tihrary of CKe trhcolo^ical ^mxmry PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY BX 5207 .H37 Mb7 x852 Morgan, Edward, 1783-1869 The life and times of Howel Harris, Esq., the first LIFE AND TI HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ., WHOSE LABOUES WERE VERY EXTRAORDINARY AND SUCCESSFUL. BY THE KEV. EDWAKD MOKGAN, M.A., VICAB OF SYSTOX, LEICESTEBSHIRE. "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. "—Ps. csii. 6. "They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever."— Dax, xii. 3. HOLYWELL : W. MORBIS, "CTMEO " AXD "EGLWYSTDD " OFFICE. LONDON : HUGHES AND BUTLER. 1852. HOLYWELL ! PUBLIBHED AT THE " CYMBO " AND " EGLTVYSYDD BY W. MOBRIS. PKEF ACE I A3SI thankful to the Lord for sparing and enabling me to accomplish the Memoir of the late eminent Howel Harris. Esqiiii'e, which has been under consideration with a view to the press for years. There was a brief accoimt of him before, which I have made use of as a ground work and enlarged. My obligations to Mr. Bulmer will be presently seen. I do not however regret that I undertook the work, I wish it had been done more perfectly. It is to me tiTily delightful to be thus engaged, — ^reviewing the lives of such eminent men, becoming more acquainted with them, and associating with them, — men who are now made perfect in heaven. 0, may I and the reader drink much of their spirit. Few men, since the days of the Apostles, have been so successful in some respects as H. Hanis. No doubt the Lord raised up and qualified him for the work, and prospered him in it. It is surprising what moral energy and courage the Lord endued him with for the labour. Indeed he lived and acted in the same spii-it and manner as the first disciples, who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to sufier for Christ's sake. In treating of his sufierings I in- serted the account of them, according to the dates of the different times he was persecuted, at the end of the successive chapters. None of the Reformers of that time abounded so much in labom-s and sufiered so greatly for righteousness' sake as Harris ; and perhaps there was not so much variety in the life of any of them as in his. — However as to militaiy life it is clear he had no inclination for it ; he and many more were seized with panic fear of a French invasion and restoration of Popeiy. He had also as gi-eat an aversion to writing as to military life : which is evident from Lady Huntingdon's letter to liim, p. 280. iv. PREFACE. It is wonderful however what a quantity of manuscripts he left behind him, more than any of his brethren. His diaries at Trefecca are numerous, comprehending heads of sermons he preached, and statements of the Lord's dealings with his soul, and other circumstances. No doubt he wi-ote in great haste, as he must have encroached on his sleeping hours ; and this accounts for the imperfections of his style. " His sentences," as Mr. Bulmer observes, " frequently run into one another, and often embrace different subjects. His method of writing is also defective as to precision, there being a great redundancy of words and phrases, which sometimes renders his meaning obscure. On this account it was found necessary to abridge and otherwise correct the extracts contained in this work." I was also obliged to use the same liberty with respect to his letters and other compositions that appear in this life. How- ever much care has always been taken to preserve the sense and the expression as much as possible. It may be observed that much prayer was offered for the success of the Gospel by Harris and his friends, arising from great anxiety for the salvation of souls. He was in this respect like St Paul, whose yearnings for souls was most remarkable, as seen in Kom. 9. The Holy Ghost was sent down from heaven to accompany the word preached for the conversion of sinners. Scores if not hundreds of them were converted by the faithful Missionary, under God's blessing, each journey thi'ough Wales. Hughes, in his Methodistiaeth, — a history of the Welch Calvinistic Methodists — in tracing some particulars respecting some of the old disciples in the commencement of the Meth- odists in various counties, discovered that many of them had been converted under Harris. Harris' care for the rising generation was also remarkable. There was a provision made at the Association in 1 744 for the more effectual catechising the young generally. His attention was also particularly directed to the spiritual welfare of the chil- dren in his large Institution at Trefecca. Pleasing account is given of the happy departure of some of them when death removed many of its members in 1756. It is thus stated, " Some PREFACE. V. children, from 7 to 12 years old, as well as grown up people, died this year. Some of these children praised the Lord Jesus in a surprising manner, resting on his Merits. — Mr. Harris not only instructed them, but also prayed for them in a remarkable manner. The Spuit of the Lord was present, comforting and removing the fear of death from them, which some of them sorely complained of at first. But then however they longed to behold his face, and to be for ever with Him." These cir- cumstances shew how anxious his soul was for the salvation of all. The young were not neglected by Harris and his fellow- laboui-ers. It will be also observed that Harris was a remarkable man for peace and friendship. Such a character must have been most valuable in those days, and is indeed always in such a deceitful world as this. This trait must have endeai-ed him greatly to his friends and acquaintances, as they could consult him with great confidence and pleasure. The want of this most excellent quality in many persons, even of gi'eat talents, must have detracted much from their real usefulness and weight of character. Hughes, in his Methodistiaeth, gives a very full and interest- ing account of the origin and progress of the Welch Methodists. This book I am happy to find is likely to appear in English. Harris' character as a gi*eat and a good man is brought more forwai'd into light by him than by any person in the Connex- ion before. There was a coolness and indifference towards him in this body from the time the separation mentioned herein took place. That having now passed away long time ago, even a centuiy, things are viewed more calmly and in a better light Hughes also gives their due very fairly to the old Methodists, in reference to the Establish Church as well as other matters, — that they studiously kept within its pale, and that they were determined to remain in it, unless they were driven out. It is painful to think that acts of severity, — fines and imprisonment, were in many places inflicted upon them from the beginning ; which treatment disposed them at lengtli to leave the Church. See pp. 151, 155. ■Vi. PREFACE. The Kev. T. Phillips' (Agent of the Bible Society,) i-iews on this subject, are of the same nature, which he thus states in a letter to me ; " The Founders of the Calvinistic Methodists did not contemplate a secession from the Established Church. However the high bearing of its Bishops and other dignitaries in Wales, tended in the course of time to alienate them from it. Those men, not knowing the language of the people, listened to every unfavourable representation of the Methodists, and every species of petty persecution was consequently sanctioned by them. The Clergy, belonging to the Connexion officiating in the Church, were much restrained in their evangelical labours ; their missionaiy spirit was in every way damped and discoiu-aged under pretence of securing order. The Connexion, during all these years, grew and multiplied in eveiy direction. The Clerical members were at the same time but few, and confined chiefly to South Wales. — Laymen of extraordinary abilities and powers were raised up to preach the Gospel The difficulties of providing for the due administration of the Lord's Supper increased from year to year with the growing disinclination on the part of the people to receive the Ordinance from the hands of Clergymen whose stated ministry they did not attend. It seemed at length that the most feasible plan was to add to the existing organisation a number of the best and holiest lay preachers to assist the Clergy, still laboming among them in the Connexion, in the solemn work of adminis- tering Baptism and the Lord's Supper, which was done in the year 1811. On a review of what lias taken place, there are no reasons for regi-et, except indeed that it became an occasion in the hands of the great enemy for strife and bitterness on both sides. It is evident that the Lord has greatly prospered the labours of the Calvinistic Methodists since that period. Their instrumentaUty in the conversion of sinners, and the spread of Bible-knowledge by schools as well as preacliing, is beyond human calculation. It is equally cleai- that the Established Church in Wales has not deteriorated, but vastly improved in its ministry since that time. At the present moment it has within its pale a far greater number of truly good, holy, and PREFA.CE. VU. useful men than at any former period since the commencement of the great Methodist revival. " If Churchmen and Dissenters of every denomination acted right they would labour with the greatest possible assiduity not to secure the increase of their numbers and influence with a view to the ascendency, but the increase of knowledge, right- eousness, holiness, and happiness in the land. They should, at the present moment, merge and even forget their minor differences, in order to unite their forces against the common foe. Nothing can be more unseemly or injurious than the bickering of the different sections in the Protestant Church, whUe the common enemy of all, is making such rapid strides in our countiy, and gathering strength at every step of liis progress, by the disunion in the Protestant Camp, * Union is stength.' There is nothing on earth I desire more than to see Churchmen and Dissenters, while each hold fast what they deem essential ti*uth, unite in the kindest spirit and manner to oppose the evil and to spread the good both at home and abroad. May the Lord hasten this blessed consummation for his Name and glory's sake." The benefit Hai-ris and his Coadjutors did, under God's blessing, to the Church of England and the Piincipality, is very great. The salvation of immortal souls is invaluable. Then the Church was dead and foimal, there being scarcely any symptoms of Hfe. Now it has vitality and much activity, as stated in Phillips's letter. — All denominations of orthodox Dissenters were also much animated and strengthenec' by the revival ; they are now even spreading through the whob land. The Rev. L. Rees, and other good men among them, rejoiced greatly at seeing Harris and his friends awakening the dead country by God's blessing. It is mentioned in Hcu-ris' Life that he is stiU represented by the Methodist. It is of course meant as he was in his disci- pline and Ministry before he retired to Trefecca. The plan, though the same, as stated p. 285, yet is now much improved.— The places where those Reformers held many of their Private Meetings, and where they occasionally preached, were retired vm. PREFACE. and obscure in order no doubt to avoid the violence of the persecutors. Phillips says they were chiefly farm-houses, such as Palleg, Cwm-ammon, Hafod, Blaen-llywell. He says that the place called Tycoedydd, is near Llandovery, and Llan-yr-afon- ddu, is near Llandrillo, and Ehiuiau in Llanddeusant. It is observed in these Memoirs that professors declined in rehgion once in those days so remarkable for the power of it. Harris observes that this was caused by looking too much for the excitement of the feelings. — There is a letter of Tibbot, one of the Superintendents mentioned in the Life, addressed to the Association, that corresponds much with Harris' views on the subject ; it may explain the cause of decline in some of them. The people under his inspection were more disposed to attend to their frames and feelings in the means of grace than to what is more permanent. His words are these. "It is painful to see so little knowledge that is spiritual and experimental, and so little of the holy, heavenly life that becometh saints ; thej^ are but young in grace ; and so had rather have a little feeling and fine fi*ames commonly than feeding by faith on the great things of God. Their faith is weak, and they lose in part the exercise of it when they lose their feehngs and frames." This may be seen more at length in Hughes' Methodistiaeth, p. 130. There was much more of religious excitement in the com- mencement of the Connexion than at present. It is to be hoped however that those feelings arose from the exercise of faith in the truth. The Methodists do not consider those excitements as a part of their worship, as stated in one of their articles. Mr. Bulmer having attended one of these meetings, in which there were rejoicings, speaks of them thus, " Everything appeared natural and bore marks of real feeling and sincerity. The persons rejoicing were in the area of the Chapel and near the pulpit, from which a popular preacher had been addressing them. They were surrounded by many spectators who behaved with becoming gravity." I became acquainted with Mr. Bulmer when writing Hairis' Life who also had been engaged on the same subject. Much credit is due to him for an edition of Hams' Life in English, which has been out of print some time. It is PPtEFlCS. ix. an improvement on the old one as to style and order, though not much larger as to contents. But he, being an EngHshman, had not the same advantage in this respect, which I have. However he has in a very kind manner favoured me with his concuiTence and given me all the assistance he could, as men- tioned in the following statement. "During my residence in Wales, I was so much pleased with many things I heard and read of Howel Harris, that I collected all the information I could procure at the time, and, in 1824, published Memoirs of his life and religious labours. This work was sold in less than two months, — having been noticed in very flattering tems by some of the religious periodicals, I consequently thought of a second edition, with a view to which I visited Trefecca, and thence obtained import- ant materials, with the existence of which I was previously unacquainted. But being engaged in printing other things which had not the same success, I afterwards gave up the Trefecca MSS., with some ether matterials to my friend, Mr. Morgan, under the impression that he would do more justice to an enlarged Life of Hams than I was likely to do. Having now read his excellent work v;itli great pleasure and satisfac- tion, previous to publication, and heartily approving of what my friend has done with so much ability, candour, and liberal- ity, I beg leave to add my humble testimony to the value and importance of his ' Life and Times of Howel Harris, Esq.' Mr. Morgan's diligence in supplying himself with facts, anecdotes, and a large number of letters, is worthy of much praise ; and I must say that the book he has written is, according to its size, one of the most interesting pieces of biography that I ever perused. I conceive that it will be a very great blessing to the religious world, and highly valuable to pious Christians of every deno- mination. To the members of the Evangelical Alliance it will be peculiarly acceptable — their principles being embodied in Howel Harris, and beautifully exemplified in his conduct on various occasions." "JOHN bulmer;' Newbury, Bucks, Feb, 20, 1852." ERRATA. Page. Line. Delighted .. .. 31 .. ..20 1741 69 .. .. 1 Afflicted 156 . . . . 34 Thought 132 .. ..25 170 .. ..14 Greater 175 .. ..34 Sun 177 .. ..16 Immorality .. ..276 .. ..14 CONTENTS. CHAP. I. 1735. Harris' family, birth, and early life, — his remarkably serious impressions, — striking views at the Lords Table, — his endea- vours to promote true Religion. Page 1 — 14 CHAP. II. 1786—8. Harris at Oxford, — his exertions for the salvation of souls and success,— forms religious Societies, — his Preaching, — Per- secutions. Page 15 — 27 CHAP. III. 1739. Harris' acquaintance with Whitefeld : — Harris in London : — in Wales : — his persecutions : — Mr. Wesley : — the Established Church. ' Page 28—44. CHAP IV. 1739—1740. Harris and the Wesleys :— Harris iirudence : — Harris and Seward persecuted: — his wonderful deliverance: — Marma- duke Gwyne, Esq. : — Jones, Esq. Page 45 — 56. CHAP. V. 1740—1741. Harris boldness,— further persecutions, — in danger of losing his life. Page 57—68. CHAP. VI. 1742. Harris in London, — Harris and Cennick persecuted, — Harris in several English towns, — attachment to the Church, — the Rev. G. Jones, and the Rev. D. Rowlands, — Relatives. Page 69—81. CHAP. VII. 1739—1743. Harris vimvs of the Person of Christ, — Election, — Perfection, — and Christian union Page 82 — 95. CHAP. VIII. 1742. Harris and the Associations in Wales. Page 96 — 108. xu. CONTENTS. CHAP. IX. 1743. Harris and the Associations in England. Page 109 — 123. CHAP. X. 1743—1744. The progress of Religion in Wales, as set forth in letters. Page 124—142. CHAPTEE XI. Harris' marriage,— persecution. Page 143 — 156, CHAPTER XII. Harris' apology for the Welch Calvinistie Methodists; — his directions to distinguished persons. Page 157 — 177. CHAPTER XIII. The state of Religion, — the Sufferings of Christ, — Separation from Rowlands. Page 178 — 199 CHAP. XIV. 1751—1759. Harris' settlement at Trefecca. Page 200 — 2J 1 CHAP. XV. 1756—1762. Harris' conduct during the French war. Page 212 — 228. CHAP. XVI. 1763—1768. Harris return to Trefecca; — Letters to his icife and Lady Huntingdon ; — College. Page 229 — 241. CHAP. XVII. 1768—1770. Lady Huntingdon's College at Trefecca, — Harris' catholic spirit. Page 242 — 254. CHAP. XVIII. 1770—1773. 77ie close of Harris important life, — His letters, — and reflec- tions in his last illness. 255 — 268. CHAPTER XIX. Of the esteeem in which Harris was held, and his excellencies. Page 269—282. CHAPTER XX. Observations on Harris as a founder,— preacher : — Elegies. Page 283—298. ILiit anti ^imes OF HOWEL HAKEIS, ESQUIRE. CHAP. I. 1735. HARRIS' FAMILY, BIRTH, AND EARLY LIFE, — HIS REMARKABLE SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS, STRIKlisiG VIEWS AT THE LORD's TA- BLE, — HIS ENDEAVOURS TO PROMOTE TRUE RELIGION. May we enter upon the important subject before us with becoming feehngs, and due regard. We should have before our minds not only the great Reformer himself, but also the persons he was connected with, and the times in which he lived. There can be no doubt that Howel Harris was one of the most ex- traordinary men that ever appeared in Wales. It is to be hoped the following pages will be perused not only with pleasure and interest, but also with gratitude to God, for raising up, qualifying, and making use of him, for the glory of his Name and the good of souls in no small degree. • It seems that a gentleman, of the name of Jones, some years ago wrote a history of Breconshire, Har- ris' native county, in which he alludes to him and his family ; and as the account is much to our purpose, we vfill introduce it here. — " The family of Howel Harris was originally from Carmarthenshire, but settled at Talgai'th, about the year 1700. They were certainly not opulent, but I am inclined to think, above indigence." The subject of these memoirs was the youngest of three brothers," whose history Jones considered as be- ing " worthy of attention." He informs us that " they B 4 LIFE AND TIMES OF were of three different, and much differmg avocations," and that each of them " excelled or distinguished him- self in his pursuits." " Of Joseph Harris, the eldest, who married one of the daughters, and heiress of Thomas Jones, of Tredustan, little has been recorded beyond the information derived from his monument in the church. His talents were highly respectable, and indeed preeminent. But though he wrote several as- tronomical and mathematical treatises, which are high- ly thought of ; and though he held a respectable situ- ation under government, and was esteemed by the learned and great in his day, no biographer has writ- ten his life ; no anecdotes of him have been preserved ; nor have his virtues or talents been recorded, farther than as they appear in his works, which in general are anonymous. Indeed that modesty, which was so ami- able in him, seems to have descended to his posterity, and to have generally pervaded the neighbourhood where he was born ; for after all the enquiries I have made with respect to him, instead of learning any other particulars in his life, I have received only ge- neral encomiums and empty praise. I am much hurt that this self-taught philosopher, who was an honor to the county of Brecon, should pass thus almost un- noticed. The blame however lies not with me ; for it seems to have been destined, that his record should be only in heaven ! Thomas Harris, the second son, was a tradesman, who settled in London, and by his indus- trious attention to business, acquired a very handsome fortune. This was partly owing to his intimacy with . Mr. Charles Price, Mr. Rigby, and other gentlemen connected with him, who not only employed him them- selves, but recommended him to their friends, and pro- cured him contracts. By this means, in a few years, he was able to purchase the estates of Tregunter, Tref- ecca, and a property surrounding them, to the amount of i'lOOO per annum or thereabouts. The present i House of Tregunter was built by him ; and here be i retired to spend the remainder of his days in otio cum i i felicitale, if not cum dignitate. He was sheriff of HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 5 Breconshire in 1768, and is represented as having been a truly honest man, a good neighbour, a warm friend, and a liberal benefactor to the poor." However very little is said by Jones of the third brother, Howel Harris : it is about his being rejected as a candidate for Ordination. " Whether," observes Jones, " the eccentricities of his character were now known, or whether he was found deficient in classical learning, — it is however certain that he was rejected." But we shall see in the third chapter, what was the real cause of his rejection. Howel Harris was not so great a favourite with Jones as his brothers were, therefore he was not much disposed to dwell upon his character. This preeminently pious and useful man was born at Trefecca, in the parish of Talgarth, in the county of Brecon, January 23, 1714. It is said that his father possessed a small tenement, where he lived ; which was rebuilt, and much enlarged by Mr. Harris. It seems that he was wild and mischievous in his youth. However he enjoyed the advantages of an ordinary education until the age of eighteen. The following are his own words on this important subject. "My parents kept me in school until I was 18 years old, and I made considerable progress in my studies : but as it was then that my father died, I was discouraged from entertaining any thoughts of appear- ing in the world as a public character, and therefore I undertook the employment of instructing youth, and opened a common school in the country." Being now removed from parental restraint, and having no serious friends to converse with, he was soon carried away, as he expresses it, " by the stream of vanity, pride, and youthful diversions," which ob- tained a complete ascendency over him. The serious thoughts and reflections, which had previously occu- pied his mind, were in a great measm-e, banished ; though he had such convictions of truth and religion as never suffered him to remain perfectly easy in the neglect of it. G LIFE AND TIMES OF In the course of time, however, his sphere of ac- quaintance with persons of property and influence be- ing increased, and having a predilection for the Minis- try in the EstabHshed Church, a prospect of being quahfied for Ordination and preferment, was soon presented to him. But about this time it pleased the Lord to visit him in a peculiar manner, and to enlighten and convert his soul. His words on this subject are the following : — "While I was thus about entering more pubhcly on the stage of life, many providences apparently concur- red to raise me in the world ; and while my corrup- tions grew thereby stronger and stronger, the Lord was pleased to glorify his free grace in awakening me to a sense of the miserable state I was in, and had been in, though I knew it not." The way in which he was brought to the knowledge of the truth was the following. In the spring of 1735, and the 21st year of his age, the Parish Minister was induced to offer some arguments to shew the necessity of coming to the Lord's Table, and to answer the ob- jections usually made by those who neglect it. On his saying, " If you are not fit to come to the Lord's Table, you are not fit to come to church ; — you are neither fit to live nor to die," Harris was so impres- sed, that he resolved to forsake his outward sins, though, as he confesses, he knew very little of inward corruption : and, as the first step to a new life, in go- ing home from church, he became reconciled to a neighbour, with whom he had been at variance, ac- knowledging his own faults and forgiving those of his neighbour. However all was as yet but in the embryo and be- ginning of his conversion. Thus he writes himself — "Knowing nothing of the wedding- garment, — being yet an utter stranger to all inward religion, and the mi- sery of my state by nature ; and consequently knowing nothing truly of the Lord Jesus ; I advanced no farther than forming a resolution to lead a new life, though I knew not where to begin, or what to do."- ^But he HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 7 was thinking much of the Lord's Supper ; and the following Sunday, being Easter-day, he went to the Lord s Table ; and on repeating the words, " We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings ; the remembrance of them is grievous un- to us ; the burden of them is intolerable he began to reflect and consider if such was indeed his experi- ence ; when he was alarmed to find that his confession was only in word, — that he had no inward grief at the remembrance of his sins, and tliat they were not an intolerable burden. " I was convinced," says he, that it ought to be so ; and finding it was not so, I 23erceived I was going to the Lord's Table with a lie in my mouth, and was much inclined to withdraw, but quieted my mind with having determined to lead a new life ; and in that re- solution I received the pledges of God's dying Love. I then began to be more thoughtful and serious, was given to prayer, and strove to keep my heart and thoughts fixed on the Lord ; — but all in vain. Thus I went on for about a fortnight, until I almost lost my convictions." By reading, however, those convictions presently returned with still greater power. These are his own words on the matter : — " Providence, April 20th, put a book into my hands, and I looked into the latter part of it, as a help for self-examination : as soon as I began to read it, I was convinced that in every branch of my duty to my God, to myself, and to my neighbour, I had fallen short, and was guilty. I met the same evening with another book, written by Bri/an Buppa, on the Command- ments, which made my convictions somewhat deeper : the more I read, the greater did the spiritual light shine into my mind, discovering the extent of the Law of God, calling me to account, not only for outwai'd sins, but for my looks, aims, and ends, in all I had thought, said, and done. Then I clearly saw, I must be undone for ever." The more he searched into the nature of things, the 8 LIFE AND TIMES OF more he saw himself and others, with whom he con- versed, to be on the broad road to destruction. He found himself to be void of spiritual life, " carnal and sold under sin." He felt that he could no more beheve, or mourn for his sins, than he could ascend to heaven. Then he attempted to reform himself : he began to humble himself by fasting, and by denying himself almost every temporal comfort, hoping thus to subdue the power of inward depravity. But as yet he knew nothing of the inward self-denial which our Saviour enjoins, and he was ignorant of the blood of Christ as the only fountain opened for sin," and a total stran- ger to the life of faith ; and therefore he was all the while in a lost state, and in danger of final destruc- tion. He then states how he was recovered : — " Having laid no foundation, I knew not the Savi- our's voice, until one day in prayer, I felt a strong impression on my mind, urging me to give myself to God as I was, and to leave all, and follow Him. But presently I felt a strong opposition to it, supported with reasons, that if I should give myself to the Lord, I should lose my liberty, and would then be not my own, or in my own power. But after a great conflict for some time, I was made willing to bid adieu to all temporal things, and choose the Lord for my portion. I believe I was then effectually called to be a follower of the Lamb, and had some inward satisfaction in my soul, but no evidence of my acceptance with God, un- til the following Whit-sunday, at the Sacrament." Then he was enabled to resign himself entirely to the grace and mercy of his Saviour. Thus he writes of his further progress in his acquaintance with divine things, at the Lord's Table : — "May 25th, 1735, I went thither, labouring and heavy laden, under the guilt and power of my sins ; having read in a book, that if we go to the Sacrament simj)ly believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, we should receive forgiveness of all our sins ; and so it was with HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 9 me. I was convinced by the Holy Ghost that Christ died for me, and that all my sins were laid on Him. I was now acquitted at the bar of justice, and in my own conscience ; and my faith proved itself true, by the peace, joy, watchfulness, hatred of sin, and fear of offending God, that followed it." Harris also states the deliverance he had at this time from some sore and grievous temptations. His heart was detached from the world, and his happiness increased. He still retained his assurance and con\- fort, notwithstanding many severe trials of his faith. " I was then delivered from a grievous temptation that followed me ever since I had first given myself to the Lord. Before that time I never knew what in- ward trials and spiritual conflicts were ; only now and then I had some uneasiness from an awakened con- science, which was quite different from those sore trials that I bore from atheistical thoughts, that made my life a burden to me ; for they came with such force and power on my mind, that I could not withstand them. But at the Sacrament, by viewing my Saviour on the cross, I was delivered from these temptations. The world and all thoughts of human applause and prefer- ment, quite vanished from my mind. The sj^iritual world and eternity also began, though as yet faintly, to appear. — Now I began to have other views and mo- tives different from what I had ; for I felt some insa- tiable desires after the salvation of poor lost sinners ; my heart longed that they should be convinced of their sin and misery. I became a pilgrim and a stranger here below ; all my heart was drawn from the world and visible things, and was in pursuit of more valuable riches." The following is his account of what occurred on his way home from church : — " I now began to be more happy, and could not help telling people, in going home from church that Whitsunday, that I knew my sins were forgiven me ; though I had never heard any one profess that assu- rance before, or say that it could be obtained ; but I 10 LIFE AND TIMES OF was SO deeply convinced that nothing could shake my confidence. However I felt no persuasion that I should continue in so happy a state, having never con- versed with any one that had his face towards Zion, and who could instruct me in the ways of the Lord. However this was the cry of my soul then, — ' Now or never : if God leaves thee now, and if thou stiflest these convictions, thou art undone for ever.' " He then mentions the effect of this anxiety. — " The fear of losing what I then had, kept me con- tinually watching and praying. Though I had peace with God, yet I was afraid of seeing any of my old companions, lest they should draw me aside, and make me indifierent again. This also induced me to keep close to God in all duties, and to keep a strict watch over my spirit and lips, dreading all lightness of mind, idle words, and foolish jesting, to which I was natu- rally prone." Soon afterwards he was favoured with delightful feelings, which he states as follows : — "June 18th, 1735, being in secret prayer, I felt suddenly my heart melting within me, like wax before the fire, with love to God my Saviour. I felt not only love and peace, but also a longing to be dissolved and to be with Christ ; and there was a cry in my inmost soul, with which I was totally unacquainted before, it was this, — Ahha, Father ; Abba, Father! I could not help calHng God my Father ; I knew that I was his child, and that He loved me : my soul being filled and satiated, crying, ' It is enough, — I am satisfied : give me strength, and I will follow Thee through fire and water.' I could now say that I was happy in- deed. There was in me ' a well of water springing up into everlasting life ' ; yea ' the love of God was shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost.' — ^John iv. 14. Rom. V. 5." Harris, some time after this, experienced some con- trary feelings, while engaged in the ordinary business of his school. The case was the following, as stated by himself — HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. n " Being still ignorant of God's method of bringing the lost sons of Adam home to Himself, I did not know in scripture terms, what I had now received ; neither did I long retain this immediate fruition of God by his Spiiit ; for as I still kept a school, waiting for my call from a near relative to go to Oxford, I felt some risings of anger in my heart towards one of my pupils. The enemy immediately accused me, alleging that I had forfeited all the happiness I had just before enjoyed ; — that I was fallen from grace ; and therefore in a worse condition than ever. This occasioned me no small pain and confusion ; but, while I was hating myself entirely for sinning against this good God, the Saviour of sinners, and in an agony on account of the loss of that felicity I had enjoyed, and ready to de- spond ; God pitied me, and sent home those words to my soul, — ' I CHANGE NOT.' That these were scrip- tural, I was not then aware, and was at a loss how to apply them to myself, until light broke in upon my mind, to shew me that my salvation did not depend on my own faithfulness, but on that of Christ ; so that though I was subject to change, yet because of his unchangeableness, I was secure. Thus was I deli- vered ft'om my fears, and found rest in the love and faithfulness of God my Saviour. I was all this while a total stranger to the controversies of religion ; I only knew this, that God loved me, and would, for his own Name's sake, love me fr-eely to the end. This made me love Him again, and study how to shew^ my love to Him. I cannot express the comfort I now enjoyed in my soul, being continually favoured witli the divine presence, and having my conversation in heaven." " Now I could talk of nothing but spiritual things, which soon brought contempt upon me. I was daily derided by some, and pitied by others. Some strove to ten'ify me, and others to allure me with counsel that savoured too much of the wisdom of this world, to have any weight with me. All my study was now to shew my gratitude to my God. It grieved me that I had neither seen, nor heard of any one in the coun- ['4 LIFE AND TIMES OF try who seemed in earnest to work out his salvation, or to have any saving knowledge of God in Christ. Though I did not then so much as imagine that I should be useful, seeing not the least probability, but rather the contrary." Wonderful simpUcity and self-denial are seen in the following expressions of Harris. No doubt he was led to adopt that line mentioned, from a view of the awful state of things around him. "I had frequent thoughts of hiding myself from my friends, dreading nothing more than to be known in the world. This made me actually to drop my ac- quaintance with all ranks of people, and to reject offers of raising me in the world. I sold what I had, and gave to the poor ; and among the rest, such clothes as I thought too gay for a Christian. I saw, by reading the Scriptures, how dreadful it is not to take God at his word ; and I then had power to rely entirely on his word : — ' Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.' — Matth. xix. 29. Upon this promise I resigned my body and soul to his care for ever." " From that time to the present, I can say that my hfe has been a life of faith — pleading with Him that I wholly depended on his blessed promises. I daily find Him to be faithful ; they that trust in Him, shall not be ashamed. But this appears as enthusiasm to flesh and blood. Though we call God our Father, also own Him as the Disposer of all things, and ac- knowledge ttiat his word is truth ; yet we do not give Him that credit, which we give to mortal, unfaithful, man ! This indeed ajopeai'ed dreadful to me, and there- fore I was determined to trust for ever on his blessed promises for temporal blessings, as well as for eternal life. Thus in all my wants I had no where to apply but to the promise ; and in that alone I must declare that I have found enough." Thus, no doubt, Harris was prepared for that ardu- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. J3 Oils and self-denying life of a Missionary in Wales, which he was soon to be engaged in. The stale of the Princijjality, as to religion, was then deplorable. The following is his account of it, together with the effect it produced on his own mind, and the first exertions he was led to make for the conversion of sinners. " In this light, — the truth of God's word, I saw my own misery by nature, and could not help seeing all that I was acquainted with, of every rank and degree, going also as I had done, in the broad way that leads to destruction ! It very evidently appeared, from the testimony of God's word, and the conduct of the peo- ple, that this was the case then." " At that time," says Harris, " there was a deep slumber throughout the land ! The generality of the people spent the Lord's day contrary to the Laws of God and man, it being by none rightly observed. No sooner was public worship over, than the conduct of the people discovered that the heart was entirely alien- ated from all that was good. The remaining part of the day was spent in indulging the prevailing corrup- tions of nature : all family worship being utterly laid aside, except among some of the dissenters ; while an universal deluge of swearing, lying, reviling, drunken- ness, fighting, and gaming, had overspread the coun- try, and that without any stop, as far as I had seen, being attempted to be put to it. Seeing both rich and poor going hand in hand to ruin, my soul was stuTed up within me. The Ministers were the first that lay on my heart. I saw that they were not in eai'nest, and did not appear to have any sense of their own danger, or experience of the love of Christ ! Hence their in- structions were delivered in such an indifferent, un- feeling manner, that they seemed to have no effect up- on any of their hearers. I had never seen one man awakened by their preaching in our part of the coun- try. Their deadness and indifference therefore made me speak out of the abundance of my heart, to some of those with whom I was acquainted ; but finding it had no effect, I betook myself to secret prayer and 14 LIFE AND TIMES OF mourning ; and engaged some others to pray with me ; and the Lord again renewed my strength/' We perceive, from the following statements, — a con- tinuation of the above, — how earnest he was in his exertions for souls, and that heart- work is before head- work. " I could not help speaking to as many as possible of their danger. Though I had but little knowledge of the way of salvation by faith, yet I was happy in feeling the blessedness of it in my own soul. Death and judgment were my principal subjects of conversa- tion. I set up family-worship in my mother's house, and on Sunday mornings, some of the neighbours would come to hear me read the Lessons and Psalms. Sabbath evenings I spent with a few friends, whose hearts the Lord had touched with a sense of their dan- ger. Now the fire of God did so burn in my soul, that I could not rest day or night, without doing some- thing for my God and Saviour. — Time was so precious that I knew not how to improve it to his glory and the good of souls. When alone, I was wholly em- ployed in reading, praying, or writing. At the same time I continued to exhort the poor people, who flock- ed to hear me every Sunday evening. I soon became the pubhc talk of the country ; but I was carried as on wings through all my trials, both inward and outward. I was highly favoured indeed by the Friend of sinners, and was now quite another man : — I feared nothing, though my life was in danger from the threats of such as loved darkness rather than light ; I was not moved, but went on comfortably, little thinking all this time that I was to become more public at some future period. Thus I spent the summer of 1735." CHAP. 11. 1736-8. HARRIS AT OXFORD, — HIS EXERTIONS FOR THE SALVATION OF SOULS AND SUCCESS, — FORMS RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, — HIS PREACHING, — PERSECUTIONS. In the beginning of November, ]735, Hams went to Oxford, and entered at St. Mary's Hall, under the tuition of Mr. Hart. But he was not happy there, and he thus speaks of the circumstances : — " Having now no taste for the entertainments there, I spent the greatest part of my time in secret prayer, or in public worship. My friends were now in hopes I should be effectually cured of my enthusiasm, as they were pleased to call it : but the Lord Jesus had now got possession of my heart ; so that although I had the promise of a benefice of £140 a year, together with the situation of a sub-tutor in a public school ; and although I was encompassed with fair prospects, yet, when I saw the in'egularities and wickedness which surrounded me, I became soon weary of the place, and cried to God to deliver me from thence ; and thus, after keeping that term, I was again brought to my dear friends in Wales."* Harris, on his return home, took a very active part in doing good, which he thus relates : — " After my return, I was occupied in going from house to house until I had visited nearly the whole of the parish in which I was born, together with some of the neighbouring ones. The people began now to assemble in vast numbers, so that the houses in which I addi'essed them, were too small for the congrega- * When tlie ^vriter of this entered Oxford, it was much improved from what it was in Harris' time ; but he was once on the point of quitting the University from the same cause. It is however still better now in point of morality and learning. C 16 LIFE AND TIMES OF tions. The word was attended with such power, that many cried out on the spot for the pai'don of their sins. Such as lived in malice, acknowledged their faults, made peace with one another, and appeared con- cerned about their eternal state. The parish churches were now better attended, and family worship was set up in many houses." These things excited astonishment and opposition in various quarters, but nothing could effectually hin- der the progress of the truth. " It was now high time," says Hams, " for the ene- my to make a stand in another manner ; therefore he not only influenced the populace to revile and perse- cute me, but caused the Magistrates and Clergy to be- stir themselves ; the former to threaten me, and such as received me into their houses, — with fines ; while the latter shewed their indignation, and used theu' en- deavours to discourage me by other means. This put some stop, for a short time, to our proceedings; yet it could not extinguish the flame that was kindled. Though fear kept many back, yet such as were drawn by the divine attraction, could not be frightened ; and I continued still to meet them secretly. In the fol- lowing spring I began to go from house to house, as before, speaking to all that were inchned to hear me. By this time I gained acquaintance with several dis- senters, who kindly received me into their houses." We shall now notice other exertions of HaiTis' in doing good, and the success which attended them ; also, the commencement of the private religious so- cieties. "In this manner, visiting houses, &c. I went on, until advised by a particular friend, in the latter end of the summer of 1780, to open a school at Trefecca, which 1 did ; but presently removed to the parish church. This afforded many young persons an oppor- tunity of coming to be further instructed in the way of salvation. But Oh, with a bleeding heart I now think of many of them, seeing they were likely to end in the flesh, after they had begun well in the Spirit." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 17 " T}je latter end of this year (1736), a man was go- ing from one parish to another, to instruct the young people in psalmody. This afforded me another op- portunity of doing good, and of shewing my love to my fellow sinners. I accompanied this man in his journies, and every evening, when the business of in- struction was over, I proceeded to give a word of ex- hortation. By this means many were brought under convictions, and many religious societies were form- ed. I began in imitation of the societies which Dr. Woodward had given an account of in a little treatise on that subject, there being as yet no other societies of the kind either in England or Wales.* The English Methodists were not then heard of, though, as I after- wards found, the Lord had been working on some of them at Oxford, and elsewhere. But when I was thus exposed to all kinds of opposition, the way was again opened, though I saw no proper steps which I could securely take, as I was threatened that I should be silenced." In consequence of these exti'aordinary proceedings he was invited to preach in Radnorshire, where Provi- dence opened other ways for him. " But however," continued Harris, " a gentleman in Radnorshire, in the beginning of the summer of 1737, sent for me to discourse at his house. This ex- cited the curiosity of some in the higher classes of so- ciety, who came to hear me. Many had their prejudi- ces removed by conversing with me ; and some were convinced of their sins. I had reason to believe, that the Lord would bless my labours. Though I still con- tinued to teach at school, yet I went out ever}^ night, when I was sent for, and did the same on the Holy- * Woodward's plan bad been very successful in a certain way. — Burnett mentions in tbe History of his own Times, a religious scheme of this nature: — " In king James' reign many in and about London, met often together, both for devotion and further instruction. After the Revolution these societies grew more numerous. These were of the Church." Vol. iii.— p. 349. It may be noticed, Harris commenced forming his religious socie- ties in 1735, and Wesley in 1739. 18 LIFE AND TIMES OF days, and on the Sabbath. At last, about the latter end of this year, I was turned out of the school, and it was broken up. This however, conduced to enlarge my sphere. For after this I readily complied with every invitation, and went wherever I was sent for, by day and night ; and discoursed to crowded auditories, generally three or four, and sometimes five or six, times a day." Harris had now to endure much persecution. Now," says he, " I was loaded with all manner of calumnies, from all quarters. The Magistrates threat- ened me, and the Clergy preached against me, brand- ing me with the character of a false prophet and deceiver. The mob was also active, laying in wait for me in many places, with mischievous intentions. Yet during all this, I was carried, as on the wings of an eagle, triumphantly over all. I took no particular texts, but discoursed freely, as the Lord gave me ut- terance. The gift I had received was as yet to con- vince the conscience of sin." Harris had now the satisfaction of witnessing a great reformation, and notices the Rev, Griffith Jones' exer- tions in the good cause. " There appeared now a general reformation in several counties. Public diversions were laid aside, religion became a common subject of conversation, and places of worship were every where crowded.* The Welch charity schools, by the exertions of the Rev. G. Jones, of Llanddowror, began to spread ; people in general expressed a willingness to receive in- structions ; and societies were formed in many places." * Mr. L. Rees, a dissenting Minister and father of the author of the Cyclopaedia, preached one Sunday at a chapel in Pwllheli, in ] 730. To his surprise the people, after the Service was over, complained bitterly, that their numbers were rapidly diminishing, that the few, who yet remained, were for the most part poor, and that every thing looked gloomy. To which he replied, — " The dawn of true religion is again breaking in South Wales, — a great man, named Howel Harris, has recently risen up, who goes about instructing the people in the truths of the Gospel." — Johnefi Essay. '* He tears all before him like a large harrow." — Robt. Jones' Drych yr Amseroedd, p. 63. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 19 He next introduces the name of Whitefield, -with great affection : — "About this time, 1737, I heard by a friend that came from London, of a young Clergyman, namely ^Ii-. Whitefield, that j^reached four times a day, and was much blessed. My heart, on hearing this, was united to him in such a manner as I never felt the lil^e with any one before : but I had not the least prospect of seeing him, being informed he had gone beyond the sea ; it was his first voyage to America. However, in the beginning of January, 1738, I was agi-eeably sur- prised by a letter from him. He, having providentially heard of me, wrote in order to encom'age me to go on. I was at this time greatly distressed as to my itineraiy way of preaching ; yet I Avent on with the work most actively." Then he mentions his ministerial experiences, and the subject of his discourses ; also, his call to the work, — alluding at tlie same time to Rowlands. — " Thus I went on, having sweet fellowship with God daily in private prayer, and at the Sacrament, which I constantly attended. Yet still I was, not being fully satisfied as to my method of proceeding, shaken by Satan and by a sense of the greatness of the work ; but still I was constrained to go on, by tlie importunity of the generality of the people, and by the visible good tendency of my labours ; and the united call and ap- probation of many whom I esteemed as gracious Mi- nisters, and by the continual power I felt with me in the work. Thus my spirit was much enlivened, espe- cially when in the Lord's work : and I feared neither men nor devils, — such power and courage I had not by nature ; therefore it appeared to me, to be undoubted- ly supernatural and fi'om God." " As to the subject of my discourse, it was all given me in an extraordinary manner, without the least pre- meditation ! It was not the fruit of my memory, for naturally my memory was bad : therefore it was the effect of the immediate strong impulse, which I felt in my soul : Indeed I was not able to rest. Consequently 20 LIFE AND TIMES OF necessity was laid upon me to go and awaken souls. Thus I went on, though with fear and trembling, lest others, of bad intentions, should take occasion to go about after my example. I therefore prayed that I might know the will of God more perfectly, — and whe- ther his glory, and the salvation of my fellow sinners, were the only objects in my view. I had power, after examining the matter thus, to rely in all things, on the strength of the grace that is in Christ Jems, for power to caiTy me through the great work ; and that if his honor should call me to suffer, — to be imprisoned and tortured, I should find Him a faithful Friend in every trial, in death, and to all eternity." "By this time, 1738, the Kev. Mr. Rowlands, and some other young Clergymen, were called in Wales, to preach the Gospel, in tlae same extemporary manner as I did, and to discover a wonderful zeal for the ad- vancement of true religion." " Thus, though I had many comfortable assurances that my commission was from above, yet I was not thoroughly satisfied in my own mind, until summoned before a person of distinction, to give an account of my going about as I did, when these words forcibly came into my mind, — ' Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.' And by the effect produced on my soul, I am persuaded that the passage was applied to me by the Holy Ghost." Harris persecutions now increased, and his dangers multiplied. " My life," says he, " was now endangered in several places, by the violence of the mob, especial- ly in February, 1739, when they found I could not be prosecuted as a rioter ; because it did not appear that I disturbed the peace ; yet in Montgomeryshire,^ a * Llanhrynmair was the first place he preached at in this county. Many were effectually called under him there, who were faithful and u!?eful in the Church of Christ all their life. From thence he went to Llannmog, and to Tyddyn in Llandinam, Mrs. Bowen's habitation, where the Gospel flourished many years afterwards. He preached a most awakening sermon by a house in Llanmi- hangel,ne&T Rhyd-y-Clafrd^ ; — many were so alarmed that they fell down on the spot, and many were crying and weeping on their way HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 2] Knight, a Clergyman, and two Justices, attended by a Constable, with the mob, came and apprehended me when I was discoursing, taking cognizance of some of the hearers for assembling in an unlicenced place. — They began to charge me with a breach of the Conven- ticle Act. I told the Magistrates that I was a conform- ist, and for that reason not subject to the penalties of that statute. They threatened me with the utmost rigour of the law ; but on consulting a lawyer, at the ensuing sessions, they were persuaded to drop the in- tended prosecution, and I was set at liberty." " After my dismission," says Harris, I went to Merionethshire, where I trust the Lord blessed the seed sown to some. On my return from thence, I came to Dinas Mowddwy, and discoursed there, and at the request of a friend I went to Machynlleth. Here I found no one disposed to receive me : how- ever I proposed to preach from an open window, or door, to such as might assemble in the street ; but I was soon obliged to desist, by the noise of the multitude, who continued howling, threatening, swear- ing, and throwing stones, or any thing they could lay their hands on. An attorney came up to me, with as much rage and fury in his looks, and his mouth as full of the language of hell, as if his name had been * Legion.' A gentleman and a Clergyman followed him in the same spkit and language, to head the mob. One of them discharged a pistol at me ; but I received no hurt. I was however obliged to go amongst them into the street, not expecting that I should escape alive, as every circumstance threatened me with death ; but my horn' was not yet come. Though they used me ill, T was miraculously preserved, and one of the mob was dispatched to fetch my horse. As soon as I was mounted, they observed which way I went, and home as if the day of judgment had come ! The following day he preached at Tyddyn, near Tydfeiliog, and many were then converted, who adorned their profession all their days. It was then that one of the four sisters at Tyddyn was changed : they all were respectable, religious, and exemplary in their lives. — Drych yr Amseroedd, 22 LIFE AND TIMES OF crossed the road, and began again to throw sticks and stones at me, till the Lord delivered me out of their hands." I was at length so accustomed to these and other trials, v/hich I often passed through, that when I arose in the morning, I was daily in expectation of them. — I became more acquainted with the world and myself, and could attest, by my own experience, the truth of that expression which at first seems harsh, namely, ' man is a mixture of beast and devil.' " Harris' strength was from above, as he justly ob- served : the Lord being faithful to his word. " My natural strength was so spent by incessant labours, night and day, that frequently, when I went before a congregation, I could hardly stand, until en- abled to plead the promise that ' they who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength ' : then I felt strength sufficient for soul and body to carry me through my work ; yea I felt it as really as ever I ex- perienced the benefit of food when hungry, or the warmth of fire when cold." — Ps. cxxi. 1, 2. I will here introduce extracts of one of Harris' let- ters, as they will enable us to see more fully his state of mind at this trying season. We shall perceive how humble and rightly disposed he was in all things. The graces of the Spirit shone most delightfully in him. " Tre/ecca, Oct. 24, 1738. " To Mr. H G . " Dear Christian Friend, " 0 that God would empty us of our- I selves, and give us clearer sight, and fill us with nobler ideas of his dear Son : how little would every thing appear to us then ! How sweet would revilings , sound in our ears, while our eyes were fixed on Christ crucified ! What are we that we should be counted > worthy to suffer for his sake ? Surely this is an ho- nor, which is above the reach of the carnal world ; which the King of heaven confers but upon few. O how humbly then should we lie at his feet, admiring j HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 23 liis free electing love, if He in the least distinguishes such poor vile worms as we are I " I hope you are admitted to have some delightful cheering smiles from Jesus ; these will sweeten every I affliction, temper all crosses, and season all the bit- jterest portions to us. Our blessed Saviom' is never I dearer than when the battle is hottest ; when enemies I frown, ridicule, and threaten. 0 then, when the soul lis humbled, the old man trampled under foot, and ! faith kept in close exercise, how sweet is the private I associating of sincere christian soldiers, who tlien join I together to send up their hearty cry to Him that sitteth on the throne of grace ! To have fresh sight of the Captain, will animate fainting souls. — 0 that we were laid low enough in the dust, and truly delivered from self ; then outward enemies could hinder us but little. " I hope the main business of our acquaintance is to encourage, caution, and try each other, that at last we may meet with the rest of the Lord's faithful ser- vants in the regions above. Let us hold on om* way then, since we are assured we have such a Captain, who will never leave us ; — and that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. — 0 how greatly dotli my soul rejoice that God should own you in such a pai'ti- cular manner as to make your house his palace for feeding his little ones, and yourself a father to his babes, now alas left to the jaws of lions, and would be destroyed were it not for an invisible hand. I hope you will by no means drop it, especially if you reap any benefit by meeting together, for fear of that poor worm man, since his master the devil is confined in chains. I rather fear the policy of Satan working on the old man."* * The same remarkable state of mind, is seen in other letters of Harris, written about this time, dated Nov. 21, 1738, Nov. 30, 1739, and some in 1740. — They appear at the end of an old edition of his life now out of print, I intend publishing them in a separate volume with others. It is seen that Harris, notwithstanding his wonderful success, was kept in a most humble state of mind — very jealous of self, and most anxious for the glory of God and the good of souls, to which he was unreservedly devoted. 24 LIFE AND TIMES OF Some religious persons belonging to the Welch Calvinistic Methodists at St. David's, in Pembroke- shire, have published in a small tract an account in Welch of Hams' first visit to that place, which was about this period. His preaching was most terrific and alarming there as in every other place then. No- thing was proclaimed but destruction : it was some- what like Jonah's preaching to the Ninevites. An extract of the account is the following, being transla- ted into English. " The moral state of the inhabitants of St. David's and the country around, when Mr. Harris first came to the place, resembled what is said of the inhabi- tants of Laish, that they were ' quiet and secure,' or rather as the Apostle John says, 'the whole country lay in wickedness,' and were sleeping undisturbed ; and the veil of ignorance and darkness covered the whole region. — J John v. 19. Some attended the Established Church on Sabbath-mornings, but in all probability this Church and its Ministers were then slumbering as others, if indeed they had ever 1)een awakened ; — while the multitude flocked together in- to houses, where music, dancing, and all manner of amusements imaginable were going on. In summer they had select places in the fields to meet together on the Sabbaths, where all ranks and ages carried on their sports, dreaming that none on earth were more happy than they. Suddenly came Mr. Harris to St. David's in the midst of this careless, thoughtless mood ; and information being given that a stranger would preach at the appointed time, the multitude came together ; — the place was the cross in the middle of the street : — and thus without delay the preacher proceeded to deliver his message, exposing the sins in which the town and country lay and were guilty of ; — every par- ticle of his speech flashed and gleamed so vividly, as lightning, on the consciences of the hearers, that they were terrified, and feared that the day of judgment had overtaken them : yea so powerful were the effects ac- companying his words, that bold and hardy men, be- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 25 ing seized with fainting fits through fear and terror, fell as corpses in the street. Mr. Harris on this occa- sion completely put an end to the sinful and ungodly practice of plays and sports, which were usually carried on during the Sabbath, so that nothing of the kind was any more to be seen in this part of the country. " It is said that Mr. Harris would not generally take any text out of the Bible when preaching ; and when he took one, he would not mention the place whence it was taken. Another thing stated by the old peoj^le is, that Harris at his first visit, did not in delivering his message, give so much as the slightest hint of any means or dispensation existing, whereby a sinner might be spared or saved, but proclaimed in undisguised and positive terms the certain and unavoidable destruction of such. But when he came the second time to the country, he brought the healing Balm with him in its full extent, in due adaptation to the dimensions of the wound. " The effects which followed the first visit, were very impressive ; many were convinced and ' pricked in their hearts' : and their minds, as it might be thought, were in an awful state of distress, considering that there was nothing in the contents of the ministry, but law and condemnation without a ray of hope appear- ing from any quarter. — That we may have some idea of the menial gloom these men experienced, talvc one out of many for an example. " There was a man named John Griffiths, living tliis time at St. David's, in whose house preaching was held after this time for many years : he had several child- ren ; — and one of them named Thomas, a lad about fifteen years, went, as many others, to hear the stran- ger, thoughtless enough, and having not the slight- est idea of any effect hkely to result from this step. However he had not heard much before he felt con- victions and 'pricking at the heai't,' reaching him from every word uttered by the preacher. A terrible storm soon assailed his mind ; his fear and alarm ra- ther increased day and night. In process of time a 26 LIFE AND TIMES OF suggestion arose in his mind that it would be better to put an end to his Hfe, inasmuch as he could not but increase his sins by living, and that his punish- ment and torments would consequently be increased. With this impression he determined on casting him- self headlong from a rock into the sea ! Is not this the state described of the ' life drawing near to the destroyer ' ? and was there no need of ' a messen- ger, an interpreter, one of a thousand,' to say unto him, ' believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ' ? But in all probability such were not easily found at that time : therefore he began his sad journey, and while he was hastening with all speed towards the precipice, behold, before he had reached the point, the word, ' Son, thy sins which are many are forgiven,' came to him with such force that he fell to the earth as a corpse, striving to argue that such a saying could not be intended for him : yet notwithstanding his opposition, the word was invincible, offering the mercy to him persoiially . — When he arose, he saw as if he had opened his eyes upon a new world ; every object appeared different ; peace and tranquility had filled his soul. He never questioned this revelation, — he lived to the age of about eighty years. Very many both in town and country were similarly impressed under Harris. Many of those who were converted, came present- ly to know each other, and to resort to each other's company in private j^laces, where they could have an opportunity of communicating their thoughts and ex- periences to each other. It is very likely that Harris was the chief in forming this society. There was httle or no sustenance for flesh and pride, honor and exalta- tion, to be had in connexion with religion at that time ; no one would attempt joining those poor serious per- sons, but such as were themselves under deep convic- tions, respecting their spiritual state. It was a saying of many of the old people that a religious man would I be known at that time, wherever he appeared, in a court or in a crowd, in a fair or market. Mr. Harris was several times at St. David's after- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 27 wards, however he was not annoyed but once, and that was as follows. He had mounted the cross, and the con- gregation had assembled, when a wretch came forward having a most haggard appearance, to disturb the au- dience. But very unexpectedly one of a rough charac- ter struck him down to the ground nearly dead. Mr. Harris had so much influence over the hearers in this town, that many of the most ungodly would defend him even with their very lives. He, after allaying this tumult, proceeded with his discourse in a very impres- sive manner." " Yn y daran 'roedd e'n aros, Yn y cwmmwl 'roedd ei le ; (Yspiyd biiw, drylliedig, gwi-esog, Sy'n cael cynghor Brenhin ne' ;) Ac yn saethu oddi yno allan Fellt ofnadwy iawn eu rhyw, At y dorf aneirif dywyll Yn eu pechod oedd yn byw. Gorfu gwrando ei eiriau geirwon, Cadarn yw awdurdod nen, Os gwrth'nebu wna pechadur, Trymmach cwymp hi ar ei ben ; Dilyn ergyd a wnaetli ergyd Nes gwneud torf yn foddlon d'od At yr lesu mewn cadwynau • Fyth i ddilyn ol ei dro'd. Gwerin fawr o blant pleserau Y pryd hwnnw gafodd flas, Ag na a tra fyddo anadl O'u hysprydoedd ddim i ma's ; 'Roedd ei eiriau dwys sylweddol Heb eu meddwl 'mlaenllaw 'r un. Yn gymmwysedig gan yr Yspryd I gyflyrau pob rhyw ddyn. Gwell na hwyl serchiadau natur, Arg'oeddiadau o ddyfnacli rhyw, Saethau'n glynu ac yn gwneuthur Calon galed, ddrwg yn friw ; Ac yn dodi'r ddeddf i rwymo Y rhei 'ny me\N^ cadwynau tyn, Ag y darfu i Efengj^l bywyd Roi iddynt ryddid wedi hyn."^ — Williams. * A translation of the above lines as well as other pai-ts of the Elegy on Harris, introduced into this work, shall appear at the end. D CHAP. in. 1739. HARRIS ACQUAINTANCE WITH WHITEFIELD ; — HARRIS IN LON- DON — IN WALES. HIS PERSECUTIONS. — MR. WESLEY. — THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. It has been already noticed that Harris and White- field had heard of the success of each other in the Lord s vineyard, which was a cause of great joy to them. I will here introduce the letter which Wliite- field wrote to Harris, and then his answer and the in- terview between them. ''London, Bee. 20th, 1738. " My dear brother. " Though I am unknown to you in person, yet I have long been united to you in spirit, and have been rejoiced to hear how the good j^leasure of the Lord hath prospered in your hands. Go on, my dear brother, go on ; be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might ; and the Spirit of Christ and of glory, shall rest upon you most effectually ; which has opened and is still opening doors before you, for preaching the everlasting Gospel. There have been and will be many adversaries ; yet be not afraid ; He that sent you, will assist, comfort, and protect you, and make you more than conqueror through his great love. I am a living monument of this truth ; for the divine strength has been often magnified in my weak- ness : I have tasted that the Lord is gTacious ; I have felt his power ; and from mine own experience, can say that, in doing or suffering the will of Jesus Christ, there is great reward. Blessed be his holy Name, there seems to be a great outpouring of the Sphit in Lon- don ; and we walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and ai-e edified. You see, my dear brother, the free- dom I have taken in writing to you : if you would HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 29 favour me with a line or two by way of answer, you would greatly rejoice both me and many othei's : why should not we tell one another, what God has done for our souls ? My dear brother, I love you in tlie bowels of Jesus Christ, and wish you may be the spi- ritual father of thousands, and shine, as the sun in the firmament, in the kingdom of your heavenly Father. My hearty love to Mr. Jones ! O how shall I joy to meet you at the judgment- seat of Christ ! How would you honor me, if you would send a hue to yoiu' affectionate, though unworthy brother in Christ." Harris' answer to Whitefield was most cordial and ready ; — Glamorya)}^ Jan. ^th, 1739. *' Dear brother, " I was most agi-eeably surprised last night, by a letter fi'om you. The character you bear, the spuit that is seen and felt in your work, and the close union of my soul to yours, will not allow me to use any apology in my return to you. Though this is the first time of our correspondence, yet I can assiu'e you, I am no stranger to you : when I first heard of you, and your labours, and success, my soul was united to you, and engaged to send addresses to heaven on your behalf. When I read your Diaiy, I had some uncommon influence of the divine presence, shining on my poor soul almost continually. And my soul was, in an uncommon manner, drawn out on your account ; — but I little thought our good Lord and Master intended I should ever see your hand- -VNTiting. I hope we shall be taught more and more to admire the wonderful goodness of God in his acts of free grace. Siu'ely no person is under such obli- gations to advance the glory of free grace, as tliis poor prodigal. But alas, how httle sense of all his wonderful blessings is in my soul ! Pray for me tliat my heart may be drawn out more in love and praise to Him. " 0, how ravishing it is to hear of such demonstra- tions of the divine love and favour to London. And LIFE AND TIMES OF to make your joy greater still, I have some good new- to send you from Wales. There is a great revival in Cardiganshh'e, through one Mr. D. Eowlands, a church Minister, who has been much owned and blessed in Carmarthenshire also. We have also a sweet prospect in Breconshire and part of Monmouthshire. And the revival prospers in this county, where I am now. There is also here a very useful young dissenting Mi- nister, who is a man of great charity. There is another, of the same character, in Montgomeryshire. — Some shining beams of the gospel appear there. There are two or three young Curates in Glamorganshire, who are well wishers to the cause of God. And we have an exceedingly sweet and valuable Clergyman in Brecon- shire ; but enemies are many and poweiful ; I there- fore beg you and your friends would pray that God would stand up for his cause, against all his enemies. "I hint this in general, as I could not testify my love any way more agreeably to your soul, than to let you know how the interest of our good, gracious, and dear Saviour Jesus Christ, prospers in these parts. 0 that I had more love in my soul, more humble zeal, and spiritual boldness I Surely I should blush to think the name of such an ignorant, negligent, unpro- fitable servant should reach your ears. I fear by rea- son of the rehcts of self, and pride, which I find still alive ! — I rejoice, on the other hand, and bless God that He inclined you to write to me, and especially for making yom- letter so savoury and reviving to my faint- ing soul. O that we could do more for so kind and loving a Master, — that his very enemies, by seeing our christian love, behaviour, and fruitfulness, may be brought to think well of the ways of the Redeemer, and to glorify Him ! — I am in a great hurry, as I am called away to discourse very soon ; but I could not miss this opportunity of obliging you. — And were you to come to Wales, I trust it would not be labour in vain. I hope the faithful account I have given you, will excite you to send again to him, that would be sincerely yours in Jesus Christ, whilst H. H." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 31 The attraction of these two great men to each other, was very great. They were soon, in the way of divine providence, to meet each other in the Lord. They ai'- rived at Cardiff, under peculiar circumstances. White- field had just come from Bristol and Kingswood, where he had been exceedingly blessed to the colliers ; and Harris had an-ived there from a long preaching ex- cursion through Wales. There is an account in his Diai7 of his torn', and of his most happy meeting with Whitefield. " Thus/' says he, " I continued, and went on still through the counties of South Wales, until I anived at Cardiff, where I was very much refreshed by the sight of dear Mr. WTiitefield. This is the first time I had the pleasm'e of meeting and conversing with him face to face." The feelings of that rare satisfaction and delight were most mutual on this occasion. Whitefield par- ticularly noticed the uncommonly pleasing interview in his Diary, saying that he was " yreathj delighting at seeing him." As that jjortion of his Journal is so striking, suitable, and confirming of what has been said, I will ti'ansfer it here. " Cardff, March 7-8, 1730.* "After I came from the S I was much refresh- ed with the sight of my dear brother, Howel Han-is, whom, though I knew not in person, I have long since loved in the bowels of Jesus Chi-ist, and Ijuve often felt my soul di'awn out in jirayer on his behalf. — A burning and a shining light has he been in those j)arts, — a barrier against profaneness and immorality, and an indefatigable promoter of the true G(jspel of Jesus Christ. About three or four years God has in- clined him to go about, doing good. He is now above twenty-five years of age. Twice he has ajDplied (be- ing every way qualified) for Holy Orders ; but was re- fused, under the false pretence, that he was not of age, * It was iu the year 17;]9 that Whitefield commenced field iJieach- ing ; but Harris had begun in 1735. 