All for Christ, Christ for all : illustrated by the life and labours of William M. Bailey

Preface

'""PHIS little book ought to have appeared much ■*- earlier. No one regrets this more deeply than the writer, especially as several of Mr. Bailey's most intimate friends, who had a strong desire to see it, have since passed away to their rest and reward. The almost continual pressure of other duties, so that a few consecutive days could not be devoted to the work, is the only reason for the delay. Composed under such circumstances, the book doubtless will show marks of haste and imperfection which the reader would wish away. But I believe that the character and labours of Mr. Bailey are faithfully pourtrayed, and therefore this memorial will be prized by his numerous friends and admirers. In compiling it, it has been a great advantage to have Mr. Bailey's diary at hand, and several valuable communications I have been favoured with, to the writers of which I here return my best thanks, and think it right to distinctly mention the names of Matthew Robins, Richard Vaughan, William Gilbert, William Rowe, vi PREFACE.

H. W. Lillington, William Higman, John Maynard, and F. J. Wheeler. From my late dear friends, R. P. Tabb, and F. Martin, I also received communications of great interest.

I have only to say further, this little book has a purpose. How to reach the masses? is a question often asked in a tone that indicates a feeling of despair as to receiving a satisfactory answer. We build chapels, but frequently the people do not come to them ; we compose sermons, but there are hardly any to listen to them. Why, this little book, I think, indicates; and if all ministers, and other workers for Christ, drank more deeply into Mr. Bailey's spirit, and adopted more freely his methods, the most difficult problem of our times would be solved. And then,

" Though the warrior's sun has set, Its light shall linger round us yet, Bright, radiant, blest."

F. W. BOURNE.

14 Belmont Road, Clapham, S.W., January 1880.

Contents

CHAP.

I. INTRODUCTORY, .

II. CONVERSION AND CALL TO PREACH,

Chapter I. Introductory

WILLIAM METHERALL BAILEY, the son of John Bailey, and Susanna Bailey his wife (formerly Susanna Metherall), was born at Jacobstow, in the county of Cornwall, on the 2ist May 1795. His parents were poor, but respectable people. They returned to Werrington, their native place, when he was a little boy. The goodness of God inclined them to send him to an old woman's school, where he learned to read. As learning was to him a pleasure, he learned fast, and was soon able to read the New Testament and other books. He left school, and began to earn his living very early in life. After some changes of residence and occupation, and when about twenty-three years of age, and after having (with a companion, who became a

A church missionary, subsequently the incumbent of a parish in Cornwall, and remained his dear friend) the offer of an education at one of the universities, with the view of entering the church, which he declined, he entered upon his great life-work as a Bible Christian minister, which he prosecuted for many years with unflagging energy and success. He was married in Kingston Church, Portsea, January 19, 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Read, of Chatham (who was a member of one of the oldest Wesleyan families) ; one son only was born to them, who was baptized by Mr. Francis Martin, one of Mr. Bailey's most beloved and intimate friends. Mrs. Bailey died on the 5th of October 1855, at Newport, in the Isle of Wight ; and some years later (in 1863) he married Mrs. Pidgeon, of Ryde, who survives him, and whose kindness to him is gratefully remembered. Mr. Bailey ceased to itinerate in 1849, and bcttled down in the Isle of Wight, first at Newport, afterwards at Ryde, and last of all at Shanklin, where he peacefully fell asleep in Jesus on the 2nd March 1873. These personal references are intentionally brief and scanty, it being the object of this little book to deal almost exclusively with the inner life of Mr. Bailey, and his labours for Christ and souls, which were so greatly blessed by God. Mr. Bailey was rather slightly built, and under the middle height. But what Mr. Lynch said of Zaccheus is also true of him, that what he wanted in size he made up for in sagacity. He had a good constitution, much bodily strength, and indomitable energy and courage, and was able to walk many miles, and to endure great hardships, under which most men would have succumbed. But he had ready wit, and a wonderful power of sympathy. He was able to think, and feel, and act with others, and to make others think, and feel, and act with him. There was nothing particular to strike a stranger

HIS SMILING FACE. 3

in his face or features, and yet many persons must have often noticed a brightness in his glance, and a smile of benevolence light up his face that made it strangely beautiful and attractive. The one prevailing expression of his face was honesty, which was not only apparent when his natural firmness and decision of character were there seen ; but when these relaxed their hold, as they often did, and kindly emotions ruled. He invariably put his trust in God, and earnestly tried to do the right fearlessly, and he has his reward.

