The quaint preacher; or, The life and sayings of Samuel Sellars

Preface To The Second Edition

It is now seventeen years since the first edition of these Memoirs was issued ; and though there was no expenditure on advertisements, within twelve months the whole was sold. Since then, we have frequently been importuned to publish a second and popular edition, to which we have at length consented.

To the names already recorded, we have now to add that of the Rev. W. M. Hunter, as one by whom we were greatly aided in the preparation of this work.

The omission of his Introduction is simply owing to the reduced price of the book. So many of my father's contemporaries having followed him into the " world of light," it may be thought that this new issue is out of time ; yet, seeing that there is such a desire to initiate and sustain "forward movements" it may guide and stimulate us in this advance, to consider the methods of our "fathers;" particularly of those who were signally

Preface to the Second Edition.

honoured of God in promoting the extension of His Church.

Should this record of a saintly life contribute to this end, our reward will be ample.

Sincerely yours,

SAMUEL SELLARS.

119 St. Saviour's Road, Leicester, \oth November 1891.

Preface To The First Edition

The reader will perceive that in writing this volume, the pen of more than one writer has been employed ; and that its pages are enriched by contributions, furnished by gentlemen, whose knowledge of Mr. Sellars was so thorough, that each communication might be appropriately prefaced with the language of the beloved John, " That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you."1

To all who have taken a generous interest in the volume, and in any way helped to enhance its value, — especially to the United Methodist Free Church Book Room Committee, for the gift of the portrait which embellishes it, — we acknowledge our indebtedness.

Of the subject of these Memoirs, little here requires to be said. No attempt has been made to conceal anything relating to his character ; but to " speak of him as he was, and nothing extenuate." To his strong Methodist proclivities, prominence has been given. For nearly

1 I John i. 3. 7

Preface to the First Edition.

forty years he was a minister of the gospel of Christ ; a consistent Dissenter ; one of those plain spoken and energetic Christian workers, to whom — whatever the religious denomination to which they belong — the nation and the world owes a debt of eternal gratitude. He courted not fame; he was content to "serve his generation by the will of God;"1 and his chief memorial is to be found in the works that follow him, which, like that of the woman who anointed the Saviour's head with precious ointment, will never be forgotten.

All pecuniary profit, arising from the sale of this edition, will be appropriated to Mrs. Sellars, who, humanly speaking, was left, with five young children, without provision. So that all who aid the sale of this book will do something towards helping the widow and the fatherless.

We pray that the blessing of Him, in whose fear all our works should be begun, continued, and ended, may accompany this effort to make His name known upon earth.

SAMUEL SELLARS.

The Felling, Gateshead, ■2.0th July 1875.

1 Acts xiii. 36.

Contents

MEMOIRS.

CHAP.

I. THE CALL,

Chapter I. The Call

The words of Geikie are so appropriate as to need no apology for their introduction here. " There is a saintly light round goodness that neither intellect, nor natural tenderness, nor the most enlightened sentiments can create. Even in private life, real worth makes itself felt all round ; is honoured and imitated by many whom it never knows, and is long remembered with respect. It is independent of position or endowments. The grave of the ' Dairyman's Daughter ' has become a pilgrimage, and every neighbourhood has its local saint.

" It is a touching illustration of its value, that there is no legacy of more real moment to a child than the reputation of a parent. To have been the son of one whose memory lingers like light in the air, is not only a delightful recollection and a powerful stimulus, but a great material aid in life. No household can be called poor with such an inheritance, nor any parent really lost whose nobler life still survives in the breasts of his children." And what is true of the household, is also true of any denomination of the Christian Church with which men of saintly lives have been identified. As

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visible workers they may be no longer in our midst, but their invisible influence lingers amongst us — is ever present with us.

