CHURCH'S PRIMITIVE MISSIONARY ANECDOTES.* No one can read the history of the early Primitive Methodist preachers without admiring their earnestness and heroism, and acknowledging that besides the direct spiritual benefits conferred on the most neglected portions of our countrymen, the Primitives have contributed their quota of suffering and triumph to the cause of liberty: liberty to speak openly, won against the rage of the mob, and the ignorance and insolence of a squire-archy and rustic magistracy. Infidels sometimes boast of the persecutions they have endured, and the liberty thus achieved, but besides that their contributions have been very slender and not very fertile, they are abundantly outstripped by this young and flourishing branch of the Christian army: few of them would go to villages to meet rotten eggs and the stocks; they generally are safely housed in lecture-rooms, and enjoy a liberty already purchased by those who have moral motives for endurance. Mr. Church has done good service to the Primitives and religion in general, by the publication of these interesting anecdotes, which are orderly arranged according to the dates, and form a partial history of that important movement; the book ought to be extensively circulated, and we shall diversify our pages with some specimens, by which the reader may judge of this excellent work: it is composed chiefly of extracts from the diaries of the agents themselves: the kinds of opposition and ferocious persecution these men endured, may be understood by the following account of the assailants and their methods: "Their shoutings, leapings, gesticulations, and fearful contortions; the stunning noises made by their horns, kettles, bells, &c., &c., must surely give such scenes a very close connection with the war-hoop and dance of savage life. But other, and much more injurious, weapons than these have often been employed. Blood from the slaughter-house, thrown over the missionary by a syringe, made of a gun-barrel; eggs, charged with vitriol, and other injurious ingredients, to burn his clothes and person also. Ropes, and even chains, to run round the missionary and his friends, and thereby drag them into some contiguous water or slough. The excrement of cattle, and other things, have not been found too loathsome for these poor misguided creatures to employ on these occasions. These humiliating scenes usually closed by the greater part of the mob following 66 Gospel-Victories: or, Missionary Anecdotes of Imprisonments, Labours, and Persecutions, endured by Primitive Methodist Preachers, between the years 1812 and 1842. By THOMAS CHURCH, author of 'Popular Sketches of Primitive Methodism,' &c., &c. 'Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ; and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge, by us, in every place.' 2 Cor. ii. 14. London: Aylott and Jones, 8, Paternoster Row; T. Holliday, Primitive Methodist Book Room, Sutton Street East. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. And all Booksellers in Town or Country. 1851." the missionary out of the place, and pelting him with stones, or flints, from the road. I have been followed thus by a mob for two miles." "After walking six, eight, ten, and sometimes twelve miles, to preach at a village in the evening, and after being subjected to this outrageons treatment, the missionary usually had to return the same distance to find a resting-place for the night. In some instances, the prejudice and hostility ran so high, that the missionaries could not procure either bed or board for money. Where a more favourable feeling prevailed, they have often been thankful to be permitted to rest on a cottage hearth, with the poor man's old over-coat, or a corn sack, for a covering, and a little straw for their pillow. They have sat in a chair, or laid upon a long stool, through the night, thankful for the shelter of the humblest roof to screen them from the weather; and some of them, on a few occasions, have spent the whole night without a place whereon to lay their heads." By Wm. Clowes we are told, that "About the year 1817, at Bottesford, I unfurled the banner of the cress, and preached from Matt. xii. 41. This place was very hardened, and its opposition was very powerful. A band of music was hired to play, to prevent the people from hearing the gospel of their salvation. The scenes occasionally exhibited were very singular-the people and the preacher singing, the band playing, dogs barking, and persecutors grinning; but by-and-bye we got delivered from the band, for the big-drummer got struck by the power of God, and he would drum no more. obtained partial deliverance from persecution, as well as a place to preach in. At another place in this neighbourhood, they rang the bells, in order to drown the preacher's voice; but deliverance came again, for the great bell cracked, and the ringing was ended. Some of the people observed, that