ALL FOR CHRIST — CHRIST FOR ALL.

Chapter II. Conversion And Call To Preach

CONVERSION is the turning-point in a man's life. The times of ignorance God winks at ; but when these are followed by times of illumination, then men should repent and be converted, turn right round, that times of illumination may be followed by times of refreshing, to be continued until the times of the restoration of all things. Mr. Bailey's spiritual awakening was extraordinary. One word will best describe it in all its stages — thoroughness. His convictions were not slight, but deep ; his purpose was not wavering, but fixed; his terrors and his joys were alike terrible in their intensity and force. God had not given him an easy, frivolous nature, which could be satisfied with the smallest measure of grace and a superficial kind of religion. When quite a child he read of the sufferings of Christ for his sins, and his heart became much affected. When only nine or ten years of age, such subjects as Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell engaged, almost engrossed, his thoughts. He says : " I knew that I should die soon, but I could not bear to think of dying in my sins, for I knew if I did I must go to hell. I trembled at the thought of Christ's coming to judge the world, as the destinies of men would then be fixed. Hell I looked at as a place of extreme torment ; and the thought of going there made me weep, and tremble, and pray from time to time. Heaven I thought of as a place of perfect happiness, to which all good people went

FELT LIKE A ROBBER. 5

when they died ; but as I was not fit to die, I had no hope that I should go to heaven. While my father was singing in the church I sometimes felt the influence of the Blessed Spirit in my soul, and had a wish to dwell for ever in heaven with Christ and the holy angels. A prayer-book which had been given me I read much, and in order that my parents might see and feel that they were sinners, I used to read to them too. After I was bound an apprentice, awful to relate, T saw nothing but sin ; no prayer from year's end to year's end. Sabbathbreaking, lying, drunkenness, song-singing, card-playing, and almost every evil, were constantly indulged in. The current was so strong that I was carried away in the flood. I learned to swear, to tell lies, to get drunk, to wrestle, to fight, and proud of my strength and activity, wrestling and fighting became almost a habit with me. But the Lord still strove with me in a powerful manner. I often was greatly alarmed at the thought of dying in my sins. Sometimes I was afraid to go to sleep at night, or to walk by day, lest God should suddenly cut me off, and cast me into hell. I swore once that I would be revenged on a man that had not pleased me in some trifling matter, but I thought of God looking down on me, and I could not do it. For the next six weeks I was in great terror night and day. I was afraid to walk the fields. The Methodists preached in a house near, but so blind was I that I thought they were the false prophets about whom I read in the New Testament. When about sixteen years of age I attended one of their meetings with the intention to mock and persecute them. But when I came to the door I was seized with convictions, and trembled greatly. When I got into the house I felt like a robber caught in the very act of stealing, and thought that I was the greatest sinner present or in the world, and that all the people knew it.

The preacher set his eyes on me, and described my character as clearly as if it had been written in a book, though I suppose he never before saw me. I trembled more than ever. I thought if he were a false prophet he prophesied the truth concerning me ; and whether other people were right or wrong, I was in the high road to ruin. I determined to turn to God at once. I ran home from the meeting, praying all the way. I began to lead a new life, but found it hard to part with all my sins. And to part with my sinful companions was the hardest of all. But I plainly saw that if I did not forsake all, take up my cross and follow Christ, I must lose my soul at the last. So I told my companions if they would not go to heaven with me, I would not go to hell with them. For twelve months, in order to avoid them, I never went to church or meeting, but spent my Sundays in reading, praying, and fasting. My name was now cast out as evil. Some pitied me, said I was deranged, others derided me, and denounced me as a Methodist fool. I might swear, and tell lies, and break the Sabbath, and do all manner of evil ; but when I left off my sins, and turned to God, then I was branded as a fanatic, pitied as a madman, denounced as an enemy. My master turned against me too. But I was determined for heaven at all events, and I said, if I was not allowed to go to the meetings, provided I did not neglect my work, I would leave at once. I plainly saw that it was now or never. The alternative was, repent and believe in this world, or be damned in the next. Matt. v. 10-12 : 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets

HIS DETERMINED PURPOSE. 7

which were before you,' and other precious Scripture promises, greatly encouraged me. My father and mother also turned against me, but through ignorance more than anything else, fearing my worldly prospects would be injured. My brother was very angry, and he greatly persecuted the preachers for turning me out of my mind, as he thought they had. I prayed much for my relatives, but for som£ time they appeared to get worse and worse. As I had no place for prayer in the house, I made the barn, the stables, and sometimes the pig's house or the fields, my closet. I learned by experience that

' The temple, cottage, land, and sea, Were consecrated all by Thee ; And where Thou dost reveal Thy face, — What more can consecrate that place.'