If Mr. Sellars' influence for good had depended upon his worldly endowments, it would have been too small to warrant any attempt to perpetuate his memory. He was born near Pentneb, in Derbyshire, on the 3rd of November 181 1. His parents were small farmers and stocking-makers. At the village of Heige — to which place the family removed — his mother, by reading a Baptist hymn-book, was awakened to a sense of her sinfulness, and was led to give herself to God. She became a member of the Baptist Church, worshipping in Bridge Street Chapel, Belper. For some time her husband persecuted her, but by a consistent walk in Christ Jesus, she was instrumental in bringing him to a knowledge of the truth. Having become partakers together of the grace of life, they remained steadfast to the end, and for forty years were exemplary members of the Baptist denomination.

Owing to the brutality of a schoolmaster, Mr. Sellars was taken from school at the age of eight years, and was put to work in a stocking-frame, the intention at the time being to send him to another school when a suitable opportunity presented itself. Family circumstances, however, required his help at home, and the opportunity never came. He continued to go to the Sunday school, and afterwards when preaching in the connected chapel was wont to speak of the good he had thereby derived. But the elements of a rudimentary education were mainly acquired, by his own unaided endeavours, after his conversion. It is to be regretted that his early educational advantages were so limited, for he had a quick perception, a tenacious memory, — in facts and dates seldom equalled, — and a mental vigour which, under culture, would have been difficult to surpass.

There is no testimony forthcoming as to when or where he first experienced religious impressions. Probably, under the Spirit of God, they may be ascribed to his mother's influence, who, from the time he was able to walk the distance, took him in all sorts of weather — health permitting — every Sabbath morning two miles to chapel. At sixteen years of age he was prostrated for six weeks by a severe attack of fever. That affliction had a voice, which taught him such important lessons, as led him ever afterwards to designate the fever his " tutor," and the place of suffering " his college." On removing to Derby, he became a member of the Rev. J. G. Pike's church choir ; and while attending that gentleman's ministry was led to religious decision. It was the practice of that eminent minister to visit the choir during rehearsals ; and often did Mr. Sellars speak of the gracious influences which attended his exhortations, as he sought to impress its members with the necessity of cultivating a state of heart and life, that would harmonise with the sentiments of the hymns. How much envy, bitterness, strife, and schism, which too often mar the peace and utility of our choirs, might be prevented, were ministers to go and do likewise !

Shortly after conversion he felt constrained to preach the gospel he had hitherto sung; and accordingly became a lay preacher among the Baptists. Yielding, however, to a characteristic ardour, he engaged in open-air and other services, which the elders of the Church deemed irregular. Feeling their rules to be unreasonably restrictive, he joined the Arminian Methodists, by whom he was accepted as a local preacher. The same year, 1835, at the annual meeting of that denomination in Leicester, it was resolved * " that Samuel Sellars be received into the itinerant ministry." While this was being done in Leicester, he was working at his stocking-frame in Derby, and had no idea of the action taken by the Conference till he was officially informed of his appointment to a Circuit. The call was unexpected, and was considered premature by some of the Derby friends, seeing he had not been recognised by them as a fully accredited local preacher.

The Rev. Henry Breeden, first minister of the Arminian Methodist Connexion, has favoured us with the following account of his denomination ; and, as little js known of its origin and usages by Methodists generally, we here insert it : —

" The Arminian Methodist Connexion was formed in February 1832. Nearly the whole of the first members had been in Society with the Wesleyan Methodists. At that time there were in the Derby Circuit a number of very zealous local preachers and class leaders. Some of them were men of considerable wrorldly substance, and others had good talents. Their labours were truly successful in getting souls saved, and in promoting extensive revivals of religion : they were soon therefore designated the Revival Party. And, because they laid much stress on the duty of believing for salvation, they were also called the Derby Faith People. They were very diligent in attending the various means of grace. 1 Moved by Mr. Travis, seconded by Mr. Spencer.