82 LIFE AND TIMES OF though he was then twenty two years and six months. About a month ago he offered himself again, but was put off! Upon this he was, and is still, resolved to go on in his work ; and indefatigable zeal has he shewn in his Master's service. For three years, as he told me from his own mouth, he has discoursed almost twice every day for three or four hours together ! not authoritatively as a Minister ; but as a private person, exhorting his christian brethren. He has been, I think, in seven counties, and has made it his business to go to Wakes — to turn people from such lying vani- ties. Many alehouse people, fiddlers, harpers — (De- metrius like) sadly cry out against him, for spoiling their business. He has been made the subject of many sermons, and has been threatened with public ^ prosecutions ; constables have been sent to apprehend him. But God has blessed him with inflexible cou- rage. — Instantaneous strength has been communicated to him from above ; and he continues to go on from conquering to conquer. He is of a most catholic spirit, — loves all that love our Lord Jesus Christ ; and therefore he is styled by bigots, a Dissenter. He is contemned by all that are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God ; but God has greatly blessed his pious endeavours. Many call and own him as their spiritual father ; and, I believe, would lay down their lives for his sake. He discourses generally in a field, from a wall or a table, or any thing else ; but at other times in a house. He has established nearly thirty societies in Houth Wales, and still his sphere of action is enlarged daily ! He is full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. When I first saw him, my heart was closely knit to him. I wanted to catch some of his fire, and give him the right hand of fellowship with my whole heart. After I had saluted him, and given a warm exhorta- tion to a great number of people, who followed me to the inn ; we spent the remainder of the evening in taking sweet counsel together, and telling one another what God had done for our souls. My heart was still HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 33 drawn out towards him more and more. A divine and strong sympathy seemed to appear between us, and I was resolved to promote his interest with all my might. Accordingly we took an account of the several socie- ties, and agreed on such measures as seemed most con- ducive to promote the common interest of our Lord. Blessed be God, there seems to be a noble spmt gone out into Wales ; and I believe, e're long, there will be more visible fruits of it. What inclines me strotighj to think so is, that the partition wall of bigotry and party zeal, is broken down ; and Ministers and teach- ers of different communions, join with one heart and one mind to cairy on the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The Lord make all the christian world thus minded. For until this is done, I fear we must despair of amj great reformation in the Church of God. After much comfortable and encouraging conversation with each other, we kneeled down and prayed ; and great en- largement of heart God was pleased to give me in that duty. This done, we ate a little supper, and then, after singing a hymn we went to bed, praising and blessing God for bringing us face to face. I doubted not but that Satan envied our hapi^iness. But I hope, by the help of God, we shall make his kingdom shake. God loves to do great things by wealt instru- ments, that the power may be of God, and not of man." Whitefield, having spent the following day with his new and much-beloved brother Harris, in preaching and doing good at Cardiff, left that place the next day for Bristol, as it is stated in his life. I imagine that Harris went with him on his way for London. We shall notice the proceedings. It is stated, — " Friday, March 9th, left Cardiff about six in the morning, and reached Newport about ten, where many came from Pont-y-pool and other parts to hear me. The Minister being asked, and readily granting us the pulpit, I preached with great power to about a tliou- sand people. — I think Wales (says Whitefield) is ex- cellently well-prcpared for the Gospel of Christ. They 34 LIFE AND TIMES OF have I hear, many burning and shining Hghts both among the dissenting and church Ministers; among whom Mr. G. Jones shines in particular. No less than fifty charity schools have been erected by his means, without any settled visible fund ; and fresh ones are set up every day ! People make nothing of coming twenty miles to hear a sermon " ! — On the fol- lowing day Whitefield returned from his short excm'- sion to Bristol again, " Baptized wdth " Welch " fire," and renewed his labom's amongst the Kingswood colli- ers with extraordinary power and success." — White- field's Life and Times, p. 129. Harris proceeded this month, March, 1739, on his road for London to assist in the work of the Lord, carried on there ; where, it seems by his Diary, he re- ceived further light on one leading feature of the Gos- pel by conversing with a friend. — However, that the string of the history may not be interrupted, we will put his experimental discovery and observations at the close of the chapter. We shall now just notice the place, where most probably he went to whilst in Lon- don. There was a certain religious society in Town then belonging to Hanis' friends ; and no doubt that he, being of one heart and mind with the brethren, was delightfully engaged in it, and enjoyed many a sweet and joyful feast with them. There is an ac- count of this Society in Lady Huntingdon's Life, and of Harris' being engaged in it. We shall quote the passage. — " In the year 1 738, the first Methodist Society was formed in the (now Moravian) chapel, a plain, but venerable building in Neville's-court, Fetter-lane, Lon- don : Messrs. Wesley, Whitefield, Ingham, Howel Harris, and many other eminent men preached there with amazing power and success. Messrs. Cennick and Oakley, and others, who made distinguishing figure in the Church of Clirist, were members of the congi-egation at this time. It was at this place that Lord and Lady Huntingdon first attended the Society- meetings. Sir John Phillips, and Sir John Thorold, HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 35 were amongst the awakened, and members of the Fet- ter-lane Society. Mr. Whitefield, who had lately re- turned from Bristol, where he had been preaching in the open air, was now in London, and with Howel Harris preached frequently at Fetter-lane."* We have no clear account of the route Harris took on his return from London. It is stated in Philips' Life of Whitefied that he joined Whitefield and visited some places with him in Wales. We will take a glance of the reunion of these great men in the work of the Lord, as stated in the above life. — " Whitefield could not forget the Welch tears, which had entreated him to stay longer. Accordingly, on the 4th of April he visited Usk and Pont-y-pool, and was met by Howel Harris again. 'At Usk,' says he, ' the pulpit being denied, I preached upon a table, under a large tree, to some hundreds, and God was with us of a truth. On my way to Pont-y-pool, I was informed by a man that heard it, that Counsellor H did me the honor to make a public motion to Judge P to stop me and brother Howel Harris from going about teach- ing the people. Poor man, he put me in mind of TertuUus, in the Acts ; but my hour is not yet come. I have scarce begun my testimony. For my finishing it, my enemies must have power over me from above. Lord prepare me for that hour.' This report did not * The divine Presence was manifested sometimes in a remarkable way at this notable place. As for instance, — " On the first night of the new year," says Mr. Wesley, " Messrs. Hall, Kineton, Ingham, Whitefield, Hutchins, and my brother Charles, were present at our love-feast, with about sixty of our brethren. About three in the morn- ing, as we were continuing in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, in so much that many cried out for exceeding joy and fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from our awe and amazement at the presence of the divine Majesty, we broke out with one voice, ' We praise thee, 0 God ; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.' " " It was a Pentecost season indeed," says Mr. White- field. " Sometimes whole nights were spent in prayer : often have they been filled as with new wine, and often have I seen them over- whelmed with the divine Presence, and heard them cry out, Will God indeed drvell with men upon earth ? How dreadful is this place ! This is no other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven." — Lady Huntingdon's Life and Times, p. 10. 36 LIFE AND TIMES OF prevent the Curate of Pont-y-pool from Avelcoming Whitefield to his pulpit. He also read prayers for him. After the sermon, it was found that so many had come to hear, who could not find room in church, that another sermon was loudly called for. ' I went,' he says, ' and preached to all the people in a field.' April 5th. All the way from Pont-y-pool to Aber- gavenny, I could think of nothing so much as Joshua going from city to city, and subduing the devoted na- tions. Here I expected much opposition, having been informed that many intended to disturb me. But God impressed an awe upon all ; so that although there were many opposers, no one dared to utter a word. — Afterwards we retired and sang a hymn. — " April 6th. Beached Carleon, a town famous for having thirty British kings buried in it, and producing three martyrs. I chose particularly to come hither, because when Howel Harris was here last, some of the baser sort beat a drum, and huzzaed around him, to disturb him. Many thousands came to hear, but God suffered them not to move a tongue, although I was in the very same place ; and I prayed for Howel Harris by name — as I do in every place where I have preach- ed in Wales ; — I was carried beyond myself. 0 that the love of Christ would melt them down. In the afternoon we went to Trelech, ten miles from Carleon, — where I preached from a horseblock before the inn." — At the close of this second short excursion into Wales, Whitefield exclaims, — " Oh how swiftly this week has glided away ! To me it has been but as one day. How do I pity those who complain that time hangs on their hands ! Let them but love Christ, and spend their whole time in his service, and they will find few melancholy hours." — Whitefield's Life, p. 131. Dr. Gillies says that in these tours Harris preached after Whitefield, in Welch. He went soon afterwards to America. But his acquaintance with Harris, con- tinued intimately. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 37 Now we shall notice Harris' movements on parting with Whitefield. The last place they were at together, is Trelech, and that on the 6th of April. It is not improbable but that he accompanied Whitefield to England for America, and that he retm'ned to London again, and remained at his post there until the summer, doing the will of his heavenly Master.* Having re- mained there until the summer, he returned to his na- tive country, and addressed himself afresh to his itine- rant labours. Thus he goes on with the account of his excursions and the most remarkable events con- nected with them ; — " I parted this summer with many dear friends in London, and came home to Trefecca. The next day I was called by business to Abergavenny, and was edified in reading Bunyans Law and Gosjjel, by the way. My soul was much revived at the kind and hearty reception I had from some of my dear friends there ; I could not j^art with them until after nine o'clock that night ; then I started and came home about one o'clock in the morning. Though for eight days past I had travelled very hard, I was assisted to sit up all night, to read, write, and pray ; and en- abled to discourse with great strength of body at noon the following day, and with much power for two hours in the evening near Hay. From thence I travelled about five miles further, and went to bed about twelve. " The following day, as I w^as going to Lony-Town, in Herefordshire, the young people were crowding to a Feast that was to be held there. I felt a spirit of pity and tenderness for them, and from that spoke home to dissuade them from going, knowing that their souls were in a perishing condition, and that God would be publicly dishonoured. Then I felt inclined to go to the Feast, and was wil]ir>g to suffer whatever might be permitted ; and after praying alone, I ventured to go in the Name of the Lord. I found, before I came to the great crowd, a few people together * It has been stated before that Harris and Whitefield preached frequently in Fetter-lane chapel. 38 LIFE AND TIMES OF at their diversions. To them I began to speak, on account of one of them swearing, and while speak- ing to them, intelligence was conveyed to the multi- tude that I was there. Then they ran up by hun- dreds, until I beheve there were in a little time, nearly two thousand about me ; and the Lord gave me cou- rage to attack the devil in his own quarters. He made my face as a flint, and gave me something proper to say on the occasion. And when I saw some gentle- men and ladies coming up, I was made stronger and stronger; I was also moved to address the Minister of the parish, and two justices, who were present, ask- ing how they could give an account of their steward- ship, while they countenanced swearing, drunkenness, and vanity. Some of the gentlemen laughed at me, and one cried cut, ' Take the babbler down ! ' but my time w^as not yet come. Then I went towards J ^^r- gavenny. There the vilest of the tow^u came to hear me ; and the Lord helped me to deliver my message faithfully and boldly. " Having now, by the strength of the Lord, power to resist the devil in two towns, I went to a third, namely Pont-y-pool ; and here, after I had been led to discourse on the courage of Daniel, and his com- panions, and to shew how the Lord stands by his peo- ple in the day of trial, I was honored with the fulfil- ment of it in my ow^n experience ; for Mr. C — H — came upon us, and read the Riot Act, ordering us to separate in an hour's time. At his coming our spirits were a little discouraged ; but the Lord strengthened me to tell him that I was willing to go to prison and to death for the sake of saving souls ; — that we had no riot there, nor sedition against church or state. I also asked him if he read the act at Cockmatches ; but he went on to threaten, that he w^ould take notice of as many as he could ; and that if we did not dis- perse, we should certainly suffer for it. The assembly however continued unmoved ; and I told him that we would separate, having first prayed for him, that God would not lay this to his charge at the day of judg- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 39 ment, when he would have to give an account how he bore the sword of justice. He rephed that that did not trouble him at present. Then we went to prayer, and I begged that the Lord would meet him as he did Saul of Tarsus, with his saving grace. After this, he went away, and so did the people, most of them in tears, so that we parted in great love. I was sup- ported, and more cheerful than usual, all the time. — But a constable having been instructed to apj^rehend me I went with him late in the evening ; and having consulted with some friends, I gave bail to appear at the next great Sessions in Monmouth. At the same time I further expostulated with the magistrate, say- ing that I was surprised he should be the first persecu- tor of a peaceable Protestant assembly in that part of the country. He said he had his orders from above. I asked him, if it was from heaven ? He replied, ' No, I do not mean that.' I then told him that I thought, if his majesty knew how loyal and harmless we were, he would not like him the better for suppressing us. Thus I parted with him, leaving some arrows in his conscience, by telling him that he must soon give an account of himself at an awful tribunal, but that I would pray for him, and he thanked me. " This l3eing the middle of June, and as I had not to appear at the great Sessions in Monmouth, until August, I was determined, in the mean time, to be diligent in the work of my Lord. I therefore went to Bristol, where I had sweet conversation with many friends. I went to a Society of Welchmen, where I expounded for near two hours. Then I went to hear Mr. J. Wesley, of whom T knew nothing but by report. In consequence of what I had heard of him, I loved him, though I had some prejudice against him, because he did not maintain the doctrine of election and the perseverance of saints. His text was ' Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth ; for I am God and there is none else.' — Isaiah, xlv. 22. He preached so excellently, and so clearly held forth free justification by faith, without the works of the law ; — 40 LIFE AND TIMES OF the necessity, duty, and privilege of looking to Jesus for righteousness and strength ; and the Spirit of God attended his discoui'se to my soul in such a manner, that my prejudice fell to the ground, and I was con- vinced that he was a faithful Minister of Jesus Christ. This was especially the case when I went to his lodg- ings, where he was vastly enlarged in prayer for me, for the Rev. G. Jones, and for all Wales. Thus, I believe, from the benefit I received, that my going to Bristol was of God. Thence I set out again for the Principality, and found the door now opening wider and wider, to the counties of Glamorgan, Brecon, Rad- nor, Carmarthen, and Pembroke. I had reason to be- lieve my labours were attended with much blessing. "On the 7 th of August I arrived at Trefecca ; and in the evening of the same day, set out for the Assizes at Monmouth. I spent the night in a most agree- able manner with some friends at Abergavenny, whose hearts the Lord had inclined to go with me, .and bear a part in my sufferings, should occasion require. — Having heard that my persecutors were resolved to have me punished with the utmost rigour of the law, and having renounced my former friends, who had it in their power to help me, I was driven to. send up strong cries to the Lord. I prayed that He would give me a clear proof of my mission, and whether I suffered for his cause, or for, as some apprehended, my own imprudence. But I was soon comforted, though I expected to stand at the Bar, and endure the contempt of the Court, and of the whole country. For when I arrived at Monmouth, the Lord had, with- out my knowledge, brought many friends from several parts, not only of Wales, but from Gloucester and > London, all of whom were ready to stand by me. But i the magistrates, on consulting about my case, thought i it best for no one to appear against me ; and so I was dismissed. " After this I was more satisfied than ever that my mission was from God, especially as I had so often apphed for Holy Orders, and was rejected, for no other HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 41 reason than my preaching as a layman. I saw, both from Scripture and the practice of the Church, that the preaching of laymen was proper in times of neces- sity. I saw in the Acts of die Apostles, the account of AjDollos and others, who were scattered by the death of Stej^hen, having no other mission than being moved by the Holy Ghost, and love to the immortal souls of theii- fellow- creatures. I thought that a great- er time of necessity could hardly be than the present, when the whole country lay in a lukewarm and lifieless condition. In many churches there was no sermon for months together ; in some places nothing but a learned English discourse to an ilhterate Welch con- gregation ! And where an intelligible sermon was preached, it was generally so legal, so much in the spirit of the old Covenant, that should any give heed to it, they could never be led thereby to Christ, tlie only way to God. Seeing these things, and feeling the love of God in my heart, I could not refi'ain from going about to propagate the Gospel of my dear Re- deemer." This man of God proceeded therefore unceasingly in his glorious career by the strength of the Lord, like a good soldier in his arduous work after the day of conquest. His words are these : — " Having paited with my friends, who came to stand by me at Monmouth Sessions, I went on my way with other Mends to Llanviliangel cerrig-cornel, and offer- ed to discom-se there for my Lord and Master : but here I met with much opprobrium, being conti-adicted, ridiculed, and abused ; which I saw was given me as a thorn in the flesh to humble me, lest I should be exalted above measure : — but Satan, tliou ait chained ! Having been thus much humbled in the inward man, I was enabled at last to conquer some of my i3ersecu- tors by love and meekness : and I had a quiet and open door to discourse and pray. Sm'cly times of tiial are sweet seasons ; they draw forth our faith into exer- cise, and knit our hearts more clogely to God and his people." 42 LIFE AND TIMES OF I conclude the history contained in this chapter with a few extracts out of Whitefield's life, shewing how, in his letters from America, he rejoiced on hearing of Harris' success, and how he encouraged him. — " Harris followed up the labours of his new friend with great power. ' 1 thank God,' says Whitefield in a letter on his way to America, ' for his goodness to bro- ther Harris ; and I thank you for informing me of it.' He mites thus to Harris himself from Philadelphia ; — ' I congratulate you on your success at Monmouth. By divine permission, I hope in about a twelvemonth, to make a second use of your field pulpits. Our prin- ciples agree, as face answers face in water. The peo- ple of Wales are much upon my heart. I long to hear how the Gospel flourishes among you. How prospers your inward man ? Being always doing, no doubt you grow in grace. May you increase with all the increase of God." In another letter from Boston, he says, — " And is dear brother H. Harris yet alive in body and soul ? I rejoice in your success. May you mouiit with wings like eagles. You shall not be taken nor hurt, till the appointed time. I hope your conversa- tion was blessed to dear Mr. Wesley. Oh that the Lord may batter down his freewill scheme, and com- pel him to own God's sovereignty and everlasting love."* In another letter from America, he says, — " My soul is knit to you : we both speak and think the same. 0 Wales, thou art dear to me" — White- field's Life, p. 132. Whitefield had sweet anticipations, from his own observations, of a great revival in Wales, — " People make nothing," he says, " of coming twen- ty miles to hear a sermon ; and great numbers there are, who are not only hearers but doers also of the word ; so that there is a most comfortable prospect of the spreading of the Gospel in Wales." — Whitefield's Journal, p. 166. * Harris had to give Whitefield a pleasing account of their friend Wesley, in this respect, afterwards. — See chap. vii. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 43 We now insert the Diary already mentioned as con- taining Harris newly- discovered religious view. It is stated thus in his Diary : — ''I went, March, 1739, to London, where I received further Gospel Hght by conversing with a friend who, among other observations, said ' I see many people concerned about working in themselves ; but few seem convinced of the necessity of believing in Christ be- fore they can do any thing acceptable in his sight.' There came," says Harris, " such a fresh light ^ith these words to my heait, that I could not but insist on faith in Christ as a fundamental grace, and the genu- ine spring of all obedience ; — that until we receive this grace, we cannot apprehend the righteousness of Christ, and consequently cannot say that we are justified."* These views and convictions were improved and strengthened by reading Cotton on the Covenant of Grace. — There he was shewn how prone we are to depend upon something done by or in om'selves ; — how many trust in an outward profession of the true religion, — in the orthodoxy of their principles, or the reformation of their lives. " And whilst he shewed," says Hams, " that all these were our works, and not the blood of Christ ; and that building one's hope here was not building on Christ; (though I had been delivered from all these dependencies a long time be- fore, by reading the Sincere Convert) I was wounded by a close reexamination, especially as he went on to shew that we may ti'ust in om' faith, good frames, and performances, and not on Christ's blood only. Though they are good in tlieir places, yet to rely on them is * Harris in a letter to Wesley, dated Oct. 24, 1741, alludes to his experience as in this Diary, and to a conversation with Mr. White- field on a subject that stirred him up to this way of thinking; thus, — " When the Lord sent brother Wliitefield to Wales, about two years ago, the first question he asked me was this, ' Do you know that your sins are forgiven ?' The question rather surprised me, having never heard it asked before. His conversation was much blessed to me. He was enjoying full assurance as I did the first year. Reading that excellent book, Cotton on the Covenant of Grace, was made very use- ful to my soul." Harris, before this, was dwelling much on the terrors of the Lord in his sermons. 44 LIFE AXD TIMES OF idolatry. And though I had the seed sown in my soul four years before, and had daily feelings of God's love in my heart, yet the awakening that I felt at this time, made so deep an impression on my mind, as to occasion much distress for several days together, until I was much relieved by meditating on the words, — ' Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life free- ly ' ! This sustained me, and I was willing to let God do what He pleased with me." But being still troubled with some reasonings and fears about going directly to Christ in every condition, he was presently set right by the experience of one who had been in the same situation : — " A woman came unto me," says he, " to relate how all night she had been in distress and perplexity, reasoning with the enemy whether she was a child of God or not, and that she could have no rest or satisfaction, till it came to her mind to go to Christ as she was, and that she had thereupon peace and victory. Upon hearing this, and some preaching afterwards, — that people should come to Christ as they are, without reasoning in them- selves, I was enabled to cease from reasoning, and to go with all my complaints and fears, and lay them be- fore the Friend of sinners, who loved me freely, and not for any good in me ! Now that legal principle of fitting myself for Christ, and of being afraid of going to Him when I was not in a good frame, was rooted out of my heart ; then I learned to look and go direct- iv to Him at all times and under all circumstances." CHAP. IV. 1739-1740. HARRIS AND THE WESLEYS. — HARRIS' PRUDENCE. — HARRIS AND SEWARD PERSECUTED. — HIS WONDERFUL DELIVERANCE. — MARMADUKE GWYNNE, ESQ. — JONES, ESQ. It has been already observed that Harris and Wesley had become friendly ; they consequently laboured occasionally together. Whitefield and Wesley were also fellow-labourers for a long time. We shall com- mence this chapter with an extract from Wesley's Journal in reference to his first visit to Wales and Harris ; from which we shall see that his description of the inhabitants of the different parts he then visited is such as fully justifies the representation given by Hams. He invited Wesley to visit the Principality, which he accordingly did, at different times. His first visit appears to have been about the middle of October, 1 1739, when he preached at the foot of the Deva/tdefi, a high hill near Chepstow. From whence he proceeded j! to Abergavenny, Usk, Pont-y-pool, Cardiff*, and New- i port. At the latter place Wesley says, in his Journal. — " That he preached to the most insensible, ill-be- I haved people, he had seen in Wales. They are as ! utterly ignorant of the Gospel as any Creek, or Chero- I kee-Indian. Now what spirit is he of, who would I rather these poor creatures should perish for lack of ; knowledge, than that they should be saved by the ex- ; hortations of Howel Harris, or any other itinerant I preacher ? " When Wesley paid liis second visit to Wales in Oct. 15, 1741, he was under an engagement to meet Harris near the New Passage in Monmouthshire. ;! Their friend D. Rowlands, was then on his preaching j excursions in that neighbourhood. I i! 46 LIFE AND TIMES OF " We rode afterwards/' says Wesley, " to St. Bride's in the Moors, where Mr. Kowlands preached again.* Here we were met by Mr. Humphreys and Thomas Bissicks of Kingswood. About eleven a few of us retired in order to provoke one another to love and to good works. But T. Bissicks immediately introduced the dispute, and others seconded him. This Harris and Rovv^lands strongly withstood ; but finding it pro- fited nothing Rowlands soon withdrew. Harris kept them at a bay until about one o'clock in the morning. Going the next day to a neighbouring house, I found Mr. Humphreys and T. Bissicks tearing open the sore with all their might ; When Hams heard of what had passed, he hastened to stand in the gap once more, and with tears besought them all to follow after the things that made for peace. And God blessed the healing words which he spake, so that we parted in much love, being all determined to let controversy alone and to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified." That Harris was qualified to instruct his country- men, being apt to teach, and to arouse, under God's blessing, a country dead in sin and wickedness, the testimony also of the Rev. Charles Wesley will be generally admitted as sufficient evidence. In his Jour- nal, under date of May 8th, 1740, when in London, that excellent man thus wrote respecting Howel Har- ris : — " He declared his experience before the Society. — O what a flame was kindled ! No man speaks in my hearing as this man speaketh. What a nursing father God has sent us ! He has indeed learned of the good Shepherd to carry the lambs in his bosom. Such love, such power, such simplicity, was irresistible." This Minister of God, so highly gifted in every re- spect for the work of a Missionary, finished his second course of arduous itinerary labour this year ( 1 739). He went twice before the end of it through some of the almost heathenish counties of South Wales. His * He and Rowlands had been preaching that day at Machen church — one in English and the other in Welch. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 47 patience and perseverence were wonderful. His ob- servations were truly excellent and strildng, especially on such a trial as that at Llanmihangel-cerrig-cornel, after his triumphant departure from Monmouth. He learned to be humble and thankful in the midst of all his wonderful trials and success. His catholic spirit was also truly conspicuous and remarkable. He most sincerely wished all well : but he pursued his own plan. The following are his observations on this sub- ject :— " Thus I went through the counties of South Wales the second time this year, having new strength and a new commission from the Lord. I was followed in general by those of the Established Church. But when I began to shew them their danger thoroughly, and that the doctrine they heard, was not that of our Articles and Homilies, nor of the old Reformers, but ! that it was the covenant of works in the whole or in part; and that it was morality, and not Christ that was preached to them almost every where. I was looked upon as an enemy to the Church, though all the while I was endeavouring to revive it. The Dis- senters, at first, liked me much, as I was encouraging the people to go any where to hear where Christ was preached, and where they found most benefit. And when they found their j^laces of worship thronged by such means, I was for some time much respected by all parties and did not want encouragement from each to join them.* But the Lord kept me all this while from meddling with the differences and controversies about the exter- nals of religion ; for I dreaded the consequences this would produce to souls newly awakened. Therefore being, for many reasons, persuaded in my own mind, that I was called to labour as a member of the National Church, my conscience did not permit me to dissent. And when I came to see the bigotry of some parties, * Johns' observations on Harris' liberality is correct, — " To make each denomination more attentive to their religious duties, — to send the churchman to the Church, and the dissenter to the Chapel." 48 LIFE AND TIMES OF the lukewarmness and worldly-mindednesS of others, with their legal method of preaching, I began to bear my testimony against them ; then many waxed cold towards me, others disputed with me, and considered it their duty to weaken my hands as much as they could." Are not the above observations most excellent, be- coming a person acquainted with himself and the world, whose aim it was to save souls and to glorify God ? We shall now notice Harris' preaching excur- sions, with the pious, self-denying, and indefatigable exhorter Seward, through some of the counties of South Wales. His account is the following : — " The ensuing summer of 1740, as I went through Glamorganshire, I met with Mr. Seward at Cow- bridge ; * from thence he came with me to Cardiff; then we went on comfortably together to Monmouth- shire and preached at the several towns of Newport, Caerleon, Usk, and Monmouth, where Satan was per- mitted to rage against us in a most horrible manner. At Newport the mob rushed on us with the utmost rage and fury. They tore both the sleeves of my coat — one of them quite off. They also took away my pe- ruke, I being now in the rain. But 0, it was sweet to stand bareheaded under the reproach of Christ ! Having had a little silence, I continued my discourse ; but soon they hallooed again ; and while some pelted me with apples and dirt, others threw stones. I receiv- ed one blow on my forehead, which occasioned a little swelling, with the loss of some blood. Many friends would have persuaded me to give over in the tumult ; but I was unwilhng to do that, until the storm should abate ; and God glorified over Satan. When we came to Caerleon every thing seemed calm while brother Seward prayed and discoursed sweetly by the Market- * Harris, in a letter to a friend about this time, thus spoke of an incident at Cowbridge. — " Yesterday I discoursed in Cowbridge Mar- ket-place, but was a little interrupted. J had, after finishing my dis- course, private conversation with five leading men in the town, and I hope it was to some purpose and that the Lord will send me there again." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 49 house. But when I proceeded to discourse after him they began to roar horribly, pelting us with dung and dirt, throwing eggs, plumb-stones, aud other hard substances in our faces, while they hallooed so loud as entirely to drown my voice.* Brother Seward had a serious blow on his eye, which caused him much an- guish. As this affected his left eye, he was obliged to be led by the hand for a few days ; and, at length, he became totally blind of the other. When we ar- rived at Monmouth, we had much the same treatment as we had at Newport and Caerleon. There happened to be races there, where both high and low were as- sembled against us. As I began to discourse on a table, over against the window of the Town-hall, where the Duke of B — and Lord A — , with a gi*eat number of gentlemen and ladies, were at dinner, they ordered a drum to be beaten at our sides ; however the Lord enabled me to bear my testimony against their horse-races, balls, assemblies, whoredom, and drunkenness. The drum continued to beat and the mob j^elting us with apples, pears, stones, and a dead dog. During this storm brother Seward was much afraid of being hurt, yet he endured it with calmness of spirit saying, ' Better endure this than hell.' Thus all their opposition could not hinder our progress ; but in the strength of the Lord we went on from con- quering to conquer. Brother Seward went with me to Coleford, and to Gloucester, where we had much power to discourse to many hundreds, both in public and private. t Being at Gloucester on the Lord's day, and hear- ing that the Sacrament would be administered at St. * It seems that Wliitefield's awful appeals and remonstrances had very little effect on these hardened wretches the year before, April the 6th. — See his account, page 36. + Seward gives in a letter, which appeared in the Weekly History, No. 2, 1740, a more full account of the persecution he and Harris suffered this tour in Monmouthshire. This s(?rvant of God suffered martyrdom at Hay some time afterwards. A villain struck him with a stone on his head so severely whilst' he was preaching there, that he fell down almost dead : but before he expired he begged of his 50 LIFE AND TIMES OF Nicholas' church, I went there, and had a fresh sense of my spiritual poverty and vileness ; so that I could feelingly say, ' O Lord, I am the poorest and unworthi- est here before Thee ' ; and when I thus fell at my Saviour's feet, I had sweet and close communion with Him. Then my soul felt compuHsion for the whole world, — longing that all might be bom again, and brought to the true knowledge of the Saviour of sin- ners ; yea I felt that I deserved hell for not valuing his precious blood more. O ! the infinite value of that blood. It is the fruit of God's eternal love to poor sinners. Here is light, life, and hberty from the guilt and power of sin ; and 0 that I might abide here for ever \ " My reception at different places was daily facilita- tated, although the enemy caused some disturbance almost every where. At the entreaty of several friends I went to a revel in Radnorshire, — a yearly meeting, where numbers of people had assembled to dance. For I usually went on such occasions,, to speak to the people, and God was pleased to bless the word to the conversion of some, and conviction of many, who would not attend preaching elsewhere. As I was shewing the attentive crowd the folly, vanity, and danger of these ways, and imdting them to the Savi- our, I was apprehended by two Justices ; and after I had suffered much contempt and derision, they drew up my commitment. But when they perceived that I was willing to go to prison, they sent for some of my friends to bail me ; which I assented to, lest they should think me obstinate. Being thus bound to friends not to proceed agaiiist his foe. The following is the inscrip- tion on his tomb-stone in Cusop church yard, near Hay ; — " Here lyeth the body of William Seward, of Badsey, in the coun- ty of Worcester, Gent, who departed this life Oct. the 2and, 1742, aged 38. " ' To me to live is Christ and to die is gain.' — iPhil. chap. i. 21st. " If earth be all- Why o'er and o'er a beaten path You walk and draw up nothing new, Not so our martyred seraph did Wlien from the verge of Wales be fled." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 51 appear at the Radnor Quarter Sessions, they dismissed me, and I departed, filled with unspeakable joy." Harris was apprehended twice before, once in Mont- gomeryshire, — another time in Monmouthshire. Not one of those eminent Reformers of the 17 th century, seems to have been so much persecuted and put to the trial as he. It is a cause to be thankful for, that he gained the victory each time, and thereby ren- dered the attempt at persecuting others in the same way, abortive. It was not perfectly known till he ap- peared at the Sessions that the old tyranizing law had been abrogated and that toleration was so full and complete. " In consequence," says Harris, " of my obligations, I appeared at the Quarter Sessions, accompanied by those who had answered for me ; but though my trial was required of the Justices, they declined it, and obliged us to appear again the next Quarter Sessions. " At this time an attemjDt was made to destroy me. The hall, wherein the Sessions were held, was an up- per room, leading to which was a high flight of stairs, facing the street. It being night, the mob had placed themselves at the head of the stairs, with a design to throw me down ; which, had it been carried into effect, would have certainly caused my death. They had begun to push me from the door, when, by a special providence, a worthy gentleman, one of the Magis- trates on the bench, came at the moment of danger, and not only rescued me out of their hands, but took me under his protection, and conducted me to his lodgings. As I was going out of the town, the mob assembled again, and unanimously exclaimed against me ; but I was induced to demand peace in the king's name ; upon which they were struck with so much awe, that I was permitted to escape. " At the next Quarter Sessions, when I appeared in Court, an Act was read, made in the 22nd year of Charles II, against seditious and illegal assemblies, in which, under pretence of divine worship, people were said to meet in order to plot against the king. When F 52 LIFE AND TIMES OF they had done reading it, to the surprise of the whole court, a counsellor, being employed by a certain gen- tleman, stood up, and pleaded that these assemblies were not subject to the censiu'es and j)enalties of that Act, unless they could justly charge them with sedi- tion and disloyalty, which they could not possibly do. Therefore he was clearly of opinion that the defendant might be acquitted of that charge and suspicion, on his subscribing to the Articles of the Church, and taldng the oath of allegiance to his Majesty. This I expressed my readiness to do, and they thought fit to dismiss me." It is wonderful how much can be accomplished by courage, perseverance, and prudence. When one is in a good cause, he will ultimately prevail by the help of G od. " The righteous are bold as a lion " ! And so was this great man in a very considerable degree, while himself and the Church had the benefit afterwards of his successful opposition to violence and fraud, namely, peace and quietness. Thus he himself states the case. — " Previous to this time, warrants were issued out to take me ; but now the Magistrates observed that I was peace- able and a conformist ; and also loyal to the king ; by which it appeared that I was no delinquent, and not guilty of that which they had charged me with." 1 shall now mention a remarkable providence in Harris' favour in making a respectable county Esquire his friend. It is in the words of my friend Rev. J. Bulwer. — "Being once expected near Garth, in Breconshire, the residence of Marmaduke Gwynne, esquire ; that gentleman being alarmed at the reports he had heard respecting Harris, determined, as a Magistrate, to put ' an end to his proceedings. Supposing he held the tenets maliciously ascribed to the Independent Dis- senters in the time of Oliver Cromwell, and, regard- ing him as an incendiary in Church and State, Mr. Gwynne prepared himself for an open attack ; but said to his lady, in going out, ' I will hear the man myself, before T commit him.' Accordingly he made HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 53 one of tlie congregation, eagerly waiting to lay hold of any thing that might be construed into a chai-ge against the preacher. He had also the Eiot Act in his pocket, which he was prepared to read, and thus disperse the people. Harris' sermon, however, was so truly evangelical, so calculated to arouse the careless, to alarm the wicked, and to encourage the penitent ; and his manner so zealous and affectionate, that Mr. Gwynne thought he resembled one of the Apostles. He was so convinced of the purity of his doctrines, and of the benevolence of his motives, that at the end of the discourse, he went up to him, shook him by the hand, told him how much he had been misled by slan- derous reports,— avowed the intentions he had formed of committing him, asked his pardon, and, to the amaze- ment of the assembly, entreated him to accompany him back to Garth to supper. Mrs. Gwynne was a woman of superior understanding but under strong prejudices of birth and fortune. She was one of six heiresses, each of whom had ^£3 0,000 for their portion, and had married into suitable families of high descent and splendour. She was a violent enemy to all Dissenters ; and when her husband returned, introducing HaiTis, a man of inferior rank, an innovator in the Church, and, as she suspected, a rebel against the king. When she heard Mr. Gwynne himself, in the presence of his whole family, entreat his forgiveness, acknowledge his error, and pay him as much respect as he would a bishop ; she thought her dear husband must have lost his senses ; and, in grief and consternation, she quitted the room, nor would return to it until after supper, when Harris had departed. Nothing, however, could alter the opinion Mr. Gwynne had formed, or remove his attachment to the preacher. His daughter Sarah, afterwards the wife of the Kev. C. Wesley, also entered into the views of her father. She delighted to accompany him to hear Harris ; her mind was open to receive the truth, and she was particulaiiy benefitted by his discourses. Her piety and religious profession therefore exposed her to the raillery of her gay bro- 5i LIFE AND TIMES OF thers and sisters; and her partiality to Harris incur- red the displeasure of her mother, who passed much of her time in tears at the supposed infatuation of her family. Nor was she reconciled to Methodism until she had perused the * Appeals ' of Mr. J. Wesley, and heard the character of the two brothers from some of their colleagues at Oxford, which convinced her that their intentions must be good. Until then she would not hear Harris ; but afterwards, her remaining preju- dices were entirely removed. The authority and coun- tenance of Mr. Gwynne and his family now became highly important to the cause of religion. Regardless of public and private censure, he openly stood up in Harris' defence, and made use of his extensive influ- ence in promoting the spread of the Gospel." As the foregoing anecdote is so interesting, I will in- troduce here a letter of Mr. Gwynne to Mr. Harris. — Garth, March 21^^, 1743. "Dear brother, " I sincerely rejoice at the progress of the Gospel in those parts you visit ; and my prayers for you and others, who by God are made instrumental to pull down the kingdom of darkness, are, I trust, effect- ually heard at the throne of grace. I own myself the vilest of sinners, but as the sweet lovely Jesus lets me daily see more and more of my corrupt nature, so He enables me to be sure his blood made full satisfaction to divine justice for all my sins. And when I am burdened and heavy laden I lay myself down at the foot of the cross, looking unto my dear Redeemer, who is always more ready to relieve and to pardon than I am to confess my sins. " The cruel usage which our dear brother Morgan Hughes met with from a Cardiganshire Magistrate, must be a matter of grief to all the members of Christ who hear of it. I am also much concerned for the un- kind behaviour of a near relative of mine to you, and for the abuse brother Rowlands received lately. It is ne- cessary, as the divine law does not cheirm the carnal ear. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 55 to appeal to the human for redress against the trans- gressors of it. I received your letter and wrote imme- diately to my nephew John Lloyd of Peterwell, who is I beheve, the king's attorney of the Cardigan circuit, to desire him and his brother, who is a barrister, to be advocates for Morgan Hughes. I sent a copy of the commitment against him and copies of your letters to Mr. Kowlands and myself. The Justice never con- sulted the statutes to ground his commitment upon : a good cause of action hes against him for false impri- sonment. I told my nephew that if tliere was not some method found out to put a stop to such illegal pro- ceedings of Magistrates, I feared a heavy judgment would fall upon the nation. The glorious Captain of our salvation, when on earth, met with hke treatment from the world ; — his soldiers can expect no other. But Satan and his agents, poor deluded slaves can, as you observe, go no farther than Sovereign power permits, and that for some v/ise reasons. The prayers of the faithful in Jesus are heard, and Christ's kingdom will come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 0 Lord, hasten, if it is thy will, that haj^py time, that thy children may rejoice. I have en- closed my nephew, John Lloyd's answer. I think Mr. Rowlands will do right to bring some witnesses with him to Cardigan Sessions, and to indict the persons who abused him when he was endeavoiu'ing to bring his hearers to a sense of their duty to God, then* neigh- bours, and themselves. " The influence of the glad tidings you bring, to a benighted world, obliges those whose minds are re- newed, to put up their petitions to the Lord that He would give you bodily health for many yeai'S ; enabling you to do more good before you are removed by Him unto glory. I find it was 4 o'clock in the morning when you wrote your letter to me. I am not surprised therefore at the weariness of your body. I fear your immoderate and unseasonable laboiu-s and watchings will hasten your dissolution ; the thought grieves all the children of God that know you. If you do not 56 LIFE AND TIMES OF forbestr that practice, you will have cause to repent. You will not be displeased at this freedom from me, who am but a babe in the school of Christ, in thus re- monstrating with you. — By you, as God's instrument, I was much enlightened to see myself as the chief of sinners. I give glory to the triune God for bringing me out of self and enabling me to see my wretched nakedness, — to be covered with my dear Saviour's robe of righteousness that I may appear in it before my heavenly Father, being made meet for the holy city. — There you and I, and all God's people, shall join with the heavenly choir in singing hallelujah to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever without interruption." I will here mention another anecdote somewhat similar to the foregoing one, shewing the wonderful success that attended Harris' ministry. It seems that he was preaching somewhere in Glamorganshire, near the residence of a country Esquire, called the Fon-mon, and Jones was the name of the gentleman that occu- pied it then. He was considered a very hostile person to the truth. He came to the place where Harris was preaching, on horseback, with a drawn sword in his hand, with a view to smite the preacher with it. Har- ris saw him coming, and desired the people to make way for him. Jones drove the horse with some speed, — being in a gi'eat hurry and rage. But it appears that there was a considerable quantity of mud, not very visible, in the way between him and the preacher. It so happened that the horse stuck fast in it, so that he could not well proceed ; he thought proper there- fore to stop until the sermon was finished, and was amazed at what he heard : it so afiected his mind that he became an altered man, and shewed such kindness to Harris, that he erected a pulpit in some room near his mansion for him and his friends to preach in when they came that way. This pulpit was used for a long time, and was kept as a remarkable rehc until lately. Jones' family is a very ancient one. It was an ancestor of the said Jones that, with several others, signed king Charles' death warrant. CHAP. V. 1740-1741. HARRIS' BOLDNESS, — FURTHER PERSECUTIONS, — IN DANGER OF LOSING HIS LIFE. Numerous are the instances of Harris' intrepidity and courage in dangers and difficulties. This is percep- tible in the whole history of his life : however we shall notice a few instances of a more striking nature if pos- sible. The following is a fair specimen. — The associations of the Welch Calvinistic Methodists existed very early, — commencing almost with the con- nexion ; and Harris was at the first of them. He was indeed one of the founders of these associations ; and he and his brethren were exceedingly annoyed and disturbed at some of their meetings. One of these was intended to be held at Llandovery, Carmarthen- shhe. Kowlands, Williams, Davies, and others had gone to commence it, but the storm of persecution arose immediately, — evinced by tlie blowing of horns, beating of drums and kettles, ringing of bells, and throwing all manner of missiles at them on the plat- form that was erected. It was so terrible that Williams said, — " Brethren, it is impossible to go on here, espe- cially in the midst of so much noise and danger ; let us go to my residence at Pant-y-celyn, as it is so near, and let us keep the association there." Thither they bent their course ; but on the way they met with Har- ris, who asked them, with great surprise, "Friends, whither are you going ? " Williams replied, " to Pant- y-celyn, for we cannot go on at Llandover}^ ; we are in danger of losing our lives there." " Life, life," replied he, " is that all ? Here is life for the sake of Christ. Let us go back," said he in his bold undaunted man- ner ; " they shall have this poor body of mine." They returned to Llandovery, with Harris at their head, he ! immediately stepped upon the platform, with such firm- 58 LIFE AND TIMES OF ness and boldness, and cried out with such solemnity and energy, Let us pray," that all were silent in an instant ; and then he prayed with such power, earnest- ness, and warmth, that the people were overwhelmed : the Holy Ghost accompanied the words so effectually to the hearts of the people, and he was so blessed and owned thereby, that a wonderful change took place in the aspect of the whole multitude, — great sobriety and attention prevailed tln-oughout the vast body of people, during the whole association ; and the i:)reacher8 were enabled to dehver their discourses ^vith much freedom and power, — no one molesting them ! The foregoing anecdote respecting HaiTis' undaunted character was related by the Rev. R. Bassett, vicar of Colwinston, near Cowbridge ; and the following one by the Rev. D. Jones, Rector of Langan. Whitefield was preach- ing at a place near Bristol under great annoyance. Indeed he had been much disturbed there before. It is one of those dreadful places where he commenced his itinerant mode of preaching. On this occasion a stageplayer was procured to mock, and thus to silence him, in which he proved but too successful. The preacher was obliged at length to desist, and to come down. Harris being present, was however requested to mount the platform, and to try what he could do. As he came forward, he was also immediately attacked by the same graceless individual. His text was, — " The great day of his wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand." — Rev. vi. 17. The player said, " I am able." "What," said Harris, with piercing eyes, bold countenance, and strong voice, — "what, such a poor contemptible worm as thou art !" Upon which the wretched man fell down, — a pecuhar awe and tre- mor having seized him, from which, it is said, he never recovered ! Whitefield, in one of his preaching excursions in the country, was aided on another trying occasion, by thinking of Harris" boldness in such critical moments. — In going from Tewkesbuiy to London, he came to B (lain stoke, where a revel was going on, and the HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 50 j)le rioting in wickedness. When he saw the stage ihe cudgellers and wrestlers, he was much affected and could not proceed. The account is thus extracted from his Journal in Philips' Life and Times of White- field : — " As I passed by on horseback, and rode fur- ther, I met diverse coming to the revel, vvhich affected me so much that I had no rest in my spirit. I could not bear to see so many dear souls for whom Christ I had died, ready to perish, and no Minister or Magis- trate interpose ; upon this, having asked counsel of God, and perceiving an unusual wai*mth and power enter my soul ; I, though 1 had gone above a mile, told my fellow-travellers, that I was resolved to follow the example of Howel Harris in Wales, and to bear my testimony against such lying vanities, let the con- sequences, as to my own private person, be what they would. They immediately consented. I rode back to town, got upon the stage erected for the wrestlers, and began to shew them the error of then- ways. Then I got off with unspeakable satisfaction within myself, that I had now begun to attack the devil in his strong- est holds, and had borne my testimony against the detestable diversions of this generation." p. JOB. The following very remarkable anecdote of Harris' courage, was related to me by a person of veracity and respectability. Hams was preaching somewhere, in the midst of persecution and danger, when a man pointed his gun at him, and actually pulled the trigger, but the flint did not strike fire. He did the same two or three times, while Haii'is was looking at him ; when, with his characteristic coolness and boldness, he said, — " Turn the gun another way, and I dare say it will go off"." The man did so, and it actually went off". — Thus did Harris and such men go out to preach witli their lives in their hand, and thus did God wonderfully preserve them ! The Rev. G. Griffiths, vicar of Nevern, Pembroke- shire, used to mention, in his agreeable way, this an- ecdote respecting Han-is* undaunted manner of ad- 60 LIFE AND TIMES OF dressing the ungodly. He was once dining at Neath, Glamorgansliire, on a market-day, in an inn, where many farmers, and such people, resorted, and they sat down at the same table with him. But their profane language soon provoked and stirred up his holy spirit so much, that he spoke to them in such a bold, unex- pected, and sudden manner, on their improper behavi- our, that the knives and forks immediately dropped out of the hands of some of them ! Harris' style of encouraging his fellow-labourers in the ministry, to face difficulties and persecutions, was very strong and bold. We give the following letter as an instance. — January I4:th, 1749. " My dear fellow- soldier, " I received a letter last week from you : I snatch the first moment I have, to answer it. Can I forget my dearest brother, who is not only born of the seed royal, but also engaged in the same war, and sent out on the same errand ? Let earth, hell, sin, and Satan combine ; thou man of God, thou captain of the living God, reach forth thy hand, and in the strength of the Most High we will wade through the waters, trample on scorpions, triumph in the flames, rejoice and leap over every wall, enter and possess the good land of promise. Go on, thou herald of the Lord of hosts ; stir up thyself ; the Lord, the Lord omnipotent, the glorious, almighty Jesus, reigns over all worlds ; He rules and overrules all things, even hurtful things, and the devices of Satan. — He termi-. nates the great ocean, gives it command, and lo, it obeys Him ! " To arms, to arms, my brother, cry aloud, spare not, tread down the foe, like a mighty conqueror. Let him know thy commission bears heaven's broad seal, — that thy weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God ; — rejoice and sing in the midst of all ; for all is well, — all is yours. I am now out on a round for above a month, which prevents me writing to Adams, Ed- wards, Stephens, and Meredith. Read this to HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 61 them, if you please, with my most hearty and inmost love, in the boundless ocean of Jesu's ]3recious blood. There I am with the kindest res23ect to all the Society, and especially all the brethren that meet in Confer- ence, — most heartily thens and yours eternally in Him that laid in the manger and now reigns on high." Harris was not only bold and undaunted in his con- duct and epistles in the cause of truth, but also in proclaiming it every where unceasingly. It is easy to conceive that he was faithful and zealous in declaring the real state of man and the awful judgments of God hanging over the country. What else made the peo- ple so mad against him, but such an announcement ? It was so blessed that light and conviction flashed into the consciences of many of his hearers very awfully, — that they were so alarmed as if the day of judgment had arrived. Jonah's preaching at Nineveh was not more alarming. — A clear view of eternal reahties by faith, and great compassion for perishing sinners, gave a remarkable authority and boldness to his awful an- nunciations. His delineations of the invisible world were so particular, lively, and powerful, impressing and alarming the 2Deo23le, as if he had come from the other world and had seen eternal miseries. He was looked upon as a most extraordinary character, indeed as one that had seen a vinion, and this induced thousands to hear his message, which was blessed to many ; tlie effects were remarkable, they gave up all their former sinful w^ays and amusements. The alarm at length sounded throughout all the country. The ungodly were enraged every where against him, and on the alert Avherever they heard of his coming, ready to op- pose him in the most violent manner, as the greatest enemy of their happiness. Besides, Satan was so fear- ful of losing his subjects, that he added fuel to the flame, stirring up the people against him as much as possible. Harris was equally bold and unsparing iu attacking hypocrites ; he hunted them out of their refuges of lies, and demolished their unsound props, and falacious hopes. 62 LIFE AND TIMES OF It may be easily conceived that he was also of a very tender and sympathizing spirit, as the following fact, related by the Eev. G. Griffiths, of Nevern, may serve to shew. At one of the associations, Eowlands had gone to an early meeting, before breakfast ; but Har- ris remained in bed, and did not appear at the meet- ing. Rowlands, on returning to the house where they lodged, thought of giving Harris a lecture for his neg- lect. Finding him, to his astonishment, in bed, and looking at him, he saw the tears rolling in large drops down his face. Having asked what was the matter with him, Harris answered, that in a dream, he had been preaching to ruined sinners on the brink of hell, and that he felt so much for them that he had been entreating them with all his might to return to God. This affected Rowlands very much ; his mind was completely changed towards his friend ; so that he admired and loved him the more. Thus were the feelings and spirit of an ambassador for Christ, mani- fested, as expressed in 2 Cor. v. 20. We shall now present the reader with a further ac- count of Harris' itinerary preaching and persecutions after parting with the Gwynne family. " In Carmarthenshire," says he, " not far from the county town, I was interrupted by a Magistrate, who came on purpose to apprehend me ; but having satis- fied him that I was not guilty of what was laid to my charge, I was permitted to give the people a warm ex- hortation. The Lord enabled me to be faithful, and to speak boldly in my Master's cause, as well as to be- have with humility. After this, the Magistrate went quietly away ; and from that time, I had peace in this and other counties, while the door was now open in several considerable towns in South Wales, where I was not permitted to preach before." This is a ^•cry remarkable circumstance, and should be noticed as a monument of praise to the Lord for arresting the torrent of persecution in the year 1740, by the instrumentality of H. Harris. The rage of per- secution, however, was very far from being generally HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 63 abated, especially in North Wales. HaiTis' mind was directed to enter upon this fresh ground for his im- portant labour. The following is his account of that undertaking. — "In the beginning of the following year, 1741, I went to North Wales ; and as I proceeded, the enemy was provoked at my attempt thus to propagate the Gospel in his territories. He resolved to make a stand against me, and endeavoured, as much as he should be permitted, to take away my life ! Having been importuned to visit Bala, in Merionethshire, — after prayer and consultation, I entrusted God with my life, relying on his faithfulness, and went on. As I drew near the town I overtook the Clergyman of the parish, who cautioned me, at my peril, against going to preach there. I meekly replied that I thought it my duty to go, and that I had no other intention than to publish the glad tidings of salvation, and would not willingly oflPend any one. For this reply I not only received ill language in return, but was threatened with violence ; and as he approached to beat me with a large club, I rode ofl' saying that when I was reviled, I was taught not to revile again." Of the dangers and trials which now awaited Harris he gives the following account. — " When I entered the town, I found a large assem- bly waiting for me, and it was said that the country mob was assembled on purpose to abuse and hinder me. At the request of my friends I quitted the street and went to preach in a large house. Here I was happy in my soul, full of courage and power, my voice being lifted up like a trumpet, so that the peo- ple could hear me in spite of all the disturbance that was made at the door, and window which was broken in pieces by the mob. They had been preparing themselves by excessive drinking, and were now come among the people. Preferring the advice of my friends to the impression felt on my mind I ceased to speak, though I was yet full of power in my spirit, and retired to an upper room. T then immediately G 64 LIFE AND TIMES OF felt the power withdrawn from me, and understood that I had done wrong. Instead of retiring, the mob appeared to be more enraged. Some surrounded the house, while others climbed to the top of it, threaten- ing me with death, as soon as I should come out. Night at length approaching, I thought it my duty to go out among them, committing myself to the hands of God. As soon as I had got out of the house, one of them seized me but lost his hold ; another struck me on my face, whilst others threw stones and dirt at me. I now thought it would be my lot to die like Stephen, in the midst of them. While speaking to and praying for my persecutors, one of the people told me that I was tempting the Lord by staying there. But no sooner had I turned myself around to go away, than I was some how left to myself and sunk under the waves. I was not afraid of death, knowing it to be the entrance to eternal rest ; I had no doubt of the favour of God through the blood of Christ my Savi- our ; yet T felt unwilling to die by the hands of these men. They ceased not inhumanly to beat me vnth sticks, and to pelt me with stones, until I fell under their merciless feet, where they continued to beat me until the Lord touched the heart of one of them with pity, or fear of being prosecuted for killing me. He swore that they should beat me no more, and was the means of rescuing me out of their hands. My friends, in the mean time, had experienced the like treatment, and bore all patiently as I had desired them to do. At length we reached our lodgings together, where we dressed our wounds, and rejoiced that we were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake." Before we proceed further we will notice some heavy judgments that overtook some of the above persecu- tors. The following account was given by men of ve- racity, and may be depended upon. — The person that threw the first stone at the house where Harris was, as he was coming home a short time afterwards from a fair, fell down from his horse.; broke his neck, and soon died ! And also the persoD HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 65 that was most cruel in desiring to throw Harris head- long down a rock into a pool about six yards deep, soon afterwards fell within a few yards down that rock, and died on the spot ! Another young man, who was a very savage persecutor that day, fell as he was going homewards, from his horse upon a stone, fi-actured his skull, and died instantly ! Another person fell down in a fit of rage as he was beating and persecuting in a most inhuman manner, the above time : however he recovered then, but in a few years afterwards died miserably, under great remorse of conscience, for what he had done that day ! Also another persecutor, when on his death-bed, was so ravingly mad that three stout men were not able to keep him from biting his own hands and lips to pieces, — and thus he died in a most miserable manner. Another when dying was so miser- able that the four persons that were in the room with her, were so terrified that they could scarcely abide there. It was imagined that some appai'ition was on the bed with her ; and her pain was so great that she was rising from the bed for fear ! Doubtless several more such instances of God's heavy judgments on persecutors, in this world, might be mentioned. But these may be enough to shew how unkindly God views such treatment of his people. From Bala Harris proceeded to Car?iarvonshtre, and reached the first place he intended to visit on Saturday night ; we shall see presently that he did not fare much better there than at Bala. " On Sunday morning," says he, " I enquu'ed for the best preaching in the Church, and was recom- mended to hear a certain chancellor, at the distance of a few miles. I went there and heard such a sermon as I should have thought it impossible for the heart of man to conceive, or the mouth of man to utter. He had heard of my coming to North Wales, and had determined that very day to forewarn the people, lest I should lead them astray. First he pretended to point me out as the minister of the devil, an enemy to God, to the Church, and to all mankind. He described me 6G LIFE AND TIMES OF as being, in several respects, worse than the devil, since he could only act here by such instruments as I was. So hn went on, and made a repetition of my being the devil's minister, a deluder, a false prophet ! And after he had painted me worse than any monster heretic, or tlie devil himself, he shewed that it was a duty incumbent upon the people, out of love to God and his Church, as well as out of love to the country, to join unanimously against such a man, who carried with him a destructive poison, that would not only injure their persons and estates, but destroy their souls for ever ! It was not known, during the Service, that I was present ; but on my speaking to the chancellor as he came out of church, on the subject of establish- ing Welch schools, and expressing my dislike of so intemperate a sermon, I was concluded to be the person publicly exposed. On this supposition the people set themselves in array, intending to take my horse from me, that they might pelt me with stones. But though many stones were thrown at me, the Lord saved me from any considerable harm, and kept them from laying violent hands on me. I was, however, in much danger all the week, and often thought I should not return alive from that journey." Astonishing the enmity manifested towards the truth ! Harris thought of returning from thence to- wards home, but he was found out as he thus states ! — " Whilst waiting for my passage at Penmorfa, near Traethmawr, the mob assembled against me, and I could see the spirit of ?nurderers in their looks and behaviour. They abused me ; but being in chains, they could not hurt me much. At last I escaped their fury, and came over Barmouth ferry, to a dis- senting Minister's house in Merionethshire. From thence I went to Machynlleth and Llanbrynmair, in Montgomeryshire, where my life was again in danger ; but I was preserved as a prey out of the lion's mouth : I went on and visited those in that county, who had now begun to form themselves into small societies." How remarkable are the ways of the Lord in teach- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 67 ing his children and keeping them in a humble and dependent frame of mind ! And how well and pro- iperly Harris profited by them, may be seen in the following passage. — " O what experience I gained by that perilous jour- I ney ! I never had so much acquaintance with the nature of self-love, which grew insensibly upon me in conse- quence of my success. I saw more and more of the depth of evil in my nature, so that I often wondered that the earth was permitted to bear such a monster. I daily observed, and had a clearer evidence of the truth of the expression of good Bishop Hooper, when at the stake, ' Lord, I am hell, but Thou art heaven.' — I find as yet that I am but a child, and so understand and speak as a child. But the Lord continued, by degrees, to shew me more of the height, depth, length, and breadth of his love in Christ, and led me to know, by experience, more of his sufierings, death, and re- surrection, love and faithfulness : my eyes were more opened, and my spiritual understanding increased to apprehend the mystery of Jesus Christ, who can be savingly known in his various characters, as the door and the way to God, only by the operation of the Holy Ghost. By this light and experience I had deliverance from the Old Covenant and its legal fears ; while it drew me more and more under the law of faith and love, it enabled me to reap the fruits of the New Covenant, enter into Gospel liberty, and avoid licentiousness. The cross was burdensome to my flesh, but I felt my soul growing sweetly under it." My friend, the Rev. J. K. Foster, has favoured me with a remarkable circumstance connected with Har- ris' persecutions : it is the following. — ''Dover, Nov. 20, 1847. " H. Harris was a fine character. Mr! Bound, a gen- tleman who died near Cheshunt, at an advanced age, told me that when he was a youth he witnessed the shameful treatment which that good man experienced for preaching in a Welch village. He was followed by a mob of furious people ; pelted with mud ; and at last 68 LIFE AND TIMES OF his gig was turned violently over, and both he and his carriage thrown into a ditch. My friend, ashamed of his neighbours, assisted Mr. Harris, scraped the mud off him, lifted the gig out of the ditch, and repaired it as well as he could. Mr. Harris thanked him very affectionately, and placing his hand on the youth's head, implored the blessing of God to descend upon him. More than seventy years after my friend told me the story, and seemed to believe that this prayer had been heard ; for the Lord raised him from poverty to wealth, and had brought him through a long life to enjoy the hopes of the Gospel. This very person was the principal means of introducing the late Eev. Henry Foster, into Clerkenwell church, London. — " I wish to realize more of the power of divine grace, and to imitate more those holy men, whose lives you are favoured to write. — I often think of your beautiful church, and pray that it may be filled with the glory of the Lord. 0 ! to perform our private, domestic, and public services with the witness that God is with us, and hears us." Thus ends this remarkable chapter ; and it must be evident that the subject of it was no common cha- racter. Indeed the same truth must have been per- ceptible in all the former chapters. Harris must have been a man raised up and qualified by God for some great end and purpose. Let us adore his grace and mercy for performing such wonderful things in the Principality, then in heathen darkness and under the dominion of Satan. But 0 ! how different now. With what propriety may we say in reviewing these events ; ' 0 God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them." CHAP. VI. 1742. HARRIS IN LONDON, — HARRIS AND CENNICK PERSECUTED, — HARRIS IN SEVERAL ENGLISH TOWNS, — ATTACHMENT TO THE CHURCH, — THE REVEREND G. JONES, AND THE REVEREND D. ROWLANDS. — RELATIVES. In the summer of 1742 Harris was called again to London, to assist at the Tabernacle. It was probably at the request of his friend Whitefield that he now visited the Metropolis. It is accordingly said by Phihp, in his Life of White- field, that when he returned to England, he continued to urge on Harris to ' abound in the work of the Lord,' by every event that encouraged himself. " I want to see you face to face. I wish you would come to Lon- don immediately, and stay whilst I am in the country. Or rather, go and preach in Bristol, Gloucester, and Wiltshire, for about a fortnight, and then come up to London. Our congregations are large and solemn. I never had greater freedom in preaching. I am glad brother Kowlands is with you. Go on in the strength of our dear Lord, and you shall see Satan as hght- ning fall from heaven. May the Lord hide your pre- cious soul under the shadow of his almighty wings. Harris complied as stated above, and the following is his account of the journey thither. — " The following summer I was called again to Lon- don, to assist for some time at the Tabernacle. I went by way of Bristol ; and in going through Wilt- shire met Mr. Cennick. We travelled in company to Swindon and were furiously assaulted by the mob while preaching in the neighbourhood there, who went the length of their chain in venting their rage upon us. They brought horns, guns, and a fire- engine, to annoy us. When they presented a gun to my forehead my soul was happy ; I could cheerfully 70 LIFE AND TIMES OF Stand as a mark for them. One of them struck me on the mouth and brought some blood ; but God was pleased to endue us with uncommon patience, meekness, and great power to speak to the people, and many hstened with much seriousness. We then walked up into the town, reasoning with those who opposed us, besmeared with mire, gunpowder, and muddy water thrown by the engine. We were fol- lowed by a large concourse of people ; and when we had washed ourselves and changed our clothes we preached to them in the yard belonging to the house where we were entertained. Mr. Cennick prayed and I preached ; when, I am persuaded some of them were convinced of sin. They begged us earnestly to go to a village about one mile distant, which we promised to do, should the Lord permit. We went ; and in that village the word of God now nms and is glori- fied. Then I proceeded on my journey to London. It was very remarkable that we received no material hurt at Swindon ; though several bound themselves with oaths that we should not go away alive, and fol- lowed us above a quarter of a imle from the town, yet they were not permitted to lay hold of us.