if they attempted to ring again to oppose the 'Ranters,' the steeple would fall." We "At one preaching-service, the water-engine was brought out to play upon the preacher, but a part of the congregation took side with the preacher, and became so exasperated with those connected with the waterengine, that they fell upon it and broke it. The persecutors then applied for redress and for damages; but the magistrate, in examining the case, inquired, by whose order the engine was brought out? It was then shown to be the direction of the church-parson. The magistrate then decided that he was the party that must pay the damages!" A curious anecdote of the next year is told by the same writer, which deserves recording. "It may be observed here, that between the intolerant magistrates of Grantham and Sir William Manners, of Buckminster, there existed considerable opposition. When Sir William was informed, that the magis trates had committed the preacher for preaching at the market-cross, he immediately ordered a pulpit to be erected, built of stone, near the townhall, that the preachers might occupy it whenever they thought proper to address the people in the market-place, none daring to make them afraid. Mr. Lockwood, to whom I have referred, favouring me with the loan of a horse, I proceeded to the camp-meeting, near the residence of Sir Wm. Manners, and joined my former colleagues in the work of the Lord. In the afternoon, Sir Wm. came to the camp-meeting in his carriage, and requested that one of the preachers should accompany him to Grantham, to preach in the pulpit which he had erected for that purpose in the market-place. One of the brethren expressing his willingness to go, Sir Wm. desired him to step into the carriage, and they rode off to Grantham. As they were going along, Sir Wm. asked the preacher whether or not he and his brethren were inspired men? The preacher replied, that his soul was full of glory.' Sir Wm. then said, that he should like to hear him preach-would he have the goodness to preach to his coachman as they proceeded? The preacher replied, that if he would stop the carriage, he would preach to the people in the village through which they were passing, through the carriage windows; but Sir Wm. declined that proposal, and drew up the window-blinds. On arriving near the town, a chaise was prepared to carry the preacher into the When arrived at the market-place, a servant of Sir Wm. attended, and the preacher ascended his pulpit of stone, and preached to the assembled people." town. These Primitives had to teach magistrates and lawyers the law, as well as to instruct the people in the gospel; George Handford gives an extraordinary scene, which occurred in his preaching at Syston, in 1818. "After I had sung and prayed, I heard a noise at a distance, and a cry of 'Make way! make way!" After some time (for they had a difficulty in getting through the crowd of people,) three persons, a clergyman, a gentleman, and a lawyer-thus accosted me Clergyman. Who sent you here? We don't want you, I'm sure. "Preacher. Why, sir, are ALL the souls in Syston converted to God? "Clergyman. There is preaching in the chapel, and twice, and sometimes three times, in the church, and there is no room for you; so get you off about your business, for we won't have you here. "Preacher. You will let me preach first? Lawyer. Have you got a licence? "Preacher. No. Nor have I need of one. "Lawyer. How is that? "Preacher. Because no magistrate has required me to take the oaths; and no person is liable to consequences, till he refuses after such notice is given him. Besides, in giving such notice, the magistrate cannot compel him to go more than five miles. "Clergyman (to the lawyer.) Is that the law, sir? Lawyer. I believe it is, sir; but it is a point of the law with which I am not fully acquainted. Lawyer (to the preacher.) Well, if you have no need of a licence, the place where you preach has, and I am sure this green has not been licensed. "Preacher. You are wrong again, sir. This is not a place in the eye of the law you refer to. "Lawyer. The d-l it is not! "Preacher. No, sir, it is not; for the object of the law, respecting secrecy in places of Divine worship, says, 'No place held for Divine worship shall be bolted or barred (viz., places that are so licensed, as you call them,) that the Ecclesiastical Court might have a right to inspect the proceedings at any time.' And very right too. But this green has neither bolts, bars, nor building, but is public property, and I am not liable to trespass, but only for nuisance. If you think the Word of God a nuisance, you may prosecute. But, stop and hear, and if I say anything against the doctrine of the Church of England, or against the laws of the land, take me up, and I will answer for myself. "A conversation then took place between the clergyman and myself, respecting the forgiveness of sins, the witness of the Spirit, and the sensible perception of the love of God in the heart. The three opposers went away, after pulling me about, and insisting on my going home. local preacher, standing on an eminence, said, 'Mr. Handford, stand firm.' I gave out a hymn, and began to preach. I had not proceeded far, before there was a cry all around me, "The constable is coming, sir; the constable is coming!" I replied, 'Be patient.' The people having made way for the constable, he said, 'I have orders to take you up, sir." "For what?' I said. 