" I was, if possible, more diligent in attending to my Master's work than before. Soon the opposition in a measure ceased. After a while my master said I might go to the meeting if I would, and that he did not think the devil could hinder me. I attended the meetings at every opportunity, read and prayed much, and generally fasted on Sunday. But going out of the way of Providence, I was so tried that I could neither work, read, nor pray. I wanted to know and do the will of God, but what that will was did not seem clear. At this juncture, I had a tempting offer to go and live with a gentleman, but when I went to the house to make arrangements, I felt forbidden by the Spirit (Acts xvi. 7); and that if I did I should lose my religion. Matthew xvi. 25 was applied powerfully to my mind: 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.' I was at times so happy that I could shout and sing aloud the praises of God. One morning I awoke myself, singing —

' I the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me.'

" I was as happy as I could live ; my language was—

' My happy soul would stay In such a frame as this, And sit and sing herself away To everlasting bliss.' "

About this time, Mr. Bailey's mind was much exercised about joining the Church. He could not unite with one body of people, though they were the first to encourage him in the " good old way," because their religious opinions differed from his own, nor to another, because he thought too much distinction was made by them between the rich and the poor. Reasoning on these matters he got very near the precincts of Doubting Castle if he were not shut up as a prisoner within its walls. He says —

"I did not feel my mind at rest, at least I had not constant peace. Once, when I applied for a situation, the gentleman asked me if I was a Methodist. I told him I prayed and read my Bible, and was what the world called a Methodist; and as this announcement was displeasing to him, I took up my hat, telling him as I left, ' If I cannot serve God, I will not serve you.' If I had been a drunkard, a swearer, &c, &c, I might have done, for drunkenness, swearing, &c, then suited most masters better than prayer, as they indulged themselves in these sins. I used to rise early to read my Bible and pray, and sometimes I should feel a sweet peace of soul, but not being properly instructed I could not say that my sins we,re pardoned, and I lived without having the witness of the Spirit that I was accepted in the Beloved.

FIRST ATTEMPTS AT PREACHING. 9

" I was much pained by the conduct of some of the clergy, as at first I regarded them as angels, the special favourites of heaven, and envied them the great honour God had conferred on them, in calling them to preach His Gospel to sinners ; I felt a burning desire to be engaged also in that great work. Dan. xii. 3 : 'They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever,' and such passages, increased my desire to be employed for Jesus. It was well that it was not for my own ease or gain to be thus employed. ' Is there not some chosen curse, some hidden thunder, in the stores of heaven, red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man who gains his fortune from the blood of souls ? ' But the deeper my convictions of sin became, and the more vividly I realised my own danger, the more clearly did it appear to be my duty to call sinners to repentance. It at length became so clear, and my conviction so strong, that my misery was almost more than I could bear. When at last I yielded in my mind to the will of God, I felt happier. I went out into highways and hedges, to invite all men to the Gospel feast. When I looked at my own weakness instead of looking to Christ, the Cross appeared so heavy that I thought I must sink under it. At length, in the place where I lived, I collected the old men and women together, as I thought they would not laugh at me and bring the Word of God into ridicule. At first when I began to pray with them, I used a printed form, but this was too dry to affect them much, as the letter took up my attention, and prevented me from lifting my heart unto God, as I ought to have done. I cried to the Lord to help me, but thought I could not pray well enough to pray in public. But the Lord soon gave me to see that

TO ALL FOR CHRIST — CHRIST FOR ALL.