* After * A letter of Cennick's, dated June 26, 1741, which appeared in the Weekly History, gives a fuller account of the persecution they under- went at Swindon, and of their wonderful perseverance as instruments in saving souls there. They commenced preaching in a place called the Grove, within half a mile of the town. The persecutors first of all came among the people playing at the backsword, then shooting over their heads, — then throwing muddy water out of buckets as well as playing the engine on Harris and Cennick. They endeavoured to drown their voices by crying out and shouting in a horrid manner. It is stated in the Weekly History that the person who played the engine was taken with bleeding at tlie nose, which could not be stopped ! Another individual, who spoke to a butcher there to save all the blood he could that when one of them came there again they might play the engine filled therewith on him and the congregation, was suddenly seized with bleeding at the nose and mouth, which ended in his death ! A gentleman, who employed men to use the preachers so badly, was thrown down by his horse and broke his neck ! The man who persecuted them at Foxham was hanged at Gloucester, and the others came to some similar bad end ! — " No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper!" — Swindon is now a most im- portant Station on the Great Western Railroad. The old town is about a mile and a half distant. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 71 spending some months in London I preached at se- veral towns in England as I returned." Harris, about this time, was uneasy and sorry to ob- serve some great defects in professors, and he endea- voured to coiTect them. — ''I now," says he, " clearly saw that many were be- ginning to turn the grace of God into hcentiousness ; indulging themselves in sphitual pride, judging and despising others ; not beheving that perfection or com- plete deliverance from the power of indwelling sin, is attainable here ; they appeared to be at ease under its dominion, particulai'ly as to lightness of spirit and love of the world. Seeing this I had new light and power to preach the genuine fruits of real faith, and the necessary effects of divine truth savingly believed in the heart. I was enabled to distinguish between nominal and real Christians, and saw tlie absolute necessity of exhorting all to make their calling and election sm'e, and to obtain the victory over all their spiritual enemies. This doctrine caused a vehement opposition, but I was encom'aged by seeing daily the good effect it had on the sincere, to rouse and drive them to the Lamb of God." We are now come to that part of Harris' histor}' in which he gives his reasons for continuing in the Established Church. — " I still remained a member of the Church of Eng- land, though I was blamed for my conformity by peo- ple of all denominations ; yet I cannot but rejoice on this account, and because of the good work which the Lord began in that Church ; and I hope it is a leaven that will effectually operate. I commend the peaceable spirit that remains in the Church, which tolerates those who differ h'om it, and does not quench these small efforts of revival in it. I look on this as a token for good. I always find the presence of God in its wor- ship and Ordinances, and have great freedom to ^^Tes- tle in prayer for it, and a strong conjidence that God will revive his work in it. However I can testify that in this persuasion I was called to abide in it, and not 72 LIFE AND TIMES OF on account of any prejudice against any other party. Several were going to the Dissenters, and I thought it my duty to declare against them, by producing the following reasons and scriptural arguments, — that the Prophets, and good people of old, abode in the Jewish Church, notwithstanding its degeneracy in every respect, — that our Saviour and his Apostles at- tended at the hour of prayer in the same Church, though they knew that its Service was to be abohsh- ed, — that the Apostles did not exhort the sincere to forsake the Corinthian Church, notwithstanding the many irregularities therein ; and that our Saviour, after his ascension, did not advise his people in the seven Churches of Asia, to leave any Church of which they were members and go to another, but to reform that which was amiss and to become the salt of others So that with regard to ourselves, though we are but poor, inconsiderable, and despicable members of this Church, yet the Lord hath done great things to the Nation by this revival, and He can make us the salt of his Church and Nation."* No wonder that Harris was so strongly attached to the Church, as it was in it he wished to labour, and as he was from principle and habit a Chui'chman. Philip, in his Life of Whitefield, notices this circumstance when alluding to HaiTis' religious societies. — " Harris had organized thirty of these societies be- fore Whitefield or Wesley visited Wales. Not however as Dissenting or Methodist congregations ; nor indeed with any view of their ever separating from the Church. The revival of religion in the Church was his avow^ed object from the first, and his professed object through life."— p. 125. Whitefield was doubtless in the commencement of his career much like Harris in this as well as in every other respect. Thus it is stated by Philip, — * Harris most heartily loved all God's people every where. JBut it was his wish that every one should remain in his own Communion. However there could be no objection for leaving on conscienciouB ground. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 73 My heart, (says Whitefield to Harris) is much united to you. I utterly disapprove of some persons' i separating principles. Satan now turns himself into : an angel of hght, and stirs up God's children to tempt me to come over to some particular party. The associ- I ate Presbyteiy have been hard upon me : but I find ! no freedom any longer than I continue just as I am, and evangehze to all. I know not that I differ from i you in one thing. God is doing great things here ! \ It would make your heart to leap for joy, to be now at Edinbm'gh." — p. 133. This was after Whitefield's first voyage to America, i in J 741. It was in this free liberal spirit he continued to the end of his life, preaching the Gospel to all, and 1 that with amazing efiect. Had it not been for the blindness of men in high i station at that period in Church and State, such men as Whitefield and Wesley, together with their follow- ers, would have remained in the Church. Harris con- tinued in it notwithstanding all persecutions. How- ever those religious connexions, though forced out of the Chm'ch, are still vei^ well disposed towards it. [ No doubt it was much indebted to them, for arousing and awakening it ; and how widely is the life and re- formation spread in it since then ! There are now some evangelical Bishops, and many hundreds, if not I thousands, of pious Clergymen ! Now such men as i Harris are difierently treated ; and will, it is hoped, continue to be so for the sake of our common Christi- anity. It seems that the eminent G. Jones, Rector of Llan- ddowror, already mentioned, was led to entertain some unfounded prejudice against Harris and his fiiend Row- 1 lands. Harris being acquainted with Jones, thought i proper to endeavour to remove the misunderstanding : the following is the letter he vn'ote to him for that j^ur- ' pose. No doubt it will gratify the pious reader to per- ceive such a kind, loving, and remarkable sjoirit, as it discovers in Harris. 74 LIFE AND TIMES OF " To the Rev. G. Jones. May 15, 1741. " Dear Sir, " I have, since I parted with you, heard so many things that seem to prove strongly that the enemy is let loose upon us, in a way not expected, to divide those who love the Lord Jesus more dearly than their lives. I could not rest without writing a letter to you, and I am persuaded you will receive it in the same spirit in which I write. Should not we be very tender and cautious in hearing with both ears, before we pass judgment ? I hope that, notwithstanding aU the calum- nies cast upon me, I am justified in this, that I would not, for ten thousand worlds, expose men or doctrines, that have sufficient evidence they are sent of God. I request all whom I suspect, to see whether they have the demonstration of the Spirit, — whether the idol self be discovered in setting up itself in the heart against Christ in his offices, and assuming all the work of the Spirit to itself, — and whether the law has appeared to them in its spirituality, to shew them they are dead to it, and that they must go to another for life ? I was reckoned a good Christian before ever I had the full inward sight and became quite condemned by the law. The sovereign Lord then wrought faith in me to lay hold on Christ's imputed righteousness. But I must bless God for that christian simplicity and bro- therly love manifested in asking heart questions of one another, which has been the means the Lord blessed to open my eyes. I also mention some things in the fellowship meetings from the same love and for the same end, as it was done to me.* This calling upon others to give an account to me, is reckoned spiritual pride ; as if I assumed something which I ought not ; but I leave my Lord to answer for me. 0, dear Sir, * A reference is here made to the Private Experience Societies which Harris established. Such means of edification are now highly approved of in Wales, and adopted by pious Clergymen and people of all denominations. It seems that something had been said to preju- dice .Jones' mind against them ; and Harris endeavours in the above letter to remove it. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 75 mistake not my end nor my spirit ; for at this moment I could write with tears of love to you. I am and ever was persuaded that I shall see you shining in glory. It is the concern of the Lord's cause that makes me write to you, not cunningly and artfully, but in simpli- city, in the Spirit of our common Lord, and from the abundance of the heart. " On hearing Mr. Rowlands about four years ago, experiencing myself the power of the word under him, seeing the visible sign of power in him, and the evi- dent effects of his ministi^ in the calling of some with- in my own knowledge ; I was persuaded of the Lord's being with him in a more than ordinary manner. That these persons were called effectually, appeared from their brokenness of spirit, humility, love, and watch- fulness, as well as from what they said of the work of grace in themselves,— with their simplicity of mind, and growing acqaaintance with the evil and plague of their own hearty. Such were the signs of conversion under his ministry, in hundreds, from time to time, which I saw. It was not difficult to read a broken heart and a humble spirit in their streaming eyes. Some have ap- plied to me, crying ' What shall we do for an interest in the Saviour ? ' And on asking, when they came to be thus concerned about the state of their souls, they have owned that it was not until they heard Mr. Row- lands, in such a place. Many, when they are thus awakened, complain that they hear of nothing else- where but duties, — no food for faith, — no discoursing on the stratagems of the devil and his way in keep- ing them from Christ, — of the mystery and difficulty of believing and of denying their own righteousness, their own wisdom, and their own sufficiency. They never hear elsewhere of the various workings of un- belief, — how it keeps the soul from Christ, and of their utter helplessness and bhndness ; — that they, notwithstanding all their reading and studying, are but natural men, — that until the Spirit opens their eyes they cannot see the holiness and purity of God and their own impurity, the excellency of Christ and n 76 LIFE AND TIMES OF the various workings of sin and grace, of faith and unbehef. *'When the difference is shewed between light in the head, that comes from second causes and affects neither the will nor the affections, and that which comes from the Spirit of God through his own word ; and when cautions are given against reading unsound authors, an outcry is made that human learning is wholly laid aside ; whereas it appears from a sermon of Mr. Rowlands, now in print, that no one is more for reading the Bible than he is. He also reads all the old experienced authors he finds. I know he gathers and gives as much time as possible to reading. But having three congregations of between two and three thousands to look after, and being called out to preach almost every week, and to build up believers in a more private manner, he cannot have much time for reading. But if you were to hear him/ and witness the effects of his preaching, I believe that all your pre- judice would fall to the ground, and that your soul would be united to his in divine love. I am persuad- ed you are both sent by the same Lord ; and if severe persecutions should come, you would be two of the first called to the flames together, to ascend to the same place to praise that distinguishing eternal Jove to all eternity, that called you from so many thousands and made you to differ ; and shall any thing no\^ divide you ? I feel there is nothing nearer my hear than union between all the faithful labourers of Christ and that their hands may be strengthened to the ut most. " But I find many, that I once thought would com< on, resting, — some on their duties, some on thei works, prayers, tears, and feelings ; who never had thi deadly wound to see that they must be damned un less covered with Christ's righteousness, and his natur wrought in them. Others rest in convictions, withou any life, divine love, fellowship with God and Christ — without growth in knowledge of themselves, and o our dear Lord. Others fall back to the world, to lev HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 77 it as much as ever ; otliers — to their old sius, and to a careless, lazy, carnal sphit, keei^ing up the old form of godliness. These are the most ready to oppose : i they in a most artful manner, not willing to be seai'ched and cut to the heart, take away perhaps a word or half a sentence, not fully explained, and caiTy it to others that may be the children of God, which I may stagger them. It is true an unguarded expression may be s^^oken from the vehemence of our soul. I believe that when you look a Uttle calmly, you will find that all aspersions against Rowlands, come from such a spirit. As to what has been reported of some expressions used by him in preaching, 1 am persuaded they are false : it is true that, when he has been informed that they were mistaken by his hearers, or not explained in the sense which he intended, he has had the humility to coiTect what was not clearly stated. " I find that tliere are some people who make it all then- business to gather — , and set all in the blackest light, in order to divide you. There are but few faith- ful ^Ministers, especially in this dai'k benighted Church, and shall they be divided ? " As to crying out, some I have seen and spoken to ; they were so penetrated by the word that they could not helj) crying out, some on seeing they were lost, and others on seeing that tliey /tad pierced the Son of God by then- sins ; whom, if you had seen, you would have had no scruple about, but have blessed God on their account. There is, it must be confessed, much of the evil spuit and hypocrisy in the crying out of some. I publicly objected to it, and Rowlands thanked me. " Their singing together on the way, has much sim- plicity in it. The heart being thus kept heaven-ward, trifling thoughts, as well as idle talking, are prevented. When my heart is warmed by love, I cannot help sing- ing, even if I am hoai-se. "Their speaking to, or embracing each other in love, T am sure was also in gi-eat simplicity. I find 78 LIFE AND TIMES OF such love in my own soul towards you, that if I were near you, I could not help embracing you in the love of God, which others may construe into imprudence. " I have been informed that it has been told that Rowlands does not speak well of you, which I am sure is not correct. Such is his opinion of you that when any wish to be admitted to communion, if he finds that they have been under your examination, his usual way is to raise his hand and say, ' If you have been there, I have nothing to say after him.' I have always heard him speak of you with great esteem. As to your books, I never speak much to him about them; but his selling, and encouraging the sale of them, is a sufficient proof of his approbation. " With respect to the charge of his holding sinless perfection, — when I read to him my letter to Mr. Wesley, against his perfection, he was the most earn- est in persuading me to send, — and even to publish it. As to his holding that there is no true faith without full assurance, I have heard him say that doubting is like a city through which all saints pass, but none can be satisfied until God sends the Comforter, the Spirit of adoption, to bear witness with their spirit, that they are born of Him. Then they drink the waters of life, — sup with Christ, and He with them. Their eyes being spiritually enlightened, they under- stand what full and complete satisfaction the Son of God hath made to divine justice for all who believe. This they are enabled to apply to their own hearts, having the testimony of the blood, and of the water also, or the ' washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; ' which is known to be of God, by comparing it "with the word." The above letter will be read by many, no doubt, with much interest. It should be observed, however, that some of the practises mentioned in it, such as embracing each other, or crying out in an hypocritical manner, are not now known in Wales, as existing among any religious people. The effects of divine truths delivered fi-om the pulpit, were much more HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 79 powerful then than ever afterwards, and no wonder Sa- tan excited some to counterfeit them. Very remark- able revivals of religion have been witnessed many times since those days in Wales, and uncommon eflPects of a joyful nature attended them, which were no doubt abused in some degree by the influence of the grand enemy of souls. We have two letters of Harris, in hand of a different kind, written about this time to his mother and bro- ther : they manifest his great concern for their souls : and are very affectionate and interesting. They shall be introduced here to finish the chapter. — Pejnbrokeshire, March 3, 1742. " My very dear Mother, " Think not that I undutifully forget you because I do not write to you oftener. My soul often wrestles for you. I trust that when your ashes mingle with the dust I shall meet your soul among the glori- fied tribes in the realms above. I long to see you and to hear what our Lord has done for your soul since I saw you. I trust He is often spreading his heavenly wings over you, and feeding your hungry soul with the Bread of life ; and that He is bringing you nearer and nearer to Himself, — shewing you how dangerous it is to rest any where, short of his merits, — his sacred wounds. 0 that I may hear that the Holy Spirit has breathed on this scrip and made it useful to warm your heart, — to increase your faith and hungering and desires after Him. 0 how should I wash my Lord's feet with tears of gratitude and love, if He in any wise employed me for the spiritual good of her precious soul that instrumentally gave me my being. You kindly watched over me and acted towards me as a most tender mother, when I might be justly ranked among the most undutiful of sons. But ever adored be God who called us to such an honour as to have fellowship with Himself. It is delightful to my soul to see any walking with thek faces Zion-ward ; but it is unspeakably sweet to see my aged mother among 80 LIFE AND TIMES OF them. Who knows but that my poor dear brothers may yet become willing to be counted fools for Christ's sake. " I trust I shall have time to write to them soon. The work of the Lord goes on indeed wonderfully every where. There is more power going on with the word now than usual. There is a general revival every where. More come to hear the Gospel than ever be- fore. The Lord continues to be exceedingly gracious to my soul, and leads me on by the still waters of comfort. He blesses my dear fellow-traveller much to me : words cannot express how happy we are. I was with brother Rowlands last Sunday, and there were such things in his Ministry as I never saw, felt, or heard before any where. The power that attends the word to the people there is inexpressible. I am in hopes of hearing brother Howel Davies to-morrow. I am, dear and honored mother, Your most dutiful son, H. H." We shall now introduce that to his brother. Pembrokeshire, March 15th, 1742. My very dear brother, Thos. Harris, It is now a long time since I saw you or wrote to you. But you are often on my thoughts and in my heart. Great huiTy keeps me from writing to you. T was a night tliis week with Mr. Lloyd, at Berllan- dywyll, Carmarthenshire, and sat up with him until past 3 o'clock in the morning. He was exceedingly kind and spoke well of you. He said if you could send him a few more proposals he thinks he could dispose of them. I have received a kind letter from brother Joseph, which I should have answered long ago had it not been for the continual hurry I am in. I love and honour you both most tenderly, and long to meet you in the realms above before the throne of Jesus, ever praising and adoring Him for saving poor sinners. My heart has often prayed earn- estly for you ; and tears of love to your souls, have HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 81 often watered and ran down my i^oor cheeks. O, what would I give to see you both savingly acquaint- ed with the Friend of sinners, — the beloved Lamb of Grod, through whose blood alone there is entrance to the regions of bhss. I believe you are not far from ■Jie kingdom of God. Do you not often feel secret lesires after God ? Does not Jesus knock at the ioor of your heai't ? Do you not hear his voice ? [le would, did you but open to Him, come in and •eveal all his gloi^ to you. Do not for the Lord's Jake — for your own soul's sake, resist the Holy Ghost, leither stifle his motions, but yield to them and )bey." CHAP. VII. 1739-1743. HARRIS' VIEWS OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST, — ELECTION, — PER- j FECTION, — AND CHRISTIAN UNION. Harris' views of Christ's glory, seemed to have been enlarged as he went on. And he felt the practical effect of the truth. The following are his words : — "In the year 1743, the glory of the Divinity of Jesus Christ was more deeply impressed on my soul than ever. The more I meditated on the text, — * Great is the mystery of godliness: God was mani-' fest in the flesh,' the more the glory thereof shone in my soul. I had also much help to see more of the glory and wonders of that divine Person by reading e tract called 'A sling and a stone! I was now brough' to see more wonders in his infinite incarnation, life blood, death, and resurrection, with the glory of al his offices, and also the glory of his Church, as beinj related to such a glorious Person. She is called hi: spouse, temple, family, army, and his fulness ! Bu yet I was not insensible of the workings of self, whicl sets itself up against all his offices, but had a mor« clear view of it in my soul by these discoveries, whicl I had gradually of Him and of myself. I was led t( find that every truth, when revealed by the Spirit, i practical and will have its proper influence on th'^ soul by humbling the sinner and exalting the Savi our. And as the glory of God, displayed in our na tuj'e, thus shed its divine rays on my soul, I felt the it increased my faith, and that my love became mor habitual, my joy more solid, my resignation more en tire, my spirit and temper more smooth and quiet and I had more bowels of compassion and mercy tci wards poor sinners. I now also understood the mean ing of several Scriptures, which I could not spiritually apprehend before. I now came to see much greate depth and more glory in other Scriptures than I ev( HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 83 lid before ; and every moment of time became more precious to me ; and I now perceive that all the time, alents, mercies, and gifts, that were not employed by he Lord, and for his glory, were not only lost but Jso employed against Him." I have had a sight of one of Harris' letters to Mrs. Vhitefield, wherein he discovers his views of Christ irucified, in a very striking manner. A copy of it is 0 be seen in chap. xii. There was another distinguishing doctrine Harris leld prominently, — that of justification by faith. This vas the grand subject he and his brethren used to Iwell upon both in their discourses and compositions vith very great pleasure and success ; it being most uitable to hell-deserving sinners. Harris states his dews on this noble doctrine at a considerable length n a letter to Mrs. B — chap. xii. [ It has been observed that there was a difference of )pinion as to the doctrine of election, and its con- iomitants, between some of the eminent men, though )rethren, at that period ; I mean Wesley and White- ield, and their followers * None perhaps argued so nuch with Wesley as Harris did ; none perhaps so suc- ;essfully as he : — the controversy being carried on so nuch in love, and the arguments being chiefly drawn rom Harris' own experience, and forcibly applied to vV esley's case as a converted man and eminent Minis- ;er. The correspondence between them was extensive. Barris' letters to him on this and other subjects were 7ery long, and are now in existence at Trefecca.t In :he beginning of then* acquaintance it is possible * It is true that Harris rather differed from Wesley in his religious riews. It is evident from his first interview with him in 1739, that lis religious principles were Calvinistic. They were however of a noderate kind, — used with caution and regulated by an enlightened nind. He also endeavoured to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Dond of peace. And Wesley, notwithstanding the difference between hem, bore witness of his charity before the Church and the world, rhis also was always done by him in his journals, as may be seen in nany passages written during the controversy with others. + Two of them, on Election, appeared in the Evangelical Magazine, or May and August, 1847. LIFE AND TIMES OF that Harris was somewhat influenced by Wesley as to those pecuHar doctrines ; but, as I was informed by Mr. Griffiths, Rector of Nevern, he, having attended the ministry of Jones of Llanddowror, was greatly im- pressed with the grand truths forcibly and practically set forth there. His feelings were much excited and wrought upon. Mr. Griffiths said that he used to weep and tremble under his preaching. His views were sweetly and experimentally restored, and the doctrines of gi-ace were the food of his soul. I shall here transcribe a part of his letter to Wesley on the above doctrine. — ''October \Oth, 1740. My dear Brother, " Tell the believer what made him to differ ; what moved Christ to make him a vessel of honor ; to give him an ear to hear ; a will to submit, and a heart to obey. Preaching distinguishing love brings glory to God ; benefit and consolation to the soul ; and can be no more a stumbling-block ; it is so to none, but such as (I fear) never experienced any experimental distinguishing work, and cannot feel that they were effectually called. To such as are so called it is food ; but will feed neither despair nor presumption. It humbleth the soul before God. Its language is, ' Why me. Lord ? ' If electing love is not preached to the soul, it is robbed of its food. The Spirit enhghtensi the soul to know the Father, and shews him how He has loved him before the foundation of the world, — choosing him for no other reason but because it so pleased Him. At this view he does not cavil and dis- pute, as he did before, when he looked at it by the light of carnal reason ; but he is humbled to nothing in his own mind, being swallowed up and lost in admiring the freeness and sovereignty of his love, say- ing, — ' If it were not so, I should never have been chosen ; for God saw nothing in me but rebelUon, lust, pride, anger, unbelief, and enmity against Himself.' He stands amazed at the unchangeableness of purpose that ordered it ; though he changes every moment, HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 85 I and forgets God, and is, alas ! unfaithful. Yet still he finds, to his astonishment, that this forgiving love follows him. The soul having this view, is exceeding- ly moved. 0, how active he is for God, exclaiming, — ' What ! has the eternal Jehovah merciful thoughts of me, — such a vile rebel ? And am I to be with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to all eternity before the throne, to admire the glorious perfections of the Three in One ? What ! am I, a fire-brand from hell, thus brought to this glorious hope ? What shall I render to the Lord ? O that I had T\ings to fly, sounding the praises of my God ! O sovereign gi'ace ! 0 elect- ing love ! 0 the freeness and richness of it I 0 that I had ten thousand lives to be spent in admiiiug this amazing, infinite, incomprehensible love ! Self is destroyed, — the soul has indeed fellowship with the Father and the Son, and participates of the glory above. It is transformed from glory to glory, — hates the very garments sj^otted by the flesh, dreads even the least sin, — is humbled so as to be willing to be despised by all and trampled upon for the sake of Christ. " My dear brother, a soul that has tasted that, can- not help being gi'ieved to hear this Gospel represented as having an ill tendency ; while it makes him more and more like God, and is his Rock, on which he stands firm against all the onsets of Satan and tlie fears of death." Harris, in another letter to Wesley, speaks in the same loving, direct manner. — *'My dear brother, what made God at first to snatch you as a fire-brand out of hell, and use one means after another to bring you home to Himself, but because He willed it, and would shew his distinguishing love. If He had given so much of his Spirit, and used so many means to save others, as He has done for you, then they would follow Him with all that faithfulness, diligence, boldness, and care that you do.* And could * " If all the world his glory knew, Sure the whole world would lore Him too." 86 LIFE AND TIMES OF you, my dear brother, believe if faith was not given to you ? And can you now, having faith, exercise it but as another acts in you ? Do not you feel yourself sometimes strong as a mountain and unmoveable ; and, at other times, weak and timid ? And do you not see, even in preaching, that one is taken and another left? Do you not see that God acts as a Sovereign ? " My dear brother, I blush in writing to you^ being a babe, and cannot speak plainly ; — you, that have the eyes of all the nation upon you. But indeed I was constrained and could not help it. I hope I feel my soul under the influence of a spirit of love. I know you will not misconstrue what I state, even if you do not agree with me. But indeed when you look within, you cannot help seeing God's particular election plainly. It appears to me a subject of the greatest moment, connected with God's glory, and to be set before those that are born again. It is of no further use to others than to humble the proud Phari^ see, who thinks he can move the great God to save him, and that because he does so and so. I write not in a wrangling spirit : it appears to me a most plain truth, which brings to God all the honor of our salva- tion. I was disposed, after some sweetness in private prayer, to write to you. Do not shew it, lest, perhaps* all will not look at it as kindly, and with the same spirit tliat I know you will. * ■ I know that the mentioning of this is of no use to any but those that are called, and so far to them only as it brings them to see further into God's love in particularly calling them, whilst others are passed by ; there being nothing in them to move Him but his own good pleasure. Then seeing his love to them, it will naturally increase their love to Him, his image, and holiness, and will endear all duties to them. " O pray come and help us in Wales ; for we are much under the spirit of bondage, and want the power. But I hope God is amongst us, though He is longer in leading some to the freedom of the HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 87 Gospel than others. 0 pray, dear brother, let me have a line from you to inform me of your coming, and we will meet you, for I hope you have a call from above, and that you are sent to all nations. Pray for me, I beg my love to the brethren. When did you hear from Mr. Whitefield ? " The Lord prepare us for suffering. Persecution is increasing. I have been in North Wales, and was near being killed by the mob ; and was taken in an- other place by two magistrates, a gentleman, and a parson ; and to day a warrant was issued against me in consequence of a false accusation, — that I brought the people together to quarrel ! — that I spoke against the Prayers of our Church ! and particularly against the Lord's Prayer I " It is surprising what Harris suffered from every quarter, and how contentedly and cheerfully he sub- mitted to every kind of treatment, however cruel and unjust. It may be unaccountable to some how he could persevere, notwithstanding all such opposition and persecution. However the truths alluded to in the above extracts supported him, and his motives and ends in all his exertions and labours for souls, ai'e developed in those statements. There was one doctrine of the Wesleys that as- sumed much importance about this time, and it is thus alluded to by Harris : — I was for some time much perplexed about Per- fection. St. Paul applied this to himself, and to many others^ in Phil. iii. 15. It was in that chapter that I had the most satisfaction as to what is meant by perfection. I saw that believers are perfect in all re- spects in Christ ; but imperfect as to degrees in tliem- selves. The imperfections of such eminent men as Noah, Daniel, and Job, are recorded in Scripture. St. Paul shews, in the above chapter, the mind that should be in all those whom he calls perfect, which is the same as he himself had, (v. 7 — 15.) He, however, de- clares that he had attained perfection only in degrees, but that he was pressing towards it, — ' forgetting those I 88 LIFE AND TIMES OF things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, if by any means,' says he, * I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead,' — things of which, in part, he was already made a partaker. I think that if any one has any other perfection it would be very proper to ask him these questions : — Has he seen in himself all the sin that he possibly can see ? Does he know so much of the glorious perfections of God and love Him to that degree that he cannot know nor love Him more ? Does he hate sin and grieve for it so much that he has no cause to lament that he cannot grieve and hate it more ? Does he approach God with such awe and reverence, and with such a sense of his glory and ma- jesty, and of his own nothingness, as are becoming and suitable ? If he cannot answer these and the like questions, let him not pretend to perfection in such a sense as no sednt in sacred writ, or any of the mar- tyrs, ever pretended to. If he does not see any im- perfection in himself, or that he does not fall short of God's glory in every thing, I apprehend that he never had any true convictions of sin, nor ever saw the spi- rituality of the law of God. " Thus I have, my dear brother, sent you in the simplicity of my heart my thoughts, according to the light I have from the word of God, and my own ex- perience. Let us, according to the grace given, be diligent and watch over each other ; and may we be mlling always to give up or maintain any thing as we find the word and experience condemn or justify it. That which we do not know the Lord will teach us. Let us be always learning. I hope I write in love and that you will read it in the same spirit. I trust the Lord will incline your heart to write to me in order to make things clearer. Let us communicate our knowledge to each other ; and may the Lord kindly knit our hearts together in all things." What a loving christian spirit prevailed in Harris' breast, in the midst of all the storms that gathered around him, the following letter to Wesley shews. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 89 Such elements as are set forth in it would, if practised, easily and soon bring Christians into an evangelical alliance. — Trefecca, Oct. 24, 1741. " Dear brother Wesley, " My Lord has brought me to my native country again. I find that He owns some preachers in an especial manner to publish the glad tidings : giving them an amazing power. But it did not suit old nature very well ; although I had prayed to the Lord to use any means to humble me, yea if it should please Him to take my gifts and jDOwer, and give them to others, so that I might see his work carried on any way. I found my carnal heait rebelling until I had help to look to Jesus my Physician, and then I was set free. " I was also delivered from another sense of bond- age, arising from self, that I felt stirring in me on hearing of the uneasiness occasioned by some of our Baptist friends who, by preaching and printing against Infant baptism, were drawing some of om* people over to them. When I found that my heart did rise against them, I considered that if they were actuated by bigotry, it might be the same thing that moved me against them. But tlie blood of Jesus, that justified me before God, has a cleansing virtue, so that from his wounds soon flowed to me love, ten- derness, and pity to them, and to souls likely to be hurt by such proceedings. I however found the Lord was much with me, as usual, blessing the Word. " O when will the time come that we shall agi'ee ? Till then may the Lord enable us to bear with one an- other. We must, before we can be united, be truly sim- ple, — made really humble and open to conviction, — willing to give up any expression that is not scriptural, — dead to our own names and characters, and sweetly inclined towards each other, — every one confessing what has been amiss in our speech and conduct towards each other. Otherwise Satan, through the remainder of self in us, will rend us farther asunder from each 90 LIFE AND TIMES OF Other. Every one will seek the name of having drawn the other over, implying that the other was wrong; which evil, if not seen, mourned over, and suhdued by the blood of Christ, will make us stiff and apt to jus- tify ourselves, but not to yield in the least to each other.* " You heard of the letter I wrote to the Society in London. I stated how near we agree in meaning, though not in expression. Blessed be our Lord, that gives us to talk together without passion ! May He give us more and more of his Spirit. Then we shall bear more — and be more able to understand one another. I hope we have, in some measure, drank of the same Spirit, that we fight against the same enemies, and are under the same Crown and Kingdom. We travel the same naiTow road, and love the same Jesus. We are clothed in the same glorious Eobe of Christ's imputed Righteousness, hunger after the same holiness, and mourn and wait for the same liberty. We are soon to be before the same throne, and employed in the same work of praise to all eternity. While then we are on the road, and meet with so many enemies, let us re- member our Lord's last command, to love one another. And if we really carry on the same cause, let us not weaken each other's hands. I know of no reason why I am thus brought to interfere between my Lord's dear servants, but because there is in me less qualifi- * Harris used to make similar observations in his letters, to other friends, on this favorite subject, such as the following : — " We want nothing towards an union but 1st, — To wait the I.ord go- ing before us, not being in a hurry. 2dly, — To be truly humble, and willing to own and confess our faults to each other. 3dly, — To love each other sincerely, to bear with one another, and to be patient ; not to misconstrue each other's meaning, but to ask what is meant by aoy expression objected to. 4thly, — We should aim to glorify God in this matter, and submit the whole to Him ; to open our whole hearts and experiences to each other that we may truly know one another. " I see plainly we have our various messages ; one is sent to pro- claim in a more special manner this truth, and another to preach that truth, and a third to sustain another office. Though differently enga- ged we shall be fully taught and led into all truth ; we shall not then materially differ in expressions." HOWEL HiJlRIS, ESQ, 91 cations than in others for such a work. But when the Lord speaks through an Ass, it is the more clearly seen and known that it is of Him." These two eminent servants of Christ, Harris and Wesley, abounded in love towards each other. It was through that medium they viewed each other. In that they Uved and acted towards one another. It was their prayer, ' Let brotherly love continue.' Mr. Wes- ley shewed, in one of his journals, dated October, 1741, strong proof of his affectionate regards for his brother Harris. He states, being at Kingswood and hearing that Mr. HaiTis desired to see him at Bristol, — " I went and found him with IMr. Humplu*eys and Mr. S — . They immediately entered upon their favom'ite subject ; on which when we had disputed two hom's and were just where we were at fii'st, I beg- ged we might exchange controversy for prayer. We did so, and then parted in much love." On the fol- lowing day Mr. Wesley writes : — " Howel Han-is came to me at the New Room. He said that, as to the decree of reprobation, he denoun- ced and utterly abhorred it. And as to not falhng from grace, he believed that it ought not to be mentioned to the unjustified, or to any that were slack and careless, much less those that hved in sin ; but only to the earn- est and disconsolate mourners. He did liimself believe it was possible for one to fall away, who had been en- lightened with some knowledge of God, — who had tasted of the heavenly gift, and been made a partaker \ of the Holy Ghost ; and wished we could all agree [ to keep as close as possible in conti'overted points, f to the very words of Holy Writ. He said that he accounted no man so justified, as not to fall, until he had a thorough abiding hatred to all sin and a con- tinual hunger and thirst after all righteousness. Bless- ed be thou of the Lord, thou man of peace I still fol- low after peace and holiness." We shall close this subject with a letter of Harris to Whitefield in which he expresses his sorrow on the account of an error in some persons belonging to 92 LIFE AND TIMES OF them, and his joy by reason of a better understanding witli Wesley. "Oct. — l7U. " Dear brother Whitefield, " I beheve that jealousies will not be entirely eradicated until correspondence with those that in- dulge a party-spirit and are not like little children, ceases. I saw more than ever since I came home what carnal professors are. The Lord has helped me to bear my testimony against sin and to declare that all those, that labour for deliverance from the dominion of sin, self, and unbelief, shall be set free. They shall so behold the glory of God in the face of J esus Christ as to be changed into his image from glory to glory. — 2 Cor. iii. 18, Rom. vi. 14, viii. 2, 2 Pet. i. 4, 2 Cor. V. 15. When I mentioned this hberty from the power of sin, by Christ as a King, as well as liberty from the guilt of it, by Him as a Priest, I was abused as one holding sinless perfection. I find they have troubled your soul with this information. I have always stated that the body of sin remains in believers, but that the power of it is destroyed. We know that perfect love casteth out fear, and that we are then walking in the light of his countenance, — our joy is made full, and we are going from conquering to conquer. We shall find, by dwelling on sanctification, self and carnal rea- son in arms against us, just the same as the pride of the Pharisee is when we preach justification by faith. These opposers would be glad to influence you. They were in hopes to set brother Cennick and myself by the ears, but the Lord disappointed them. " Now as to brother Wesley ; the Lord gave me on a certain day such earnestness to pray for him, and such faith to beheve that he would be led into all truth, that all prejudices were removed, and I could speak unto him in love ; but still had no thoughts of so doing until he invited me to him, and then I opened my heart to him and told him how the Lord taught me every truth, — that 1 had no freewill until six years and a half ago. He allowed every thing, and said HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 93 that we, through grace, shall not fall away. I saw room to hope that the Lord would bring us together in the truth. As to freewill he utterly denied it. He f does really mean what he says. He did so openly in I Charles' square, God," said he, " is willing to save 1 you all, if you will. What I mean by saying if you i will is, not if you have a faint wish to go to heaven i but, if you will submit to Christ in all his offices for I salvation — if you are willing He should save you from sin as well as hell, else you cannot be saved.* " Brother Charles Wesley came to Town last Satur- I day night, and we providentially met ; he owned he had no freewill until four years ago, — that it was God 1 that chose liim first, and not he God, and that he is kept faithful by the faithfulness of God. — He spoke tenderly of you and seemed to be quite loving and 1 teachable." I Much misunderstanding is prevented by conver- sing on points in a suitable way as above. We ai'e reminded of the well-known interview between Simeon of Cambridge and Wesley. When the former called, in his prejudice, on the latter, asking him a few ques- tions on the principal doctrines of Salvation, which were answered to his satisfaction. *' I then," said Simeon, " put my sword in the sheath, shook hands with ]VIr. Wesley, and parted with him in peace." Having dwelt at some length on Harris' views of different subjects in religion we will now, in closing this chapter, insert a letter that gives some views of Harris respecting himself and others. It was written by him to his friend G — . " My very dear Sir, Great is the union and fellowship I enjoy with you. It is with great humility I thank you for all your kind notice of such an unworthy creature as I * We also agree as to the evil of this moral inability which Harris thus notices in one of his letters : — * Man says, what, can I do no- thing ? Have I no power of myself ? Am I a stick or a stone ? ' We are indeed as hard, dead, and senseless to God's calling and love, as a stone ! But we are worse than this ; the stone abides where you leave it, but we run away from God ! " 94 LIFE AND TIMES OF am, especially for the affectionate advice for my health. I assure you I shall practice it for conscience sake. For though, by reason of the depraved body I carry about with me, by means of which I daily offend the kindest of Fathers and most compassionate of Masters, and though in order that I may uninter- ruptedly see and enjoy Him and incessantly praise and adore Him, I long to go home ; yet I can assure you that I am very willing to take any course to strengthen frail nature, to lengthen my time here as our Master sees fit, especially on seeing the glorious prospect that now appears in the Church of Christ. " I am persuaded it is the dawn of a glorious day, after a long night of thick darkness. Indeed there is a glorious work going on now ; and I trust all the poor, sinful, unworthy worms, that the great Master- builder sees fit to employ, shall be more and more dehvered from self and made useful. He will supply them with all wisdom and strength for his own Name's sake. The thought of this supports our souls under a sense of the greatness of the work, — of the strength and vigilance of our enemies, and of all our blind- ness, weakness, and blunders ! O ! what an honor it is to be employed in any sense by the Majesty of the great Jehovah, who spans the heavens and num- bers the stars, whom the angels adore with veiled faces ! To be a judge in any assizes on life or death, or to be an ambassador of an earthly monarch, is of great moment ; but what is this to that of being em- ployed by the King of kings, whose meanest followers are kings and priests unto God ? Indeed six, we are very dim sighted in spiritual things. Our spiritual senses are but little exercised as yet. We do but be- gin to see that we do not see, and to know that all our knowledge in spiritual things, is but ignorance ! O how deep are we fallen. '* What pity should we have for poor souls that are yet unawakened to any sense of their misery, but alas laugh over their own destruction ! Every smile we see on their unconverted faces, as it proves that the strong HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ 95 man armed has yet all things at peace in them, ought to affect or distress our hearts ; and the more they talk, in their blindness of pitying our weakneas and sadness, the more we should mourn in secret places over their real madness, — following sense, sin, and Satan ; they spend their time in hunting after vanities, and amuse themselves with fancies that God is such a One as themselves ! But where am I going ? I wish my head were a fountain of waters or teai's, to mourn over these." In concluding, we introduce three of the Rev. W. WiUiams' stanzas on the bliss and glory of Saints in heaven, who now clearly understand those divine truths they here below saw as it were through a glass darkly. — 1 Arise, my fainting soal, arise, Leave earth's low scenes and mount the skies ; See yon exulting train, 'is ow freed from every chain ; Their slumbering bones in silent rest, Reposed on earth's parental breast ; Sleeping there — Wordly care And sorrows far remote — Till roused to life again by the last trumpet's note. 5 Their fleshly bonds are cast away, They bask at large in freedom's ray ; AflSiction, pain, and strife, Ne'er reach the fields of life ; There neither swords nor staves appear, Nor fiery passions domineer ; Balmy gales Fan die vales Of Sion's holy land ; The skies are still serene — the seasons ever bland. 6 Oh ! that myself had wings to fly And join the concert of the sky. Some anxious doubts to solve, Which in my mind revolve : * Are there vast numbers gone before Like sands upon the sounding shore. Shining bright, Day and night. For ever, ever singing, No cloud upon their brow, no grief their bosoms wringing' ? CHAP. Vin. IU2. HARRIS AND THE ASSOCIATIONS IN WALES. As THOSE remarkable religious metings, the associa- tions, were commenced and carried on under Harris' influence in no small measure, we shall now notice them, and transcribe the minutes of them as far as may be requisite to the design of the present work.* This we are enabled to do from the manuscript book, containing particulars of those associations, kept at Trefecca. We begin with the first item though it has already appeared in WiUiams Life. It is the follow- ing :— The Brethren in Wales did not meet above two years (once a month or once every two months ) before the date of this book. They examined many of the Exhorters, but no settled plan was formed un- til the 5th and 6th of January, 1742—3, when Mr. Whitefield was sent for.f It then seemed to be the will of the Lord, by the united hght of all the Bre- thren, after humbly waiting upon Him, and debating the whole matter, that Superintendents and Private Exhorters should be the order among the lay bre- thren ; that Harris should inspect them all ; and that the ordained Ministers should go about as far as they could ; that the Superintendents should each have a certain district, and that the Private Exhort- ers should inspect only one or two Societies and fol- low their ordinary calling." * It would be well if some of the others were inserted in some Welch magazine. + The Ecclesiastical year did not at that time end until after Easter. It seems that many noticed both the Ecclesiastical and civil years as above. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 97 The names of the members of the Association, are 1 the following : — ' "At an Association held at Watford, Jan. 5th, 6th, 1742—3. The Rev. G. Whitefield chosen Mode- rator; present Rowlands, Powell, Williams, Harris, Humphreys, and Cennick. Agreed that Jenkins, Beaumont, James, J. Lewis, B. Thomas, and J. Jones, should be Public Exhorters : that R. Tibbut be the General Visitor of the Bands : that certain Brethren, whose names were mentioned, should be Private Exhorters : that no Exhorters should be received among us, but such as are tried and approved of, and that no one shall go beyond his present limits, without previous advice and consulta- tion : that each Exhorter should bring an account of his respective Societies to the next Association, which is to be on the first Wednesday after the 25th day of March, 1748. The Lord was pleased to be with the Brethren and seemingly to countenance then consulta- tion. Gloria in excelcis Deo." A monthly meeting or Association was held at Llanddeiisant, Feb. 3, 1742 — 3. This has often been mistaken for the first Association. However it was much blessed of the Lord. Rowlands, Williams, Har- ris, and others, were present. As a specimen of their appointments of Superintendents and Exhorters I will here name a few, as the following : — " John Jones, of Caio, to settle near Neath, and to overlook, every other week with John Richards, the Societies at Creinant, Hafod, Neath, Palleg, Cwmam- on, Llandeilo-Fach, lilangyfalach, Llansamled, Llan- Mi7iisters. " Rev. G. Whitefield, " D. Rowlands, " W. Wilhams, Public Exhorters. H. Harris, J. Humphreys, J. Cennick, H. Jenkins, J. Beaumont, J. Lewis, J. Jones, R. Tibbut." H. Davies J. Powel], T. Lewis, 98 LIFE AND TIMES OF ddeusant, Blan-llywel, Casllwchwr, Llanon, Penbre, and Defy nog, assisted by Jefirey David at Llanddeu- sant, J. Powell at Defynog, J. Jones at Llywel, E. Morgan at Pentre, G. Philips at Neath and Hafod." There were meetings held soon afterwards, for the arrangement of Superintendents and Exhorters and other matters, before the approaching Association and preparatory for it, at Trefecca, Feb. 7th, 1742 — 3; Dyffryn, in Montgomeryshire, Feb. 17, 1742 — 3; Llanwrtyd, in Breconshire, — and Glan-yr-afon-ddu, March 1st, 1742 — 3- I shall transcribe a few propo- sitions of the Association made there : — "That all Public Exhorters should have about 12 or 14 Societies to overlook, with the assistance of the other Exhorters, twice in a month : that T. Willi- ams should overlook the vale of Glamorgan Societies and part of Monmouthshire ; J. Lewis part of Mon- mouthshire and part of Breconshire ; T. Jones part of Monmouthshire and the other side of the Passage ; T. James part of Breconshire and part of Kadnor- shire ; J. Jones part of Kadnorshire and Hereford- shire ; J. Beaumont and H. Jenkins to assist Harris in the general visiting of them all in Wales and the English brethren : that the Associations of Ministers and Exhorters in England and Wales should, by rea- son of the great distance between them, be held only once every half year ; that the English and also th€ Welch brethren should meet once between these. This seems to be the voice of God's Spirit drawing m into a better order." At the General Association held at Watford, Apri f)th, 1743, present Whitefield — Moderator, Williams T. Lewis, Davies — a dissenting Minister, Harris, Jen kins, James, Beaumont, Hughes, J. Lewis, T. Willi- ams, and Adams. Propositions before mentioned wer( accepted. The brethren were appointed by name : th( Societies to be under their care were named ; also th< Exhorters and Stewards that were to assist them The same plan extended over all the counties of Soutl Wales and Montgomeryshire. It was also agreed — \ HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 99 " That the Superintendents should have the Hberty to preach on their journies : that Harris should be Superintendent over Wales, and go to England when called : that all persons, who think they have a call to exhort, should make application to one of the monthly Associations, by which their gifts, gi'aces, and call, dre to be closely examined, and, if ajjproved of, to have such a district as the Association may think fit ; and that the approbation must be signihed to the General Association : that the Superintendents shall send an account of what God has done, in their j^articular dis- tricts, to London every month, directed to Mr. J. Sirans, Charles' square, Hoxton, for the Minister of the Tabernacle.* That each Superintendent shall have a book wherein he shall wi-ite the names of each of their Private Exhorters, and the names of each member of their Private Society, and report the state I of each Society to the General Association. " That the next quarterly Association shall be held at Trefecca, on the first Wednesday after Midsummer- day : — that a Secretary shall be chosen, for eveiy monthly meeting, who shall take down in a book the minutes of the proceedings : — that there shall be a monthly Association in each of the South Wales coun- ties : — that the monthly Associations shall consist of an ordained Minister as a Moderator, the Superintendent of the district, and his Assistants : — that each Associa- tion shall begin and end with prayer and exhortation : — that all Superintendents shall be present, not ex- cepting the Private Exhorters : — that the Private Ex- horters shall not, in their journies, send their Pub- lications or Notices of preaching, to any place ; but speak in any private house, to the family and neigh- bours, if desired. — The Association was opened with prayer and a sermon, preached by the Rev. G. White- * The Tabernacle was the chief seat of the English Connexion and Associations ; at the head of which Hairis was finally placed by Whitefield. To it the accounts of the religioixs proceeding in Wales would of course be very encouraging and interesting. It is probable that the substance of tliem would be inserted in the Weehlif Histury. K 100 LIFE AND TIMES OF field, with great power, on 'Enoch walked with God/ The whole Association was carried on with great unity and love. The brethren parted with each other praising and blessing God for what He had done — still expecting to see greater things." Philip, in his Life of Whitefield, gives this account of his attending the above Association : — " After preaching at Bristol and Bath, he went to Watford, in South Wales, and there attended the first Associa- tion of the Welch Calvinistic Methodists.* All who know how much Wales owes to the meeting of this union, and how often and signally they have been Pentecost scenes, well accounting for if not excusing the shouts of ' Gogonia?it,' ' Bendigedyj iddo,' will learn with pleasure that Whitefield ' Oi3ened the Association.' ' I opened it,' says he, ' with a close and solemn discourse on walking with God. Afterwards we betook ourselves to business ; settling the affairs of the societies until about two in the morning.' Next day they sat until midnight, — ' all acknowledged that God was with them.' Thus began that which event- ually immortalized Bala (bach !) and sainted Charles " p. 309. Now we proceed with further extracts out of the manuscript book. " At a monthly Meeting held at Ty- coedydd. May 25, 1743; present Rowlands — Mode- rator, Harris, and others, agreed, — " That there shall be a hox in each Society, under the care of one or two Stewards, to receive weekly collections towards God's cause ; and that each Pri- vate Exhorter shall keep a book, containing the names of every one in the Society, and shall bring it to each Quarterly Association, with the money that can be spared, by mutual consent, for the public use." " At an Association held at Trefecca, June 29, 30, 1743 ; present Whitefield, Rowlands, Harris. — The Association was opened with great seriousness by a word of exhortation from Mr. Whitefield who, after. * this may be termed tlie Hrst Gentnal Association. Another iS' mentioned before, p. 97, HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 101 singing a hymn wherein the presence of the Holy Ghost was invoked, offered up a prayer with great power, and then the brethren proceeded to business. First was brought before them a letter from J. Kich- ards — a Public Exhorter, in which he objected to the division of the members in the Societies into married, single, and widows. At the end of his letter he gave the following account of the Societies : — " At Llanon there are many sweet souls, full of zeal and love and are growing apace. There is a wonderful out-pouring of the Spirit of God on them. They are often made, under a sense of the goodness of God, to cry out, 'Blessed be God for Jesus.' At Llandeilo- Fach, there are some that go on tolerably well, but are mostly under some measure of unbelief. At Neath they are more than conquerors through Him that loved them. At Creinant, Pallefj, and Gnap, they are some- what dry, with a few exceptions. At Llansamled they are under a sense of their corruptions. There are but two that enjoy liberty. However I trust that the Lord is doing great things for them. Amen." We shall here give an extract from another person's account of Societies under his care in Pembrokeshire, sent in a letter to another Association : — "The love of our dear Immanuel at length con- strains me to acquaint you how it has been with me since our last monthly Meeting, when you gave me charge over the seveial Societies here mentioned. — But how can I, an infant in experience, presume to hold, as it were, the scale to weigh souls in ? And what a detriment if I should mislead them in their discernment between flesh and spirit, — love to God and self love \\ It was a teiTor to my soul, not only that I might occasion grief to the souls of men, and reproach to the ways of God, but also unfaithfulness to Christ ! The burden was so intolerable that both body and soul were ready to sink under it. However I met, on the 13th instant, the flock of Prendergast, and Usmaston, at Ffenton, about 25 in number. The dew of God's love showered down upon us, until we 102 LIFE AND TIMES OF were almost overwhelmed in the ocean of joy and love. J. Harris."* In the account of another, it is said, — " I find more good in the complaints of some people than in the praises of others." In J. Richards' account of the Societies in Neath dis- trict, we read, — " They cannot eat, drink, nor sleep with comfort, until they find Him whom their soul loveth ! To be without God's presence is most distressing. It is one thing to speak evil of sin, and another to hate it." The Superintendents sent written accounts of their Societies to the Associations, if they could not attend. The other Superintendents gave in their accounts in a more minute manner. The following is a speci- men of one of them : — " Goytrey Society, 9 in number ; Jones, the Private Exhorter, serves the office of a Steward among them, I believe, faithfully. They testify that God has won- derfully blessed them. Mynyddistlwyn Society. They are 10 in number, and have 2 Stewards over them. I and others are enabled to speak with much power among them. They meet privately once a week, and find as much or more benefit by that means than any other. Trefethin Society, 1 9 in number. They walk unblameably, and I trust are growing in the knowledge of the Lord. Most of them have a feeling sense of God's pardoning love. Cwmdu Society : — They are 12 in number, having one Steward, and one Private Exhorter, among them. They have so much of the presence of the Lord sometimes, that they cannot re- frain from crying out, — ' Lord, it is enough.' They feel so much in private prayer, that they wish not to leave until they depart and be with Christ ! Llanddeusant Society, in Carmarthenshire : — They are 28 in number. They are set in order, having two Stewards and a Pri- vate Exhorter among them. They can testify that the power of God's Spirit is among them." * The Public Exhortors, who were Superintendents under Harris, were men of deep experience, and good judgment ; knowing their own nothingness and great responsibility. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 103 I shall give the account of another Superintendent, Thos. James, who is still more minute, and according to the requisition of the Association. Biiilth Society : — T. Bo wen. Private Exhorter. Names. State of the Members. T. James, Full testimony abiding. T. Bo wen, In great liberty. E. Bowen, Somewhat deserted. A. Baisdel, Sweet experience, but weak. M. Bowen, Earnestly seeking Jesus. Cases in other Societies. J. Jones, J. Evans, EHza Evans, In much bondage — waiting. Weak in grace — waiting. In much doubts through the strength of corruption. This word sealed to her, — ' I have loved thee with an ever- lasting love.' Sweet evidence of God's love. Closely walking with God. In a safe way — waiting. " In her first love. Very legal. On the borders of glory. Justified, but in the furnace. Full testimony — close walk. Corruptions cloud her testimony Fighting with her coiTUi)tions." Very dai*k, but earnestly seeking. Compelled by love to beheve. Full testimony in the Sacra- ment." The Connexion increasing rapidly, it became inex- pedient, and even impossible, to state the experiences of all the members, if collected, at the Association, for want of time. But such a plan would be very useful for Ministers in theu' several spheres. They have the oversight of their people, and should know the state of each ; while they have reason to pray much to the M. Jones, C. Jones, D. Evans, S. Evans, " M. Evans, A. Kice, E. Williams, K. Wilhams, C. Jones, A. Wilhams, M. Price, J. PoweU, Kate Grove, S. Kice, 104 LIFE AND TIMES OF Lord that they may give an account of their steward- ship with joy. A Monthly meeting or Association, was held April 17th, 1744, at Glan-yr-afon-ddu. Harris, Rowlands, Williams, and others, were present. " It was agreed, — " That D. W. Rees should go and acknowledge what he had spoken amiss in discourse to Mr. G. Jones, be- fore Mr. Davies ; and, on their being reconciled, be admitted again as an Exhorter. That we should look out for proper persons to catechise all within and with- out our Societies, in order to establish the lambs in the knowledge of the sound principles in Mr. Gr. Jones' catechism. That, for the better regulating of catechising, the Superintendents, after proper persons are called to the work, should be present to assist. Se- veral Catechists were appointed, among whom was W. Hughes of Nottage. It was recommended that cate- chising be set up and carried on in such a manner as may be most profitable, and so as to stir up all to search the Scriptures more. We agreed to Communi- cate in the parish churches, and to advise the people to do so." "At the Association held Liang eitho, August 12, 1744, it was agreed, — " That all should zealously stir up the people to a strict walk with God, and to bear fruit to his glory and honor." "At the Monthly Association held at Trefecca, Oct. 23, it was agi'eed, — " To keep a day of humilia- tion, to be employed in prayer and suitable exhorta- tions to the people, in our own families, and in pri- vate ; and to keep such a day once a month from henceforward, to mourn over our own sins and those of the whole Church and the world, but especially those committed in the seat of war, and in our own nation ; — also, to remember our persecuted brethren ; and to stir up the people to holiness and fmitfulness to the Lord." " At an Association held at Blaen-y-glynn, July 3j 1745, two letters were received, one from J. Richarda3 and the other from R. Tibbut, being under some difH HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. lOo ficulty how to act at the present time. They were ap- prehensive that they should be pressed for the army, if they went to preach in some places they had been in the habit of visiting before. They asked whether they should, in order to be safe, take a Licence to preach. Most of us therefore thought that such as the enemy could not touch, should go and preach in those dangerous j^laces, and that others should go more privately, and use all simple wisdom, as this is only a trial for a time. But we agi-eed that, if the persecution should become general, and the Gospel stopped, an appeal should be made to the Legislature, and if rejected, to the Bishops ; and tlien, if om- liber- ty be wholly taken from us, our way would be cleai* to a separation. "At an Association held at Trefecca, Aug. ^^th, 17^5, Harris — Moderator. We had a sweet meeting for several hours. We were much refreshed by hear- ing of the means the Lord had used in North Wales, when the door had been shut against the word, to bring the Gospel to the towns by a young man that had been pressed for the Sersdce. He was encouraged, and even asked to preach in the towns by the captain, who stood by him with a drawn sword in his hand to de- fend hhn while he preached ! These were some of our reasons that God would not give up this nation not- withstanding all ; — " Namely, the infinity of his grace, — his havin"' a Church, and that countenanced by Him from the Re- formation until now, — the late Revival in so eminent and singular a manner, even without the ordinary, — his continuing to carry it on, notwithstanding all op- position, even until now, — his keeping the minds of the labourers still catholic and active, and far from separation, — aflbrding us liberty hitherto, and keep- ing the laws free, and not abused for persecution. " Harris gave a warm exhortation ; and having pray- ed and sung, and opened our hearts to each other, we were very happy and blessed. Surely the liOrd was among us, and verily blessing us. 100 LIFE AND TIMES OF Harris gives an account, in the following letter to Whitefield, of the success of the Gospel under the preaching of some Ministers in Wales, already named, who laboured with him in England at times, — also, of success under others : — "Feb. 12, 1743. '* The work goes on more and more sweetly every- where with us. I trust we shall have good order. The Exhorters shew a very tractable spirit, each ob- serves his place, and we have sweet harmony and love, and the lambs are taken better care of than ever. Great power attends the Ministers and Exhorters in their several places. Much does the Lord bless bro- ther Herbert Jenkins. I saw him this week on his return from Pembrokeshire, Glamorgan, and Carmar- thenshire. He is universally owned and liked, and called for ; and unless his call be exceedingly clear to Wiltshire, I do not think he should go, except it were occasionally, especially as brother Adams is coming on so sweetly. But brethren Beaumont, T. James, Jenkins, and myself, may perhaps alternately visit our English brethren, if wc are called for, and see that our Saviour blesses us there. " I have been able to visit the Societies in every place where I have been since I left you; and my dear Lord favours me with continual employment every day, — and gives me strength in my body. He favours rne in some places with his presence in a very wonder- ful manner; our hearts are inflamed, and our souls much drawn out by a spirit of supplication for all, especially for all the Ministers: and He sometimes gives great freedom to pray for the Bishop and Clergy. Brother T . Leivis, the young Clergyman near Brecon, comes on gloriously and powerfully, and has very sweet union with us. He will be a shining hght indeed. " The work in Car dig an shire is uncommon. I hope to be there in about a fortnight : I am now go- ing towards Montr/omery and Radnorshire. The first of March we are to have another Associaton near Llan- dovery, Carmarthenshire ; from whence I hope to go HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ 107 to Pembrokeshire, and so to have settled all the Soci- eties against our next meeting at Watford, where I trust our Lord will send you once more. " Feb. 14. Since I wrote the above, I saw brother W. Williams on his return from brother Rowlands. He informed me of tlie enemy's being let loose on them both, in discoursing near the sea-side, in part of Car- diganshire. There came a company of ruffians, upon them, armed with guns and staves, and beat them unmercifully ; but they escaped, through the care of the good Shepherd, without much hurt ; only brother Rowlands had one wound on his head. They were set on by a gentleman of the neighbourhood. But no wonder the enemy rages, when he sees his kingdom so set upon. Yesterday I heard brother Williams preach sweetly and powerfully indeed. The spirit of brother Rowlands seemed to rest in a gi'eat measure on him." We conclude this chapter with a few extracts from Harris letter to some religious Societies in South Wales. — ''London, Any. 27, 1743. My dear fellow Pilgi'ims, " Notliing can give true happiness but con- stant enjoyment of Christ by faith. " It is a good sign if you daily see more and more of your ignorance, bUndness, and depravity, and long more after Christ. " I would rather have a heart disposed to mourn over fallen man, than to be able to speak as an angel. *'It is a common thing to pray for, and converse about, the work of the Spirit, having little or no appre- hension, at the same time, of the presence of God and his greatness. Consequently they have neither tme humility, nor a watchful spirit ; godly fear, nor a zea- lous desire for the glory of God. Then it is not to be wondered at if we do not improve in the use of the means of grace. We do not feed by faith on Christ the Bread of life, in them ; neither do we see Him through them ! Alas we are satisfied with a small im- 108 LIFE AND TIMES OF pression of fervent love, not viewing the free, eternal love of God, in and through the biood of Christ. " When we walk in the light of, and near, Jesus, we see our own corruptions and sins, so odious and dread- ful, that we dare not mention the faults of others but to the Lord, weeping ; or to themselves, in love. " We are not governed by the Spirit of God, if the consideration of the graces, gifts, and liberty of others, do not produce in us real joy and gratitude to God for them. And we do not love souls as we should if a view of their sins, infirmities, and temptations, excite no godly sorrow in us, and grief on their account. We are very weak in graces if we do not consider it the greatest privilege to do something for Christ daily. " We perceive how the wisdom of God has ordered all his creatures, the one as well as the other, in his own proper place ; and how He has given every one in the moral world his own gifts, his place, and proper situation, over-ruling every one as He pleases. They may not see Him, nor understand that they accomplish the great ends of his purpose ; they may not view his glory, but their own profit and honor ; and shall con- sequently be punished by the Lord. How much more, then, do ye think, does He order, in his infinite wis- dom, every one in his own place, in his house and Church, which is his bride and family ? " When the Spirit is pleased to bring us into this happy union, and when each sees his own proper jDlace and work, and surrenders himself to the Lord, to be qualified by Him, we shall increase daily in that blessed union ; and God Himself will walk in the midst of us, to feed and to lead us, and to change us more and more continually into his own image : In the mean time, let us pray for each other, and watch against pre- judice, and evil-surmising, and every thing that is like^ ly to cool love." ' ' CHAP. IX. 1743. HARRIS AND THE ASSOCIATIONS IN ENGLAND. We shall now view Hanis in London. His connexion and acquaintance became here more extensive than is generally known. He, with several other Ministers, laboured under Whitefield at the Tabernacle, and else- where ; and his influence and power were considerable. It appears as if it had been their intention to unite the Welch Calvinistic Methodists and the Tabernacle to- gether. As Harris w^as a conspicuous character in that body of Christians, we shall give a fuller account of him here than has yet aj^peared. It is taken out of the book kept by the Society in which all their chief i proceedings were recorded. Thus Harris notices his [journey to London at this time in his Journal : — S "In the year 1744, I was called again to England, i where I found the glory of our Saviour breaking forth among the people. Many ai'ose from under the law, and saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ ; — The completeness of his Atonement, with the mystery 1 and glory of his precious blood. The enemy, seeing those precious truths prevailing, made a great stir within doors, when he could do nothing by persecu- tions. Those who had aquiesced, and were satisfied with the light in their heads without having it in their hearts, began to speak very unguarded things which caused great division. Many, however, had true faith to feed on the Saviour, and they shall live for ever." Thus far is the statement of his visit to England at this time, in the life that is published. I shall now proceed to make some extracts respecting him at this period, out of the Society's book belonging to the Ta- bernacle's Connexion. It is called : — " A Conference book, — including a general account ol' the affairs of the Tabernacle, before and after the 110 LIFE AND TIMES OF separation of Cennick — account of the Preacliers, La- bourers, Trustees, in connexion with Mr. Whitefield, from Dec. 1743, to 1747, and continued to 1749." , Whitefield having, in 1744, embarked for Georgia, from Plymouth, committed the care of the Tabernacle and other places to Cennick, but who, owing to some disputes, separated from that Connexion. The Taber- nacle Society was gathered through the means of Whitefield when he separated from Wesley on ac- count of sinless Perfection, Perseverance, and Univer- sal Redemption. It seems that they held Associations similar to those among the Welch Calvinistic Methodists, having no doubt witnessed their utility. The first, according to these accounts, was held in Bristol ; and the following is a brief statement of this and others : — i " At an Association held, in Bristol, March 20th, 1744. Present Harris, Cennick, Pugh, Price, Jen- kins, Hamond, Cottle, Adams, Godwin, Beaumont, (Jross, Ingram, Cud worth, Lewis, Edwards, Vines, Hogg, Thorn, Scott, Humphreys, Agreed, — " That Infant Baptism is truly Scriptural ; and that none should administer the Sacraments but such as are Ordained. That there is but one justifying faith ; that there are degrees in it ; that there is some degree of persuasion, or confidence, attending true faith ; that our sins are forgiven ; that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, and that we are heirs of the king- dom of God ; that the first moment any one believes, or looks unto Christ, and receives Him into his heart, he becomes one with Him ; and the union between Christ and that soul is never dissolved afterwards, world without end ; that true faith always produces good works, and that such works shall be rewarded in the last day, openly, before men and angels. Yet are they in no ways the cause of our salvation : We are loved freely, justified freely, without any respect td any work done by us, or in us, or by any other, save* Jesus Christ. We believe that every sweet frame, all gifts, graces, virtues, are very precious things, and thali : HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. Ill we should thank our Saviour for them, because they are very comfortable, adorn the Gospel of God, and glorify Jesus Christ in the Church, and before the world. That all expressions not scriptural, which give offence, or are found to convey a bad meaning, shall be given up. That Cennick enquire at Studley if Scott has been blessed to souls there, and if so, he is to visit them there as before, at his leisure. That Cross should insert a paragraph in the Gloucester journal to declare that the Scriptures are the Word of God, written by holy men as they were moved by tlie Holy Ghost." The next Association met in London, in 1745. The statement of it is thus given : — At an Associa- tion held at the T ahernacle-house , — present Cennick, Harris, Hamond, Adams, Pugh, Godwin, Heatly, Thorn, Simns, and Salmon. Cennick opened his mind. — He thought our Saviour called him to join the Moravian Brethren. He delivered up the care of the Tabernacle to Harris and parted very lovingly. The Societies in Wiltshire were given up to Cennick, as they chose him. Two or three of the Preachers went with him. — That Harris should stay over Christmas, and then be released by Jenkins, whom Harris received to assist him, after speaking carefuUy to him on the mystery and Godhead of our Saviour, until the begin- ning of February ; and that Harris should then come up and stay until the next Association in March.