Encouragement to young evangelists— The three aged saints— An old man in a gray coat at Bournemouth— One great secret of success in preaching— Servants of Christ, not of men— Lectures and preachings in a colliery district— Many helped— Meet for breaking of bread— Decay— Scattering
I will here give a case for the encouragement of the young evangelists, who may not, at the time, see any fruit of their labors in the gospel. An aged woman, of the name of Hannah F., had come some eight miles to hear a lecture, on the Lord’s coming, in the Merchanics’ Hall, Rotherham. She was nearly blind, but God was pleased to open her spiritual eyesight, and two things were made known to her in the power of the Holy Ghost. God gave her the certainty of eternal salvation, and also made known to her the blessed hope of the coming again of the Lord to take His saints. These two things were entirely new to her; she had never heard them before. She returned to her home at Anston, filled with “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” She told her aged husband, about one year older than herself, the blessed news she had learned. The Lord opened his heart also to receive the glad tidings, and much of their time was spent in thanksgiving and worship. They had an aged neighbor, a farmer, about the same age as themselves. One day they had knelt down, giving thanks together that they were both washed in the blood of the Lamb from all sin; and were waiting and longing for the coming of the Lord in the air to take them to Himself. The aged farmer came in to see them, as had been his custom; and as both of them were rather deaf, and so entirely absorbed in thanksgiving, they did not hear him come in.
He listened with amazement, for such joy he had never witnessed, and such words he had never heard. It was not prayer, but they were giving thanks to Him Who had saved them with an everlasting salvation, Who had made them fit for His holy presence, in purity and glory. They were in spirit in Heaven, not at Anston; and they were talking to One they knew so well, and never seemed tired of talking to Him. They talked to Him about His coming, to take them to Himself. The old farmer was fairly lost in amazement. At last the dear aged couple rose from their knees. Their visitor said, “Whatever does all this mean? I have been going to church these seventy years, and saying my prayers; but I cannot say that I am even saved, much more saved forever, and saved perfectly. No, indeed, I cannot. And you are speaking to God as if you knew Him. And what can you mean about the coming of Christ to take you?”
The aged Hannah told the gospel she had heard: how God loved; how He had sent His Son; how He had offered Himself the infinite sacrifice for sins; how God declared that all who believed were justified from all things, and their sins and iniquities God would remember no more. Yea, how that, by one offering, all who believed were perfected forever. And Jesus assured all who heard His words, and believed God that sent Him, that they HAD ETERNAL LIFE, and should never come into judgment, but were passed from death to life. And that Jesus told them not to be afraid; He was gone to prepare a place for them, and would come again to receive them to Himself. She spoke from the deep enjoyment of Christ in her own soul. God blessed her words to their aged farmer friend. Though over 80, he, too, was brought into the enjoyment of peace with God. As a little child did he receive the truth from the lips of Hannah. Heavenly was the communion of these three aged pilgrims, when a friend of mine found them some months afterward. Much of their time was spent together in worship and communion, waiting for Jesus from heaven. When the farmer saw the smoke from the cottage chimney, he was soon with them in sweet employ of thanksgiving and praise.
But it became necessary that the aged couple should be taken care of. Hannah was now blind; and a loving son took them to his home twelve miles away. But how was this happy band to be separated? How could the home be broken up? Well, the secret was not told them. They were taken as on a visit first, and then told. Morning after morning the dear aged farmer looked for the smoke from the chimney. It never arose again, and after a few mornings, the Lord said to the farmer, “Come up hither;” and sweet as is fellowship here below, it was with him now “far better.”
Once only did I meet this aged saint, Hannah. I met her at the house of the friend who first told me of them; and my heart feels melted within me as I remember the interview. She was now quite blind. Truly she might have said, “Once was I blind, but now I see.” An aged temple of the Holy Ghost unhindered. It is impossible to give any idea of that holy, waiting Hannah, so full of Christ. So my dear brethren, do not be discouraged, though you see not the fruit for many days. Blessed truth, “He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy.”