prayer did not consist of beautiful language, or volubility of speech, but that it was the fervent breathing of the soul after God for the blessing we need. And as all are sinners in the sight of God, and need the same blessings, I had only to pray for what I myself needed, to be a mouth-piece for the people. I took up my cross ; many of the people were much affected, and one woman was so deeply convinced of sin that she began to seek salvation with all her heart and soul. I have every reason to believe that while I am writing this she is in heaven. It now appeared to me I must leave all and go right away into the world, and offer life and salvation to as many as would repent and believe. But my faith being weak, I was afraid, and went and hid my talent in the earth. But among my neighbours and friends I began to be more zealous, and when I got a little bolder, I publicly announced my meetings. The house was soon filled with persons who came to hear. The first time I spoke from a text was at Beardon mill, in the parish of Boyton." His own experience doubtless determined the choice of a text. In view of his soul exercises what more suitable text could have been selected than Matthew xxvi. 41 : "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation ; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." " The cross was heavy to take up," Mr. Bailey continues, " but it was lighter when it was up." His preaching gift he now frequently employed ; but the struggle is not yet over. Adversity can better be borne in a general way than prosperity. Mr. Bailey says — " As soon as the Lord began to bless me, I began to look more to myself and less to God, and instead of depending on the Spirit, I began to depend on poor little self. After studying one subject for two or three weeks, I thought I had a fine sermon and should be able to say something to the

HIS FINE SERMON. II

purpose. I was repeating my fine spun sermon to myself all the way to the place where I was going to preach. Its features greatly pleased me. I thought, what a noble form it was ! A large company assembled ; I hardly gave myself time to pray, being all on fire to let the people see my little heap of dry bones. But in a moment all the life and beauty vanished, the bones that I had taken such pains to bring together all fell to pieces, and I could never join them together again. My countenance fell and my spirit sank within me. If I had not had a sermon in my pocket the people would have had a dumb priest that day. I read a sermon, it is true, but I was very much confused. When I returned home, I found it had been given out for me to preach, and the people were already assembled. I did not know what to do ; but at last summoned up courage to give out a hymn and pray ; and while I prayed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, so that I could preach without using a form, and the Lord not only blessed me, but the people also. But, alas ! I fell the same night through spiritual pride. A farmer laying his hand on my shoulder, said, ' A wonderful sermon as ever was heard ! ' and Satan being a subtle enemy, and I but a poor weak creature, I fell into the snare, and the desire of praise burned in me like fire. I hardly slept that night, and could scarcely work the next day : I wanted to go around the village to hear something said about my fine sermon. If they spoke highly of me, I said nothing ; but if they were silent I was pained and disappointed. How true the words of the poet —

' I carry with me my own hell While pride and wrath remain.'

By giving way to spiritual pride I grieved the good Spirit. The Lord hid His face and I was troubled. Bv the Lord's favour my mountain had been strong ; but I was brought to desolation in a moment.

' My 'triumph and boast On a sudden were lost, And my day it was turned into night.'

The Lord justly took from me all liberty and power of speaking in public ; the power for a time was wholly taken from me, and oh ! what a mercy it was I wasn't sent to hell. As I could not preach I read sermons to the people on the Lord's-day, as I thought if I were not saved some of them might be ; and so I strove with them morning, noon, and night, and thus I went on in distress of soul until I heard that despised, but faithful servant of Jesus, William O'Bryan. I believe I, and many others, shall have to bless God to all eternity for sending him to preach to us that day. On the invitation of Richard Sedwell, I met in class occasionally, and continued to hold meetings as before. I got much help, and should have got more if the members had been more alive to God. The feeling continued, if I remain in deep waters and never get to heaven, I will do my fellow-creatures all the good I can. In this state I continued till I went to the parish of Jacobstow to live." He attended there a meeting of the Arminian * Bible Christians. " As some of the friends knew me, they asked me to begin the meeting. The zeal, love, and fervour manifested that night was a glass in which I saw my shortcomings, which was a great blessing to my soul. As I soon after went to live in this part I continued to attend the meetings of the Bible Christians, but the meanness of their appearance much tried me, especially some of their preachers preaching in a fustian jacket. But I got over that, and looked more to what they said

* The word Arminian was dropped some years afterwards.