* "Association held in Bristol, March 7th, 1746. Present Harris, and others. Nothing was settled but that each should take his Rounds ; Adams to London until April ; Jenkins — until May. Harris to release him in May, and stay there until the Association in June. "Association held in London, June 18th, 1746. Present Harris, and the rest. After prayer we con- sulted about taking the Play-house, in the Hay-mar- ket, Westminster, offered to us. Agreed, — * I see nothing in these accounts that leads oue to think of the doctrine that was so much on Harris' mind. L 112 LIFE AND TIMES OF " We should keep the room at Lambeth, as before. — That henceforth the tickets should be delivered to every band and class by their visitors ; and that they, after consulting the Minister, should take care of the money." Other points were settled. Then the Stations and Journeys of the Preachers ; some to go to Dept- ford and Lambeth, some to Essex, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire : one to Portsmouth, and another to Bristol ; one to Chinnor, Tewkesbury, Hereford, Lud- low, Shrewsbury, and Wales. Harris was to go down to Wales, and come up to London, August 21, and stay there until the Association in Sept." Moreton Hill, Se'p. 18th, 1746. Present Harris, and others. Godwin confessed his errors, and was sorry for several wrong expressions he had used. As the brethren were tender of him, and yet fearful to receive him lest he should be unsettled, it was agreed he should go with Harris to Trefecca, and stay with him for some time : he was allowed, however, to ex- hort. Then the Preachers, after discussions, were ap- pointed to itinerate in different places. Leominster and Birmingham were added to the above Stations. ''Bristol, Jan. 22, 1746.— Present J. Wesley, Harris, Godwin, Smith, Hogg, Humphreys, Vine, Scott, Adams, Stevens, Ingram, Relley, Jenkins, Wes- ley's Assistants, Hardwick, Westall, Trimbath, and Haughton. After prayer it was enquired, — " 1st, — How we may remove any hindrances of bro- therly love which have occurred ? 2nd, — How we may prevent any arising hereafter ? It was feared that, in consequence of Mr. Wesley's preaching in Nealh, there would be a separation in the Society. He answered, — *Ido not design to erect a Society at Neath, or any town in Wales, where there is a Society already, but to do all that in me lieth to prevent any such sepa- ration.' "We all agreed that, if we occasionally preached among each other's people, we should endeavour to' strengthen and not to weaken each other's hands, and prevent any separation in the several Societies. Thati HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. lis a biotlier from Wesley's should go with Hams, to Ply- mouth and the West, to heal the breach there made, and to insist on a spirit of love and its fruits among the people. Agreed, — that we should, on each side, be careful to defend each other's characters. After Wesley and his Assistants left, a letter from Le^^ds was read about printing the Weekly Papers, and then other matters were disposed of and the Journeys of the Preachers settled." " Association at Moreton Hill, Gloucestershire, Ap- ril 15, 1747. Present Harris, and the usual Preach- ers. After many things were discussed, and appoint- ments for Preachers made, it was settled that, — " Harris should go directly to Wales, — return to London by the latter end of May, and stay there until the Association in July." "Association held in London, July 1st, 1717. Present Kev. Mr. Bateman, rector of St. Bartholo- mew, Harris, Ward, Kobinson, Middleton, Satchwell, and the rest. Agreed that Robinson, after examina- tion, be admitted to exercise his gifts in prayer and exhortation among the Bands, under the inspection of a Minister, until next Association. — Conversed on most doctrines of Christianity, and had a happy union and agreement. Agreed, that one brother, at least, be always in the West, one in Bristol, one in Gloucester- shire and Wiltshire, one in Staffordshire and Salop, and three in London, Portsmouth, Olney, Chatham, and Essex. That Ingram should go with Harris to Wednesbury ; and then Harris by Birmingham to Wales, and return to Bristol by Aug. 28, where the next Association is to be held. That Simns, White- field's agent, give his office of keeping the books and accounts into Harris' hands." "Association held at Bristol, Aug. 28th, 1747. Present Harris, and others. After conversing and agreeing on several heads of Divinity, such as man's salvation being all of God, and his damnation all of himself, we settled the Rounds till next Association. Agreed, among other things, that Harris should 114 LIFE A^D TIMES OF go to Wales again until the Association. That Godwin should meet Harris at Builth. That our next Ass' ciation be at Gloucester. That next Michaelmas do be kept as a day of fasting and prayer among all the Societies." " Association held at Gloucester, 1747. Present Har- ris — Moderator, and others. Agreed, — That Harris should go dh'ectly to London, and thence by Wales to Bristol, by Jan. 3rd ; — thence to the West until the Association. That a day of fasting and prayer be ob- served, by all the Societies, everywhere on account of our own sins and those of all the Churches and nation, the 20th instant. That Harris should speak to Mi K , that we are willing to preach at his house usual; but that he is not to interfere with the affair^ of the Society. We are willing to keep it elsewhere. That Godwin should go to Tewkesbury, and Glouces- ter, — be at Bristol by January, and go from thence with Harris to the West." "Association held at Bristol, Jan. 27th, 174S Present Harris, and others. Agreed, — " That Han-ib should give an exliortation on becoming nothing be- fore the Lord, and giving up all our wills and wisdom to Him ; and on our acknowledging Him indeed as the Lord over all our words, looks, behaviour, and tem- per, so as to be patterns of diligence, seriousness, and all pious tempers. That Harris should go to Wale^ until next Association." "Association held in London, July 20th, 1746 Prcisent Whitefield— Moderator, Bateman, Harris, and others. Whitefield, after prayer and singing, opened his mind on several points ; — observing that, — " A- he had seen so much confusion by young men go- ing out rashly beyond their line, he would not la- bour with any that did not shew a teachable mind ^ and willingness to submit ; — to use all means for im- proving then- talents and abihties ; though he hated to affect headship, yet he must see every one acquaint- ed with his own place, considering themselves as can- didates on probation. Each of the brethren declared HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 115 lis willingness to use all means for improvement, — dewing him as a father. That Harris should go into W"ales until the Association." j "Association held in London, April 27, 1749. Pre- sent Whitefield, Harris, and others. Agreed that, — ' Harris should take the oversight of the Tabernacle md other Enghsh Societies and Preachers. — That ^Vhitefield should do all he can to strengthen the lands of Harris and others, consistent with his going )ut, preaching the Gospel at home and abroad." "Meeting at Aber^avennf/, June 2lst, J 749. Pre- sent Whitefield, Harris, and others. Agreed, — " That Barris should go to London in about two months' ime ; then meet Whitefield to settle the exact time >f the next Association, in three months' time." No minutes of Associations or Meetings are entered ere but such as are suitable to our pm'pose. "Association held in London, Sep. 1, 2, 3, 6, and , 1749. Present Whitefield, Harris, and others. As Jiere had been a want of true close heartwork and :ellowship among the brethren they continued to neet every day to pray and to confer, and to open heii hearts to each other. We came to a determina- "ion to stand by one another in connexion ; preaching he Lord Jesus in a catholic spirit to all tlie Church- 33 ; but as we are called in an especial manner in the Estabhshed Chm'ch we felt it oiu: duty to continue in ts communion. Being sensible of our utter inability :© perform the duties of love to each otlier, we trust .vhoUy to the Lord for strength that we may bear iach other's burdens — rejoice in each other's gifts and graces, — having but one heart, mind, and soul. We settled our Rounds, being firmly united to one another, ;o go any where with our lives in our hands — having iast up the account to be poor and dispised, — having lothing in view but to preach Christ crucified to poor dinners, to be apprehended by a living faith, of the )peration of God, productive of all the fruits of the Spirit, and gospel obedience to all the divine com- nands." 116 LIFE AND TIMES OF We do not find in the book, these extracts are taken from, an account of any more such Associations in England. It reflected much credit on Harris' piety, wisdom, and abihty, that he took a principal part in such remarkable Associations for several years without the slightest fault or blame laid to his charge. It is thus noticed in Lady Huntingdon's Life and Times, that Harris sustained this honorable Post : During Whitefield's absence in America Harris chiefly con- ducted the affairs of the Tabernacle." — p. 200. Neither is there any reason alleged why they were discontinued. However the labours of these eminent men, did not cease : the Seed they sowed in the differ- ent counties of England and Wales became very pro- ductive, and bore much fruit. Large congregations, and different bodies of Christians, no doubt, sprang up and were formed in those various places where they had preached. They have increased and multiplied ; nor will the extent of the good be known until the last day, when all things shall be made manifest. The work of grace afiected, like leaven, the whole commu- nity both in and out of the Church. It seems that Harris' ministry had been very bene- ficial to the eminent Lady Huntingdon, whilst engaged in London. It is noticed, in a letter written to him by Whitefield from America, which appears in her Ladyship's Life, thus : — " Whitefield, when writing to Howel Harris, from Bethesda, in Dec. 1746, says, — " Blessed be God for the good efiected by your minis- try at the Tabernacle, of which I have been informed by letters from Herbert Jenkins and Thomas Adams. The good Countess hath been there fi-equently, and much pleased I am told. She shines brighter and brighter every day ; and wiU yet, I trust, be spared for a nursing mother to our Israel. This revives me after the miserable divisions that have taken place amongst my EngHsh friends. I trust the storm is now blown over, — that the little flock will enjoy a calm. Her Ladyship's example and conduct in this trying affair, will be productive of much good. My poor HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 117 i prayers will be daily offered up to the God of all grace to keep her stedfast in the faith, and make her a burn- ing and a shining light in our British Island." — p. 88. It is probable that Lady Huntingdon, by her at- 1 tendance at the Tabernacle and attachment to Harris' j ministry, was led to think in a more particular manner i of Whitefield, and to desire a more intimate acquaint- ; ance with him as the servant of the Most High. No- i tice is thus taken, in her Ladyship's Life, of the way in which Whitefield was introduced to her by means of I Harris : — " After four years' absence he returns to Eng- land. How el Harris was at this time in London, having come thither with the Countess, whom he ac- companied from Wales. Her Ladyship having now ; drank in the same spirit with Mr. Whitefield, request- ed Mr. Harris to bring him to her house at Chelsea as soon as he came on shore. He went, accompanied 1 by Mr. Harris, and having preached tvdce, her Lady- ship wrote to him, that several of the nobility desired to hear him. This was on the 20th of August, 1748 ; and the next day Mr. Whitefield wrote to the Count- ' ess, saying, — " I am quite willing to comply with your Ladyship's invitation ; — blessed be God that the rich and great begin to have hearing ears. I think it is a good sign that our Lord intends to give some, at least, an obedi- ent heart. Sm'ely your Ladyship and Madam Edwin are only the first fruits. How wonderfully does our Redeemer deal with souls. If they will hear the Gos- pel only under a ceiled roof, Ministers shall be sent to them. If only in a church or a field, they shall have it there. A word in the Lesson, when I was last at your Ladyship's, struck me, — " Paid preached privately to 1 them which ivere of reputationy p. 89. I Thus a very close and endearing religious union ii was formed between these two celebrated Characters I' which proved so beneficial to the Church of God, — I chiefly by the instrumentality of H. Harris, White- !| field became her Ladyship's Chaplain, and she was i' most prominently named in his will, wherein she was 118 LIFE AND TIMES OF invested with power for the management of his pubUc concerns and institutions. — Most happy in many re- spects were the results of Harris' connexion with the Tabernacle. There is no doubt but that there was much attach- ment between Harris and the Societies under his watchful eye in England, London, and especially that body connected with the TahernacJe. I met with a copy of a letter lately, which he addressed to his bre- thren at that much-honoiu-ed Place of worship. It is all excellent. The following lines are extracts out of it:— '^Feb. 12, 1741—2. My very dear fellow Travellers, " Happy you that have found the Pearl of great price. Oh what have you foimd in Christ ! In Him God is your Tather, and all He has is yours ; — all his Attributes are for you. His very justice pleads for you. He has made a way for his love to flow, without inter- mission, hke a river to your soul. His power and faithfulness are all for you. The more wounds you have yet unhealed, and the more ignorance is yet not dispelled by his glorious Hght, the more pity He has for you. WhdX do you not enjoy in Christ ? — 0 then look continually to Him. — When the eternal plan of your salvation was laid, all yom' guilt and corruptions were before the Saviour's eye. When He engaged to save you, He knew you had nothing to pay, therefore He was willing to pay all. He saw you had no will to come ; therefore He undertook to cast out the strong man armed, and to make you wiUing,— giving the hght of his glorious Gospel to shine in your souls, thus de- throning the God of tliis world that had bhnded your eyes. He saw that you could not be fruitful but as He would make you ; therefore in Him is your fruit found ; and He has ordained that vou might go and bear fruit. He saw that you had many strong, near, and subtile enemies, and tliat you could not overcome them, therefore He became your Captain and King, and overcame all Himself, and has bruised their head in HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 119 entering your soul ; and has engaged to cast them all out by little and little, and to reign until He has put all your eneaiies under his feet ; so that you, being delivered out of their hands, might ser^^e Him in holi- ness and righteousness. He saw that when He had given you faith, you would not act it, or make it grow ; He then engaged to be the Finisher of it : and when He saw that in your flesh dwelt no good thing, and that if your salvation should depend on your own exertions all would be lost, He then undertook to keep you by his own power through faith, and took all on his own responsibility ; so that because He changes not none shall pluck you out of his hands. And as He is great- er than your hearts, and has power over all yom' ene- mies. He can and will give you eternal life, — 0 glori- ous Covenant ! 0 blessed Saviour ! " 0 distinguishing grace ! Methinks I see you all in tears of admiration, love, and self-loathing, saying, * What, am I, — a child of hell, made a child of God ? what, a child of God ! So nearly related to Him ' 1 How can I bear to hear Thee, O Jesus, say, — ' I go to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God ; and with that love that my Father loved me, have I loved you ' ? Surely that is too high to be comprehend- ed, — too deep to be fathomed : It is a fi'ee, eternal, un- conditional and unchangeable love ! 0 hapi)y souls : and are you called to have fellowship with the Father and with the Son I What ! Fellow-heus with Christ ! And cannot He set out the nearness of the relation, wherein you are related to Him, but by calUng you his brethren, friends, and spouse ? And is Christ your Bro- ther, Friend, and Husband ? Can He then want pity and love, and readiness to help you in all your straits and difficulties ? Can He forget or be unmindful of your cries and groans ? Can you sujffer and He not sym- pathize with you ? Can any be your enemies, and not his too ? Can you fail to have any good thing, while Jesus is full of grace and truth ? Can you lose the way, while He is yoirr Leader ? Can you be lost while He is your Shepherd ? Can you be utterly overcome 120 LIFE AND TIMES OF while He fights your battles ? And can any storms cast you down, while He is a Rock beneath you, keep- ing you from sinking ? Can anything hurt you, when He watches over you and is resolved to make all things work together for your good ? You may, yea shall, suffer more or less with Him ; but you shall also reign with Him. Death can have no sting, when He has answered all the demands of the law for you. The de- vices of Satan himself, and evil men, and even the warring of corruption within you, shall be overruled by Christ for the glory of his grace and the good of your souls ! Surely we ought to rejoice in this Savi- our, admire and speak well of Him to all the world : and do all we can by our lives and words to bring all to love Him." Harris concludes this letter by directing his friends to correct abuses and faults, and to remove improper members from among them : — " Are you brought to the heavenly Jerusalem ? What a holy company, — Heb. xii. 22. Surely it would be then most unbecoming and dreadfully bad to have the language and spirit of the world among you ! How monstrous must railing and backbiting be among the disciples of the meek Jesus ! Pride, resentment, mur- muring, narrowness of mind, in the followers of the humble Lamb of God, are terribly dreadful, and must increase the crying sins of the nation. Are you called out of the world, and is your treasure in heaven ? What have you then to do with setting your affections on treasures here below ? What, a heaven-born soul to have his treasure on earth, and his heart in it ! The thought of it is painful and ridiculous. What, serve the two masters ! — Love God and the world ! It is impossible. 0 search narrowly the lovers of the world, the bigots of all sects, and selfish reasoners, who talk more than they know and feel of God and divine things. Whisperers, and idle loiterers, and proud un- broken sinners, — hypocrites. Weed them out ; remem- bering they arc objects of your censures, as well as dnmkards and harlots, and more likely to corrupt you. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 121 If you will indulge them you shall find that God will withdraw Himself from among you. Remember God sent to the highways and hedges to call you in, He found you in your blood ; — Ezek. xvi. 6 : He has done wonders for you when no eye did pity you. He has led you as dear children, — fed you with manna, and shall you then now dishonour his Name, and grieve his Sphit, and give room to his enemies to blaspheme, by your careless and light behaviour ? — Will you not, parents, shew spiritual tenderness to your children, watching over them, carying them in the arms of your faith before the throne, and using all means towards bringing them to the kingdom of the dear Immanuel ? And will not you, children, shew a spirit of pity, tenderness, and forbearance even towards your carnal parents and relations, and endeavour to shew them, by your meekness, love, and humility, that you have been I with Jesus ? — Shall not you, dissenters, shew that you I see that Jesus is no respecter of persons, but that He still has a few, even in this benighted Church, that have I not bowed the knee to Baal, and shew that it is the advancement of his Cause, and not your own parties, you have at heart, rejoicing to see Him ^'eforming us. And endeavour to root out that narrow principle that has had too deep a place in the minds of many of ; God's dear ones among you. " And you of the Estabhshed Church, when you see so many of the precious lambs of Christ among the j various denominations of Christians, a great means of I keeping the Gospel in the land, — shall you be resj^ect- I ers of persons, when your heavenly Father is not. — I If they received the Holy Ghost as well as we have, shall you not hold fellowship with them ? You are to i reign with them hereafter to all eternity. Christ has ' but one body ; there is but one Spirit : there is but one thing needful, — to know God in Christ reconciled to us. — Beware then of entertaining any end contrary to the unity of the Spirit ; and see that your conduct tends to this union." I We are happy, at the conclusion of this chapter, to 122 LIFE AND TIMES OF give an instance of Harris at one of Mr. Wesley's Con- ferences. As he was on very friendly terms with him, he was always gladly received at all his rehgious meetings. The excellent Pawson, an useful preacher in the Wesleyan connexion, gave an account of Harris at one of their Conferences, which is the following : — " Mr. Howel Harris attended one of our Conferences in London, held in Spitalfield chapel. He exhorted us to have faith in God, and to speak a word for Him wherever we came, especially when we met any one on the road. If I meet a poor man, said he, " I give him half-penny, if I have one. I always consider that the man has a soul as well as a body, and there- fore I say something to him respecting his eternal salvation. And if I meet a rich man, why should I be afraid of him ? For anything I know, he may be worse than the beast he rides. Perhaps the beast car- ries the devil upon its back!" To encourage us to trust in God under aU difficulties, he added, " I had at one time or another visited and assisted the poor and afflicted until I had contracted a debt of two hundred pounds. I however borrowed the money from a friend : But he, in a little time, wanted it for himself, and was under the necessity of desiring it to be returned. I was in very great distress, as I neither could pay the money myself, nor procure it from any one else, at the i time. I, being in this situation, kneeled down and made my request known to our blessed Saviour. I simply and reverently told Him my trouble, and the cause of it. I said most humbly, — ''O Lord, Thou knowest that I have not spent any part of this money upon myself ; I gave the whole of it to ihy servants — the sick and the poor ; and Thou hast said in thy holy word that " He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, will he pay him again." Now then, 0 Lord, I have, in faith, lent Thee two hundred pounds, and I now, mostf humbly, claim the promise, and expect Thee, most* graciously, to repay me, as Thou knowest that I amt distressed for want of it." It is surprising, I had no< HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 123 sooner made my request known to God than a gen- tleman farmer knocked at my door. He, upon enter- ing into my house, asked ; ' Is not your name Harris ? ' I replied ; ' Yes, Sir ; ' He said, ' Do not you visit and relieve the poor, some times ? ' I answered, * yes, I do, when I have something to relieve them with/ He re- plied, 'Providence has been kind to me of late and prospered me very much ; here are two hundred pounds, — if you will be so kind as to dispose of this sum, for me, I shall be obliged to you.' I returned ! the gentleman my most sincere thanks, — gi'atefully took the money, — paid my debts, and praised the Lord most cordially for his condescending mercy and love.' This I heard from Mr. Hai'ris' own lips. But not one individual, who was present then, is now living, but myself, unless Messrs. T. Taylor, T. Ran- kin, or J. Easton. J. Pawson." Pawson mentions another anecdote respecting H. Harris, whom he styles, — " The faithful servant of God — the Welsh Apostle. At this Conference," says he, " some of the Preachers began to call in question the power Mr. Wesley exercised over the Societies. But Mr. Harris pleaded his cause effectually, and among other things said, ' If Mr. Wesley should at any time abuse his power, who will weep for him if his own children will not ? ' These simple words had an astonishing effect upon the minds of the Preachers. They were all in teai's on ever}' side, and gave up the matter entirely." CHAP. X. 1743-1U4. THE PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN WALES, AS SET FORTH IN LETTERS. The progress of religion was wonderful in those days, as we shall see from the most faithful testimonies, — extracts of letters, from the field of labour, by those that were most eminently qualified. The first letter we insert for that purpose, is one from Harris to White- field. "March \st, 1743. " My dearest brother Whitefield. " I was last Sunday with brother Eowlands at the Ordinance, where I saw, heard, and felt, such things as I cannot communicate an idea of on paper. The power that continues with him, is uncommon ; such crying, and heart-breaking groans, silent weeping, holy mourn- ing, shouts of joy and rejoicing, as I never witnessed before. Their ' Ameml and crying 'Glory in the high- est^ would have inflamed your dear soul, had you been i there. It is very common, when he preaches, for \ \ scores to fall down by the power of the word, — pierced i and wounded by the love of God, and by a sight of \ s the beauty and excellency of Jesus ; — and lie down on ) the ground, — nature being overcome by the sight and j enjoyment of God, given to their heaven-born souls, so that it cannot bear any more : — the Sj^irit almost bursting the house of clay to go to its native home ! Some lie there for hours ; some praising and admir- ing Jesus Christ and free grace ; others wanting words ! to utter their minds ! You might read the language of an heart running over with love in their heavenly , looks ; their very eyes sparkling with love and joy and solid rest in God ; others meeting to sing when : the preaching is over. And you might feel God among them, as a flame, and they like Him ! You HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 125 might see others falling down on their knees, one after another, for a long time together, praying and inter- ceding : you might see and feel that it is the prayer of faith, and that they are worshipping a God they know and love, and delifjht in ; and that now scarcely a veil is between them and the Object of their adoration. Others lie wounded under a sense of their having pierced Jesus, so that they can hardly bear it. Others triumph over all their enemies ; and some are mourn- j ing and waiting for the Comforter. Such love and sympathy a spiritual eye can see and must acknow- ledge that God is there. However this is but a very faint idea of it ! For what words can express spiritual things ? But methinks I see you bow the knee, and say, ' I can bear no more ; I understand how it is.' — His congregations consist of, I believe, far above two thousand, whereof a great part is brought to glorious liberty and walk soundly and firmly in clear light ! Others are rejoicing in hope and expectation of a clearer manifestation of God's glory, and the glorious liberty of his children. All the rest are seeking and mourning ; and as the Spirit purges them inwardly, and unites them, they enter into outward order daily. All the rest, I believe, will gradually come on, as the Spirit works on them ; for we cannot go on well with the outward order, but as the soul is delivered from self love, and all confusion, hurry, and reasoning. Many of them are scattered up and down the country ; and being exceedingly poor, they are in such worldly circumstances, that they cannot come to that exact order and plan which you have in London. I see more and more daily, that what is right and much to edification in one place and among some people, is impracticable among others. In some of om' private Societies the Holy Spirit is uncommonly powerful indeed. We have left it to brother Rowlands to settle and unite them together in private Bands, and we find the good effect of it. He provides some glorious souls to exhort and watch over them ; some with more, and some with less, power. But I know not of 126 LIFE AND TIMES OF one that has been settled, but has also been blessed ; and we have reason to hope that they are where the great Head of the Church would have them to be. " O my brother, my heart is full, and I trust this will inflame your dear soul, and redound through the praises of many to God's glory. I am sure He is go- ing to do a great work in poor Wales. Since I wrote to you I have been out every day, settling the dear lambs, and there is a revival every where. I believe you will be detained here by Jesus Christ a longer time than you think. There are eight counties open for you and thirsting to hear you. Opposition ceases, so that I believe you will have many Churches open, besides Chapels ; and some new Houses for worship are building. — Poor Wales, ' the high and lofty One,' has not forgotten thee. — Beaumont is much owned in Radnorshire and Herefordshire." We shall now introduce another letter of Harris, on the progress of religion, to another much-beloved and successful brother, — Cennick. ''Haverfordwest, April 18, 1743. " My dearest, dearest brother, " I am persuaded the Lord sent brother White- field for very great ends among us at this time. He preached two extraordinary sermons indeed, with great power, at our Society at Watford, one on walking with God, the other on the believer's rest. Last Saturday he preached at the Town-hall, at Cardiff, where many that opposed brother W y, heard him very attentively, and were afiected. That night he preached again at Aberddaw, in the vale of Glamorgan, and stopped at Fon-mon castle, where we had gi'eat sweetness ; and many, that were prejudiced against him, were softened and melted to love ; — and more especially the next morning on hearing him preach at Penmark ; from whence he set out for Llantrisaint, where he preached with great power in the evening. Monday, having travelled twenty Welch miles, discoursing on the way, at Margam and Neath, to very great congregations, with great enlargement, we came to Swansea, where HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 127 our Lord did wonderfully favour us with his presence indeed ; and I am persuaded it was a happy day to many souls. Among thousands of the meaner, there were several of the politer sort, especially in the even- ing. He discoursed with such convincing power and argument, that T trust many were reached. After hav- ing preached three times, twice in the town, and once in the country, we came to Llanelly, and were there kindly received by dear Mr. D — n, a gentleman and a Christian ; — he is a member of Mr. G. Jones' congi'e- gation, an old discijile, having been about thirty years in Christ, I believe. Brother Whitefield having preach- ed there twice, to a very large congregation, we went to a place near Kidwelly, where, as in every one of these places, I was obliged to discourse in Welch as many hundreds present were unaquainted with En- glish. I did so at Carmarthen also, where, the follow- ing day, he preached twice to several tliousands with somewhat of the same power as at Swansea. — This was probably a great day here. Many persons of fashion heard the word with great seriousness, and many seemed affected. — Several Clergymen that attended were, I understand, much affected and pleased. He preached the next day at Langharn and Nai'berth, in Pembrokeshire. Many of the gentry came to hear us in both places and seemed exery where to receive the word in love. — Great is the power tliat goes with it every where. — God seems to make all fall before the Gospel of his dear Son here. Brother Whitefield, yesterday, preached to, I believe, twelve thousand at Llys-y-fran, by one of brother H. Davies' churches, with most convincing power indeed ; and, I believe, most met with God there. I preached, in the even- ing, to as great a congregation as in the morning ; and, to-day, he preached here twice, once in St. Mar- tin's church, and once in the churchyard. None but such as felt the same can tell how the aiTows of the Lord fled through the congregation ; — a lovely sight to see ladies weeping for their sins ! " We shall now transcribe a letter, on the same sub- 128 LIFE AND TIMES OF ject, from the Rev. H. Davies, the great reformer of Pembrokeshire, often mentioned in these pages, to Cennick : — "My dear heaven-born brother. Rejoice evermore ! The kingdom of God is coming on with power. Last Sunday I preached at Capel-Evan to near four thousand people, and the word fell with such weight and power that many could scarcely support themselves under it. And as for myself, I hardly knew, at times, whether I was in or out of the body. Hosanna to the Son of David ! In the afternoon I preached again, and then met the Society, and had the presence of God with us in a wonderful, ravishing manner ! The good wine was kept until the last. Hundreds were so filled with it, that they brake forth with singing, and so continued for some hours, — yea, many, all night in their way home, who lived some miles distant. The echo of their praises might be heard almost over the country, and the air rang with their 'Hallelujah !' This will heighten your joys indeed. Pray mention it to dear brother Whitefield. I should be glad if you could take a tour among us before the next Association. Dear brother Harris has been sadly abused ; but he conquers all before him by the sword of the Spirit. Pray remember always in your adresses to the Father, at his throne of grace, his poor, feeble, weak, unwor- thy servant, and your very happy, loving brother, in his dear Son." The following letter of Harris' on this delightful subject — the success of the Gospel, to T. Lewis, a faithful Minister, will be read with delight. March bth, 1743.* " My dear, dear fellow-soldier, " The kingdom of our Lord is coming on every where with great power. It would rejoice your heaven-born soul indeed to see the poor souls flocking by thousands to hear the delightful Gospel sound. • The order of dates is not so much observed in this chapter as that of circumstances. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 129 And 0 ! such power as generally attends the labours of brother Rowlands, in j^articular, is indeed uncom- mon and almost incredible until one sees it himself. Their singing and praying is indeed full of God ! 0 ! how did my soul burn, with sacred love, when I was among them ! — They fall almost as dead, by the pow- er of the word, and continue weeping for joy, having found the Messiah ; — some mourning under a sense of their vileness, and some in the pangs of the new birth ! — I am now in Pembrokeshire where Rowlands has been preaching ; he has been wonderfully attend- ed with blessings in these borders also. The power at the conclusion of his sermons, was such that multi- tudes continued weeping and crying out for the Savi- our and could not possibly forbear. O ! my brother, my dear brother, I know this will warm your soul, and make you bless God. "I find that an uncommon power attends the la- bours of dear brother H. Da\aes also. I am in hopes of seeing and hearing him to-morrow. — Such doors are opening every where ! O ! w^e had a most sweet meeting at Glan-yr-afon-ddu. Great was the love, power, and harmony that prevailed among us ; and so it has been wherever I have preached, — the Lord favom's us with inore or less of his presence ! But did you know, dear brother, the hundredth part of my vileness you would be surprised that I am permitted to breathe on God's earth ; much more that I am em- ployed by Him. — Surely I am well fitted to sound the praises of free grace." A letter from Rowlands himself, on the subject, who had been made so useful, must prove gratifying to the pious reader. It was written to one brilliant in the cause of God like himself — the eminent Whitefield. I "Feb. 2nd, 1743. 1 " My dearest, dearest brother Whitefield, " It is much, as yet, for some wise ends, with- held from me to use that freedom I would, even witli those to whom my soul is most nearly and dearly uni- ted. This is my trial and burden, and is, I know% an 130 LIFE AND TIMES OF offence to many of my brethren whom I love in tlie Lord.* This is the reason I am so little familiar with you, dear friend, with whom I have such near union. But now I cannot forbear sending you some good news. We met to-day, according to appointment, and had truly a most heavenly Association. I trust the work goes on sweetly every where. There is a general, fresh, and uncommon stirring, in most places, — many come anew under convictions, especially old worldly profes- sors, and backsliders return ! And there is such power, as I never felt before, given me in preaching and admi- nistering the Lord's Supper. The Lord comes down i amongst us in such a manner as words can give no : idea of. Though I have, to prevent nature mixing with the work, openly discountenanced all crying out, i yet such is the light, view, and power God gives very many in the Ordinance, that they cannot possibly help crying out, — praising and adoring Jesus, — being quite i swallowed up in God ; and thus I was obliged to leave j my whole congregation, being many hundreds, in a flame — the one catching it from the other. It would I have set your dear heart in a flame to see them, andj to feel the flame that runs through ; and this is outj condition generally every Sabbath ! — the convictions) are now more deep and solid than formerly. I trust, the Exhorters move for the most part very gradual and proper, and every one is owned in his place." j The following letter must also afford the Christian) i reader another dehghtful treat : it is a letter from Har-. ! ris to Rowlands, which manifests great cordiality and I joy in the success of the Gospel. ''London, Sep. 17th, 1743 Dearest brother Rowlands, " How does your warlike soul do ? Me-i i thinks I see hell trembling, and the enemy flying be- 1 fore you. Go on, bold champion, and fight the Lord's ' battle ; and, by the strength of God, according to tht I * Rowlands was so much engaged in viewing the glory of the Lon that he most likely forgot to write, or had no time to attend to others however excellent. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ 131 measure of faith and love, I will esteem it my privi- ' lege to strengthen your hands and to wash your feet. ' "A glorious work is going on in tlie world ; the Lord is with his bold, successful Whitefield, and so He is ' With his persevering Wesley. Satan's kingdom shakes and falls before them. Many of the Moravians are greatly blessed in many provinces beyond the seas. We have had a sweet Association here ; and we all agreed to continue, as before, in the Church, — after i some reasons were answered that some of the brethren ' had to the contrary. I received glorious news from [Wales, — and that the pleasm'e of the Lord prospers in [ your dear hands, which is no small refreshment for poor me. I " I hear that brother Bloom is leaving as. I know ' that you ai-e taught not to be moved at it : — God has a voice in it ; and if he is called to go to others, to in- flame them by his ministry, I would rejoice ; but if he should go to cool his zeal, I should be concerned. Lord, thy will be done ! The work is going on sweet- ly in this place ; "and I trust our Lord hath sent me here. Last week I was in a nobleman's house, ' whose lady is one of the sweetest souls I know. I dined the week before with Dr. Watts and Lady \ Abney. It would rejoice your heart to see the con- gregation, order, harmony, and sweetness, that are here. Many grow daily in faith and holiness. I think I never saw the like of Mr. Whitefield in some things ; — such strong faith, brokenness of spirit, catho- !' lie love, and true sympathy ! Indeed his tongue is like ! the pen of a ready writer to call sinners to Christ. The gifts of brother Cennick are wonderful, especially to preach the glory, beauty, and fulness of Clmst. And none are like iDrethren John and Charles Wesley to press after holiness. I see every day that each has his peculiar gifts and talents in the work : and 0 ! that * poor worthless I, since I cannot do much in a public way, may be every moment employed of my Lord to do somewhat, as a servant, to help you all. Indeed this I esteem, from my inmost soul, an honour. I 132 LIFE AND TIMES OF long to hear the Lord's voice through brother Row- lands. May the Lord give you gifts, graces and suc- cess, more and more, daily ; and may poor I be laid on your heart, I know of none more favoured thaii poor Cardiganshire.* Wales is become more and more dear to me. Indeed I love and honour God's messengers there. I am persuaded our order is of the Lord, and will stand. The Exhorters are laid much on my heart : the Lord knows their weakness and igno- rance, and pities them ; and will teach, lead, and stand j by them. It is sweet to see all graces and gifts for our- selves and others in Him. I indeed long to see you, and to tell you of the work of the Lord on my soul. 0 ! the sweetness of the thought of spending eternity with you. — I had a sweet letter from brother Wm. John of Glan-cothy, and he gives me agreeable news of the Gospel in those parts, and how the Lord is gloriously with brother H. Davies. — Surely we are born in golden days indeed. May we be animated more and more to be on the stretch after God, that the recollection of us, when we are dead, may preach and shew forth the glory of the Lamb, when our souls are joining the sacred order above ! Tell the friends they are dear to me. I hope to live and die, and live for ever with them. The thoughts of seeing you all soon is sweet to me." Another letter from the Rev. D. Rowlands, en- couraging the faithful servants of Christ to proceed unanimously in the work of the Lord, will no doubt , prove most acceptable. "Jan. 3rd. 1744. " This day I came to Glyn, intending to. come farther, to visit the brethren at the Association, but was hindered. Tell my brethren of my grief. IiKleed I long to be among you for I know God isi Vfith you. Surely Satan's teeth water at you : and th© wicked world cannot but persecute you. But, dea» companions, keep your file ; make no division ; and you will see great things ! Heaven is coming dowil * Rowlands' field of labour. HOWEL HARHIS, ESQ. 133 ipace ! The greatest part of it is already come, — I iiean Christ ; — all his goods, by and by, will be car- ried after him. Aside unbelief ! Dear brother, you may guess that I am encounter- ed by many enemies while I am writing : I trust you will pray for me. I will send the names of the places where I intend preaching that you may make it known." We shall add here two letters of Harris, on the progress of religion, written in the year* 1744. It will be seen that it was increasing greatly. The Associa- tions commencing that year were doubtless the means, under God's blessing, of furthering the cause of religi- on. The first of these was written to Whitefield. "January Uth, 1744. " My YGYj dear brother Whitefield, I have been waiting just now on God for free- dom to write to you. I think it is his will I should sit down to sench you some glorious news to refresh your precious soul. Glorious things have come to pass since you were here. Many souls are however daily called. The labours of all our associates are more or less blessed. The Lord countenances the lay Preachers much. But He is more abundantly with the ordained Ministers. Our quarterly Association w^as held on the third instant at Watford.* Brother Kow- lands preached a wonderful sermon there ; such as I had never heard before ; it was accompanied with amazing powerful workings of the Spirit on the hearts of the hearers, they were such as I think were never known before on the means of grace among us. He labours mostly in the counties of Cardiganshire, Car- marthen and Pembroke. The Rev. H. Davies, and the Rev. W. Williams, gi'ow exceedingly in talents and usefulness. The believers are generally strong and * Thus Harris alluded to this in a letter written at the same time to anoiher friend. " The Lord has been gracious to us on our jour- ney from London, and since our arrival here. Our late Association was glorious indeed, and the public Fast was useful. Our God rides Rwiftly in the Gospel chariot in many places." 134 LIFE AMD TIMES OF full of spiritual warmth and divine life. They do in- deed adorn the Gospel. The weak Christians grow up under the teachings and comforts of the Holy Ghost, — enjoying much of the real liberty of faith. The old professors are awakened and invigorated. It is really impossible to give correct and full ideas of the great work on paper. It is not a temporary thing ; but it has continued thus more or less for several years. The congregations are exceedingly large wherever we preach. Even some of the greatest opposers are not only silenced but constrained to own that the Lord is among us of a truth. The effects of the ministry are very evident in parts of Breconshire, Radnorshu'e.. and Montgomeryshire : the souls of behevers are very lively and happy there. Much of the divine fire kindleth where lukewarmness prevailed before. Thej meet in many places at 5 o'clock in the morning tc adore and worship the Lord together. Meetings are re- sumed in some places in the evenings and kept up all- night in prayer and praise. The Lord commenced thh revival by means of seemingly a very mean and un- likely instrument — an Exhorter, that had been a cob- bler. He is full of holy fire : no one is more ownec by the liOrd to awaken and quicken souls than he is They go on delightfully in the Lord's work in Mon- mouthshire and Glamorganshire. Many are addec unto the Church, — few if any draw back. The la bourers enjoy much love and harmony together. W( grow happier and happier in our several Associations Our hearts, in the last Assembly, were inflamed witl joy and our mouths with praises on hearing the newi; of your safe arrival in England. There is no alter ation in any of our plans. Brother Benjamin Thomas that was turned out from among the Dissenters, for hi zeal and attachment to us, and brother Ingram, ar«' settled as general Assistants to me. Yesterday w< united in the general public Fast of the nation : in deed a solemn day it was. The Lord was with us ii' prayer, and we entertain hopes of his good will toJ wards the king and nation. I HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 135 " The work of the Lord prospers much, I believe, in England. Brother Cennick and the other labourers are much blessed every where. I was last November earnestly called to an Association in London, having not been able to attend to the meetings at Bristol and Hampton, according to their kind invitations. I saw brother John Wesley before I came. He continues to be very loving. He has had some sore trials lately." Harris' next letter is addressed to some eminent Christian on the progress of religion : his name does not appear. It was evidently written about this time. " My very dear Sir, I returned home last night after a month's absence. The Lord carried me through in a merci- ful manner ; I never had more of the divine presence ; — in power to wound, — in tenderness to melt, soften, I and humble, and in wisdom to teach poor sinners : I [never saw such^large congregations before. The Mi- nisters are obliged generally to preach out in the open air, — no house being able to contain the people. The fruits of righteousness that follow prove most evident- ly and sure that the Lord is not only with us, but that He carries on his work in an uncommon manner. And He pours down his Spirit upon us more abun- dantly than ever, and that in various places ! The I'word preached is more quick and powerful : and the glory of our dear Lord Jesus is more and more dis- played in the Ministry. The words of many in con- versation and prayer, are very savoury and proceeding out of hearts full of holy love, influencing others in the same way. Many indeed live as in the suburbs of heaven, having much of its nature and language ; they live indeed near to God, and above their enemies ! — Others are still in the valley below, under the power of a legal spirit ; some are fighting with their 3nemies, and at times rejoicing in hopes of liberty. —Many are brought under convictions, some more ^adually and others instantaneously. Some of the Detter sort are less prejudiced; some of them come 0 hear the word, and some even of them, are awak- N 136 LIFE AND TIMES OF ened. A young Counseller, a member of parlia- ment's son, was lately I trust effectually called. I have preached at his house, and had never more of the divine presence than there. His house is open to all that preach Christ. He seems to manifest the usual good signs of a real work. Some are confirmed and are much advanced in religion, in the several parts of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Cardiganshire. It is difficult to say where the Gospel, under the in- fluence of the Holy Ghost, is most powerful and glo- rified. There are three Clergymen of the Established Church that go about continually preaching the glad tidings of salvation. The first of them, the Bev. D. Rowlands, is one of the most surprising men that I ever heard. He commenced going about to preach in the churches about the same time there was a necessit\ laid upon me to speak unto the people, in differen places of their danger. He is gifted with such wis dom to divide the word truly, giving each his portion — with such divine light to penetrate into the spiritua meaning of the Gospel, and with such power to appl; it to the conscience, as I never witnessed before. Th' various excellencies of most Ministers are combined ii him, and shine illustriously in him. He is a secon* Paul in the pulpit. — Yet some imperfection appear even in him, that we all may know w^e are but mei However Rowlands' ministerial and pastoral gifi are superior to any I know. And none are so muc blessed as he is in those parts he goes to. He hs four regular congregations ; one in Llangeitho whei he lives ; one at Llancwnlle, and one in Bettws.- These three churches are in Cardiganshire, not man miles distant from each other. But the people con even from several other counties. His other congregi tion is at Abergorlech, in Carmarthenshire ; sever miles distant from the other three. It is impossible i express what visible signs of the Lord's gracious pr sence appear under his Ministry ; — what life ar power ; — what holy fire and warmth ! — What groa ing and mourning for sin are excited in some ; — wh HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 137 tears of love and joy flow from the eyes of many ; — what signs of reaJ happiness appear in the looks of others ; — what shouts of praise proceed out of the mouths of hundreds I These extraordinary things can only be understood by what one experiences in his own soul, or by a congregation that is blessed in the same way. " Rowlands is assisted by a young Clergyman, the Rev. W. Williams, who is younger in grace and years than he. He was called some time after Rowlands into the work of the Lord.* But he is eminently owned by his heavenly Master in his service : he is indeed a flaming instrument in his hands ; and he is too on the stretch day and night, doing his will in the counties named above. The thu'd is the laborious H. Davies : he proclaims the glad tidings with great suc- cess : he is but a young man too, who has however been greatly owned and blessed by the Lord in the English parts of Pembrokeshire. About one half of that county understands nothing but Enghsh : the people there were, until he went among them, strang- ers to the very form of godliness. He has four large congregations, and administers the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper every Sunday, — so to each of them once a month. His chapels which are Episcopal, are eight, ten and twenty miles distant from each other. He is a lively preacher, and the Lord does wonderfully dis- play his gi'eat power by his Ministry, in wounding and healing many a soul. " They have threatened to turn these Clergymen out of the Church ; but hitherto the door has not been closed against them. They have also preached in this extraordinai'y manner day and night in houses, barns, fields ; — all the country being ready to re- ceive the word. The greatest bitterness that is mani- fested at present against the work, proceeds from the learned men and carnal professors of every sect ; whose legal hearts cannot rejoice to see the Lord coming in a * We see here Harris' humility in not mentioning Williams' con- version under him. 136 LIFE AND TIMES OF ened. A young Counseller, a member of parlia- ment's son, was lately I trust effectually called. 1 have preached at his house, and had never more of the divine presence than there. His house is open to all that preach Christ. He seems to manifest the usual good signs of a real work. Some are confirmed and are much advanced in religion, in the several parts of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshhe, and Cardiganshire. It is difficult to say where the Gospel, under the in- fluence of the Holy Ghost, is most powerful and glo- rified. There are three Clergymen of the Established Church that go about continually preaching the glad tidings of salvation. The first of them, the Rev. D. Rowlands, is one of the most surprising men that I ever heard. He commenced going about to preach in the churches about the same time there was a necessity laid upon me to speak unto the people, in different places of their danger. He is gifted with such wis- dom to divide the word truly, giving each his portion, — with such divine light to penetrate into the spiritual meaning of the Gospel, and with such power to apply it to the conscience, as I never witnessed before. The various excellencies of most Ministers are combined in him, and shine illustriously in him. He is a second Paul in the pulpit. — Yet some imperfection appears even in him, that we all may know we are but men. However Rowlands' ministerial and pastoral gifts are superior to any I know. And none are so much blessed as he is in those parts he goes to. He haS' four regular congregations ; one in Llangeitho where he lives ; one at Llancwnlle, and one in Bettws. — These three churches are in Cardiganshire, not many miles distant from each other. But the people come even from several other counties. His other congrega- tion is at Abergorlech, in Carmarthenshire ; several miles distant from the other three. It is impossible to express what visible signs of the Lord's gracious pre- sence appear under his Ministry ; — what life and power; — what holy fire and warmth! — What groan- ing and mourning for sin are excited in some ; — wha* I HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 137 tears of love and joy flow from the eyes of many ; — what signs of real happiness appear in the looks of others ; — what shouts of praise proceed out of the mouths of hundreds I These extraordinary things can only be understood by what one experiences in his own soul, or by a congregation that is blessed in the same way. " Kowlands is assisted by a young Clergyman, the Rev. W. Williams, who is younger in grace and years than he. He was called some time after Rowlands into the work of the Lord.* But he is eminently owned by his heavenly Master in his service : he is indeed a flaming instrument in his hands ; and he is too on the stretch Say and night, doing his will in the counties named above. The third is the laborious H. Davies : he proclaims the glad tidings with great suc- cess : he is but a young man too, who has however been greatly owned and blessed by the Lord in the English parts of Pembrokeshire. About one half of that county understands nothing but English : the people there were, until he went among them, strang- ers to the very form of godliness. He has four large congregations, and administers the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper every Sunday, — so to each of them once a month. His chapels which are Episcopal, are eight, ten and twenty miles distant from each other. He is a lively preacher, and the Lord does wonderfully dis- play his gi'eat power by his Ministry, in wounding and healing many a soul. " They have threatened to turn these Clergymen out of the Church ; but hitherto the door has not been closed against them. They have also preached in this extraordinary manner day and night in houses, barns, fields ; — all the country being ready to re- ceive the word. The greatest bitterness that is mani- fested at present against the work, proceeds from the learned men and carnal professors of every sect ; whose legal hearts cannot rejoice to see the Lord coming in a * We see here Harris' humility in not mentioning Williams' con- version tinder him. 138 LIFE AND TIMES OF way SO contrai"y to human expectation. And some of the dissenters, Ministers and people, join the gentry and carnal Clergy in speaking evil of and opposing the work. But blessed be God, there are many whose hearts are on the Lord's side, and rejoice in his work, whoever may be the instruments. While too many think it their duty to take Gallio's seat, being neither for nor against the work, imagining themselves right and safe ; alas, they are not aware of the curse pro- nounced against Meroz ; — Judges v. 23. " There are some other Clergymen that join with us in heart and doctrine, but have not had the same call to go about — , as those already mentioned. Others are convinced and persuaded we are right but hold no com- munion with us. There are others — , who are more silent respecting us, whose Ministry is weal<: and pow- erless ! — Lukewarmness and deadness, with their bane- ful consequences, prevail for a time ; but the Lord will soon return. " There are besides the Clergy, many lay preachers ; some of these have popular gifts, and preach publicly; they have limited districts to visit, and are assistants to the Ministers ; these are for distinction' sake callec SuperintendenU. They all meet the Ministers once in three months to confer respecting the spiritual state oi professors under their inspection ; each bringing as particular an account as possible. Each of these woulc be ordained, but being debarred of the outward call, we are for the present obliged, answering a good con-, science, to go on, waiting to see the Lord's mind. We have however, as far as we have gone, had satisfaction that we are acting according to his will. There are also private Labourers, among us, called Private Exhorters, who follow their ordinary calling- they converse with the members in two or three small societies, that are the nearest to them, they also give a little exhortation, — pray and sing with them, and watch over them. " Hitherto the uniting Spirit has prevailed over cub corruption : we have been kept one in heart and mind.j HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. ]39 and speak the same things though the enemy has often attempted to disunite us. When any erroneous spirit did at any time appear among us, the liOrd dispelled the vapours with the bright beams of truth. I think we all agree with the good old orthodox Keformers and Pu- ritans ; I hold their works in great esteem. — We do not think the Baxterian Scheme orthodox ; some of us have been led at times to declare against some of its notions. "As to the cloud that hangs over the Tabernacle in London, I am in hopes it will be dispelled by the gales of the Spirit truth. I was afraid, on several accounts, to lay our differences before you, when I was in London. We spoke our minds freely to each other for three days. I had very great burdens and great support when I was there. " Your kind letter came so full of divine unction in its several parts to my poor soul, that I knew not which ! was most blessed to me. I had on opening it that great blessing, I usually have in connexion with you, of be- ing humbled to the dust under a sense of the divine tenderness to such a poor sinful unworthy wretch as me, I in ever bringing me to be acquainted with you, which has proved a very great blessing to me, — yea every part •j of the acquaintance. What you say of your heart, is a ij correct representation, a glass wherein I see my own picture. — I am a living witness that Jesus is the Lord, even the Lord God eternal, omniscient, omni- : potent, and unchangeable. This is all my salvation ; and on this rock I am building for eternity. I should sink both in looking at myself and the world, had not my heart been taught these truths by the Holy Spirit. — The news respecting Mr. Charles Wesley must needs i rejoice me. — The Gospel having such a free course and ' many receiving it gladly, are, with other circumstances, good signs that the Lord will spare the nation — ." It is thought that the above Clergyman was Mr. Komaine. There was another eminent Minister with whom Harris corresponded, the Rev. Mr. Ma'Ctil- loch \ a letter of Harris to him, on the progress of reli- gion and other points, shall be here introduced : — 140 LIFE AND TIMES OF " Kev. and dear Sir, " Last week I had the favour of your affec- tionate letter, and nothing but extreme hurry could have kept me from answering it immediately. Did I not know that all the reason why the eternal God had, in his sovereign grace, favourable thoughts of me, is because it so pleased Him, I should be at a loss to find out the reason why any of the King's family should give me any room in their thoughts. But since it is so, it pleased the Father to love me in his dear Son, and cause his children to love and pity and pray for me ; though I verily beheve I am the vilest and most ungrateful of all his children. I will not reason about it, but will loath myself and sink in the admiration of free grace and electing love. "Now poor despised Wales is for three weeks, favoured with the Ministry of dear Mr. Whitefield. I believe he is sent there as well as to other places on a great message. Many of the polite folks come to hear, who were kept by prejudice from having the benefit of the labours of the other despised Instruments of the Lord. There is great power attending the word. — The work of the Lord is going on sweetly with us in very many places. Many are daily called, and others grow in a solid, holy acquaintance with Jesus Christ, and themselves. And I hope the partition wall of bigotry is giving way in many hearts. May it all be destroyed, that no other temper may prevail in the Church, but pure universal love ; and we, being dead to all names, will contend for nothing but who shall love the other most, and be in reality the most ready to forgive, bear, and sympa- thise with each other, pitying what may be yet amiss in the one or the other ; — and be so inflamed with holy love to God and souls, that we may desire no other distinguishing name but that of a Christian. I am persuaded I am speaking the language of your soul, and that gives me liberty to vent my thoughts. — I shall not however entertain you with the abominable scenes of wickedness I feel in my heart. And O ! the continual readiness I find there to run from the HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 141 best and kindest Friend after sin of all sorts, — self and creature, but as I am kept by his faithfulness. " But you must bear with me to give you a hint that you may no longer rank me among the humble ; for I am satisfied there is such a mystery of iniquity with- in me, and such a mixture of the beast and devil, as must make all, that are acquainted with the depravity of our nature, rank me among the worst of all the hel- lish crew. I wonder I am not in hell long ago. I see enough in myself to stagger others, and make those who have charity to tKink that a spark of truth may lie hid in such an abyss of hypocrisy and self-seeking cry " Glory, glory to all eternity, be to free grace and unconditional love." — This is my song ; and were I not persuaded that Christ had agreed to bring me home, and that He is greater than my heart, I should utterly despair of meeting you in glory. " I have weighed the matter about giving an his- torical account of the late work of God here amongst us. I trust it is not from a false humility that I desire to be excused from granting your request. I hope our Lord will incline some one better qualified for the work, — when He thinks fit. I believe a great work is begun, and we may humbly hope, from what has come to light, that there are greater things to come. We have laboured here under many difficulties, which you in Scotland are strangers to : the bulk of the work being begun and carried on in the National Church, where you know it was wanting. A great decay indeed prevails among all denominations ; but I hope ill real Christians, of every name, have in some measure, helped each other. However the generality 3f those in power, are no friends to the work ; they are iS yet restrained from using their authority to hinder •t, which inclines me to hope that there is mercy in Jtore for some of them, and this makes us more cau- ious in every step we take, lest we should give offence io as to hinder us to win them to Christ. We cannot 36 expected to com6 to the order we would wish at )noe, but hope our Lord will gradually bring us to it ; 142 LIFE AND TIMES OF then there will be a better opportunity to give a par- ticular and methodical account of the whole. Many thousands, I believe, will, at the last day, bless God for the present out-pouring of the Spirit on Wales. I am sure you will pray for us : I believe there never were such poor, ignorant, unqualified young creatures used before of the Lord, and sent on such an errand, among the meanest of whom is H. H." This sketch of the progress of religion in Wales, though short and imperfect, cannot but make us amazed and thankful. Though the revival of religion was equally surprising in England, yet it is beyond the limits of this small publication to take notice of it. However much information of this kind may be acquired by perusing the Journals of Whitefield and Wesley, and the Biographies of eminent men of that period. We will conclude this chapter with a few lines from W. Williams' Elegy on one of the most successful Ministers at that time, the Rev. H. Davies ; — " Hark ! hark ! how clear his silver trumpet sounds, How thick his darts ! how every sentence wounds ! The people move ! the arrows pierce them thro' ; His thunders roar, his fiery lightnings glow ! Convictions fly, like arrows thus around, And thousandsjgroan at Sina's dreadful sound, Hard rocks now rend, — you hear their doleful cries, And see how flow full rivers from their eyes ! Anon he sweetly lays his threat'nings by And shows a Saviour to the mournful eye ; Proclaims salvation, with its glorious train, To souls by Sina's awful lightnings slain." i CHAP. xr. HARRIS' MAERIAGE, — PERSECUTION. We now come to treat of another very serious subject in Harris' life : it is that of his marriage. He consi- dered it, as he ought, as very important and weighty. He was conscious it was not a hght thing to become a husband, a father, and the head of a family, so as to discharge the duties in those important relations as became the Servant of Christ. His own words on the subject are the following : — " I returned, after being in London some time, to Wales. The thoughts of entering the matrimonial state dwelt much on my mind then. I strictly and minutely examined myself as to the inducements for entering into that state ; — whether I was led by any improper motives, as lust of the flesh, or of the eye, or the deceitfulness of riches ? I found myself, through grace, free from these evils. Those words of the Lord came with great power into my mind ; " Seekest thou great things for thyself ? seek them not." — Jer. xlv. 5. Light came into my heart, and I saw that, if I entered upon the married state for my own sake, and not the Lord's and his Church, I was an idolater. Then I could not rest until I surrendered myself entirely, in this matter, into his hands, that He might dispose of me as He pleased in his own time and way. I saw by this time that this state is a great mystery to them that ai'e brought together by the Lord. They shall see in it the love that is betwixt Christ and his Church. At last, after much prayer and examination and also great opposition, I was united in matrimony to Ann, the daughter of John Williams of Skreen, Esquire, June 18th, 1744. She had been called under my Ministry, 144 LIFE AND TIMES OF some years before, while I was preaching on the con- duct of Moses in " choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." She was enabled to make the same choice, and to shew her faith under many trials. This is a time ever to be remembered by me, it being nine years since this day that I received the spirit of adop- tion and obtained the assurance of my everlasting sal- vation." Harris' views on the importance of the marriage state may be further seen in a letter to a particular friend and fellow-labourer, the Kev. H. Davies, also on the . point of entering that state : — "April 2, 1744. "Dear Brother, " Great is the honor that is conferred upoii us to be instruments in God's hands ; but the great- est honor and happiness is to have our hearts inflam- ed with his love, and our spirits drawn out in pity and compassion for mankind that they may be delivered from the power of self-love, the world's Diana. For until we are delivered from our own sinful wills and wordly wisdom, preferring the Lord's will and the pubUc good, we shall not be capable of any office in : the kingdom of our Lord, as we shall betray his trusl in self-seeking. — I feel a little of that pure and dis-j interested love to souls in my heart, — I have such £; longing desire to see men brought to God, througl: the wounds and death of Jesus, that I cannot hold m}, pen from communicating it to you, who knows whai it is to be inflamed with this divine love. Go on, deai Ambassador of Jesus; and may thy tongue be always as the pen of a ready writer. — Fight and conquer I "As I understood, by the last few moments' conver-j sation I had with you, you are persuaded it is yom heavenly Father's will that you should enter the mar- riage state. — As it is an affair of such moment, and ea your character is so public, I doubt not but you hav« ^ had many anxious thoughts, lest you should mistakr the will of God. — I can indeed sympathize with you < HOWEL HARRIS. ESQ, 145 for I see more and more that our happiness does not consist in possessing the creature, but in being deliver- ed from our own wills, so that God may reign. One brother has observed that every thing is to us what God makes it ; and that if our expectations are built upon the gifts, graces, and seeming fitness of the creature, we shall be disappointed. — I find that it is a great thing to be a husband, father, and the head of a family ; to behave aara man of God, and an inhabit- ant of the New Jerusalem. Let us help each other in our prayers, — that every step we take in this great affair, may furnish a pattern for others, who are more influ- enced by example than by precept. Let it aj^pear to all, that we seek not ourselves, bat the Lord Jesus Christ and his interest. — The improper love of beauty and of the world is what, by our profession, we declare against. Those things w^ere upon my mind for a long time ; until, as I thought, the Lord shewed me his will. — I saw that I should be nothing better than an idolater, until I could marry for God and his Church, — not for myself' but only in the liOrd ; and, blessed be his Name, I have felt something of this in my soul, being willing that I should be truly resigned to his will. — ] Cor. vii. 39. I am going now to a Wiltsliire Association ; and as I cannot come to Parke for a long time, I desire you to come to Chapel-Evan, that we may there confer and pray together." Harris was, no doubt, a most kind husband, — actua- ted by the best principles, — love to God as his hea- venly Father, and to her as his beloved wife. It seems he had an eye to the marriage service, when he entered in his Diary the account of his marriage, where it is written, " O God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystei-y, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church ; Look mer- cifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh,) and 146 LIFE AND TIMES OF also that this woman may be loving and amiable, faith- ful and obedient to her husband ; and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons." It is evident, from all that can be gathered, that he was, by the grace of God, enabled to act ac- cording to his word, and the spirit of the above peti- tion towards his wife. It is remarkable what a spirit ' of kindness and love is manifested in his letters towards his dear partner, and child, — a daughter which the Lord gave them. And his wife proved truly a help meet to him in her arduous and important situation : from all accounts she bore the character of a loving, amiable, faithful and obedient wife. The daughter was I also an excellent person. The departure of each of them out of this world will be noticed hereafter. There is a letter of Harris, to his friend Humphreys, | on the marriage state : it is worthy of a place here. It is the following : — "Pembrokeshire, March 5, 1743. My very dear Brother, " I received your cordial letter about nine days ago, which warmed my heart, and excited in me feel- ings of thankfulness to our heavenly Father for dealing so mercifully with you. I had received before inform- ation of your marriage in brother Grace's letter. I felt immediately great power to wrestle with God for you both. I believe you will be blessed to each other and to the Church. He that called you both out of your natural state, into the kingdom of his dear Son, will give you all supplies of faith, love, and tenderness, with all inward purity, and such wisdom and propri- ety as shall be necessary to adorn the Gospel, so that all that observe you, may see in the one and the other a pattern to copy after ; and may all learn of you to commit the management of this as well as all other affairs to Him, who is infinite love and wisdom, and so will not and cannot do any thing but what is good and j, wise. I beg my tenderest regards to your wife ; say* that I have double regard for her, — as a sister ana'( | a help meet for my dear fellow-labourer ; not doubting; HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 147 but that Jesus will make her sensible of the greatness of the work, she has now undertaken, and that she will be enabled by faith to go to Him for all holy tempers and instructions, that are necessary for filling so great a place in the Church of God. What need of strong faith, burning zeal, a resigned will, and a tender and contrite heart ; — and of being prepared for all circum- stances, — of riches anH poverty, praise and dispraise, liberty and imprisonment: — willing to submit when Grod calls her husband to his work from home as well as there. But where am I going ? It is enough ; the care of every individual, as well as of the whole j Church, rests on Jesus Christ." ■ We here insert a letter of Hanus to his wife, some yeai's after they were married, which will show how happy they were in the matrimonial connexion, and how that happiness may be maintained : — "London, August 19, J 749. " My dearest Nancy, j " Can words set forth our happiness, even what we now enjoy, notwithstanding the weakness of our faith and the strength of oiu: corruptions ? What then we may be sure we shall enjoy, when our hearts are more enlarged and our eyes more opened to behold the ineffable glory that is before us ? Our happiness consists in being raised above depraved self and nature ; not consulting our sinful wills and wisdom ; knowing no one after the flesh, but walking in the continual view of eternity, — living indeed by faith in the Son of God. In this faith I feel I love thee more than ever; I see thee more and more precious, — seeing daily more of the glory of our mai'riage. And in this faith I feel ■ my little girl more dear to me, as being the fruit of a marriage brought about by the Lord. I came here last night, with brother Beaumont, ven^ well, having had a more pleasant journey than usual, we had much of the Lord's presence with us all the way, — our souls kept near Him ; — our time was much improved. I find that the love, union, and fellowship that is in o J48 LIFE AND TIMES OP God, never comes to an end, because the Lord never changes. Our acquaintance may be increased, — and ourselves brought under new ties ; our hearts shall be enlarged accordingly ; and each shall have his proper place in our hearts : we shall gradually become like our blessed Saviour. I see the Lord takes care of me ; He makes my heart suitable to my place and the various obligations and ties He lays me under ; He gives me faith, when my heart warps and flinches from the way of duty, to go to Him; and He washes and heals, and rectifies me. I am not worthy of thy love ; but vile as I am, the Lord enables me to love thee in some de- gree as He loves his Church. To make and see thee happy ; to love thee, and bear thy burdens, is my de- light as well as duty : and the more my soul loves and cares for others, the deeper thou goest into my heart. Thy joys and sorrows, thy cares and trials are indeed mine. 0 the mystery of the union ! Let that hour be blessed in which I first saw thee. I know thou wilt, consistent with this union, rejoice in seeing my heart running over with pure love to others, according to the ties the Holy Ghost lays me under, and the place and office He has honoured me with in his Church. That I should carry my trials to thee, would only add to thine. It is enough to apply by faith to the faithful, loving, and tender-hearted Saviour, that has and will not only love me, but also honour me. Surely I am the happiest creature in the world. Let me but know that thou livest by faith in and with Him, and it shall be an addition indeed to my bliss. To cherish and nurse thee up for Him, is one and great part of my charge. When thou abidest in Him by faith, all thy cares and burdens shall be removed from thee : cheerfulness, peace, love, joy shall be given thee instead of hurry and uneasiness of mind, reasoning and grief. Then thou shalt indeed be a blessing to all around thee." The next step we have on record in Harris' Life, is writing to a young man that was called to the Minis- try. We shall, in this epistle, see some of his views on that important subject. The letter is the following : — HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. J49 " Old Passa(/e, April 6th, 1744. " My dear Brother, Your case lays on my heart. I had more than common freedom to cry that the Lord would send, teach, lead, and fill you with zeal for his glory ; — that He would cover your head, and keep your heart and tongue under his own government to the very end. He alone has a right to send and to qualify whom He pleases for the work. It is no wonder you are bowed down with a sense of yom: corruptions and evil nature, and that you feel the buffetings of Satan. It is by a train of experience alone that we are brought to know God the Saviour, and man in his sinful and miserable state, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, so as to be able to open divine truths with authority and demon- stration ; and to seal them, if called, with our blood.