A VILLAGE PASTOR.
“The sweet remembrance of the just
Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust.”
I WILL never read another sermon as long as I live. God has given me a message to deliver to the people, and prayerfully I will trust Him to give me words to clothe the message with. But it will be hard work," he added, after a momentary reflection." To the upright there ariseth light in the darkness' is the precious promise, and if I live near to God He will not fail me.”
The young man sat in his study gravely contemplating a change which exerted a wonderful influence over his own soul, and over the souls of many with whom he came into close contact. James Hannington had risen above perplexing doubts into the clearness of God's promises. Hitherto he had always read his sermons. He often felt that they had fallen cold upon the people. Now he would speak out boldly, He cared little for the higher refinement of language. The salvation of immortal souls was of greater consequence than poesy. He would take up the torch and wave it in such a way that dying men and women must see the light and must be inspired by it. Only once is it recorded that he failed in his extempore preaching, and the failure sent him to his knees to pray for greater strength, greater confidence in the future.
James Hannington's life in beautiful Devonshire was a useful and happy one. There was a healthy contagion about his life and character. He was equally happy in conducting cottage services, or in reading or praying by the bedside of a stricken one. His knowledge of medicine was very valuable to him in his work in those villages where doctors were not too numerous. He was full of earnestness in the Master's service. Then women and children soon learned to love the generous, bright, happy young man who was willing to spend and be spent in his work.
At the age of twenty-seven Mr. Hannington, senior, desired his son to return home as curate-in-charge of St. George's, Hurstpierpoint. The proposal was prayerfully considered. His work in Devonshire was beginning to produce the best fruits. He had great hopes for the future. "Dear Lord, mercifully reveal Thy will in this matter. Be Thou ever my Guardian and Guide," he wrote at the time on a slip of paper on which he had detailed a sort of mental balance. He felt that there was great scope for good work for the Lord in his native village, and he therefore accepted his father's suggestion.
It may here be mentioned that James Hannington possessed from private sources ample means. He therefore refused to accept any stipend. It is very probable that he never accepted a penny during the whole of his ministry. Not only did he refuse stipends, but his purse was ever open at the call of necessity. He very often gave large sums in a quiet unostentatious manner. The sick and the afflicted were in scores of cases the recipients of his goodness. When the missionary spirit entered into his heart he gave one-fifth of his entire income to the furtherance of the object of one society alone. During the last year or two of his life in England he deprived himself of many a luxury and not a few necessities in order to possess means for a larger beneficence. God had touched his heart thoroughly, and an integral part of his Christian principle was to deny himself so that he could minister more fully to the necessities of God's people.
Previous to going to Hurstpierpoint, he decided to spend a short time in a large parish so that he could increase his experience of ministerial work. He therefore went to Darley Abbey, an outskirt of the busy town of Derby, where evangelical work was then being performed by the Rev. J. Dawson and his wife. Whilst at Derby he moved amongst the people in a cordial manner which quickly gained their affection. He took an active part in one or two special missions, and did not shrink from a revival. These periods of special blessing were a source of much pleasure and inspiration to the young man who had completely dedicated himself to the service of God. There was now no hesitation about his extempore preaching. His divinely-inspired message was delivered in bold, earnest, convincing language. Ile often smiled at his occasional violation of the rules of graceful composition, but the message was God's, not his own, and he cared very little indeed for its precise wording. He spoke from his fervent heart, and seldom indeed did his message fail to reach the hearts of his diversified congregations.
An illustration of his adaptability is found in his connection with the Station Breakfast Mission at Derby. This mission has been wonderfully blessed by God. Its history deserves to be written in letters of gold as an inspiring encouragement to others. Only a very brief reference to it can now be given. One of the employees at Derby station persisted in reading his Bible during meal times. His companions scoffed and jeered at him. Eventually he went into a corner of the room and continued his earnest perusal of the sacred Word. Presently a solitary companion joined him. The cruel persecution continued until a small, humble shed was placed at their disposal by the officials. There they continued to read their Bibles in peace. Their number gradually increased, and now over a hundred men are to be found every breakfast time listening to an address on higher things. James Hannington went one morning to listen. The gentleman appointed to deliver the address, however, could not attend, and the future missionary was requested to take his place. Though quite unprepared for such an emergency he spoke with great power, and made a serious impression upon many of these hard-worked railway men to whom the country owes so much.
In November, 1875, Hannington received his M.A. degree, and on the seventh of the same month he commenced his ministry at Hurstpierpoint. This period of his life must be recounted very briefly. He was something more than a country pastor. He was in very deed the father of his flock. To every one in the village he was endeared, especially to the old men and women and children. In spite of his robust mirthfulness he was as gentle as a woman.
For seven years he labored in this quiet sphere of influence. The world knew nothing of him; he knew very little of the world. It is an old truism that the world knows very little of its greatest men. During the latter portion of that period he traveled throughout many counties, holding special missions which were greatly blessed both to his own soul and to others.
How much he sacrificed for the sake of his parishioners will never be known. During his residence at Hurstpierpoint he sold his horse so that he could convert the capacious stable and coach house into a mission and recreation room, and a very large proportion of his income was spent upon the poor and needy.
It is interesting to trace the gradual growth of his missionary instinct. In the early days of his ministry he knew nothing about the claims of the great heathen world. He did not feel the least responsibility in the matter. But God led him on to the accomplishment of His purposes. His soul became fired with the subject; and when he was thoroughly awakened he did all he could to show those around him their privileges and responsibilities.
On the 10th of February, 1877, James Hannington was married to Miss Hankin-Turvin, daughter of Captain James Hankin-Turvin. This lady, along with her mother, had been in the habit of attending the Hurstpierpoint church. She was in every way worthy to be the wife of such a man. No higher praise can possibly be bestowed upon her.
Mr. Hannington, sen., died on the 7th June, 1881, leaving the church to his son.
Hannington's home ministry practically ended with the year 1881. It is true he returned home after his first disastrous journey to the Nyanza, but it was only for a brief period of rest preparatory to going out again to the great, the dark continent, which had temporarily baffled him. He left behind him a quiet but a noble record. By prayer he had prepared himself for his great life's work, and when the supreme time came he bore himself in a manner worthy of a saint and a martyr,