfully felt the need of such aids to improvement as were now afforded by the Institution, greatly encouraged him by their well-timed and affectionate correspondence. While Thirdly, they all seemed unanimous in the opinion, that painful as the present contentions were, they were likely to be ultimately over-ruled, like other severe trials, for the advantage of the Connexion.

One judicious brother, who had travelled with general acceptance and usefulness in circuits of considerable respectability, writes:

[blocks in formation]

"HAVING been introduced by you into the Itinerant Wesleyan Ministry, thirty-seven years ago next Conference, I feel happy in addressing you as connected with an Institution which I then greatly needed, and in which, had it then existed, I verily believe I should have got much good. I entered my great work in a very raw, unfurnished state; and little do the opposers of this

well-intended, and, I trust, divinely-approved Institution, know of the difficulties with which such as I have had to contend, through the whole of our ministerial labours to this day. We have had, as it were, to live from hand to mouth, and gather our knowledge as we could;-often in a most confused and desultory manner; undirected, unaided by any previous proper training, either as to the most important subjects for study, or the best books to help us to a correct knowledge of them. Hence how many days, and weeks, and I may add, months, if not years, have been comparatively lost, in reading books not to our purpose; often spending pounds in their purchase, which might have been much better employed. The result has often been a lack of that clear, full, forcible, and useful exposition and application of God's holy word, which would have rendered our preaching much more beneficial to saints and sinners of all descriptions. It is true, defective as we have often felt ourselves to be, the Lord has helped us, and I trust done more real good by us than we have ever heard of; but I, for one, have many times distressingly felt the want of the very aid intended to be given in the Wesleyan Theological Institution; and were I now only beginning, instead of being near the end of my work, I should rejoice to have a place under your kind, constant, and pious inspection and control; and to receive instruction in every possible way from yourself and the suitable and excellent brethren connected with you."

The Rev. Jas. Buckley, one of Mr. Entwisle's oldest surviving friends, and who had at first doubted whether the Institution plan would answer so well as placing the young men in circuits under the care of judicious superintendents, thus expresses himself:—

66

Llanelly, July 8, 1835. "MY DEAR BROTHER AND FRIEND,

"My oft repeated promises to write occasionally to you, would not have been so long suspended, or your last kind and much esteemed letter remained so long unanswered, had not the continued debility which I mentioned in my last, rendered writing a difficult task. Warm affection, as warm as ever, has often prompted

me, and I have often resolved; but my good resolutions have failed through my infirmity.

"In my retired situation, I reflect with fervent gratitude, and dwell with peculiar pleasure, upon the scenes and associations of early life;-on the sacred, hallowing 'salt' we received through the counsel and holy example of a Thompson, Pawson, Mather, Hanby, &c. and which, thanks be to the God of our help, has continued with us through a long pilgrimage, and not lost its savour to this day. I think it is fifty years this spring since you first visited Oldham, when my dear mother, being much profited by and delighted with your sermon, said, ‘O how happy should I be, if I had a son that could preach like that pretty lad.' This was her fervent prayer, and the Lord in some degree answered it. Those were delightful days of spiritual simplicity,—the holy joy of little children in Christ. How many wonderful things have our eyes seen, and our hearts felt since that period. Surely goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life. On you the Lord has conferred special favour in the continuation of your health, enabling you to fill up your station in the ministry: and by conferring upon you the high honour of being our Elisha, to preside over the dwelling of the young prophets. In this you have my most sincere and affectionate congratulations, and my fervent prayers that the holy anointing of the Spirit which rested upon our Elijahs may be copiously poured out on the Institution, and rest upon the young men of your pious care.

"With respect to the wars and rumours of wars which prevail, the Institution is a mere pretext: designing men who have been watching and panting for an opportunity to agitate the Connexion, have availed themselves of its establishment, to create this strange and mighty convulsion. Though I am in a quiet habitation, far distant from all strife, I greatly regret, and grieve most that so many of our countrymen, and some of them good but deluded men,-should have so strangely gone astray. A most awful responsibility devolves on Dr. That is a dreadful millstone which the Lord of Peace and Judge of all, hangs about the neck of the man 'by whom offences come.'

