DR. KALLEY, the well-known Scotch physician, who went to Madeira some years ago, was the favored instrument in beginning the blessed work of conversion among the poor papists, which, in the midst of persecutions, and death, and banishment, has continued until this day.
The truth of God was but little known in that island previous to the arrival there of Dr. Kalley. Few of the poor people had ever seen a Bible or seemed to know that the New Testament was written by men who went about with the Lord Jesus when He lived on earth. They were astonished to hear these things, and soon a few began to desire to read and hear the word of God.
The interest went on increasing till thousands assembled to hear the gospel. Many were converted; persecution arose; some were imprisoned; and among the rest the doctor himself, who subsequently only saved his life by escaping in disguise and taking refuge in an English vessel. The poor converts also were obliged to flee for their lives, a few at a time, as they could escape. Eight hundred believers in this way were driven from their country; and at length found a refuge in Illinois, in the United States of America, where, through God’s kind providence, they have found friends and liberty, unknown in their own priest-ridden country. This work of God has been designated the greatest fact of modern missions; it proves that the Papacy is unchanged, as a persecuting power, from what it was in the dark ages; that true Christianity is unchanged from what it was in The days of Peter and Paul, Stephen and Polycarp; and there is the same power in the truth still, to sustain those who sincerely embrace it, as was found„ in the days when Queen Mary burned her subjects in Smithfield, only because of their faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ
Among the numerous interesting incidents connected with that remarkable work of God, one is recorded which is peculiarly valuable as a comment on the inspired declaration, “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130).
It happened, during the earlier years of this revival, while the doctor himself still remained in the island, that he and his friends were surprised one day by hearing of a work of God in the further part of the island, with which he had never held any intercourse. Dr. Kalley’s wonder was excited, and he resolved to find out what had been the origin of a church of four hundred Protestants in a dark popish district. The result of his inquiries was as follows:
An old woman, of full sixty years of age, residing in a certain village, had a bad leg, which could not be cured at home, and having heard of Dr. Kalley’s fame, she resolved to go to him. The doctor undertook to prescribe for her bodily disease, but according to his invariable custom, prepared his prescription by a dose of spiritual medicine, and before allowing her to swallow a pill, or see his far-famed ointment, he gave her a plain and simple account of the Balm of Gilead, and showed her how to find the good Physician of souls, who healeth all who come to Him. He told her of Jesus Christ, who had come from heaven to save sinners; he told her that there is no power in anything that man can do to save himself, but that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin; that he that believeth on Him hath everlasting life; that a new nature is imparted to him; that God’s Holy Spirit is put within him; and that he is saved with an everlasting salvation.
The poor woman was astonished and delighted with what she heard, so new, so wonderful, so suited to the need she felt; and she rested not till she inquired for the Book from whence he had learned and read to her such marvelous things. “Could she get one? Were they to be bought?” “I will sell you one,” said the doctor, “but can you read?” “No, sir, but I will find someone to teach me, or to read to me.” The purchase was effected. The old woman returned to her native village with her prize. She found someone to teach her to read. As soon as she could read a little, she began to read aloud to one of her daughters. Soon her sons came to hear, then her grandchildren, cousins, and neighbors; multitudes heard the Word of this great salvation, and believed and read for themselves, till a congregation of four hundred had collected before the priests heard, or cared about a matter of which they had no suspicion.
One planteth and another watereth, but it is God that giveth the increase. It seemed but a small matter to say a few words to an old woman about the first principles of the gospel; but see how large a crop grew from the putting in of the good seed. Is there anyone who has himself been made partaker of the grace of God, who knows the truth as it is in Jesus, that cannot do thus much? Is there anyone who cannot point one poor sinner to Jesus? You cannot tell but that the result will be as widespreading as in the example just quoted; that remains in the hands of Him who has given you the seed to sow. But results there will surely be. The Lord has said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto Me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55:8-118For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:8‑11).