Oh the riches of the grace of God in meeting and calling the aged! He will be glorified by each one amongst those myriads who shall sing His praise as the One Who is worthy, “the Lamb as it had been slain.” Whilst preaching in the Assembly Room at Bournemouth, I had felt much interested in an aged man, with a long worn gray coat. I had spoken to him repeatedly. He was like a man before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle; but his hand was never laid on the head of the sin offering (Lev. 4). There never seemed to be the link of true faith in the sacrifice of the Son of God for him. I had been speaking from Rom. 8:1-31There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (Romans 8:1‑3), and showing the ground on which there can be no condemnation to the believer IN Christ. That not only had Jesus been delivered for our iniquities, and had borne them away; that God had raised Him from the dead without our sins for our justification; but also sin, the very root of all sins, had been utterly and forever judged. “God sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin (or by a sacrifice for sin) condemned sin in the flesh.” So that there is nothing left to be judged. After the preaching the aged man came up to me, and said, “Now I see it all. Now I have peace with God. All is done; my sins have been judged, and the very sin of my nature judged, condemned, and all is finished. No condemnation.” He went home to his humble lodgings. He had been much reduced in circumstances; all his children were dead; he had lost his property. He had come with his last child, and opened a shop for her with his last little property; but the business had failed, and the daughter had died. He had broken into his last sovereign; but he returned that night to his lodgings, justified from all things, and he knew it, and had peace with God. He sat down in the armchair; he told the people with whom he lodged that he had now peace with God; he was now ready to depart. His head fell back on the chair; calmly the spirit departed. He was gone to be forever with the Lord.
We must not forget one great secret of success in preaching the gospel. It is one that has impressed me all my life, and never more so than at present, after more than 53 years, through much failure, in preaching the Word of God. Long have I noticed how the Apostle Paul takes care to show that he was not the servant of any party; neither did he derive authority from any human source, not even from the apostles at Jerusalem. He could say, “Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead.” See the whole context of this verse (Gal. 1:1-241Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ: 23But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24And they glorified God in me. (Galatians 1:1‑24)). No doubt the Holy Ghost foresaw the authority that men would assume in the place of Christ as to this.
But is it not as important for the humblest servant of Christ to be the servant of Jesus Christ now, as for Paul to be so then? Think what it is to receive your commission from Christ Himself, and to be His servant alone, whatever may be the state of the church. “Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Jesus Christ.” These are searching words. Who can say them from the heart? Surely they do not set aside the blessedness of the fellowship of saints. But the church does not give authority to the servant of the Lord to preach the Word, as is clearly seen in the above Scriptures. Well then, if I am the servant of Christ, what would He have His servant do in any place, to whom may He sent him? What is the heart’s desire of Christ as to all that are His in that place? What is the will of God as to the whole world, or the unconverted in that district? We will take an illustration.
I received two anonymous letters from the center of a large colliery district, to go and preach a full gospel, including the coming of the Lord Jesus. The last letter was so urgent, that I gathered it was the will of the Lord I should go over and help them. We took the Town Hall, and gave four lectures on the second coming of Christ, with a profound sense of the love of Christ to His saints in the neighborhood. I had no thought of forming a party, or serving a party; but as the servant of Christ, to serve all that were His. The hall filled, and very many of the Christians in the neighborhood, for miles around, came to hear. They were deeply interested; but from conversation with them, it was evident they did not understand what to them was so entirely new. We then took a room at a temperance house, that would seat forty or more. This was filled at once with local preachers, class leaders etc., all being free to ask questions or make remarks. It soon became so crowded that we were obliged to have the reading in the Town Hall, and also preaching of the gospel on Lord’s Day evening. The numbers so increased that the reading had to be more like a sitting lecture. For one whole year these meetings were continued, and most, if not all the Christians of the district, heard the Word. I think it was one of the happiest years of my service for Christ. I had a drive of eighteen miles twice a week; but it was so peculiarly blessed to go with the assured presence of Christ, and in the full unhindered sympathies of His love to all whom the Father had given to Him, to have no object but to serve and please Him.
Many of the local preachers were greatly surprised to learn the truth of Heb. 9:27-2827And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27‑28). They had been preaching a general judgment to all, and of all—the day of doom. This seemed to be the first truth that struck many that Christ had borne the judgment due to His own, and therefore into judgment for sins they could never come. They had read that Scripture as if it had said, that it was appointed unto all men once to die, and after death the judgment. They had never noticed it did not say so, neither had they noticed the contrast, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him, shall He appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation.” Neither had they ever really noticed that Jesus assures believers that they shall not come into judgment, as the Word should be translated in John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). The infinite value of the one sacrifice of Christ, also now became understood, and really caused their peace to flow like a river. Then eternal life as a present thing: what they had regarded as great error, became their deep joy. Eternal redemption also led them into perfect rest in God. It would fill a book if one could remember all the questions put at these meetings.
