Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

computation there was a thousand people. Such a crowd, with the profound silence and the lights we had in the house, made it solemn. But to see how the people were melted all in tears, was more affecting. He preached from those words "Beginning at Jerusalem," which was the charge our Saviour gave his apostles when he sent them forth into all nations to preach his gospel that they should first preach it in Jerusalem, that wicked city, and make the first offer of pardon through his blood to those vile miscreants that had so lately shed it. From whence he drew this proposition, "that the dear Lord Jesus Christ would have the vilest sinners to be saved," and applied it in such a moving manner, as melted down some of the most stout-hearted sinners there. I hope it was the Lord's passover night, when many con sciences were sprinkled with his precious blood. However, it was but the earnest of greater things done on the following Sabbath. Mr. Whitefield gave out that he would preach the next day at eight in the morning, and at four in the afternoon. Because he would not interfere with the public worship any where; and though it was so early the next morning, there were hundreds stood at the door and windows who could not get in. He preached a sermon from those words of our Lord's to the blind man whom he cured of his blindness, "Dost thou believe on the Son of

God?" which seemed to affect the people, and especially those of the richer sort, more than that in the evening; at four he preached again from those words, "Old things are passed away, and all things are become new," when there was such a concourse of people came together, that he was obliged to preach in a field adjacent to the meeting-house. There was then

b

thought to be four thousand people, and still the greatest reverence and seriousness I ever saw in any of our public assemblies, and the word came with such power that look where I would I saw people affected. Surely the Lord God is with this servant of his, or else whence this power in his preaching? was it ever known that any meer man could open a sinner's heart, and melt down the obstinate will? When men are pinched to the heart, and cry out, "what shall we do to be saved?" is this the effect of any human power? No, Lord, this is thy own doing, for " 'tis marvellous in our eyes," and to thee we give the glory, while we are rejoicing in the instrument. For my own part, I am not afraid to say I received him as an angel of the Lord; I felt myself strengthened by him, and enjoyed the sweetest Sabbath in all my life in my joint work with him. I preached at our usual time to a greater number than ever before, and I think with more power and success. I only add our whole town

seemed highly delighted with him, and scarce any, openly at least, speak against him. My dear wife, who was once prejudiced against him, thinks now she loves him more than I. He is I believe now at Bideford. I wish you could see him, I am sure you will immediately discern that spirit in him, as to value him. I expect him a longer time in his return from the west, when he will go to Taunton, whither Mr. Fawcett has invited him. And may God open for him a large door there and where ever he preaches the gospel."

[ocr errors]

In the autumn of the following year, 1751, he received visit from another eminent man in very different circumstances. Dr. Doddridge, his revered tutor, who was now on the verge of the grave, being advised to take a voyage to Lisbon, spent, on his way to Falmouth, a day with his beloved pupil. Mr. Darracott was the last friend he visited in his native country, and it may be easily conceived that the sight of such a disciple, in the zenith of his usefulness, afforded exquisite delight to him who had trained, him up for the ministry. The doctor had indeed been accustomed to call the minister of Wellington" his crown of rejoicing," and others had revered the tutor for the sake of the pupil. Mr. Walker, of Truro, once wrote to Mr. Darracott thus: "I have not your warm heart:

[ocr errors]

Doddridge was not my tutor. Dear man! I love him more, since I have known you."

Mr. Darracott, on a review of this visit, exclaimed, dear worthy man! How shall I mention him in the circumstances in which he is? "Ever since he was here, my thoughts have followed him. He came here, Sept. 22, in the evening, and went away next morning about ten. He had a delightful Sabbath, he told me; he heard dear Mr. Pearsall in the morning, and then took his leave of public ordinances with these words (Ps. xlii. 4.), and wept much. The morning he left us, he was in a happy frame, and had joys, which he said were even too great for his feeble body to sustain. He seemed weaker than when I left him at Bideford: most thought he would not be able to bear the voyage; however he has now tried it. He got to Falmouth on Saturday about seven in the evening, and on the Monday morning he went on board. His servant told me he was very weak still, and took leave of him as if he should see him no more." Of the death of his tutor, Mr. Darracott was speedily informed by a letter from Dr. Cantley, his physician, at Lisbon.

In the month of March, 1752, Mr. Darracott paid a visit to Kidderminster, where his old friend and fellow-student, Mr, Fawcett, had succeeded to the charge of the church, founded by

Richard Baxter. These two brethren in work and in spirit exchanged for the mutual edification of their respective charges. Mr. Darracott was welcomed to the house of his affectionate correspondent, Joseph Williams, with an ardour which will be best expressed by himself. In a letter to Mrs. Darracott, he says,

"Kidderminster, March 25, 1752.

"Dear Madam,

"As what I shall say will cost you nothing, it is an inducement to put pen to paper, and try to say something to whom I owe so much obligation, which otherwise would be a dear groat's' worth. I was deep in debt before, which is now swelled to a mighty sum by the valuable and important loan you so readily, so cheerfully, have lent us, and, though but for a few weeks, at the expense of so much self-denial. I scarce know another man upon earth, since the dear Dr. Doddridge is gone to heaven, at least not another in Europe since dear Mr. Whitfield is gone to America, who merits so cordial a wel come to my house, my arms, my heart, or could impart to me, by his presence, so much pious joy, as dear Mr. Darracott: and yet, through the smiles of an indulgent Providence, I am not destitute of many very dear and desirable Christian friends. Nor yet do I know the minister who, in the absence of our dear pastor, is more

« ElőzőTovább »