" Many of these people were in the habit of frequenting a public band meeting every Saturday evening, on the premises of Green Hill Chapel, Derby. But early in the year of 1832, four local preachers were tried, and expelled, for continuing a public band meeting the usual length of time, after the superintendent preacher had decided that it should, for his accommodation, be closed earlier than usual. The consequence was, that as a protest against those expulsions, nearly six hundred church members at once withdrew from the Wesleyan Society. It was a general saying amongst them, ' If these men are not fit to be members of the Methodist Connexion, neither are we fit to be members, therefore at once we resign.'

" Several of those who withdrew had school and other rooms at their disposal, which they forthwith opened for the holding of separate services. A few days afterwards, a meeting of class leaders and local preachers was held on the premises of Mr. John Spencer, solicitor, Derby ; when, after mature deliberation, Mr. Breeden was unanimously requested to break up his establishment as a schoolmaster, and take charge of the Society as superintendent. After due consideration, Mr. Breeden replied, ' That he would accede to their request provided they would not agitate the Wesleyan Societies, nor proselyte from them, but heartily join with him in striving to save souls from the world, and in establishing Methodist Societies on true scriptural principles.' To these conditions they agreed, and there and then a new branch of the Methodist community was formed, which was designated the Arminian Methodist Connexion.

" All connected with the movement set to work. The preachers went forth preaching Christ; souls were saved, and revivals of religion begun in almost every place to which they went. In a short time, without any proselyting or agitating about differences, Circuits were formed in and around Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Redditch ; and Societies were raised in Manchester, Birmingham, and many other places. While this work was going on, several itinerant ministers had to be employed ; amongst them was Mr. Sellars, who, having caught some of the Arminian fire, entered heartily into the work, and was very successful.

" The usages of the denomination were, with one or two exceptions, much the same as those of other Methodist communities. The constitution of the Annual Conference differed a little from that of other Methodist bodies. Every itinerant preacher had a seat in the Conference, by virtue of his having been accepted as a minister. And each quarterly meeting had also the right to send lay representatives to the Conference, regulated by the number of members belonging to the Circuit.

" The doctrines held by the Arminians were the same as those held by the Wesleyans. The local preachers were frequently advised and encouraged to keep in their preaching close to the old Methodist pressing-points. Hence, they always strove to get sinners broken down into a state of godly sorrow on account of sin, before they encouraged them to believe. They laboured hard to get penitents to give up all ; then simply trust in the blood of Christ for salvation. They insisted much on the necessity of the direct witness of the Spirit ; of the work of entire sanctification ; and of living by faith in Christ every moment.

" In the year 1837, at the Liverpool Annual Assembly, the whole of the Arminian Methodists united with the Wesleyan Methodist Association. But it is proper here to add, that the type of an Arminian Methodist, which Mr. Sellars took at first, he retained to a considerable extent through the whole of his life."

Mr. Sellars' first Circuit among the Arminians extended from Ashbedale to Tansley, a distance of forty miles, which he had to^walk. In this field of labour he met with plenty of haJd work, and exceedingly primitive entertainment. At one place, undue importance having been attached to an exaggerated report of his eccentricities, the members of the Church had determined not to receive him, and had sent a message to that effect to a gentleman,1 on whom he was to call en route. But, as he went direct to his appointment without making the anticipated call, he knew nothing of the message, till, by the Divine blessing upon his labours, those who sent it were humbled and ashamed. In this Circuit he cheerfully and successfully toiled, and was highly esteemed by the people.

His next station was Nottingham. During his location here, the amalgamation between the Arminian Methodists and the Wesleyan Methodist Association took place. The Association had a minister in this town, and Mr. Sellars, not wishing to stand in the way of union, and conceiving that the united Churches in Nottingham would not be able to support two ministers, resigned his position as a preacher, and resumed his secular calling. But his conduct in relation to this matter being brought before the Connexional

1 Mr. Page, of Nottingham.

B authorities,1 he was not long allowed to remain at his employment. He was desired to supply the Bradford Circuit, and was officially received in the year 1837 as a preacher having been two years on probation.

