Part 19 (1/2)

A Mission in Staffordshi+re, 1854

THE work at Baldhu, which had been going on al; that is to say, there was not that ardent and eager attendance at the services and s, to which we had been accustomed in the revival time We had had occasional lulls like this before, but they did not last more than a feeeks; and then the ”ss” returned, and the bright hot sus and pleasant fruits This dullness was continuing longer than usual; the crowded congregations were falling off; strangers did not come from a distance; the people at home were not so lively

However, the classes were continued, as also the services at the church, and the number of communicants did not decrease Still any one could see that the revival was over It was rather discouraging to me, and a cause of triumph to sost visitors, and with sick-bed cases

Thefor another tide of revival; this was their custoree to it; but at that time I knew not what else to do, but wait as others did I said that we looked like vessels which had come so far up the river with the tide; and now that it had turned ere stranded and fast in the noble, and likened ourselves to the stately vessels anchored in Falmouth harbour, which were there because the as contrary We ind-bound too, and dependent on circuht not to be like this I rather took for our type the great steaines, and coard to wind or tide We ought to be constrained I said, from within by the love of God and thus be enabled to show the power of grace by riding over all obstacles and trius in the night” Any bird can sing in the sunshi+ne

The self-restraint and self-control I had exercised in my churchy days, and which I supposed was derived fro inwith authority, such as church and priest supply I could not, however, conscientiously go back to that legal system, nor did I think there was any need, for I was sure there was so somewhere, to be had, which should and would supply our want, if I could but discover it It appeared to me that my people, without this, were subject to is

In this time of lull I found that the steadfastness of soone further back than these, return at a revival tiour In this way, some of the Cornish people professed to be converted scores of ti over the me very much to come at once and preach in a parish in Staffordshi+re, near Birham Mr Aitken had been on a ht at this place, and preached one of his alarreat that the people, together with their clergye) were in loo over them, as if they had been sentenced to some dreadful doom, and did not knohat to do, or how to avert it

It is a good thing to wound, but it should be with the object ofto show sinners their lost condition, but only for the purpose of getting thereat salvation which is provided for such

In his perplexity the curate went to see the Bishop (Lonsdale) of Lichfield When his lordshi+p had ascertained the cause of the trouble, he took up a pa on the table, and said, ”If you cannot get Mr Aitken back, send for this gentleentleman,” meant the author of the pamphlet, which his lordshi+p held in his hand, namely, myself; ”his name and address are here” said the Bishop; ”take the book and read it carefully; he seee and experience in such ed me to ”coht, and reaching the place on Saturday afternoon, opened awithout further notice On Sunday I preached three ti There we had a scene which, for noise and confusion was quite Cornish Men and women cried aloud for mercy, while some believers ere there shouted for joy The curate in charge was co, as he remarked, that I appeared to understand it and knohat I was about, he thought he had better re was over

That saave his heart to God

The ent on in this place with the force as of an explosion; just as if hungry desires had been pent up a long time, and now they had vent and opportunity to be satisfied The church was crowded: every day, even in the week; and ere kept in the schoolrooht till twelve and one o'clock

The toas a dark, smoky, sulphury place, and the air filled with exhalations and iron filings from the various works It was a dreadful at was black and dirty; the red fires fro and presented an awful appearance

To come from the pure air and beautiful scenery of Cornwall into such a place as this, was reat The as deeply interesting, and scores of ymen, professed to be converted that week

The devil did not leave us alone; he was very angry, and raised up a great opposition The rector of the old church, who used to be ed, and e of the church, to tell him that he was quite sure that his friend the vicar (ay at the time in ill health) would never have sanctioned this excitement The curate said that the Bishop had bid hi anything further about me or my work The rector went off to write to the Bishop forthwith, and in thepeople against ”the Cornish fanaticis out a greater concourse of people

What with excessive work and bad air, by Friday evening I was quite exhausted I ca that Cornishladders, often found it necessary to lie down flat on the ground, I thought I would try the sa out to the schoolrooyman came in and askedfor a short time”

”Very well,” he said, ”rest on; but listen to me The Bishop has sent me here to see and hear you, and this isout a paper he held in his hand, he read: ”St James's craation; their attention to the sermon marked and riveted; sermon from St Luke xv, verse 2, 'This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them' The exposition of chapter ood; the application fervent and pointed; altogether,service”

”There, that isyou hear I will tell the Bishop all about it Thank you very ht!”

”Oh,” I said, springing up froo yet! the best part is to come You have only seen me let down the nets; come now and see them pulled up” ”What is that?” he said, ”Where aon my coat with all haste ”Come with me!”

He seemed a little afraid, and asked et in, and the noise certainly was tremendous

”What is all this confusion about?” he asked ”I think I had better not go in to-night”

”Oh, come in, come in!” I said; ”do not fear” But soain When I entered, al I noticed was the two curates of the parish church, taking notes However, I did not heed them, or ask to see what they had written; for I would always rather have real work, though with a noise, than orderly, respectable stillness, and spiritual death

On Saturday I rested, but was very unwell all day, and did not kno I should be able to work on Sunday When the one; it was iether and had a prayerthe Lord to restore me The curate was so et up and try, we feel sure you will be able to preach” I got up, but had to go to bed again, for I was very ill

Just before eleven o'clock a visitor arrived, a very queer-looking little e cap without a tassel, with the corners of the square board rounded off Standing by my bed-side in this costume, he said that he was a convert of Mr Aitken's, and had coham to hear me ”Moreover,” he said, ”I am a herbal doctor Please let rave, sounded s, put his ear to my chest and then asked, ”What is the ?”