Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER III.

Letter from Mr. Settle.-Mr. Kilham and his party.-York Assizes. A religious Diary.-Extracts from it.-W. Dawson formally takes a text.-Besetment.-William Smith-Kindness to the Widow.-Reproof.-Pressed to enter into Holy Orders. -The ELLAND SOCIETY.-The Latin Language.-Difficulties and Cares of Business.-The Rev. J. Graham's testimony in favour of Wm. Dawson.—Slender Remuneration.—Despondency. -Letter from Mr. Settle.

"of

THE salvation of the soul was the "great concern life with the subject of these Memoirs. He knew, with one of his favourite authors-Baxter, that it is one thing for a man to take God and heaven for his portion in the heyday of life and health, and another thing to be desirous of it, as a kind of reserve, when he can maintain his grasp of the world no longer ;— one thing to submit to heaven as a more diminutive evil than perdition, and another thing to be anxiously solicitous respecting it as a greater good than earth;

-one thing to lay up treasures and hopes in heaven, and to seek that heaven first, and another thing to be content to accept it in the day of necessity--having first sought and secured the world, finally resigning into the hands of God that only which the lusts of the flesh can spare,-a putrid carcass, a depraved

spirit, the last sighs of an expiring life. If personal religion consisted only in "bodily exercise," in moving the lips, in bending the knee, it would be as common for human beings to step into heaven as to enter an adjoining house to visit a friend. But to separate the thoughts and affections from the world, to draw forth to open day the graces which adorn the Christian character, to fix each grace on its proper object, and to hold the respective graces to the work-waxing stronger and stronger, till every enterprise, every labour of love prospers in the hand, is a work of no ordinary difficulty, and will always distinguish the genuine Christian from the hollow and superficial professor. All the characteristics of a sound, healthy, religious state of feeling, were exhibited by William Dawson.

His friend, Mr. Settle, continued to pursue his studies at College, and the friendship between them remained unbroken. The former writes,

"Jan. 1, 1796, Mag. College. "DEAR DAWSON,-It is now, at least, six years since we began to seek salvation by grace, in Christ Jesus. I cannot say that my mind is in so forlorn a condition at present, as it was six years ago; yet I feel the depravity of the heart, and that, without watchfulness, it would bring me into captivity. But God has promised, that sin shall not have dominion over us. As yet, I do not seem sufficiently to have considered the nature of the religion of Christ; I mean, I have not looked upon it as properly consisting of two parts,-Justification and Sanctification. The former part has, in general, occupied my attention. alas, it is but a small thing for us to be justified,that is, delivered from wrath. We want something

But,

more; we want righteousness-purity-holy affections -heavenly tempers-a fixed and sure foundation of holiness wrought in our souls by the Spirit of God; that our whole man, and all our conversation may be seasoned with salt, meet to minister grace to those that hear us. It is vain, I find, to be continually forming resolutions to break off this, and the other, bad habit. It is God alone, that can work in us a hatred of all sin, and a desire after real holiness.

"When I consider this, my wonder ceases at the Methodists dwelling so much on the nature of holiness, and purity of heart. I do not say, that they

have not carried their notions too far on this important point of religion. Of this at least, I am certain, that Christ promises great things to those who earnestly seek him. The Gospels, and great part of the Epistles, abound with passages to this effect. You will be ready to ask, 'Have you turned Methodist?' My dear friend, I only notice these things, because I suffer much uneasiness, in consequence of not being washed and cleansed from sin, as set forth in the Scriptures,-of not having my habits, tempers, and desires, brought into subjection to the law of the obedience of Christ. Besides, when I name the Methodists, I mean and intend the Old Methodists. I scarcely know what the New Methodists, so called, are. You will best understand

my meaning by an example. Here is a person accustomed to acts of theft and injustice. To-day, he is at court-released from punishment-and receives his liberty: but he carries with him the same principle, the same disposition to acts of injustice; and therefore, falls into his former practices.

I have mentioned this instance to illustrate my own case in minor things. It is God alone, that can write his laws on our corrupt hearts, engrave them on our minds, and enable us sincerely to love and delight in holiness, in heavenly mindedness. What is more common, than continually to hear, from all religious sects and denominations, That, in order to enjoy God, we must have something in us of his likeness?' God himself asks, How can two walk together, unless they be agreed?' And, indeed, it may be asked, how-in natural things, bodies can be compounded or blended, which are totally averse to union? Apply this. How can we, with all our sinful passions, be united to God, and enjoy fellowship with him-God, who is gloriously holy,-pure beyond all conception? It is said, 'Grow in grace,' &c. Certainly this is a very different thing from a mere speculative knowledge of the doctrine of justification. The one sort of knowledge seems to be finite, the other infinite. The perfections of God are infinite ; and it is on this account, as I conceive, that our growth in grace,—our transformation into his image and likeness, will be always progressive, but never entirely complete. This is a subject on which, I pray God, that both you and I may be employed in contemplating for ever!

"What I have penned, would be much more interesting in conversation, as we could then, enter into many particulars, remove doubts, and explain the subject more fully to each other. We live in times of great profaneness, and great gospel privileges. hope I can heartily join with you, in praying, that God may not visit us with a famine of the word.

I

meet

The word of God was precious in the days of Samuel. It is now plentiful. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall wax cold. But in such times, they should be examples of greater diligence. I hope God will be with you in your ings, and stand by you in all your persecutions. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. We have need of being stirred up. When God sees us waxing cold, and growing faint in our minds in religion, he shakes us with tempests, and causes all his billows to pass over our souls. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen!-S. SETTLE."

Mr. Settle refers, no doubt, by the "New Methodists," to the party gathering around Mr. Kilham; and not being acquainted with the points in dispute, might see proper to guard his remarks, lest any of the essentials of religion should be involved in the general question. On Mr. Kilham's expulsion from the body, the subject of these Memoirs, -though little versed in Wesleyan politics, was curious enough to step into one of the chapels in Leeds, when he was making some of his statements. He observed to the writer, that he felt little interest in what was said, and was rather disappointed in Mr. Kilham's appearance, especially his face, which he considered as not at all indicative of intellect. Towards the close of the year, he remarked, a person put Mr. Kilham's "Defence" into his hand. On reading it, he said to himself, "I am incapable of judging of the points at issue for want of fuller information; but with this man, I can have no sympathy; for I perceive his spirit is bad." There is propriety in this; for a

« PreviousContinue »