The upper room, in which the Association at that time held services in Bradford, was called the Band Room. A number of Socialists and professed Atheists held their meetings in a lower room of the same building. Their meeting being concluded, they would sometimes join the Associationists, and, not observing the greatest decorum, would distract the preacher, and annoy the congregation. On one of these occasions, having transgressed more than ordinarily, Mr. Sellars turned sharply upon them and said, " The tree is known by its fruit. We will turn the present service into an experience meeting, and our friends shall say what the gospel has done for them, and you shall say what infidelity has done for you." Then came testimonies from reformed drunkards, swearers, Sabbath-breakers, of enslaving vices from which they had been emancipated, and of the peace and joy experienced through believing. These followed in such rapid and unceasing succession, that the preacher, thinking they would monopolise the meeting, desired them to stop for the present, that the other side might be heard. After this came a most extraordinary reticence. The infidels' experience was either too profound or too shallow to be uttered ; the preacher believing it to be the latter, and determined to goad them on to some confession of their condition, said, " Has your infidelity ever given you an hour's happiness ? " " Yes," replied one of them. " What sort of happiness was it ? "

1 By Mr. Page, of Nottingham.

asked the preacher. " The happiness of a good dinner," replied the infidel. "Then," said Mr. Sellars, "your happiness has amounted to nothing more than the happiness of a pig, and that your infidelity has not given you, but the God whom you deny." The humour, point, and piquancy of this retort so discomfited the scoffers, that they never again molested the upper room assembly. A correspondent x writes, " The Socialists often pained Mr. Sellars by their opposition, and they sought to engage him in public discussion ; he, however, was not to be turned aside from his ministerial duties." But although he was indisposed to discuss the disputed points with them in a formal way, he was not prepared, as the above shows, to allow them to have it all their own way, or to receive their insults without rebuke.

The same writer, speaking of his work generally, continues, " Mr. Sellars had to do the work of Liberal Methodism in Bradford under great disadvantages, and was the pioneer of better things. Steps were taken to secure land, and after he left a chapel was built, which has since been enlarged and much improved. The Circuit, by the Divine blessing and the amalgamation of other Churches, became one of the largest in the Connexion. In the days of their strength and prosperity, the few who remained of those who were members of the Bridge Street Church when Mr. Sellars laboured there, bore him in remembrance with strong affection and high regard. His after visits to this town, on anniversary occasions, were seasons of much pleasure and profit to his former hearers, and to others who became members in later days."

1 The Rev. J. Aclcock, ex- president.

Another contributor1 from the same town writes, " I have lively recollections of Mr. Sellars coming to Bradford, and of the first band meeting he attended in the upper room, Butterworth Street. Much of the power and glory of God rested on the people. He made no pretence to greatness, but many souls were converted under his ministry. The young converts were regarded by him with a special and tender solicitude. One of them being expelled from home on account of his religious profession, he undertook the responsibility of finding him another home, and also of obtaining for him suitable clothes in which to appear on the Lord's day. Camp meetings and open-air preaching were services for which Mr. Sellars was especially adapted, and in them he took delight. In such services he was accompanied by a large staff of young converts, by whom he was greatly beloved, who aided him in singing through the streets. He was extremely charitable, and could not" "pass a case of distress if it were in his power to relieve it ; indeed, he would have given away the whole of his income, had it not been for the judicious interposition of the person with whom he resided. He greatly relied on the sympathy and prayers of his congregation for inspiration and ability to preach the word. When on a visit to Leeds, feeling himself hampered in preaching, he loudly exclaimed, ' Would that I had fifty of my Bradford prayer-books here, they would help me.' The question of his remaining in the Circuit another year being mooted, one of the brethren asked him ' If he would be willing to continue for such a salary as the Circuit could conveniently raise ? ' To which he replied,