W

"We have seen many attacks made on the ncble

fabric of Methodism by open and secret enemies, and by professed friends, Reformers and Radicals; but she still stands firm, and rises in glory; and ever will, so long as the Conference firmly maintains her primitive piety, doctrines, discipline, and institutions. The very devices of her adversaries have been overruled for good, in the present case. An important question is placed at rest, on which some of us have long indulged no small secret anxiety, whether our institutions, if brought to trial, would stand a legal test; but now Methodism appears, I had almost said, in splendour, in the chief court, and is sanctioned by the highest legal authority in the land.* What we did not know how to accomplish, God has accomplished for us through the medium of the most direful opponents we have ever known. Let us give glory to God in the highest.

"I trust and pray that my brethren, when assembled in Conference, may be directed from above; and that all things may be ordered and settled in the meekness of wisdom for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ. I can scarcely request the favour of a letter during the Conference, knowing your manifold engagements; but be assured it would be a high gratification to one whose heart is ever with you.

"Yours ever truly and most affectionately, "JAMES BUCKLEY."

66

Dr.

His venerable friend, Mr. Edmondson, writing in the same encouraging strain, remarks :— What strange things have come to pass since our last Conference. W, and his party have done all they could to pull Methodism down; but it stands firmly on the Rock of Ages; and will stand when they sleep in the dust of the earth. I am for old Methodism. My views were always liberal, as you know; but he that touches Methodism As IT IS, touches the apple of my eye."

On the 22nd of July, Mr. E. attended a meeting at Sheffield, of about seventy preachers and leading lay officers and friends of the Connexion, to converse in a free and friendly way concerning the important and painful business to come before the Conference. On my way," he

66

* The allusion is to the Lord Chancellor's decision against Dr. Warren, on the 25th of March.

remarks, "I overtook my old friend and colleague, Geo. Morley, lame, and having all the appearance of an old man, and afterwards, my venerable old friend, Jas. Wood, walking almost double. He is, I suppose, eighty-five. He is come to bear his testimony in favour of Methodism AS IT IS. My mind was much affected. Old times were brought to my recollection."

On Sat. July 25th, the Committee of the Institution met, when the details of the young men's studies, experience, and labours were read. The meeting was numerously attended. Mr. E. remarks, "There seemed to be only one heart and one soul. All seemed satisfied that the Theological Institution is of God. The result of only six months' trial has demonstrated its advantages. O may the Lord continue to give it his blessing. As it is certain I shall spend another year, if spared, at Hoxton, I feel more than ever my responsibility. Many pious persons fear that the Institution will degenerate; that though now, all seems to be working well, yet it may be different. I am aware of the danger; and it appears to me to be my special calling to do all in my power to establish such plans and principles, as may, through God's blessing, perpetuate what is so happily commenced. O Lord, help me."

On Wed. 29th, the Conference commenced; Mr. E.'s old friend and co-eval, the Rev. R. Reece, was elected President, and the Rev. R. Newton, Secretary. Much time was occupied by the painful business which arose out of the mischievous agitation of the past year, and which issued in the expulsion of Dr. Warren and two other preachers. The whole of this business was exceedingly distressing to Mr. E.'s mind, but like other painful things, led him to a still closer union with God. He writes on the 8th of August:

'Saturday evening.-O blest retirement! How do I enjoy it this evening, after the business and bustle of Conference during the week. We have had painful duties to perform. Three brethren have been expelled. I look back with mixed feelings,-chiefly painful,-on account of the folly and sin of the agitators. They seem set on mischief and reckless of the consequences. O Lord, overrule all for good. My heart is fixed; O God, my heart is fixed.' I will give myself afresh to prayer, and

« EdellinenJatka »