In the middle of the 18th century, James Morris, a poor, illiterate Irish peasant, was living near Cody-main, Ireland. James had not enjoyed the advantage of formal schooling, and what little reading ability he had he learned by himself. Even this untutored ability was more than most of Jim's friends and neighbors could boast of, so that when he came to know the love of God in Christ Jesus, the unlearned peasant determined to use what skill he had acquired in reading God's Word to them.
So it was that James gathered into his old barn all who would come to listen. As his own knowledge of Scripture increased, James found less difficulty in reading and in presenting Christ to his friends, while they gladly heard the sweet story of God's love.
Then one day a visitor from England, a young sixteen year old lad, came in among the little company. He was many miles from his cultured home where he had often heard of Christ the Savior, but he had never been willing to yield to Him his heart. However, there was something in the presentation of the truth by this stammering backwoods preacher that carried deep conviction to his heart. In that barn he accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Thus it was that Augustus Montague Toplady was "born again."
Toplady, the young Christian, went forth from that unique sanctuary to become a mighty teacher of the Scriptures and the author of many of our most enduring hymns. The whole Christian world resounds to his "Rock of Ages," and thousands of hearts have been melted and drawn by his hymns to find beauty in Christ. How encouraging is the saying: "Little is much, if God be in it." Of James Morris the Lord can say in that day, as of Mary of Bethany in Mark 14:8. "She hath done what she could."
"Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal. 6:9.