1 Mr. J. Raistrick.

' If you will get me a machine, that is, a stocking-loom, I will work at that during the week, and preach three times every Sabbath for naught' But it was thought expedient to remove him, which removal was acutely felt. On the morning of his departure a large number of his spiritual children assembled to bid him farewell, and very touching was the scene as they mingled their parting tears. Some time after, several of them hearing he was to conduct a love-feast at Luddenden-foot, in the Todmorden Circuit, resolved to attend it. At the sight of them, he wept and shouted for joy. The service being over, he took them all to an inn and ordered tea ; they afterwards sang Zion's songs, and had a glorious prayer-meeting, separating amid tears of love and shouts of praise. His memory is precious to many in Bradford, and at various times in our love - feasts not a few thank God that such a man ever came to the town." Another,1 speaking of this revival, says, " God blessed him with amazing success ; scores of souls were converted, and one of them — at that time in poor and obscure circumstances — has since been the mayor of Leeds."

From Bradford, in the year 1838, he removed to Worksop. The minister2 now3 stationed there writes, " The details of Mr. Sellars' ministry, owing to the number of years which have elapsed since he was located here, cannot be ascertained. There are, however, two anecdotes well remembered, which show the determination with which he did his work. A friend at Worksop had invited a few young persons to his house, and Mr. Sellars, being a general favourite, was there to

1 Mr. T. Summersides. 2 The Rev. O. Beckerleggc.

3 1S72 — 1st edition.

meet them. Everything proceeded pleasantly until the time came for him to leave for his appointment. The young people urged him to remain, but he would not be persuaded. They then had recourse to a trick to detain trim, and hid his hat, nor would they tell where they had secreted it. But he was equal to the emergency, and ivalked to his appointment without one. The other is a striking incident illustrative of the scathing manner in which he could deal with the boldest transgressor. One Sunday evening he preached in the open air at the Old Market Cross. Whilst delivering his sermon, a drunken Tian came out of a neighbouring public-house with a pot Df beer, and pressing through the crowd, he shouted, Wilt'a hev a sup ? ' No attention was paid by the preacher, who was earnestly engaged in his theme. Nearer and nearer pressed the man, evidently gaining :ourage* by a non-rebuke, until the pot was actually thrust in the preacher's face, the man all the while Inviting him 'ta hev a sup.' Mr. Sellars now stopped abruptly, and with a stern glance said, ' Take it to thy brother Dives in hell, for he wants a sup.' The intruder ivas abashed by the rebuke, and without offering further interruption quietly slunk away. The preacher proceeded with his discourse, the circumstance only serving to deepen the impression already made on the hearts of his hearers."

His next Circuit was Todmorden, to which he was appointed by the Annual Assembly of 1839. One of the most judicious men in that Circuit 1 sums up his character and work there in one sentence — " A singular man, and singularly useful."

1 Mr, R. Thomson,

Chapter II

The opening of this chapter introduces us to a most important epoch in the life of Mr. Sellars. " Notwithstanding all we meet with in books, in many of which, no doubt, there are a good many handsome things said upon the sweets of retirement, yet still ' it is not good for man to be alone.' Nor can all with which the coldhearted pedant stuns our ears upon the subject ever give one answer of satisfaction to the mind. In the midst of the loudest vauntings of philosophy, Nature will have her yearnings for society and friendship. A good heart wants some object to be kind to ; and the best part of our blood, and the purest of our spirits, suffer most under the destitution.

" Let the torpid monk," says the writer from whom we quote, "seek heaven comfortless and alone — God speed him ! For my own part, I fear I should never so find the way. Let me be wise and religious, but let me be a MAN. Wherever Thy providence places mc, or whatever be the road I take to get to Thee, give me some companion in my journey, be it only to remark to, how our shadows lengthen as the sun goes down ! to whom I may say, how fresh is the face of nature ! how sweet the flowers of the field ! how delicious are these fruits ! " Mr. Sellars was manly as well as religious, for in the spring of 184 1, when travelling in the Sunderland Circuit, he was married.