BILLY ABLE TO PREACH NOW. 13

than what they wore. I attended the class meeting, and their deep experience, and the love they had one for another, fully satisfied me they were the people of God, and I gave in my name to be one of them. One memorable night I heard Mr. O'Bryan preach. His text was Isaiah liii. I got in behind the people, but not behind the devil. All the first part of the meeting I was shut up in unbelief, and a thick darkness overspread my soul. But when the speaker spoke of the satisfaction of Christ, and of the various ways in which God brought sinners to Himself, I said, Lord, save my soul in any way, and in a moment the mighty power of God came on me ; all the unbelief and darkness was gone, and my soul was filled with light, and love, and liberty, and glory. I was fairly carried out of myself; and I ran about the house praising the Lord for very gladness. The day and the month I have forgotten, but the shining of the ^un is evidence enough that it has risen. Mr. O'Bryan said after the meeting, ' Billy will be able to preach now.' This I found to be true, for I had got that in my heart which before I had only got in my head. I went home that night as I never did before. I was made a class leader shortly after, and the first time I met the members two were set at liberty. This was a fresh spring in my soul to work for God, but old Adam was not dead in me, and I saw the great need of sanctification. While speaking to others, the words were impressed on my mind, ' Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.' It was plain to me that I must be sanctified wholly before I could teach others the way to heaven perfectly.

I was now brought into distress for a deeper work of grace. The more I acted in public, the greater need for holiness of heart. I spoke to men who enjoyed the blessing, and though I sought it night and day did not find it myself. In my distress the Lord spoke to my soul the words, ' Ye are clean.' I lifted up my soul to God, but Satan came in with a great temptation, that if I gave way to my feeling I should make as great a noise as when the Lord pardoned all my sins, which would attract the attention of the people, and I was filled with shame. But I continued to seek, and one day returning in company with two friends from Canworthy-water, where I had been preaching on Rev. iii. 4, I was thinking of the white garments about which I had been preaching. I saw in a moment that they are clothed in the white garments who are washed in Jesus' blood, and that the blessing was received by faith the moment we believe. I cried, ' Lord, I believe this moment. Come, Lord Jesus, come now this very moment and seal me Thine for ever,' and it seemed to me that I was instantly surrounded by a bright light; my soul certainly was filled with light and glory, and it was as if a voice spoke to my outward ear, ' Thou art sealed unto the day of redemption.' I felt so overpowered that I must have sank down if the friends had not held me up ; I shouted so loudly that the people could hear me a long distance off, as the devil told me they would, but he did not shame me then. Let lukewarm preachers and professors say what they will about shouting, it is good to sing praises unto the Lord. All do not obtain the blessing in the same way, but all receive the blessing through faith out of the fulness of Christ ; ' If thou can'st but believe, thou shalt see the salvation of God.' I was happier than I had ever been before. I could ' rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.' My soul was filled with God. My joy was unspeakable, I seemed to be overflowed with life everlasting. My call to the ministry, clear before, became clearer still. I felt my own weakness more ;

LEAVING HOME. 1 5

but the promises were applied, ' My grace is sufficient for thee/ ' He is able to keep thee from falling/ and I did not doubt that the Lord would so bless my labours at home, that the way would be opened for me, and I felt fully determined to obey God's will." And in this delightful frame of mind, Mr. Bailey left his home to engage in that work which was evermore the joy of his heart, and which his weakness, his hardships, his persecutions, could hardly damp for a single moment.

Chapter III. In The Pulpit

MR. BAILEY'S call to the work of the ministry was clear and unmistakable. He was not a manmade, but a God-sent, minister. Whether saved himself or not, we have seen that he felt he must warn others to flee " from the wrath to come." Before he could fully rejoice in Christ as his Saviour, he was compelled to exercise his gift in beseeching his fellow-men to be reconciled to God. Necessity was laid upon him, yea, he might have sai " Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel." " It as said of Alleine, by one who knew him intimately, that { he was infinitely and insatiably greedy of the conversion of souls.' When he might have had a fellowship at his university, he preferred a chaplaincy, because he was inspired with an impatience to be occupied in direct ministerial work. ' Do not enter the ministry if you can help it,' was the deeply sage advice of a divine to one who sought his judgment." So speaks Mr. Spurgeon in one of his college lectures on The Call of the Ministrj ; and if, he continues, " any student in this room could be content to be a newspaper editor, or a grocer, or a farmer, or a doctor, or a lawyer, or a senator, or a king, in the name of heaven and earth, let him go his way ; he is not the man in whom dwells the Spirit of God in its fulness, for a man so filled with God would utterly weary of any pursuit but that for which his inmost soul pants. If, on the other hand, you can say that for all the wealth