* Acquaintance with God and our own hearts, especially with the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, is essentially necessary to qualify us to be his ambassadors. For if I the love of Christ doth not constrain us, the dis- couragements that we shall meet with, from within and without, will soon stop us. And when we truly see the nature of the work, and feel the weight of it, we I shall, with the Apostle, ask ' who is sufficient for these * Knowledge of oneself and true humility are very necessary for a Minister. Harris points this out more fully in a letter to another preacher. — *' All the old man does, unfits us for any part of Christ's service; hut there are several evil tempers and habits that set us more than ordinarily at a distance from Him, — pride and its conse- quences, which I, by experience, know too well ; also indolence, stupidity or want of seeing and feeling the weight and burden of the work committed to our care. We must not expect any thing, from the wise hand of our kind heavenly Father, but gentle strokes and frowns, until these are in some measure mortified in us. We cannot have much fellowship with the King of heaven until then. — Such great enemies must not be fed and indulged. All we do, must be done in this self-denying spirit of faith and love. Until we are enabled to move in this spirit, we are still like the rest of the world, — looking for some higher place, — unsatisfied with what we have, and thinking we could do better in some other situation ; and so, like an irregular wheel in a watch, set all the rest out of order. We must humbly, heartily, and thankfully receive our work and qualification from the Lord, and do it for Him, and then we shall be happy." See more of Harris' views on die Ministry in his directions to Ministers in chapter xii. 150 LIFE AND TIMES OF things?' But let not this discourage my young bro- ther, but rather stir you up to look to Him, who hath the government on his own shoulders, — humbly to offer yourself to his service, and be willing, under a sense of God's favour, to undergo all hardships to qualify you for such an office. I have no doubt the Lord will, as you constantly and earnestly pray unto Him, make Himself and his will more and more known unto you. " War was proclaimed to-day at Bristol against France, and press- warrants are in the hands of con- stables to press men for land and sea service. These things call loudly on us to join in prayer and humilia- tion. I trust that we shall, on the next general fast day, be enabled to humble ourselves indeed, both for our own sins and those of others; hoping that the judgment over us may be averted, and the door be still kept open for the everlasting Gospel. "I believe we shall not yet be given up to Popish darkness. Pray much, my dear man. O be much in secret with God, and He will teach you glorious things. Pray that you may be kept very humble at the feet of the Lord. Some of the highest angels, and greatest men, have been ruined by this secret enemy — pride. The danger of it is the greater, because it is so difficult to know it. But Jesus is above this and all other en- emies. In Him let us trust, and into his arms I com- mit, with all earnestness, my dear fellow soldier." Persecutions, rather of a different kind, now follow- ed Harris in his arduous labour in the service of his heavenly Master. Some of them are mentioned in the following letter to the Countess of Huntingdoriy who had become acquainted with him now some time, as the Servant of the Lord, as noticed before. The letter is quite characteristic. — May 25th, 1744. " Honorable Madam, I am constrained to write by the love of Jesus, who is dear to you, yea dearer than millions of lives and titles. He manifests his glory to you, I HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 151 know, in a degree which I am not emptied enough to receive. However I must, with my soul in the dust, beg leave to join my praises with yours for what He has done in and for me, ever since I saw your Lady- ship last. 0 what an honor it is to be employed by Him, though in the meanest office and situation, in his Church ! Surely, then, a sense of the great honor He has conferred on you, most noble Lady, makes you willing to wash his feet, and loathe yourself before Him as Job did. 0 that the world did but behold his glory, and worship before Him ! — May the Lord stUl animate your seraphic, enlarged soul, with zeal and divine wis- dom, as He has done hitherto, that you may be the happy means of conveying the savour of his know- ledge to those in the highest circle. I know He has ' armed your spirit with that courage and love that are I invincible. When our Lord works, who can let ? — Dear Lady, a sense of the honor conferred on us, breaks my heart, before our dear Saviour. Blessed be his Name, He favours me with a further share of his sufferings. The Cross, which was bitter to Him by reason of the wrath due to us, is made sweet. — Satan seems to have his chain a little lengthened. The Ma- gistrates, in pursuance of the order given them to im- press idle and loose men for his Majesty's service, have shewn us how much the spirit of Bonner and Jeffireys influence them. They have taken up one James Ingram, whose heart the Lord had engaged to assist me in my place and work, to write and copy for me, go on errands, and take care of my outward con- cerns. He had been with me nearly a year and a half ; and was, when apprehended, at my house. He has been confined in prison at Brecon, about a fortnight, though I sent the Commissioners word that I had hired him. But as this was not for any given space of time they said he was no servant, but under the character of a person called for by the Act ! They seek for me also, and have charged the constable to take me, though they know that I have a settled abode at Trefecca, with a mother and maid-servant, besides this 152 LIFE AND TIMES OF young man, as a household under my care !* — They have likewise taken another of our brethren, with a view to send him to the army. If the Lord calls I esteem it the same to go home by a French musket or a sword, as to die a natural death. But if He does not call, in vain are these attempts to destroy us. Though St. Paul had a witness from heaven, that not one of the men with him should perish, yet he said that 'if the sailors did not abide in the ship they could not be saved,' knowing that end and means must not be divi- ded. For as it is sin to trust in means, turning our eye and dependance from God ; I think it is a sin so to trust in Him, as to slight, neglect, or not to use, in faith, all lawful means.f Our Saviour and his Apostles pursued the right path, and commended it. But how to act, in this case, or what means to use, I cannot tell. If I should be favoured with some pro- per direction, I trust it would be used for God's glory. — I fear I have tired your Ladyship ; but I am loath to give over : my soul is inflamed in writing ; and, 0 Lamb of God, grant that hers may be so in reading ; and then will be answered the prayers and real abid- ing desires of H. H."I The next thing that appears in his life, as deserving of notice, is a letter to another eminent Christian, the Rev. Charles Wesley. It is remarkable for its candour and liberaUty: it also exhibits patience under perse- cutions; humility under a sense of his corruptions, * It was the following month that Harris married- + It is presumption. \ It seems, from what is said in Lady Huntingdon's Life, that Har- ris' correspondence with her, which probably was some time prior to the date of this letter, was blessed to her as to correct views of reli- gion. "Her Ladyship's correspondence with Mr. Howel Harris, and several of the Welsh Clergy, who had been awakened under Mr. Whitefield's ministry, was the means, under God, of leading her into more consistent views of divine truth, which she ever after maintain- ed. Her zealous heart embraced with cordiality all whom she es- teemed real Christians, whatever their denomination or opinions might be; but from this period her connexions with Ministers and Christians of the Calvinistic persuation, according to the liberal sense of the Articles of the Church of England, became greatly en- larged." — p. 88. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 153 ind gratitude to God for healing breaches, and pros- Dering the Gospel. Yet the breach hinted at, appear- )d again ! The following is the letter : — ''Trefecca, July 16, 1745. ' My dear honored Brother, " I will forget all distance, and use that freedom [ kno\^ you have love enough to bear and put up vith. — You are near my heart. It is a matter of joy ■or me to see those, that move in the most conspicuous situations in the Vineyard of our Lord, highly favour- ed with all those shining qualifications, by which they ire enabled to silence God's enemies, to thwart the nalice of the wicked, and to adorn the glorious Gos- )el. Though I am anxious, from a sense of God's ove to me, to be more useful, yet I see his wisdom in espect to his own glory and my real good, in that He loth not increase my gifts and usefulness ; it is be- ause I cannot bear more. Oh what depths of iniquity ie lurking in my heart ! But blessed be God that I m what I am. I find it is given me to rejoice in the uccess of all others, equally with, if not more than a, my own ; also to long most anxiously that all lat love our Lord, may be brought to love one nether. I believe that a great and glorious work is egun on earth. The Lord is indeed gone forth. — 'hough for some wise ends, some little difference yet 3mains in our expressions, and perhaps in our concep- ons of some things, I am persuaded it is the Lord's ill we should bear with each other, in great tender- ess ; — that will bring glory to his Name, even when e are in the dust. — Col. iii. 1,2; 1 Pet. i. 22. I be- eve we have all cause to be humbled before God, and » loathe ourselves, that we have not been more tender ^ each other, and more careful to avoid offences be- I re the world. However I believe the Lord will wipe vay our reproaches, and bring us together, in time. 3r the present, let us forbear in gi-eat love, and forti- and strengthen each other's hands as much as pos- ole. Every one will have his own peculiar manner ' thinking, and way of expressing himself ; but all 156 LIFE AND TIMES OP j " Sir Watkin William Wynn of Wynnstay, in th county of Denbigh, bart., representative of one of th| most ancient and influential families in the Principal) ity of Wales, was, at this time, the bitter enem and persecutor of all whom he suspected of bein; tinctured with Methodism ; but the immensely bless ed labours of the apostolic Howel Harris, could no be checked by the persecution. — Mr. Whitefield an( Mr. Harris having communicated to Lady Hunt ingdon the conduct of Sir W. W. Wynn, and tht sufferings of the Methodists in several parts of Wales through the intemperate conduct of the Magistrates her Ladyshij) lost no time in laying the particular; before Government ; and, to the no small mortifi cation of Sir Watkin, the different sums of mone^ which he had exacted, from time to time fron the Methodists, were ordered to be returned. Th( conduct of the Welch Preachers had excited the indig- nation of this haughty and persecuting Baronet, whc vowed to take ample revenge upon every Methodist ir Denbighshire ; but before the lapse of many months the unhappy man was summoned to another world having died suddenly in consequence of a fall from his horse, when returning from hunting !" — p. 110. It is, however, a great cause of thankfulness that the present Baronet of that name, as well as his predeces- sor, is very free from all prejudice against rehgious people of every denomination, — he is considered liber- al in every sense of the word, — is a supporter of be- nevolent and religious societies ; and is 1 believe the president in Wales of that glorious Society, the mo=^f excellent of all, the Bible Society. — The Lord's wa} are wonderful and gracious. He comforts and relieves his afflictive servants according to their several neces- sities, giving them patience under their sufferings and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. CHAPTEE XII. HARRIS* APW.OGY FOR THE WELCH CALVIN16TIC METHODISTS ; — HIS DIRECTIONS TO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. Ihe conduct of the Calvinistic Methodists had been misrepresented, even to the friends of true rehgion, — one of them, the greatest ornament of practical Christ- ianity in Wales, the Rev. G. Jones, Rector of Llan- iidowror. Harris had the highest opinion of him as a divine and preacher of the Gospel. He was there- Fore very anxious to set things in a proper light be- fore him, and to remove his prejudice. — We shall Introduce a letter of his to this eminent Minister, con- taining statements and reflections by way of apology for the conduct of the Methodists, together with his observations on the extenstive revival of religion through their instrumentality. — "Bristol, January 26, 1746. ' Rev. and honored Sir, *' It is with sincere esteem, and the warmest iflfection, I sit down to trouble you with this ; assuring y^ou that my soul is drawn out in thankfulness to our iear Saviour for tHe many valuable gifts and graces He has bestowed upon you ; particularly for giving fou a spirit to make a stand against ignorance and jrophaneness, and blessing your labours in an es- 3ecial manner, even beyond expectation, in this our ")oor benighted Church. My soul has often wept bit- erly over it, labouring amidst trials from all quarters, ivhich none but He, that sees all secrets, knows. I am I till resolved to go on, in faith and love, willing to !)ear all, — to have my honest attempts mistaken and II judged; but trusting and expecting that our dear Javiour will vindicate his Cause, and give those con- erned a right apprehension of the work I have been 158 LIFE AND TIMES OF counted worthy to take a small share in. Our Zion may at length become once more the praise of the whole earth, and sit, as once she did, as princess among the provinces. How has my heart rejoiced on seeing any begining or kind of revival, weak as it might seem, through my poor instrumentality. Let my name and labour be forgotten, only let the Saviour be known and adored, — his truth preached and believed, and his poor despised Church raised out of darkness and formality to her former faith and love, and once more put on her beautiful garments. This alone is my de- sire, and I am persuaded the desire of all other labour- ers, who have been thrust out in the same way. Often have we wished and prayed that those that are in power, did but really know our motives and aims, the difficulties we struggle with, and the good that is done to souls. If they knew these things they would sure- ly be moved with compassion, their judgment of us would be altered, and they would no longer think us mad enthusiasts. What if, in our zeal against ignorance and pro- phaneness, we betray our imperfections, — drop a few unguarded expressions ; and, in some things, for want of more experience, go too far, being perhaps imposed upon by designing hypocrites ; shall no other side of the work be viewed ? Or are there no considerations to soften the charges brought against it ? Are we not sorry if we give just offence to anyi or discover a spirit and behaviour contrary to the Gospel ? Do we not openly acknowledge and bewail our infirmites, and profess our earnest desire of conformity to our Savi- our's example and precepts ? Though we are refused regular admission to the communion — , for reasons which doubtless seem sufficient to our superiors, ac- cording to the light in which we are set before them ; though we are publicly reproached and branded, even from the pulpit, on account of that which does not belong to us ; and though many, in their own parish churches, have been refused the Sacrament for no other reasons than frequenting our societies ; yet we HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 159 still determine to continue in prayer for our desolate Church, and to abide in her until we are entirely put out. I know too well her spmtual poverty, though she, in her Mien state, is ready to say that she wants nothing I The work done among us is too evident to be denied, and is clearly, as to the substance of it, a work of the Lord, though attended with some unavoid- able weakness, which true charity will cover. We have ventured our lives, for several years, under all manner of discouragements, in the face of an angry world, fre- quently in danger of being stoned to death, and some- times having our blood mingled with the dust, because we invited sinners to the only Saviom'! The Lord . knows that, being constrained by love to Him and his Church, we have travelled incessantly, day and night, through rain and wind, frost and snow, discoursing, in all weathers, in the open air, seeking no other rewai-d in this world but what we had in our own consciences. We have endured scandals, hard speeches, and re- proaches, esteeming it a sufficient recompense to hear poor ignorant wretches cn'ing out, ' What shall we do to be saved ? ' — breaking off their sins by righteous- ness, following the Lord they once blasphemed, and bringing forth the good fruit of obedience in their future hves. This recompense we undeniably have, though several tares grow up with the wheat. These at first make a fine shew, then discover their true charac- ter and nature, and occasion an evil report. This we have witnessed with aching hearts ; yet, blessed be God, there are several thousands, in England and Wales, who prove, by Gospel characters, that they have enlisted into the army of Christ indeed. To these the Lord hath made us the means of salvation, by plucking them as fire-brands out of the bimiing. D did our superiors know only the hundredth part of he real good done, they would be so far h'om discour- iging, or thinking ill of the work, which so evidently bespeaks its great Author, that they would enquire nore into it, and endeavour to satis^ themselves on ust evidence ; so that, whatever enthusiastic flights, p 160 LIFE AND TIMES OF false zeal, or other irregularities may be mixed with our proceedings, I am persuaded that many masters of our Israel, would, with tears or praises, fall down be- fore Him, who sits uj)on the throne, and say, ' Verily the Lord has visited our land, and this is the Lord's doing ! ' Who besides could open the eyes of tlie blind ; turn the wicked from the evil of his ways, and make the profane scoffer a humble, persevering wor- shipper of God ? Of this there are, through his grace, innumerable instances. 1 am sure that, as you see and know the importance, weight, and burden of the great work of dealing w^ith souls, and perceive the trials and snares that surround us, from various kinds of people, — from an imdsible enemy, and above all, fi-om the unfathomable inbred depth of iniquity, you cannot help weeping over us before the Lord. It is a miracle that our heads are kept above the water. O dear Sir, who is sufficient for these things ? If I had not a well-grounded persuasion that the work is the Lord's, and that He hath undertaken the care, weight, and management, my hands would hang down under a thousand discouraging considerations. And it is by humble dependence on the grace, wisdom, and faith- fulness, I see in Him, that I move. 0 Sir, help us, with your prayers, for never were such weak, unworthy, in- sufficient worms, employed in so great a w^ork. 0 how it will at last bring Him honour and praise, before men and angels, for ever employing and blessing in any degree such j^oor and justly-despised instruments ! Your cautions against pride are always seasonable and blessed to me ; for I can never sufficiently value the privilege of faithful admonitions ; — I need them con- tinually. When I am made in some measure poor in spirit, I am humble. Yet I soon forget my nothing- ness, — my need of fresh supplies of gi*ace every mo- ment, and, that I stand continually by faitli alone. What would become of me, if our dear and faithful Eedeemer did not provide thorns for my flesh daily,— a fresh buffeting continually ? How well it is for me i that of a truth, I am enabled to believe that He diec HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. IGl for me, and that because He lives, I shall hve also ! I am kept by his power alone, through faith, to salva- tion. Help Sir, 0 help in the gi'eat work of endea- vouring to snatch many poor sinners, as brands out of the fire : — pray help us, for the Lord's sake, all you can every day. — Zech. iii. 2 ; Jude 23." There is something veiy touching and Christian- like in this letter. It is so artless, so earnest, so o-pen. It carries conviction along with it. How anxious he was for love, union, and fellowship. How strongly he cleaves to the old Church, though several of its mem- bers had treated him in a cruel manner. We shall now proceed with Han-is' du'ections, to dis- tinguished persons, in extracts from letters. We will ' begin with his counsels to female friends. \ From the following letter it may be conceived how Harris, as one of the Leaders of the new connexion, was viewed by one of the most exalted ladies in Wales, Madam Bevan, a member of the Established Church. It was by her liberality that the Eev. G. Jones was I enabled to carry on his charity schools. She must ' have had a high opinion of Hams, as she evidently I consulted him on the concerns of her soul. His direc- tions to her are the following : — Lo?idon, Feb. 22, 1746. " Dear Madam, " You will not be surprised that I steal a mo- ■ ment to ask you how it is with yom- soul. If by faith I you are enabled to keep free fi'om all wanderings, sim- i pie and child-like, at your Saviour's feet, I am per- I suaded that all is well. Faith and hope, humility and ' meekness, praise and resignation, must, in that case, I mutually take place to beautify and adorn your happy ! soul. However if it is an hour of temptation, and need be that the fiery trial continue some time longer, ' then in patience possess your soul, being assm'ed that I all, even the darkest scene, shall conctu* to bring about I the great end, even God's glor}- in your present and j eternal happiness ; and if so, then all is well. The ' sorest tiials and humiliations are before our exalta- 162 LIFE AND TIMES OF tions. If stxjrms are to precede the heavenly rest, and the glorious palms of victory, then welcome all ; let us rejoice in the midst of all, because the Lord reigns, and is our all ; and does all for our good. Then how safe and delightful it is to be in his hands, as clay in the hands of the potter ; giving ourselves wholly to Him, to be disposed of as He pleases ; being equally thankful when He frowns, as when He smiles.* This is his will, and it is our happiness to submit. — I am confident that He unveils more and more of his glory to your soul, and sheweth you more of that mystery, the Word made flesh. This is indeed food for our souls, and shall be our entertainment for ever, in the world of eternal Ught." There is an excellent letter of Harris to a Mrs. B , dated March 26, 1 742. I imagine, from the above address and its internal evidence, that it was wiitten to Madam Bevan. It is not improbable but that he was instrumental in Grod's hands to direct her mind, by suggesting such thoughts as are in this letter, to assist the Rev. G. Jones in carrying on that most useftd work, the Welch Circulating Schools, already mentioned. She left in her will, for the permanent sujDport of the schools, the interest of £10,000. — See an account of them in Charles of Bala's Life, p. 324. The letter is the following, which begins with Harris' views of justification by faith, alluded to in page 83. " How sweet and ravishing are the thoughts of death and eternity to the soul that hath heard the Shepherd's voice ! — His strength faileth not when ours doth ; He watcheth over us, even when we for- get Him. " He is our righteousness in which we stand equally justified at all times, even in the eye of infinite jus- tice ! Though we in our obedience fall short of the * In another letter he shews how the soul becomes passive under God's band. — "^Tien we can say, * Lord, Thou knowest I would be passive ; I am willing to be as Thou wouldest have me: I deserve to be damned because 1 have not been so ; I cannot rest, but groan to be made so.' Such a soul shall be set free." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ, 163 glory of Gspd, yet He accepts us being complete in Christ. It is true we perceive millions of imperfec- tions in all that we think, say, and do. But we appear before God, not what we are in ourselves, but what we are in Christ. The moment we flee to Him we be- come dead to the law as to any expectation of life by keeping it. And as the law cannot save us, so neither can it condemn us to eternal death ; Christ having in our stead, answered all its demands ! " But having found rest from the terrors of the law, through the life and death of Emmanuel, we have it written in our hearts, and we long for an entire con- formity to its precepts, because in it we behold the image of our heavenly Father. We love holiness be- cause God is holy, and hate sin because it is Satan's image, and contrary to the divine nature. — O what happiness to see ' Christ all in all,' and self nothing ! ' — to see God's eternal love in the Kedeemer, and eter- nal life flowing to us freely from that Fountain ! This will enable us to bear more fruit to our dear Lord, and to be more useful in his Church. Thus we shall have more fellowship with Him, — be more assured of our interest in Him, and long for the moment when this mortal shall put on immortality. I hope the ex- clamation of your soul is, ' What hast Thou, 0 eternal Jehovah, loved me thus ! What me, vile me ! What shall I do for Thee ? ' When you seem weak, look out of yourself immediately unto Him, who is your strength. When you commit sin, and see all you think and do to be sin, then do not reason with un- belief, but look immediately to Him, that has no sin, who is become yours by grace ; else you will give tlie enemy an advantage over you. But as soon as you flee to Him, — then your peace shall be established, and your soul shall be swallowed up in deeper admira- tion of his free sovereign grace, who called you, and made you to differ, when there was no difference be- tween you and those that are on the road to hell. " Since our dear Lord empowers you to be a ste- wardess over a little portion of this earth, and as He 164 LIFE AND TIMES OF hath given you a heart to use some portion of your wealth according to his will, and as his work calleth for such help in various ways, take heed how and where you give. You have need to pray, not only that what you do may be with a single eye and out of love to Jesus, bat also that you may be directed i where to give much and where to give little ; noti only to lay out your property for God, but so as to bring most glory to Him. I give these general hints that your charity may not be abused through the vi- gilance of a cunning enemy. Good of various kinds are going on, and calling for the assistance of God's people according to their circumstances. Home wor- thy people who keep house, are poor, fail to get work, and are near being in want. Some, who are called to go about in the service of religion, often fail to do it as much as they would, by reason of narrow circum- stances. Some things ought to be printed. Schools are much wanted ; and many talents, I believe, lie unimproved. Many who seem called to the Minis- try, fail to have necessary instruction. Society-rooms ought to be built or rented. — May the Lord direct you how to give your mite according to his will." Another eminent female believer, Mrs. Whitefield, was instructed in the school of experimental religion, under God's blessing, by H. Harris. The following letter is a fair specimen of his manner of teaching : — How beautifully is the glorious Person of Christ set forth. — There is a reference to this letter in page 83. Oct. J 6th, 1749. " My dear Sister, I hope that you are brought by every means of grace to the sacred Fountain, — the Blood of the Lamb of God ; by this alone are our hearts cleansed from the guilt, pollution, and power of sin, — our robes made white, and our spiritual enemies overcome. O un- speakable Fountain, what would become of us, were it not for thy soul-cleansing and sin-destroying virtue ? I trust the Lord Jesus is daily teaching you, subduing your heart and will to his own, and preparing you for / HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 165 fresh manifestations of his glory. One view of his in- finitely glorious Person, love, obedience, and suffer- ings, is worth milHons of worlds. Who can set forth the riches of his death, and the unfathomable abyss of his sufferings ? The inexpressible evil of sin appears here more clearly than in all the miseries of the dam- ned. Here I should see, had I greater faith, more of the riches of grace, the perfections of God, the nature of the law, the evil of sin, the way of salvation, than all the wisdom and reasoning in the world could ever discover. Hither let us repair, my dear sister, and rest our souls here for ever. Here let us learn all our Christianity. This is what was typified by the gate of heaven, the city of refuge, Noah's ark, the brazen ser- pent. This is the one thing needful, that we want to know. O come, my dear sister, let me take you by the hand, and shew you One, even Jesus, the eternal Word, the Lord Jehovah, groaning under the load of our sins, bearing them away in his own sacred Body to eternal oblivion, drinking up the river of eternal wrath that was in our way, and encountering all oiu: hell, in order to rescue our souls from the jaws of the lion ! 0 let us adore, though we cannot comprehend ; let us Ibow before the amazing Sufferer, and pray that the |healmg streams of salvation may be tiu-ned .into our ! parched hearts, that we may become like a watered garden. It is in tracing my beloved divine Master, in [all the steps of humiliation, that I feel my pride sub- dued, my will changed, and my carnal wisdom nailed to the cross. The whole Church, our Saviour's mys- tical Body, is precious in all its parts to me, as seen in Him. Indeed every thing, that intervenes between me and his glorv', is injurious. 0 my loving, my dear ■9ternal Saviour, I am ashamed that I have still so Ioauch of a Jewish heart, that sees not any glory in rhee, or the value of thy infinite merits ! Certainly I ieserve millions of hells, for slighting thy wounds and Blood, — thinking and speaking so httie of Thee, Thou glorious Sufferer ! O, my dear sister, we see but lit- ie of the evil of trifling with and forgetting this ador- 166 LIFE AND TIMES OF able Fountain. O tlie great Atonement ! When all the types are so glorious, what must Thou Thyself be ? If the shadows, that were to vanish, were of so great account, what must the substance be ? By this the infinite evil of sin is removed ; and we, the heirs of hell, become the heirs of heaven ! If we were not stupified, hard, and very carnal, this would be the sub- ject of our thoughts and conversation. Every mercy we enjoy, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, — all come to us by this door, and proclaim a crucified Saviour. 0 that we had spiritual eyes and ears to perceive and discern the value of the Atonement ! — I have been tedious, but dare not excuse myself ; I rather rejoice in the freedom of spirit I have in writing ; and as it comes from the heart, I am persuaded it will go to the heart." There was another lady of distinction Harris was in the habit of corresponding with : a letter of his to her on the distinguishing love of God, directing her on that grand subject, shall be inserted here. — " Most dear and honoured Madam, " I am persuaded our dear Lord has loved you with an everlasting love, and does often give you to taste of the same, whilst others of your rank make ' themselves drunk with iniquity, and move on hastily towards the bottomless pit. But Oh ! that free, so- vereign, and everlasting love, that calls those in time, who were elected in eternity ! What have we to do but admire more and more this wonderful subject, and exclaim, " Why me, Lord, why me ? " Methinks I ' perceive your heaven-born soul bow before your God, and say, " Very true, it is unmerited love." — Well, now ! Madam, there are several Scriptures, which should of course, be brought home to your experience, such as " All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. iii. 12. — Let us, since in all probability opposition and persecution are the Christ- ian's lot, humbly entreat our blessed Lord for strength cheerfully to bear the cross, being well assured that .| they who suffer with Him, shall also reign with Him in HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. If)7 glory for ever. — Rom. viii. 17. Yet a little while and it will be seen, who are the mad people, and who are in their senses, — those who mock at sin, and laugh over their destruction, or the despised few that follow the Lamb ; therefore go on dear Madam in the power of his might, and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall sudden- ly come into his temple, and subdue those enemies that are yet unsubdued in your happy soul. But whi- ther am I going ? Do I consider to w4iom I am writ- ing ? Is it not to a King's daughter ? — And though there be some remains of sin in hei*, yet she shall soon be all glorious within, and her clothing of wrought gold : whilst many of the great ones of the earth, shall cry to the mountains and rocks, to fall on them, and hide them from the face of Him that sittetli on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb ; I am per- suaded you shall be caught up with a shout to meet the Lord in the air, and shall be for ever with Him ! — Rev. vi. 16. " I must conclude as it is now midnight. I am ready to blush that I give you such a scribble to look over ; but if it should please our dear Lord to bless it, I shall attain my end in writing. — There are multi- tudes that will go with us to church, sacrament, church meetings, family prayer, and all the outward forms of religion, and rest there ; — these are likely to escape persecution. God forbid we should thus mock Him and deceive our souls for fear of a flea-bite like them. Such alas shall be torn presently by fiends in hell for ever ! " Let us take the whole armour of God, and go against the prince of darkness — the evil spirit : and when we have attained that degree of holiness, so as not only to hate sin in ourselves, but also to rej^rove 'it in others, the profane rabble will open their black mouths in full cry after us, saying ' There goes one of the saints, — one of those who do not cease to speak ii^niinst our great goddess Diana, (wdiich is sin) when licst in her best clothes." We shall add another letter of Harris' wTitten to a 168 LIFE AND TIMES OF young lady on the concern of her soul. What an awakening letter. — " Ehos-tywarch, Dec. 10th, 1740. " To Miss M — , Llwyngwaren, "Dear Madam, " When you are fully convinced of my end in ■writing to you, you will not be surprised at it ; — eter- nity is at the door. Our hearts are full of devices : this world is full of temptations, and all our nature is corrupt, and draws us from God ! God's Spirit may easily, in his first working upon us, be grieved and quenched ; and if He once leaves us, we become hard- ened, careless, and indifferent, which is the most dreadful condition we can be in. For these reasons, I could not help writing to cherish those good desires, already seen in you : and 0 ! that this may find you looking up to Jesus, and comforted with his love : — being made quite willing to renounce all for Him, — seeing yourself quite lost without Him ; — seeing Him of more value than ten thousand worlds.* But j if you fall short of Him, and will not be fully united i to Him, how dreadful will death and eternity be ? What will good name, high family, beauty, riches, * Thus he writes to another lady upon being united to Christ. — " Dear Sister, bear with me : it is from a godly jealously I entreat you to look carefully whether there be any idols in your heart, — any thing nearer than Christ. I beg of God to search you, lest you may not find, because you do it not heartily. " We are one with Christ by faith. Then Christ and his righteous- ness and graces; yea all He has, become ours and are freely given us. His God, his Spirit, are ours ! And on seeing this, we cannot help surrendering our all to Him, saying, ' Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ? — How shall I improve every talent for thy glory ? O, make me faithful ; not that I may merit thy love, but because Thou hast i loved me freely. Help me to shew my love to Thee in return.' .... This is like marriage union. " Never did a kind mother love her own child with such care and tenderness as Christ loves his poor weak lambs. The weaker they are, the more they are entitled to his care and tenderness. May this then be the continual breathing of your soul, — ' Lord, Thou knowest ; that I am the weakest and blindest, the vilest and the most miserable | of any ; therefore watch over poor me, leave me not for a moment lest I set up an idol in my heart. — Take me altogether into thy hands, for ^ I cannot keep myself.' — How would I rejoice in being used, by your good Shepherd, as a poor instrument in his hand for your benefit" HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 100 friends, and relations avail us then ? O, dear Madam, an earnest prayer ascends from my heart before the throne of grace that you may be born again. — Gala- i tions iv. 19. Be not surprised, if I tell you that you ' must see yourself the greatest of sinners, — even on the same footing with harlots. — for we are all such in hearts though restrained in the outward conduct. Pray rest not until you know that your sins are for- given. What comfort is there in any thing until we enjoy this ? Ask it with all your heai't, and you shall I have it. Shall you shine with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, when our dear Lord shall come from heaven to be glo- rified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ; — all who can now see that day with the eye of faith, and renounce all for their Saviour, Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season " ? — Heb. xi. 25. O, look up to your heavenly Fathers house, and you will soon quit and forsake sinful joys. Pray give not sleep to your eyes, or slumber to your eyelids, un- til you find that Christ is in you and you in Him. — If you feel your heart hard, and cannot experience his love, nor apply any thing home to your heart, as you would wish, let not that discourage you from going to Christ ; but rather go more confidently to Him. In Him you will find strength when you are weak, light when you are dark, life when you are dead, love when you are cold, comfort when you are dejected, — a Friend at all times, and a remedy for all spiritual diseases ! O, let nothing share your heart with Him ; He is wil- ling to take you as you are, a poor, blind, weak, lost, helpless worm, if you are willing to part with the right eye or right hand, and all for Him. — But if you will not be wholly united to Him, all your sins will meet upon your head and condemn you in the last day, and the phials of God's wrath will be poured upon you ! Oh, the thought of it is most dreadful, and strikingly awful. Halt not then between two minds. — O, that I could go with you in my arms to our blessed Saviour. 170 LIFE AND TIMES OF There I long to see you. — Sit down now, and cast tip the cost. Beware of resolving in your own strength. — Concern for your soul makes me desire a line to in- form me how it is with you in the inward man. May the Lord guide and lead you into all truth." How kind and beautiful is the following letter to his old and venerable mother, directing her, as a son, in the important concerns of her soul. — ''February 27, 1742. " My dear, dear Mother, I have sometimes sweet symptoms that my work is almost finished : and I feel that I am in a straight which to choose. — -Pity to the dear lambs, constrain me on the one side ; and the thoughts of leaving them is sore : but the fervent longing of my soul, is to be dissolved and to be for ever with my blessed Lord. My cry between the two is, ' Lord, do thy will, whatever way it may be.' " I hope, dear mother, you feel Christ is in you ; going on from conquering to conquer, casting out the world and the things of time, — working in you that mind and spirit that is in Him, — destroying the works of the devil in you. Do not be staggered, if you feel sometimes some hidings of his face, some hardness and deadness, some strong onsets of Satan ; — some bitter remorse of mind, some sore wounds of con- science, some heavy trials. You must suffer in the same spirit as Christ did, before you can be glorified with Him, If your trials are less from without, expect them sharper within. Faith is a grace given us to he tried and exercised ; and so is every grace. Our hearts are ready to be careless and negligent unless exercised by trials. They are all tokens of God's love to us, and being sanctified, send us nearer to God. " 0, dear mother, my comfort as to you is that I hope our blessed Lord has loved you with an everlast- ing love : beware of false comfort ; — rather wait at Christ's feet, and then the Comforter will soon come and will apply the merits of Christ. Eternity is at the door : beware of grieving that blessed S])irit, with- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 171 out whom you cannot believe or repent. Be much in private, — wait often on God, — yield to the motions of his grace within you. Beware of any thing that sets you in a hurry of mind. There is such loveliness, ex- cellency, and suitableness for our wants in the Lord Jesus, that when we begin to know Him, we cannot afterwards have an improper relish for any earthly things. When He, the Pearl of great price, is view- ed, — the only Object of our supreme love, desire and delight, — we shall then find Him a Kock, that will keep us from sinking in storms and trials ; — a Friend, that will never leave us nor forsake us ; — a Brother, that loves with an unchangeable and everlasting love ! — a Husband, that will sympathize with us in all our afflictions ; — a Shepherd, that will carry us in his bosom, while we are weak as lambs; — a Physician, that will heal all our wounds freely and tenderly ; — a Father, that will feed us with the milk j of his love by his word, and that beyond the love of I the kindest mother to her sucking child ! — Psalm , Ixxxix. — Make sure then of Him ; count all things ■ but loss and dung that you may win Him. And i when you have known his love, light, and Spirit, under a sense of your deserving eternal punishment, plead the privilege of being justified freely by his grace, and then you shall have rest in your soul. — Eom. iii. 22, 23." We shall now see some of Harris' counsels and di- rections to men in the Ministry, who had been useful in their days, and some of them eminent. It is known that he was much engaged at the head of Whitefield's Connexion in London and elsewhere, as well as of the j Calvinistic Methodists in Wales, — then Members of » the Church of England : he wrote occasionally to ' Ministers of both denominations and to Clergymen. A few specimens of such letters shall be given here. How faithful are the following extracts of a letter written to a Minister of the above Chm'ch. The work of the Spirit, also, the nature of faith and unbelief are noticed. Q 172 LIFE AND TIMES OF To Mr. T , of Pancheston, "Manachlog, Dec. 10, J 740. " Dear Brother, " You have many enemies to encounter, but none so dangerous as self and unbehef. 0, how should we dread self-love, self-righteousness, self-will, and self-wisdom. — 0, my dear brother, there is no- thing so dangerous in a teacher as letter-learning and head or book knowledge without the Spirit of God. It would be well if we felt what we know and preach. I beg of you — be strong in faith and fear not, what- ever you may suffer from the blind leaders of the blind — . Then shall the Spirit of glory rest upon you, and you shall have strength according to your day : I am an instance and a witness of this. My most ardent wishes and prayers are that you may be made faithful. — I see we stand in continual need of the Spirit of God to shew us our misery and to help us to conquer sin, — to produce grace in us and to act with grace when wrought in us, and also to make and keep us as nothing in our own eyes. A view of the dying Saviour and of his forgiving love will make us leave all our idols, and love Him with all our hearts and souls. How can we love Him, if we are not persuaded He loves us ? — Faith is the spring of every grace and all true obedi- ence. Unbelief is the root or fountain-head of all re- bellion and disobedience. I see but few convinced of the evil or of the sin of unbelief, though it makes God a liar, and denies all his glorious perfections ! — renders the w^ord of God, praying, and conversing, of none ef-'' feet ! — bars the heart against Christ ; blinds the mind ! — destroys the love of God ; estranges us from Him ! and feeds self love, lust, slavish fear, and love of the world in us ! It stops growth in grace, and gives Satan an advantage over us !* Most think that to doubt, which * Harris, in another lettter on unbelief, says — " It makes God, though a Friend, unfaithful to his word ; and like us, changeable crea- tures, promising great things, but never fulfilling them ! — If a man were to fall into whoredom, or drunkenness, it would be reckoned a horrid crime ; but to live under the power of unbelief is not so much dread- ed or strove against ! " HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 173 is the fruit of unbelief, is to be on sure footing I Whereas all ought to be assured that they are either out of Christ or in Him. Most think of going towards heaven by doing, and not by believing ; — working for life, and not from life received ; — with Christ in the head and self in the heart ! It is vain to press to holiness, until the root of holiness is in us, which is faith : we cannot grow in sanctification, when we are not in a state of justification. I know, dear brother, you will not misconstrue my freedom in this, for love constrains me."* In the following letter Harris points out the frame of mind a Minister should be in, and the trials that he is to expect. — London, March, ]9tk, 1747. " To Mr. Kinsman, Plymouth, "Dear Brother, " I long to hear how you go on, trusting that our dear Saviour becomes more precious to you, drawing you from every thing to Himself, causing you to weep and mourn over sinners by reason of their lost and ruined state, and the want of conformity to Him in yourself and others. — 0, when shall He reign as King in the hearts of all his followers ? When shall every thought and motion wdthin us be brought into subjection to Him ? This must surely be our strong desire, as we become more acquainted with Him. We should then long to have the same mind as is in Him, I and desire to love as He loveth, and to act to others, i even towards the rebelhous, as He hath to us even I when we were enemies, with forbearance, patience, and * Harris had great regard for this Minister : in his letter to the father of Miss M — . of Lhvyngivarren, already mentioued, who lived in his neighbourhood, he thus speaks of him ; — " Let your daughter draw many to the Ministry of dear Mr. Thomas of Penchestou. — ! Beware of sitting under the Ministry of dead, blind, guides : beware of consulting with flesh and blood. Were I there I would go many 1 times to him, as I could not expect to meet God, while I would neg- 1 lect powerful means, i/earf-searching Ministers are very scarce . The greatest honor, we poor mortals can be capable of, is to be per- i secuted for righteousness' sake ! " 174 LIFE AND TIMES OF love.* — Pray let us always strive for all the fruits of the Spirit ; and especially faith, love, and humiUty ; that all, by our fruits, may be obliged to own that we are his disciples. My particular wish is, and has been, that my lot may be cast among such as are indeed without guile, and are deeply acquainted with and in- crease in true poverty of Spirit, and transformed into the image and loving Spirit of Jesus, who loves his redeemed ones, notwithstanding the various infirmities that may appear in them, either in judgment or in practice. " My dear brother, if our Saviour intends you for any further service, in his great and glorious family, you shall meet with various trials. Let your heart therefore be prepared for them, from within and with- out, — from the world and the Church ; from the preju- dices, weaknesses, and corruptions of the Lord's peo- ple, — from the sinister views, worldly wisdom, and pha- risaical tempers of carnal professors, and the bigotry and narrow-mindedness of others. But let not my dear brother's heart fail him under these and a thousand other things : — cry mightily for the witness of the Spirit, that you may see and know your work and sphere of action. Then you will be able to commit, in faith, yourself and all your burdens into the Lord's hands, and expect every qualification, strength, and wisdom, from Him, who employs you. Then you will not go away from the work, nor seek praise from man, or your own heart ; but you will thankfully embrace the cross, seeing it the highest honor and privilege to suffer afflictions, as well as to be active for Christ's * Thus Harris directs another ministerial brother, Beaumont, on the subject of shewing kindness to others. — " O, my dear brother, how remarkable are Christ's bowels of compassion towards me; — He for- gives me, bears with me, hides and covers all my endless provoca- tions ! — Let us appear like our Father, especially in mercy and for- bearance, in which He delights. We daily drink out of the Fountain of love ; we feed on love ; we are clothed by love ! We see nothing but love in time and to all eternity ! Let this appear in all our steps, Ob, how am I ashamed, that so little of the condescension, kindness, and bowels of his love, appear in all my conduct, especially towards weak believers." — See p. 175. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 175 Bride. 0, my brother, a great work is begun on earth, and where it will end God only knows, but happy are those that shall be employed by Him." How wise, kind, and judicious are the following ex- extracts of a letter, addressed to another brother in England, Mr. Edwards. It is pleasing to behold such excellent traits in Hanis' character. His coun- sels and directions may be profitable to others also. "Mat/ ]Otk, 1747. " Dear brother Edwards, " I assure you, my dear brother, that your burdens are mine. 1 wish I could stop your eyes and ears to all that grieves you: only look to the wounded Saviour. If brother Adams and you had freedom together, it would give me pleasure ; for I know your hearts and eyes move the same way ; and it is only Satan that weakens your hearts to each other, suggesting jealousies by bad tongues. — Let no- thing weigh down your righteous soul for one mo- ment. I am sure we shall do well. I trust you will find an open ear, a tender heart, and sweet sympathy in me to bear your burdens ; for if I am trained for any usefulness, it is for this. If, seeing in my own nature, all the evil that I ever saw, read, or heard of in others, will ease me of a contemptuous self-righte- ous spirit, then I am sure I am humbled and free from it. And I can have full freedom with none, but such as see themselves the chief of all sinners, like beasts, and more like devils. If daily trials, from some spirits or other, will inure one to forbearance, and aflect his spirit, so as to dispose him to sympathize with the af- flicted, surely I am the man. And I am ha2:)py to be trodden under foot, bruised and despised for Jesu's sake. Greater bliss and honor cannot be conferred on us. I am never so happy as when I am thus brouglit un- der the feet of all men, being despised by some, and censured by others ! I am willing, seeing the selfish, devilish nature, of fallen man, to be reckoned as the ofi*-scouring of all things. I stand amazed, bow and wonder, and adore an incarnate God. Seeing myself 176 LIFE AND TIMES OF brother Edwards, and all our weak brethren, com- plete in Him, I sing and rejoice in the midst of all, and most heartily subscribe, my dear John, your sor- rowful, yet rejoicing ; unhappy, yet happy brother and fellow sufferer." The next letter, we shall introduce, is one to a Mo- ravian Bishop, — Gamhold, who had been a Minister in the Church of England, — the Rector of Stanton Hare- court. It is well known that these two Churches are nearly allied to each other, and that the Moravian is denominated a Sister by the other. However Gam- bold was a most devoted and pious Character. The letter is the following, which contains dehghtful en- couragements and directions. — "London, July 2, 1748. " My dearest Brother, " I was refreshed by the receipt of your kind letter, and am thankful to the great Prophet, the Head of the Church, that leads you on in divine things and keeps your spirit humble, at every fresh discovery. He will continue to reveal Himself to the humble and meek, and He will honor and exalt them in his kingdom. Every discovery, given us by the Holy Ghost, is worth millions of worlds. May you ever abide in his hands as clay in the hands of the potter, and you will see greater things than these. 0, my brother, we know nothing yet as we ought ; — we are babes. But we shall pry and look by faith into this infinite wonder of the Trinity, until we are swallowed up in light and astonishment in viewing the incom- prehensible Majesty, — infinite Father, infinite Son, in- finite Holy Ghost, — mysterious, incomprehensible, Three in One ! — Col. ii. 9. This shall be our subject, our study, contemplation, and bliss to all eternity. — It is now the time of building the temple ; no wonder then it is a time of confusion ; much dust and noise may be raised ; but let the labourers love one another, and mind their own work. Every member has his proper office; — Blessed are the peace-makers, says our Lord. We have more and more reason to think that HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 177 our Saviour has kind and merciful thoughts towards this nation and Church ; He is carrying on his work several ways, and uses wonderful means to accomphsh it. Let us bow and wonder, fall down, adore and say, — 'Thy kingdom come.' — I remain, my dear fellow-heir of all the promises, and fellow-citizen of the New Je- rusalem, with the warmest affection to all believers in Christ near you." There are several more letters now extant, written by Harris, to different Ministers, and some of them of high standing, such as the Rev. Mr. Bateman, Rector of St. Bartholomew, London, for their guidance and direction in the Ministry. — We conclude this chapter with the following pathetic appeal of Harris to Minis- ters, and may the Lord bless it to them. — 0, my dear brethren, can you behold the Son of Righteousness, enjoy its healing rays, and walk in its cheerful light, and not look down with weeping eyes on 2)oor ignorant self-sufficient creatures ? Especially when you see what rags they choose to appear in before a holy God, instead of the spotless robe of Christ's righteousness. Oh, their folly and madness; their misery and wretchedness ! Alas, they neither see, feel, nor believe that they are blind, naked, and miserable beings, though God tells them so in his word. Does not such a sight affect your hearts gTcatly, and fill you with pity, tenderness, and giief ? Are not your heads waters, and yom' eyes a fountain of tears, at such a view ? Oh, can you look at men under the power of the wicked one, and closing their eyes against the light, yea, running away from the bleeding, dying Saviour, and not weep over them ? His voice is most moving, — ' Look unto me, and be ye saved ; all the ends of the earth'; — Again, ' O, that they would come unto me that they might have life ! ' And Oh, how He wept over Jerusalem rushing into destruction. Can you behold his eyes full of tears of love and pity, and hear Him so kindly inviting sinners, without being similarly affected ? 0, may you have the same mind, spirit, and temper as Jesus." CHAPTER XIII. THE STATE OF RELIGION, — THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, — SE- PARATION FROM ROWLANDS. It seems there was some variation in the rehgioiis views and feehngs of some of these Christians in Wales in the course of time. Harris perceived this with grief : — convictions were not so powerful ; and the effects of the word preached, on the hearts of the peo- ple, were not so deep and remarkahle ! The state of religion, in the Church on earth, is subject to many changes, and its beauty and excellency must always be exjDected to suffer through the frailty of man and the deceitfulness of sin. The following observations of Harris' will afford us painful illustration of this. — "In the year 1746, I saw a spirit, creeping in among us, very different from that which had been be- fore; — a spirit of levity, pride, and unwatchfulness ; and this appeared to take place immediately after those extensive transports, — the effects of nature in a measure, which many seemed to enjoy in hearing the word and singing. The spirit of true seriousness, that had begun to prevail, was at length almost extinguish- ed ! The spirit of awakening sinners under the Minis- try of the word, was also lost in a great measure, to- gether with the substantial fruits of it in the hearts of men ! — Although the number of teachers was increas- ing daily, I discovered in some of them, a desire to be thought wise and popular, and a tendency to please men ! while a great many of my dearest friends, both in England and Wales, seemed to be losing their former simplicity ! — Thus the enemy appeared to ad- vance like a flood, and seemed to be now doing, by other means, what he had failed to do by outward op- HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 179 position ! In a word, the spirit that began and carried )n the work for a while, was gradually d^dng away ! — \fany saw this, and were, like myself, much concern - 3d ; — we waited for the Lord's return to renew the wrork. Yet w^e proceeded in Wales notwithstanding :he great jars and disputes that arose among us." Harris anxiously watched the state and progress of religion, and was indeed a keen observer of the state 3f things. He m*ites thus on these points in 1750. — " I now felt the necessity of seeing and knowing the state of those to whom I preached, so as to make a iifference, by giving each what was proper and suit- able, according to the state they were m, as babes, little children, young men, and fathers. — The great- ness and difficulty of the work of the Ministry appear- ed to me more plain by reason of these particulars which were evidently occurring. " 1. — I saw, that by something appearing in nature, like faith, love, and humihty, many souls were deceiv- ed, thinking themselves born again, while they were nothing else but what our Saviour termed, ' w^hited sepulchres.' Nature w^as outwardly changed and en- hghtened by the common influence of the Spirit of God ; so that such persons did experience some sen- sations of joy and sorrow, to which they had not been accustomed. These they mistook for a real change, though self love, and the spirit of the world, continued to reign : the strong man armed was not cast out ; the spirit being not awakened by the Law or Gosjoel, nor convinced of the evil of secret sin. " 2. — I was brought more and more to see the deceit- fulness that is in man, and how nature may put on the appearance of grace, being so improved and checked, as to have its course turned from the common way of the world, pleasures and honors, to run in a religious channel, — now delighting itself in hearing sermons, singing hymns, and having the j)assions moved. — They never thoroughly considered whether they were truly rooted and grounded in Christ ; — they seemed to strengthen, establish, and build each other in the 180 LIFE AND TIMES OF faith, and thus imagined that they were growing i grace. However their minds were evidently in th world. They had no power to resist the spirit of th world and its encroachments ; and yet they shewed th same appearance of faith, love, and zeal as formerly. "Seeing things in this light, a necessity was laii upon me to lift up my voice like a trumpet; exhortiuj Christians to examine their professions, and search in to the foundation of their religion and faith, so as t( ascertain whether it was formed only in the flesh, o whether it had indeed reached the inner man, callec the heart or spirit. I saw clearly that there was sucl a thing as knowing Christ after the flesh, and exerci sing a kind of love to the Saviour, and confidence ir Him, from natural and historical views of the Gospel such as Balaam had. I perceived that this might be attended with seeming joy and happiness, as in thf case of those represented by the seed on stony ground, while the heart still remained whole, self righteous, and wordly ; the spirit being still carnal and unawak- ened, — in bondage to the god of this world, — never convinced of the sin of nature, the evil of unbelief, and the difficulty of obeying the call of Christ in the Gos- pel. Such persons appeared looking back upon some- thing that they had done or felt at diflerent times, and thence to draw the conclusion that they belonged to God, and therefore should be saved. " This I plainly saw was the religion of most profess- ors ; they formed a faith to themselves, without going to Christ as perishing sinners, — looking to Him as the Israelites did to the brazen serpent, and fleeing to Him, as the man from the avenger of blood into the city of refuge. No wonder, when this false confidence is settled, that the spiritual life, the daily combat, the victory of faith, the feeding on the flesh and blood of the Saviour, the mysteries of his Person as God-man — opened in all his obedience and humiliation, the infi- nite depth of his glorious riches, and the wonders of his blood and wounds, and sufierings, remain a secret to them : No wonder I say that these things afford no HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ, J81 I life or entertainment to them, but become matters of S2)eculation and controversy, instead of being their life, delight, and daily food." Thus was the mental eye of Harris keen to observe defects and imperfections, while he was always zealous jto undertake and enter upon the arduous work of his Lord's vineyard. In the above observations fictitious , religion is well described. Partial influence of the Spirit is seen under the first, — chanfje of employments, not of the heart, under the second. There may be I change of views not of feelings. Many hear and speak ;of Christ very well, but do not come to Him as lost , sinners. , Now we shall observe how Harris proceeded with [these matters. — " The more my spirit was raised uj) by ,faith to see the Lord, and the value of his precious ^Blood," says he, " the more I saw the necessity of having the Fountain daily to wash me and all I did, and of testifying to all of this Fountain, which alone cleanseth from all sin, and by which alone we over- come. — By seeing and feeling this in my own soul, I had cause to fear and suspect the religion of many, who I hoped had come to Mount Zioti, and to the blood of sprinkling ; but, alas ! the strong man armed had not been cast out, but had only gone out for a time. The natural enmity of the first Adam, and the spirit of the old covenant, had not been mor- tified ! — After all that God had done for them, they were only outward -court worshippers, though ready to say, " We are Abraham's children." Then I was led to shew what were the effects of Abraham's faith ; — how, being dead to his country and possessions, he obeyed the call of God, — went out to wander among heathens, in a strange land, not knowing whither he went; — believed what appeared impossible, and denied himself by offering up Isaac, the delight of his heart; — of which noble actions our Saviour reminded the Jews when He was upon earth, and which are left on record for the imitation of his spiritual seed. I also spoke of the Israelites ; — how many thousands of them died in 182 LIFE AND TIMES OF the wilderness through the sin of unbehef, — not tak- ing God at his word, so as to rely on his promise in the prospect of all dijfficulties. — I observed how St. Paul applies these things to the Christian Church, and that they stand recorded as a warning to us ; so that we should tremble lest our hearts stay behind in the world, and come not to the Saviour continually ; and lest we should depend on past favours, instead of attending to present duty, and thus fail to enter into eternal rest. — These, and the like considerations, make me shed tears over proffessors, lest it should be their case." — 1 Cor. x. 11. Harris goes on to point out defects in religion ; the following observations of that nature shall conclude these extracts. — " Alas ! This carnal spirit was gaining ground, and growing under the seemingly-glorious work that was going on ! Professors were content with a false peace, — overlooking their sins, — being not truly brought by the Holy Spirit daily, under a deep sense of them, to the cross of Christ, to see them there punished, forgiv- en, and done away by his Blood. Superficial light and knowledge can never penetrate to this spiritual discovery of our sins thus laid upon God our Saviour ; neither can it feed on, and receive all its life and com- fort from, his sufferings and death. — Where a new man is formed, it must have the Bread of life, Christ Him- self : he cannot be satisfied with hearing of Plim ; he must have Him, for his constant Object, — to speak with and to delight in ; and must have his Body and Blood daily for his meat and drink. In a word his Redeemer must be his all upon whom he rests." " Perceiving thus, that the work was not effectually carried on, I could not but sound the alarm, and cry aloud, ' Oh, watchmen ! Oh, watchmen I What of the night ? ' — I had authority, through the Spirit of God, to declare against the tares gi'owing in the Lord's Gar- den ; and at the same time to call sinners to the great Atonement in the blood of Emmanuel. — God will not deal with us sinners but in and through Christ's HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 183 Blood. As the Jews dared not to come before Him without the blood of the sacrifice offered in the tem- ple, how can we j^resume to deal with God, without the Blood of Christ ? As Satan and our evil nature are always ready to set upon us, to tempt and defile us, we are continually under an absolute necessity of having Christ's Blood to wash and cleanse us from our sins, and the Spirit to renew our souls. O, the un- speakable and wonderful efficacy of Christ's most pre- cious Blood ! It is enough for the whole world ! And has infinity in it, because it is the Blood of an incar- nate God by which He redeemed his Church, and cleanses his people from all their sins ! " ■ Thus Harris declared against the prevailing errors and defects of Christians in his day, not as an acrimoni- ous but a judicious, humble servant of the Lord, great- ly concerned for his glory and the good of souls. It must be evident from what we have already seen of Haras, as well as from what shall be hereafter said of him, that the above observations and declarations were not made by him as a person that is disposed to be sensorious and captious. He most sincerely lamented the decline in religion he noticed, and was very much distressed and sorry for it. He shed many tears as he said on the account of the calamity. He had the most humbling views of himself, — no one could have more. Censoriousness arise from a jDroud, haughty, disap- pointed spirit. The following parts of a letter will 3hew what spirit Harris was of : — " Haverfordwest. " Dearest Brother, " I am surprised you have liberty to write to such an ungrateful wretch, — but the love of God is free in Himself and in all his children, otherwise I should be assm'ed of an eternal banishment from both. [ believe that Jesus pleads for me in glory, and shews Bimself to the Father on my behalf, and breathes pity md compassion into his members towards me, else -hey could not bear among them such a heap of re- aellion as I am. And were they to know the one R 184 LIFE AND TIMES OF hundredth part of what He knows, it would be diffi- cult for the most forgiving of them all to give me any room in their hearts and to forbear cr^-ing, — ' How can this consist with gi'ace ? ' " Though I trust I am honest and undissembled in what I now say, yet I dread lest we should become form- al in the acknowledgment of om* sins to each other.' Did we see more of the evil that is in every forgetfulness of God, and in every thought, word and look that is not full of God, and springs not fi'om Him in our souls, there would be more inward mourning and brokenness of sphit, as such herds of evils and unsearchable depths of abominations were discovered and brought to light." What insight into the depths of iniquity do the above sentences manifest. And how unlikely would a per- son, entertaining such humble views of himself, be dis- posed to make unfair and bitter observations on any of his brethren in the Lord. — It seems that many of the proffessors of that day had not that depth of experi- mental religion they seemed formerly to possess. It appears that there was still much apparent rejoicing under the word preached ; but it did not arise so much from a heart broken for sin and grieved for it. And there was not so much abiding seriousness in their de- portment. Indeed Harris saw long ago what was wild and improper in their rejoicings, and told the Eev. G. Jones, in his letter already presented, that there was even then some wild fire in theh joyful exclamations, and that he had pointed it out to Rowlands, who sub- mitted to him, acknowledging him right, and promis- ing to check the evil. Indeed Harris aj^proved of re- ligious rejoicing in a right spirit and in a proj^er way. He seemed to live by faith in the Son of God, and to be greatly affected by the contemplation of the great mystery and the salvation Christ accomplished. — Few extracts fi'om letters, written about the time he made the observations stated in this chapter, shall be intro- duced here to shew how liappy and joyful his spirit was in the Lord, and how much he enjoyed real reli- gion himself. Indeed religion was his happy element through lile. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 185 "Plymouth, Feb. 8, 1746. " To J. L . My dear brother is now I hope brought to live by faith — seeing wheel running within wheel, to carry on the eternal plan ; — by faith crying, ' All is well,' — by faith committing soul and body and all to Jesus, the Saviour, — by faith seeing the government on his shoul- ders, — by faith triiunphinfj over sin and death, even when both seem strongest and most lively ! — by faith living, when we are dead, and conquering, through the great victory obtained on Mount Calvary, even when we feel ourselves very weak! — by faith 'seeing one that is invisible ! ' — by faith walking and rejoicing, living on that grace and strength that is in Christ Jesus our dear Saviour ! Thus by faith let us walk in the dark as in the clearest light, and sing in heaviness, and give glory to God, taking Him at his own word. Then we shall be able to preach this life of faith to others, and so lead the flocks by faith out of the reach of Satan's destructive temptations. I sympathize in- deed with my dear faithful brother in his conflicts ; yet by faith I rejoice in the honor he is going to re- ceive after his humiliation. In this faith let him not be afraid of any opposition." Thus he writes to another " Doth the vail wear off? and doth the glory of a crucified Saviour appear bright- er and brighter ? — What views doth He give vile me of Himself at times! He shines still brighter, like the noon day sun. As yet we know nothing in compa- rison of what shall be revealed. 