We will just relate one: I had been speaking on Rom. 3, especially on the righteousness of God, when man was proved to have none. Not only guilty, but his condition utterly lost; his incompetency to keep the law, and so be righteous on that ground. A local preacher suddenly rose in the midst of the crowded hall, and said, “Mr. S., I want to ask you a question: ‘If a father was to set his lad a task to do, that he well knew he could not do, and then because he did not do it he was to thrash him well, would that be right?’“ Every face was fixed, waiting for an answer. I said, “Mr. B., you have been a local preacher forty years.” “Yes,” he said, “I have.” “Have you found anything more difficult than to convince a man that he is a lost sinner?” “No, I don’t know that I have.” “Very well, then, I will just suppose you were the captain of a lifeboat. You are sent out to rescue the crew of a ship going to pieces on the rocks. You know they are helpless: they cannot get the ship to land. Laws of navigation are good in themselves, but they cannot help this crew; they have no power to work the ship. You see they are stiff and helpless. You would not stop a hundred yards short to discuss the laws of navigation. You would not tell them to do their part and meet you a hundred yards off. No, you would pull alongside, and assuring them it was impossible for them to save themselves, you would take them from the breaking wreck, and pull to shore. Now, Mr. B., would you be very much to blame?” Mr. B. by this time had forgotten his half infidel question, and said, “No, I don’t think that I should.”
I tried then to explain how Christ was the lifeboat, sent to save those who were lost, and could not save themselves. Is it not so, dear reader? The law of Moses, nay, the law of God, will no more help in this matter for the salvation of a soul, helpless on the rocks of guilt and sin, without power to escape, than the laws of navigation will help to save the crew from a ship, breaking to pieces on a rocky shore. Yet man is blind as to the grace of God in sending the life-boat, after first giving the law to convict man of his lost and helpless state. We may justly question whether any who raise such cavils, have ever known themselves really lost. How many there are who have yet to learn the utter ruin of fallen man!
The presence of the Holy Ghost on earth, and his true, real personality was also very new to these people; and also the blessed truth, that all believers are baptized by the one Spirit into one body (1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)). And that according to the Word of God there is “one body,” just as there is “one Lord.” All this greatly surprised them, in contrast with the many religious bodies of men. For the Lord gave me great freedom, as I regarded all Christians in the district alike members of the body of Christ; and by the grace of God sought to declare to them the whole counsel of God. And the joy with which these truths were listened to and received can never be forgotten.
One person gave a vivid description of the meetings. She said, “It must be very easy to speak at these meetings.” I said, “Why?” “Well,” she said, “they are like a bird’s nest, full of young, with all their mouths open.” It was exactly so. It was remarkable to see both men and women coming long distances, in the depth of winter, to drink in the Word of Life.
After twelve months, they felt the words of the Lord Jesus as to breaking bread, “Do this in remembrance of me.” They said they felt the time was come when they must obey the Lord. I said to them, “If you do this, it must be your own act to Him alone. For twelve months I have sought to declare unto you the whole counsel of God; and I call on you to bear witness that I have never lifted a finger, or spoken a word to ask you to leave your chapels or churches. If you meet now to break bread I shall not be with you, lest it should have the least appearance of leading you to follow me. It must be to the Lord.”
On the following Lord’s Day, about twenty-five came together to show forth the Lord’s death; and I was told it was a time of great blessing, and they had such a sense of the Lord’s presence as they had never known before. Soon many more were gathered with them to the Lord. Thus it was as at the beginning, Peter preached, and the Lord gathered (Acts 2).
Beloved fellow helpers and servants of Christ, let us not be discouraged. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” Our hope is not the church being restored to order, and visible unity here in this world. No, the Apostle could say in the very beginning of the work of God in Europe, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown or rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ AT HIS COMING?” Nevertheless we surely are responsible to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit. Many now have left the village; some are with the Lord, waiting with Him, some here, some there. That which is of God will stand forever. All that the Father gave to Jesus shall soon meet, where scatterings are no more.
We dwelt a little at length on the history of the work of God at the above place, as it illustrates the experience of nearly a lifetime in the service of Christ. I have always found blessing and results in proportion to communion with Christ, in His love to the whole church, whether in writing or preaching; and no Christian can prosper in his own soul unless he is seeking the welfare of others. He must come unto Christ and drink, and then “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Thus may we serve Him according to the sympathies of His own heart. I might add page after page of incidents in His blessed service, but hope I have not already wearied the patience of my readers.
After four years’ absence I have just been to the same place, and have found much freshness and blessing. To Him be all the praise.