'Mr. M- the lawyer, has ordered me.' 'Well, where is your warrant ?' He did not speak, but went to Mr. M—, and said, 'Sir, he says I must have a warrant.' 'O,' replied the lawyer, 'd-a him, he knows the law."" A rougher method of handling was more frequently resorted to by the populace, and patiently endured by these servants of the Saviour, who truly bore his cross: thus John Garner, sen., tells us, "In February, 1819, I commenced my itinerent labours in the Loughborough circuit. During the month of May, I visited Sow, near Coventry. This place we had preached in several times, but to little purpose, the inhabitants being vile persecutors, and the parish clergyman conducting himself towards us in so vile a manner, that prudence forbids its being published. No sooner had I entered the village, than stones were flying in every direction. I made haste to Mr., where a few people were assembled to hear the Word of Life. The mob followed me, instantly surrounded the house, broke the windows, and compelled me to stop the meeting. Seeing no probability of the persecution abating, I was necessitated to expose myself to the malicious rage of the wicked, by whom I was furiously driven out of the village, with stones, rotten eggs, sludge, or whatever came first to hand." "At subsequent periods of my ministry, I was exposed to the cruel treatment of civil officers; to hunger, thirst, and fatigue, by day and by night. I have beheld my companion fallen by my side through weariness, and have myself reposed through nights in the open air, in sheds, or other outbuildings, unobserved by any one, except Him who never slumbers nor sleeps. Yet, amidst all, I have have had the satisfaction of see ing thousands of souls added to the societies among whom I have laboured; and these have included some of my near relatives." Jeremiah Gilbert, in 1820, affords some graphic pictures of mission life: "I sung and prayed, sung again, and gave out a text, and spoke a little. Then a clergyman and a constable came to see me, and, in a pretty manner, desired me to come down, and desist from preaching. I gave the clergyman to understand that it was my sole intention to come down when I had finished my discourse. I also said, 'you had better go, sir, and take those young men who are playing at quoits, making a very great rabble and noise, and let the preacher preach the Word of Life.' I likewise informed him, that, a year before, when his son, who is a clergyman, pulled me to the ground, he was not satisfied with my licence which a magistrate had given me. But I had considered the matter over, as I came along the road, and had found, that a greater than a magistrate had given me a licence; that the King of kings and Lord of lords had given me a licence in two places in the New Testament. I opened the Bible, and read in Luke xiv. 23- And the Lord said unto his servants, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.' And in Mark xvi. 15—'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' These licences are both signed by JESUS CHRIST; and the great apostle signed one of them, when he said, 'For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.' 1 Cor. ix. 16."* ""But all I said about the Bible seemed to have no weight with the clergyman; so the constable seized me, and I began to sing 'Wicked men I scorn to fear, "The clergyman desired me to be silent, and got his hand almost to my mouth. But I told him my tongue was not to be tethered; and as the Almighty had imparted unto me such a gift as my tongue, it should be employed in praising him. Again, I said, Glory be to God, my soul is very happy! When in custody, I had a very long conversation with the clergyman. I said, as it has been remarked, I am not come for your money, that is quite safe. I never come at it. I am only come to you to do you a little work. But he said, 'when he wanted me he would send for me.' I said, 'perhaps you would not have humility enough to send for me; I, therefore, came, without sending for.' He did not seem pleased at this. I then asked him, if he believed the Bible? He said, he did. Do you know then that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you your sins? He said, 'No;' and told me he had been a preacher of the gospel thirty years! I said, I would try to find a passage of Scripture for the subject in hand." "He said, several times, 'I looked very respectable ;' and added, 'I |