0, what heart of stone would not melt, to see the eternal God in human nature, lying in a manger,— wearing a crown of thorns, not open- ing his mouth, because He bore our sins and shame ! — What shall I say, but fall prostrate, bow and wonder." * Thus he stirs another to praise God : — " I was most glad that the least blessing attended the word that dropped from my vile lips to any. We see heaven opened in Christ, and every sin, together with the fiery law and all its curses, — death and hell, re- * More on this mysterious subject will come before us soon. 180 LIFE AND TIMES OF moved out of our way ! And we, that were the heirs of liell, now in Him, made heirs of heaven — in everlasting glory and immortality, — kings and priests unto God ! Such news as this, well understood by faith, will make brother T — cry, ' Hallelujah^ again and again." Though the state of religion was rather low at this time, and specially some years afterwards, in consequence of a separation that shall be mentioned soon, yet wonderful revivals appeared before Kowlands' depart- ure, as seen in his Ministerial Records, page 76 ; also, some years afterwards, mentioned in Charles' Life, page 248. Wales has been favoured with these re- markable outpourings of the Spirit ever since, at times, until the present time. However it is well to make such, discriminations as those of Harris' on these occasions. There is a most interesting allusion in one of Jones of Creaton's letters, to Charles of Bala, on the astonish- ing revival of religion going on in the Principality, at that time, under the ministry of the latter and his friends. He was exceedingly struck with the account and wrote in the following manner : — "Creaton, Nov. 15, 1791. " Of all the letters, I ever received, your last had the most pleasing effect upon me. It delighted and as- tonished me in a very high degree. Oh, Charles, you are a happy people, highly favoured of the Lord ; He has done great things for you whereof I am glad in- deed. He has married your land, and made you his peculiar people. He visits others, but dwells among you ; He supports us with the Bread of heaven, but takes you to his banqueting house, and spreads over you his banner of love. Far am I from envying your high privileges, but I earnestly covet them, and long to sue the heavenly showers and the sacred fire coming down upon this old and barren land 0, when shall it once be ? I long for the happy day. Though I see as much encouragement as any of my brethren here, yet what do any of us see to what you see and hear ? O, that the sacred fire would spread and burn with a most vehement flame. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 187 " I read from the pulpit last Sabbath-day a long quo- tation of your letter, which had the most pleasing ef- fect upon the congregation ; it melted them ten times more than any sermon had done, though of an horn- long, upon a weighty subject. Some of the most ju- dicious of my hearers have pressingly solicited me to make it public. Should not the whole Island hear of his marvellous loving kindness to you ? It would be one very suitable way to turn his mercies into praises, as lie has turned your prayers into rivers of mercies and grace. — Tell the whole land of what God has done and is doing for you. What more likely means to rouse sleepy sinners, to raise the expectation of the faith- ful, and quicken God's people in general to cry louder for the heavenly showers, and the outpouring of the SjDirit of our God upon the nations ? Had you heard how our people sang immediately after the strange ac- count, it would have gladdened your heart for they sang lustily, and with a good courage. If you have no leisure or inclination to publish these glad tidings, will you favour me with a further account ? With your leave I shall get them inserted in T. Priestley's magazine, or get them printed in sheets." Another extract : — "Creaton, April 14, 1792. " I can say that I desire at least earnestly to rejoice by hearing of the great goodness of God and the wonderful works which He has begun and con- tinues among you ; and my soul prays that it may not abate but increase yet a thousand fold, and spread far and wide. You are a happy people ; you have the life and power of rehgion. I ardently wish to come among you, to see if the heavenly flame would, in some degree, touch this cold, frozen heart of mine, and make lit ascend upwards instead of gi'ovelling in the dust. I " I think you ought to favour me with a further ac- count of the great work of God in Wales, for the pur- pose of being made public. What has been already published, has I am persuaded, been of great use to I stir up numbers to pray more fervently for the out- 188 LIFE AxND TIMES OF pouring of the Spirit. I know of some prayer meetings, which have been set up in consequence of reading your letter. Friend Griffin informed me this day that it is inserted in the Baptist Register." We shall now proceed to make observations on the next points in this chapter.* It seems that a considerable change took place in Harris' ministry in the year 1 743 ; since he preached more for the benefit of professors, than for awakening the world, as before. — He acknowledged that reading a small book called a " Sling and a Stone," proving the Divinity of Christ, had been of great blessing to him. It is likely, however, that he did not sufficiently bear in mind that the divine and human Natures of Christ were perfectly distinct.f It is true that they are so united, that what was done by the one for man's sal- vation, was attributed to the other ; as when we read of the "blood of God." — Acts xx. 28. Harris might have on this ground imagined that what was actually undergone by the humanity of Christ, namely death, was attributed to his Divinity. He might think of such verses as John x. 33. Heb. i. 3. 1 John iii. 16. He was, it must be acknowledged, a man of warm temperature and great zeal : whatever he embraced in his mind he would entertain and pursue with impass- ioned animation. It is probable, on the other hand, that the people were not well instructed in those grand points ; as the doctrines preached were almost entirely of a different kind, being connected with alarming and terrific subjects. One of the old professors told Mr. Charles of Bala, once in conversation, that he and some others were together in a Private Society for five years, and yet scarcely knew any thing in a theological sense of the Person of Christ ; and that when they heard a preacher referring to that subject they under- stood but little of it ! He asked the old Christian what did they preach to them ? He answered, that * Though the nature of the foregoing and following subjects, may require two different chapters, yet the statements are not extensive enough for that purpose. + The book is noticed in page 82. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 189 they heard of nothing but the evil of sin, hell fire, and damnation, until they trembled with great fear and heart-felt consternation! '"'Perhaps," said Mr. Charles, *'the account of this old man was not quite correct, yet there is no doubt that this was the general bearing of sermons in those days, and that the effect of the word in awakening a country, overspread with corruption and darkness, was very great." — Harris was opposed by some of his brethren that had been distressed by his manner of speaking of Christ's Person and death, al- ledging that God had died. They judged that it was an unscriptural expression, and tending to Sabellean- ism. However there was no such thing in his mind. Opposition, from his professing brethren, was quite a strange and unknown thing to him. Until now they used to listen to him as a father and a principal teacher, as in fact he was to most of them. And in- stead of being discreet and moderate, considering well whether his expressions were suitable and proper on the above point, it seems that he gi'ew angry, and that his spirit was somewhat embittered towards them ! I will not dwell on the painful result of this disagTee- ment at j^resent but let Harris speak for himself, and tlien introduce a few of his letters bearing on this subject, from which it will be seen that an amazing impression was made on his mind by the consideration of Christ's death. "In the following year," (174 7) says Hanis, "the enmity against preaching God's humiliation and death, grew stronger; still I bore all in hopes of seeing this storm ceasing, as I had seen many others. I now also beheld a tendency in the ministry to please men, and to appear wise and popular in the world ! I found also that the spirit and heart of many grew proud, whole, and great, and would not take the Avord of re- proof or exhortation, although they called me their father, and so I really was as I hegan the work in this last revival in Wales, though I have spent a great part of my time in England, especially in the counties of Kent, Essex, Buckingham, Wilts, Somerset, Glouces- 190 LIFE AND TIMES OF ter, Oxford, Warwick, Salop, and Hereford, endeavour- ing to si^read abroad the fame of the dear Saviour." Then he adds, I should not have mentioned these things so particularly, had I n. t feared that I might rob Christ of the glory due to Him for helping me thus far, and here I might set up my Ehenezer. I am writing this in the year 1749, being 35 years old, twenty one k -f wliich T spent in vanity ! I was called by the Lord, and have followed the Lamb during the last fourteen years of my life. My good Lord gave me, as I said before, without premeditation, the neces- sary light, utterance, and bodily strength, whenever I was to discourse. He enabled me to do this mostly out of doors, in all weathers, generally three or four and frequently five times almost every day, for seven years. I rode each day from fifteen to thirty miles and upwards, over hills and dangerous places, through floods, ice, and snow. He persevered me, so that I never received any material hurt, though I often fell from my horse. I do not write this as a rule, for others to copy after, but as a relation of simple truth, concerning what the Lord hath done in carrying me on hitherto, and therefore I leave it to Him to use what I write as He pleases." After this digression he thus returns to the subject in question : — " I was at this time continually grieved by the thick darkness and spiritual ignorance of many professors, and by the views which some in the minis- try had of the Saviour's humanity and glory. The impatience of these different spirits with each other made me long to finish my work, and quit the trouble- some stage of this life, to be with my dear Saviour in the land of peace. — Towards the end of the year 1749, I went to London, and in January, 1 750, I parted with my friends and brethren there, imploring them to attend to the Lord only, and to preach his Godhead and death wath power to the hearts of the hearers, as the only Foundation to build upon. — In coming down to Wales, I saw more than ever the doctrine respecting, the infinity of our Saviour in his birth, life, and suffer- 1 HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ 191 iiigs, — the infinity in some sense of his Law and Gos- pel, of his pardoning grace and mercy, — wanting no- thing indeed but Him. I loved Him in all his works, but more especially in all the steps of his wonderful humiliation. I had such a view and sense of a happy ;: departure and that I should soon be, to all eternity, ' with Him. I saw, that though I longed for the happy time, a thousand years as nothing to wait for such bliss." Then he speaks of the subject of his sermons after his return to Wales this time; — "As the Lord Himself sent me round the country at my first setting out, and I gave me a desire to please Him only, and helped me I to speak plain truths ; so at this time a necessity was ! laid upon me to preach that great truth, which He revealed to my own soul, namely the wonderful con- descension and mystery of God in our nature, recon- ciling the world to Himself, not imputing their sins. — He was God in the womb of Mary, when He as- I sumed our nature, laying in Himself the Foundation of I our salvation and deliverance. He was the supreme ! God in his poor birth and swaddling clothes ! He was , the gTeat / am, the Alpha and Omega in all his suf- ferings, and there is none other God but Him, — those that worship another God, besides Him, worship I an idol: "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the God- head bodily." And when the time came to make an atonement for our sins, when the gi'eat Sacrifice was raised to the altar of the cross, all nature, earth, and hell, were in confusion and uproar ; the sun was darkened, the earth trembled, the dead awoke, and were raised, — that all might enquire, 'What is the cause and meaning of all this'? — 'God the mighty Maker died.'— Watts. " I went on thus through Wales for some years, bearing my testimony to these truths, before carnal profl'essors, Arians, and Socinians, who railed against me. Although it proved to be an occasion of much murmuring, contention, and division, yet I am in a lively hope that the Lord will bless his own truths, in his proper time ; — it may be when I am gone. But at 192 LIFE AND TIMES OF his feet I leave myself, together with my performances and labour ; and to Him I commit myself also for the remainder of my life, knowing that He is able for the ' time to come to carry me through every trial, work or suffering, as He has done hitherto ; and through his s unchangeable grace, to the chief of sinners, I set up my I ] Ehenezer. Though I know but little of Christ the i i Lord, as I should, yet I am a living witness to his free 1 grace to the chief of sinners, and of what is said of \ Him in the Scriptures ; therefore I could not refrain t inviting all to submit to his government of grace and f righteousness, and to wait at his gate that they might ( be made happy for ever in Him, the only sure Rest and { Shelter for poor penitent sinners. He is the only Ci- i ty of refuge, the only Friend for distressed souls to flee ii to, and the only One that will never leave them, and f will suit his blessings to all their need, supplying all I their wants ; and will at last present them spotless to a the Father."* t We shall now give three of Harris' letters ; written i under the contemplation of God manifest in the flesh," t as stated. Christians, considering Christ God and man t in one Person, may read them with profit. The feelings ) he then experienced were very delightful, those of t admiration, love, reverence, and adoration. The first : 1 of them was written to Rowlands. Some unpleasant- 1 ness had already commenced between them respecting i Christ's death. The letter to him on that subject is excellent, and written in a good spirit. It is to bej lamented that some talkative, mischief-making pro- 1 fessors, had endeavoured to make the breach wider | between Harris and Rowlands, and other friends, byi their distorted communications and misrepresentations. ; Harris, while in London, had no doubt been informed j of the endeavour to prejudice Rowlands' mind against him, so that he writes the following letter with an ob- vious view to remove that. i * These extracts were mixed, in Harris' Life, with those transcribed j before in tliis chapter. I thought it better to separate them from each , otber, as they are quite different, and place them under appropriate ; heads. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 193 I "London, Jan. 4th, 1747. I " To the Rev. D. Rowlands, I " My dear, dear brother, " I trust tJiis shall find you viewing that great Mystery, God made man. Here we must come. This is the end of all knowledge, and the root of our happiness ! O, my brother, here let us be fur ever, lost in wonder and amazement. Now, in the act of writing, my soul melts within me, and I feel I long to leave this body of sin behind me, to view this trans- forming sight.* Will you call me M or A ? God forbid ; it is the life of my soul, and no borrowed I plume ; — no heated fancy, but my solid happiness. 0, that great Atonement ! When shall we be all lost in its infinite depths ? Are there any that abuse this pro- found knowledge ? It is because they have not the thing itself, but the shadow. O, that I had faith to abide in this light continually ; then would I no long- er be a servant to any sin or idol in any degree, but would shine in the image of God. 0, pray for me, that I may have more faith, that 1 may know more of this Wonder of all wonders, Christ crucified.- But whither am I going? Shall I be tempted to think that I ofiend my brother by this language ? No, no, I know thee better, my dearest brother ; methinks I ra- ther see tears of adoration trickling down thy face, crying, ' This is the one thing needful. — I also want to know the same thing, that by this faith I may real- ly become dead to sin and alive to God in all things.' — Here are many gracious growing souls, and several have been daily added of late. — I am, my dearest bro- ther and fellow-labourer, with heartiest respects to bro- ther Williams and all the brethren and Societies, longing to see you all, Yours, in the best bonds for ever, H. H." * Thus he writes in another letter of the effect produced on his tnind by contemplating the sufferings of Christ ; — " My soul within 3ae is lost in wonder and melted like wax at the sight. O, this love, liis mysterious, unfathomable love. — May the dear Saviour and his nfinite love be ever before our eyes ; then we shall be willing to en- lare all things for his sake." 194 LIFE AND TIMES OF One would think from the above letter that Harris was not a man of contention, but of peace. Indeed we may imagine from all his letters that he was a per- son of a conciliatory and kind spirit. How beautiful is the following letter on the Son of God in our flesh becoming obedient to death, and what happy effects were produced on Harris' mind by the view : — "January 15, 1747. " My dear Friend, "When I see God's infinite care and kindness for us and that He has taken us for his peculiar charge, I can rejoice over the little, scattered, weak, foolish, sim- ple children, yea triumph in their behalf, over all the designs of an inveterate enemy. When I see them engraven on the heart of the High Priest, and marked out by Him for Himself, — his infinite bowels of com- passion yearning over them, I then break out into singing, and say, ^ Fear not, little flock, whatever li- ons, wolves, or tigers come against you, they shall not devour you, because the Shepherd never slumbers, nor sleeps.' — Think what infinite condescension it is in Him to look at all on such vile, abominable worms, as we are ! 0, let us all give Him the glory, for He is worthy. Stand amazed, ye heavens ; and be astonished, 0 earth ! What ! Is the great / am become a man ? And is his delight with the children of men, and with the vilest of them too ? It is in this character alone I must address Him, and lay hold of his free love, and believe He is my God and Father. 0 Lamb of God, art thou my Husband and Friend for ever ? And didst Thou, O infinite Purity, see me in al] my filthiness, and then come by me and say. Live, Live ? And didst Thou then clearly see what a mystery of iniquity was nested in my abominable deceitful heart ? And didst Thou then see what I should be, and yet not only adopt me into thy family, but also give me the honor of waiting on thy Bride, and bearing thy Name to perishing men ? And wouldest Thou for thy own HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 195 glory's sake, cover all my faults, rather than turn me out of my office ? 0 Lord, shall I not then be willing to wash the feet of all, — and be always thy passive clay ' ? Is not this the language of thy soul, my dear brother, as it is the language of mine ? Kemember that he who ' humbleth himself shall be exalted/ saith the Lord. — I trust thou dost live in the experience of that privilege, purchased for us, and entailed upon the whole family of God, namely, deliverance from the power of that tyrant, self-love, or self-will. To be shut up in the chains of this monster is the misery of , all miseries. But 0 ! the happiness of this liberty, I namely, to be able to say at all times, ' Not my will, but thine be done.' This we have experienced, let us then maintain our ground. — May we all be on our watch-tower, for all eyes are upon us, and above all, the eyes of our eternal Father, and Kedeemer, Jesus Christ. Lord be merciful to us poor sinners." — The next letter I shall here introduce, is to his old friend Bishop Gamhold. Perhaps their sentiments on the death of Christ were in some respects similar. "Dec. 27th, 1750. " My dear Brother, " I am now come home, having finished a circuit round North and South Wales. I have been refreshed with your favour of the 23rd. I cannot but highly esteem the acquaintance of those who are fa- v^oured with the spiritual knowledge of that Man, who is the wonder of all worlds, and our only Comforter and Friend. My happiness is to view Him, and all Jie fulness of the Godhead in Him, — and myself one 3f his dear members. But my shame is, that I abide JO little in Him, and that I live so little out of myself, n true poverty of spirit, before Him. Yet, notwith- Jtanding all this, I can say that He is my life ; because Ee lives, I live, and shall live also.- — Our poor coun- rymen make great opposition to the preaching of his le^th. — Few spirits can bear to hear that this Man is jod, and that He died.* But there are some in every * In the same strain he wrote to Whitefield, about this time, as S J96 LIFE AND TIMES OF country that desire to ' know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' Great crouds flock to hear the joyful sound notwithstanding the Jews and the Greeks oppose themselves most vigorously, and do all they can to veil the glorious Sun, but truth is mighty and still prevaileth. " How our Saviour intends hereafter to dispose of this branch of his work we know not ; but that He really has a great work going on among us, and that He is laying the foundation of a plan that will, in his hands, surmount rash opinions and all diflficulties from every quarter, is very evident." What has been said in this chapter, and especially the last letter, prepare us to expect some painful event ; — one of the most unpleasant that ever occurred to the rehgious world in Wales ; — separation between two most useful Ministers, at the head of one of the greatest Kevivals in the Principality, and their friends and followers. I have oftentimes been surprised that Whitefield or Lady Huntingdon, or some other influential friends, did not interpose and try to pre- vent the dreadful breach, especially when apparent- ly the misunderstanding did not seem very formid- able and beyond the reach of reconciliation. But alas ! so it proved, that dissention between those two great men and their followers gradually increased, that they became at length estranged from each othei- and finally, most entirely and painfully separated ! — The effects of the disunion were very pernicious and distressing, as such deplorable circumstances betweei seen in the following lines : — " Your life, peace, and health are pecu- liarly dear to me, because you have left all to go about calling pooi sinners to seek salvation by faith in the dear, crucified Saviour. Tli<- preaching of the cross in the spirit, will break down all before it. ( ' my dear brother, the wisdom and pride of man ?iinder the glory (»t that Man, who is the eternal God, from shining in the Church. Hap py and highly honoured is that man, that shall be counted worthy t'' open his infinite Wounds before perishing sinners 1 Go on, andblay abroad his fame, until you shall take your flight, to bow among tli' innumerable company, before his unalterable glory. O Lamb of God. shew us thy glory, and manifest Thyself to us ; so as Thou doest not to the world. Lord, I am ashamed that ever I took thy tremendons Name into my unclean lips, for T am as a brute beast before Thee." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 197 brethren generally are. The people became two par- ties, — Harris' people and Rowlands' people, as they were commonly termed. They disputed and conten- ded against each other, until the small Private Socie- ties were broken up in different places, and religion was brought to nothing in many parts where it once had a very pleasing aspect I Mr. Charles of Bala said that he heard many of the old people lament the injurious and alarming effects of this separation, saying that no particular revival of religion took place in any part of the country for years afterwards ! and that religion was \ery low and fading, for no less than ten or fifteen years. The remembrance of those evils, is not worthy to be retained, except as a warning to others, that they may avoid the causes that produced such lamentable effects. — The account of this dis- tressing Kent is more minutely given in the Minis- terial Records. We shall therefore make use of a few of the particulars there stated, and adopt what is said by way of improvement. " 1 751 is a yoar ever to be remembered, for it was in this year this denomination of Christians experien- I ced the most painful reverse. The separation that ! had lately commenced came to a rupture at a small ' Association held at Llafiidloes this year ! Though Harris was wrong as to the point in question, yet they, on the other hand, failed at this time, especially [ in not using sufficient prudence and kindness, in [ convincing him of his error. *Aged persons,' says Calvin, 'are not very patient to be corrected, and therefore we must go wisely to work with them, to the end they may take our correction well ; and we must sweeten it so that they may abide it and profit by it.' — 1 Tim V. 1. " The enemy was allowed then to come in among the flock as a wolf to frighten the sheep and to scatter them over the wilderness : If it had not been for the good Shepherd's great care over the flock, they must have been completely destroyed ! In a similar manner did Satan endeavour to make a breach in the first 198 LIFE AND TIMES OF Christian Church, by setting those great Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, at variance. — Acts xv, 37 — 41. Yet, though they became separated, the Lord over-ruled the event for the furtherance of the Gospel, and the decrease of Satan's kingdom. The gracious promise of our Lord assures us, that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. " Harris party has long since come to an end : — those that remained joined at length the Calvinistic Methodists, who now form only one body. Though that Connexion is now in a more flourishing state than any in Wales, yet it is to be hoped that they and every other branch of the visible Church will take warning from the above and similar sad events and avoid every thing tending to divide the Church of Christ." — Rowlands' Ministerial Record^ p. 76. It is to be hoped that Harris saw his mistake re- specting the death of Christ, which was the primary cause of this broil. It often happens in contentions that people are carried into greater lengths, in advan- cing their points, than they would have been in cooler moments. However we scarcely observe after this time any expression in his writings bearing a tenden- cy that way. His near and close acquaintance with eminently pious and judicious characters induce us to cherish the hope that he perceived his error. It is however very gratifying to meet with expressions, in Harris' Diary about this time, which relieve our mind from the idea that he entertained any thoughts unbe- coming the Deity of Christ. It appears that he did not imagine that the divine nature of our Lord expi- red. His words are these, — " I shewed how the im- mortal was living in death, yea, great and glorious." — Again, " The divine nature was living, glorious, great, and eternal in death, — death annihilates nothing. It broke the unity only between the Body and the Soul of Christ." He speaks explicitly on the death of Christ in a letter to the family from Bideford, Sep. 5, 1761 — " 0, HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ, 199 the love that was in his heart, when He endured such pain in his Body and Soul in the garden and on the cross." — His love to the crucified Saviour was equal- ly vigorous and vehement as ever, constraining him to devote himself entii'ely to his service. Moreover he and Kowlands seem to have been reconciled some time afterwards as they preached at the same oppor- tunities during the Anniversaries of Lady Hunting- don's College. — See chap. xvii. There are words in his said Diary, respecting Kowlands, which are very pleasing and strildng : old love began to revive w^hen he heard that he was very unwell ; — " When I came," says he, to preach at — , I heard that brother Row- lands was near dying ! I felt such love in my spirit to- wards him as words could not express. Indeed I felt so much that I could lay down my life ten thousand times for him, that if it were possible he might be spared. 0, what union did I in reality feel with his spirit." It may appear, from the above manifestation of Har- ris' mind on the controversy with Rowlands, that the difference between them was not so wide ; and there is a letter of Harris to Rowlands, dated July 2, 1748, that breathes a most kind spirit, acknowledging then* faults and soliciting the continuance of union. Short ex- tracts from this letter shall conclude this chapter. " My very dear brother Rowlands, " We have all grieved the Holy Spirit, who has so highly favoured us ; and we have greatly pro- voked the Holy One of Israel to expose our naked- ness. — 0, my brother, it is well for us that He is God indeed over all, clothed with our nature ; — to the dust let us go, and fall low even to nothing. Let us re- cover our first love, and go forth united in our hearts, words, and actions." CHAP. XIV. 1751-1759.* HARBIS' SETTLEMENT AT TREFECCA. Harris, notwithstanding the great unpleasantness that occurred, was not in the least harassed or cast down, nor did he sink in the estimation of his friends, es- pecially his English friends. We shall see that his correspondence with his old acquaintances, such as the Rev. G. Jones of Llanddowror, Whitefield, Wesley, and Lady Huntingdon, continued the same. His energy and zeal were unabated, and his spirit elastic and vi- gorous, like a bow in its full strength. In the year 1752, immediately after that in which the separation between him and Rowlands took place, he sets about a most gigantic work, such a building as was never heard of among the Protestants there : it was intended as a building for the reception, support, and protection of religious persons that were persecuted, and those that wished to retire from the world. The establishment might be considered as something resembling the present settlements of the United Brethren. — It is known that Harris stated residence had been at Tref- ecca for some time past. Here he became now set- tled and erected the building. The account in his Life is thus stated : — " Harris, after seventeen years of hard labour in the Lord's great work through Wales and great part of England, settled at Trefecca, where he spent the great- est part of his time in his own house, though he made several journies from thence in the following years. A few of those who had received a blessing under his mi- nistry, in former years, began to visit him there ; and * As the dates have become more regular in the Memoir, we shall enter them as before at the heads of the chapters. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. as he preached to them two or three times a day, they earnestly desired to continue with him. The ardent de- sires of these sincere Christians he could not withstand, and thus, in April, 1752, he laid the foundation of the present building at Trefecca for their accommodations, though he had neither friends nor money at that time in Wales. He set about it purely in faith, relying on the Lord and his promise, having an impression on his mind for some years past that he should build a House for God, and he set about it in a full persua- sion that the same God, who had sent him at first in an uncommon manner to awaken the country, had now also laid upon him this undertaking. He him- self writes thus concerning it: — 'I was impelled to build by the same Spirit, which sent me about to preach, and at a time when I was far from being pro- dded with money or friends, for the latter had desert- 3d me, and I had, instead of the former, demands up- m me and about forty workmen to pay and main- tain, and yet I made use of no means to get one Mling, but a humble jDleading and confiding in the promise, on which I tiust my all both as to temporal md spiritual things.' " This being the case, he was not the man to hesitate )r delay, notwithstanding difficulties however great. 3e doubtless had the example of Professor Frank and Vhitefield in view, especially as to the means by which !ach of those good men erected an Orphan-house. lut perhaps it may be imagined, if it is right to judge if things by their consequences, that neither White - ield nor Harris had the same particular call from God s that truly good man, Mr. Frank, had. It is however (Qssible that the Lord has many ends in view respect- ig his servants and their labour unknown to us at •resent. It is better to judge friendly and kindly of thers, and to think tenderly of some undertaking bey may have in hand, if it be not sinful in itself, iving them credit for their good motives, and in- 3ntions. — However it was painful to many of Harris' rethren to see him withdrawing himself as he did, 202 LIFE AND TIMES OF and giving uj) in a great measure travelling as usiia' in the work and service of the Lord.* However m shall presently see that the Building was not in vain — Some persons, soon after Harris began to build came to offer their service that they might be undejj his care, and profit by his ministry. Thus the famib began to be gathered in 1752. Harris about this time was heavily afflicted in hi{ body. It is wonderful he should continue hitherto s( well, considering his former immense and unweariec labours in the Lord's Vineyard, and also the most crue and severe abuses he received, which at times were near terminating his existence. It is said that the ill ness he laboured under at this time, was severe Though very weak he would preach to the people unti he was seemingly at death's door in consequence o fatigue ; being not able to move from the chair he usee to sit in and speak from, he was carried in it by hi dear friends into his room. He would, at other time when he recovered a little, call the family to his bed room, and exhort them from his bed for a long while — the divine blessing attending it to their souls. H continued some months in this poor state, expectin to go home to his dear Lord and Saviour. "I was, as he himself expressed it, " all the time in continm hopes of going home to my dear Saviour, and expeci ing it with solicitations " ! And yet he continued a this while to discourse daily to the people as one a ready in the suburbs of heaven. HaiTis, about this trying time, wrote a particular lei ter to his old friend, Mr. Wesley, which has come i * The Rev. W. Williams, his child in the Gospel, was one of the who lamented his retreat from the extensive field of usefulness I once occupied, into comparatively a small comer. This is rath, remarkable as he continued with Rowlands after the separation, is likely he did not imagine that the separation would be final, e pecially had Harris not given himself up to the business of the S( tlement at Trefecca. The part of his Elegy on Harris, in reference this point, shall be introduced at the end. One would think, from the 21st stanza in this Elegy, that Williaixl had a strong attachment to Harris, and that a re-union would "ha been most delightful. IIOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 208 ay hands, which I shall introduce here ; and then re- ume my account of the Settlement. "Jan. 1st, 1753. Dear brother John Wesley, " Shall I speak freely to you, as I am going •efore you to that dear ^lan who has indeed honoured ou, whom I believe you would honour every way, for ou live on his bloody Sweat and Passion ? O, let your linistry be sprinkled with his Blood indeed ; let his langled Body be daily held before the people, till they aally lose all confidence in the flesh by the Knowledge f the Cross. I v»^ish your ministry and the United Bre- bren, the Moravians, were united ; it would be for the ublic good ; — the Godhead and glory of our Saviour's 'erson, and the inestimable benefit of his Death, are learly set forth among them. Do not stumble at any tumbling stone. — The word, respecting the mystery f God in our flesh, published under the divine bless- ig, would prevail to win sinners and captivate tliem, nd the people would bow to the influence of the nowledge of Jesu's amazing Groans and Sufierings ; nd the idol of self-ris^hteousness, which a dozen vears go you began to attack, would tumble and fall before ile true and spiritual preaching of his Agony and jloody Sweat. "I shall enter into no particulars as I have left a f3w things to be printed, which I should be glad you l^ould cast an eye upon.* * I have fought a good ight, and have, through millions of infirmities, kept ,be faith, and am more than conqueror, in the face ,f all my enemies, through Him that loved me and ,'ashed me in his own Blood.' You and your brother pharles have ever been dear to me. The foundation, 'ou know, is deep in the atoning Blood and Sufferings |f Christ. We should be stirred up to maturity by a- niding on his ineflable Sufierings under the influence ff the Holy Ghost. I have often feared that your risdom and popularity would be injurious to you and urn you from the true simplicity of the Gospel and * Probably his dying testimony, noticed in chapter xix. 204 LIFE AND TIMES OF the mystery of the cross, which flesh and blood can- not know, for it is fooHshness to sach ; — by which alone we are crucified to the world and the world to us, — 1 Cor. i. J 8. Except the soul finds out this Foun- tain all convictions, awakenings, desires, and strivings will come to nothing and die away. If only a form of religion abides, it will do nothing but feed a phari- saical spirit, which makes the end of individuals worse than their beginning, and the Reformation, intended by our dear Saviour for a real national blessing to this and future generations, would end in a stubborn, sect- arian, whole, self-righteous spirit, which I know your soul would abhor. Nothing can prevent such an evil but a true and real acquaintance with our adorable Saviour's poverty, humiliation and death. " I have been expecting to be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb before this. 0, my dear brother, continue to honour his Blood and Death, and He will honour you. I send this as my dying and loving request to you, for the Lord's sake, for your own sake, and for the sake of thousands that attend your ministry, direct their eye to the Saviour; suffer them not to idolize you. O, let nothing fall from your lip or pen but what real- ly turns the soul from self to the Saviour; — flesh and blood, though ever so much reformed, is but a whited sepulchre, and cannot inherit the kingdom. True re- ligion changes a person and makes him happy. All is not the fruit of the Spirit that seems like it : the way is narrow, and they are but few that find it. To deny ourselves is a difficult lesson, and there are but few that learn it. Farewell, be faithful to death. " I have written some things, in the time of my con- finement, as I mentioned before, which, in confidence of your love to that Saviour to whom I am going, I have ordered the bearer to show you, and which you will per- use and correct and publish if you have time, and think it would be of some service to the cause of our dear Saviour. I go homewards in hopes of seeing you soon there, having overcome and made your robes white in the Blood of the Lamb. — Hearty salutation to your HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 205 brother Charles, and all who love Jesus Christ in sin- cerity, and have no other teacher, strength, righteous- ness, hope or life, hut Christ, and who die to the world, and the world to them, by the cross. These all, whoever and wherever they are, T declare, before men and angels, I love and carry in my heart, — a heart bleeding over a miserable world, and self-righteous, self-sufficient, whole hearted professors, that will not come to the manger and the cross to adore their God, and be saved by his humiliation. — I have been con- fined from my public service for some months, but through grace enabled all in my own house to testify of Him to all that come to me. What humility and self-denial are produced by the view I daily have of his glory and my happiness in Him ? I am really weary of nothing here but the body of sin in my flesh, and the indifference of others about the matter ; — Christ is slighted and rejected ; poor sinners will not come unto Him ! I rejoice in you and the large field that is before you. Know that He that has been faith- ful in all, yea, to all that trust Him, will keep you from all the snares that surround you. Though I know not how to give over I must conclude. H. H." Now we shall resume the Settlement affairs. As Harris gradually got better in health, the aspect of things seemed to improve. It is said, that in the year J 753, part of the building being finished, a great number of people flocked unto him from all parts ; many of them came merely to hear the word, others partly from curiosity and similar views — the report of preaching being daily at Trefecca having spread through all Wales. Satan, however, began to rage and to set the whole country as it were in an uproar. All manner of lies were invented, and various were the ideas entertained as to the aim of the multitude crowding to Trefecca. However the people continued to come thither from all parts of Wales. Some re- turned home presently, as then- circumstances did not allow them to stay : others remained there for a time, and went away at length, complaining either that the 206 LIFE AND TIMES OF fare was too low or hard, or that preaching and disci- pline were too strict or severe ; but many, especially single persons, both men and women, continued giv- ing themselves to the Lord. The following account, within the inverted commas, was given by Harris friends and appeared in print. "The family, in the beginning of the year 1754, consisted of about one hundred persons, besides those coming and going. Harris took upon himself the sole care of their spiritual and temporal concerns, though at present he had no adequate means for their support, having as yet only two rented farms and a quantity of wool for the women to spin. The difficulties into which he was brought were such as to occasion him many restless nights, which he spent in prayer." The following astonishing fact may be mentioned in connexion with his outward difficulties. — " The care of their souls was also much on his mind ; — preaching publicly, and exhorting privately, daily, — watching many nights to pray and to wrestle with the Lord. He used to preach as soon as the family arose in the morning, exhorting them for hours toge- ther ; and though he had not any rest in bed, he was favoured with fresh power and spirit from the Lord ; of this we were living witnesses." The Lord, as to outward matters, was with him in a surprising manner. Frequently, when a call for pay- ment came to him, he had no prospect by any means in the world, how to discharge the debt, but by ap- plying to the Lord in prayer, and pleading his pro- mise, observing he did not bear those burdens for him- self, but for Him, and therefore relying on Him, that He would certainly help and carry him through ; and very often the Lord answered him in an unexpected manner, by sending some person or another with as much as he wanted, either as an acknowledgment for benefit received or as a loan. Thus the Lord, as he writes, never forsook him. These are his words. — " Being often in straits, wanting twenty, fifty, or a hundred pounds, and having no Avhere to turn for HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 207 assistance, but to the promises ; it was surprising, — persons at the distance of 70 or 80 miles have been moved to bring me as much as I wanted.* This will appear strange to many ; yet thus the Lord often ap- peared to me." In the year 1755 several families came to Trefecca, especially from North Wales, — some to live in the In- stitution, and some to occupy farms in the neighbour- hood, that they might have convenient opportunities of attending Harris' preaching. Many of them had substance, others were poor, and, having many child- ren, were obliged to be assisted. About this time he wrote as follows ; — " No sooner was a great part of the building finish- ed, but now and then appeared a family, which I nei- ther thought of, sent for, nor expected. Therefore it was evident to me that not man but the Lord had done great things for us. Many people have conti- nued coming here, notwithstandmg crosses and trials, and the place being represented by all in the blackest colours possible. They were drawn only by love to the truth, and the voice of the Lord which they heard under my ministry, — freely leaving their own country, and all that was dear to them, — being willing to live hard, and to put themselves wholly under my di- rections. There are now ten families, who board, work, and sleep in this house, and ten other families who live in farms near us." The plain truths, which people formerly heard un- der Harris' ministry, induced them to come to Trefec- ca from all j^arts of Wales, and some even from Eng- land. And many of them, when they resided there, testified that the Word of God preached by him was attended with more and more energy and benefit to their souls, and also that they saw it necessary to be under the discipline as well as the preaching of the word ; the Lord having appointed that his servants * "They were compelled to assist," says Harris, "only by the word sounding in their consciences night and day, — no man knowiug or imagining any thing of it." 208 LIFE AND TIMES OF should meet in fellowship, and use other means of grace for their improvement; — his Ministers being overseers of the flocks, as well as preachers of the word to them. — Acts xx. 28 ; 2 Tim. iv. 2. At the end of the year 1755, there were about 120 persons in the Establishment, besides those families in the neigh- bourhood that belonged to it. Thus the Institution gradually rose to prosperity, notwithstanding the many unfavourable circumstances which attended it. For, soon after the building was begun, Harris, as stated before, had a severe fit of sickness, from which he was not expected to recover. This was followed by the circulation of calumnies and injurious reports, originating in the different ideas • formed respecting the characters and views of those who attached themselves to the Institution, as well as in the suspicions entertained of the motives and de- signs of its Founder. It is said that Harris, in addition to his o^vn small estate, took some farms in the neighbourhood for the support of the Institution, and established manufac- tories to as great an extent as his finances would ad- mit, or as opportunities presented themselves of laying out the money he received from time to time. The people, who placed themselves under his care, were re- quired to pursue their avocations of husbandry or trade, solely for the benefit of the common stock, without interfering in the management of the joint capital. While they adhered punctually to the other regulations and observances previously estabUshed. The Institution Qontinued to flourish until some time after Harris' decease. His people were considered as good farmers, — intelligent and industrious in business. The produce of their fields not only supplied the wants of the Establishment, but furnished a large sur- plus for the market. The members of the community also manufactured, independent of other articles, large quantities of fine flannels, which were in high request in the country around, and large orders were executed for Bristol. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 209 Hai'hs continued to preach publicly to the family at Trefecca two or three times a day, besides holding private meetings with one part or other of its membeis an hour every day of the week. From the beginning he had two or three able persons to aid him in these religious exercises ; and in process of time, others were raised up as helpers, both in the Ministry and in the government of the family. But in course of time death invaded the habitation of this peculiar and secluded family ; its work was soon felt and seen, and some of them consequently were re- moved out of this to another but a better world : for it seems that some of the trees, planted in the house of the Lord, were fit to be transplanted to a better Country. The following is the statement : — "In the year 175G our Saviour began to gather some fruit from his little garden at Trefecca ; some souls departed very happy into eternity, praising Jesus, and testifying how precious He was to them in their dying moments. They enjoyed the j^rospect of a glori- ous eternity throug*!! the Blood of Christ, praising and blessing Him for his love and grace and for having brought them to Trefecca. Thus seeing their brethren and sisters depart strong in faith to their eternal home, afforded much comfort and joy to those who were yet left below in the vale of tears. It may be well conceived that all in the family were in very good order, — truly obedient to Harris, and ve- ry respectful towards him. A great deal of seriousness and true piety reigned in the hearts of the people. He ruled over his large family in a godly and excel- lent manner ; his example was scriptural and noble, and worthy of being followed by heads of families universally. All in his house would meet together, as before stated, before the dawn of day to wor- ship God with him ; whilst others in many places were wasting their precious hours in enervating and sinful sloth. They would thus regularly consecrate the best portion of their valuable time to the Lord as first fruit. And their last work in the day was to ac- 210 LIFE AND TIMES OF knowledge the Lord's goodness, and to commend themselves to his care and protection. WilUams of Pant-y-celyn gives an account of Harris' Settlement at Trefecca, in his Elegy on him before noticed which is very interesting. He describes his conduct and use- fulness as truly remarkable and striking.* Then as far as appearances went, we cannot but ap- prove of Harris' Estabhshment at Trefecca. No doubt but his motives were pure and good. It was about the same time the Moravian Brethren erected their Settlements in England. We shall give the testimony of a very eminent Minister of Christ, respecting Harris at Trefecca. The Rev. J. Wesley, in his Journal, un- der date of March 19, 1750, mentions a visit he paid to Trefecca on his way to Ireland. He says, — "I rode over to Howel Harris at Trefecca, not knowing how to get any further ; but he helped us out of our difficulties, — offering to send one with us, who would shew us the way, and bring our horses back," After recording the particulars of his preach- ing in the Town-hall at Brecon, he gives the follow- ing account of Harris and his Establishment ; " Before I talked with him myself, I wondered that he did not go out and preach as usual. But he informed me that he had preached until he could do so no longer, — his constitution being entirely broken. He was press- ed in spirit to build a large house for the Lord : — as soon as it was erected men, women, and children, came to him, without his seeking them, from all parts of Wales. I never heard, except in the case of the Or- phan House at Halle, of so many signal interpositions of divine providence." — Wesley's Works, 8vo. 1809, vol. iii. p. 231. When Mr. Wesley visited Trefecca, in August 1763, he observed that " about six score persons were then in the family ; all diligent, all constantly employed, — all fearing God and working righteousness. Howel Harris' house is one of the most elegant places which * A translation of the stanzas, 23 — 20 alluded to, shall appear at tlie end of tliis work. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 211 I have seen in Wales. The little chapel, and all things round about it, are finished with uncommon taste, and the garden, orchards, fish-ponds, and mount adjoining, make the place a little paradise. " — On visiting Trefecca in 1775, two years after Harris death, he exclaims, What a lovely place ! and what a lovely family ! — still consisting of about six score persons. — So the good man is turned again to his dust, but his thovghts do not perish. " On another oc- casion he describes the neighbouring wood as " plea- santly laid out in walks, one of which leads to a little mount raised in the midst of a meadow that commands a delightful prospect ! " He then observes with plea- sure that " this is Howel Harris' work ; " and informs us how he had " enlarged and beautified his house," — speaking of the whole in terms of high commendation. Mr. Wesley was a man of taste as well as leai'ning, — whose judgment demands attention ; and it cannot be denied that whenever he alludes to his friend Harris, he clearly discoverf his admiration of the man, and the pleasure he found in contemplating his proceed- ings. — Vol. iv. p. 159. No doubt but that the buildings do gi'cat credit to Harris. When the writer of this visited that celebrated spot, in 1847, he was exceedingly struck with a view of the noble mansion and the scenery around it. It is seldom we can meet with a place so rural, retired, lively, and healthy. It is truly charm- ing and captivating. I know of no situation that suits so well such an object as he had in view — a settlement for Sion's pilgrims ; or a college for pious students, into which it is now converted, of which we shall speak hereafter. If the scenery of nature and art at Trefecca is so delightful, how much more captiva- ting must the view of the new creation -beauties, those of grace and holiness, appear, as they do to those that can perceive and appreciate them. The testimony of another very eminent and truly godly Minister, the late Rev. H. Venn, respecting the excellency of Harris Mnd his people, shall be given in chap. xvi. CHAP. XT. 1756-1762. HARRIS* CONDUCT DURING THE FRENCH WAR. It may be recollected, from -what has been said in a preceding chapter, that war was carried on between England and France at this period. Hostihties had now increased, and great alarm and concern for the kingdom were created in the breasts of many. Harris, being a true patriot, could not but feel deeply for his country's weal. He, being much concerned for the sta- bility of the Protestant religion, and fearing lest the country should be deprived of its religious liberty, made known his sentiments to the young men under his care at Trefecca, — asking if any of them were will- ing to go and serve under their good king against Po- pery. Many of them unanimously answered that they were willing : consequently it was then settled that five of them should join the army. They were all, ac- cording to his entreaties, earnest in prayer with the Lord for his aid and defence at that critical juncture. It is said that the five young men " went in faith and in the strength of the Lord, willing to lay down their lives for the liberty of the Gospel." This remarkable circumstance occurred in the year 1756. These pious young men left Trefecca in a happy frame of mind. They joined the 5{?th regiment, at Hereford, and marched from thence to Plymouth. There they received orders to embark for Ireland : and, as tlie chief seat of war between us and the French was then in A?nerica, they were conveyed to that coun- try, and landed at Halifax, in Nova Scotia ; they were engaged in the siege of Louinhiiryh, at the battle of Quebec, and at the taking of it under the brave Gene- ral Wolfe ; which with all the country is now in the pos- session of the English. The last place they took from the Spaniards was the Havajinah ; which was the last HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 213 blow in that notable war. It seems that the Lord was with these pious men in a remarkable manner. They kept close together in watching and prayer, reading the Scriptures, and exhorting one another. They wrote home from Quebec that they had the spirit of prayer and reliance on the Lord, even in the heat of battle ; " because we are, " as they observed, " under his care, and entered upon this way of life for Him, fighting against Popery, in defence of our Gospel privileges. " Thus they were kept, by our Saviour, contented and happy in their minds, and well in their bodies also, — having not received any material hurt. Four of them died a natural death in that part of the world ; the fifth was taken prisoner by the French and returned to England as soon as peace was concluded. He had an offer of preferment in the army but chose rather to return to Trefecca, where he was gladly received by the family after an absence of seve?i years. Their joy on this occasion was the greater on finding that he had been preserved from those evils which commonly prevail among soldiers, — that he had continued to grow in grace, and brought a most pleasant account of those who had finished their course. This honest and faithful man spent, with a musket ball in his leg, the remaining part of his life at Trefecca, happy and con- tented, being very useful as an exhorter,— speaking much of the grace of the good Shepherd of Israel ; — and was a remarkable witness of the Lord's faithfulness and goodness. We shall now proceed to take more particular notice of Harris' conduct and proceedings during this war ; especially his preaching at Yarmouth and his success- iful exertions at Bideford, Torrington, Barnstable and jPlymouth. Here we shall introduce his reflexions on ithe word of God, — notice the affairs at Trefecca du- ring his absence, and then add some letters illustra- ting the state of his mind at this remarkable time. It should be observed then that in the year 1759, the nation being still at war with France, which was iincreasing and becoming hotter, many persons were 214 LIFE AND TIMES OF apprehensive of an invasion. Harris, in common with others, was much concerned for the welfare of the kingdom in general, and especially for its rights and privileges in reference to religion. The gentle- men of the county, considering his influence as very extensive and important, now offered him a commis- sion in the Breconshire Militia. This was in the above year. Having received such a mark of respect, ! and taking all things into serious consideration, he re- | quested the prayers and obtained the consent of his i friends who encouraged him to accept it. He there- ! fore informed the gentlemen that he was disposed to j come to terms with them, — that he was chiefly moved | to accept their offer on seeing the danger with which our religious privileges were threatened ; and that as he had for many years exposed his life in preaching the Gospel, he was now willing to lay it down, if oc- casion required, in defence of religion ; but, " that if he must serve as a soldier under king George, he must have liberty to preach the Gospel of King Jesus." To this the Commissioners consented, giving him full liberty to preach wherever he went. Many of the young men in the family, under these circumstances, were willing to go with him ; and he, having delivered the affairs at Trefecca into the hands of Trustees, took his leave, believing that he was going to serve the Lord and his king. " He was accompanied by twenty • four of the young men, " twelve of whom he support- • ed at his own cost in arms, clothing, and maintenance, for three years. " They embodied with the Militia in • the beginning of 1 700 ; when, for an ensign's commis- sion, Harris received tliat of captain. Jones, in his History of Breconshire, takes notice of j this affair. In this work the following passage oc- curs : — " The kingdom being threatened, in the early part of the year 1759, with an invasion from the French : the members of the Breconshire Agricutural ' Society presented a loyal address to the king. In doing this they offered to form a troop of light horse that should be ready to march at his Majesty's command HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 2J5 to any part of Great Britain. On this occasion Harris proposed to the Society, on his Majesty's accepting tlieir offer, that he should be allowed to furnish, at his own expence, twelve horse-men, completely armed and accoutred, in order that the bounty money, allowed by Government, might be paid to their Treasurer, and ap- plied to the object of the Institution. This generous proposal of Harris was readily accepted. The recruits j were accordingly obtained at his charge, and the mo- ney allowed for them employed in rewarding industry and promoting improvement in the county. For this patriotic offer," says Jones, " he was elected an honor- ary member, as well as his brother Joseph Harris, the celebrated astronomer." — Vol. 1, p. 310, 311. Harris' conduct on this as well as on other occasi- ons was remarkable. He had been in the habit of usmg only si)iritual weapons, — he is going now to exer- iCise those that are carnal: — very different instruments! He wrote about this time what undoubtedly were his real sentiments and feelings on the subject of his com- ing forward in defence of religion, and on the value of God's word to himself and to others. His views were these : — " I am ready to go and die in the field of battle in defence of the word of God against Popery.* Who can sufficiently set forth the value of a book wherein God speaks to all ages and nations, ranks and degrees !of men ? Who can set it forth in its own real and majestic glory ? 0, the infinite and unfathomable depth of glory and divine wisdom and love displayed in it ! — The glory of the sun is nothing in comparison to the glory of this valuable treasure, which is indeed the mouth and image of God Himself, drawn by Him- self. A book which He has made the standard, touch- stone, and rule of all doctrine, ministry, and church discipline, and by which our faith, love, truth, and * Harris, in a letter to Oulton, thus ascribes the efficacy of the word to the spirit;— " Until the Spirit goes with the word it is not quickening nor piercing as a two edged sword, nor can it break a heart of stone." 216 LIFE AND TIMES OF obedience are proved, and also our spirits ! Here is the seed of the Church — the behever's armory — and the hght of the world ! Here man's pride is humbled, his wounds searched, the Saviour revealed and declared to be ours ; herein the Church is purified and nursed ! — If life and its various comforts are dear, how much more so should we esteem this ineffable treasure, with- out which there can be no faith — no salvation ! — By this we know with the greatest certainty, things which we could not know by any other means, both respect- ing God and ourselves. It reveals every thing, relating both to our present and future existence, that is neces- sary for us to know. Without this all is uncertain ; — this alone speaks infallibly ! 0, that its glory may fill the nation. 0, the ineffable treasure ! — No wonder so many thousands triumphed in dying for the precious Bible. " I now go freely, without the least compulsion, to shew the regard I have for the privileges we enjoy un- der the best of kings, especially the precious Gospel of our Saviour contained in the whole book of God, which is openly read throughout the kingdom, and every person is now suffered to exhort his neighbour without molestation. — I commit my family to the Lord, and am going with a part of it to defend my nation and privileges, and to shew publicly that we are dead to all things here below, — or at least that we can part with all for the sake of our dear Lord, even life itself, while we seek an inheritance in the world to come." Thus he went, and left at Trefecca above 120 per- sons in family who willingly resigned him and the men to the Lord ; and some wives willingly gave up their dear husbands, resolving to cleave to the Lord, by giving themselves wholly to Ilim ; — believing that He would take care of them, which indeed was the case. For during their absence from Trefecca, the preaching and meetings were kept daily as before, and the tem- poral affairs of the Institution were conducted in a satisfactory manner. — The people however experienced HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 217 j two seasons of severe affliction, in one of which no I less than fifty persons lay sick at the same time ; some [ of whom had the care of the family. This was during j harvest, when many of the sick were wanted in the field ; yet they were so favoured with the divine pre- sence and support, that every thing turned out well, and their sorrow eventually gave place to joy. The first route which Harris and the Militia had Avas to Yarmouth in the spring of 1760. It pleased the Lord on his arrival in that town to open a door for him to preach there and in its neighbourliood. This he did every evening, generally in his regimen- tals, to crowded congregations who seemed to listen with attention, while many received a blessing to their souls. In the following winter the Militia returned to Wales by a different route, which gave Harris an op- 2:)ortunity of preaching in several other towns. Their head quarters being at Brecon, he was enabled to spend a little time now and then with his friends at Trefecca. In the summer of 17G1 they took their route to the West of England, where a new field of labour was presented to him. They continued some time at Bideford and Torrington, where he met with a kind reception and had many hearers. In the fol- lowing summer, 1762, he had an opportunity of visit- ing several larga towns in the West of England, par- ticularly Barnstable and Plymouth, where he continued to preach with his usual frequency and fervour. Whatever some may think of the piety of Harris and Iiis people in connexion with a military life, and what- ever mistaken ideas they had of serving the cause of religion in this way, it cannot be doubted that they shone as lights in the world, and that by their strict I morality, they left no unfavourable impression on the I public mind respecting the religion they professed. — iNo doubt the gloomly circumstances of the time in 'which Harris was placed, and the call on him by the higher Powers to assist in the war, together with his view of it, as an undertaking to defend his country and Its religious privileges, must have weighed much on 218 LIFE AND TIMES OF his mind, and at length induced him to come forward on such a remarkable occasion. — Moreover, the state of the nation should be well considered. There was a strong party among the nobility, gentry, and clergy favourable to the Pretender, under the influence of France and the Poj^e, consequently an invasion was made into Scotland, in 1745, with a view to place him on the throne. — The nation was for years afterwards kept in alarm and fear. Nothing could be so distress- ing to the Protestants than such an occurrence. This accounts in some measure for Harris' readiness to take this remarkable step. And it is stated in the 37th Ar- ticle of the Church of England, " that it is lawful for a christian man, at the command of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars." These points should be well considered before we pass a rash and hasty judgment on Harris in this re- spect. What may be considered as improper for a Minister to do in one age, may be viewed in a very different light, when done by another, under different circumstances and at another time. No doubt Harris well considered the nature of the business he was going to undertake. He wrote a let- ter, a little time before he embarked in it, to that illus-. trious Clergyman, the morning star of Wales, the Rev. G. Jones, stating what he was going to do for his coun- try's weal in the name of the Lord ; in which his rea- sons and motives for so acting are clearly stated. I shall therefore introduce the letter here that he may speak for himself and be candidly heard. The letter is as follows : — " Trefecca, Jan. J3rd, 1760. " The Eev. G. Jones, " Dear Sir, I was much refreshed in hearing by T. David, of your being yet here below, to stand in the gap and to entreat for a poor unbelieving world, which, being indeed blinded by the god of this world, sees no glory or excellency in the most precious Re- deemer. Sinners are really running in the broad road to eternal ruin and that merrily and lightly ! And I HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 219 greatly fear that very few mourn over them. I hope you will live to fiwaken many by your honest labours before the end of your days. I should esteem it the highest honour if counted worthy, to be of some real service to all, especially to poor Wales, as you have hitherto been in many respects. " I have, from an apprehension of our danger at this time from the tyrannical spirit of Popery, accepted a call to go with some of the honest men that are here with me in family, into our Militia, to finish my labours and life, if God pleases, in withstanding our enemies in the field of battle. — A life by far the most disagreeable to my nature. But being persuaded of my duty by the faithful unerring Spirit of grace, I am willing to testify, once for all, my regard to my king and country ; but above all to the most precious Gos- pel ; and let Him, who bled for me and whose I am, do with me as seemeth good in his sight. — Commend- ing myself and mine, in the most earnest manner, to your prayers, — wishing you all the blessings of the New Coveoant — the precious fruits of our Saviour's Life, Sufferings, and Death, with eternal healings in and under the Redeemer's wings." Jones, the historian of Harris' native county, takes notice of him in different respects, — as an extraor- dinary man, — as an officer in the above excursions, and the effects that attended him as a Preacher. " In this progress, " says Jones, " very remarkable scenes frequently occurred. One part of the regiment was heard chanting hymns along the road, while others were singing loyal or bacchanalian songs. Sometimes the Captain was elevated upon a table or a cliair in the street, preaching in his regimentals ; at other times he appeared in the meeting-house holding forth in a black coat." — History of Breconshire, vol. ii. p. 348. It may be added here that Harris was sometimes, .vhen commencing his address in the open air in these travels, much disturbed by the mob. He would then first of all demand silence in the name of the King of u 220 LIFE AND TIMES OF heaven : but no attention was paid to liim. — The persecution rather increased : then he would draw his sword out of the sheath and place it on the table before him, throwing off his cloak that covered his regimentals, and demanding silence in the name of George King of Britain ; he was heard immediately — not a tongue moved — all were seized with fear. In a history of Methodism at Yarmouth, given to the public within the last twenty years, we have the following account of Harris' extraordinary preaching when an officer in the regiment : — " On his arrival at Yarmouth," says the writer, " Harris enquired if there were any Methodists in the town ? He was informed that attempts had been made to preach there, but that the preacher had very narrowly escaped violent death from enraged mobs. Nothing daunted by this intel- ligence he employed the town-crier to give notice, that on such a day and at such an hour, a Methodist preacher would preach at the market-place. At the time appointed a large mob collected together, fur- nished with stones, brick-bats, bludgeons, blood, and filthy materials suited to their work, vowing that if the preacher came, he should never go out of the town alive. Mr. Harris, who had been exercising his men at a little distance, when the clock struck, went to the multitude, and enquired what was the matter ? They replied that a Methodist preacher was to have come, but it was well he did not, for he certainly would have been killed : Mr. Hams told them that he thought it a pity they should be wholly disappointed, and that if they would favour him with their attention, he would sing a hymn and pray with them, and also give them a little friendly advice. He then mounted the table which had been prepared for him : his men, who sur- rounded him with their arms, joining hira most devoutly in singing and prayer. The novelty of the scene, and the presence of armed men, who were ready to defend their officer and their friend, struck terror into the mob, and prevented the execution of their wicked designs. Mr. Harris preached with little inter- HOWEL HARRIS. ESQ. 221 ruption : the hearts of many of the hearers were softened and prejudices vanished. Some were awaken- ed to a serious concern for their souls, and led to enquire how they might be saved. From that time Mr. Harris preached almost every evening, generally in his regimentals, to crowded congi'egations with increased effect. After a time he requested the preach- ers in the neighbourhood to come to Yarmouth and form a society. This was accordingly done, and a people were thus gathered from the world, who evidenced their gratitude, both to God and men. A commodious chapel was built, by a gentleman of the town, which was not only well attended, but in which many were persuaded to walk in the ways of God."* A pamphlet, containing his Welsh letters on these and other journeys to his friends at Trefecca, was pub- lished after his decease for their benefit and the public good. We shall give here the substance of some of them. Though he was engaged in various employ- ments in his new office, and preaching constantly, yet he found a few spare moments to write to his dear fa- mily. The first letter was from Ahergavenny, Feb. 25, 1760. He, in order to support, comfort and strength- en them, dwells most feelingly and beautifully on the love of God their heavenly Father, and tells them that it is particularly manifested to those that are under the cross and in the narrow road ; then he, in the kindest manner, requests them to love each other as brethren, and to obey those that were set over them. He states that he was much blessed in preaching at the market-house in that town. The next letter was from Yarmouth, Aug. 21, 1760. He informs his friends of the Lord's goodness in blessing his word so remarkably in that place; bids them rejoice, inasmuch as their loss was the good of many ; assures them that as every thing is under Christ's feet, all shall be under theirs also ; — his great- est joy would be to find that Christ was still reigning in their hearts. * Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, vol. xlviii. pp. 308, 809. 