The memoir of Mrs. Sellars, written by her husband, exhibits this event as one of special interest, by reason of the relationship before subsisting between them. " About one hundred years ago," he writes, " at the foot of the Peak of Derbyshire, near Lea Hurst, — the home of the world-renowned Miss Nightingale, — there lived John Sweeting, a lead miner and farmer, famous for his clear, strong, and musical voice. Such was its power, that when he went into a small country fair, and, putting his hand on a beast, said to the seller, ' Well, lad, what do'st ax for this ? ' he would be heard and recognised by all present. He had two daughters. One was married to a man whose name was Taylor, and the other to Samuel Sellars, of Southwingfield-hill-top. They each had sons. The son of one was John Sellars, my father, and the son of the other was William Taylor, my wife's father. Thus our fathers were cousins, our grandmothers sisters, and our great-grandfather was the above John Sweeting, and his blood meets again in the veins of my children.

" Tryphena, the youngest child of William and Mary Taylor, was born at Southwingfield, Derbyshire, June 6th, 1822. Her father and mother — whose remains now lie in that village churchyard — when married, were declared by the vicar of the parish to be the handsomest couple he had ever united. But, alas ! her parents, though honest and respectable, were living without God in the world. And, notwithstanding her grandmother on her mother's side was a devout Methodist, nearly all

The CJwice. 25 they had to do with that body of Christians was to take in the preacher's horse, for which they were allowed a pew in the chapel.

" About twenty-two years ago, Tryphena's sister Ellen died of consumption. The visits of Samuel Brentnall, a poor, afflicted, but pious Methodist, were the means of her conversion. Her triumphantly happy death had a great effect upon the family and the young people of the village. About the same time, two young men and myself, belonging to the village, but then living in Derby, were remarkably constrained to pray for our relations at Wingfield, not knowing what was going on there, — it was fourteen miles distant, — when news came of a revival, and that three girls, who were praying together, had been converted. One of these was Tryphena. We visited the place, and were glad to see the grace of God. One thing which I remarked in that revival was, that as soon as the young folks got on their knees, each began to pray as if unconscious of the others' presence. Tryphena's sister and mother were also converted at that time.

" In the year 1840, when in the Todmorden Circuit, I received a letter from Tryphena concerning my father. It was so cleverly written, that I said to my colleague, with whom I resided, ' Brother Edgar, do you not think that a woman who has such a head, heart, and hand as this letter indicates, would do for a preacher's wife ? ' His opinion coincided with my own. I therefore named the subject to her ; and although she had other suitors with better worldly prospects than I could offer, she preferred me, and, because of spiritual advantages, her mother approved her choice. She was eventually given to me

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in marriage by brother Edgar, at the Independent Chapel, Belper, April 23rd, 1 841. The Revs. T. Gathorn1 and R. Ingham2 officiated. The powerful prayer for us by the latter, — my parents' minister, — and the Divine influence felt on that occasion, I shall never forget."

In Mrs. Sellars his ideal of what a wife should be was realised. Before marriage he had often said, " A preacher's wife should have a lady's face, a servant's hands, and a Christian's heart." And after marriage he added, " I am thankful the Lord has given me a helpmate who excels in all these particulars."

In proof of the high Christian type of his wife's character, Mr. Sellars writes, " Soon as we got to Houghton-le-Spring, in the Sunderland Circuit, she undertook a work of special mercy. A young woman,3 suffering from a spinal complaint, had been for a long time bedridden. My wife got her removed to our lodgings, carried her about from room to room, and ultimately was instrumental in restoring her. But the exertion which this work involved brought upon Tryphena a severe illness."

Thirty-four years have passed, and still persons are found in the Sunderland Circuit who delight to speak of the gracious influences and results which attended the labours of those two co-workers and famous out-door preachers and singers, Messrs Wolstenholme 4 and Sellars. Owing to financial burdens upon the chapel trust, it was found impracticable to retain the services of two married preachers; accordingly, in September 1 841, Mr. Sellars removed to Gosport, in Hampshire.