222 LIFE AND TIMES OF A similar letter was written by him to them, Sept. 14, 1760, full of encouragement in the contemplation of God in his word, grace and providence. He wrote to them from Chester on his return home, December 3, 1760, requesting them to pray that he might come to them in the fulness of the Spirit, and that they might remain humble, resting on Christ's merits. Having remained awhile in Breconshire, as already stated, they departed for the West of England. — It was when at Bideford that Harris heard of the illness that seized the family, and removed several of them to eternity. He wrote, October 16th, 1761, to sooth and direct them in their affliction, in a very feeling manner, bidding them to humble themselves under the hand of God, observing the cause of their chastisement. He wrote another from the same place, sympathis- ing with them, dwelling beautifully on the love of God from eternity towards them, and directing them to view it under their present trials. He wrote excellently to them from Torrinyton on different things, Dec. 15, 1761, on the benefit of sanctified afflictions, observing also that the Lord lays the burdens of his Church on those He loves. Jan. 1, 1762, that every fresh experience of their faith and obedience rendered them more dear to Him ; — the more they confide and rely upon God, the nearer they would draw unto Him ; and the more firmly they trust in Him in trials, the more bright would their crown be in the last day. Jan. 12, 1762, that strong faith is requisite, when it is calm and quiet, to keep out a wordly spirit ; — that the heart becomes by faith in affliction more sim- ple and honest, — the motive more pure and strong. Aug. 3, 1762, that'love and grace in Christ their Advocate are but little known by believers ; — that they should accept his truth and cross when even most trying. August 15, 1762, he directs them to rest more on HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 223 the righteousness of Christ, renouncing their own. — By considering themselves as miserable sinners, they might see how free and wonderful mercy is. In a letter, Plymouth, Sept. 7, ] 762, he observes how sweet the expectation of seeing them, especially in heaven, was to him; that it sweetened their correspondence : — that God's people are as glad to speak of their possessions as those of the world are of theirs. There is a letter of Harris among the English ones addressed E. M. andE. E., Torrington, Jan. 1, 1762, which is excellent on Christ in all his offices. He tells them how greatly he longed to be in his own appropriate work. — " Surely my heart is so much with you that nothing but the clear call of the Redeemer could keep me away from you a moment." So indefatigable was Hams that he wrote to several other friends, when he was in the army, upon religious subjects. I shall here add a few of them ; they will shew his deep piety and concern for souls. His cai'e for the immortal part was the ever ruling power of his soul. The first of these is to Mr. Wesley, admonish- ing him to be reconciled to some Moravian brother, between whom and him it seems there had been some disagreement. The letter breathes a spirit of love, and exhibits the Christian temper in a high degree. Bideford, June 20th, 1761. "Dear Mr. Wesley, " I am answering by this post a kind and a humble letter I received the other day, from Mr. Johannes, in reply to mine from Yarmouth. I thought it my duty, as matters will not permit him to stay in Eng- land farther than the beginning of July, to send you this letter, hoping it will be possible for you to see him before he goes ; and if the meeting would be at Bristol, perhaps providence would open a door for me to have the pleasure of being present to see the most agreeable sight in the world — brethren looking each other in the face in truth ; old love revived, and cause of distance and former jealousy removed ; Satan dis- 224 LIFE AND TIMES OF appointed, and the love and humility of the Saviour prevailing over all misunderstanding ; and a generous regard for the universal good of the whole English Reformation bearing down all lesser considerations whatsoever. He seemed through the whole of his epistle to be really poor in spirit and without guile, and sincerely disposed to any general conference. He appears to be without any partial view to his own plan and brethren, declaring positively that he esteems every one who honors the Saviour's Sufferings, and seeks salvation by his Blood, as a brother indeed, though he belongs to another denomination ; and he declares further, that if he can do any thing for his Master's interest and the soul's happiness, he is ready for it, wishing that the v^hole earth may be covered with the knowledge of the Redeemer and his atoning Blood. God can do great things: his Cause, his Name, his people, his work, and his servants, are in Him one. Let us on earth then endeavour to imitate those in heaven, where there is but one tongue, one language, one happiness, one life, and where all make but one family. The nearer we all come to the same mind, and the more we grow up in a likeness to our Great Head, the more we shall convince the poor blind world that we are of Him indeed, whose will is expressly revealed and made known to all on this head. This spirit of bearing and forbearing would be the glory of our Church ; and this great work, the late revival, was ushered in by this heaven-born spirit; and if con- tinued in it, it will flourish and prove a blessing to thousands now and many in future generations : all that now walk in the light by it, have personal happi- ness. " What will not a heaven-born soul do or suffer for one truth ? And what should we not be willing to do for the love of the brethren, while we endeavour to unite the scattered parts of the glorious body of our ex-alted Lord ? If the attempt is great, great will he be who is first in the motion ; and it will be great in you if, as an unshaken son of the old Church of England HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 225 and of primitive Christianity, you can invite Mr. Jo- hannes to give you the meeting, to remove, if possible, misunderstanding and mutual jealousies, and come to some terms of friendship. And happy will it be if he, in the same spirit, accepts of the sincere English invitation. I should be exceedingly glad to know, if possible, when and where you are hkely to meet, that, if I could not be favoured with being present, I might all that time bow the knee before our dear Lord and Master, praying that He Himself would, as thousands are concerned, be present to help in taking such steps as might best promote his interest and glory in this fallen and yet favoured nation. Such is the humble supplication of your most unworthy brother and ser- vant, H. H." The above catholic letter was sent to Mr. Charles Wesley, with a note, requesting him to forward it to his brother, Mr. John Wesley. The note is as fol- lows : — "June 20th, 1761. "My dear old Friend, — You see my end by the contents of the enclosed letter, which I beg leave to forward to your brother through you, as I do not know where he is just now. I trust an interview between your brother, yourself, and Mr. Johannes, who is now in London, and some others, may greatly promote our Saviour's interest in this nation. I am persuaded your real regard to unity and the general good, will make you not only forward the enclosed immediately to your brother, but also endeavour to hasten the interview. And if any thing of that kind be settled, I beg the favour of a line as soon as you can, that if possible I might have the blessing of being present at such a meeting, where I believe our Saviour would much display His grace. This is the coming of His kingdom ; this is honouring Him indeed, by coming together as near as possible ; removing misunderstand- ings and jealousies, so as to leave an opening for those of all parties that love our beloved Eedeemer and His cause to come in likewise. 220 LIFE AND TIMES OF "Why may not such concessions be made, and such toleration of spirit be shewed, that all the Evangelical friends of the Church may be invited to some union or nearness together ? Then all might be better acquainted with each other, and with what our great Master and Builder is doing among his various classes of labourers every-wliere. And then all hearts will be more enlarged towards Him and his great Cause here in the world." What a happy spirit did this good man possess! Christian unity and fellowship, and an Evangelical Al- liance would have then been formed had his wish been granted. Our Saviour's prayer was to the same pur- port, — " That all may be one — that the world may be- lieve that thou hast sent me." — John xvii. 21. The two following extracts of letters, to his wife from the army, indicate remarkable faithfulness, love, and simplicity of heart. Surely it becometh husbands to follow him in these and all other respects according to God's word, caring for the souls of their wives. ''Barnstable, June 10th, 1762. " My dear Wife, " Shall this find your spirit bowing to the great compassionate Kedeemer ? Weeping before Him for all thy backslidings from Him ? It is certainly both sweet and safe, to loathe ourselves before Him because we are not more like Him and do not abide in Him, but so often trifle with Him. Whenever we can sub- scribe that confession, 'That we are indeed the chief of sinners, and the least of all in God's house,' it is well. Whilst we continue thus poor in spirit, meek and lowly in heart, our Saviour is then very near us, will be ever blessing us, and giving us fresh proofs of his love, and assurances of his grace, that He will never leave us, but that He will take us to Himself, to be with Him for ever ! May you be kept thus wakeful, looking to Jesus, then will you grow in grace, and be always happy, though the mountains were removed to the bottom of the sea ! whatever happens then, you will be meekly resigned, and give thanks and say, ' The Lord is king, and he shall reign for ever.' HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 227 " O remember that Christ is your all, that He hath ; loved you and will never change, — that He is able to I finish as well as to begin His own work. Remember that you are His, and that your whole business in this world, is to do His will, to feed on Him and to love Him, In this faith you left your father's house to take up your cross with me, eighteen years since this day. And twenty-seven years this day lie first admitted me into his presence, by giving me His Spirit to cry Ahha, Father, and sealed that truth on my heart that He doth not change. I have certainly found Him to be the un- changeable / am to this day. " Be ever thankful that He has called you out of the world, out of the reason and afiections of sinful perish- ing nature, to deny yourself daily, to take up the cross and to follow Him and Him alone by faith. — O ! to possess all the fruits of the blessed Spirit, for which I am in earnest prayer ; — may we come out of every I thing to live on the Bread of life for ever." I The next sweet and delightful letter is to his Wife with her Child. ''Barnstable, Aug. 3, 1762. " My dearest Wife and Child, " I am happy indeed in hearing the voice of a vigilant spirit from you. 0, ever bow and fall be- Ifore the Redeemer and He will teach you the know- ledge of the kingdom of grace, — will guide and comfort you, and will shew you that all your cares are on his I heart, and that He loves you and will never leave you. 0, be faithful to Him, and hold fast that whereunto you have attained. O, what favour it is to have the I least glimmering of the friendship of heaven ; — to have I his uneiTing Spirit to testify to us of his grace, and to i assure us that He loves. us, and that He will raise us up i at the last day to life everlasting ! O let this knowledge enter your heart, and it will effectually settle your j spirit in love, joy, and reverential fear. It will regu- I late your affection to all around you ; it will keep a constant fire burning within your breast ; and will keep your eye, where it ought to be, on tilings beyond life 228 LIFE AND TIMES OF and death and visible objects. Then will your soul be i ever freely bowing to his will, and always taking every thing gratefully from Him studying to please Him above all others. Then you will grow daily in an acquaintance with our Saviour. You will become more poor in spirit daily, become more watchful against temp- b tations, and more acquainted with the various workings of self and nature, which grow on us like mist, and , bring deadness and luke-warmness with them ; so that we lose our taste for private prayer, meditation, and j reading the Scriptures, and grow barren and un- fruitful ! ' " 0, let our Saviour use whatever means He pleases; ^ but may He never suffer us to grow whole or large and ' conceited in our spirit, or to seek or enjoy any happi- ' ness in any thing, but in and from Himself; for all ! other happiness turn at last to poison and death. Be ' then on the watch, and do not oblige our dear Re- ' deemer to use rough means to awaken you and to root ' out some idol, or to scourge you for not being awake and alive to Him, or for not bearing fruit for his cause and glory and being faithful in every respect. We should ever walk in his light and by his will, and maintain fellowship with Him. " O, to the dust then let us go, considering what we have received from Him and the infinite difference He has already made between us and our fellow creatures, by causing us to behold His Humiliation, Death, and , Passion. Let me always find you at the foot of the cross, and you will I hope see me in all things you»*s most affectionately. ' CHAP. XYL 1T63-1T08. HARRIS RETURN TO TREfECCA ; — LETTERS — TO HTS WIFE AND LADY HUNTINGDON ; — COLLEGE. Harris, after being employed for three years in the MiUtia, a treaty of peace being concluded, re- turned with his little company to Trefecca, shewing their loyalty to their king, their love to their country, and their faith in Christ. We need make no further observations on Harris' conduct in entering upon mili- tary life at that critical time. No doubt he acted under clear and deep impressions that he was doing his duty in coming forward in defence of his country and reli- gion, and no doubt his heart was engaged in the Service of the Lord as a preacher, for he scarcely ever let an evening pass without jDublicly calling on sinners to re- pent and believe in Christ. He went from place to place as an itinerant preacher and a soldier of Jesus Christ; nor is it possible to calculate the immense good that was done through his ministr}' at that time. Some of those parts of England which he visited, were so dark and opposed to the truth, that it was almost im- possible for any preacher to open liis mouth there for the Lord without being in danger of losing his life. But Harris, under the garb of a miUtaiT man, succeeded in demanding silence and attention, in the most hostile and dangerous districts : and his heavenly Master made him the instrument of bringing down the strong-holds of sin and Satan, and of preparing the way for others to follow after him in forming those that were con- verted, into Churches, and estabhshing the cause of re- ligion in those howling deserts of the wilderness. Thus he might be viewed as a most excellent pioneer in the \ ice of his heavenly Master, to clear the way before officers and regiment of tlie Church militant that V. re coming after him. 230 LIFE AND TIMES OF We shall introduce a few of Harris letters here, as they will, according to their tenor, dates, and charac- ters, tend to give us some idea of his personal religious zeal and activity at this period. His letters are the simple dictates of a deeply pious mind, acknowledging its sinfulness and mourning over its sad state and slow progress in the Divine life. — His holy walk, his strong faith in the atoning Blood of Christ, testified at the same time, to his habitual conquest over the body of sin and the sincerity of his profession. His lan- guage is an expansion of the seventh chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and may be a great encouragement to those who are fainting in the strug- gle against sin and flesh. Instead of supposing their case to be peculiar, so that they are ready to write bit- ter things against themselves, they will take courage on finding that so eminent a Christian as Harris ac- knowledged the same conflicts and lamented the same indwelling sin. He directs his friends to look to Jesus, and to derive all their comfort and strength from Him, that they might be enabled to gird up the loins of their minds and pursue their heavenly race. These and the like views Harris inculcated with his pen and tongue during his now short pilgrimage. He spent the remainder of his life, after the war was over, with his large family at Trefecca, with the exception of a few excursions which he made now and then to preach both in England and Wales. The following let- ters were written when he was from home in the service of his gracious Master. One of those benevolent jour- neys was to London, from whence he wrote the follow- ing letter to his extensive household at Trefecca : — " Londo?t, J aniiaxy 11th, 1763. ^' To all the Family at Trefecca, " My dear Brethren, — Blessed be G od for ever for opening a way for us, poor worms, to bring us out of all sin and self to Himself, by his own Incarnation and Sufferings, which the Holy Ghost kindly reveals to our blind unbelieving hearts. He has indeed conferred on us infinite honour by calling us out of the spirit of the HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. world, to live out of ourselves on Him who gave him- self a Sacrifice for us. 0, rejoice in Him and in the work He has given you to do. Pray, endure Him when He comes as a Refiner to purge you from dross or separate between nature and grace, that you may be more fit for his Service. " I am pursuaded that you add to the debt of love I owe you by continuing to pray for me. I can to your comfort assure you that your joint prayers prevail, for I was never more graciously dealt with by our Saviour than in this journey. Surely I can join in that old martyr. Bishop Hooper's confession, " Lord, I am hell, but Thou art heaven." 0, the glorious Saviour, the best Friend, the delight of his true followers, the ful- ness or perfection of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily ! Shall not his dear children be under his tender care ? Shall we indeed be honoured as his house, and be em- ployed by Him to do some little service here below ? And shall we truly be in the light above, viewing his glory, and bowing before his Throne for ever hereafter ? Certainly it will be so, for He hath loved us with an everlasting love, and will not leave his work unfinished in us : as He is, we shall completely be. Let this be our life, joy, and strength. 0, be not weary in his work and service, which you do for Him and not for yourselves. It is honour enough for me to be counted worthy to be an help and i blessing to you at all. O, praise the dear Redeemer ;for me. Surely I owe Him more : — I would, if pos- 'sible, summon the whole creation to adore Him. O, (that I were ever viewing Him and feeding on Him and (making grateful sacrifice of every thought, word, and action, and every moment of time to and for Him. This is surely my cry and all my ambition, to be found in Him, to be his wholly, and never grieve his Spirit. 0, how dear are you all to me. And this because He loves you and has counted me worthy to be a father to you. 0, that I could, as an humble instrument, make you the happiest people in the world, and set all your hearts in a constant flame of love to the dear Re- V 232 LIFE AND TIMES OF deemer, who has bought you with his most precious Blood. Thus I am, my dear brethren and fellow-ser- vants in our Saviour's kingdom, with my best love and prayers for you all, your unworthy father, friend, bro- ther, and servant in Christ Jesus. — H. H." We have been informed that this remarkable family at Trefecca, were very happy, and stood very high in point of piety and morality. And no wonder since they had such a loving and wise father in Christ. The next letter is to his beloved Wife, in connexion with the Trefecca family, shewing his great regard and care whilst absent from them. Oct. 6, 1763. " My dear Wife, " Shall this find you at the Saviour's feet, plead- ing his promises, and condemning yourself, sensible of your real blindness and weakness ? When we are poor in spirit, He is ever nigh to us, and turns all our afflic- tions into blessings. 0, that I could so write, as to make his Wounds and Death exceedingly weighty and precious to your hearts. Thus would the true end of writing be answered. * 0 Thou dear Kedeemer, be Thou ever in the midst of us, and near our spirits ; and re- veal thy glory to us, till we shall come to behold Thee face to face, by thy inestimable love and grace.' He is and shall be my life and supreme delight. His will shall be mine for ever. He is exceedingly gracious t#i me and feeds me in green pastures. " I cannot doubt but that He is in the midst of you all at Trefecca ; for you are his little flock, and He can- not forget his few sheep, or patients, in the wilderness. 0, love one another most ardently, and watch over each { other, that you fall not a moment from Him ; for i He alone is our heaven and bliss. When we sleep, | forget and turn from Him, He, through his great love \ and tender care, rouses us by some means that we may ! return to Him again. 0, keep with Him in prayer and watchfulness, that you may confess, own, and hon- our Him ; and then you will comfort my heart while i, preaching the truths of our Saviour's kingdom." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. Harris was generally from henceforth at his house in Trefecca. He was not far from finishing his course ; he sensibly felt the effects of his past labours. He therefore directed his attention more than ever, if pos- : sible, to spiritual things, and endeavoured by every I means in his power to promote the best interest of those I under his care. The Lord was with him in this sweet ; retired place and retreat from the world, and blessed S the means of grace for the henefit of his own soul, and I also of those that were with him. In confirmation of j his deep piety and close walk with God, and also of 1 his family, we may quote the observations of a most j eminent Minister and Keformer in those days, the Rev. H. Venn, then Vicar of Hudderslield. The observa- tions to which I allude occur in a letter, dated Ber- wick, Shropshire, November 1 7GG, addressed to "Miss Wheeler." " From Bath, through Bristol and Gloucester, we (Mr. Venn and Sir Charles Hotham) arrived at Tre- fecca in Wales. Howel Harris is the father of that Settlement and its Founder. After laboming for fifteen years more vigorously than any of the servants of Christ, in this revival he was so hurt in body as to be confined to his own house for seven years.* Upon the begin- ning of his confinement, first one then another whom the Lord converted under his word, to the number of n(3ar a hundred, came and desired to live with him ; and said that they would work and get their bread. — By this means near one hundred and twenty men, wo- men and children, from very distant parts of Wales, came and fixed their tents at Trefecca. We were there three days, and heard their experience which they i spoke in Welsh to Mr. Harris, and he interpreted it to us. Of all the people I ever saw, this Society seems to be the most advanced in grace. They speak as men and women, who feel themselves every moment worthy of eternal punishment, and infinitely base ; and yet at I the same time, they have such certainty of salvation * It might be observed that those seven years Harris was unwel were before he went into the Militia. 234 LIFE AND TIMES OF through the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, as is^ indeed deUghtful to behold. My heart received blessing which will abide with me. — Venn's Life pp. 121, 122. We shall now say a few words respecting Harris' mode of spending the Sabbath at Trefecca. As he ad- dressed his people three times every day on religious subjects, we may be sure that he did not relax in this respect on the Sabbath ; the chapel attached to the Settlement being large enough, was opened on the Lord's day for people in the neighbourhood as well as his own. The word preached was peculiarly blessed to their souls, it was indeed " the savour of life unto life." Harris also attended the Parish Church which is at Tal- garth, about two miles distant. This might be expected from what has been said of him in connexion with the Established Church. It seems that he was still attached to it, notwithstanding the evil treatment he received from some of its members in times past. He and his people were of the same mind now as formerly, as the I following observation of theirs testify : "As the late re- i vival in religion began in the Established Church, we 1 think it not necessary or prudent to separate ourselves i from it ; but consider it our duty to abide in it, and to i go to our Parish Church every Sunday, to unite in the i prayers, to hear the reading of God's word, and to use the ordinances ; we find that our Saviour meets us : there by making them a blessing to our souls." — This is what crowns the worshij^ of God, — his presence in :] it; and how beautiful are those expressions in the x public service between the Minister and people, — b. "The Lord be with you," is his desire; "And witb thy spirit," is their reply. It is said that Harris, in the year 1 764, induced the i Vicar to have the Sacrament at the Parish Church i every month, it having formerly been administered only four times a year. Harris, on tlie first monthly Sun- < day, Eeb. 5th, wrote thus :— " This was a gi^eat day in- deed, the first time we had the Communion according to our wish and request. This privilege has beeu liOWEL HARRIS. ESQ, 235 given us in answer to our prayers, and is a further proof ! of the Saviour's love to us. We were happy in the morning under the Exhortation, — went happily toge- ther to the public service, and I trust in one spirit to the Lord's Table." There is scarcely any need to observe how delightful is the Lord's Supper to those that come to it as they ought, looking simply under the Spirit's influence to Jesus, as poor sinners, and waiting for his blessing. No wonder they were anxious for the parti- cipation of it every month. Their attachment to the Vicar was augmented by his attention to their wishes. Another favour was granted them the same month ; they were accommodated with the gallery in the Church, which many of them occu- pied engaged in singing. Harris made the followiDg observation on this circumstance: — "On the 1 9th of this month, our people sat for the first time in the gallery of the parish Church to sing, which they after- wards continued to do. While the people were singing to day at Church, such glory fell on me (and I thought it filled the Church) as words cannot express. We are happy in this and many other respects at Trefecca, having our public and private meetings daily, the latter we had on Sunday before going to Church, and after we returned, without any molestation."* There was a notable friend of Harris, already men- tioned, whose name stands closely connected with Tre- fecca, the Eight Honourable Lady Huntingdon, a most extraordinary personage in the Church of Christ. A correspondence was carried on still between Harris and her Ladyship. I shall first introduce a few of those letters that passed between them about this time, name- ly, 1765, 17G6. It will appear from them how highly she valued him, especially on account of his usefulness in the Church, and his liberal and catholic spirit. * The Author of tliis work went into the gallery when he visited Trefecca in 1847 : it is just opposite the pulpit. He thought much of course of the eminent individual who sat there with his friends. What attention he paid to the Service : and what heart-feeling was poured into the singing ! 236 LIFE AND TIMES OF Those letters that were written later, in the year ) 768, were respecting the College her Ladyship was about erecting at Trefecca, long in contemplation before ; and for the building of which Harris gave his most cordial \ approbation and assistance. The first communications we shall insert are from her Ladyship ; — and some of ' them are on union among Christians, as set forth in . the following letter : — "Bristol, March 14, 1764. " My dear Friend, " I cannot thank you enough for your kind care of my little bit of the Vineyard. Poor as it is, the Lord may increase and enlarge it. I rely with great joy on Mr. Peter Williams being with me before the 25th instant.* I thank you also for the distant hope of seeing you some time in the summer.f I have had respect to what you say about a heart-union among the several Ministers. I hope to have few of them here to-morrow morning on the subject. Mr. Wesley * He was a very useful Preacher and an excellent writer. He com- posed very good and practical notes on the whole of the Scriptures in Welch. They are much esteemed on account of their spirituality and pathos. + Lady Huntingdon mentions in another letter this year, Dec. 5, to Harris, how useful his visit to London had been. — *' You were much blessed amongst us," she remarks, " and in private conference with the people there is no Ministry so suited to the heart of the people as yours." The following quotation, from Lady Huntingdon's Life and Times, . also shows how highly Harris was esteemed by her. — " Mr. H. Harris, , who had been with Lady Huntingdon at Brighton, now returned to London, where he was most kindly received by Lord Dartmouth, Lady Gertrude Hotham, Mrs. Garteret, and Mrs. Cavendish. At their houses i he often expounded with successful ability ; and after preaching seve- ral times at the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court-road Chapel, he visit- ed Bath, and preached at Lady Huntingdon's chapel, expounding also • at Lord Buchan's and at other houses. At her Ladyship's request he spoke to the Revds. Hart, Jones, Johnson, and Jesse, appointing them to meet her at Bath in the month of May. Lady Huntingdon, with a view to promote the cause which she valued more than life, was ac- customed from time to time for a number of years, to assemble the Evangelical Clergy in the vicinity of Bath at her residence to consult ' upon the most advisable plans to be adopted for the general diflfusion of divine truth in different parts of the kingdom and in the immediate ! neighbourhood of their respective Cures." — Vol. ii. p. L HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 237 seems more hearty on that point than ever I have known him, and before he goes I hope to obtain a commission from him to declare his wilUngness for a general union founded upon the essential point — namely, faith in Jesus Christ — salvation of sinners by his Blood and Righteousness ; — this being the centre of union for all ; — all other points being left for private consideration in their several charges. The devil will be very sorry should this take place ; for a flame would so kindle that the kingdoms of the earth would become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. We shall have your prayers — faithful and united labours for it. And any intelligence or advice you can give on this subject, I beg you will communicate freely to me. — "S. H." Three of Lady Huntingdon's letters to Harris in 1765 now follow; in which she shews great regard to him, indeed treating him as a most intimate friend. In one of them she shews great care for her intended Col- lege at Trefecca. We will make a few extracts from them which may be interesting at the present time. "Jan. 15, 17G5. — I was glad to get a line from you, and also your daughter ; she began to be impatient about you. I am quite of your mind about Mr. Oakly. — Except the college is really established in the true and full primitive spirit, I would rather wait ever so long. Our Saviour's time will render all easy. — I beheve tliat all the confusion, deadness and folly, so much mixed in the present work, is owing to a want of solid, settled faith in Jesus of Nazareth. All my joy is in Him alone, as Head of all things to me. I am sure if I have a con- fidence by faith in Him, all the devils in hell shall not be able to make me fear for a moment. At times I have great liberty, light, and love to step forth through all — and this is precious. But I believe the Church in general is not ready for it, since the talking of it, unless under the power and full demonstration of the Spirit, brings a formal dryness which he does not approve. ' It is eternal life to know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." It 238 LIFE AND TIMES OF has the one ruling sway over all our hopes, fears, and actions. All the Christian Church on earth hold it forth as their faith, but it is not that practical confi- dence of the heart which you and I know to be in some. We look upon you as under engagement, if the Lord permits, the first week in June, as I hope to be in the wilds of Sussex then, I find none so ready and willing to hold up my poor weak hands as your- self. Thousand, thousand heart-felt thanks for the prayers at Trefecca. 0 ! that they may be but conti- nued for me ! Nothing, nothing is so weak as I feel myself. — Most truly and faithfully yours, S. H." ''Brighton, March 17, 1765. We go on well here ; I should nevertheless be very glad of your company, and that as soon as it is con- venient to you. Things of various kinds arise abroad and at home, which I should be glad to talk over with you. Mr. Williams leaves this place the 2nd of April ; could you be with us at that time, I should count it a blessing. Many souls want you here. Fresh doors are opening every day ; and the B begin to give me trouble; but matters of more moment advance and so far, that I should be glad to see you. This hope makes me to add but little more now. — Do, my good friend, come as soon as you can, and stay as long as you can. — Pray for me. I really have found bless- ings through your prayers. My hands are held up, ] weak as I am. Much courage, patience, and faith, I ( see I want every moment, and I think at times I have I none : but all things r,re in the hands of our dear Lord i and Saviour, who was poor, afflicted, tempted, and I despised, for my sake. May I ever follow Him. — I |r am, my dear friend, your ever obliged servant for Jesus G Christ's sake, S. H." t ''Bath, Dec. 9th, 1765. " The Lord appears for us here ; but through many trials and temptations : nothing but the Ufe of faith i can carry us through. I expect with confidence in the \y Lord alone to be maintained through all. For this i purpose he removes all human helps and trusts from \^ HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 239 US, that we may be disposed to look unto Him alone — and be found faithful to Him, who has all power in heaven and earth; and may his power alone reigr and rule ! I know you are growing in grace and thu: prepared for heaven. I have some experience in my own heart. It is, however, often by some trials and tiibulations, that I may be like Him that was despised for me ; otherwise how shall the fellowship with Him be real or lasting ? Dear Mr. Townsend is with us at present. Mr. Howell Davies I expect on Saturday. I have been trying to find out when your meeting at is to be, that I may have by that means the hope of seeing you : And am most truly and most affec- tionately, in all Christian love and gi'atitude, S. H." "P.S. I have said some things to Evan Roberts, which I thought he could explain better than by my wi'iting." We shall now introduce an exti'act of a letter fi'om Harris to Lady Huntingdon, bearing much upon what is said in her letters on affliction. " Trefecca, Nov. 11th, 1765. " Honoured Madam, " Last week I received your favour, by which I find our Saviour honoured you with a little of the feeling of what He went through, when a poor man here below. We are too little acquainted with Him in all his Humi- liation, either by the revelation of faith or by drinking of the cup of affliction. — Our nature may be brought by a superficial know^ledge of Him and by common illumination, to be active and to do something for Him : but to love the cross, to suffer with Him, and to follow Him through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha, dumb, without opening his mouth, is what we like to see painted in afflictive images to work on one's feelings and passions, but it is what we are too little acquainted with in our spirits. I had a feeling of your trials, and also a spirit to lay them before Him for whom you suffer ; who will not only support you in them, but will shew you tliey are your crown, and make them so easy that you will esteem them exceed- 240 LIFE AND TIMES OF ing light, considering what he went through, and what miUions of bright and glorious spirits now before his throne, went through, and the great weight of glory He has in store for us, after we have suffered awhile. Our trials are gentle fires ; He corrects us, to purge our unseen self, that we know nothing of." Another very interesting letter of Harris' to Lady Huntingdon, on almost the same beautiful subjects, shall be added Trefecca, Sept. 26, J 766. Honoured Madam, " The fellowship I have with your spirit in the knowledge of the Humiliation and Sufferings of that dear mysterious Person, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, draws my pen to paper. Though we may mis- take and lose sight of the real and honest meaning of each other's spirits for a moment, during this very short time of our trial and imperfection, yet that secret feeling of love we have by the Holy Ghost sur- vives all. Go on and prosper in all your well-meant zeal, to awaken a sleepy nation to prepare for the glory of God's amazing appearance to judge his rebellious worms. He came in a mean human form to purge away our sins and misery by the sacrifice of Himself. O ! this wonderful Sacrifice ! How bhnd and unaf- fected are we towards that mysterious Fountain, opened on the cross ! O I the depth of our fall, that we can think or hear that God became a man, shed his infi- nitely pure and holy Blood to wash us in that purifying Fountain, and not feel every moment an age until we behold his face. — What is all without washing in this Fountain ! This is the uniting point, the centre of all union ; — here we forget all names and prejudices, and can think of nothing but to love, adore, wonder, and be happy. I trust your Ladyship is well acquainted with these things by frequent reflections. I can through grace testify that this is my life for above thirty years. And all hfe but this is only self in some shape or another. All that live out of themselves on this great Atonement are dear to me, and I am per- suaded they are so to you also. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 241 " But as all our Saviour's matters, as to outward forru, are now in a kind of confusion, each must be per- suaded in his own mind as to his own circle and work, and stand firm to his post, until we see more clearly our Saviour's meaning under our various forms and appear- ances, or until we meet above, where we shall sing one song and but one, and that most loudly, ' Worthy is the Lamb.' I am, with a heart full of entreaties and cries that your bow mav ever abide in strength, "H.H." Harris and Lady Huntingdon were as to the spirit ©f Christian liberality beyond any in that age, with the exception of Whitefield. As to the system of lay-agency it was not known until the days of Harris. And he at the commencement of his wonderful career was very doubtful, as already stated, whether he was right in proceeding in it, as none before him had been thus engaged ; and he was fearfiil lest he should give countenance to any in that way, that were not similarly minded. However, he being an eminent preacher, and one of the first in forming and completing such connexions of Christians, as already mentioned, tended much towards the adoption of the lay -agency system. It seems that Lady Huntingdon went even before Wesley in taking advantage of this plan ; having Harris' wonderful conduct in view, and at length co- operating with him. We see also what an enlai-ged heart she had, going to establish a college to prepare men for the Ministry, as doors were opening before her every where. But her large and benevolent heart was not content with England, she must send Ambas- sadors of peace even to foreign land. Ske was one of the first in this glorious work of Missionary labours, as the South- Sea Islands will testify. And Harris himself seriously entertained the idea of going as a Missionary into distant lands, and should have gone had he not, as he said, such a view of his own unwor- thiness, and such an m-gent call to remain in Wales, almost as dark a countiT then as any of those foreign habitations of cruelty. CHAP. XVn. 1768-1770. Lady Huntingdon's College at Trefecca, — Harris' Catholic Spirit. We come now to a most important subject, the erection of a College at Lower Trefecca, Harris neighbourhood, by Lady Huntingdon. He was highly pleased with the plan, as it would, under God's blessing, be the means of preparing and sending forth Ministers to preach the Gospel. It is very likely that it was at his suggestion she was led to undertake the building of such a noble Institution. We had in the former chap- ter intimations of her Ladyship's intentions of carrying out such a plan when the Lord had finally opened the way and made it clear. The time had at length ar- rived, and the plan put into execution. There is a letter of her Ladyship in existence, respecting some circumstances connected with the College, written to Mr. Han'is as concerned in them, extracts of which we shall be happy to insert here, as doubtless they will prove grati^ing. "London, Feb. 22, 1768. " I hoped to have written before I left Bath, but my weakness of body and much fatigue have prevented me.* My present great undertaking may, owing to my affliction, appear strange to the natural eye. But I having nothing to do with myself, but with the Lord, look to Him, begging only his light and truth to lead me, and save me from any reproach in life or conduct in his matters. I know your prayers ; — will you all unite for me in this point, so important to the honour of our Saviour's faith?— Both I, Prichard, and E. Roberts, think the work cannot be finished for the * At the commencement of the year 1768, Lady Himtingdon ex* perienced an almost total loss of appetite. She was also afflicted with many outward trials and disappointments. — Life and Times, Vol. ii. p. 20. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 218 furniture before June. I therefore conclude the open- ing of the school must be delayed until the end of August. I shall be glad to have an exact amount of all the expences as they go on. I shall remit money for supplying into Mr. Wilson's hands, which by your bills or draughts on some one in Bristol may be obtained. " What must I say of this poor city ? Religion is fashion, not faith. Disputing and Church party is the subject of all I see. Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield hold up their heads above it. Sandiman principles make some noise. A life of faith and devotedness to the Lord Jesus shine brightly in some. May my soul and spirit, life, mind, and talents, be ever thus devoted to Him alone. — Love to you from dear Lady Ann and Miss Hotham. We all want and all desire your prayers : 0 ! don't forget me, for I am in a hot place at present." We present another of Lady Huntingdon's letters respecting the College or School, as she humbly termed it. " Tunhndge- Wells y May 13, 1768. *' There are many loose stones (sinners) lying about for the Lord to bring together, and as the time draws near for putting them into the building, we must pray Him that buildeth all things, to be tender to us, and to draw for us such, and by such means as He sees : best. I beg, should you approve of any being sent down to you before the opening of the school, to let me know. I shall allow^ what is proper for defray- ing the expence. I hope to be with you by the end of July, or first week in August. I am so weak, and my health is so bad, that it seems almost impossible for me to be there. But it is the Lord's work, and that must not stand still for one poor old crazy labourer. I have sent credit upon my Banker to Mr. 'Wilson for £350 ; and this in smaller or larger pro- portions he may draw for. Mr. Ireland will pay the n(jtes in any parts of Wales you may wish. I beg your prayers, my dear friends, for support and strength. w 2U LIFE AND TIMES OF I am often ready to faint, and think I am just going, so very, very ill I am. Great prospects are before us in Kent at present. Do beg, with your own precious faith, and also your friends, that the Lord would give strength and power to this labour, and to send his Holy Spirit upon us, to gather much good wheat from this harvest. I begin the Chapel at Tunbridge-Wells tomorrow, consecrated to that dear Man of sorrows by the prayers of Trefecca. He will accept those peti- tions. Love to them all abundantly." Hanis continued to feel deeply interested in the important business of the new College. — His old friend and sister in the Lord, Lady Hunting- don, was now erecting the College and carrying the plan into execution she had long in contemplation. He, no doubt, was highly pleased with the proceedings and completion of the work as well as the plan. As the whole scheme was so gratifying, he doubtless di- rected much of his time and attention to it, and hear- tily co-operated with the liberal Benefactress. It seems some of the walls of it were those of an old building, nearly a mile from his own establishment, which he re- commended to be used for the above purpose. It is stated in Lady Huntingdon's Life and Times, " that it was an ancient structure, and supposed to have been a part of an old castle, erected in the reign of Henry the Second. The date over the entrance, now almost ef- faced, is ] 176." A nice little Chapel was erected at the same time and attached to the College. The time for the opening of this noble building, erected for the glory of God and the benefit of man, drew nigh. Many and fervent were the prayers offered up for the blessing of God upon it. Strong were the hopes and expecta- tions that the Lord would condescend to favour it with his Divine presence and make his Servants very useful in conducting it, — that many a Minister might be sent out of it, well furnished and prepared to preach the Gospel of Christ to a perishing world. That eminent Servant of God, the Rev. G. Whitefield, was appointed to preach on the above occasion, and the Lord was with HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 245 him of a truth on this important time. Ati account is given of the solemnities of the day in Lady Hunting- don's Life and Times in the following manner : — " This building was opened as a College for religious and literary instruction ; and the Chapel, dedicated to the preaching of the everlasting Gospel, on the 24th of August 1768, the anniversary of Lady Huntington's birthday, by Mr. Whitefield, who preached from Exod. XX. 24, In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee and bless thee." And on the follow- ing Sabbath day, he addressed a large congregation of some thousands who assembled in the court before the College : his text on this occasion was, " Other foun- dation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." When speaking of the dedication of the College Mr. Whitefield's says, " What we have seen and felt is unspeakable." — Vol. ii. p. 92* None of course were allowed to enter the College but those that were truly converted to God, resolving to dedicate themselves to his service in the ministry. They were at liberty to stay there three years, during which time they were to have their education free with every necessary of life. The plan for the examination of the young men, who might be thought proper can- didates for admission into the College, was drawn up and approved of by Romaine, Venn, Wesley, and others. Harris went often to the College to address the stu- dents and to converse with them, with great pleasure, believing that many of them would be sent forth from that Institution to preach the truth in its purity. His prayers for its success appear to have been heard and answered ; for many of those who received their edu- cation there became afterwards some of the most useful Ministers in the kmgdom. Several who had * The author of this work, when at Trefecca in 1747, as before observed, was tilled with awe and veneration by viewing the place where "Whitefield and such men stood, — a little eminence at the head of the court, to address the thousands attending their ministry. O that the Lord would i^i mercy grant such a successful ministry again ! 246 LIFE AND TIMES OF been students at Trefecca offercid themselves with proper Testimonials for Episcopal Ordination, as Lady Huntingdon wished. But the difficulties and obstacles were so many and great, that but few could obtain it. Openings for their labours being numerous, and ad- mitting of no delay, they went out without ordination : some were placed over dissenting congregations; while others continued to itinerate as Evangelists. This College continued there for years, a spiritual Seminary of learning like the school of the Propliets, 2 Kings vi. 1, 2. — Her Ladyship's trustees in 1792, removed, after her decease, the Institution from Trefecca to Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, where it still continues to flourish. The old Buildings are now mostly used by a farmer.* The anniversary of the opening of this notable Es- tablishment was very remarkable on account of two things, — the respectability of the Ministers and com- pany, and the love that prevailed among them. There were Calvinists and Arminians, Churchmen and Dis- senters ; yea Ministers that had fallen out by the way, yet now were brought together into a friendly inter- course. This was greatly owing to Howel Harris' peaceable spirit, which he had infused into her Lady- ship, and those friendly endeavours which at length proved successful. Yea we are happy to observe there was one very eminent Clergyman at the Anniversary, between whom and himself there had been a most serious rupture, — Eowlands of Llangeitho. An ac- count of this blessed and happy anniversary appears in Lady Huntingdon's Life and Times, which briefly is the following paragraph, " Having spent the prin- cipal parts of the summer at Tunbridge-Wells, Lady Huntingdon left in August, 1769, in order to attend the anniversary of the opening of the College ; a Service of peculiar solemnity, and attended with re- • The Calvinistic Methodists, once in connexion with Harris, pur- chased a few years ago his old Family House (much larger than Lady Huntingdon's Buildings) and converted it into a College for the educa- tion of pious Welch -young men for the ministry. HOWEL HAREIS, ESQ. 247 markable manifestations of the divine favour and love in those days. For several ^veeks previous to this event her Ladyship was actively engaged in making preparations for the approaching solemnity, and invited many eminent Zvlinisters to assist at the Services to be held on that occasion. On Friday, the 18th of August, Mr. Rowlands, Mr. Fletcher, and Mr. Williams arrived at the College, and on tlie following morning Mr. Rowlands preached in the chapel to a crowded congregation, on Lord are there few that I be saved ? " In the afternoon the Lord's Supper I was administered, when Mr. Fletcher addressed the i Communicants and spectators very powerfully. — Mr. i Wilhams then gave out the hymn, — "Come let us join our cheerful songs,' which was sung with the most lively feeUngs of devotion. Abundance of people being gathered, Mr. Howel Harris stood in the court, and gave a solemn warning to them from those awful vrords, " The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God." On the 19th Mr. Shirley and several Exhorters and Lay-preachers arrived at Trefecca. The next day, being Simday, a very numerous congregation assembled in tlie court. Mr. Fletcher read prayers and Mr. Shirley pveached on 'Acquaint thyself now with him and be at peace.' At one o'clock the Sacrament was administer- ed in the Chapel, when Mr. Rowlands and 'Mr. Fletcher alternately addressed the Communicants diuring the the distribution of the elements ; and ^h. Williams closed the solemnity with a suitable address to the awakened and unwakened. At this time the people flocked from all parts to Trefecca, — Howel Harris and several of the Welch Exhorters assisted the Clergymen, assembled at the College, so that there was preaching twice every day. On Wednesday, the 23rd, 5L". Wesley, accompanied by- Mr. Howel Davies and Mr. Peter Wilhams, arrived at Trefecca. " I preached in the morfiing (says Mr. Wes- ley) to as many as her Ladyship's Chapel could well contain, which is extremely neat or rather elegant, as LIFE AND TIMES OF is the dining room, the College, and indeed all the house. About nine Howel Harris desired me to give a short exhortation to his family, I did so, and then went back to my Lady's, and laid me down in peace." At an early hour on the morning of Thursday, the 24th, the Lord's Supper was administered by Mr. Wes- ley and Mr. Shirley, jBrst to the Clergymen assembled at the College, then to the students ; after which the Countess of Huntingdon, the Countess of Buchan, Lady Ann Erskine, Miss Orton, and the other mem- bers of her family, received : The pubUc Service com- menced at ten o'clock, in which Rowlands, H. Davies, Fletcher, and P. Williams, engaged, evidently under the divine blessing. This anniversary was glorious indeed : much of the divine presence was expeiiened, both by Ministers and hearers ; many were savingly impressed. — " Many," says her Ladyship, " experienced a spring tide of sen- sible comfort and joy, and vehement longings after more communion with the Lord." We shall now just notice the next anniversary of the college in 1770, where we are happy to find two old friends, Rowlands and Harris, once more engaged together in the service of their Lord. It is said that on the 21st of August Lady Huntingdon and friends arrived at Trefecca — that preaching and other reHgious exercises were delightfully carried on the 22nd and 23rd. At six o'clock in the morning of the 24th the anniversary day, a public prayer-meeting was held in the Chapel, to implore the benediction of the Great Head of the Church ; — the heavenly influence rested on the congregation — a token for good," and a delight- ful prelude to what was expected. Rowlands and Harris, together with others, engaged in this dehghtful exercise : after which the Sacrament was administered. Public Service commenced at ten o'clock. All the Clergy, ten in number, dissenting Ministers, Lay- preachers, and students, sat on a platform erected in the court. Mr. Fletcher read the Prayers of the Church ; then Mr. Peter Williams, in a devout and HOWEL HAjRRIS, ESQ. 249 fervent prayer, implored the divine blessing on the means of grace. The vast assembly then sang with I the most animated devotion — " Arm of the Lord, awake, awake ! Thine own immortal strength put on," &c. Then Messrs. Shirley, W. Williams, Berridge, Venn, and others, preached in a powerful manner at the dif- ferent opportunities of the day. The account of these proceedings, given in the Life and Times of the Coun- tess, is delightful. — p. 1 07. Vol. 2. It is concluded with these words — " Thus terminated the second anni- versary of her Ladyship's College. The most delight- ful spirit of piety and brotherly love prevailed during ithe whole of this interesting period, and the gracious presence of God was largely experienced by all." — It is said that Howel Harris preached on the occasion in the court to a very large congregation, no doubt in his usual extraordinary manner. Mr. Rowlands also addressed them in his accustomed eloquent style on " We preach Christ crucified." — 1 Cor. i. 23. His divi- sions were " The subject matter of every Christian Minister's preaching, — the wisdom and goodness of God in commanding this truth to be preached every- where, and its application to the condition of man. It is delightful to think of those eminent men as thus engaged in love together, in the Service of their Master once more, before their departure, — a Sen ice in I which they had laboured in love for years with asto- nishing success. Painful was the separation that took place between them ; — but here at Trefecca they were engaged together in spite of Satan the evil spirit, in a Service so dear to their souls. I have thus enlarged iu giving an account of those anniversaiies, in order to' show the amiable spirit in which those eminent Minis- ters met together once more. Whitefield was with all his might preaching the Gospel at this time in Ame- rica, else he would have been present. This delightful anniversary was kept up in succeeding years on the 1 24th of August, and the Lord was with his Servants in a remarkable manner. 250 LIFE AND TIMES OF We are happy to insert a small document here, that exhibits that remarkably amiable spirit of Harris, per- ceived in the last and other chapters. It is a letter of his to Lady Huntingdon. It shows indeed great humility and self-denial. He was very sensible of his own weakness and imperfections, and ready to respect and honour others, to love and forgive his brethren, and to maintain union and fellowship among them. " Honourable Lady, " Bath. " The constant stream of compassion that con- tinually follows me from every quarter, makes me indeed poor before the Lord, and ashamed of myself. I am sensible that I am prone to go aside to some extreme ; but through amazing grace the Lord never suiOfers me to go far from his heart, for he is my beloved Friend indeed : and to please Him is my greatest delight. I owe Him more love and obedience than j any of his Servants, but am still an ungrateful sinner ! i He never had such room to display the freeness of his 1 grace and the infinite depth of his patience and mercy, as in me. In Him alone I love and honour all his ] people and plans. I do not know that I am tempted ( to idolize or to be blind to the imperfections of f any, or to warp from my own plan and the post \ I am persuaded our dear Lord hath given me, the ( chief indeed of sinners, — too dear to me to enter- \ tain any or the least thought of quitting. The abiding t love and hope the Lord has implanted in my heart for i the Estabhshed Church are a sufficient balance, were li I tempted to some partiality to any that are out of it. \ For the national work and my immediate cause and it work are the same. The room which God has made oi in my heart for all his people, and their various plans, t is real ; it is not my shame and weakness, but my \ crown and glory. To be thus far circumcised in heart i and to become like Him, is his own work. It has cost \ me many a severe humbling before I could rejoice in \ the success and happiness of all, without distinction ; j and to be able to take all these just as they are, to my heart, as our Saviour takes me, is the fruit of conquest Ij HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 251 in my epirit. 0, my dear Lady, all his people are our people, and all his work in the hands of all, must be ours as being his ! He is lovely in all his plans, even amidst all our selfish schemes that mix therewith. Here is a forgiving Saviour to us all, and to me more than all. We must be ever thus poor and humble towards each other, ever loving and forgiving a great deal, as He dealeth with us, being ever glad to find a little of Him among all parties, amidst all the rubbish of self. O ! happy we, when we are the soonest and first to fall at our brother's feet, and overcome evil with good I We have a powerful enemy, whose busi- ness and aim is to divide and fill us with jealousy of each other, — to break the unity of the spirit, that our mutual help may be hindered ; — and to misrepreseut us to each other, that we may lose that glory of all glories — love, pity, and compassion for each other, whereby the Lord distinguishes us from the world, as his accepted followers indeed. " To imitate any has never been my weak side nor practice knowingly : it is what I have looked on in others with pity. Whoever spoke clearest and strong- lest of the infinite humiliation of the Son of God in human nature, with the unspeakable merits of his Obedience and Sufferings, in his Life and Death, has a particular place in my heart. But the self and par- tiality I see in us all, that surmounts at times even this acknowledged love, give me pain and prove how little we all know in reahty and to purpose. I see the work in the Christian, on taking a nearer view of it, in its infancy, as to love and tenderness ; it displays some ! or rather much weakness, both as to the instruments land the people. 01 it is well, my dear Lady, that we have just such a Saviour as we have, and that we are also under such restraints. I see we are in danger of becoming narrow-minded in consequence of seeing how partial others are. But, 0 ! the amazing wisdom and grace that always appear in Jesus. " I heard an excellent sermon on Sunday from Mr. Romaine. I discoursed twice in Mr. Wesley's 252 LIFE AND TIMES OF Chapel, and once at Capt. Wilson's; then went to Frome." There was another religious cause in the world, besides that in Wales and in England, that attracted Harris' attention — the Missionary cause in foreign parts carried on by the United Brethren ; he greatly rejoiced in it as the work of his Great Master. His catholic spirit was manifested in this as well as several such instances. It is true the labour in the Lord's vineyard was rather similar every where in these days — it was of an arduous and missionary cast, and it was for such a Ministry that pious young men were pre- pared at Trefecca and similar seminaries. There was, therefore, a sympathy between the Servants of Christ, though working in different parts of the vineyard ; besides, he felt a peculiar regard and interest for the Moravians in all their proceedings and labour of love, as is seen in these pages, especially 223, 225. A friend, a gentleman in England, knowing Harris' love for the Brethren and their cause, sent him an account of their Missionary labours abroad, thinking it might prove gratifying to him. He knew that Harris himself had been preaching in Wales and also in England, in a way very similar to that of a zealous devoted Mis- sionary. He most cordially then united with the Brethren at least in spirit. And as the above inter- esting document was sent to Trefecca about the period we now treat on, and as it will prove interesting to the religious world, we will insert parts of it here. ''Chelsea, Jan. 12, 1769. " My very dear old Friend, " I thank you for your very kind letter, and for the very affectionate tokens of your love and good wishes for the increase of the knowledge of Jesus Christ among the poor heathen, which you know so well is the great- est of all blessings. In order to give your heart that pleasure which I am persuaded it takes whenever it hears anything of the success of Christ's kingdom, I will by this opportunity give you a short general view of our different heathen Missions. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 253 "The first Mission to the heathen by our Brethren, was to the Danish West India Island, and the poor Negroes there, which began in the year 1732, and has continued ever since in blessing to this very day. According to our last account from October many thousands of those poor wretches have had the Gospel I in the three Islands, St. Thomas, St. Cruoo, and St. Jan : and there are several thousand Negi'oes in those Islands actively under our care; and many are gone happily out of time as real believers and lovers of Christ, whose happiness has not been exceeded by i that of the brightest European Christians. We have I had also these several years a blessed Mission among j the Negroes in Jamaica, where the Gospel prevails in j the heart of many a Negro. — Antigua also has had a \ Mission these several years, and a visible fruit of our labour is there. — AxBarhadoes we have a fair prospect among tlie Negroes, although our Mission there is but lately begun. — At Surinam we have also a call. — And we have now five brethren on their way to the country of the Negroes, Guinea itself. May God be with them ! " Our Greenland Mission (I suppose you will have read Crantz's book) began in the year 1733, and con- tinues also to prosper. — All believers are happy and all of them exemplary, in whom one can have reason to believe that they have a true faith in Jesus Christ, a sense and impression of his Sufferings; so that the crucified Jesus is the Author of their salvation, the cause of their holy behaviour, and of their happy state of mind. And so it is also among the Indians in North America, on the back of Vensylvania, where we have a most extraordinary Indian congregation; they are happy ; poor in themselves, but really and actually rich in Christ. They are not only head-christians, with sound doctrine, but heart- men, living in the enjoyment and feehng possession of Christ, to their and our great joy and edification. Y\^e have also above twenty of our brethren in the East Indies, waiting for an open door r • the Gentiles of those parts; and two of our brethren now on the way to Egypt, in hopes of carrying the 254 LIFE AND TIMES OF Gospel to the back parts of that country, among a people who once were Christians, but have been crush- ed, quelled, and peeled. God give his help ! We have also a congregation of ours settled in Asia, not far from Astracan : and the heathen Calmucks of those parts have distinguished our people there by all the marks of aflfection they use to shew their best friends. " We have also been some years endeavouring to get at the Exquimaux on the coast of Labrador, who were originally the same people with the Greenlanders, and speak their language. — I am your affectionate Brother, "J. C. HUTTON." Suitable to the above subject, and to Harris' labours in Wales, are the following stanzas of a hymn com- posed by W. Williams the sweet singer in Israel, Har- ris' son in the Gospel. " O'er the gloomy hills of darkness, Look, my soul, be still and gaze ; While the promises are pointing To a glorious day of gi-ace : Blessed Jubilee, &c., Let thy glorious morning dawn. Let the Indian, let the negro, Let the rude barbarian see That divine and glorious conquest Once obtained on Calvary : Let the Gospel, &c., Loud resound from shore to shore. Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness. Grant them, Lord, thy glorious light ; And from eastern coast to western May the morning chase the night. Let Redemption, &c., Freely purchased, win the day. Fly abroad, thou mighty Gospel, Win and conquer, never cease : May thy lasting, wide dominion, Multiply and still increase : Sway the sceptre, &c., Sariour, all the world around.* CHAP, xviii. im-im. THE CLOSE OF HARRIS* IMPORTANT LIFE. — HIS LETTERS, — AND REFLECTIONS IN HIS LAST ILLNESS. We are now drawing towards the latter end of this great and good man's hfe ! And by this and similar circumstances we should be reminded of our own de- clining years and last days. They are short and un- certain. " As for man his days are as grass ; as a flower of the field so he flourisheth : for the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more." But what multitudes, yea, generations have passed from the stage of life since he left it ! However, very few indeed were made so use- ful in their day and generation as Harris. We are not in possession of many material facts and circumstances that might occur towards the latter end of his life. However a few documents, containing some interesting particulars, at this important period, have been receiv- ed and shall be introduced. A few letters were written by him, when on the verge of eternity, full of love to God and man. It may be seen therein how zealous he was, for the Lord Jehovah and his Work, at a time in which many are inactive and can scarcely attend to anything but the immediate concerns of time. We shall introduce extracts of one written to Mr. Coo^Der, an eminent Minister in Kent, rousing and animating him in his great work. ''Tre/ecca, Nov. 30, 1768. "Dear Sir, " The hope our Lord may use you to awaken, if it were but one soul to feel its need of a Saviour and his righteousness, is, I doubt not, sufficient to make you rejoice under any cross he has appointed for X 256 LIFE AND TIMES OF you to take up in his work. It is an infinite honour indeed to be employed by Him who, by his Spirit, made the Martyrs, and all that knew Him truly, to rejoice in being counted worthy to sufier for Him. 0 1 dear Sir, did we but really believe what we seem to believe, our hearts would be ever in a flame of zeal for his cause, and our eyes would ever run with tears of real grief that He is so much neglected and slighted, while the world is loved, and so many venturing their souls for eternity on that original lie of the devil, "Ye shall not die." Surely we sleep, or else pity to souls around us, living without God in the world, would at least make us spend much more of our time in earnest prayer for them, ' with strong cries and tears to him who is able to save.' How little do we really see of the dreadful evil of sin, the original universal fountain of it, that defiles our whole man ! How little are we convinced that it is of infinite grace and i^atience that we are not hfting up our eyes in torment ! 0 grace ! O grace ! — why are we not like many others, yielding willing obedience to our lusts, and to the father of them, the god of this world ? " 0 ! may all the young men, who are thrust out into the vineyard to testify of a dying Saviour, go forth in the Name of the Lord, having first counted the cost, and be the means of snatching a thousand perishing souls from the darkness, chains, aud tyranny of sin." We shall now notice a very serious event that took place about this time, when Harris was far advanced in age, — the departure of his beloved Wife, who had been his fellow pilgrim and faithful companion for many years. It may be seen, from several letters of his to her which have already appeared in the preceding pages, how highly he esteemed her, and how faithful and kind he was to her. The statement given on this subject is the following: — " In the beginning of the year 1770, Mr. Harris was called to part with the most intimate companion of his earthly cares and enjoyments. She died in the Lord, exceedingly happy in her mind, aud had been a means HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 257 of imparting edification to all around her.* After her death the health of Haiiis decHned rapidly ; and in his last year he was subject to veiT severe fits of the stone, which at length put an end to his hfe. A few weeks before his decease he frequently came from his sick room to address the people. On these occasions he spoke chiefly on the necessity of a thorough change of heart, pointing out the danger of resting in any su- perficial ideas or impressions of religion ; and showed that salvation cannot be obtained until we become one spirit with Chi'ist, — experience the power of his Resurrection, and enjoy the benefits of his Death." Harris, dining his lingering illness, employed him- self, as circumstances would permit, in writing his own reflections ; some of which were afterwards published under the title of his " Dying Testimony." A few of the most striking passages are here given, under a con- viction that they may be read with advantage. How faithful and solemn are the following sentences : — I cannot avoid writing, it being now the only way in which I can pubHsh what the Lord does for me, and thus leave behind me a testimony to his grace and love. I see Him as the only hope of the world, and yet almost all unacquainted with Him ! I see Him as the only Sun of the world, and yet almost all walking in darkness ! I see Him as the Life of the dead, and the only deliverance, refuge, and heaven of poor sinners ; and yet how is He rejected ! I must declare I die weeping over Wales, especially over those who once appeared to run well ; and who, as I thought, would be my crown of rejoicing for ever I 0, professors, let me speak to you when I am dead ; let these my dying requests sink into your hearts. Let my death be a means of awakening you, and making you sensible of your spiritual state, which is more naked, wretched, * We are sorry we have not a fuller account of the departure of his excellent wife, and of his conduct at the time. There is however some information in his Diary, respecting his mother's death and other touching incidents, which are strikiug. No douht that the same traits of aflFection and usefulness occurred at the departure of his wife : we shall insert the above Diary hereafter. 2.38 LIFE AND TIMES OF and poor, than you imagine. You are in danger of falling, as the Israelites did in the wilderness : I have reason to fear lest the enemy should blind you, as he did the Jews. God is the same now as He was then, and the enmity of fallen nature the same, only the sin of unbelief is now greater, since we have their fall before our eyes. God pities, forgives, and receives none but those who are poor, self-condemned, broken- hearted, and sincere. If you would have peace with Him, throw down your weapons, cease from your own wisdom, become as little children, and receive the truth in love. ''It was by an experimental knowledge of Christ crucified that I was brought from death to life, washed in the Fountain of his Blood, and enabled to live by faith. The way is the same now as formerly, and all, who shall be saved, must profess the same faith, and experience the same divine teaching. Now, no man ever came into liberty without feeling himself in bond- age : no man ever truly believed without finding it, through an evil heart of unbelief, the hardest thing in the world ; nor did any ever deny themselves and take up the cross without perceiving hell, darkness, and wrath, everywhere pursuing them, until taken into Christ, the only Refuge. This is a truth of which many hear something, but I fear sinks into very few hearts, so as to wound and awaken them ; else the love of the world, the fear of man, the desire of applause, and fear of censure, would not be so visible among professors. ' He that believeth not shall be damned !' Are you shocked at the expression ? But if the sound of this truth be so harsh, what will the experience of it be ? What will it be to see the creation consumed by fire, the sun darkened, the graves opened, and the God of heaven, who called upon you here, freely offer- ing you peace and pardon, now clothed with justice, coming ' in flamitfg fire ' to take vengeance on all who have slept away the day of their visitation ? What will then be the state of those who could not deny their own wisdom, nor get over the stumbling-blocks HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ, 250 that were in the way, but would mind what did not belong to them, though the Lord himself condescended to say, ' What is that to thee, folio Yv^ thou me ?' " How affectionate and beautiful are the following lines, which he addressed to brethren in Christ and pilgrims for the heavenly world. To my fellow-travellers whom I leave behind me as witnesses of the truth, I feel the same love ; I am with them in spirit, through the Incarnation, Obedience, and Blood of Christ. All are helped, and none hurt, by this unity in the Cross. We live one life ; we eat one Bread ; we speak one language, though in many dia- lects. We are not only redeemed by one Price, to possess one heaven, and unite in one employment at last, but even now we worship one God, share in one bliss, have one feeling, and live by one faith. As we fell in one common parent, so we are recovered by one Saviour, and have now a greater oneness than we imagine. Your sorrows and joys are mine. Soon you will find me among those who have made their robes white in the Blood of the Lamb, having come out of the great tribulation, with palms in their hands, and with a new song in their mouths. " I take leave of you all, wherever you are, for a little while. It is enough that the Lamb is on Mount Zion, and has all your cares and burdens on himself. While others are distressed about many things, you have but one thing to mind, even your interest in Him, who, though He is your God, is also yoiu: Bro- ther and Friend, and cannot bear to see you unhappy. He will not leave you long before He calls you to share in that glory, which He is now preparing for you. The cry of my soul is, ' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.' O how I love the glorified spirits and long to be among them, because they have no guile, no self, no corruption, no slavish fear, no wisdom or righteousness, but that of the Lamb." What fine and ardent aspirations after glory are the following. And his pleas are most cogent and pre- vaihng. 260 LIFE AND TIMES OF " I feel my spirit continually from home. I know that I am one of the Lamb's company, and cannot be long from Him, My spirit cries, 'Lord, Thou hast not failed to pity and love me, because Thou hast given me what thou hast promised to every poor peni- tent and humble spirit. I have faith to lay hold of thy Blood and Kighteousness. Thou canst not let me be long here. Thou must pity and call me home ; for I am indeed a stranger here ! My spirit desires to be with Thee, that I may be filled with thy fulness, that I may sin no more, wander no more from Thee, but eter- nally view thy glory. '' I adore Thee that I was created with an immortal spirit ; — that Thou didst follow me with thoughts of love and mercy when in a state of rebellion ; — that Thou didst bear with me more than with any other, after Thou didst call me ; — that Thou didst continue to for- give and save me, never leaving me in the deep waters. For this I adore thy free grace, and beg Thou wouldest make my death a blessing. Forgive all those who have hated me. Save them from their darkness ; and let me meet them before thy throne to adore Thee for ever." Then how pathetically does he intercede, in the fol- lowing manner, for those dear Christians that were as his children and under his peculiar care and instruc- tion for years in his house. " Take care, 0 Lord, of the few witnesses who come to thy cross, desiring to feed on thy Flesh and Blood, as being eternal life, and nothing else. Take care of the House Thou hast put it in my heart to build for the use of thy poor pilgrims. Let it be full of thy glory, and let none have power in it but such as do indeed love Thee. Keep those to whom I now commit it in that faith and simplicity which now appears to be in them. I leave the family under the care of thy Spirit ; I trust Thou wilt live in them, and speak by them, when I am dead. I give them to Thee, as my chief care, that Thou mayest be in the midst of them, to rule, and make them faithful to Thee HOWEL HAHRIS, ESQ. 261 and thy truth. Keep them from error, and let not the foot of pride come against them. Fit them for the work Thou shalt give them, by teaching, directing, and strengthening them, while they are daily united to each other and all thy people." How touching are the following petitions in refer- ence to several important subjects : — " My relations, whom I could not bring to the obe- dience of faith, O remember them, and bring them — when I am gone. The child whom Thou hast given me is thine, and I leave her under thy care. The observations I have committed to paper I leave with Thee, to destroy or bring to light, as may be best for thy cause. I adore Thee for the ineffable favour of giving me any thoughts of my dissolution before it takes place, for enabling me to settle my affairs, and for giving me freedom to speak my mind. This testi- mony I leave behind me to strengthen the hands of such as dare stand in the evil day, and cry aloud for Thee to a crooked and perverse generation. Whether I see aright in all things or not, I adore Thee that Thou hast made my heart one with thine towards all thy people. In this spirit I come to Thee, praying Thee to hide all my mistakes and turn my labour to what account Thou wilt." Again, he speaks of his departure as one anxiously and delightfully looking and waiting for it. " I find that my Saviour's will is my heaven, be it what it may. And I think I have from Him insatiable cries to go home to my Father, Saviour, and Comforter. I adore Him for giving me leave to hope that my work is done, and that I shall soon come into his presence. My soul is like one at the door, waiting to be called in. I feel my spirit leaving all places, things, and men here below. O let me eat no more of the bread that perisheth : be Thou my Bread for ever. Be Thou my sun, and let me see this no more. O take me where Thou shewest thy glory. I cannot see Thee with these eyes, but I am coming to Thee, and to the spirits about thy throne. How lovely are the symptoms of 262 LIFE AND TIMES OF approaching death to me. I love this body because Thou hast made it, and hast united it to Thyself: I give it to Thee to be embalmed in the earth, where Qiine was laid. O what an inheritance do I hope soon to enjoy. My spirit I feel dies to my body, and to all about me, while I am resigned to the will of my dear Lord. 0 come. Lord Jesus, come quickly, and take me to Thyself." These reflections on his dying bed are very remark- able, especially as they were the effusions of his heart on very important and serious subjects ; — he is lament- ing the awful state into which many professors had fallen, and admonishing them in a most solemn, lov- ing, and faithful manner ; and he is interceding for the divine favour in behalf of Zion's travellers, his own household and relations, most earnestly and affec- tionately. We are reminded by this and other traits in Harris of that eminent Minister of Christ in Wales, the Eev. J. Elias, that appeared about an age after him. He also, in a similar manner, warned carnal, wordly-minded professors, on his dying bed, and com- mitted his solemn piercing thoughts to paper, which have appeared in his life. Harris, being at length confined to his bed, still in a happy frame of mind, but no longer able to write, would now and then give utterance to the delightful feelings of his heart as he approached the confines of another world ; he frequently expressed his joy in the prospects of eternal rest, observing that though he had much bodily pain, he was perfectly happy in his soul. He often said, " Glory be to God, death hath no sting !" At one time he said, like one full of faith and assurance, " It is now more clear to me than ever that God is my everlasting Father, and that I shall go to Him soon." He signified again and again how exceedingly precious the Saviour was to him, and said, I am already on Mount Zion. I have seen great glory in that God-man before, but nothing in compa- rison of what I now behold in Him." At another time, awakening from slumber, through extreme pain HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 263 of body, his spirit seemed to leap within him, like a prisoner waiting to be set at liberty, thinking that this ■would be the last struggle, when he cried out, " O Jesus, here I come. Here I come to Thee." Again he expressed his faith and longing desire to depart, saying, I am in great pain, but all is well ; He hath settled all things well. 0 how it would be if the sting of death had not been taken away !" In the i^rospect of immediate death he would, rely- ing on the merits of his blessed Saviour, make use of this delightful aspiration, " O Thou, who didst bleed to death, and who art alive, come and take me home ; and as for the jmssage I have committed that to Thee, to take care of me ; I am one of thy redeemed, the fruit of thy Blood and Sweat, and thy will is my heaven." He constantly meditated on the Sufferings of the Kedeemer, and was thereby enabled to bear his own sufferings with resignation. — At length the mo- ment came to leave the world in which he had been employed in so extraordinary a manner, and it is de- hghtful to know that he fell asleep in the easy, happy, joyful frame of mind above described. This great and holy Preacher departed in the Lord, July 21st, 1773, in the (iOth year of his age. No doubt his dear Ee- deemer took care of the passage, sending a chariot of angels to convey him home. Harris' remains were interred in the chancel of his own parish, in the same grave with his beloved wife. The reason for this circumstance is given on the Mo- nument erected over them, which shall be presently observed. As might be expected the funeral was very solemn and affecting. How many thousands mast have come there to pay their last respects to the memory of a Preacher that had been so extremely useful and the spiritual father to many of the children of God ! The number must have been immense and the lamentation must have been very gi'eat. The following letter, which I received three years ago from one of the Welsh Calvinistic Ministers, on the subject- of Harris' funeral, will confirm this obsen^ation : — 2G4 LIFE AND TIMES OF Bristol, July 25, 1848. i Dear Sir, \ '• I beg leave to say that Mr. H. Harris was not only a most powerful preacher but also a munificent , benefactor to Wales. He had considerable property in his latter years, and he spent it all in doing good. The following remarkable anecdote, respecting his funeral, Mr. Jay of Bath, related in a sermon preached in 1834, which I heard. He said that Mr. Harris was buried without the usual funeral Service, on account of one very affecting circumstance mentioned by one who attended his funeral. Several pious Clergymen as well as other Ministers were present in deep mourning; when the one that was appointed to read the Service was unable to proceed by reason of grief. He there- fore handed the Prayer-book to another, but he could not go on, and gave the book to a third ; but he could not read it, being also over-powered by the feeling of sorrow and sympathy. So the Remains of the great man were laid in the dust to sleep until the glorious morning of the resurrection, without the usual form of words, but attended with the sighs and tears of an im- mense multitude. — Yours most truly, David Roberts." This circumstance being so remarkable, I thought it would be proper to write to Mr. Jay on the subject, as some mistake might have occurred. I was soon favoured with a letter from him, which fully corrobo- rated what had been stated. It is the following : — ''Bath, Oct. 30th, 1848. " My dear Sir, " With regard to the statement you mention, I know I have more than once repeated it as the Minister says. And 1 am very sure I heard my honoured friend and tutor, Mr. Winter, state the fact more than once (with which I was too much affected to forget), but at this distance of time, and owing to the crowds of things continually passing through one's mind, I cannot positively avow whether Mr. Winter said he hiimelf was present; yet I have that impression, nor is the HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 265 thing improbable from his connexion. I am certain he would not have repeated the thing without qualifi-^ cation, had he not been well persuaded of its accuracy." Hams' monument, already mentioned, occupies a striking position in the Chancel : it is situated near the Communion Table. It was erected by his daughter, of whom we shall speak hereafter. He was never ordain- ed, but always considered himself a lay-member of the Church of England. The following therefore is the inscription on the Monument : — " Near the Communion Table lie the Remains of HowEL Harris, Esquire ; Born at Trefecca, January 23, 1714. Here, where his body lies, he was convinced of sin, Had his pardon sealed, Felt the power of Christ's precious Blood At the Holy Communion. Having tasted Grace himself, he resolved to declare to others What God had done for his Soul. He was the first itinerant Preacher of Redemption In this period of Revival in England and Wales. He preached the Gospel For the space of thirty-nine years TUl he was taken to his final Rest. He received those who sought Salvation Into his House. Then sprang up the Family at Trefecca, To whom he faithfully ministered unto his end : As an indefatigable Servant of God And a faithful Member of the Church of England. His end Was more blessed than his beginning: Looking to Jesus crucified, He rejoiced to the last, that death had lost its sting. He fell asleep in Jesus at Trefecca, July 2lst, 1773, And now rests blessedly from all his Labours." " Under the same Stone lie also tlie remains of his late Wife, Anne Harris, Daughter of John Williams of Skreen, Esquire, Who departed this life, March 9, 1770, aged 58. She loved the Lord Jesus, relied on his redeeming Grace and Blood, and with her last breath, declared Her confidence in Him. They left one beloved daughter, the constant object of Their Prflyers and cai'es. And who honours tlieir venerable memory." I paid a visit, as already mentioned, to the above hallowed place, in 1847: — long did I stand musing 266 LIFE AND TIMES OF on all around me, and on the monument. The various remarkable circumstances, recorded above, passed and repassed through my mind repeatedly with great and deep interest. Then thoughts on that most amazing subject, the resurrection of the dead, came into my mind in a most lively, solemn, and captivating manner, when Howel Harris and his beloved friends, and all true believers shall appear again, but 0, how changed ! The view of what will then take place, is most tran- sporting. And O, with what peculiar and inexpressible feelings of joy will they arise to meet their Saviour in the skies. I departed from that sacred spot with emotions of mind, serious and solemn, and I hope becoming the gi'eat occasion, and such as have never since been erased. I wrote a letter to my dear Partner in life when thus engaged among these solemnities — it was short, as my time was so taken up with these new and uncommon scenes. " Trefecca College, June 2, 1847. My dearest Wife, " I have at length arrived at the place that has attracted my notice and admiration, in consequence of what I heard, for a long time. However it surpasses all that I imagined. The coach took me this morning from Hay to a place near Talgarth — about seven miles distant. You may concieve that I approached Tal- garth, and the Church, and all the scenery about it, with pecuhar feelings — as it was there the Kemains of the celebrated Harris were deposited, waiting the glorious morning of the resurrection. I entered the Churchyard with solemn steps and keen survey, look- ing out for a certain and peculiar spot. You may recollect that our great Evangelical Poet, the Rev. W. Williams of Pant-y-celyn, was converted under Harris preaching in Talgarth Churchyard one Sunday as they were coming out after the Service. He himself had joined with the congregation in the worship, and came out one of the first, and stood on a gravestone, and in his accustomed most energetic and alarming manner, addressed the people as they were coming out of the HOWEL HAERIS, ESQ. 267 Church, and Williams, then a thoughtless young man, was an-ested by the discourse and deeply impressed.* I think that I at length found out the very tomb-stonfi or spot from whence his vehement and heart-bm-ning expressions were uttered, which no doubt flew about like sharp hot arrows, and entered many a heait besides. His preaching was in truth the ' savour of life unto life or of death unto death.' The people must have been exceedingly struck. 0 what thoughts came into my mind as I reflected on this wonderful transaction. I then entered the Church; you will think that under these impressions it must have been with great interest and though tfulness of heart. It is rather a neat and spacious building. I, with great reverence and solemni- ty of mind, drew near where the ashes of one of the most amazing preachers in Wales were entombed. I soon perceived the Monument, raised to preserve his me- mory, on the left hand of the communion Table ; the inscriptions on it, describing the great man of God, are excellent, correct, and striking. In this solemn frame of mind I turned and looked into the gallery, where Harris and his people used to worship God every Sabbath- day, no doubt in spirit and truth ; — it is tlie Service in which our devou"" and holy martyrs used to pour their hearts before God on his throne of grace and mercy. I entered this ancient gallery, that used to contain such eminent Sers-ants of God, with no com- mon feeling. 0 what different aspects would our Churches wear if they had generally such spiritual and hearty worshippers within their walls. Then, being deeply occupied in meditation on these remai'kable subjects, I entered the pulpit, having a full command of the gallery, which is just opposite ; there also I thought much of him that sat there so attentive for years ; no doubt he lifted up many a prayer for the Clergyman and the congi-egation ; and I imagined that the Minister must view this rare and wonderful indi- vidual with peculiar feelings. But they have all long • See his Life. — p. 11. 268 LIFE AND TIMES OF ago gone to eternity and appeared before God ! I at length departed from this most pecuhar place, deeply impressed in the manner above described. Talgarth itself is a very rural town : it stands on much ground ; the houses are straggling, few of them joined together ; the inhabitants in general are of a humble cast ; the population of the whole parish is about 1,500. Then I enquired for Trefecca, and directed accord- ingly my steps towards it. It stands about two miles distant. The College of the Calvinistic Methodists at length came into view — a beautiful and striking object ; you may think of its being such as soon as it comes into sight. It stands on elevated ground. It was formerly Harris' old Settlement House. You may have heard that tlie Methodists purchased it, and con- verted it into a College. The students, about twelve in number, seem to be excellent young men. No one can be admitted there without a statement, from the monthly meeting of the society of the county in -which he resides, that he is a man of piety and ability^ and apparently called by the Lord to the Ministry. They have some time before been accustomed to exhort and to preach. When I arrived at the College, I was received with great kindness and hospitality, and the object of my visit there furthered with the greatest pleasure. I was admitted into the hbrary, and allowed to see all Mr. Harris' papers, of which there is an im- mense quantity. I made a selection of some of them, and I hope they will aid in the important work in hand — Harris' Life. CHAP. XIX. OF THE ESTEEM IN WHICH HARRIS WAS HELD, AND HIS EX- f. CELLENCIES. Great was the esteem Harris was universally held in, and most deservedly so. His labours in the Vineyard of his Lord v/ere most abundant and above measure. He seemed to be a man of very catholic spirit, and beloved by the Church of God, both in England and Wales. Great was the lamentation at his death, as we have already noticed. A great man had fallen in Is- rael, and it was felt everywhere. The Countess of Huntingdon, as we might expect, took particular notice of Harris' departure, shewing her high esteem of him to the last. No doubt he had infirmities like all other servants of God, yea the most exalted of them, and she w^as aware of it. It is said even of Elias, that he was a man "subject to the like passions." James v. 17. However, had there been any thing improper in his life or doctrine neither she, nor the many others already alluded to, would have paid such respect to his memory, — especially those evangelical Clergymen and other Ministers that were so afiected at his funeral, and the thousands besides. That most eminent Ser- vant of God, Mr, Romaine must have had a very high opinion of him, else Lady Huntingdon would not have written to him respecting Harris as she did in the following letter, the whole of which we insert as it stands in her Ladyship's Life and Times. "During the year 1773 Lady Huntingdon lost her old and stedfast friend, Howel Harris, one of Mr. Whitefield's most energetic followers, and a man of extraordinary powers of body and mind." " Mr. Harris is gone in triumph (says Lady Hunting- don to Mr. Romaine, date of July 29th in the above year) and now rests from all his labours. This inde- 270 LIFE AND TIMES OF fatigable Servant of God fell asleep in Jesus last week. During his illness he said, * I feel myself growing very weak to day ; and am in much pain, and feel my spirit crying, 0 my dear Father, art Thou coming to strike the last stroke? When our Saviour shall come and raise my spirit from nature and death and ever^ thing here below, to his own Spirit, then I shall know what it is to be cleansed and purified. I feel that my spirit goes to God, not as his creature, but as his child and the purchase of his Blood. My spirit crieth continual- ly, 0 come, come Lord, come quickly ! I feel my spirit among the supplicants here before his throne, and find freedom to say, I have done my work, I have finished my testimony, I have run my race ; what remains more for me to do, but to come home to my God and Father and Friend, and best Kelation ? All thy friends are my friends ; and all thy enemies are my enemies. 0 come, Lord Jesus, come quickly and take me home to rest. I feel my spirit rejoicing and singing— ' My Lord is gone, and I must go, I cannot stay content below.' " When he was confined to bed, and could no long- er preach or exhort, he said * Blessed be God, my work is done, and I know that I am going to my God and Father, for he hath my heart yea my whole heart,' — addding ' the enemy is permitted to torment my body ; blessed be the Lord, he is not suffered to come near my spirit.' He very often repeated those words with the utmost joy ; — * Glory be to God, death hath no sting! — death hath lost his sting!' At another time he expressed his faith and ardent desire to depart, saying — ' I am in great pain, but all is well, all is well. He hath settled all things well. Oh, how would it be, if the sting of death had not been taken away ! 0 that I could now go home, for my work is done here ! ' " And thus this good man went to rest. — It is im possible to describe the grief that is manifested every- where on account of the death of Mr. Harris ; he was so beloved and so esteemed as the spiritual Father HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 271 of multidudea, who were converted under his powerful preaching, and enabled to venture their souls upon an infinite Saviour, entirely depending on his righteous- ness for the acceptance of their persons and services. Truly his loss is felt at th3 college, where many were awakened with his lively Ministry. The last time he preached at the college, there was as great a crowd as usual ; and his preaching es searching and rousing as ever. He spake with a mighty sense of God, eternity, the immortality and prsciousness of the souls of his hearers, of their original corruption, and of the extreme danger the unregencrat'^ were in, with the natiure and absolute necessity oi' regeneration by the Holy Ghost, and of beheving in 0 jrr'st, in order to our pardon and justification ; — yisldirg acceptable obedience, and ob- taining salvation frcra hell, and an entrance into hea- ven. He spake '^s became the oracles of God, in de- monstration of the rpiiit and of power ; and especially when he came to his r2)plication, he addressed himself to the audience in such a tender, earnest, and moving manner, exciting us i-C ?ome and be acquainted with the dear Redeemer, ^.z nelted the assembly into tears I On the day he was intnTed we had some special sea- sons of divine influ'^noe, both upon converted and un- converted. It was da/ tuver to be forgotten ; but I think ought to bo rsra^mbered with holy wonder and gratitude by all T^ho wsre present. Not fewer than twenty thousand j^ecpir were assembled on this solemn occasion ! And rre had abundance of students in the college, and ci! tl:3 I^Iinistei's and Exhorters who col- lected from varies:? parts to pay their last tribute of i respect to the r?main3 ox' a great man. We had three I stages erected, '^.nd 'nine sermons addressed to the vast I multitudes, hundreds of whom were dissolved in tears. P Fifteen Clerg}'men were present, six of whom blew || the Gospel ti-umpet, with great power and freedom. t Though we had enjoyed much of die gracious presence i of God in our assemblies before, yet I think I never i saw so much at any time as on that day ; especially i| when the Lord's Supper was administered, God poured 1. 272 LIFE AND TIMES OF out his Spirit in a wonderful manner. Many old Christians told me they had never seen so much of the glory of the Lord and the riches of his grace, nor felt so much of the Gospel before ! " Zion shall yet look forth — fair ^s the morn, clear the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. I doubt not but the light of the Gospel-sun shall yet increase as the light of seven days, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Even so come, Lord Jesus, come quickly ! ! " — Chap, xliii. p. 290. The above letter speaks volumes, and must carry the strongest convictions home to the breast of the reader, how transcendently excellent Harris' character stood in every respect. However I will add a few more testimo- nies, as they are at hand, setting forth in an especial manner his integrity, amiability, knowledge and mo- tives — his usefulness, good sense, and catholic spirit. That instrument, which revealed Harris' mind as to his temporal affairs, must be a very important evidence on this occasion. This is his Will ; and this shewed how disinterested he was as to things temporal, and how much the glory of God and the good of souls were near his heart. It is said that in the final disposition of his temporal affairs he assigned to his only daughter an apartment in the House at Trefecca, should she at any time be disposed to reside there. But as by her mother's fortune she was rendered independent of him, and thus sufficiently provided for, he bequeathed by his last will, the whole of his possessions, heredi- tary and accumulated, to the maintainance of the In- stitution for ever, on the strict principle of its found- dation,* He appointed two Trustees with directions for replacing them, who were to live in the House, to receive the earnings of the people, conduct the pecu- • One of Harris' brothers, had been very kind to him, and also made him a present of some land adjoining his house. However he, Upon his offering him another field, gratefully declined it, saying he had enough. See an account of the brothers p. 4. Harris' wife had good property and he was at liberty to make use of the annual income of it. But he was most charitable before he was married, as may be seen in page 122. HOWEL HAERIS, ESQ. 273 niary arrangements, attend to the devotional services ; and in every respect look to that plenary authority which he had himself preserved. It may be proper to insert here a few lines respecting the departure of Harris' daughter, Mrs. Prichardj which came into my hands from good authority, which are the following : — "Died on the 8th instant at Brecon, Mrs. Ehzabeth Prichard, aged 77, a widow of the late Charles Prichard, Esq., Surgeon, and one of the Com- mon Councilmen of that Borough, and motlier of Major Prichard of the Royal oGth Regiment, or Pom- padours, lately stationed in the Isle of France. Slie was the only child of Howel Harris, Esq. of Trefecca, formerly a celebrated Minister of the Gospel. Her last moments were those of the resigned Christian ; and she appeared to leave this world in perfect peace with her i\Iaker, regretted by a numerous circle of friends, and followed by the prayers of the poor, to whom she was an unaffected benefactor." — Carmarthen Journal, February 24, 1826. We may here mention another testimony of Harris' integrity ; it is given I believe by a respectable Inde- pendent Minister ; one who was well acquainted with him, and sometimes visited his house and family, though he did not labour in the same field ; he observed, that " he has been defamed, and that many things were laid to his charge, which for a time, prejudiced against him, not only such as are always ready to believe an evil report, but even some well meaning and worthy men." He declares that he himself, in consequence of what he had heard, once looked upon Mr. Harris as " at least a suspicious character ;" but that upon a close enquiry his doubts were removed ; so that he after- wards found reason to esteem him more highly than he probably should have done. He further observes that though Haiiis was regarded by some "as a design- ing and self-interested man," his Life and Death have proved the contrary ; and that if we were to judge causes by their effects, his principles and practices have been attended with no bad moral results, but his 274 LIFE AND TIMES OF exertions were the means of producing virtuous men, good subjects, and devout members of the EstabHshed Church." Harris had indeed met with the lot of most of the excellent of the earth, who have stepped out of the common path, with a view to advance the cause of truth, and promote the best interests of mankind. It is delightful to see his character thus cleared and set right. We may now view Harris' character as good and great and also amiable and benevolent, founded upon most undubi table ground. That such v/as his character may be concluded from the ectesm in which he was held by another people, who laboured in a different part of the Lord's Vineyard, the Wssleys and their followers. — It is true that in consequence of some disputation about Predestination, which had an unhappy effect, injuring several Societies, some coldness and interruption of their friendship had taken place. However ^Mr. Wesley, from a sense of old brotherly love, and being at Cardiff, wrote to Mr. Harris, shewing h*3 great attachment to him, and a desire of renewinjj the acquaintance. " In the name," says Y/cdsy, "of Jesus Christ, I beseech you, if you have his glory and the good of souls at heart, to come immediately to meet me here, I trust we shall never be two, in time or eternity. 0 ! my brother I am grieved that Satan should get a moment's advantage over us, and am ready to lay my neck under your feet for Christ's sake. If your heart be as my heart, hasten in the name of our dear Lord, to your second self" The desired interview took place at Llantrisamt, in about eight days after this, when Mr. Wesley says, " all misunderstanding vanished at the sight of each other, and our hearts were knit together as at the beginning. Before the Society met several persons were with me, desiring that as I had now got him, I would reprove him speedily. In my discourse, a gentleman, who had come hither on purpose, inter- rupted me, by desiring I would now speak to Mr. Harris, since I was sent for to disprove his errors. • See a Defence of Harris also in " Methodistiaeth," p. 394. HOWEL HAERIS, ESQ. 275 However I quashed all further importunity by declaring, ' I am unvnlling to speak of brother Harris, because when I begin, I know not when to leave off, and should say so much good of him, that I fear some of you would not willinglv hear it."* We shall now allude to his knowledge and motives. We have before observed, that Whitfield and the Wes- leys and many eminent Mends perceived, that Hanis was specially and well acquainted with the knowledge of religion as set forth in the Holy Scriptures. How plainly and effectually did he point the only way of Salvation ! We have before shewed how clear he was in the doctrines of grace. Who does not perceive this in what he wrote to Madam Be van and Mrs. Whitefield, and others, on the important subject of Christ crucified ? Harris' views on that most important and sweet doctrine, Justification by faith, are equally clear and striking. They may be seen in the above, as well as several other letters of his. This is the doctrine that Luther dwelt so much on in his day, and so highly did he think of it, that he considered a Church would stand or fall by the holding or denying it. Surely Harris was highly favoured of the Lord in many respects, and especially in having a sound judg- ment and a clear mental eye to discriminate and perceive divine things in their clear scriptural light. It may also be afi&rmed that Hanis' motives were correct. A person's motives are very important espe- cially in such a work as that in which Haiiis was en- gaged. No doubt his were the purest ; what else could he have in view in all his endeavours for the eternal "welfare of souls, but their salvation ? He was moved by nothing but compassion for poor sinners, by seeing the wretched state they were in all over the country. — His zeal also was very great ; it arose from pure bene- volence. This was e\ddent from all his actions, writ- ing, and especially his epistles ; such as that written to Mr. Cooper of Kent, page 255. • C. Wesley's Life, pp. 136, 137, 162, 165. 276 LIFE AND HMES OF Surely we ought to be thankful to Almighty God for raising up and preserving so eminent an instrument for his glory as Harris. It was by the grace of God, as he himself most fervently acknowledged, that he was what he was. How grateful we should be for the gift of such a man. He laboured — and we enter into his labours. We should bear in mind his great exertions for the Gospel of Christ, and recal to memory the wonderful success which attended his ministry, while we rejoice that he was spared so long for Wales, and should glorify God in his servant.* — Harris' usefulness was indeed very great in the Church of God. ' Whitefield considered him as a barrier against profaneness and immortality, and an indefatiga- ble promoter of the Gospel of Christ. See the beauti- ful character he gives him as a labourer and reformer in those corrupt times, p. 3 1 . It is delightful to observe that in the midst of opposition he steadily pursued his victorious career, and was the means of bringing thousands to the knowledge of the truth. He was wonderfully supported and comforted, — rejoicing in tribulations ; he was undaunted after being abused, — going forth as on eagles' wings. Harris was it is evident endowed with astonishing Gifts by the Lord — and qualified for the great work — he was enabled to accomplish so succesfully. It mani- fested the wisdom and goodness of God in bestowing upon his various Servants gifts peculiar for their differ- ent occupations. Indeed it is wonderful how the great Master divides his gifts, tempering one with the other in Ministers, making them fit and suitable, even as the different members of the body. No men could be more unlike each other in cast of character than Luther and Melancthon, Cranmer and Calvin, Zuingle and Jewel, Latimer and Hooker, yet each was qualified for • There are other statements, of the wonderful outpouring of the Spkit on Harris' preaching, beside those made in this publication, such as those in Mr. Hughes' Methodistiaeth Cymru, p. 220, which occurred at Cilgeran near Cardigan, and Llanwyddelan, Montgomery- shire. Such amazing effects often attended his preaching that people were obliged to yield or to rage. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 277 the peculiar work assigned him, nor could any other do 80 well the task of his brother. So in the days of Harris ; talents were very various, and diverse ; and how different were his from those of the other eminent men his contemporaries, such as Kowlands, Williams, Davies, Jones and Griffiths. Rowlands was the great Preacher, WilUams the sweet singer of Israel, Davies and Jones were the sons of consolation, and Griffiths, the admirable Orator. Harris was the son of thunder, and so were D. Morris and his son : and other lay- preachers besides had their peculiar excellencies. Moreover it may be said that Harris as to other attain- ments, as a man of peace, as a Chrictian in the sight of God, was perhaps superior tc most of those I h^ve named. His character was also more singularly rare : for instance, such deep humility and love of retirement, united with such constant zeal for Christ and souls ! Harris, though so excellent a character, yet was h- able to mistakes and imperfections like other men as before observed ; however some of these arose from his zeal to accomplish the work to which he thought himself called. I shall here make use of my friend Mr. Bulmer's observations on Harris in this respect. — " Is it right to expect more from a man, acting in such a sphere, than from those, who were formerly instru- ments in the hand of God, for the accompHshment of his purposes relating to the Church ? Were Luther or Calvin or any of the English Reformers without strong marks of eccentricity ? And is it not evident that even their eccentricity tended to the accomplish- ment of the great work to which they were appointed ? Had they studied eccentricity they would have been inexcusable ; but necessity produced an unpremedi- tated line of conduct, which, to a cool spectator, ap- peared very eccentric ; but which was in reality, all circumstances considered, regular and neccesary for that period. Luther was a man of wariM passions, and his natural temper would have been productive of the greatest injuries to liimself and others had not God appropriated his warmth and made it subservient to 278 LIFE AND TIMES OF the great purposes of the Reformation ; and it seems that the same may also be justly said of Harris, in reference to the great work he was the instrument of accomplishing. He was naturally of a choleric disposi- tion, and wholly undisguised in his words and actions. He would flatter no man, nor give up a particle of what he was persuaded to be truth even to please his nearest and dearest friends. The grace of God how- ever made a great alteration in his temper ; and not- withstanding his activity, he would often retire, and spend many hours in meditation and prayer.* He frequently neglected his health and was unmindful of both food and sleep at the stated times. He neither attended to heat or cold if engaged in what he thought to be the will of God. I perfectly agree with Mr. Bulmer, in saying that Harris was however a man of ** natural good sense," notwithstanding his eccentricities and occasional im- prudence. His continuing to labour for years in that part of the Vineyard where he was most useful, not- withstanding many trials, was Yery prudent. He was, on the account of his good sense and tact, appointed a Superintendent of the whole body of the Calvinistic * It is surprising, that after preaching three times a day to his large ffunily at Trefecca, and wrestling all night in prayer aud supplications for them, he would preach the next morning with renewed etreugtb and vigour : this he repeatedly did ! See p. 206. It is delightful to observe how Harris attributed all the snecess tn the grace of God, as many passages in this Memoir testify. Also, th following Diary, dated Trefecca, 1759, " The word has been preached here three times a day, and four times everj* Sunday, these seven years. Surely I can say that this is the Lord's Work; for He hath hitherto been pleased to own it by l>rlnging and keeping the people here ; and by giving me a spirit of faith to stand in the face of my own and other people's sins, and many other diflSrulties. — He hath honoured us in standing by and protecting us amidst many a heavy storm, that would indeed have defeated all natural strength, and overturned all that was not built on the Eock. Here therefore I can set up an Ebenezer, and say, ikus far the Lord hath helped me. This is the Lord's doing : this work was founded, carried on, and supported by the Lord, and that by his free grace ; and not by the wisdom and policy of any man, nor by the arm of fle.sh. — And though Satan would be glad to destroy it, yet it remains standing, and flourishing iu spile of all difficiUdes from withoui, aud sin and divisions and rebellions within." HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 279 I Methodist Connexion in Wales, as well as of Whitfield's people in England. We have already noticed his knowledge of the Scriptures; it is dehghtful to add that he had practical wisdom as well. His advice and directions were in general good and discreet — we point to one given to a wealthy fi'iend, as appropriate and sen- sible, see p. 164. Harris was equally prudent as well I as bold and undaunted in his movements against the kingdom of darkness. He generally accomplished through God's mercy what he undertook. Thus he I used to ad^ase his friends in this resjDect : — 0, that j we were more humble and j) rude nth/ zealous and spirit- I ually bold to stand up for the Lord against the raging 1 foes and torrents of sin." Harris' good sense, being under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, was a great blessing to him in other re- spects besides those that have been mentioned. It enabled him to judge of the characters of men, and not to place undue confidence in any. He was not easily imposed upon ; and did not, like many, over-rate his own usefulness by mistaking the appearance for the reality of things. He was sensible of those imper- fections which attend the revival of religion throughout the country, and endeavoured to check them. His advice to Rowlands in reference to them was very judi- cious. What he wanted therefore in some small things, was made up in others of far greater importance. He had generally some worthy end in view in what he did, and was always concerned for the honour as well as the advancement of religion. It may be truly said that Harris was a man of a catholic Hpirit. There is ample evidence of this through his life. — In his dying testimony there was something remarkable on this point ; and an interesting passage occurs in one of his letters to the Countess of Hunting- don to the same efiect : — " I consider life spent on any other principles as being only selfish in one shape or anotlier." p. 240. There was one virtue that shone, in all Harris excel- lencies, and that was friendship. He was a real and 280 LIFE AND TIMES OF confidential friend. His feelings were very tender and affectionate. All that knew him well understood his value, and appreciated his worth ; as Lady Huntingdon did, which her letters testify. His wife she also highly valued, and for the daughter she had great regards. — Love generates love. We shall conclude this chapter with extracts of a letter of condolence from her Lady- ship to him and his daughter when bereaved of the good wife and mother. This might have been intro- duced in p. 257, but it will suit here, — illustrating frendship.* " Knowing your great dislike to writing I am doubly obliged by your kind and faithful letter, — and not without feeling that tenderness for my very dear and highly favoured but departed friend ; and that in her last and happy moments she should love, pray for, and pity me, must shew what influence she was under ; and also remind my heart deeply how much I want for the all of every good, and that which being a poor helpless creature as well as a vile sinful worm before the Lord, T may, as my only qualification, bring more freely all to his feet. — I hope both you and your dear daughter will remember all the words of comfort she left behind her for me ; as I ever had so peculiar an affection for her ; and the truth and simplicity of heart, that ever flowed from her, ever engaged an un- common regard from me to her. — My heart is can'ied often by the Lord to Wales. It will make me doubly happy to contribute one moment to your and dear Betsy's comfort ; for none can feel your loss greater than my heart ; and I must add that it bows with thankfulness before the Lord for that kind — that Chris- tian and loving spirit that invites me among you all ; and which I shall accept with not less satisfaction. — My love to your dear daughter, and united thanks and love to all your precious people ; and tell them I value their prayers more than all the riches of the whole earth, and that I do beg that a good measure pressed down and running over may be conveyed to * See 34 storjza of Williams' Elegy. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 281 their own breast by Christ for their charity to me. — I believe Lady Ann Erskine and Miss Orton ^vill accom- pany me. May all the love and compassion of Jesus' heart be explained to you, as sharing with you in your present great trial, And ever beheve me, faithfully and affectionately Your obhged friend, S. Huntingdon. Brighton, April 29, 1770. P. S. All here are ever true and thankful friends and partakers in your griefs. Your griefs aucl your sorrows his teniler heart bears ; — In fellowship sweet, cast ou Him your cares ; Let your heart on bis bosom recline night and clay; Wiih Him you must suffer while here you do stay." We may here add the Diary, mentioned in p. 257, as it shews his remarkable affection for a near relative, and great love for souls. The Gore, Jan. 7tli, 1750. Here I heard of my dear mother's departure. My heart was melted ; but my dear Lord was near and kejDt me still, as He has done in aU storms. When I came home and saw the cori^se, I was much troubled, but was however soon composed by means of these words, * It is appointed for men once to die,' — seeing that the Saviour had appointed it. I was again melted down to the dust by hearing that her last words were these, ' Lord Jesus receive my sphit.' O how I loved the Lamb of God for taking away the sting of death, and for taking her, whom I so much loved, home to Himself I also longed to be dissolved and to go home myself" Harris was always most ready and anxious to speak to poor sinners on their eternal concerns whenever he met with them. He could never let an opportunity slip : even at his mother's funeral he could not refrain warniDg them to flee from the wrath to come. He thus states the circumstance in his Diar}\ " At three o'clock, Wednesday, January 9, I dis- coursed at her funeral on 1 Cor. xv. 65. — " O death 28-2 LIFE AND TIMES OF where is thy sting ?" — There being many carnal peo- ple, I reasoned with them about death, eternity, and judgement. I observed that the consideration of these awful subjects was intended by God to awaken us ; that seeing ourselves guilty, lost, and ruined, we might fly to Christ, who is the Door, the Way, and the Life, in whom we have free salvation. I had freedom and power also to shew Christ in his excellencies, especially in taking away sin and death ; And when I came to mention dear mother's happy words (as above) in departing, resting on Christ and overcoming death and the grave, great glory and power came down, and all were affected. I opened the nature of the actual war between grace and nature, flesh and spirit in the the Christian, and dwelt on the triumphant victory which dear mother obtained. I urged them to renounce all evil ways and conversation, and to seek the Lord earnestly; — so that when they came to die they might also commit their souls to Christ. I shewed how death the last enemy is overcome, and the victory obtained through Christ. The Lord was also, as we went to Talgarth the burying place, near my soul. I was melted down to tears : I had sweet fellowship with her spirit. I was sure it was happy before the throne. O how I loved and esteem- ed the Death and Sufferings of the Saviour that oj^ened the gate of heaven and made death itself so amiable, which otherwise would have been so dreadful and pain- ful. My spirit was employed in meditating on God, — being with me all the way to Talgarth, at Church, and at the grave. My natural affections were much moved, but rightly governed. 0 ! what a blessing I obtained at her death." CHAP. XX. OBSERVATION ON HARRIS AS A FOUNDER, PREACHER ;— ELEGIES. We may now make a few observations on Harris' ex- traordinary career, in connexion with Rowlands, arising from previous statements, which will further enhance our esteem of him. It is evident that his labours, in conjunction with Rowlands, gave rise to the present immense body of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, by whom the same system of itinerant preaching that he originated, is still successfully carried on. He may therefore be considered as still being in them and speaking by the mouths of their preachers. Rowlands did not begin his labours until two years after Harris. He was converted about the year 1737. The first notice we have of him is in a letter written by HaiTis to Whitefield in 1738.* No doubt these two extra- ordinary Heralds soon heard of each othei', though the distance between them was great ; and they became acquainted without delay, as they were similarly minded, having been under the same extraordinary influence of the Spirit. However there was scarcely any thing new in Rowlands' pubhc life for years, except his extraordi- nary preaching. He was proceeding in the same old regular course, occuj^ying his pulpit in the Established Church. Harris, on the other hand, was, as before stated, doing the work of a Missionary, though a lay- man, and setting up Private Societies for religious edi- fication and discipline. These as well as lay- preach- ing were unknown in Wales before his time. It was a new era in the religious world, — an unti'odden patli.f Harris, though greatly opposed in both ways by the world, yet was very successful under God's blessing. His plan was to form into small Societies those that were converted under his powerful preaching wherever * p. 30. + p. i241. 284 LIFE AND TIMES OF he went. He had about thirty of them before the Enghsh Methodists, Whitefield and Wesley, were heard of.* When these two great men were in the field of labour one was distinguished as the great preacher, and the other as the methodical disciplinarian. Wesley gathered into classes those that had been converted, under Whitefield and himself. But Harris did in fact the work of both, in Wales! — Rowlands approved of his plan in both respects. They soon united together, and accepted the help of lay-men and some like-mind- ed Clergymen to call sinners to repentance every- where. For there soon appeared men among the lay-brethren that were anxious to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, having gifts to pray and exhort. It was natural for Harris to attend to their desire, and to encourage them, being like himself.f Moreover, the Private Societies had now become comparatively nu- merous, and all wanted regular guidance and instruc- tions. Another step was taken : it is understood from the Trefecca minutes that Harris, Rowlands, and some Clergymen, with Exhorters, had entered into a kind of combination for the further spread of the Gospel about the year 1740. It appears that they had meet- ings, about once in two months for two years, in order to examine the men that were to exhort, — to see that they were qualified. They were very particular in two | things from the commencement, — in taking care of | souls and in selecting suitable men to assist them, &c. 1 Peter v. 2. As the dark and dead country had been by this time awakened in some degree, by their alarming ministry, there was a loud call for more preaching and teaching, and for a more regular and methodical plan of co-operation. This suggested the idea of having a kind of Afisociation — gi'eatly needed, to set them all in a better order, which was soon afterwards convened and acted upon. At this they formed regular oflficers for the whole Denomination, as ordained Ministers, Superintendents, Exhorters, and Stewards to occupy * p. 17. + Vide 13, 14, 15, stanzas, Williams' Elegy on Harris* at the end. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 285 different stations ; South Wales was divided into about five districts or counties ; each was to have a montlihj meeting, as a means between the Private Societies and the Association, to settle the affairs of the district or county and to prepare propositions for the Association, held each quarter of a year, at which matters were finally settled. The five Clergymen belonging to the Society, already named p. 97, were considered as Moder- ators at those monthly meetings, each in hisown district. The Superintendents acted under them, — took their places as Moderators when they were absent. There was, before the Association, but little method and regu- larity in their plan as to offices, placing and settling preachers, pp. 96 — 99. Harris' position stood very high according to the arrangement then made. His influence and authority were, in consequence of his wonderful labours, very great and extensive. Being a constant regular itinerant preacher, he associated with all the lay-preachers and was well acquainted with the numerous Societies he had established ; — it was no wonder that he was apjDoint- ed at the first Association to be a Moderator of it in Whitefield's absence, and a general Superintendent of the whole. — Chap. 8, and p. 135. The order, established at the first Associations, in the years 1742, 1743, as already stated, is still the same in the Connexion, — that of Ministers, Exhorters, and Ste- wards : — Associations, Monthly-meetings, and Private Societies.* The work of the Association consists of preaching in the open air and holding private meetings for different purposes. There are double lectures de- livered each opportunity like those at the Anniver- saries of Lady Huntingdon's College. f It is coui^idered that those lectures originated at Harris' suggestion. They never were heard of before his time. The preach- ing being, under the divine blessing, most powerful, was the means of incalculable benefit to the souls of thousands. I The practice of double lectures is now * See Rowlands' Ministerial Records, pp. 48, 49. + pp. 247—249. + p. 1.33. 286 LIFE AND TIMES OF becoming general in Wales, and sometimes in the Church of England, esjoecially when they hold the clerical meetings. That means of grace has been pro- ductive of much good ; many people come together to hear the Gospel on those occasions. However the leaders wished this movement to be considered as in the Church : they regarded their So- cieties as belonging to it : they generally partook of the Ordinances of the Gospel there. But they would also use other means of grace, as before mentioned, for the support, under God's blessing, of their spiritual life ; — the work of the preachers and exhorters was to go into the high ways and hedges, the fairs and the markets, the feasts and the revels, and to compel sin- ners to turn to the Lord. They also preached to people coming out of the places of worship on the Sabbath; and indeed wherever they could meet with them. Sometimes they would send some well-wisher to invite poor sinners to hear the Gospel. It seems there were about 40 Exhorters, that thus assisted Harris and Kow- lands and the Clergy, in this labour of love, since the first Association in 1742; but they increased every year. They would at times preach in houses, especially those where the Private Societies were held. It ap- pears that there were about 140 of them by the year 1 744. However they did not then intend to form any sect or separate congregations, but to awaken sinners out of their awful situation and to attend to the con- cerns of their never dying souls. All their lay-preachers were called Exhorters ; they were not to be licenced as dissenting preachers, that would have screened them from persecution.* No Chapels had been erected by them for years : only four or five were built in Harris' time * Persecution, by means of fines, appeared even in Charles of Bala's time. He thus observes in his Vindication of the Methodists, " One godly man was imprisoned very unjustly for six months in Dolgelley Jail. Fines and penalties, owing to our attachment to the Church of England, amounted in one year to nearly £100. We hesitated to register our Chapels, and to licence our Preachers as Protestant Dissenters, ac- cording to law." They were at length obliged to adopt this step, and to become a distinct body. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 287 before he went to live at Trefecca; one at Buillt, and another at Groeswen, near Caerphilly, in the year 1 747 ; one or two in Carmarthenshire the following year ; and Ahcrthin Chapel, Glamorganshire, in 1749. It seems that about eleven years of Harris' life had passed before the first Chapel had been erected. It is surprising, notwithstanding all disadvantages and unpretending labour, how these people increased, even in those days. Such a multitude of disciples and Buch amazing success were quite unexpected. The beginning was very small indeed, like mustard-seed. The men that commenced the Connexion were very young, not one of them was then 30 years old ; they were low in rank, and even insignificant in conside- ration of such a revival as was carried on by them. Harris mentions his astonishment at this.* The Dissenters afforded them no aid ; they were low then, having only six Chapels in all North Wales. It seems that many of them throughout Wales w^ere dead and formal, and as disposed to hinder the work as the carnal Clergy, f However Harris, Kowlands, and their co-adjutors had no idea or design that their Connexion should become so large and extensive. They had no previous concert or any preconceived scheme whatever for the purpose. — When some great undertaking is contem- plated, it is usual to form some plan and to hold some wise and suitable consultations. The system they had established is of an incalculable value. It is of an uniting and propagating nature under the divine bless- ing. A humble individual, Laura Williams of Pandt/- ddwyryd, Merionethshire, having a great desire for the salvation of souls, was the means, by inviting Exhorters to preach in her neighbourhood (Penrhyn,Maentwrog, and Trawsfynydd,) of planting eighteen small Societies there, which increased in her life time to 1000 mem- bers! The Connexion has been, under the divine * p. 142. Also, Hughes' Metliodistiaeth, p. 176. + Some of these statements are taken out of the Methodistiaeth. And Hughes' views, ou the Methodists in connexion with the Church, are fiiuiihir to the ahove. 288 LIFE AND TIMES OF blessing, most prosperous. They have now 800 Cha- pels and 1200 preachers. About 300,000 youths have been taught in their schools this century. The change in the aspect and conduct of the Welch in general, in consequence of this Ministry, is wonderful. The old corrupt amusements and hateful conflicts are gone. A people, as wild and foolish as heathens, are now sober and thoughtful, attending the house of God on Sun- days. Harris and his brethren had no power but that from above, no weapon but that of the truth, to accom- plish the great change. They had not the example of the good and the learned, nor the influence of moral and scientific teaching, nor the power of the magistrate to assist them. The Church of England should be thankful for the adoption and prosperity of the lay-system, for it is now used and practised by it also in a great measure. Scrip- ture-readers are employed by two or three Societies in it, and many of the laity are engaged in district- visit- ing and school-teaching under the superintendence of the Ministers. There is j^lenty of work for all hi the Lord's Vineyard : let us live in love as fellow-labourers. And here we may observe that it is a great cause of thankfulness that the unpleasantness that arose once between those two extraordinary men, Harris and Kow- lands, was removed, and that they became friendly again as noticed, at the anniversaries of Lady Hunting- don's College. Harris would give a helping hand to his brother when wanted. Some particular instances of his readiness are recorded. It seems that some time after the above anniversaries, when he was in the Mili- tia, he was of great service to the common cause in Wales ; he would attack the strongest holds of the kingdom of Satan in the strength of the Lord, wherever he went. He once went some scores of miles to storm apparently impregnable castles of sin and Satan at Dol- fjelley. So evil disposed were the people in that place and even up to that t^me, 1762, that no person however great could preach there pubhcly. However, Harris at last came there and stood in the open air as usual. He HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. ZS9 had a blue top coat on when he addressed the people on the concern of their souls. But when they began to annoy and disturb him, he put off the coat, and, appearing in his Regimentals, demanded peace in the name of King George, according to his usual practice.* Llandovery is also named as another such citadel of Satan. It is very remarkable that that place should be so depraved at that time. It is said that he, when a Captain, was the means of quieting the mob there also. A similar circumstance it is said took place at Llan- gwm neeu* Cerrig-y-Druidion. A few observations might be made on preaching here. It is evident that Harris was a messenger from heaven ; he was commissioned with most important communications to his fellow creatures on their eternal welfare, which he duly felt. Indeed he could not rest. He was under the weighty influence of the work assigned him day and night. No anxiety concerning any affair in the world, however important, could equal that on his mind. He saw people rushing to eternal misery ; 0, how he felt for them : he was all alive to their awful situation, and seeing a way to escape, which he knew by happy experience, he hastened to call on them, urging them under the Spirit's influence to be reconciled to God. This was his constant work as a Herald from another world. No wonder then that this amazing subject engaged his whole attention, and that it was always animating all his soul. It was therefore like a living stream — bubbling and flowing out of his mind unceasingly. He poured it forth out of his heart daily into the hearing of perishing sinners; — this is the reason he was preaching so often as three or four times a day to people and that for an hour or more at a time, and that in the most animated and vehement manner. He scarcely needed any order in his discourse, for it came as a stream in the most natural manner out of * See pp. 57, 2Q0. 290 LIFE AND TIMES OF his bosom. It was all life, and that frequently in a fiery manner.* But preachers, that are engaged with more stated congregations, as Rowlands, need more method and variety in their sermons. Several plans for making sermons are mentioned, but I know of none so suitable and excellent as that generally used by the late Rev. J. Elias. After praying he would meditate on the subject ; and then, after putting his ideas on paper, he would consult commentators, and presently he would fill up his discourse. His scheme frequently appeared new and original. It would remind us of the late Simeon of Cambridge's plan ; it is well known that he excelled in making skeletons of sermons, — the subject wholly engaged Elias' mind ; it was boiling up and streaming forth when preaching, as in Hams. There was in that and other respects great similarity between those two extraordinary men, in so much that some of the old people that heard Harris, some 50 years before, were much struck with the likeness when they first heard Elias : they would exclaim " Harris has appeared again" Of each it might be affirmed that his mind was strong and energetic, his voice powerful, his body manly, his presence commanding and authoritative. Harris' though so highly exalted, yet was kept low and humble. In a letter to the Rev. Mr. Bateman, Rec- tor of St. Bartholomew-the-Great, he says, " I must for ever bless the Lord for all means and even the bitterest He ever used to discover and destroy pride. — When we are in the dust we are safe and happy and hold communion with the Lord. But when we think ourselves some bodies, and set a value on our gifts and graces, and expect others to do the same we are blind- ed and ready to fall." — Prov. xvi. 18. * Harris' style was bold, nervous and figurative on most subjects. Thus for instance, when he would speak of faith, he would exclaim, " O, penetrating Faith, what glorious things does thine eye discover ! And what glad tidings do we hear through thy blessed ears ! And what manna, marrow, and fatness is thy mouth filled with when it is once opened ! See 9. 10, IT), Stanzas of W. Williams' Elegy, at the end. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 291 Another remarkable circumstance in Harris' life should be observed : it was under bodily affliction he accomplished the great work, especially in the latter part of his life. O ! what exertions will the love of God and souls produce. Then Harris must be viewed as a most extraordinary character. He holds a distinguished place among those who have turned many to righteousness. When the honours of statesmen and warriors sink into com- parative insignificancy, and the actions of men are weighed in the balance of justice, the part which he acted will prove to have been that of true wisdom ; while the contempt with which too many treated him, will appear as the offspring of wickedness and folly. May it be our delight to imitate such men as Harris as he followed the Lord, and to copy the milder as well as the more active virtues which adorned his character.* Such are happy in their latter end, because they die in the Lord, rest from their labours, and their works follow them, as the proper evidence of their faith and piety. f I now conclude the remarkable and eventful life of Harris with an elegiac Poem, expressive of the general grief occasioned by that solemn event, and of the loss sustained by his translation from the Church below to the Church above. "What pensive, solemn, doleful tidings sound? All Zion's sons should deeply feel the wound. A brother, friend, a father dear is gone — Harris is dead, his battle's fought and won ! What tongue can tell, — what hand can paint the loss, Of one so steady under Jesu's cross ? * Harris, knowing what afflictions are, was very ready to attend people on their sick-bed. How excellent were his directions for visiting the sick and dyuig ; such as the following for instance. — " O ! what diligence and uprightness are necessary for one that visits the sick. — What sympathy with them is needful, in order to be patient with them, and to wrestle for them in prayer; and who but God can teach how to wound and how to heal ; — how to speak so as to be free from their blood, or to snatch their souls from eternal ruin ?" + In the letter, p. 290, the reason is stated how he was so opposed to sin, and kept from falling. — " The Lord," says he, " when He first laid hold of my heart, wrought in me an eternal hatred to all sin, and fear and dread of all temptations." — See also pp. 23, 175, 183. 2 A 292 LIFE AND TIMES OF Hail ! Happy soul, thy mourning days are o'er; Thou'lt bear about a mortal frame no more ! No more shall pain or anguish thee confine, Or, on a dying bed, thy head recline. No more shall sin oppress thy righteous soul ; Nor grief come near, while endless ages roll. No more (when glows thy heart with pure desire) Thou'lt feel the force of persecution's fire ; No more, for calling sinners home to God, Shalt thou be ston'd till stained with thy own blood. No more shall it be said thou wrong'st the poor, Or tak'st their wealth to gain thyself a store. No more, with what is worse, shalt thou be tried By vain professors, setting thee aside. Advanc'd beyond their frown, — beyond their praise, Harris, with angels, tunes his grateful lays ! He sits with all those radiant hosts above, And swims in seas of pure celestial love. He meets his blessed partner, — gone before ; They join to praise their God, and part no more ! She, like a brilliant diamond, appears, And helps to decorate the crown he wears ; Nor her alone, but thousands more there be Whom God converted by his Ministry. Ye moon and stars, who make our ev'nings light. Tell us how oft he groan'd to God by night. Say, rising sun, yea, tell us dawning day, How soon he left his bed to praise and pray. Say, walls and closets, — every secret place. How oft he supplicated God for grace ? How oft he with his blessed Lord did meet. And, fill'd with love, bow'd at his sacred feet ? Say, thou infernal prince, how thou didst rage When Harris did against thy cause engage ? And let thine emissaries here proclaim How moved by thee they vilified his name. Say, ye blessed Angels, how, dispatched from God To guard him round on every side, ye stood. Say, sinners, say, how oft, with warm desire, He wam'd you to escape eternal fire ? Let towns and streets, houses and fields, proclaim How zealously he did the Faith maintain. Then let each Christian, with a secret sigh, Reverberate Trefecca 's pensive cry. Let every heart lift up a fervent prayer That old Elijah's mantle may be there ; — That God, from age to age, may carry on The Work which He, through Harris, hath begun ; — That all, who shall that Saint of God succeed, Like him may prove true Israelites indeed. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 293 How gloriously he shines— what mean these sighs ? Why flow these torrents from our languid eyes ? But Ah ! we weep that he from us should part Who so minutely trac'd the sinner's heart; Who all the reasonings therein disclos'd, And all the devil's stratagems expos'd. The man whom God hath raised (in his youth) In Wales, to propagate the Gospel truth. He set his brow as brass, — no flesh he fear'd, — Essential truth in all his words appear'd. His grace and knowledge numbers to him drew, Who to his house like doves to windows flew. He caused thousands, by the pow'r of God, To part with sin, and flee to Jesu's Blood. He spoke, nor did Ms works his words deny ; He liv'd each day, as tho' that night he'd die. Not all the powers of hell could him dismay, — He to the end pursued the narrow way ; The paths of peace incessantly he trod, Then died — exulting in his Saviour-God. His spirit catholic, was friend to all. Who Jesu's image bore, who on Him call ; A mighty conqueror, as thro' life, in death, Still shouting " Victory," with his latest breath ! And tho' his body suffered grievous smart, He said, " The dear Redeemer keeps my heart." And when the great / Am shall rend the skies, And bid unnumbered worlds to judgment rise, Then Harris by his Lord shall be confess'd, And soul and body enter into rest ; — Return triumphant to his destin'd throne, And dwell with God in ecstacies unknown. Translation of the Stanzas of the Rev. Wilham WiUiams' Elegy on Harris, referred to in the follow- ing pages of this publication, pp. 27, 202, 210, 280, 284, 290. 3 In the thunder was his dwelling. In the cloud his awful place ; (A spirit broken, bruised, but ardent Obtains the King of heaven's grace) Thence he hurled tremendous light'nings, Flaming with terrific sway, On the dark, benighted millions, Who in sin's foul regions lay. 4 Yea, constrained were they to hearken — The pow'r of heaven is strong and dread ; If a sinner dare resist it, Heavier falls it on his head ; 294 LIFE AND TIMES OF Stroke on stroke incessant followed Till the crowd would fain obey- In their chains they rush'd to Jesus ; — Freed by Him, they walked his way. 5 Multitudes, who lived in pleasure, Tasted of the sweets of grace ; The effects of wliich while breath remaineth In their spirits they can trace: All his solemn, sound addresses With unstudied beauty ran, Fitted by the Holy Spirit For the various states of man. G Deeper far than nature's feelings Would his bold convictions reach ; His aiTows fastened in the conscience, The Law he summoned to impeach ; When they felt their lost condition, In its overwhelming thrall, Then he preached the gracious Gospel, With full freedom in its call. 9 Come and hear him now describing Man's foul heart — so prone to sin ; Tracing every inward turning Full of error, found within. And disclosing many secrets To the righteous on their way. While enliv'ning death's cold region With the glorious Gospel ray. 10 Come and hear him now expounding Heaven's free redeeming grace ; Loudly praising the Kedeemer Of our poor apostate race : Lo ! he causes many a pilgrim, Sore oppressed with fear and grief. To depart in joyous freedom From the bonds of unbelief.* 13 When a door in Wales was opened, Wider than was seen before. Hosts of Ministers soon followed In thy wake, — full many a score ; But, alas ! that some foul serpent Maimed thee in the ripened field, Till thou wast compell'd untimely Thy burnished sickle t' others yield. + ♦The 9tli and 10th stanzas are not alluded to in the work, but they inserted here as they expand the idea in the 6th. + The ford serpent alludes to the rupture between him and Rowlands. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 295 14 Now they crowded to the Harvest, Like the billows of the sea, In successive tides of Teachers, As it were to mimic thee ; Of all tribes, and tongues, and nations T' whom the Church its portals lifts. Yet among the countless myriads We miss thy peculiar gifts. 15 Thy discourse was like a mii-ror — To the hearer shining bright, Where the rebel saw his features Till he shudder'd at the sight ; Thy discourse reveal'd the treason Wluch obliges man to die. Until sinners, struck with terrors, Sought forgivness from on high. 21 Now when thou art gone to heaven, There to join th' angelic train, Thousands weep and long to see thee With them here on earth again ; Trusting all to be delighted If, alas ! they should but see All the counties of old Cambria, Like Trefecca, ruled by thee. 23 But where'er the true believer Lives inspired with heavenly lore, Though obscure, he will at all times The Redeemer's Name adore. In thee thy household found a ruler Faithful, holy, free and just. Thwarting every sin, and throwing Man's vain glory to the dust. 24 All thy children were obedient To their father's kind command, Living to thy rule while journeying Onward to a better Land. Now 'tis useless for another, Unless dictated fi'om above, To unite so great a number Here to live a life of love. 25 At Trefecca of a morning Pray'r precedes the early dawn ; While a dreamy sleep extending O'er the country reigns alone : And before they sit to dinner There's pro\-ision for the soul ; Then at supper-time a prayer, — Thrice a day they worship all. 296 LIFE AND TIMES OF 26 Learn from this, 0 ! ye householders, Family worship to maintain ; Offer prayer in the morning, — The same at evening do again ; Let your Church be in the kitchen Or the parlour as you please, Till you act as he has acted From hard condemnation cease.* 31 If a faithful friend was needed, Harris only was the man ; He excelled e'en loving kindred Of the most devoted clan ; Forgive he could — seal up a secret — Sympathize and cheer the lone. And regard a friend's afflictions As afflictions of his own. A Stanza from an epistolatory Poem from the Eev. C. Wesley, addressed to H. Harris, at Trefecca, — stirring him up to itinerant preaching again, — is a beautiful deUneation of him, and shall be inserted here. It is dated March 3rd, J 755. Still doth thy ling'ring indolence requiret A pattern fair, to set thy soul on lire ? Behold his shining footstep from afar, And trace with me the thunderbolt of war ! Legions of fiends and men in vain oppose A single champion 'gainst a world of foes ; — He rushes on, the bloody Sign lifts up. And shouts exulting from the mountain top ! His voice the strongest holds of hell o'ertums. His word, as fire in the dry stubble bums, Impetuous as a torrent pours along, Or blasts like light'ning the rebellious throng. Smote by his sling, and scatter'd by his eye, Goliath falls, and the Philistines fly ; Where'er he turns, appall'd with sudden dread, Flies the foul monster, Vice, and hides his head ; Satan, with all his wicked spirits, gives place. And mourns his works destroy'd before the stripling's face. Who is the stripling ? (let my friend enquire,) So void of fear, — so full of heavenly fire ? Say, hast thou ever known him ? — search and try, And read his features with a curious eye ; Mark well his love, — simplicity and zeal, And tell thy heart — if thou be Habbis still." * The separation caused many to ntter harsh words and slander, + Mr. C. Wesley might be mistaken about Harris's retirement ; he was still active, but not so active as formerly, and unwell for a long time. HOWEL HARRIS, ESQ. 297 The following is a part of another stanza in the Poem : — " Then let our Saviour-God have all the praise, And humbly call to mind the former days, When He, who waked thy soul to second birth, Sent forth a new-bom Child to shake the earth, To tear the prey out of the lion's teeth, And spoil the trembling realms of hell and death ; — By violent faith to seize the kingdom given, And open burst the gates of vanquished heaven." I saw, since I wrote this work, a letter of Harris, in the Records of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists,* sta- ting the time he first met with Rowlands ; and also when he began his ministry. As these are points I had not an exact knowledge of when writing the 20th Chapter, I will transcribe them here. " As for the other Minister and great man of God, Mr. Daniel Rowlands, he was awakened about the same time as myself, in another part of Wales, namely in Cardiganshire, where, by reason of there being but little correspondence between that county and Brecon- shire, he went on gradually growing in gifts and power without knowing any thing of me, or myself knowing any thing of him ; until by providence, in the year 1737, I came to hear him in Devynock Church, in the upper pai't of our county, where, upon hearing the Sermon and seeing the gifts given him, and the amazing power and authority with which he spoke, and the efiects it had upon the people, I was made indeed thankful, and my heart burned with love to God and to him. Here began my acquaintance with him, and to all eternity it shall not end. " This proved the first means of my going to Cardi- ganshire ; where, on hearing more of his doctrine and his character, I grew more in love with him ; and from * An useful and cheap Periodical. I am glad they introduce Harris' Papers into it every month, imder tlie title Harrisiana — saying Un- der this tide we propose to present successively to our readers such letters, extracts from diaries, and other interesting docxunents of the voluminous M.S. papers now lying at Trefecca, as have not been published." 298 LIFE AND TIMES OF that time to this, having been favoured with many glorious opportunities of sitting under his ministry to the great benefit of my soul, I am obliged to admire more and more the wonderful work of God in him. As he has been so blessed to thousands in several counties, and is more and more owned of God in calling in and building up the lambs of Christ, so it cannot be expected he should escape the malice of the enemy, which he vents upon him in all ways he is permitted, j inventiny all manner of lies ; but in such a manner I is the Lord with him that I believe the Dragon trem- bles the way he goes. Though I have been now favoured with hearing and reading the works of many of God's Ministers, I do not know, so far as I am capable of judging, that I have known any so favoured with gifts and powers ; such a penetrating light to the spirit of the Scriptures to set forth the mystery of God- liness and the glory of Christ. And though he has been often charged with errors, yet the Eternal Spirit has so led him to all truth, and so saved him from falling, to any error, that his ministry is I believe now one of the greatest blessings that the Church of God in this part of the world enjoys. Many counties par- take of this blessing, he being indefatigable in going about, and I believe seldom, if ever, opens his mouth without a great blessing attending ; this is not for a while, but has continued to my knowledge for nearly seven years. All who are able, that have had eyes to distinguish, flock to his ministry, and coDgregate from all jDarties and counties — there being often in his con- gregations and communions persons from eif/ht different counties at the same time. The visible effects on the people under the word and after, as well as the lives and conversations of them that are wi'ought upon, prove to such as have spiritual eyes, and do not shut them against conviction, that God is there in an uncommon manner." THE END. PBIXTED AT THE " CYMBO " AXD "eGI.WYSYDD" OFFICE, BY W. M0BBI8, HOLYWELL.